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malykaofhearts's review
4.0
I received a free copy in exchange for review.
I'm not going to summarize the stories. The blurb does a perfect job of this without spoilers. The art in this collection is incredible!
The first one opens up with a great story from John Durgin. His writing feels nostalgic, like Goosebumps(but more terrifying) for adults. This was no different. I loved this just as much as his other novels and ripped through this in one sitting. 4.5/5
A new author for me with the second story from Jay Bower. I was immediately intrigued by the art and the title. This author is incredible at painting gruesome, creepy imagery. Overall, I enjoyed this story but struggled with an oversized plot breadcrumb that was left early on. Ruined the story a little bit. Can't wait to read other titles from Jay. 4/5
The final story from John Lynch was unfortunately a complete miss for me. Trigger warnings for the story aside, this was too gory and shocking for my tastes
This collection of novellas are all the perfect length. I love a short story collection, but these are all long enough to give you the detail you need to build the characters and the world up nicely in your mind. Admittedly, the first two stories were more my style. If you prefer more extreme horror, the third may be for you. It's worth a read!
I'm not going to summarize the stories. The blurb does a perfect job of this without spoilers. The art in this collection is incredible!
The first one opens up with a great story from John Durgin. His writing feels nostalgic, like Goosebumps(but more terrifying) for adults. This was no different. I loved this just as much as his other novels and ripped through this in one sitting. 4.5/5
A new author for me with the second story from Jay Bower. I was immediately intrigued by the art and the title. This author is incredible at painting gruesome, creepy imagery. Overall, I enjoyed this story but struggled with an oversized plot breadcrumb that was left early on. Ruined the story a little bit. Can't wait to read other titles from Jay. 4/5
The final story from John Lynch was unfortunately a complete miss for me. Trigger warnings for the story aside, this was too gory and shocking for my tastes
This collection of novellas are all the perfect length. I love a short story collection, but these are all long enough to give you the detail you need to build the characters and the world up nicely in your mind. Admittedly, the first two stories were more my style. If you prefer more extreme horror, the third may be for you. It's worth a read!
vinomanscott930's review
4.0
What can I say...3 horror stories from 3 of my favorite new authors that are just "On Point". All stories linked by an Evil attached to a location or person. Spooky shit just in time for Halloween. Make sure to check it out when it releases.
iamstaceylynn's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
stitching_ghost's review against another edition
3.0
I was so excited for this one, pre-ordered it, started reading it on release day but the last story was such a letdown.
The first 2 stories were fantastic, kept me guessing, featured great characters and flawless pacing.
The last one was bloated with toothless social commentary which wasn't woven in the fabric of the story but added in the narration and didn't add anything to the story. So much time is spent trying to convince us that the character is not an asshole it's as if the author himself didn't believe in the idea that readers could care about an incarcerated person and to top it all off the guy's wife is seemingly out of a sudden a delusional mess (is she affected by the prison's bad juju by proxy or something?).
The first 2 stories were fantastic, kept me guessing, featured great characters and flawless pacing.
The last one was bloated with toothless social commentary which wasn't woven in the fabric of the story but added in the narration and didn't add anything to the story. So much time is spent trying to convince us that the character is not an asshole it's as if the author himself didn't believe in the idea that readers could care about an incarcerated person and to top it all off the guy's wife is seemingly out of a sudden a delusional mess (is she affected by the prison's bad juju by proxy or something?).
vinomanscott930's review against another edition
4.0
What can I say...3 horror stories from 3 of my favorite new authors that are just "On Point". All stories linked by an Evil attached to a location or person. Spooky shit just in time for Halloween. Make sure to check it out when it releases.
thathorrorbish's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
mrsgmami4's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
This book consisted of three stories. The stories were really good, they were pretty gory, and had me wanting to read more. The illustrations before each story were bad ass too. This was definitely an awesome read.
samantharnagel's review
dark
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
doctorbradford's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
The Conservator's Collection: Derelict
I first of all want to thank John Durgin for providing me with an ARC for this book in return for an honest review. You're awesome!!!
Blank Space
By John Durgin
This short story was excellent, from start to finish. It had everything I want in a story. The characters were well crafted, and I loved them all. I quickly became attached to the Page family in this short story. This was an original idea that was, quite frankly, unsettling. This was tense and kept my attention throughout. It was super creepy, and I did not want to put it down. I don't want to give away anything, so I'll keep this review short. Hands down 5⭐️!!! This was my favorite of the three short stories.
Eyebiters Revenge
By Jay Bower
Another awesome short story by Jay Bower! This creature feature was creepy, gross, and twisted. The setting of the book was super dark, and that was conveyed well by the author. I did not know where this one was going, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The ending was perfect, but I didn't want it to end! This was another story I just couldn't put down because I had to know what happened next. This gets a full 5⭐️ rating from me!
Expiration of Sentence
By John Lynch
This one was a little different than the other two, where I didn't care for any of the characters. They were well written, well thought out, and multidimensional, but I just didn't like them. Otherwise, this was great. It was an original idea. There was a lot going on, and it kept with the themes of the other two short stories. The terror was evident in this one. There was the horror of being in prison. Fearing for your life from other humans. Along with supernatural horror. I liked how this one ended. It gets a 4⭐️ rating from me.
Overall, I loved this collection of short stories and highly recommend it with an overall rating of 4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5⭐️ where applicable.
I first of all want to thank John Durgin for providing me with an ARC for this book in return for an honest review. You're awesome!!!
Blank Space
By John Durgin
This short story was excellent, from start to finish. It had everything I want in a story. The characters were well crafted, and I loved them all. I quickly became attached to the Page family in this short story. This was an original idea that was, quite frankly, unsettling. This was tense and kept my attention throughout. It was super creepy, and I did not want to put it down. I don't want to give away anything, so I'll keep this review short. Hands down 5⭐️!!! This was my favorite of the three short stories.
