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A review by mariahaskins
Hardened Hearts by Robert Dean, J. L. Knight, Jennifer Williams
5.0
This is a great collection of dark, twisted, disturbing stories about love, lust, and heartache. With seventeen authors, the voices included in this anthology are varied and it offers a pretty eclectic mix of fantasy, noir, and horror. All the stories reflect on love - as a concept or as a reality - in some way, and all the stories make for solid and enjoyable reading.
Some standouts for me:
'It Breaks my Heart to Watch You Rot' by Somer Canon, a story that reflects on what it's like to watch old age consume someone you love...if you are yourself immortal.
'What Is Love' by Calvin Demmer, a story about powerful magic and love and obsession, has an ending that made me cringe (that's a good thing in this case!).
'40 Ways to Leave Your Monster Lover' by Gwendolyn Kiste is a real treat, an evocative and gripping tale of getting caught up with a lover who is definitely no good for you (and how to get out!).
'Dog Tired' by Eddie Generous is a cool, visceral horror take on werewolves - and I am always up for a good werewolf tale.
'Learning To Love' by Jennifer Williams is a terrific, twisting tale of hungry, painful love.
'Porcelain Skin' by Laura Blackwell is a fabulous tale about a box, friendship and love, and the regrets of things not said and done in time. It stands out because even though it's not exactly a happy love story, it is a story that offers an ending that actually is kind of happy, if a little strange.
This is definitely an anthology worth checking out for those who like stories that peek at the darker side of life and love.
Some standouts for me:
'It Breaks my Heart to Watch You Rot' by Somer Canon, a story that reflects on what it's like to watch old age consume someone you love...if you are yourself immortal.
'What Is Love' by Calvin Demmer, a story about powerful magic and love and obsession, has an ending that made me cringe (that's a good thing in this case!).
'40 Ways to Leave Your Monster Lover' by Gwendolyn Kiste is a real treat, an evocative and gripping tale of getting caught up with a lover who is definitely no good for you (and how to get out!).
'Dog Tired' by Eddie Generous is a cool, visceral horror take on werewolves - and I am always up for a good werewolf tale.
'Learning To Love' by Jennifer Williams is a terrific, twisting tale of hungry, painful love.
'Porcelain Skin' by Laura Blackwell is a fabulous tale about a box, friendship and love, and the regrets of things not said and done in time. It stands out because even though it's not exactly a happy love story, it is a story that offers an ending that actually is kind of happy, if a little strange.
This is definitely an anthology worth checking out for those who like stories that peek at the darker side of life and love.