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A review by marcushawke
As The Shadows Grow by Michael Benavidez
5.0
Oh me oh my, where to begin with this one? First of all I’ve never reviewed a collection or anthology before, which presents the challenge of painting not one but many stories with a single stroke. That said, each one shares the commonality of the author’s signature style. I know Benavidez styles himself as a proprietor of purple prose, but it is so much more than that. It’s a delicious medley, a marriage if you will, of red and blue. I so admire his ability to dash each moment across the page in his richly, filthy, poetic way like a series of cuts you’re so glad you got.
Now I will say that at times the plot of certain stories is on the lighter side, but that’s ok. These are far more sensory feasts and character studies than traditional narratives and I only mention it so that anyone planning to read this can know that going in. Also, you will not leave every one of these stories feeling good; not even in the wickedly delicious sense horror affords us.
The concept of a happy ending is utterly vacant in “In The City” and then returns—in the colloquial sense—for a quickie in “Dead and Lovin’ It.” “Tourniquet” was one of the most authentically morose depictions of the pangs and rigors of addiction I’ve ever read. “Enchanted (Freud Wept)” was a surprise because it turned out to be the origin story of a fledgling serial killer. “His Heart On My Sleeve” had one of the most unique concepts I’ve ever seen as a man is body-swapped while having his portrait painted, and “Ethereal Queen” resurrected the Countess Bathory.
To pin the sole label of “horror” on WHEN ANGELS FAIL: AS THE SHADOWS GROW would be limiting. There’s lots to this and I was surprised, impressed, and inspired by all of it. There are definite notes of Barker and Palanhniuk with its dark, bold, sometimes erotic, often transgressional subject matter and the whole book reads like pages out of someone’s diary. It’s like having the darkest, most secret corners of your brain—corners you thought you were alone in—licked by naughty kittens. It disturbed and excited me at the same time and all I can say is bravo.
Now I will say that at times the plot of certain stories is on the lighter side, but that’s ok. These are far more sensory feasts and character studies than traditional narratives and I only mention it so that anyone planning to read this can know that going in. Also, you will not leave every one of these stories feeling good; not even in the wickedly delicious sense horror affords us.
The concept of a happy ending is utterly vacant in “In The City” and then returns—in the colloquial sense—for a quickie in “Dead and Lovin’ It.” “Tourniquet” was one of the most authentically morose depictions of the pangs and rigors of addiction I’ve ever read. “Enchanted (Freud Wept)” was a surprise because it turned out to be the origin story of a fledgling serial killer. “His Heart On My Sleeve” had one of the most unique concepts I’ve ever seen as a man is body-swapped while having his portrait painted, and “Ethereal Queen” resurrected the Countess Bathory.
To pin the sole label of “horror” on WHEN ANGELS FAIL: AS THE SHADOWS GROW would be limiting. There’s lots to this and I was surprised, impressed, and inspired by all of it. There are definite notes of Barker and Palanhniuk with its dark, bold, sometimes erotic, often transgressional subject matter and the whole book reads like pages out of someone’s diary. It’s like having the darkest, most secret corners of your brain—corners you thought you were alone in—licked by naughty kittens. It disturbed and excited me at the same time and all I can say is bravo.