Scan barcode
A review by journeywithrosie
Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror by Jordan Peele, John Joseph Adams
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I went into this book purely because I had read Jackal by Erin E. Adams and wanted to read more from her. I honestly only planned to read her story, but when I discovered how many incredibly talented writers were involved, AND that it was edited by Jordan Peele, I knew I had to read the whole thing.
This anthology has a collection of various types of horror including paranormal, speculative, science fiction, fantasy, historical, and dystopian. There was body horror, ghost hunting, freedom rides, and evil mermaids. Along with the variety of themes and genres, the audiobook has an ensemble cast which was an incredibly enjoyable experience.
Here are my thoughts for the stories. I honestly forgot to write a review for the last two as I was reading. Now that I look back, I don't really remember exactly what they were about, they were just okay to me.
There were some major hits, some misses, and some outright DNFs. But the hits brought the book rating up for me.
Reckless Eyeballing by N.K. Jemisin
4/5
In this story we follow a corrupt cop who is able to tell when someone has done something wrong from looking at the lights on their cars. This story wasn’t necessarily scary to me, it was just very unnerving. There is a realness to it that was difficult at times, and some body horror that was super cool. It was enjoyable and unique, but I did find the ending to be a bit predictable. TW for sexual assault off page.
Eye and Tooth by Rebecca Roanhorse
5/5
This story was so cool! We are following siblings that are ghost/monster hunters who are called to a case that turned out to be much different than they expected. This was so creepy, but also really funny. Loved how this one ended, it took me totally off guard.
Wandering Devil by Cadwell Turnbull
3/5
A story about a man who struggles to stay committed to one place or relationship and the repercussions of that. This definitely didn’t feel like horror to me, more like speculative fiction. But I enjoyed the writing style, and the story was interesting enough to keep me engaged. The ending was my favorite part, it was quite unique and not what I expected, but I can imagine some might not like it as much.
Invasion of the Baby Snatchers by Lesley Nneka Arimah
2.5/5
An alien species invades earth by using women as incubators. I’m not a huge fan of sci-fi, but I was willing to follow along. The beginning really drew me in. However, I found the pacing to be really off. As soon as I started to get interested in the story there would be some sort of shift in tone or storyline. At times I struggled to understand what was happening. I still don’t understand what happened at the end of the story. Maybe that's just because of my experience, or lack thereof, with sci-fi.
The Other One by Violet Allen
5/5
A woman texts her ex and receives an eerie response from his new partner. I won’t say anything else because I wouldn’t want to ruin it for anyone. I won’t lie, I wasn’t sure about this one when it started, but it picked up right away and I loved all the twists and turns. This is the first one that truly felt like horror to me. It was tense and spooky, lots of body horror and gruesomeness. Loved it!
Lasirèn by Erin E. Adams
4/5
A tale of a mermaid luring 3 sisters away. I picked up this anthology because I read Jackal by Erin E Adams and wanted to read more from her. This story, like jackal, was amazingly written and had me fixed from start to finish. I didn’t find it particularly scary, but it was unique and the fantasy elements were great. I audibly gasped at parts, and the ending made my heart ache.
The Rider by Tananarive Due
10/5
A 1960s freedom ride takes an unexpected turn.
WOWW. This one was it for me. This is the only story that had my heart beating out of my chest, I suppose since the stakes were so high, and the situation was so real. I loved everything about this one, from start to finish, I loved the fantasy elements, this was just a perfect story to me.
The Aesthete by Justin C. Key
3/5
A dystopian future where human-like android art pieces are created and made a spectacle to the world. One android is different from the rest.
There were moments I loved this story, but there were also moments I had no idea what was happening. The beginning was quite beautiful, and there was a romance subplot that I loved. The main character was endearing and complicated. The last portion enrapture me, but I totally do not understand what happened at the end lol perhaps with sci-fi I need to read physically to have a full understanding.
Pressure by Ezra Claytan Daniels
DNF
This one is in 2nd person, and I really do not enjoy 2nd person narration. It was stopping me from continuing the rest of the stories, so I decided to DNF.
Dark Home by Nnedi Okorafor
5/5
A woman breaks cultural traditions angering an ancient being in a Nigerian funeral. This story was amazing. Loved learning about Nigerian traditions, loved the suspense and build up. There was so much tension throughout. Very cool!
