Reviews tagging 'Torture'

Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.

56 reviews

queenginger's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

I chose this anthology for the horror book club that I host and figured we haven’t tried our hand at short stories, so this will be perfect. 

Overall the collection was successful. It brought the dark fiction that is included in the subtitle. However, I think my assumptions about the sorts of stories that would be featured in here was slightly off. It was definitely more dark and reflective as opposed to creepy and spooky. The horror aspect simply comes from the realities of the past and the traumas that have been created as a result. 

By no means is this a flop. It sings. I just needed to know how dark this was going to get before stepping into its waters. Perhaps some trigger warnings at the beginning of stories would have been immensely helpful. 

My favorites were: 
- Scariest. Story. Ever. 
- Human Eaters 
- White Hills 
- Collections 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Torture, Body horror, Child abuse, Gore, and Sexual assault

willow_thewisp's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Torture, Cultural appropriation, Cannibalism, Violence, Rape, and Blood

sarah984's review against another edition

dark

3.0

This anthology was interesting to see what the different takes on "dark fiction" were. Some were straightforward horror stories, some were noir type stories of people being awful to each other, and others were kind of a mix. I found the first and last few stories to be the strongest, with some weaker ones dragging on for a bit in the middle. There's something for everyone, except maybe the faint of heart.

Favourites: Capgras by Tommy Orange and The Longest Street in the World by Theodore C. van Alst Jr.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Murder, Racism, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Animal death, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Rape, and Religious bigotry

tshaff's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Abandonment, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Colonisation, Racial slurs, Vomit, Pedophilia, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death, Cannibalism, Body horror, Blood, Murder, Torture, Xenophobia, Sexual violence, Hate crime, Gore, and Racism

ingridjones's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Violence, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Murder, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Alcohol, Blood, Abandonment, Torture, Religious bigotry, Racism, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, and Colonisation

acepiary's review against another edition

dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Racism, Hate crime, Death, Sexual violence, Blood, Animal death, Colonisation, Bullying, Murder, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Suicide, Sexual assault, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Rape, Racial slurs, Cultural appropriation, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, and Body horror

gnomeguy1138's review against another edition

dark tense

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, Blood, Death, Violence, Child abuse, Hate crime, Torture, Death of parent, and Body horror

Moderate: Gun violence, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Stalking

Minor: War, Religious bigotry, Vomit, Genocide, Death, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, and Death of parent

bex4dayz's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Cannibalism, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Child abuse, Gore, Torture, and Pedophilia

theotherallie's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Animal death, Mental illness, Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, and Torture

Moderate: Colonisation, Grief, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Rape

caitlynischeckedout's review against another edition

4.0

I averaged out my ratings for each of the 26 stories and then rounded up a smidge to 4.0 as I really enjoyed this collection. There’s a range of horror included from supernatural to interpersonal situations to colonization as a whole. The messages in the stories were powerful and well written, and I often felt strong emotions as I read. And that cover? So beautiful. 

My standout favorites were: 

• Kushtuka by Mathilda Zeller
• Hunger by Phoenix Boudreau 
• Before I Go by Norris Black
• Behind Colin’s Eyes by Shane Hawk
• Dead Owls by Mona Susan Power
• The Scientist’s Horror Story by Darcie Little Badger

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Physical abuse, Murder, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Torture, and Emotional abuse