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A review by angustiacosmica
Howls from the Dark Ages: An Anthology of Medieval Horror by P.L. McMillan, Solomon Forse
5.0
I haven't read a short story collection in SO LONG. Not to mention I??? Actually enjoyed it???
As years went by I found myself quickly getting bored of short story collections, but my love for medieval spookiness got the best out of me and I am super happy I did, this was a jewel amidst my frenzied book searches.
So much so that I actually threw bite-sized reviews of each story:
• The Crowing could easily become a full-fledged book and I would eat that sh*t up. I'm even kind of sad it was a bite sized story but I enjoyed it greatly regardless. Ye olde you go girl story.
• Angelus was another fave, I love me some religious horror and it's surprisingly hard for me to get by those, somehow! "Do not be afraid" they say, but how can't I when you see what the protag did in the story.
• I had high hopes for Palette but it ended up being quite "meh." It was beautifully written but it's not what I wanted out of a deathly chase for beauty kind of setting.
• Brother Cornelius is the result of what Kenan and Kel would be as old timey monks saving a monastery from an evil spirit. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if there was an episode like that and I'm just not remembering it.
• In Thrall to This Good Earth was... Surprising to say the least. You may want to put on a Marvin Gaye CD to accompany the sort of events you're about to read.
• In Every Drop is probably one of the saddest in the bunch. How much are you willing to sacrifice for a loved one? It was also the first story to venture into a different setting, so variety is there!
• Deus Vult won me over because I'm a filthy lover of Latin. And once again, religion plays a big role in it; though that'd be a disservice, fanatism is closer to it.
• The Final Book of Sainte Foy’s Miracles has to be my second favourite. I guess my studying into a Catholic school really twisted my tastes in the horror I consume. We grew reading about saints and martyrs, so this story scratched an itch I had forgotten I had.
• A Dowry For Your Hand is so beautifully crafted and just the right length. Sadly too open ended to sate my curiosity, but a delight to read. I need to read more stories set in China!
• The Mouth of Hell was a spectacle to behold. What if Dante searched not for Beatrice but for a father figure instead? A depiction of hell so visceral it felt like watching a movie instead.
• The Lady of Leer Castle made me so sad. It gave me such a tender plot and then it crushed me completely. What if we held hands in the middle of a mercenary banquet?
• Schizzare was another blow to the gut. What's with all these tragic plots suddenly popping up like wild mushrooms? I'm here to be spooked, not heartbroken!
• The King of Youth vs. The Knight of Death was kind of messy in a not so fun way. But also, f*ck 'em creepy kids.
• The Forgotten Valley was kind of eh. Not much to say about it.
• The Fourth Scene was another weird one. Imagine Freaky Friday but with a nice, medieval monster touch.
• The White Owl has some strong body horror, but somehow I managed to get past through it since it's such a power rush of a story. Imagine making body horror sound somewhat... Beautiful? Hopeful? That's how strong this plot was.
• A Dark Quadrivium is another body horror galore, but make it religious this time. This one was, to my taste, the Lovecraftianest of all stories. Knowledge that drives you mad? Check. Unspeakable horrors? Check. Dark religion? Double check.
• The Lai of the Danse Macabre was such a fun (fun?) way to finish this terrible museum of wonders. Not only did I learn what a lai is (a medieval type of short tale!) but also about Danse Macabre (my future band's name.) Who knew rhymes could be scary? The story also reminded me of that dancing plague that happened so long ago, so this was really fun (for real, fun?) story.
As a fun tidbit? The different author's portraits drawn at the end of the book where a joy to behold.
Definitely another favourite book!
As years went by I found myself quickly getting bored of short story collections, but my love for medieval spookiness got the best out of me and I am super happy I did, this was a jewel amidst my frenzied book searches.
So much so that I actually threw bite-sized reviews of each story:
• The Crowing could easily become a full-fledged book and I would eat that sh*t up. I'm even kind of sad it was a bite sized story but I enjoyed it greatly regardless. Ye olde you go girl story.
• Angelus was another fave, I love me some religious horror and it's surprisingly hard for me to get by those, somehow! "Do not be afraid" they say, but how can't I when you see what the protag did in the story.
• I had high hopes for Palette but it ended up being quite "meh." It was beautifully written but it's not what I wanted out of a deathly chase for beauty kind of setting.
• Brother Cornelius is the result of what Kenan and Kel would be as old timey monks saving a monastery from an evil spirit. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if there was an episode like that and I'm just not remembering it.
• In Thrall to This Good Earth was... Surprising to say the least. You may want to put on a Marvin Gaye CD to accompany the sort of events you're about to read.
• In Every Drop is probably one of the saddest in the bunch. How much are you willing to sacrifice for a loved one? It was also the first story to venture into a different setting, so variety is there!
• Deus Vult won me over because I'm a filthy lover of Latin. And once again, religion plays a big role in it; though that'd be a disservice, fanatism is closer to it.
• The Final Book of Sainte Foy’s Miracles has to be my second favourite. I guess my studying into a Catholic school really twisted my tastes in the horror I consume. We grew reading about saints and martyrs, so this story scratched an itch I had forgotten I had.
• A Dowry For Your Hand is so beautifully crafted and just the right length. Sadly too open ended to sate my curiosity, but a delight to read. I need to read more stories set in China!
• The Mouth of Hell was a spectacle to behold. What if Dante searched not for Beatrice but for a father figure instead? A depiction of hell so visceral it felt like watching a movie instead.
• The Lady of Leer Castle made me so sad. It gave me such a tender plot and then it crushed me completely. What if we held hands in the middle of a mercenary banquet?
• Schizzare was another blow to the gut. What's with all these tragic plots suddenly popping up like wild mushrooms? I'm here to be spooked, not heartbroken!
• The King of Youth vs. The Knight of Death was kind of messy in a not so fun way. But also, f*ck 'em creepy kids.
• The Forgotten Valley was kind of eh. Not much to say about it.
• The Fourth Scene was another weird one. Imagine Freaky Friday but with a nice, medieval monster touch.
• The White Owl has some strong body horror, but somehow I managed to get past through it since it's such a power rush of a story. Imagine making body horror sound somewhat... Beautiful? Hopeful? That's how strong this plot was.
• A Dark Quadrivium is another body horror galore, but make it religious this time. This one was, to my taste, the Lovecraftianest of all stories. Knowledge that drives you mad? Check. Unspeakable horrors? Check. Dark religion? Double check.
• The Lai of the Danse Macabre was such a fun (fun?) way to finish this terrible museum of wonders. Not only did I learn what a lai is (a medieval type of short tale!) but also about Danse Macabre (my future band's name.) Who knew rhymes could be scary? The story also reminded me of that dancing plague that happened so long ago, so this was really fun (for real, fun?) story.
As a fun tidbit? The different author's portraits drawn at the end of the book where a joy to behold.
Definitely another favourite book!