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acornsbooksandcoffee's review against another edition
dark
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Howls from the Dark Ages opens as the Curator welcomes you to his museum of medieval oddities, where he then guides you through the museum artifact by artifact, portrayed by 18 beautiful illustrations and accompanied by 18 terrifying stories. The layout is very unique and makes for a really fun reading experience.
Regardless of your preferred genre of horror, there is a story here for you, from body horror to ghost stories, to horror with a religious undertone, Howls From the Dark Ages has you covered. The collection of stories is diverse, with stories set all over the medieval world. It was especially exciting to see a number of stories featuring queer characters.
A few of my favorite stories are:
- Angelus
- Brother Cornelius (my personal favorite)
- A Dowry for Your Hand
- The Forgotten Valley
- The White Owl
Each story is well crafted and well written, and I feel there is a new favorite story waiting for everyone in these pages.
Thank you to NetGalley and HOWL Society Press for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Regardless of your preferred genre of horror, there is a story here for you, from body horror to ghost stories, to horror with a religious undertone, Howls From the Dark Ages has you covered. The collection of stories is diverse, with stories set all over the medieval world. It was especially exciting to see a number of stories featuring queer characters.
A few of my favorite stories are:
- Angelus
- Brother Cornelius (my personal favorite)
- A Dowry for Your Hand
- The Forgotten Valley
- The White Owl
Each story is well crafted and well written, and I feel there is a new favorite story waiting for everyone in these pages.
Thank you to NetGalley and HOWL Society Press for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
rachelunabridged's review against another edition
dark
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!
~ ~ ~
I absolutely loved everything about this anthology! I haven't read very many medieval horror stories before, but I'm now realizing what I've been missing. Every story in this collection was such a solid pick, and I thought the overall framing was really fun. Having each story introduced in connection to a museum piece was neato; I enjoyed trying to predict how each piece would factor into the upcoming story.
As for the stories themselves, I found every one of them to be interesting and horrific in their own way. Most of them are very similar thematically since they take place in the same time period and reflect the historical context of the time, but each story played out so different from the last, it never came across as predictable or boring. I was also really pleased to see some stories take place in non-European cultures!
Some of the stories that stuck out to me the most were Angelus (Philippa Evans), Brother Cornelius (Peter Ong Cook), Deus Vult (Ethan Yoder), The Lady of Leer Castle (Christopher O'Halloran), Schizzare (Bridget D. Brave), and A Dark Quadrivium (David Worn). But again, they were all fantastic stories.
If you enjoy historical horror of any kind, I would definitely recommend this book. There are touches of various subgenres among the stories, from religious and cosmic horror to body horror to supernatural horror, even some comedy at times! I truly think there's something in this collection for everyone.
~ ~ ~
I absolutely loved everything about this anthology! I haven't read very many medieval horror stories before, but I'm now realizing what I've been missing. Every story in this collection was such a solid pick, and I thought the overall framing was really fun. Having each story introduced in connection to a museum piece was neato; I enjoyed trying to predict how each piece would factor into the upcoming story.
As for the stories themselves, I found every one of them to be interesting and horrific in their own way. Most of them are very similar thematically since they take place in the same time period and reflect the historical context of the time, but each story played out so different from the last, it never came across as predictable or boring. I was also really pleased to see some stories take place in non-European cultures!
Some of the stories that stuck out to me the most were Angelus (Philippa Evans), Brother Cornelius (Peter Ong Cook), Deus Vult (Ethan Yoder), The Lady of Leer Castle (Christopher O'Halloran), Schizzare (Bridget D. Brave), and A Dark Quadrivium (David Worn). But again, they were all fantastic stories.
If you enjoy historical horror of any kind, I would definitely recommend this book. There are touches of various subgenres among the stories, from religious and cosmic horror to body horror to supernatural horror, even some comedy at times! I truly think there's something in this collection for everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Religious bigotry, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Murder, Violence, Animal death, Blood, and Child death
bookivore's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
New tales of old times. A really nice collection of stories set in the middle ages, with good variety in the tales told. And it's not just knights gallivanting around (although there is a knight or two doing his thing). Monks, witches, royalty, and villagers all get turns in the spotlight. I was intrigued by the idea of an anthology of medieval horror, and it was certainly worth the read.
screamdogreads's review against another edition
4.0
Whatever your preferred style of horror, be it body horror, occultism, ghost stories, or anything in between, there's something here for you. Locked away inside this deliciously dark tome are stories of witches and of demons, of moral men, and of sinners. You'll be transported across the lands of Western Europe, Asia, and Africa, and further still. In a style akin to that of The Wicked Library, these stories are broken up by a macabre narrator, a guide who's giving you, the reader, a tour of a rather curious museum.
