the_enobee's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5 Stars

Well, this was the second great Bad Apples collection. I enjoyed this just as much as the first one, although in both instances the last story came off the rails a bit for me. These are enjoyable Halloween reads and I could see rereading both collections next Halloween if they ever stop releasing new ones ;)

I'm all for new releases, so bring 'em on!

I have to give my crown of cornstalks and pumpkin vines to Candie Apple this year, as that was easily the most disturbing, horrifying, mythological, and Halloween-oriented story of the bunch. I mean, that one was pretty hardcore. Here's my individual reviews:

The first story, Halloweekend, was a blast. This was a sweet mashup of ghost story, hauntings, possessions, and bedeviled circuitry all resplendent in gore. Loved the references to other authors and the the references to past Lornography. Cool stuff!

Candie Apple was a deeply disturbing and hardcore Halloween story urban legend style. Amazing how much was packed into so few pages. Well done!

Just finished Dia De Los Muertos. Nice story of a certain genre that I usually don't seek out. However, this was nicely done with plenty of horror, gore, and righteousness. Nice tie in throughout and at the end to the Day of the Dead."

Tommy Rotten was a cool little Halloween ditty. Not quite as intense as some of the others in this collection.

The One Night of the Year was a nice story of an annual haunting. I really like how this echoes the them of other stories in this collection concerning loss of family and/or loss of traditions after kids have moved on from their parents. I think the non-supernatural events in this one (which is possible all events) are the scariest part.

Doctor Proclivity & Professor Propensity took me out of the mood and collection. That may have just been me reaching the end of an anthology and wanting to get the heck out, but there ya go. This had some nice Lynchian tones and may really strike a chord with some in a Twin Peaks kind of way.

Overall, a series I would recommend to anyone looking for a good time around Halloween or a good set of horror stories at anytime of year.

lauriereadslohf's review against another edition

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4.0

This is gonna be short because I’m lazy.

Bad Apples 2 is another solid selection of little horror vignettes that every horror fan should read right about now.

Ed Lorn’s Halloweekend takes us to visit a haunted attraction whose owner has passed away. Now the attractions have no guidance and are left to fend for themselves and the results aren’t pretty, folks. Carnage ensues. Lots and lots of carnage. 4*

Candie Apple by Evans Light is a creepy and tragic tale about love and loss. I knew there was a reason I never had an urge to dip my face in a tub of apples (besides the left over spit and messed up makeup) . . . 4*

Jason Parent’s Dia De Los Muertos tells the tale of an AWOL soldier taking refuge in Mexico who is haunted by his memories. It’s surprising and brutal with a smothering atmosphere. Fantastic. 5*

Tommy Rotten by Adam Light should serve as a warning to stay away from haunted houses. It never ends well for the nosey parker’s. 4*

The One Night of the Year by Kealan Patrick Burke A lonely old man and his faithful dog await visitors from the cornfield. This one made me all sad and that’s quite a feat. 4 ½ *’s

Doctor Proclivity & Professor Propensity by Gregor Xane This is a weird one. It’s nearly time for the annual creepy ass puppet show. But the puppet show is nothing compared to what horrors hide behind the stage. Horrible, terrible, bizarro things happen there. Things not meant for the eyes of the general public. This one takes you on a strange and terrifying little journey that surprised and horrified me at every turn. 4 ½ stars

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