What do you think?
Rate this book
Scribner Horror 3: Four Novellas
Falling from the Sky
Toby and Dad live alone in the countryside. For all they know, they live alone on the planet. They carefully watch the skies for the beasts that nearly wiped out humanity. They’ve managed to safely hide for years, but things are starting to change. There are fires on the ground and birds falling from the sky.
It Never Died
Holden tries to get through college and into med school, while caring for his autistic brother and working nights at a nursing home. He’s doing well, but then senile residents at the home start saying strangely personal things to him. Worse, a menacing presence threatens his illicit side business. Holden just hopes things will get better. Instead, things get ever weirder and far more dangerous.
What I Became
Coy tells the story of his life. He never knew his parents. He’s been beaten and abused, and he’s witnessed things that are nearly unspeakable. But it was all a part of what he was to become.
Something Unnatural
Ten-year-old Drake is thrilled to be moving with his family to the countryside, where his dog, Bo, can run free. But as soon as they get there, Bo runs off and won’t come near the house. A few days later, the dog’s strange behavior is the least of their worries. Humankind is under attack and losing, badly. All Drake and his family can do is hide and hope to survive.
Toby and Dad live alone in the countryside. For all they know, they live alone on the planet. They carefully watch the skies for the beasts that nearly wiped out humanity. They’ve managed to safely hide for years, but things are starting to change. There are fires on the ground and birds falling from the sky.
It Never Died
Holden tries to get through college and into med school, while caring for his autistic brother and working nights at a nursing home. He’s doing well, but then senile residents at the home start saying strangely personal things to him. Worse, a menacing presence threatens his illicit side business. Holden just hopes things will get better. Instead, things get ever weirder and far more dangerous.
What I Became
Coy tells the story of his life. He never knew his parents. He’s been beaten and abused, and he’s witnessed things that are nearly unspeakable. But it was all a part of what he was to become.
Something Unnatural
Ten-year-old Drake is thrilled to be moving with his family to the countryside, where his dog, Bo, can run free. But as soon as they get there, Bo runs off and won’t come near the house. A few days later, the dog’s strange behavior is the least of their worries. Humankind is under attack and losing, badly. All Drake and his family can do is hide and hope to survive.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 28, 2023
About the author
Joshua Scribner
476 books35 followersJoshua Scribner is the author of the novels Mantis Nights, The Coma Lights and Nescata. His fiction won both second and fifth place in the 2008 Whispering Spirits Flash Fiction contest. Up to date information on his work can be found at joshuascribner.com. Joshua currently lives in Michigan with his wife and two daughters.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 17, 2023
The first Novella in this collection is called Falling from the Sky. It tells a post-apocalyptic story of a boy and his father who are trying to live in a wasteland devoid of life. The stories takes this but now set up and makes it interesting through clever use of curiosity seeds and strong characterization of the unstable Dad and a curious adolescent boy. The story is told primarily from the boys point of view and I found the mystery to be very intriguing. I was able to figure out what the actual answer to the mystery was but the buildup was very effectively done and I was definitely hooked.
For me the story got less interesting once the mystery of the Dragons was revealed because I wanted it to be a little more interesting than it was. Not that it wasn't though out, just not emotionally satisfying as I would have hoped. Once that answer was given I kind of lost interest in the rest of the story.
The second novella It Never Died starts off interesting enough with a scummy, drug-dealing care home nurse named Holden stealing pills from his patients. As the story went on I kept waiting for developments that never came. Autism and dementia are mentioned but neither explains the events of the story. I found as it went last the first third, that it became quite repetitive in terms of scene and plot. By the time the ending comes I was more annoyed and confused than scared.
The third novella in this collection is called what I became and it typifies the strengths and weaknesses that this author has to a T. The story starts out strong with the tale of a foster kid who witnesses some pretty horrific tragedies all told with the same spellbinding crows and engrossing style that this author has made his trademark. However as the story goes on and the and the events get more and more outlandish I struggled and kind of yearned for a proper explanation in terms of plot and theme that would make all of the events make sense. When the explanation finally came I was again a little bit disappointed not because it was bad but because I felt it had so much more potential and the direction that the author chose to go in was a little bit unsatisfying to me.