Of course, as with any anthology, some stories will stand out more than others. While every story here is brilliantly written, and there isn't a single story that could be considered a flop, naturally, some stood out above the rest. The Fourth Scene and Brother Cornelius were my favorites, but of course, this is personal preference.
Everything about this collection is utterly fantastic, the stories, the execution, how it's all tied together, even the illustrations, there's nothing here that you can't love.
Of course, as with any anthology, some stories will stand out more than others. While every story here is brilliantly written, and there isn't a single story that could be considered a flop, naturally, some stood out above the rest. The Fourth Scene and Brother Cornelius were my favorites, but of course, this is personal preference.
Everything about this collection is utterly fantastic, the stories, the execution, how it's all tied together, even the illustrations, there's nothing here that you can't love.
readthesparrow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A little bit about me. I took a lot of Old English courses in undergrad, Beowulf is one of my favorite works of literature ever, and I love, love, love illuminated manuscripts (my username is Liber Monstrorum, after the catalogue). I love monsters, and I love the different ways in which different cultures approach and interpret and place them. Yet most of the fiction (even the horror fiction) I've read previously based on medieval-era art and folklore are dry and boring and not fun at all. I went into this collection hopeful but prepared to be disappointed.
But this anthology. Y'all.
I devoured this all in one sitting. Was not expecting to, was bored and in a bit of a slump and figured I'd muddle my way through some of my Netgalley reads so I could petend to be productive.
But Y'ALL. The stories were interesting and fresh and fun. I was over the moon to see a story about a Blemmya and it actually being interesting. They're such funny little guys in concept but that illustration of the Blemmya clutching the illuminated frame of its illustration is one of the most terrifying things I have ever seen."The Fourth Scene" took that concept of imprisonment and breaking boundaries and did something new and cool with it. I genuinely did not expect the story to go where it did--the twist came out of left field and it was so well-executed.
I also really appreciated the diversity. So often medieval-inspired fiction only looks at or derives inspiration from extremely specific parts of the world (and even then, only specific parts of those specific parts). They forget that other parts of the world existed then, too, and that people traveled. And that queer people existed, not just in reality but in literature and folklore as well.
The quality of writing is exquisite. I had to force myself to slow down and actually read sections of "The Dark Quadrivium" because I was so eager to know what happened, and boy was I glad. The tenseness? The pacing? Avoiding spoilers here, because you (yes, you) should absolutely read it, but the imagery as the main character progressed is a masterclass in cosmic horror.
For those who love gore and guts and blood, there's plenty of that and it is gorgeous. Plenty of body horror, too. The scene at the end of "Deus Vult" was so, SO beautifully written. The final scene of "The Dark Quadrivium", are you kidding me? My favorite horror image areflesh churches and flesh portals, and the ones we get in "The Dark Quadrivium" are only of the highest quality cuts.
I'm used to having at least one or two short stories that I really just don't like in a collection, but I can't say that here. I do have some favorites, don't get me wrong, but as a whole there was not a single story I disliked.
Even if you aren't into medieval literature/folklore, this collection doesn't require you to know it. If you do, it does add to the experience--the realization of what "Brother Cornelius" was pulling from almost bowled me over because I wasn't expecting it and I had no clue why the author chose it but goddamn did he knock it out of the park--but the knowledge certainly isn't required for it.
Anyway, I'm off to look into joining the HOWL society. If they have taste this good in horror I simply have to join the book club ASAP.
But this anthology. Y'all.
I devoured this all in one sitting. Was not expecting to, was bored and in a bit of a slump and figured I'd muddle my way through some of my Netgalley reads so I could petend to be productive.
But Y'ALL. The stories were interesting and fresh and fun. I was over the moon to see a story about a Blemmya and it actually being interesting. They're such funny little guys in concept but that illustration of the Blemmya clutching the illuminated frame of its illustration is one of the most terrifying things I have ever seen."The Fourth Scene" took that concept of imprisonment and breaking boundaries and did something new and cool with it. I genuinely did not expect the story to go where it did--the twist came out of left field and it was so well-executed.
