Stillborn Gallery

by Axl Barnes

Welcome to a grotesque universe where strangulation is the ultimate proof of love, youngsters morph into something less than zombies, happiness is but an invitation to suicide, and children beg to be smothered in their cribs. Mindless work provides no escape from this nightmare, as alienation can turn you into rotted produce or a blubbering mass of boneless flesh.

Stillborn Gallery collects nine nihilistic tales centered around the theme of mortality. Axl Barnes mercilessly uncovers the nest of maggots infesting the core of life. Each story comes with its own illustration by visionary artist Thomas Stetson, combining for a uniquely bleak and dazzling experience.

Genres: Short Stories, Horror

135 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2023

About the author

Thanks for visiting my page! I'm a writer and philosopher living in Edmonton, Alberta, with a penchant for extreme metal and everything horror. My novella "Ich Will" and novel "Odin Rising" are available on Amazon. I'm currently writing my second novel, "This Town Must Burn." For more information visit: axlbarnes.blogspot.com

Reviews

[Corrina Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of short stories, but when this one was recommended to me, I had to give it a go! I'm glad I did. These are short, brutal, to the point stories that are well written, and I love the illustrations to go with each one.
This book is how I imagine it would be if I were to wake up and write down my nightmares!!!! 🖤

[Tylor James · Rating 4 out of 5]

As one may gather from the title and blurb, "Stillborn Gallery" features stories of extreme, nihilistic horror. I am not a fan of "extreme horror" and therefore didn't enjoy a number of passages in the book. However --- Axl Barnes' writing is competent and provocative. His style is curt, stripped down, and unapologetically direct. He's also quite skilled at establishing detailed portraits of characters in just a few passages. Many of the main characters are detestable, yet there are a few one cannot help finding sympathy with (especially Evelyn, who suffers from rectal cancer in the story "Sunday Exit").

My favorite stories amongst this steaming batch of gore, however, are "Numbskull" and "Closing Shift". These stories serve as allegories, exploring the themes of alienation and "wage slavery" in the workplace. I think most people who live a lower and/or middle-class existence will be able to identify with the dour, dismal, and dreadful emotions as exemplified by the characters. The surrealistic, nightmarish turns of plot, I'm happy to say, successfully surprises and unsettles.

Axl Barnes is early on in his career, but "Stillborn Gallery" is an enticing peak at what I'm sure will be a long, violent career, the ink from his pen splashing the page just as the blood will splash in his mind --- and yours, too, fellow readers.

[Amanda G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Axl Barnes was kind enough to let me read an advanced reader's copy of his upcoming short story collection Stillborn Gallery. While I really liked it, I will say right off the bat, that this is not for everyone. It's very dark, disturbing, gross, yet well written and philosophical. Nihilism seems to be a running theme within these stories. And honestly, if you've ever worked in retail (or any other dead end job) like in "Closing Shift" for example, you've probably flirted with the idea of nihilism a time or two. Mortality is also a big topic in these stories. There is no shying away from the gritty and vicious reality of death here. It is up close and personal and extremely uncomfortable. It was hard to pick favorites as I enjoyed most of them but I'd say my top 3 are Night Soil, Perfect Day, and Sunday Exit. If you like extreme horror, definitely check this one out!

[Gareth Houghtonio · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last book I read was a Young Adult book, so I needed to read something hardcore to the max to rebuild my street-cred. Okay, I have no street-cred. But yes, this is a collection of nine macabre short stories with themes of depression, sociopathy, debauchery, violence, suicide, murder, and other such related words. Also there's heavy metal.

I always go into these kind of books expecting them to suck because most of the time people who write this stuff can barely string a sentence together and just try to go over the top just to shock without adding any substance. But this book is well written and coherent and moves along nicely.

The stories to me seemed to be more like character studies rather than plot driven tales, which is good. I like delving into people's minds and seeing what makes them tick, and there's some sick minds ticking in this one. I also love a grim ending, so if you like your stories with a fairytale ending, well get ready to erm... read not-fairytale endings.

