A review by bucher_freund
HorrorScope: A Zodiac Anthology, Volume 2 by H. Everend

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Just like its predecessor, Volume 2 is full of stunning stories and poems inspired by the zodiac. Everend possesses the keen eye and perceptive heart required of a curator compiling such a collection of tales. The entries range from darkly funny to gruesomely horrifying. Some are surprising, some sexy, some sad, and some downright scary. With such a broad spectrum, not every entry will be for everyone, but there is plenty of solid writing here and I think every reader will close its pages satisfied.

My personal favorites:

Speak My Name Again by Gregory Leather - an unsettling and prophetic Aries poem.

My Only Monster by Hayley Anderton - a hopeful young creature attends a ball looking for their Only One, but the soul mate they find may not be the one they need.

The Gemini Rose by Jason A Jones - this creepy poem with a fun rhythm tells of an attic dweller and her cat, and the things they get up to when they're hungry.

Crusty's Penny Arcade by Willie R Heredia - old Crusty owns a seaside penny arcade, but only invites an exclusive few inside to see his collection. Beware his magic tricks!

It Came From Broken Heart Bay by Christopher Robertson - this throwback to old 50s creature features follows a newshound as he investigates a strange boating incident. Wacky fun, with great rat-a-tat dialogue. 

All Eyes on You by Torrence Bryan - can't really summarize this one without spoilers. Tense and well written body horror. 

Perfection by Jena Glover - a prim and proper perfectionist trolls the online dating scene for a mate. I loved the narrator of this one. Mind your manners around her!

That Blissful Darkness by Gillian Church - a talented woman helps her mother-in-law host an engagement party as she inwardly seethes. A sharp and fascinating piece on the madness of thinking we can be everything to everyone at all times.

In the Desert by Marshall Gunness III - a darkly atmospheric poem that serves as a nice appetizer to the Scorpio section

The Restless Ones by Skye Myers - a group of college girls sneak into an abandoned church to mess around with contacting the beyond. Tense and well paced, with a doozy of an ending.

Visions of Burning Stars by Kirsten Aucoin - a man with a strange gift discovers his nephew might be burdened with the same, and reaches out to make a connection with him. Engaging and has a good twist.

D.U.M.E (Song of the Sagittarian Witch) by M Rook Grimsley - a bewitching little spell of a poem.

Rot by Nikki Kossaris - a woman begins a downward spiral as she obsesses over slights on social media, wondering if they are real or just perceived. Wicked and timely, with a satisfying ending.

Sea of Grief by Loki DeWitt - a pensive and beautiful poem that describes well the experience of drowning in waves of sadness.

Pisces Iscariot by Wendy Dalrymple - a dark and enchanting fairy tale of a poem.