I also really appreciated the diversity. So often medieval-inspired fiction only looks at or derives inspiration from extremely specific parts of the world (and even then, only specific parts of those specific parts). They forget that other parts of the world existed then, too, and that people traveled. And that queer people existed, not just in reality but in literature and folklore as well.
The quality of writing is exquisite. I had to force myself to slow down and actually read sections of "The Dark Quadrivium" because I was so eager to know what happened, and boy was I glad. The tenseness? The pacing? Avoiding spoilers here, because you (yes, you) should absolutely read it, but the imagery as the main character progressed is a masterclass in cosmic horror.
For those who love gore and guts and blood, there's plenty of that and it is gorgeous. Plenty of body horror, too. The scene at the end of "Deus Vult" was so, SO beautifully written. The final scene of "The Dark Quadrivium", are you kidding me? My favorite horror image are
I'm used to having at least one or two short stories that I really just don't like in a collection, but I can't say that here. I do have some favorites, don't get me wrong, but as a whole there was not a single story I disliked.
Even if you aren't into medieval literature/folklore, this collection doesn't require you to know it. If you do, it does add to the experience--the realization of what "Brother Cornelius" was pulling from almost bowled me over because I wasn't expecting it and I had no clue why the author chose it but goddamn did he knock it out of the park--but the knowledge certainly isn't required for it.
Anyway, I'm off to look into joining the HOWL society. If they have taste this good in horror I simply have to join the book club ASAP.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Physical abuse, Murder, Grief, Death, Blood, Body horror, Animal death, Child death, Child abuse, War, Xenophobia, Torture, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Cannibalism, Colonisation, Gore, Torture, War, Confinement, Excrement, Genocide, and Sexual content
Minor: Vomit and Infertility
freezeme's review against another edition
4.0
What an interesting read! We (the readers) are put in the shoes of guests visiting mysterious museum of various different objects. Our docent shows us each piece (those being the pictures for the artifacts in question) and introduces us to them. He's slightly peculiar but we listen to him carefully before the artifact pulls us into its story. The stories were good. Some of them were a bit confusing as to what was happening and why but i didn't have that problem with most of them. I like how each tale has a dark element to it and never fails to deliver the horror and the evil.
I'm truly thankful to NetGalley for sending me this book for an honest review :)
I'm truly thankful to NetGalley for sending me this book for an honest review :)
beersbooksandbooos's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I want thank HOWL Society Press for sending me this book for an honest review
What I loved about this book is that it was like you were visiting an museum with haunted artifacts and with the curator telling you about each artifact that sends you back in time. When I was reading their part I kept picturing demonologist John Zaffi, like his aunt and uncle Ed and Lorraine Warren has a haunted museum, plus he had a show called Haunted Collector.
Rated 5
“Palette” by J.L. Kiefer
“In Every Drop” by Lindsey Ragsdale
“White Owl” by Stevie Edwards
“The Lai of the Danse Macabre” by Jessica Peter
Rated 4
“The Crowing” by Caleb Stephens
“Deus Vult” by Ethan Yoder
“A Dowry for Your Hand” by Michelle Tang
“The Forgotten Valley” by C.B. Jones
Rated 3
“Angelus” by Philippa Evans
“Brother Cornelius” by Peter Ong Cook
“In Thrall to This Good Earth” by Hailey Piper
“The Lady of Leer Castle” by Christopher O’Halloran
“Schizzare” by Bridget D. Brave
“The Fourth Scene” by Brian Evenson
“A Dark Quadrivium” by David Worn
Rated 2
“The Final Book of Sainte Foy’s Miracles” by M.E. Bronstein
Rated 1
“The Mouth of Hell” by Cody Goodfellow
“The King of Youth vs. The Knight of Death” by Patrick Barb
I am going to look up other writings from every author in this book, even the ones I rated lower. I really can't wait to read more from HOWL Society Press. Again I want to thank them for sending me this book.
What I loved about this book is that it was like you were visiting an museum with haunted artifacts and with the curator telling you about each artifact that sends you back in time. When I was reading their part I kept picturing demonologist John Zaffi, like his aunt and uncle Ed and Lorraine Warren has a haunted museum, plus he had a show called Haunted Collector.