Eyebiters Revenge
By Jay Bower
Another awesome short story by Jay Bower! This creature feature was creepy, gross, and twisted. The setting of the book was super dark, and that was conveyed well by the author. I did not know where this one was going, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The ending was perfect, but I didn't want it to end! This was another story I just couldn't put down because I had to know what happened next. This gets a full 5⭐️ rating from me!
Expiration of Sentence
By John Lynch
This one was a little different than the other two, where I didn't care for any of the characters. They were well written, well thought out, and multidimensional, but I just didn't like them. Otherwise, this was great. It was an original idea. There was a lot going on, and it kept with the themes of the other two short stories. The terror was evident in this one. There was the horror of being in prison. Fearing for your life from other humans. Along with supernatural horror. I liked how this one ended. It gets a 4⭐️ rating from me.
Overall, I loved this collection of short stories and highly recommend it with an overall rating of 4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5⭐️ where applicable.
ericarobyn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.75
The Conservator’s Collection: Derelict by John Durgin, Jay Bower, and John Lynch is a collection of three novellas with the theme of abandonment and derelict situations that each bring their own level of darkness into play.
Starting out with a terrifying tale, we then move into a suspense-filled story, followed by a dread-inducing short, all of which have a horrific supernatural element that will haunt readers long after finishing the stories.
The amazing cover was created by Matt Seff Barnes. The interior art by Anugerah Putra with Daydream Studios featured three main illustrations, one for each tale. My goodness, I can’t wait to see these in print rather than on my old Kindle! They look so creepy and dark!
Now, let’s get into the stories!
The Conservator –
Setting things up just like Creepshow and Ronald Kelly’s Southern-Fried Horror Tales, this intro sets the scene and introduces each tale to come perfectly.
Blank Space by John Durgin –
After promising their daughter that they are done fostering kids, this family can’t help but take in one last foster kid after learning about the terrors that she went through.
After her arrival, the first afternoon goes well but as the sun sets, odd things begin to occur. Soon, this family is faced with a terrifying story of her past that leads up to what is happening now.
This family has helped so many kids before, but is this situation out of their control?
This story starts out in the aftermath of an extremely brutal slaying rampage that leaves readers with one chilling note to go by; that “she” did this.
The rest of the tale is a fast-paced roller coaster of emotions and terrors as things get more and more dangerous.
One scene that is going to haunt me forever is the pool scene… The fact that it happened right in the middle of the day with both parents right there only added to the terror! We’ve all had that irrational fear of a shark in the pool, right? Well, this blows that fear right out of the water!
Eyebiter’s Revenge by Jay Bower –
Fifteen years after a school shooting, the building is finally scheduled to be torn down, but these teens are determined to break in and try to talk to the ghosts first.
Entering the building, things go sideways very quickly when one of the friends goes missing. Determined to find him, they search the school only to run into the ghosts they were once so excited to see.
My gosh, this was a brutal tale. I mean, just the title with the word “Eyebiter”?! Jeeze. Then the setting itself is something of real-world terror. The description of the bullet holes and staining had me ready to cry. But then insert the dust, the dread, and the spirits that are still within the walls? What an absolute nightmare.
The tension readers will feel while experiencing this tale is intense. I was so nervous with each door or hallway they turned into. The body horror was absolutely brutal throughout and many scenes will haunt my nightmares.
And the “oh crap” moments! Perfectly placed within the tale.
Expiration of Sentence by John Lynch –
Denied parole on his sentence after killing the man who messed up his son, this prisoner keeps making choices that he doesn’t think through fully, impacting various other people as he goes.
But one day in isolation, he’s given a chance. Which way will he go; the selfish route, or will he actually do the right thing this time?
The build-up here is frustratingly slow as the author takes us on a similar journey that the character is forced to take while locked up. Sprinkled with bursts of action and gore, this hints at what’s to come at the end!
Heads up to readers with this one, there’s a brutal rape scene in the prison.
My Favorite Passages from The Conservator’s Collection: Derelict –
Loose body parts lay scattered across the floor like chewed-up dog toys.
— Blank Space by John Durgin
— Blank Space by John Durgin
Dan charged at her with the hammer raised, but with minimal lighting, he didn’t see the corner of the bed frame. His knee drove into the sharp corner of the metal frame. His leg buckled. He caught himself from falling, but he’d lost most of the force he intended for the strike.
— Blank Space by John Durgin
— Blank Space by John Durgin
The rumor around town was that the children who died in the shooting were still trapped within the walls of the school. Some claimed the adults were there too, which meant his father might still be there.
— Eyebiter’s Revenge by Jay Bower
— Eyebiter’s Revenge by Jay Bower
There was too much silence. The air felt dead, as though this violent act from fifteen years before had melded with whatever calamity they were not dealing with and sucked the energy from around them.
— Eyebiter’s Revenge by Jay Bower
— Eyebiter’s Revenge by Jay Bower
The monster was eventually apprehended and sentenced to prison, which should have ended the ordeal. But wounds like those inflicted on the Murphy family don’t heal properly. The scabs begin to itch until someone picks them and rips the wound open again.
Richard Murphy ripped their scab off, bleeding their family dry.
— Expiration of Sentence by John Lynch
Richard Murphy ripped their scab off, bleeding their family dry.
— Expiration of Sentence by John Lynch
My Final Thoughts on The Conservator’s Collection: Derelict –
With these heavy hitters, be prepared to feel a bit dreadful after reading this collection. There’s so much darkness packed in here! Some of it hit me only after I had closed the book. What a collection!
I absolutely cannot wait to see what comes next from The Conservator!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Body horror, and Gore
Moderate: Mass/school shootings and Child death