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fai_aka's review against another edition
3.0
Some stories are very interesting while some are just too confusing for me to enjoy reading them.
aaronlindsey's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent, refreshing creativity in the horror genre.
All good stories here. But 'A New Kind of Drug' blew me away. Worth the price of the book for that one story.
All good stories here. But 'A New Kind of Drug' blew me away. Worth the price of the book for that one story.
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review against another edition
4.0
The Darkest Hours is a locked box of secrets. Pandora’s box taunting you, willing you to release her. It’s the elephant in the room. You try to ignore the push and pull but it has a canny skill on breaking you. This is my second outing with Mike Thorn, and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s a frank and dark investigation into how humanity can break, how it can seem, well, not human. Stories that wouldn’t be out of place on Halloween, the dark night enveloping you, the words setting goosebumps astray through-out your body, the fear rocking back and forward like a Newton’s Cradle.
Darkest Hours has something from all sub-genres to enjoy. The diversity, the representation was fantastic.
The opening story, wow, the imagination of the author was in full display with a fantastical plot that didn’t hold back in its imagery and its vivid dialogue. This is the type of story that reminds you of why you got into horror short stories in the first place. Its short, sharp, like a death blow. It also displays the many ranges of emotion, something that other genres can struggle with. It was bloody and brutal, and I could feel the metallic taste in my mouth. These stories know how to draw blood. The stories were so perfectly constructed, the urgency was palpable. If you are planning to read this over the period of a few days forget it – this beast will consume and be consumed in hours.
A New Kind of Drug is a superb cosmic horror. This story felt like a drug. Even though this was a short story, the characterisation is superbly built, Mike Thorn utilises the short story format and not one word is wasted. It appears that he can turn his hand to any sub-genre and make it his own.
A Serial Killer that has a penchant for stripping the flesh from a body. I don’t know exactly why but this story felt very Jeepers Creepers and I was more than happy with that comparison. I found this story terrifying with its close parallels to everyday people. Are we ever truly safe? Can you trust anyone in your life? The screams, the violence, the imagery had my gut churning.
Thank you, Mr. Thorn, for renewing my love for the short story format.
Darkest Hours has something from all sub-genres to enjoy. The diversity, the representation was fantastic.
The opening story, wow, the imagination of the author was in full display with a fantastical plot that didn’t hold back in its imagery and its vivid dialogue. This is the type of story that reminds you of why you got into horror short stories in the first place. Its short, sharp, like a death blow. It also displays the many ranges of emotion, something that other genres can struggle with. It was bloody and brutal, and I could feel the metallic taste in my mouth. These stories know how to draw blood. The stories were so perfectly constructed, the urgency was palpable. If you are planning to read this over the period of a few days forget it – this beast will consume and be consumed in hours.
A New Kind of Drug is a superb cosmic horror. This story felt like a drug. Even though this was a short story, the characterisation is superbly built, Mike Thorn utilises the short story format and not one word is wasted. It appears that he can turn his hand to any sub-genre and make it his own.
A Serial Killer that has a penchant for stripping the flesh from a body. I don’t know exactly why but this story felt very Jeepers Creepers and I was more than happy with that comparison. I found this story terrifying with its close parallels to everyday people. Are we ever truly safe? Can you trust anyone in your life? The screams, the violence, the imagery had my gut churning.
Thank you, Mr. Thorn, for renewing my love for the short story format.
jasonsweirdreads's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Stars. Review coming soon. Spoiler alert, I freaking loved this collection.
jo_in_bookland's review against another edition
4.0
These dark stories were unique and fascinating and really well written. I liked how the author also injected humour into many of them. One thing I noticed is that a majority if not all of the stories involve alcohol, cigarettes or drugs. It didn't really irk me, but I found it kind of interesting. I don't know what it means; maybe there's a moral to the book: if you drink, smoke or do drugs in excess bad stuff will happen! I had some favourite stories, but they were all quite good. I hope the author publishes a novel, I would definitely pick it up!
thomaswjoyce's review against another edition
4.0
A great debut collection from Thorn, showcasing his versatility and range. There are stories of body horror and psychological horror, terrifying creatures and disturbing human behaviour. His prose is captivating throughout, striking the perfect balance of intelligent insight and horrific action. The final story, "Remembering Absence", is an incredible piece of work that pulsates with pure, raw emotion. Different from the stories that came before, but incredibly well-written. I look forward to reading more fiction from Thorn. I only wish I hadn't waited this long to read the first collection.
ladilira's review against another edition
4.0
Just in time for the Halloween holiday, I had the pleasure to continue my horror education with Thorn's latest short story collection. Horror and I are beginning to become good friends, if I do say so myself.