Flicker by LD Lewis
3/5
Dystopian tale about the world turning dark which caused chaos. This was a fast-paced thrill ride from start to finish! Sort of sci-fi, end of the world, very interesting. I really enjoyed it, but I felt it was rushed at some points and I wish certain points were expanded upon more. Because so many plot points were rushed this one did not make a lasting impression on me.
The Most Strongest Obeah Woman of the World by Nalo Hopkinson
5/5
A young girl swims to the bottom of a fishing hole to kill a creature terrorizing her village, but the creature clings to her instead.
This story made me so glad I read this book via audio. I loved the narrator, loved every minute hearing her. This story was so different from anything I'd ever read. There is a lot of body horror, at times I found myself cringing. But even so, I enjoyed it. And I really loved the ending, it was so satisfying!
The Norwood Trouble by Maurice Broaddus
3/5
In the late 1800s, after the civil war, a young girl experiences a lynching. This is beautifully written, lots of great commentary throughout, and there were many tense moments. However, I found myself a bit bored through the majority of the story. It was very slow moving.
A Grief of the Dead by Rion Amilcar Scott
DNF
This story starts with the suicidal ideations of the MMC as he reflects on his brother's murder. I found out from another reviewer that there is later a mass shooting… these are all topics that I personally don’t feel I can mentally handle at the moment.
A Bird Sings by the Etching Tree by Nicole D. Sconiers
DNF
I really didn't want to DNF another story, but I was so annoyed with this one. It's about two women who were killed, and who linger as ghosts to kill others. The characters were irritating, and I was honestly just really bored.
An American Fable by Chesya Burke
5/5
A black WWII veteran is saved from an angry mob by a mysterious girl. This was another hit for me. So much great commentary, a tense build up with the attacking mob and subsequent consequences, all linked with folklore. The ending was amazing. Loved it.
Your Happy Place by Terence Taylor
4/5
Prisoners are taught tasks through AI learning, a guard discovers the truth behind this system. I saw another reviewer say this story was predictable, but I personally was caught off guard! I really enjoyed the twist. However, I did find the ending to be a bit lack luster.
This anthology has a collection of various types of horror including paranormal, speculative, science fiction, fantasy, historical, and dystopian. There was body horror, ghost hunting, freedom rides, and evil mermaids. Along with the variety of themes and genres, the audiobook has an ensemble cast which was an incredibly enjoyable experience.
Here are my thoughts for the stories. I honestly forgot to write a review for the last two as I was reading. Now that I look back, I don't really remember exactly what they were about, they were just okay to me.
There were some major hits, some misses, and some outright DNFs. But the hits brought the book rating up for me.
Reckless Eyeballing by N.K. Jemisin
4/5
In this story we follow a corrupt cop who is able to tell when someone has done something wrong from looking at the lights on their cars. This story wasn’t necessarily scary to me, it was just very unnerving. There is a realness to it that was difficult at times, and some body horror that was super cool. It was enjoyable and unique, but I did find the ending to be a bit predictable. TW for sexual assault off page.
Eye and Tooth by Rebecca Roanhorse
5/5
This story was so cool! We are following siblings that are ghost/monster hunters who are called to a case that turned out to be much different than they expected. This was so creepy, but also really funny. Loved how this one ended, it took me totally off guard.
Wandering Devil by Cadwell Turnbull
3/5
A story about a man who struggles to stay committed to one place or relationship and the repercussions of that. This definitely didn’t feel like horror to me, more like speculative fiction. But I enjoyed the writing style, and the story was interesting enough to keep me engaged. The ending was my favorite part, it was quite unique and not what I expected, but I can imagine some might not like it as much.
Invasion of the Baby Snatchers by Lesley Nneka Arimah
2.5/5
An alien species invades earth by using women as incubators. I’m not a huge fan of sci-fi, but I was willing to follow along. The beginning really drew me in. However, I found the pacing to be really off. As soon as I started to get interested in the story there would be some sort of shift in tone or storyline. At times I struggled to understand what was happening. I still don’t understand what happened at the end of the story. Maybe that's just because of my experience, or lack thereof, with sci-fi.