Rated 5
“Palette” by J.L. Kiefer
“In Every Drop” by Lindsey Ragsdale
“White Owl” by Stevie Edwards
“The Lai of the Danse Macabre” by Jessica Peter
Rated 4
“The Crowing” by Caleb Stephens
“Deus Vult” by Ethan Yoder
“A Dowry for Your Hand” by Michelle Tang
“The Forgotten Valley” by C.B. Jones
Rated 3
“Angelus” by Philippa Evans
“Brother Cornelius” by Peter Ong Cook
“In Thrall to This Good Earth” by Hailey Piper
“The Lady of Leer Castle” by Christopher O’Halloran
“Schizzare” by Bridget D. Brave
“The Fourth Scene” by Brian Evenson
“A Dark Quadrivium” by David Worn
Rated 2
“The Final Book of Sainte Foy’s Miracles” by M.E. Bronstein
Rated 1
“The Mouth of Hell” by Cody Goodfellow
“The King of Youth vs. The Knight of Death” by Patrick Barb
I am going to look up other writings from every author in this book, even the ones I rated lower. I really can't wait to read more from HOWL Society Press. Again I want to thank them for sending me this book.
enchantressreads's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Howls from the Dark Ages is a collection of 18 stories that surround one of my favorite periods of history, The Middle Ages. The stories in this book are diverse, queer, and frankly, very original. I don't think I've read any stories like the ones featured in Howls from the Dark Ages.
Some of my favorite stories include:
Some of my favorite stories include:
- Angelus by Philippa Evans
- Palette by J.L. Kiefer
- In Thrall to This Good Earth by Hailey Piper
- A Dowry for Your Hand by Michelle Tang
- The Lady of Leer Castle by Christopher O'Halloran
- Schizzare by Bridget D. Brave
- White Owl by Stevie Edwards
- A Dark Quadrivium by David Worn
There are all kinds of themes featured in these stories, including religion, warfare, Crusades, folklore, mushrooms (!!!), and sacred texts. Don't forget the butt trumpet.
There are many talented authors in this anthology, many I haven't read before. I can't wait to check out more of their work.
Thank you to Howl Society and Solomon Forse for sending me a copy of Howls from the Dark Ages for my honest review. This anthology releases on May 12th.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Animal death, Body horror, Cannibalism, and Sexual assault
bosermoki's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
5.0
I was provided an ARC of this book so I feel obligated to write more of a review than my usual.
This is a great collection that pulls no punches in laying on the horror and punches above its weight in terms of quality writing from a stellar bunch of contributors.
A must-read for any lovers of short horror. The stories are as diverse as the contributors, featuring LGBT and non-white characters and stories. The narrative framing is excellent and works to artfully curate the stories but doesn't get in the way at all. The curator's short pieces are an excellent touch by PL McMillan. This has been an awesome read for a fun sub-genre of horror that doesn't get enough attention without ever falling into lazy tropes.
The stories:
The Crowing by Caleb Stephens
A story of revenge and reversals. Fast paced and direct with lots of dark imagery
Angelus by Phillipa Evans
There is lot of character development in a short piece. Ominous and bloody with plenty of symbology. A great story
Pallet by JF Kiefer
A dark and evocative vignette with some heavy body horror and awesomely superlative descriptions.
Brother Cornelius by Peter Ong Cook
A twist of a tale with holy relics and dire secrets. It's quick, dirty, and satisfying.
In Thrall to this Good Earth by Hailey Piper
A weird, intense, and superbly written story about a trio of hunters who find their quarry to their own regret and the misfortune of others.
In every drop by Lindsay Ragsdale
A twisted creature feature. I really enjoyed this one, particularly the setting being something other than medieval Europe.
Deus Vult by Ethan Yoder
A crusader return home finds something every bit as awful as his time away. It's a gruesome commentary on trauma.
The final book of Saint Foy's Miracles by ME Bronstein
Solid creep factor from this one with a unique take on medieval pilgrims and their saints.
A Dowry for Your Hand by Michelle Tang
Another welcome diversion from a purely European setting. Very descriptive, very eerie. Excellent story.
The Mouth of Hell by Cody Goodfellow
That was a real ride. This story had some action as well a trip to a nightmarish hellscape that any fan of Clive Barker will appreciate.