The final novella Something Unnatural was quite interesting in that it starts off as a story of a boy, Drake and his dog Bo. Having moved out to the countryside with his parents and older brother, Drake is forced to come to grips with a plague that affects all dogs. That's what the previous novellas in this collection the mystery builds quite successfully and the characters are interesting and well-rounded. I was quite intrigued to know what the answer to the mystery was as the apocalypse so to speak is left mysterious on purpose to build intrigue. As the story went on however I began to notice a similar pattern to the previous stories in this collection in that the end resolution or the answer to the mystery didn't come until right near the end of the book and I didn't find the answer to be as compelling as the mystery was however I did think it was well thought out.
For me the story got less interesting once the mystery of the Dragons was revealed because I wanted it to be a little more interesting than it was. Not that it wasn't though out, just not emotionally satisfying as I would have hoped. Once that answer was given I kind of lost interest in the rest of the story.
The second novella It Never Died starts off interesting enough with a scummy, drug-dealing care home nurse named Holden stealing pills from his patients. As the story went on I kept waiting for developments that never came. Autism and dementia are mentioned but neither explains the events of the story. I found as it went last the first third, that it became quite repetitive in terms of scene and plot. By the time the ending comes I was more annoyed and confused than scared.
The third novella in this collection is called what I became and it typifies the strengths and weaknesses that this author has to a T. The story starts out strong with the tale of a foster kid who witnesses some pretty horrific tragedies all told with the same spellbinding crows and engrossing style that this author has made his trademark. However as the story goes on and the and the events get more and more outlandish I struggled and kind of yearned for a proper explanation in terms of plot and theme that would make all of the events make sense. When the explanation finally came I was again a little bit disappointed not because it was bad but because I felt it had so much more potential and the direction that the author chose to go in was a little bit unsatisfying to me.
The final novella Something Unnatural was quite interesting in that it starts off as a story of a boy, Drake and his dog Bo. Having moved out to the countryside with his parents and older brother, Drake is forced to come to grips with a plague that affects all dogs. That's what the previous novellas in this collection the mystery builds quite successfully and the characters are interesting and well-rounded. I was quite intrigued to know what the answer to the mystery was as the apocalypse so to speak is left mysterious on purpose to build intrigue. As the story went on however I began to notice a similar pattern to the previous stories in this collection in that the end resolution or the answer to the mystery didn't come until right near the end of the book and I didn't find the answer to be as compelling as the mystery was however I did think it was well thought out.
January 30, 2026
This collection of four novellas is at its best when it keeps things simple and lets dread do the heavy lifting. The writing is deliberately plainspoken and close to the characters, almost conversational, and it uses that understatement like a weapon. Instead of purple prose and theatrical scares, it builds tension out of routine and small details, then lets the uncanny slide in sideways as if it belongs there.
In Falling from the Sky, the dread is carried by restrained prose and practical dialogue, Toby and his dad talking like people who’ve been surviving too long to waste words. The dragons stay mostly off-page, but their presence hangs over everything, in smoke over the trees and the sense the rules keeping them alive are starting to fail.
In It Never Died, the nursing home feels grounded and human, then a single odd line, delivered casually, tilts the scene into something sharper and more threatening. Holden comes across as quietly resilient, pushing through exhaustion and caretaking, which makes the intrusions feel genuinely invasive.
In What I Became, the narrator’s voice is bleakly reflective and matter-of-fact about things no child should normalise. The horror lands because it’s personal and inevitable, not flashy.
In Something Unnatural, the horror turns domestic and procedural, campfire logistics, sibling friction, rationing, and tense pauses between questions, as the world quietly drops out from under a family. Drake’s perspective keeps it grounded and oddly calm, and details like infected dogs and dead-silent communications land as background radiation rather than a set-piece, which makes it uncomfortably plausible.
Overall, it’s unsettling, readable, and driven by voice and pacing, with a knack for making ordinary life feel like the first chapter of a catastrophe.
In Falling from the Sky, the dread is carried by restrained prose and practical dialogue, Toby and his dad talking like people who’ve been surviving too long to waste words. The dragons stay mostly off-page, but their presence hangs over everything, in smoke over the trees and the sense the rules keeping them alive are starting to fail.