The Other One by Violet Allen
5/5
A woman texts her ex and receives an eerie response from his new partner. I won’t say anything else because I wouldn’t want to ruin it for anyone. I won’t lie, I wasn’t sure about this one when it started, but it picked up right away and I loved all the twists and turns. This is the first one that truly felt like horror to me. It was tense and spooky, lots of body horror and gruesomeness. Loved it!
Lasirèn by Erin E. Adams
4/5
A tale of a mermaid luring 3 sisters away. I picked up this anthology because I read Jackal by Erin E Adams and wanted to read more from her. This story, like jackal, was amazingly written and had me fixed from start to finish. I didn’t find it particularly scary, but it was unique and the fantasy elements were great. I audibly gasped at parts, and the ending made my heart ache.
The Rider by Tananarive Due
10/5
A 1960s freedom ride takes an unexpected turn.
WOWW. This one was it for me. This is the only story that had my heart beating out of my chest, I suppose since the stakes were so high, and the situation was so real. I loved everything about this one, from start to finish, I loved the fantasy elements, this was just a perfect story to me.
The Aesthete by Justin C. Key
3/5
A dystopian future where human-like android art pieces are created and made a spectacle to the world. One android is different from the rest.
There were moments I loved this story, but there were also moments I had no idea what was happening. The beginning was quite beautiful, and there was a romance subplot that I loved. The main character was endearing and complicated. The last portion enrapture me, but I totally do not understand what happened at the end lol perhaps with sci-fi I need to read physically to have a full understanding.
Pressure by Ezra Claytan Daniels
DNF
This one is in 2nd person, and I really do not enjoy 2nd person narration. It was stopping me from continuing the rest of the stories, so I decided to DNF.
Dark Home by Nnedi Okorafor
5/5
A woman breaks cultural traditions angering an ancient being in a Nigerian funeral. This story was amazing. Loved learning about Nigerian traditions, loved the suspense and build up. There was so much tension throughout. Very cool!
Flicker by LD Lewis
3/5
Dystopian tale about the world turning dark which caused chaos. This was a fast-paced thrill ride from start to finish! Sort of sci-fi, end of the world, very interesting. I really enjoyed it, but I felt it was rushed at some points and I wish certain points were expanded upon more. Because so many plot points were rushed this one did not make a lasting impression on me.
The Most Strongest Obeah Woman of the World by Nalo Hopkinson
5/5
A young girl swims to the bottom of a fishing hole to kill a creature terrorizing her village, but the creature clings to her instead.
This story made me so glad I read this book via audio. I loved the narrator, loved every minute hearing her. This story was so different from anything I'd ever read. There is a lot of body horror, at times I found myself cringing. But even so, I enjoyed it. And I really loved the ending, it was so satisfying!
The Norwood Trouble by Maurice Broaddus
3/5
In the late 1800s, after the civil war, a young girl experiences a lynching. This is beautifully written, lots of great commentary throughout, and there were many tense moments. However, I found myself a bit bored through the majority of the story. It was very slow moving.
A Grief of the Dead by Rion Amilcar Scott
DNF
This story starts with the suicidal ideations of the MMC as he reflects on his brother's murder. I found out from another reviewer that there is later a mass shooting… these are all topics that I personally don’t feel I can mentally handle at the moment.
A Bird Sings by the Etching Tree by Nicole D. Sconiers
DNF
I really didn't want to DNF another story, but I was so annoyed with this one. It's about two women who were killed, and who linger as ghosts to kill others. The characters were irritating, and I was honestly just really bored.
An American Fable by Chesya Burke
5/5
A black WWII veteran is saved from an angry mob by a mysterious girl. This was another hit for me. So much great commentary, a tense build up with the attacking mob and subsequent consequences, all linked with folklore. The ending was amazing. Loved it.
Your Happy Place by Terence Taylor
4/5
Prisoners are taught tasks through AI learning, a guard discovers the truth behind this system. I saw another reviewer say this story was predictable, but I personally was caught off guard! I really enjoyed the twist. However, I did find the ending to be a bit lack luster.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mass/school shootings, Sexism, Body horror, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, Mental illness, and Death
Minor: Sexual assault and Suicidal thoughts