The lady of Leer Castle by Christopher Halleran
This one was real fun, with a solid GOT vibe.
Schizzare by Bridget Brave
This story features some whistful LGBT representation that veers toward the eerie and strange compared to some in this collection that are more horror/fright oriented.
The Forgotten Valley by CB Jones
A dark story of a jealous lover and a cursed artifact set in the Americas. Splendidly written with great prose. Also some short LGBT representation
The King of Youth vs The Knight of Death by Patrick Barb
If you like gore and brutal violence, this one is the story for you. Gut wrenching and vile in all the right ways!
The Fourth Scene by Brian Evanson
This was a real treat of a story from a contemporary master of short horror. Do not skip this tale which may be a story of recursive fate or perhaps a trap of its own.
White Owl by Stevie Edwards
A fun inversion of a fairy tale witch, both whimsical and gore splattered.
A Dark Quadrivium by David Worn
I'm a sucker for stories where the narrative centers on a tome of forbidden knowledge, be it the "Necronomicon", " De Vermis Mysteriis", or "To Serve Man". But even without that, this story is a standout in this collection filled with crawling cosmic horror
The Lai of the Danse Macabre by Jessica Peter
A poem written in sickening stanzas of vile verse. A great ending to the collection.
This is a great collection that pulls no punches in laying on the horror and punches above its weight in terms of quality writing from a stellar bunch of contributors.
A must-read for any lovers of short horror. The stories are as diverse as the contributors, featuring LGBT and non-white characters and stories. The narrative framing is excellent and works to artfully curate the stories but doesn't get in the way at all. The curator's short pieces are an excellent touch by PL McMillan. This has been an awesome read for a fun sub-genre of horror that doesn't get enough attention without ever falling into lazy tropes.
The stories:
The Crowing by Caleb Stephens
A story of revenge and reversals. Fast paced and direct with lots of dark imagery
Angelus by Phillipa Evans
There is lot of character development in a short piece. Ominous and bloody with plenty of symbology. A great story
Pallet by JF Kiefer
A dark and evocative vignette with some heavy body horror and awesomely superlative descriptions.
Brother Cornelius by Peter Ong Cook
A twist of a tale with holy relics and dire secrets. It's quick, dirty, and satisfying.
In Thrall to this Good Earth by Hailey Piper
A weird, intense, and superbly written story about a trio of hunters who find their quarry to their own regret and the misfortune of others.
In every drop by Lindsay Ragsdale
A twisted creature feature. I really enjoyed this one, particularly the setting being something other than medieval Europe.
Deus Vult by Ethan Yoder
A crusader return home finds something every bit as awful as his time away. It's a gruesome commentary on trauma.
The final book of Saint Foy's Miracles by ME Bronstein
Solid creep factor from this one with a unique take on medieval pilgrims and their saints.
A Dowry for Your Hand by Michelle Tang
Another welcome diversion from a purely European setting. Very descriptive, very eerie. Excellent story.
The Mouth of Hell by Cody Goodfellow
That was a real ride. This story had some action as well a trip to a nightmarish hellscape that any fan of Clive Barker will appreciate.
The lady of Leer Castle by Christopher Halleran
This one was real fun, with a solid GOT vibe.
Schizzare by Bridget Brave
This story features some whistful LGBT representation that veers toward the eerie and strange compared to some in this collection that are more horror/fright oriented.
The Forgotten Valley by CB Jones
A dark story of a jealous lover and a cursed artifact set in the Americas. Splendidly written with great prose. Also some short LGBT representation
The King of Youth vs The Knight of Death by Patrick Barb
If you like gore and brutal violence, this one is the story for you. Gut wrenching and vile in all the right ways!
The Fourth Scene by Brian Evanson
This was a real treat of a story from a contemporary master of short horror. Do not skip this tale which may be a story of recursive fate or perhaps a trap of its own.
White Owl by Stevie Edwards
A fun inversion of a fairy tale witch, both whimsical and gore splattered.
A Dark Quadrivium by David Worn
I'm a sucker for stories where the narrative centers on a tome of forbidden knowledge, be it the "Necronomicon", " De Vermis Mysteriis", or "To Serve Man". But even without that, this story is a standout in this collection filled with crawling cosmic horror
The Lai of the Danse Macabre by Jessica Peter
A poem written in sickening stanzas of vile verse. A great ending to the collection.
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