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A review by gs_jennsen
Ordinary Souls by J.S. Bailey
5.0
An eclectic mix of supernatural, suspense and horror, this collection of short stories written by the author throughout her career shines a spotlight on a diverse mix of characters. The theme of the collection, however, repeatedly comes back to the question of how people respond to the fantastic. In true storyteller form, Baily always ties the answer back to the individual.
From a mysterious mirror of questionable origin, to a painting that swallows the souls of those who fixate on it, to houses of ghosts and the night-time drive of a family in the mountains, you’ll be left unsettled, provoked and rewarded with glimpses into the mysteries that live in the corners of our world.
Whether through the eyes of a woman hiking alone or a young man exploring a haunted house with his friends, you will feel their palatable fear, uncertainty and unease as you explore the worlds that Bailey has created. At the other end of the spectrum, the tales of a short order waitress investigating (and possibly stalking) a creep that she comes across at her job and the pieces of an immortal woman’s diary as she lives far, far too long will leave you dreading what comes next. The author excels in bringing you to where she wants you, and by the end of each story you’ll be left pondering the larger mystery and the future of the story’s world.
This is the perfect bedside companion for readers who enjoy a good scare, but also like having something to think about in the morning light. Bailey doesn’t rely on established tropes and is a master at keeping you in the moment with her characters, whether they are racing through the desert away from the horrors they have resurrected or facing their own internal demons found in a life after death.
Ordinary Souls is a chilling set of stories meant to frighten you a bit, but it’s also a compelling sampling of insights into the human condition and a fully satisfying read from beginning to end.
From a mysterious mirror of questionable origin, to a painting that swallows the souls of those who fixate on it, to houses of ghosts and the night-time drive of a family in the mountains, you’ll be left unsettled, provoked and rewarded with glimpses into the mysteries that live in the corners of our world.
Whether through the eyes of a woman hiking alone or a young man exploring a haunted house with his friends, you will feel their palatable fear, uncertainty and unease as you explore the worlds that Bailey has created. At the other end of the spectrum, the tales of a short order waitress investigating (and possibly stalking) a creep that she comes across at her job and the pieces of an immortal woman’s diary as she lives far, far too long will leave you dreading what comes next. The author excels in bringing you to where she wants you, and by the end of each story you’ll be left pondering the larger mystery and the future of the story’s world.
This is the perfect bedside companion for readers who enjoy a good scare, but also like having something to think about in the morning light. Bailey doesn’t rely on established tropes and is a master at keeping you in the moment with her characters, whether they are racing through the desert away from the horrors they have resurrected or facing their own internal demons found in a life after death.
Ordinary Souls is a chilling set of stories meant to frighten you a bit, but it’s also a compelling sampling of insights into the human condition and a fully satisfying read from beginning to end.