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readbyashleyd's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3.0
This was a bit of a mixed bag for me. Loved some stories and really disliked others.
jorgefernandez's review against another edition
4.0
Definitivamente necesito más de Donnie Goodman, a poder ser en formato medio/largo. El desconocido del cuadrilatero (como amante de la lucha libre) y El viejo rey de la bahía (como amante del horror marino) son mis relatos favoritos. De la edición de Dimensiones Ocultas solo echo de menos el aspecto avejentado de la portada de la edición original. Larga (no)vida a Donnie Goodman y a Dimensiones Ocultas.
brittkneereads's review
5.0
omg, "it's time to Diggggg!!" I am basically speechless. This was such a good short story collections. highly recommend it. Outstanding! Left me thinking and so entertaining and creepy!
nwreader's review
*Updated Feb.2023*
I deleted all my reviews and ratings on this author's work.
With that said, I still respect the cover artist for this book (Justin T. Coon) and Justin's work.
I deleted all my reviews and ratings on this author's work.
With that said, I still respect the cover artist for this book (Justin T. Coon) and Justin's work.
johnlynchbooks's review
5.0
Let me preface this review by saying this, Donnie is a friend of mine. However, check my track record of reviews and you’ll find that when I review a friends book, I tend to be more difficult on them. Maybe I’m afraid of putting my stamp of approval on something and be accused of giving fake reviews. I don’t know, but I know I’m not that guy. So when I tell you this collection was phenomenal, I mean it.
First off. Cover of the year 2021? Right now it’s a certainty to me that This and Janine Pipes collection (which you should also check out) are going to be fighting for that mantle. There is a lot to like about this collection. A lot of variety in the stories. No 2 feel alike. Many of the stories are on the shorter side, and to be honest that’s another plus for me. I do like a well done long, short story BUT I don’t want a collection full of stories that read like a novel. There’s a nice mix of length and brevity in here.
The writing in Donnies collection doesn’t read like a debut, that’s for sure and I believe that’s where “The Horror Hypothesis” proves his genre chops. He marries accessible writing with a nice variety of stories in different sub genres. A few of my favorites
The Razorblades in my head
Magic in the Hat
It’s not always Why
The Stranger in the Squaded Circle
A Bloody Heist
The Old Bay King
Listen do yourselves a favor, check this book out. You’re welcome to take my word with a grain of salt because of my friendship with the author, but I guarantee you you’re going to be seeing quite a few 4 and 5 star reviews of this excellent review and I think this will be a contender for best collection of 2021. I’ll be buying a signed copy from the author whenever he has them available.
First off. Cover of the year 2021? Right now it’s a certainty to me that This and Janine Pipes collection (which you should also check out) are going to be fighting for that mantle. There is a lot to like about this collection. A lot of variety in the stories. No 2 feel alike. Many of the stories are on the shorter side, and to be honest that’s another plus for me. I do like a well done long, short story BUT I don’t want a collection full of stories that read like a novel. There’s a nice mix of length and brevity in here.
The writing in Donnies collection doesn’t read like a debut, that’s for sure and I believe that’s where “The Horror Hypothesis” proves his genre chops. He marries accessible writing with a nice variety of stories in different sub genres. A few of my favorites
The Razorblades in my head
Magic in the Hat
It’s not always Why
The Stranger in the Squaded Circle
A Bloody Heist
The Old Bay King
Listen do yourselves a favor, check this book out. You’re welcome to take my word with a grain of salt because of my friendship with the author, but I guarantee you you’re going to be seeing quite a few 4 and 5 star reviews of this excellent review and I think this will be a contender for best collection of 2021. I’ll be buying a signed copy from the author whenever he has them available.
crunden's review
Setting this one aside for the time being, although not because it's not worth a read! It is very well written, but I think I started it too late at night and now I'm terrified of razorblades coming out of my forehead :O Great for horror fans, for sure! I'll probably come back to this around Hallowe'en or when I'm feeling braver, haha.
slimeandslashers's review
5.0
4.5 stars rounded up! Thank you to Donnie for an advanced e-copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. I will also review this on my YouTube channel.
Wow! What a debut!
Firstly, what really made me to want to read the book was the fantastic cover art. It's one of the best covers I've seen on a newer horror book. I just love everything about it: the colors, the illustration style, how it actually represents the stories in the book, and the old school horror vibes it gives off.
But The Razorblades in my Head has far more to offer than just its fabulous cover art. Inside it has what really counts: great stories that pack a punch. Though all are fairly short, I thoroughly enjoyed each. I was surprised by this because in most anthologies there are some stories that I usually just don't like very much. For this collection, though, I can't really find too big a flaw with any one in particular. I liked some more than others, of course, but I didn't dislike ANY.
The only criticism I can really give is that some stories left me wanting more. In some respects, that's not necessarily a bad thing. In the back of the book Donnie even mentions that he may expand on some of these stories in the future. I'd love to see that happen!
My favorite stories from The Razorblades in my Head:
The Stranger in the Squared Circle: a horror short about professional wrestling. Just a few sentences in, I could tell that Donnie respects and enjoys the art form that is professional wrestling. I just knew he had to be a fan from the way it's written, and he confirmed my suspicions in the back of the book where he includes his inspiration and thoughts on each story. I thought this was a very well-executed story. I loved the specific horror element used in this one and thought it was very unique. The last few sentences really capped it off on a high note and was actually eloquent, which sounds strange but is true. This was my very favorite story in the book (although, as a former wrestling fan, I may be biased). I truly think any fan of wrestling, past or present, would dig this story, but I believe non-fans could enjoy it as well!