Each story is accompanied with cool artwork by Thomas Stetson. Each piece looks like they could have been covers for old school death metal demo tapes. I've flicked through the book a few times to look at the drawings. They are as dark and twisted as the stories they represent.

My only negative is that the protagonists in each story all seemed like the same person. But that's okay. There's not much room for character development in short stories anyway, and it was like witnessing how a person would function in different surroundings, so it wasn't that much of a problem.

Overall, a good end to my July reading.

[Christina Pfeiffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

**REVIEW**

Full reviews at https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/chr...

Well, I have another author to stalk. Let’s get into this amazing collection:

Numbskull - This story will ruin onions, watermelon, and potatoes for you. 

Closing Shift - Poor Mandip. Between exhaustion, Catherine, the main character, and an escalator, you would think she would have stayed home.

Night Soil - Dejected by her flavor of the week, Tanya finds the voices may be back and all too late.

The Playground with Crosses - Nope. Nooooope. One of my biggest fears in this one. 

Natasha Suicide - If overkill was a story. 

Florica, the Legend - Not everyone should be idolized and Florica is one of them.

A Perfect Day - if you loved E.A. Robinson’s Richard Cory poem, you will love this short story.

Sunday Evil - What happens when two suicidal ex-lovers come back together after years apart? 

Dead Seed - End of the world checklist 1) don’t have cancer 2) don’t fuck zombie necks. … that’s about it.

Axl interweaves his theme seamlessly in this collection and I’m not sure why this isn’t talked about more. Each story is flawless, and you can tell the emotions that are on display. An absolute treat! A HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND 10/5.

[Lydia Peever · Rating 5 out of 5]

This recent purchase lead me to a new author, and I want to read more. Axl Barnes contacted me about his latest collection, Stillborn Gallery and I was very interested so bought it right away. For those who like apathy crossing into their nihilism, as I do, with visceral scenes of gore that highlight the insignificance of life or what many regard as values intrinsic to the human-animal, these short stories find darkness in every corner; and tear even that to shreds. Each is a study on mortality and I found this a great counter to the feel-good beach-reads of horror.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stillborn Gallery - 3/5
By Axl Barnes

This was a super messed up anthology - each story carried the theme of death and mortality.

Each story was short, to the point and excessively brutal. SUNDAY EXIT had to be my favourite story in this short collection. But others I wasn’t too sure what had happened.

The illustrations for each story were lovely and really added something special to the book.

[Nat Whiston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stillborn Gallery Review by Nat Whiston
By Axl Barnes
Published by Quill and Lantern Publishing
Pages: 146
Cover Art By Thomas Stetson and Soluções Design Arts - SD ARTS

Welcome to a grotesque universe where strangulation is the ultimate proof of love, youngsters morph into something less than zombies, happiness is but an invitation to suicide, and children beg to be smothered in their cribs. Mindless work provides no escape from this nightmare, as alienation can turn you into rotted produce or a blubbering mass of boneless flesh.

Stillborn Gallery collects nine nihilistic tales centered around the theme of mortality. Axl Barnes mercilessly uncovers the nest of maggots infesting the core of life. Each story comes with its own illustration by visionary artist Thomas Stetson, fitting together for a uniquely bleak and dazzling experience.

**Reader discretion advised. This is intended for adult readers only. It contains highly graphic descriptions, situations, and illustrations that may be unsuitable for some readers.