In It Never Died, the nursing home feels grounded and human, then a single odd line, delivered casually, tilts the scene into something sharper and more threatening. Holden comes across as quietly resilient, pushing through exhaustion and caretaking, which makes the intrusions feel genuinely invasive.
In What I Became, the narrator’s voice is bleakly reflective and matter-of-fact about things no child should normalise. The horror lands because it’s personal and inevitable, not flashy.
In Something Unnatural, the horror turns domestic and procedural, campfire logistics, sibling friction, rationing, and tense pauses between questions, as the world quietly drops out from under a family. Drake’s perspective keeps it grounded and oddly calm, and details like infected dogs and dead-silent communications land as background radiation rather than a set-piece, which makes it uncomfortably plausible.
Overall, it’s unsettling, readable, and driven by voice and pacing, with a knack for making ordinary life feel like the first chapter of a catastrophe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2023
This was exactly what I needed right now: short reads and something even scarier than my current life situation:) I flew through the first, second, and fourth stories. They pulled me right in and kept me wanting to read, and they are all quite different from each other.
The second story—It Never Died— is grittier and darker—and it took me a while to warm up to Holden as an MC. I have worked the night shift as a nurse and got a laugh at how what Holden experienced at times could be explained away very easily, at least at first. Holden , to me wasn’t a likeable character until more than halfway through the story. And his “facts” re: autism and crocodiles (read from a Zoology textbook) were annoying because they were false (however I do realise this is fiction). Autism and some broad stereotypes were mentioned in the first story, and this was something I was also not a fan of.
The fourth story, which has an apocalyptic bend, could be expanded into a series (and I'd read it).
Because the 3rd story—What I Became—was too heartbreaking for me, I could not finish reading it despite it being extremely well written and possibly even the best, with a very strongly fleshed out MC and wonderfully compelling writing. Do not let me dissuade you from trying! In fact, after I read this compilation, I looked to see what else Scribner has available because I like his unique, very readable style with interesting characters, and I love horror shorts. I’m very happy to see that this prolific, indie author has a lot more for me to read.
I’m not a fan of the cover. It made me bypass the book several times, which is a shame that I almost missed finding another good author.
The second story—It Never Died— is grittier and darker—and it took me a while to warm up to Holden as an MC. I have worked the night shift as a nurse and got a laugh at how what Holden experienced at times could be explained away very easily, at least at first. Holden , to me wasn’t a likeable character until more than halfway through the story. And his “facts” re: autism and crocodiles (read from a Zoology textbook) were annoying because they were false (however I do realise this is fiction). Autism and some broad stereotypes were mentioned in the first story, and this was something I was also not a fan of.
The fourth story, which has an apocalyptic bend, could be expanded into a series (and I'd read it).
Because the 3rd story—What I Became—was too heartbreaking for me, I could not finish reading it despite it being extremely well written and possibly even the best, with a very strongly fleshed out MC and wonderfully compelling writing. Do not let me dissuade you from trying! In fact, after I read this compilation, I looked to see what else Scribner has available because I like his unique, very readable style with interesting characters, and I love horror shorts. I’m very happy to see that this prolific, indie author has a lot more for me to read.
I’m not a fan of the cover. It made me bypass the book several times, which is a shame that I almost missed finding another good author.
July 14, 2023
I love reading this book. The characters are well-developed and the plots are engaging. If you are a fan of horror, then you will definitely want to check out this collection. The stories in this book are all standalone, but they share a common theme of dread and suspense. I love each story, the story of Coy, a man who has been through a lifetime of trauma is told in a series of flashbacks, as Coy recounts the events that led him to become the person he is today. This is both disturbing and thought-provoking, and it will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
I also love the story of Toby and his father living in isolation, afraid of the creatures that destroyed humanity. The story is full of tension and suspense, you will wonders if Toby and his father will be able to survive.
And the story of the college student Holden who is struggling to balance his studies, his job, and his care for his autistic brother. The story is a slow-burning psychological horror that will keep you guessing until the very end.
And the Story of Drake's dog it is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to fans of horror.
I also love the story of Toby and his father living in isolation, afraid of the creatures that destroyed humanity. The story is full of tension and suspense, you will wonders if Toby and his father will be able to survive.
And the story of the college student Holden who is struggling to balance his studies, his job, and his care for his autistic brother. The story is a slow-burning psychological horror that will keep you guessing until the very end.
