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A review by parksidereads
Body Shocks by Ellen Datlow
dark
medium-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? No
5.0
There is a reason Ellen Datlow has a stack of awards listed in her credentials, she is one of, if not the best, anthology editors I have read.
In Body Shocks, Extreme Tales of Body Horror Datlow brings together some of the best horror authors to explore our fears on a primal level, through grotesque tails of things that can happen to the human body.
This collection of body horror will do more than make you cringe, it will leave your mind reeling, as you continue to digest the story long after finishing it. Datlow has done an amazing job assembling this cast of stories that are all unique and imaginative, but share a common thought provoking thread of extreme human experiences like revenge, redemption, betrayal, and abandonment that will keep you burning the midnight oil.
I was originally going to highlight my favorite stories, but honestly the list was too damn long. Seriously, we’d be here for hours while I rambled on. So I’m limiting myself, but don’t be despaired by the fact I’m only mentioning a few. These are my stand out picks, I still loved many other stories within these pages.
You Go Where It Takes You by Nathan Ballingrud. This one creeped under my skin and has not left. One of the first few stories in the anthology and I’m still thinking about it… Daily. Every time I look at my kid, every time I lay down to go to sleep, every time I pass a gas station - I THINK ABOUT IT.
Spar by Kij Johnson. This story was seriously effed. I’ve never had a desire to go to space, now even if the earth is coming to an end I will perish on my home planet before I venture into the unknown.
Spores by Seanan McGuire. Really fun body horror that also plays on the concept of your deepest fears coming to fruition. It not only stirs up those ‘what if’ fears that linger in the back of your head, it also makes sure you never look at fruit the same again.
If you’re looking for stories that will make you squirm with fearful delight, and “extreme body horror” doesn’t send you running in the opposite direction, then my friend Body Shocks is for you!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Tachyon Publications, Ellen Datlow, and all the amazing contributing authors for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review. As always, all opinions are mine and mine alone.
In Body Shocks, Extreme Tales of Body Horror Datlow brings together some of the best horror authors to explore our fears on a primal level, through grotesque tails of things that can happen to the human body.
This collection of body horror will do more than make you cringe, it will leave your mind reeling, as you continue to digest the story long after finishing it. Datlow has done an amazing job assembling this cast of stories that are all unique and imaginative, but share a common thought provoking thread of extreme human experiences like revenge, redemption, betrayal, and abandonment that will keep you burning the midnight oil.
I was originally going to highlight my favorite stories, but honestly the list was too damn long. Seriously, we’d be here for hours while I rambled on. So I’m limiting myself, but don’t be despaired by the fact I’m only mentioning a few. These are my stand out picks, I still loved many other stories within these pages.
You Go Where It Takes You by Nathan Ballingrud. This one creeped under my skin and has not left. One of the first few stories in the anthology and I’m still thinking about it… Daily. Every time I look at my kid, every time I lay down to go to sleep, every time I pass a gas station - I THINK ABOUT IT.
Spar by Kij Johnson. This story was seriously effed. I’ve never had a desire to go to space, now even if the earth is coming to an end I will perish on my home planet before I venture into the unknown.
Spores by Seanan McGuire. Really fun body horror that also plays on the concept of your deepest fears coming to fruition. It not only stirs up those ‘what if’ fears that linger in the back of your head, it also makes sure you never look at fruit the same again.
If you’re looking for stories that will make you squirm with fearful delight, and “extreme body horror” doesn’t send you running in the opposite direction, then my friend Body Shocks is for you!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Tachyon Publications, Ellen Datlow, and all the amazing contributing authors for the gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review. As always, all opinions are mine and mine alone.