Thorn has compiled a varied and creative anthology. I found that from story to story I was always pleasantly surprised. Naturally, some stories I enjoyed more than others, but overall I felt this was a solid grouping of tales.
The collection starts with a disturbing and repulsing addiction to hair. Can't deny that I said eww a lot. It was also enlightening because at the end of the day there is someone out there who is suffering from this sexual proclivity. It felt like a beginning to a Criminal Minds episode.
I found often drawn to certain sentences that Thorn crafted. They were clever and I liked his use of language. Some of my favorites included:
"My scholastic cock outsizes everyone else's"
"Herbert asked the bartenders breasts"
"Work like you want to work"
"Everything else, the chaos that came between the cradle and the grave, was unpredictable"
It is clear from Thorn's writing that he has spent some time in academia, as several of his stories star accomplished or struggling academic professors. It is obviously a familiar environment Thorn likes to capture. Whether the academic was a mouse mass murderer or an out-of-work biologist, Thorn highlights their struggles and peculiarities.
One of my favorites from the collection was Lucio Schluter, a creative writing piece that brings reality to art. I think it was my favorite because it felt like true crime. This was a story that I could see showing up in an FBI file. For me, the more realistically attainable the horror, the more intriguing and butt clenching the tale.
If you are looking for a quick and unpleasant (in good way) read before bedtime then look no further.
Also, I dig the cover. It reminds me of a home recorded VHS tape, which brings back the memories.
https://cellardoorbooks.wordpress.com/2018/10/03/darkest-hours-mike-thorn/
Thorn has compiled a varied and creative anthology. I found that from story to story I was always pleasantly surprised. Naturally, some stories I enjoyed more than others, but overall I felt this was a solid grouping of tales.
The collection starts with a disturbing and repulsing addiction to hair. Can't deny that I said eww a lot. It was also enlightening because at the end of the day there is someone out there who is suffering from this sexual proclivity. It felt like a beginning to a Criminal Minds episode.
I found often drawn to certain sentences that Thorn crafted. They were clever and I liked his use of language. Some of my favorites included:
"My scholastic cock outsizes everyone else's"
"Herbert asked the bartenders breasts"
"Work like you want to work"
"Everything else, the chaos that came between the cradle and the grave, was unpredictable"
It is clear from Thorn's writing that he has spent some time in academia, as several of his stories star accomplished or struggling academic professors. It is obviously a familiar environment Thorn likes to capture. Whether the academic was a mouse mass murderer or an out-of-work biologist, Thorn highlights their struggles and peculiarities.
One of my favorites from the collection was Lucio Schluter, a creative writing piece that brings reality to art. I think it was my favorite because it felt like true crime. This was a story that I could see showing up in an FBI file. For me, the more realistically attainable the horror, the more intriguing and butt clenching the tale.
If you are looking for a quick and unpleasant (in good way) read before bedtime then look no further.
Also, I dig the cover. It reminds me of a home recorded VHS tape, which brings back the memories.
https://cellardoorbooks.wordpress.com/2018/10/03/darkest-hours-mike-thorn/
jeremyfee's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: The author gave me a free e-book in exchange for an honest review.
If you like horror stories that really freak you out, I mean cause you to potentially feel like you're going to throw up in your mouth because they're so disturbingly good, then you will love Mike Thorn's short story collection Darkest Hours. Some of the stories are just bizarre, some are intriguing cosmic horror, some will freak you out, and some are truly disturbing.
The book contains author's notes after each story, which is really nice, because Mike Thorn explains his inspirations (both film and literature) for writing each story. After the short story section, the author also includes essays about horror.
If you like horror stories that really freak you out, I mean cause you to potentially feel like you're going to throw up in your mouth because they're so disturbingly good, then you will love Mike Thorn's short story collection Darkest Hours. Some of the stories are just bizarre, some are intriguing cosmic horror, some will freak you out, and some are truly disturbing.
The book contains author's notes after each story, which is really nice, because Mike Thorn explains his inspirations (both film and literature) for writing each story. After the short story section, the author also includes essays about horror.
wpsmith17's review against another edition
3.0
When Mike Thorn is cooking, he's making some absolute freaky feasts like Long Man, Fear and Grace, Satanic Panic, and Fusion. Brutal, fun, frightening.
However, I didn't quite have the same connection with some of the others. Still, Long Man was an absolute gem of an urban legend story.
However, I didn't quite have the same connection with some of the others. Still, Long Man was an absolute gem of an urban legend story.
robert_bose's review against another edition
5.0
A delicious, yet horrible, collection of darkness. Recommended!