And the Story of Drake's dog it is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to fans of horror.
July 18, 2023
This is my second book from author Joshua Scribner. From his book, "Resonance," I knew I was in for some dark stories. These four run the gamut from classic horror to suspense. Each was very unique in its own right and had something different to offer.
Scribner's writing is the highlight. It never gets too complicated or bogged down with excessive details. If the stories seem like quick reads, it is mainly because his writing is so easy to follow.
As for the plots of each story, there were some hits and misses. In my opinion, the deepest and most profound of them was, "What I became." I can't necessarily say it was an "enjoyable" read, but it hits you with emotion, which, is why we read horror, right?
The last story might perhaps be the weakest of the bunch. I kept expecting some major twists to happen like in Scribner's other work and I felt sort of disappointed at the ending. The first story with the "dragons" was so interesting I read it in one sitting.
Final thoughts - there are probably quite a few horror compilations more gripping than these but if you're a fan of the short horror genre you certainly won't be disappointed! I look forward to reading the other two anthologies.
Scribner's writing is the highlight. It never gets too complicated or bogged down with excessive details. If the stories seem like quick reads, it is mainly because his writing is so easy to follow.
As for the plots of each story, there were some hits and misses. In my opinion, the deepest and most profound of them was, "What I became." I can't necessarily say it was an "enjoyable" read, but it hits you with emotion, which, is why we read horror, right?
The last story might perhaps be the weakest of the bunch. I kept expecting some major twists to happen like in Scribner's other work and I felt sort of disappointed at the ending. The first story with the "dragons" was so interesting I read it in one sitting.
Final thoughts - there are probably quite a few horror compilations more gripping than these but if you're a fan of the short horror genre you certainly won't be disappointed! I look forward to reading the other two anthologies.
January 25, 2026
So I liked the first two collections well enough. Walked away from this one with mixed feelings.
The first story, Falling From the Sky is not what I would even call a horror story. And that’s not a bad thing. While the story was predictable, it was gripping enough that I kept reading. It Never Died, story number two, was less impressive. I barely remember it. Story number three, What I Became, was more memorable if a bit edgy/angsty for my liking. The final story, Something Unnatural, was better than the previous two but not quite as good as the first. Still, it had cool ideas. Especially if you like bats.
So long story short, this is two mediocre stories wedged between two great/good ones. The result is a sandwich that was enjoyable, if nothing world shattering. Clearly the writer was trying new things compared to the more traditional horror vibes of the earlier works.
So I will give this one a 4 out of 5, both for effort and for having half the stories interest me. A 3.5 might be more accurate, but Amazon doesn’t like half stars and none of the tales were outright bad, so I will round up to a solid 4. Definitely worth reading the first bit to see if you like it.
The first story, Falling From the Sky is not what I would even call a horror story. And that’s not a bad thing. While the story was predictable, it was gripping enough that I kept reading. It Never Died, story number two, was less impressive. I barely remember it. Story number three, What I Became, was more memorable if a bit edgy/angsty for my liking. The final story, Something Unnatural, was better than the previous two but not quite as good as the first. Still, it had cool ideas. Especially if you like bats.
So long story short, this is two mediocre stories wedged between two great/good ones. The result is a sandwich that was enjoyable, if nothing world shattering. Clearly the writer was trying new things compared to the more traditional horror vibes of the earlier works.
So I will give this one a 4 out of 5, both for effort and for having half the stories interest me. A 3.5 might be more accurate, but Amazon doesn’t like half stars and none of the tales were outright bad, so I will round up to a solid 4. Definitely worth reading the first bit to see if you like it.
August 9, 2023
Wow, Scribner Horror 3 really took me for a ride! Each story had its own unique flavor, and I was genuinely hooked from start to finish. Falling from the Sky gave me those eerie, post-apocalyptic vibes that I just can't get enough of. And the way It Never Died mixed the everyday struggles of a college student with some seriously creepy moments? Excellent!
I've got to admit, What I Became hit me right in the feels. It's not just a horror story; it's a deep dive into a person's life, and it left me thinking long after I finished it. As for Something Unnatural, man, moving to the countryside will never look the same to me again!
