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othersociologist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
thenorwegianprince's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely one of the best anthologies I've ever read. I can't wait to read more from each of the authors presented here.
semajluap's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
linc4017's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
3.5
spooky_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
“Follow me– but be mindful not to leave the lighted path. I cannot guarantee your safety should you stray into the shadows.”
Another fantastic collection from HOWL Society Press that I feel so honored to have grace my home-library shelves. HOWLS FROM THE DARK AGES brings you 18 short stories filled with dark magic, adventure and curses galore. If there’s one thing I’m certain you need added to your home library, it’s a mosh-pit of body horror, cosmic horror, dark fantasy, ghost stories, fairy tales, and even a bit of horror comedy, all set in the Dark Ages. There’s a little something for everybody!
What’s especially unique about this anthology is that it’s set up as if you, the reader, are on a tour of an odd museum. The narrator–or “curator”-- leads you from one chilling story to another, displaying them as exhibits. It’s such a creative way to transition between tales! Another plus for me was that while this is an anthology with a Middle Ages theme, not all the stories are set in Medieval Europe. One story–A Dowry for Your Hand–is set in China, while another story–In Every Drop– is set in what I’d like to guess is somewhere in South America.
A handful of my favorites in this collection were:
Palette by J.L. Keifer
Brother Cornelius by Peter Ong Cook
A Dowry for Your Hand by Michelle Tang
In Every Drop by Lindsey Ragsdale
The Final Book of Sainte Foy's Miracles by M.E. Bronstein
A Dark Quadrivium by David Worn
If you, as a reader, are a lover of dark magic, spells, curses, and all things supernatural, this will make an excellent addition to your shelves.
(Special thanks to editor Solomon Forse and HOWL Society Press for a very beautiful review copy!)
Another fantastic collection from HOWL Society Press that I feel so honored to have grace my home-library shelves. HOWLS FROM THE DARK AGES brings you 18 short stories filled with dark magic, adventure and curses galore. If there’s one thing I’m certain you need added to your home library, it’s a mosh-pit of body horror, cosmic horror, dark fantasy, ghost stories, fairy tales, and even a bit of horror comedy, all set in the Dark Ages. There’s a little something for everybody!
What’s especially unique about this anthology is that it’s set up as if you, the reader, are on a tour of an odd museum. The narrator–or “curator”-- leads you from one chilling story to another, displaying them as exhibits. It’s such a creative way to transition between tales! Another plus for me was that while this is an anthology with a Middle Ages theme, not all the stories are set in Medieval Europe. One story–A Dowry for Your Hand–is set in China, while another story–In Every Drop– is set in what I’d like to guess is somewhere in South America.
A handful of my favorites in this collection were:
Palette by J.L. Keifer
Brother Cornelius by Peter Ong Cook
A Dowry for Your Hand by Michelle Tang
In Every Drop by Lindsey Ragsdale
The Final Book of Sainte Foy's Miracles by M.E. Bronstein
A Dark Quadrivium by David Worn
If you, as a reader, are a lover of dark magic, spells, curses, and all things supernatural, this will make an excellent addition to your shelves.
(Special thanks to editor Solomon Forse and HOWL Society Press for a very beautiful review copy!)
pbanditp's review against another edition
4.0
HOWLS FROM THE DARK AGES -what a super collection of stories based in the dark ages. In this book you are able to tour the world, not just Europe, as there are settings all over the globe.
In between each story there is a museum curator showing off relics from the stories and discussing them.
Travel back with the HOWL Society to feel like you are there, reliving history. There are so many great stories in here I couldn’t list all my favorites. Some were humorous, some make you tense, some brought awe, and all of them were entertaining.
I do have to mention one story. The whole book ends with a lyrical poem by Jessica Peter that I have fallen in love with. It is absolutely morbid but fascinating story that you could hear the minstrels singing and even the musicians playing along. I wanted to get up and dance a jig while I was reading it.
I learned from the biography at the end of the book that Christopher Buehlman toured with renaissance festivals with his show Christophe the Insultor, Verbal Mercenary. It is our duty to get this show back in action and invite him to every con to perform
In between each story there is a museum curator showing off relics from the stories and discussing them.
Travel back with the HOWL Society to feel like you are there, reliving history. There are so many great stories in here I couldn’t list all my favorites. Some were humorous, some make you tense, some brought awe, and all of them were entertaining.
I do have to mention one story. The whole book ends with a lyrical poem by Jessica Peter that I have fallen in love with. It is absolutely morbid but fascinating story that you could hear the minstrels singing and even the musicians playing along. I wanted to get up and dance a jig while I was reading it.
I learned from the biography at the end of the book that Christopher Buehlman toured with renaissance festivals with his show Christophe the Insultor, Verbal Mercenary. It is our duty to get this show back in action and invite him to every con to perform
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I requested this arc because I like Christopher Buehlman's stories and I'm fascinated by the Dark Ages, a good time for any type of horror.
This is an excellent anthology, each story introduced by a sort of museum artefact. It's hard to tell which was my favorite story, I like them all and read them over a couple of week enjoying them.
There's a lot of different type of horror stories: some are on the "not for the faint of heart" side, other are about religion or historical moments.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
This is an excellent anthology, each story introduced by a sort of museum artefact. It's hard to tell which was my favorite story, I like them all and read them over a couple of week enjoying them.
There's a lot of different type of horror stories: some are on the "not for the faint of heart" side, other are about religion or historical moments.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
bobmetal's review against another edition
4.0
A range of styles of horror lurk inside this collection. There's body horror, cosmic horror and just plain nasty horror. Having everything themed around the Dark Ages gives all the stories a sense of originality.
My favourites were
The Crowning by Caleb Stephens - a dark take on a fairy tale
Palette by J.L. Kiefer - an obsession with beauty leads to some horrific body horror
In Thrall to This Good Earth by Hailey Piper - three men hired to remove a Haunting threat discover they may be out of their depth
In Every Drop by Lindsey Ragsdale - something is killing off the villagers, what will a mother do to protect her daughter
A Dowry For Your Hand by Michelle Tang - revenge, marriage and body horror
The Fourth Scene by Brian Evenson - a tapestry holds a terrible secret
Well worth reading
I received a copy from the publisher for an honest review
My favourites were
The Crowning by Caleb Stephens - a dark take on a fairy tale
Palette by J.L. Kiefer - an obsession with beauty leads to some horrific body horror
In Thrall to This Good Earth by Hailey Piper - three men hired to remove a Haunting threat discover they may be out of their depth
In Every Drop by Lindsey Ragsdale - something is killing off the villagers, what will a mother do to protect her daughter
A Dowry For Your Hand by Michelle Tang - revenge, marriage and body horror
The Fourth Scene by Brian Evenson - a tapestry holds a terrible secret
Well worth reading
I received a copy from the publisher for an honest review
dreadfulbooks's review
5.0
I knew I had to read this book once I knew that Christopher Buehlman gave the introduction. Between Two Fires is one of my all time favorite books and I knew that I would absolutely love an entire anthology filled with medieval horror.
Howls From the Dark Ages did not disappoint one bit. While it's completely a medieval horror book, it also ties in horror from all over the place. Body, cosmic, paranormal and religious themes are seen throughout it's entirety.
My only complaint is I wish some of the stories were full sized books. Especially "The Crowing" and "White Owl". I just needed more!
Howls From the Dark Ages did not disappoint one bit. While it's completely a medieval horror book, it also ties in horror from all over the place. Body, cosmic, paranormal and religious themes are seen throughout it's entirety.
My only complaint is I wish some of the stories were full sized books. Especially "The Crowing" and "White Owl". I just needed more!