Oh boy, was that advisor warning necessary because some of these stories are messed up—the first set of the stories revolved around the manitous routine of working in the public sector. Retail is the focus of the stories; Numbskull and Closing shift are surreal stories that show nightmares can collide with reality that a typical shift can turn into a bloody horror show of guts and gore. Night soil was a gut-wrenching tale of a woman's struggle with an inferiority complex compounded with deep physiological scarring. Honestly, my heartfelt for Tanya, and it was horrifying to see almost an inside view into a woman with postnatal depression justifying in her mind the murdering of her own child. Punishing herself mercilessly for having a child she believes was to fill the void of loneliness, and in turn making him suffer by bringing him to this world. Then after that gut punch for a story, there's the melancholy story The Playground with Crosses and the sinister Natasha’s Suicide that dives into the aftermath of a woman who committed suicide in a very extreme way. Each story delves into some proper dark places in the human psyche, each more disturbing than the next.
A Perfect Day also has an interesting twist as I should have expected the ending, you know, with reading a book based on death and nihilism. But still, the end of that story was a shocker. However, one story that still sits with me is Sunday Exit, about a woman whose life is turned completely upside down by rectal cancer—seeking mercy through death in the arms of her ex-lover, not wanting to suffer any longer in her new reality. It was heartbreaking, and even more so was the result. Dead Seed's zombie outbreak story is a nice little ending to the book, equally grotesque and gross. Again if you're looking for a happy ending with puppies and rainbows, I recommend a different book. This is not for the faint heart and extreme to the core. The disturbing and detailed artwork by Stetson only amplifies this book's darkness, which reminds me of a Rob Zombie style acid trip. The detail in each drawing is paired incredibly well with the stories. I need to watch Disney after this book to find my happy place! I loved the nods to some of my favourite metal bands there. Some very fitting for the stories in question as I could imagine the music playing in the background as the characters talked. It set the scene more in my mind and made it very vivid. It also got me listening to Katatonia again as I wrote my following poem. So thanks, Axl, for the inspiration. Apart from some very minor kinks, this is an incredible and morbid read. Beware my ghoulies; this takes extreme to another level.

[Otis Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

You like bleak and nihilistic stories? Of course you do you sicko! It’s okay, so do I . . .

This collection of short stories is an enjoyable, raw and disturbing trek into the mind of a twisted and talented writer. There are a lot of visceral emotions and interesting themes on display that aren’t always present in extreme horror. Give it a shot!

[L. Stephenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your tickets, please. Some champagne, if you wish. This way, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Stillborn Gallery by the artist, Axl Barnes.

If I could draw your attention first to my favourite pieces that I happened across on my visit to the Stillborn Gallery. The 3 highlights for me, were Numbskull, Night Soil and The Playground With Crosses.

Numbskull just fascinated me from the moment I entered the exhibition. I have never read anything like it, and the inventiveness of the descriptions – while grim as f**k – was just an awesome pleasure to read. This tale was the right amount of nasty for me.

The majority of the most important people in my life are mothers so my heartfelt sympathies were with the insecure Tanya from start to finish in Night Soil.

I’m still not entirely sure why Playground stands out to me. There is a beauty to it that is simple and haunting. In some small way it did put me in mind of Tim Burton’s poetry book The Melancholy Death of Oystery Boy and Other Stories, but with the elements of horror and dark humour dialed up to 100, of course.

Axl Barnes’ Gallery may be a book, but it actually does come with artwork. A piece created for and inspired by each of its 9 short stories. All fascinating and macabre illustrations with great attention paid to detail. It’s truly excellent work. They do leave me intrigued as to how they would look in full colour.

A showcase this extreme may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Then again, that is the case for every piece of art out there. But if you’re like me, highly impressionable, once you have taken those first few steps, keep going and hold on to that feeling of ‘Whoa!’ and wonder and disbelief. The collection should be short enough for you to make it safely to the end mentally intact in a cushy bubble of denial. And hopefully, it will leave you free to suffer a complete breakdown another day!