Scribner's writing style is straightforward and easy to get into. It's like he knows exactly how to pull you into the story without any unnecessary fluff. I've read a lot of horror, and while some stories can get lost in their own complexity, these were just right.
All in all, if you're looking for a collection of stories that'll give you chills, make you think, and even tug at your heartstrings a bit, this is it. Can't wait to see what Scribner comes up with next!
I've got to admit, What I Became hit me right in the feels. It's not just a horror story; it's a deep dive into a person's life, and it left me thinking long after I finished it. As for Something Unnatural, man, moving to the countryside will never look the same to me again!
Scribner's writing style is straightforward and easy to get into. It's like he knows exactly how to pull you into the story without any unnecessary fluff. I've read a lot of horror, and while some stories can get lost in their own complexity, these were just right.
All in all, if you're looking for a collection of stories that'll give you chills, make you think, and even tug at your heartstrings a bit, this is it. Can't wait to see what Scribner comes up with next!
July 18, 2023
Scribner Horror 3: Four Novellas is an interesting compilation of four novellas. Disclaimer, I had already read Something Unnatural before purchasing this version, and I liked it enough to buy this version, even if I already owed the separate version.
These are quick, yet fascinating reads that will keep you captured until the very end. The writer does an excellent job delivering riveting horror that makes you think further than the pages it lasts.
There are some quirks here and there that could benefit from a bit more work, but overall, the stories are good, and the prose is very well done. I’d recommend these books to anyone looking for quick horror stories, or anyone curious about reading something different.
My personal favorite was still Something Unnatural, as I found it both sad and disturbing. The ending is a bit weak, but it doesn’t detract from the story as much as it seems.
These are quick, yet fascinating reads that will keep you captured until the very end. The writer does an excellent job delivering riveting horror that makes you think further than the pages it lasts.
There are some quirks here and there that could benefit from a bit more work, but overall, the stories are good, and the prose is very well done. I’d recommend these books to anyone looking for quick horror stories, or anyone curious about reading something different.
My personal favorite was still Something Unnatural, as I found it both sad and disturbing. The ending is a bit weak, but it doesn’t detract from the story as much as it seems.
July 22, 2023
Joshua Scribner is fast becoming my favourite horror author. This compilation of short stories is a fun and exciting read, with each story concluding well and leading me straight into the next one. He has a well rehearsed formula in the setup on his stories and, unlike other horror authors, knows how ro conclude them.
I liked how each of the stories started with a normal ,everyday activity for the characters but took a surreal turn early on. This is the skill of the author, making us believe and understand the motivations and aspirations of the characters while also telling the story. The middle two stories were my favourite, with an eerie setting and some really horrible and surprising twists. I was absorbed into this dark world throughout and felt a lot of sympathy for Coy in particular. I read the last novella previously but for someone getting into this author this collection is the perfect place to start. I am eager to read more from this author soon
I liked how each of the stories started with a normal ,everyday activity for the characters but took a surreal turn early on. This is the skill of the author, making us believe and understand the motivations and aspirations of the characters while also telling the story. The middle two stories were my favourite, with an eerie setting and some really horrible and surprising twists. I was absorbed into this dark world throughout and felt a lot of sympathy for Coy in particular. I read the last novella previously but for someone getting into this author this collection is the perfect place to start. I am eager to read more from this author soon
August 6, 2023
I enjoyed reading these novellas. They were all suspenseful and kept me intrigued. I particularly enjoyed the first story, told from the perspective of a young boy, surviving with his father in a post-apocalyptic world. The twist at the end was clever and well-executed.
The second story was my least favourite as I didn't really connect with the main character and the pacing was a bit slower, but it was still interesting with the various demetia patients in a nursing home and had a good build-up of tension.
The third one was definitely the most 'horror' of the collection. It was an interesting idea, but it did feel like it could have been fleshed out to more than a novella length as the ending felt unsatisfying.
The fourth story also had an apocalyptic twist and was told from the perspective of a young boy. The ending of this story was more satisfying making it a good one to finish the collection.
The second story was my least favourite as I didn't really connect with the main character and the pacing was a bit slower, but it was still interesting with the various demetia patients in a nursing home and had a good build-up of tension.
The third one was definitely the most 'horror' of the collection. It was an interesting idea, but it did feel like it could have been fleshed out to more than a novella length as the ending felt unsatisfying.
