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A review by littlebookterror
Man Made Monsters by Andrea L. Rogers
slow-paced
3.0
Based on the trusted reviews I've seen of this book, I was truly hoping this would be a hit for me but alas, it leaves me underwhelmed.
Some of the horror elements were just for me (mainly the more classic appearances of zombies, vampires, mermaids etc), nor did I think the atmosphere overall captured me in the way that I'd hoped. I think the concept is great and catching the little nods to the family trees is a lot of fun and grounds these stories in a place of realism that worked well with its themes. And I am always appreciative when queer, in this case lesbian, characters take center stage as they do in a few stories.
Otherwise, I don't have any strong feelings about most of this book which is a shame. I felt like a lot of pieces drew from other, existing folktales and stories though I am unsure if it's just my cultural upbringing that is putting that connection in this order and not the other way around; I don't know if there exists a Cherokee version of a vampire (not to mention the simple fact that I will always relate it back to my version of vampires for those were part of my upbringing and therefor the "original" ones) and did not stand out amongst the rest of the stories. A large part for horror for me is an unsettling atmosphere and a more lyrical, fantastical writing style both of which were not present here.
I am also very sad that it means I missed out on the illustrations, something I always enjoy in books since I did the audiobook instead. (Weird fact, I vastly preferred the stories narrated by DeLanna Studi over Lane Factor, no idea how they decided to divide them up but that's how it played out.)
Now, as usual, mini reviews of each piece.
An Old-Fashioned Girl | ★★★✩✩
a take on vampirism that is equally strange and horrific
Man Made Monsters | ★★★★✩
An Un-Fairy Story | ★★✩✩✩
a short tale that mirrors other meetings with fae but that's not particularly dark and it's lacklustre ending does not leave a strong impression.
Hell Hound in No Man's Land | ★★✩✩✩
again, very short and not something I found haunting. The described monster was too average for me to be afraid for the soldiers.
Homecoming | ★★✩✩✩
I am just not feeling the dread the story was supposedly eliciting from me. Too vague, too slow.
Maria Most Likely | ★★★★✩
a very quiet that surprised me in the end by how invested I was in the outcome.
Me & My Monster | ★★★✩✩
an awkward love story with some of the expected commentary on prejudice
Shame on the Moon | ★★✩✩✩
really did not enjoy this one and its revenge theme
Snow Day | ★★★✩✩
I know the dread was supposed to come from the cold but for me It was the lack of community that is all the more common nowadays, especially when you live in cities.
Ama's Boys | ★★★✩✩
loved the recall but I feel like it could have done more with its premise
American Predators | ★★★★✩
sapphic protagonist and 2nd person POV, the best combination!
Manifesting Joy | ★★★✩✩
nothing to say about this one.
Lens | ★★★★✩
We are giving little context to the why and how and who but enhancing the experience. Medical situations like this always make me shudder.
Ghost Cat | ★★★✩✩
a little sad, a little cute. Focused on an interesting mother-daughter dynamic
Happily Ever After | ★★★★✩
the inherent inbalance and potential horror in interpersonal relationships. Well done.
Deer Women | ★★★✩✩
too much build-up, too little pay-off for this otherwise cool idea.
I Come From the Water | ★★★✩✩
For how long this one is, I wanted a little more things happening. It also read more straight up SFF than horror.
The Zombies Attack the Drive-In | ★★✩✩✩
It's hard to make me care about zombies and dystopian settings.
Some of the horror elements were just for me (mainly the more classic appearances of zombies, vampires, mermaids etc), nor did I think the atmosphere overall captured me in the way that I'd hoped. I think the concept is great and catching the little nods to the family trees is a lot of fun and grounds these stories in a place of realism that worked well with its themes. And I am always appreciative when queer, in this case lesbian, characters take center stage as they do in a few stories.
Otherwise, I don't have any strong feelings about most of this book which is a shame. I felt like a lot of pieces drew from other, existing folktales and stories though I am unsure if it's just my cultural upbringing that is putting that connection in this order and not the other way around; I don't know if there exists a Cherokee version of a vampire (not to mention the simple fact that I will always relate it back to my version of vampires for those were part of my upbringing and therefor the "original" ones) and did not stand out amongst the rest of the stories. A large part for horror for me is an unsettling atmosphere and a more lyrical, fantastical writing style both of which were not present here.
I am also very sad that it means I missed out on the illustrations, something I always enjoy in books since I did the audiobook instead. (Weird fact, I vastly preferred the stories narrated by DeLanna Studi over Lane Factor, no idea how they decided to divide them up but that's how it played out.)
Now, as usual, mini reviews of each piece.
An Old-Fashioned Girl | ★★★✩✩
a take on vampirism that is equally strange and horrific
Man Made Monsters | ★★★★✩
An Un-Fairy Story | ★★✩✩✩
a short tale that mirrors other meetings with fae but that's not particularly dark and it's lacklustre ending does not leave a strong impression.
Hell Hound in No Man's Land | ★★✩✩✩
again, very short and not something I found haunting. The described monster was too average for me to be afraid for the soldiers.
Homecoming | ★★✩✩✩
I am just not feeling the dread the story was supposedly eliciting from me. Too vague, too slow.
Maria Most Likely | ★★★★✩
a very quiet that surprised me in the end by how invested I was in the outcome.
Me & My Monster | ★★★✩✩
an awkward love story with some of the expected commentary on prejudice
Shame on the Moon | ★★✩✩✩
really did not enjoy this one and its revenge theme
Snow Day | ★★★✩✩
I know the dread was supposed to come from the cold but for me It was the lack of community that is all the more common nowadays, especially when you live in cities.
Ama's Boys | ★★★✩✩
loved the recall but I feel like it could have done more with its premise
American Predators | ★★★★✩
sapphic protagonist and 2nd person POV, the best combination!
Manifesting Joy | ★★★✩✩
nothing to say about this one.
Lens | ★★★★✩
We are giving little context to the why and how and who but enhancing the experience. Medical situations like this always make me shudder.
Ghost Cat | ★★★✩✩
a little sad, a little cute. Focused on an interesting mother-daughter dynamic
Happily Ever After | ★★★★✩
the inherent inbalance and potential horror in interpersonal relationships. Well done.
Deer Women | ★★★✩✩
too much build-up, too little pay-off for this otherwise cool idea.
I Come From the Water | ★★★✩✩
For how long this one is, I wanted a little more things happening. It also read more straight up SFF than horror.
The Zombies Attack the Drive-In | ★★✩✩✩
It's hard to make me care about zombies and dystopian settings.