[Nikolas Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The nine stories collected in Barnes's Stillborn Gallery make for an almost uniformly bleak, nihilistic deep dive into the horrors of banality, the depths of depression, heavy metal, and suicide. If you're familiar with Axl Barnes, you shouldn't be altogether surprised by any of that.
Barnes utilizes almost poetic prose at times, almost exclusively when applied to the most awful of things. He has a knack for painting vivid and breathtaking pictures of things the reader might not want to see, and it makes for a fantastic experience.
There's a great deal to look forward to, for the discerning reader, from the almost Kafka-esque "Numbskull" to the morbidly romantic "Sunday Exit" in these pages.
For me, "A Perfect Day" sort of sums up the whole experience. We get to witness a day that is going smoothly for our protagonist, a man who has a vacation on the near horizon that he'll be sharing with a clearly devoted lover. Suddenly he begins fixating on an experience from his childhood, wherein a doctor had to lance an infected wound. This fixation does nothing to spoil his mood--the way I'm about to spoil this single story--but he proceeds to kill himself in a graphic, single-minded act...perhaps because it's best to leave on a high note.
The illustrations provided by Thomas Stetson are captivating, bringing to life a certain grimy, filthy element that flows naturally with the stories provided by Barnes.

[Christopher Pietropinto · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled to finish this book, the stories are just grotesque and perverted. It seems like the author cared more about being edgy and making the reader think "WTF" to themselves then actually creating coherent stories. Some of the scenes read as if they were written by a prepubescent boy who just discovered his dad's old porno mags and tried writing an erotic story.


I just want to state that at no point was I grossed out or offended by this book. I chose to read it because I knew the kind of book that it was. Generally I enjoy and actively seek out these kinds of stories. But with this book it seemed the author added all this edgy gory content for the shock value and based the stories around trying to come up with really fucked up gross situations. A well written, coherent story came in a distant second to the shock an awe value.

The parts of the book where the author isn't trying too hard to be gory and edgy, you can tell that he is a talented writer and could probably produce a very well written book.

[Iulia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the stories as if I were drinking a shot of hard alcohol: all of a sudden! The very good part in the construction of the book is that the trials to which the reading is subjected come gradually and the stories are captivating. From one story to another you wonder, what could be worse than that, what else can be imagined?!? And you find out it's possible! I went from feelings of compassion to feelings of disgust, nausea, rejection, but that doesn't make you put the book aside. This is because the issue of alienation and that of the living dead is what runs through all these stories, even if sometimes the forms of exposure are extreme.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a collection of some of the darkest, sickest most depraved stories I've read. Full of very nasty characters who are doing very nasty things to each other. While I wouldn't say it was the most enjoyable read I also couldn't put it down wanting to see how much nastier it could get. If you like extreme horror and are prepared for some dark, dark things then you will want to read this book. The best story is the last one in the book, which is about surviving a zombie apocalypse.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jeannette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first foray into extreme horror, so I didn’t know what to expect. What I can say is I was not anticipating the surrealist nature of these stories. Reading these was like digging into a jacked up Kafka novel. While I did take note of the gruesome splatterpunk qualities, they almost seemed secondary to the haunting nature of the stories.

I always say it is a mark of a good book that when I put it down and walk away I still feel affected in some way. Stillborn Gallery hit all those marks. I felt unsettled in the best way possible long after finishing.

[Theresa Strike · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Axl Barnes first approached me to review this anthology, he promised me a book that was “short and mean,” and I have to say that he was right. This collection of short stories was like the chihuahua of stories. And this is said out of full respect for this book. Chihuahuas are terr-if-y-ing!

While there are many gruesome stories in Stillborn Gallery, I think my favorite was “Closing Shift”—a story that is really about retail hell. As I have spent much time there myself, this entry hit home. “Closing Shift” takes place in one of those awful big box stores, and follows our sociopathic protagonist as he tries to kill time until closing. One of his coworkers is straight up not having a good time, and what follows is demented and disturbing, and will certainly give me nightmares about escalators for all time. Despite the horror of the episode, we find that time grinds on, life grinds on, death grinds on, and damn it, escalators grind on.

