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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
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