Gobble Gobble: I love a good animal attack or animal revenge story, so it's no surprise this one struck my fancy.
Magic in the Hat: This was delightful...an evil magician, young hooligans who get their comeuppance, and scary snowmen! What's not to love? But I liked how the story also examines the changing dynamics of a group of friends who are all struggling with growing up while simultaneously growing apart.
Teddy: Who wouldn't want to read about a creepy teddy bear who may indeed be evil? But, to make things even better, there is a lot more depth beyond that! This one has an extremely likable main character who you feel a lot of empathy for.
Hourglass: A humorous horror short that made me smirk. It also explores the greed and entitlement that exists in society, especially upper middle class society.
The Old Bay King: Donnie did a great job writing from many different perspectives throughout the book. I think that's especially apparent in this story. Plus, horror stories set at sea are awesome, and this one has specific elements that shine particularly bright.
Overall, this is a really fun, quick read; I highly recommend it!
Wow! What a debut!
Firstly, what really made me to want to read the book was the fantastic cover art. It's one of the best covers I've seen on a newer horror book. I just love everything about it: the colors, the illustration style, how it actually represents the stories in the book, and the old school horror vibes it gives off.
But The Razorblades in my Head has far more to offer than just its fabulous cover art. Inside it has what really counts: great stories that pack a punch. Though all are fairly short, I thoroughly enjoyed each. I was surprised by this because in most anthologies there are some stories that I usually just don't like very much. For this collection, though, I can't really find too big a flaw with any one in particular. I liked some more than others, of course, but I didn't dislike ANY.
The only criticism I can really give is that some stories left me wanting more. In some respects, that's not necessarily a bad thing. In the back of the book Donnie even mentions that he may expand on some of these stories in the future. I'd love to see that happen!
My favorite stories from The Razorblades in my Head:
The Stranger in the Squared Circle: a horror short about professional wrestling. Just a few sentences in, I could tell that Donnie respects and enjoys the art form that is professional wrestling. I just knew he had to be a fan from the way it's written, and he confirmed my suspicions in the back of the book where he includes his inspiration and thoughts on each story. I thought this was a very well-executed story. I loved the specific horror element used in this one and thought it was very unique. The last few sentences really capped it off on a high note and was actually eloquent, which sounds strange but is true. This was my very favorite story in the book (although, as a former wrestling fan, I may be biased). I truly think any fan of wrestling, past or present, would dig this story, but I believe non-fans could enjoy it as well!
Gobble Gobble: I love a good animal attack or animal revenge story, so it's no surprise this one struck my fancy.
Magic in the Hat: This was delightful...an evil magician, young hooligans who get their comeuppance, and scary snowmen! What's not to love? But I liked how the story also examines the changing dynamics of a group of friends who are all struggling with growing up while simultaneously growing apart.
Teddy: Who wouldn't want to read about a creepy teddy bear who may indeed be evil? But, to make things even better, there is a lot more depth beyond that! This one has an extremely likable main character who you feel a lot of empathy for.
Hourglass: A humorous horror short that made me smirk. It also explores the greed and entitlement that exists in society, especially upper middle class society.
The Old Bay King: Donnie did a great job writing from many different perspectives throughout the book. I think that's especially apparent in this story. Plus, horror stories set at sea are awesome, and this one has specific elements that shine particularly bright.
Overall, this is a really fun, quick read; I highly recommend it!
brandontscott's review
4.0
3.75
This rating is simply a data-based decision that I made after calculating my ratings for each story in the collection. I rounded up my rating because the highly rated stories are some of my favorite short stories of ALL TIME! Here are my ratings for the individual stories:
I thoroughly enjoyed this short story collection, and I look forward to reading more from Donnie Goodman! I go into more detail on my thoughts for each story in an upcoming reading vlog that I'll be posting to my YouTube channel, so if you're interested check that out! I'll be sharing the link on this review when the video is live, as well!
(Also, Stargazing is BY FAR my favorite! It's such a PHENOMENAL piece of fiction!)
This rating is simply a data-based decision that I made after calculating my ratings for each story in the collection. I rounded up my rating because the highly rated stories are some of my favorite short stories of ALL TIME! Here are my ratings for the individual stories:
The Razorblades in my Head- 4/5
Third Grade- 4/5
Stargazing- 5/5
Gobble, Gobble- 2/5
Magic in the Hat- 3/5
It's Not Always Why- 3/5
The Stranger in the Squared Circle- 3/5
Toasted- 4/5
Teddy- 4/5
A Bloody Heist- 4/5
Hourglass- 3/5
The Old Bay King- 4/5
I thoroughly enjoyed this short story collection, and I look forward to reading more from Donnie Goodman! I go into more detail on my thoughts for each story in an upcoming reading vlog that I'll be posting to my YouTube channel, so if you're interested check that out! I'll be sharing the link on this review when the video is live, as well!
(Also, Stargazing is BY FAR my favorite! It's such a PHENOMENAL piece of fiction!)
kirstycarson1's review
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mjtucker's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0