While I enjoyed many of the stories in the book, and absolutely adored the art, done by Thomas Stetson (think Otto Dix’s Krieg series), these stories aren’t for the faint of heart. And I feel it is important for me to say that extreme horror certainly isn’t for everyone. On some level, I myself am coming to terms with this sub-genre, and the reason for its existence. This book did have moments where it rose above such concerns, as it most definitely has an overarching philosophical pre-occupation—one that is well served by the venue. With that said, extreme horror earns its reputation, so be warned.

Ultimately, Barnes says that this book is about mortality, but I think it goes a bit deeper than that. It’s about coming to the startling, but inevitable conclusion that death isn’t pretty. Death isn’t picturesque; it’s gritty, and it’s coming for us all. Stillborn Gallery is quite good at drawing our attention to the decay that sits right underneath the surface of our existence, and not letting us look away until we confront that truth. I might love the gothic genre for its beauty and neuroses, but even I can admit that a book like this is a palate cleanser, that puts me back in touch with one of horror’s most resonant faces.

Thank you to Axl Barnes for giving me the opportunity to read this!

[Diana | Indie Book Addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title alone sounds horrifying and what you’ll find inside is no different. These horror stories are on the extreme side so if you trigger easily this book is not for you. Otherwise, be prepared to dive headfirst into some disturbing reads.

Each story in this collection was unsettling and gross. Some more than others. While I enjoyed all of them my favorites were Sunday Exit and Dead Seed. Sunday Exit was a shocker for me. Like what did I just read? Talk about dark, twisted and disturbing! It was a happy ending for Evelyn though! Dead Seed was my #1 pick. With the mention of zombies, I wasn’t sure I was going to like it, but Barnes did a fantastic job at putting his own spin on this and making it MUCH more interesting than your average zombie story. Jeremy the MC in this one was insane, and his character really made the story. Just when you think it cannot get any worse here comes Girlicious 69. It all goes quickly downhill from here. The detail given of the “adventure” with Girlicious had my skin crawling just like the maggots. Barnes nails the most revolting ending for Jeremy’s manhood. Talk about messed up!

This was my first read by Barnes. It was dark and disgusting and definitely nihilistic. As an avid horror lover, it was enjoyable. A bonus that I also enjoyed was the artwork inside the book that goes with each story. Very fitting! If you enjoy extreme horror, be sure to check this out.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in exchange for an honest review. This book was definitely enjoyable overall, the stories featured a despicable cast of characters and the the storytelling was wonderfully vivid.

Pros: The gore was A+, the author really paints an image in your head. Speaking of which, the illustrations included in the book are a nice touch. Dead Seed, Sunday Exit, and Night Soil are revolting, intriguing, enticing. I love the way menial work is portrayed. I've been craving horror like this, it's been a long time since I've found a book so shameless.

Cons: Some repetitive or shallow description outside of the gore, and some of the stories like Numbskull and The Playground With Crosses are just "meh." I'd like some more psychological insight into why our depraved protagonists are compelled to commit the acts that they do besides "he's a deranged fuck" or "nothing matters."

Overall I dug it, and will probably read this author's other work.

Also, if by any chance the author reads this: You should read Found by T. Rigney

[R.C. Hausen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few months ago I was listening to an interview with Wrath James White. He was discussing the Extreme Horror sub-genre and how it's often dismissed as lesser than. He posed a question, "if extreme horror is so easy to write, then why is so much of it so bad?"
Stillborn Gallery is an example of good Extreme Horror. Well written and insightful. Axl Barnes pulls back the skin of the sleeping world and exposes the quiet torment that can live below even the most mundane existence. The stories are well crafted and philosophical examinations of what it means to be human. The gore is exquisitely crafted. This is not careless hyper-violence, but rather thought-provoking depictions of suffering and carnage that leave you wondering, "what does it mean". And there is humor, albeit grim and dark, but humor nonetheless.
The stories are all accompanied by original illustrations that add to the tone of dread and accentuate the nihilistic lampoonery of life.
A challenging read, but a rewarding one.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book I've read by this author and this one is my favorite. It's a short book of stories but it's definitely not an easy read. There are super graphic and gory situations and it's all described so well that you can see it all. There's an illustration with each story too which just helps out with all the first details. I wouldn't say it is a book for everyone but if you like extreme horror and being a little grossed out you'd probably love it. Also, there's a scene with an escalator that already takes my fear of escalators to another level. 😳😳😳

Thank you to the author for sending me an arc to review.

