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deathbypaperbacks's review against another edition
5.0
Short story collections aren’t always my first choice for my next book. I often find myself getting bored and only enjoy a couple of the stories and by the end of it, I question if it was even worth the read.
Acts of Violence was NOT one of those experiences! I honestly enjoyed every single story in this collection and even gave 5 of them a 5 star rating!! Each story packed a punch despite their short length and I looked forward to the next one.
I highly recommend this collection and I am very excited to see more of Marcus Hawke’s work in the future!
4.5⭐️ but rounded up to 5 for goodreads!
Acts of Violence was NOT one of those experiences! I honestly enjoyed every single story in this collection and even gave 5 of them a 5 star rating!! Each story packed a punch despite their short length and I looked forward to the next one.
I highly recommend this collection and I am very excited to see more of Marcus Hawke’s work in the future!
4.5⭐️ but rounded up to 5 for goodreads!
stitching_ghost's review against another edition
4.0
As a sucker for good author notes I particularly enjoyed the fact that Hawke included a little bit about what inspired the story or the context in which he wrote it at the end of every story.
questionablereads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is an amazing short story horror collection and my first introduction to this author. The variety of horror that this collection gives was fantastic: everything from creepy children, ghosts, slashers, angels and demons, and haunted homes just to name a few. While I did have my favorite stories (The People in 2B, Every Hunt is a Cold One, and Matters of the Heart) I was never once bored with any of these horror stories, and absolutely loved the author's take on some classic tales (the slasher story in particular). I highly recommend this collection for any horror reader.
mk_oldman's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
sharron_joy_reads's review against another edition
5.0
This is a gruesome buffet of the uncanny, the weird, the gory, the supernatural, the strange and disgusting, with a glorious dark humour seasoning, delicious!
These are juicy slices of horror, each one different, they are dark and creepy as hell. Neighbours who really should have kept quiet, a workplace turns feral, a house with a secret, a murder is reported, a hungry doll, a creepy carnival, a slasher’s night takes a turn, a school janitor’s secret, a serial killer’s story, a hunt in a frozen dystopia, a ghost’s tale and the End Times arrive (my favourite story! ) I loved the author’s notes at the end of each story giving a glimpse into the inspiration behind them.
A wonderfully disturbing journey.
These are juicy slices of horror, each one different, they are dark and creepy as hell. Neighbours who really should have kept quiet, a workplace turns feral, a house with a secret, a murder is reported, a hungry doll, a creepy carnival, a slasher’s night takes a turn, a school janitor’s secret, a serial killer’s story, a hunt in a frozen dystopia, a ghost’s tale and the End Times arrive (my favourite story! ) I loved the author’s notes at the end of each story giving a glimpse into the inspiration behind them.
A wonderfully disturbing journey.
readwithkyladawngail's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
5.0
This was my favourite collection of short stories so far! Every story was fantastic and captivating. They all had a proper beginning, middle and end which I find is sometimes very much lacking in short stories. I also loved the blurb at the end of every story where the author explained where his inspiration came from.
I highly recommend and can’t wait to read more by Marcus.
I highly recommend and can’t wait to read more by Marcus.
soobooksalot's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Many years ago, I bought a well-worn copy of Tales For The Midnight Hour from a used bookstore. I might have been too young for it back then. It was one of those books that low-key scared me to have on my shelf, so I would keep it hidden behind other books. Until, of course, it was time to take it to slumber parties, where my friends and I would take turns reading aloud and pretending we weren't freaking each other out.
Acts Of Violence brought me the grown-up version of that nostalgia, minus hiding the book. Thank you to author Marcus Hawke for my gifted copy for review!
Hawke's collection of short stories takes the everyday of life and tips it sideways until the horror is revealed. Slowly, or jarringly, depending on the story. The stories are dark, and wry.
An office of the living dead, a haunted doll, a carnival of evil, a babysitter slasher, a haunted school bathroom, the end of days, among others - there are classic horror tropes with unique new slants.
I was going to list some of the standout stories for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed every one. And Hawke adds a blurb after each with insights and inspiration, which added to the enjoyment for me.
Horror fans - add this to your TBR without delay! Recommended.
Acts Of Violence brought me the grown-up version of that nostalgia, minus hiding the book. Thank you to author Marcus Hawke for my gifted copy for review!
Hawke's collection of short stories takes the everyday of life and tips it sideways until the horror is revealed. Slowly, or jarringly, depending on the story. The stories are dark, and wry.
An office of the living dead, a haunted doll, a carnival of evil, a babysitter slasher, a haunted school bathroom, the end of days, among others - there are classic horror tropes with unique new slants.
I was going to list some of the standout stories for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed every one. And Hawke adds a blurb after each with insights and inspiration, which added to the enjoyment for me.
Horror fans - add this to your TBR without delay! Recommended.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Suicide, Sexual assault, Murder, Death, Infidelity, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, Child death, and Violence
lizslazylibrary's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
i love anthology type books and this one didn’t disappoint! i loved how hawke used horror and really put me on edge. it doesn’t take much to mess up a short horror story but he did so well at weaving the tales and telling such amazing stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Violence, Death, Child death, Sexual violence, Confinement, Suicide, Torture, Gore, Blood, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Bullying
apagecastingwitch's review
dark
fast-paced
5.0
MARCUS HAWKE DOES IT AGAIN!! This collection is so captivating and unique. It was impossible to put it down! Marcus’ writing is so atmospheric and hauntingly beautiful! Perfect collection for spooky season!
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