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msbedelia's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Toxic friendship, Murder, Physical abuse, Blood, and Domestic abuse
vampirehelpdesk's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Favorites of this collection include: For Sale by Owner, Money of the Dead, Hag, and Skinder’s Veil (banger to end on, seriously). Least favorites: Refinery Road (I wish I liked Stephen Graham Jones but I can’t), The Party (same sentiment but with Paul Tremblay—both seem like guys I would love to hang with but writing wise, not my jam), and Something Like Living Creatures (same about John Langan, whoops). I loved how everyone interpreted the theme of Shirley Jackson’s influence—whether it be a phrase from one of her books (looking at Carmen Maria Machado), to her tropes of cruel mothers (Joyce Carol Oates does this one) and outsiders (Cassandra Khaw’s contribution) and the overall feeling of a world that seems somewhere between reality and dreams (Kelly Link, again, what a great end note). One of the best anthologies I’ve read and highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Self harm, Blood, Gore, Death of parent, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Body horror, Abandonment, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Animal cruelty, and Bullying
sofipitch's review
dark
medium-paced
4.5
You know for a short story collection with a ton of different authors, this book was actually quite pleasing, only two skips and one story that ended with me rolling my eyes. I picked this up bc I saw Stephen Graham Jones and Carmen Maria Machado were in it, and their stories were some of my favorites as well as the ones by Kassandra Khaw, Richard Kadrey, Kelly Link, and Gemma Files. I didn't know these authors until now but I will be checking out more of their work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, and Body horror
Minor: Sexual assault and Racism
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