[Jeffrey Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a special little book for me. I was overcome with dread and a nihilistic hopelessness while reading these stories. They are all very dark tales and all are very well written. One thing that really got me is the artwork, it really fits! The art pumps up the dread and really adds to the experience overall. Looking forward to more from this author!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stillborn Gallery, authored by Axl Barnes, from Quill and Lantern Publishing, with cover art by Thomas Stetson and SD ARTS, internal art by Thomas Stetson, is a personal read. What follows below is my honest review, freely given.

I rated this collection 5 stars. Fair warning this an extreme end of the horror spectrum collection, and the stories within are not for the weak of heart, or stomach. I can’t profess to understand all the ins and outs of nihilism, some things went over my head, but I have my favorites marked. For example, I don’t understand everything Blake Crouch is writing, but I enjoy it all the same; same with this collection.

NUMBSKULL
Top 3. I think there will forever be this visceral, phantom feeling of me enacting this scene with the watermelon any time I hear or see the word numbskull; the urge to wipe my fingers, perhaps the need to swallow in fear of a gag. Besides that event, Brian seemed to have been in a gentle void. Not so bad when stacked up to the rest in the collection.

CLOSING SHIFT
My main emotion here: relief! Thank goodness Mandip caught him on a slow thought process day. It’s not often the thought of being chewed up by everyday retail grind (slight smirk) as a better outcome, but man… could have been worse.

NIGHT SOIL
Top 3. I’m a mom with depression, so having some connection with the MC made this hard to read, because you find your internal dialogue can run frighteningly aligned. I think how quickly one can dress themselves as if they were enviable roadkill, seemingly without pain, is an odd quirk of humanity caught here in a brittle beauty.

THE PLAYGROUND WITH THE CROSSES
This is one that I did not understand. It did make me think of the graveyard in the novel Odin Rising.

NATASHA SUICIDE
If I had to have a least favorite, this would be it. I felt so much on some the stories, this just couldn’t illicit much of a reaction from me.

FLORICA, THE LEGEND
“Your friend bleeds. You bleed.” This is a personal story from the author, one that I think will bring to mind any loss from your own past.

A PERFECT DAY
My uncle killed himself when I was a baby. From what my mom says there was no warning signs, it came as a complete surprise; he did it in the bathroom while everyone was there, including me. I almost got hit by the bullet, my dad too. After reading this, I mean, sh*t. Was that his perfect day?

SUNDAY EXIT
No good deed goes unpunished. A friend in need is a friend indeed. I couldn’t help but think that in some countries this wouldn’t even have been an issue. There is always some place more developed than the one you live in, and that’s why it just weighs so hard on everyone all the time.

DEAD SEED
Top 3. This has to have the single most disgustingly detailed crotch rot I have ever read, hands down. I almost had to tap out and just skip over that part, let my mind fill in the blanks, but momma didn’t raise no quitter. But damn. It also just felt like everything fell apart so fast, was abandoned, cut off, immediately. The depressing reality of everyone’s dream zombie apocalypse.

[Margaret Hamnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desolation, carnage and chaos

Well like it says in the introduction a uniquely bleak and dazzling experience.
I did need a sedative and a cuddle after each story.
Even though they are short you feel so sucked into their awful, despair filled world.
Some of the pain made me sqwinch and yes I spelt that right and if you’re a girl reading this you will know the bit i mean.
Then there are stories that are contemplative of life and death and tinged with uncontrollable sadness and then outright fun carnage and chaos.
A nice all rounder I’d say.

