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ericarobyn's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
H is for Hell is an anthology edited by P.J. Blakey-Novis that contains nightmare after nightmare! Buckle up before taking a trip to these hellscapes!
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book from the publisher per request of an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
Phew, the terrors this anthology cooks up is intense!
My favorites from the collection include:
- The Devil to Pay by Elliott Capon
- An Unpaved Road by N.M. Brown
- The Watcher by Holley Cornetto
- Copperhead by Mo Donovan
Here are my quick thoughts on each tale –
Among the Benighted by Daniel R. Robichaud
When someone comes to claim revenge for their lady after she goes missing, this evil man faces revenge in more ways than one!
What an unsettling tale to kick things off with!
The Devil to Pay by Elliott Capon
When a man goes to Hell, he stays calm and tries to work out a bargain with the devil. But will he be able to follow through?
This was so much fun! The hellscape was terrifying, but I loved seeing what one character was up to!
The Hellhole by Eric Butler
While on a trip, this family’s car breaks down. Of course, they have to go search for a gas station, but on the way, they’re attacked.
This story had me so nervous for the family… and what an ending!
Four-Star Institution by Todd K. Denick
A man stuck in an institution struggles to get through the monotonous days, trying to remember why he is there.
I loved how this one truly seemed like it was straight out of a nightmare.
Kingdom by Sarah Jane Huntington
Trying to learn to leave her body and ascend to another realm, she’s warned against trying to do so alone. But she doesn’t listen.
This one was some serious body horror! I was equally frustrated by and heartbroken for this girl.
Blizzard of Black and Blue by John Clewarth
When sent to set up a computer classroom and then teach, this professor is immediately haunted by the legend of the school. But the darkness is even closer than he thought.
This one was so eerie! It felt very dark immediately. Such a great gothic horror!
Is This Hell? by Gemma Paul
Waking up in the hospital, this woman struggles to remember herself. When she heals from her injuries quickly, the staff learns something new.
While the getting ill scene set off my sympathetic puking (woof), I loved how dedicate and kind the nurse was.
Paradigm 13 by Monster Smith
Determined to bring his wife back, this man goes on a quest to save her. But in the end, can either of them be saved?
This one was so heartbreaking and terrifying. And that ending! The ending makes me question everything. Was this the man’s loop he was stuck in or did things really play out as they did in the end because he tried to fix things?
An Unpaved Road by N.M. Brown
When a man trying to get away winds up on a long road that somehow leads him to a carnival, he’s in for a rude awakening when he realizes what is going on.
A carnival in hell? Yes please. I would happily take a whole book about different people that end up here.
The Watcher by Holley Cornetto
Forced into a role she had no interest in, this girl learns some harsh truths and has to choose how she will react.
At first, with her “my father will hear about this” attitude, I was irked. But later, I was in awe of this girls bravery.
The Door by Bob Johnston
Entering tunnels below the Loch, this man is set on revenge. But with his goal, he realizes he has a bigger fear than the creature he’s hunting.
Phew. This one will get peoples’ blood boiling! There’s nothing worse than a horrible boss.
Copperhead by Mo Donovan
When a woman with a certain knack crosses paths with someone that has a big offer for her, she has to decide if she will take it.
This tale was so fun! I loved the plot and the horror mixed with humor. Give me a statue of Copperhead! She’s certainly someone I could look up to like a saint. She absolutely rules!
We Don’t Discuss the Monster in the Second Bedroom by Simon J. Plant
Phew! This was a beautiful story of overcoming grief and healing wrapped up in a tale of terror. What a great one to end the collection with!
My Favorite Passage from H is for Hell
My favorite passage comes from the story, Copperhead by Mo Donovan:
I’m all in favor of people turning over new leaves, but they need to remember to mulch around the roots of their old sins first, and to pull up the weeds and make whatever repairs they can to the people they’ve damaged.
My Final Thoughts on H is for Hell
If you’re looking for an anthology to get totally immersed in, but one that is sure to give you nightmares of your own personal hell… then this is a book for you!
I had a blast reading through these stories though I couldn’t imagine being in any of these situations…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit
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