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A review by shereadstales
The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Eleven by Ellen Datlow
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing/Night Shade Books for the digital review copy.
Joe Hill is perhaps the biggest name in this anthology, but many impressive horror authors contributed short horror fiction. This collection, like most, is a mixed bag, and horror is such a broad category with subgenres that sometimes have nothing to do with one another, so if you only like a few types of horror/have issues with others, you’re going to come across a few stories you just don’t like.
Personally, I like paranormal and psychological horror. Body horror, rape revenge, and gratuitous gore aren’t my scene. They are all valid horror subgenres, but even when well-written, I don’t enjoy them. So, of course, I liked some of these stories more than others.
I enjoyed “I Remember Nothing” by Anne Billson. It’s zombie horror but be warned it’s body horror, too. That part really turned me off but I give it points for a creative twist on a sometimes tired troupe. “White Mare” by Thana Niveau was also really good. It’s got both occult and paranormal elements. There’s some gore, but it’s necessary to the story without being the entire story. Joe Hill always brings the entertainment, too, and “You Are Released” is intriguing. While he’s the most recognizable author to me in this collection, I liked that he is mentioned among everyone else, not as like the top billed writer. Props for equally highlighting all stories.
All in all, this is a decent horror collection if you’re looking for a wide range of subgenres collected together in short, succinct tales. It’s been out for a while, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding it. It’s even available as an audiobook if you’re all caught up on NoSleep and need a fix.
Joe Hill is perhaps the biggest name in this anthology, but many impressive horror authors contributed short horror fiction. This collection, like most, is a mixed bag, and horror is such a broad category with subgenres that sometimes have nothing to do with one another, so if you only like a few types of horror/have issues with others, you’re going to come across a few stories you just don’t like.
Personally, I like paranormal and psychological horror. Body horror, rape revenge, and gratuitous gore aren’t my scene. They are all valid horror subgenres, but even when well-written, I don’t enjoy them. So, of course, I liked some of these stories more than others.
I enjoyed “I Remember Nothing” by Anne Billson. It’s zombie horror but be warned it’s body horror, too. That part really turned me off but I give it points for a creative twist on a sometimes tired troupe. “White Mare” by Thana Niveau was also really good. It’s got both occult and paranormal elements. There’s some gore, but it’s necessary to the story without being the entire story. Joe Hill always brings the entertainment, too, and “You Are Released” is intriguing. While he’s the most recognizable author to me in this collection, I liked that he is mentioned among everyone else, not as like the top billed writer. Props for equally highlighting all stories.
All in all, this is a decent horror collection if you’re looking for a wide range of subgenres collected together in short, succinct tales. It’s been out for a while, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding it. It’s even available as an audiobook if you’re all caught up on NoSleep and need a fix.