[Jennie Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are true horrors, and touch upon real themes in today’s society. They’re raw, sometimes brutal and disturbing, but worth a read if you’re willing to step into the dark storytelling of Axl Barnes.

[Dierdre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting into each of the character's head and their way of thinking and seeing things, one can say that we are all the prisoners of our mind, and could be the death of us. These short stories collection,as short as one can be,is not for everyone,but it will get a vote from me since the words were composed and written to resonate with my vibe. As gruesome as the scene can be,and it gave off morbid vibe throughout the pages, it still appeared to be poetic and beautiful, well, that's one way to talk about death isn't it?
the fact that it talked about psychological issue one might experience, this clearly spoke to me how tormenting our mind can be. Kudos to the author for bringing that up without making me as the reader,to feel tiny and insecure about my own mental health.
The illustrations went very well with the stories, as if they were there to give us the heads-up on what's going to happen to the characters. I might read more of this genre and from this author as well. Kudos!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paula Deckard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnes takes us on a philosophical journey--a terrifying one.
Even though the intensity was more than tenfold, I could somewhat identify with the apathy that most of the characters felt. Their need to revolt against boredom and meaninglessness interested me the most. It sometimes resonated with the principles of existentialism; however, add self-mutilation, sex, and murder. Yes, it gets nihilistically violent.
My favourite story was Night Soil. The end made me laugh when Tanya said, "There's enough soil for a funeral..."
Another thing that made me chuckle was the use of Febreze that some characters used to get rid of the human stink.

I usually have a strong gut for goriness and violence. But even this got me after preoccupying myself with it for too long. Stillborn Gallery is not for the faint-hearted.

[Samantha Hawkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Stillborn Gallery" by Axl Barnes



"Stillborn Gallery" by Axl Barnes

"I long to be free - desperately free. Free as the stillborn are free."

This read is a series of nine nihilistic tales written by @axl_barnes. Each chapter has a phenomenal piece of artwork included as well. The tales inside are hard to describe but I will warn you they are nothing short of grotesque. I'd proceed with caution if you're newer to the horror scene. I'll be honest and say this was my first experience with tales such as this and not all of them were for me but overall the book is nicely written and I enjoyed the story "Night Soil" most of all. If you haven't read this go ahead and add it to your TBR. Solid 4 🌟

[Shantel Brunton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stillborn collection is a dark, gruesome collection of tales and definitely not for the faint of heart.
Right from the opening of the book with the story numbskull, the author captures the dreadful nature of working in retail.
Closing shift continues with this trend. I loved the reference to Zeno’s paradox in this story.
Philosophical references can be found throughout all these stories examining the key themes of nihilism and mortality.
One of the stories that hit me the hardest was Night Soil. I’m never going to be able to get that out of my head.
Overall this is a brilliantly written collection.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Axl Barnes packs a lot of psychological trauma into this taut collection of short stories. I was disgusted and repulsed throughout this collection, without ever feeling that the author was pissing on my schedule. The horrible concepts and imagery presented in this book made me question what went wrong, where. Is something wrong with Axl Barnes? Is it me? Is it society? Is it low paying service industry jobs?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christina Eleanor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stillborn Gallery is a collection of short stories that depict characters dealing with depression, low self worth, pain and chronic illness. Each story also featured a unique piece of art at the end that I thought was really cool.

The stories are told from a Canadian point of view and I will be honest and say, I had a hard time understanding some of the phrasing and word usage. For those of you with queasy stomachs, be aware there are some gruesome scenes in these stories. If you love Splatterpunk, you will like this collection.

For me, the story that stuck out the most from this collection was “Natasha Suicide.” Natasha deals with her chronic illness in her own way. I understood this character well because I too suffer with a chronic illness.

This collection was an interesting read in character perspectives. It’s different, possibly due to the subject matter, than any book I’ve read this far. Check it out!