A review by ericarobyn
A Flock of Crows: And Other Short Stories by Devin Cabrera, Devin Cabrera

dark medium-paced

3.0

From the very first page of A Flock of Crows: And Other Short Stories by Devin Cabrera, you’ll find yourself immersed in stories that begin with the comforting familiarity of everyday life, only to veer into the dark, unsettling unknown. Whether you’re a fan of psychological suspense or grotesque terror, this collection has it all. So, buckle up — you’re about to take a thrilling, unpredictable ride through the many faces of fear.

The eerie shift from the ordinary to the horrifying is what makes this anthology fun! There’s also a great variety of horror. Each story offers something different: sci-fi horror, creature features, suspense, apocalyptic horror, supernatural horror, slasher, body horror, holiday horror, and more!

There were a few inconsistencies within some of the stories, such as being told they were the only guests in a hotel when they weren’t, a kid not being able to stand on his ankle but then being able to run just fine, being in footie pajamas but then being in a shirt, citing several gunshots but from a gun a seemingly with space for two rounds. But these instances didn’t cause any ripple effects that were too bothersome.

My favorite tales include: 

• The Clowns Walk Among Us
• There’s Something Inside Me
• A Flock of Crows

Per usual, here are my thoughts on each! 

The Nautical Hotel – 

After winning a stay at a fancy hotel, this couple can’t wait to get away for a bit. When they learn where they will be staying, they’re nervous but keep telling themselves that nothing will go wrong…

My goodness, the claustrophobia this one induces just thinking about the setting is wild! This poor couple! 

The Marshland Monster – 

Warned not to go into the swamp at night, this boy has no choice when his dog runs off one night. 

I was so nervous for the dog! 

The Clowns Walk Among Us – 

When giant clowns awaken and take over, the surviving humans must find ways to get by. But the clowns are the worst things to fear in this new world… 

Showing both the best and worst of humanity in this terror-filled tale! 

When the Sun Goes Down – 

When renting a boat, the owner has just one rule: get back to shore before sunset. Of course, these renters don’t heed the warning. 

When the action starts here, it all plays out so quickly! 

Bunker Buddies – 

Surviving and coming together totally by chance, these two ride out the end of the world together for a while. One day, their radio goes off, announcing a safe place. Will they make the journey though and what awaits them there? 

This one was so fun! I loved how nonchalant these two were the whole time. 

The Ice Cream Man – 

When a kid hears the ice cream truck at three am, he has to go investigate. Meeting something of nightmare, this poor kid quickly realizes he should have stayed in bed. 

This one was so unsettling! The description of the ice cream man’s hands on the cone made me feel nauseous.

The ToyMaker – 

Trying to make enough money to keep himself fed, this toymaker has an unfortunate run-in with a knight. Little does the knight know, he’s messed with the wrong toymaker. 

The darkness in this one was so fun!

There’s Something Inside Me – 

While on vacation, these two immediately go for a swim. When diving underwater, only one comes back up.  

Oh my gosh, the scene of the floorboard creaking and what happens immediately afterward! That scene got me!

The Naughty List – 

After year after year of seeing kids act up and do nothing after receiving coal for Christmas, Santa is fed up…

The immediate terror this one brings into play was wild! This poor family! 

A Flock of Crows – 

Thinking they’re being clever and egging a kids’ house, this group soon learns of their grave mistake. Fleeing into the cornfield, they think they will be safe, but the terror is just beginning. 

I read this one while rocking my kiddo back to sleep very late one night and of course, our heat clicked on and the way I jumped! I was convinced the scarecrow was right outside. 

My Favorite Passages from A Flock of Crows: And Other Short Stories –

The traffic created by the panic allowed for easy pickings, and the clown moved from car to car, checking them for people like a boy searching under rocks for lizards.
— The Clowns Walk Among Us

The waves crashed against the shore, and I struggled to listen over them. Everything that had seemed so quiet a moment before now seemed so loud.
— There’s Something Inside Me

As far as he knew, scarecrows weren’t supposed to walk on their own. Even worse than that, this one was wearing the face of the farmer on the ground, his skin tucked into the scarecrow’s own leathery face.
— A Flock of Crows

How could he kill something that wasn’t supposed to be alive in the first place?
— A Flock of Crows

My Final Thoughts on A Flock of Crows: And Other Short Stories –

Horror fans, you’re going to have a blast with these tales! There’s something for everyone here and the author’s writing style makes it so easy to fall right into each story.