The fourth story also had an apocalyptic twist and was told from the perspective of a young boy. The ending of this story was more satisfying making it a good one to finish the collection.
March 27, 2024
Joshua Scribner’s horror stories are not for the faint of heart. In Scribner horror 3, there is a classic blend of horror, science fiction, and suspense. I must admit that one of the stories really disturbed me so badly that I wanted to stop reading it, but I had to discover how it turned out. Like I said, not for the faint of heart.
For the true connoisseur of horror, everything is included from the apocalypse, dragons, and the demons lurking inside all of us. The stories are well-crafted and with characters that you care about.
The flaw in a lot of horror and science fiction stories is the story either follows a pattern of all the stuff you’ve seen on television or the movies, and it feels less than real. These stories feel real. The writing is excellent, and the flow of the stories is very fast. It doesn’t get bogged down in details and take my word for it, the stories will scare you. Don’t read them in a dark room by yourself. Keep the night light burning.
For the true connoisseur of horror, everything is included from the apocalypse, dragons, and the demons lurking inside all of us. The stories are well-crafted and with characters that you care about.
The flaw in a lot of horror and science fiction stories is the story either follows a pattern of all the stuff you’ve seen on television or the movies, and it feels less than real. These stories feel real. The writing is excellent, and the flow of the stories is very fast. It doesn’t get bogged down in details and take my word for it, the stories will scare you. Don’t read them in a dark room by yourself. Keep the night light burning.
September 18, 2023
This book was filled with four interesting, and unique, stories. I wouldn’t call them all horror. The first story in particular was more futuristic and not so much horror. I figured out early on the truth about the dragons.
The writing for the most part is well done. There are some grammatical errors here and there, and sentences that should not have been included within quotes, but for the most part the narrative was clean and well-written. At any rate, the errors didn’t take away from the stories themselves.
Each story is short, and they won’t take you long to get through them. This is good especially for the first story. As mentioned earlier, I figured out early on what the story was about. After that, I couldn’t wait for its conclusion.
If you’re looking for a good mix of stories, some horror, some not so much, this will be a good read.
The writing for the most part is well done. There are some grammatical errors here and there, and sentences that should not have been included within quotes, but for the most part the narrative was clean and well-written. At any rate, the errors didn’t take away from the stories themselves.
Each story is short, and they won’t take you long to get through them. This is good especially for the first story. As mentioned earlier, I figured out early on what the story was about. After that, I couldn’t wait for its conclusion.
If you’re looking for a good mix of stories, some horror, some not so much, this will be a good read.
October 23, 2023
This is the first set of Novellas I have read from author Joshua Scribner, but it will not be the last. Each story has its strengths and weaknesses, but I think their strengths win out each time. I won’t spoil too much about each story because I went in without reading the full description of each tale, which I found to be a good thing.
The first story Falling from the Sky is a post-apocalyptic story about a man and his son who live in a cabin deep in the woods. There’s something in the sky that’s killing people and destroying everything they can. The man teaches his son to be keenly aware of these threats while also protecting his son from threats he’s not even sure about. The story is told third person but through the eyes of a child and I thought that worked really well. There was a sense of mystery and urgency that gave the story momentum. The ending was surprising. It may not be for everyone, but I definitely didn’t see it coming.
The second story, It Never Died, was my least favorite story. Holden is a young man who is raising his gambling addicted brother, while also working at a nursing home. He also has two friends he gets caught in some criminal activity with. The older people are either suffering from dementia or there is something much more sinister going on. People go missing, the world begins to close in on him and the results are disturbing. There was a lot to enjoy in I Never Died and it’s not for the faint of heart. There’s just a lot going on, and it felt like a rushed ending. I think if there was a better understanding of the character’s fears and reactions, I could have connected with it better.
What I Became is the most disturbing story of the bunch. The story follows a foster child, Coy, through his life as he is abused repeatedly. All the horrific things he encounters and experiences are beyond what anyone should have to deal with, but the ending finds reason for it all. This is definitely a story is why trigger warnings were created. Scribner does not relent on the grotesque and the inhumanity of humanity. Each chapter was so compelling that I couldn’t stop, no matter how unsettling it became.
Something Unnatural is the last Novella and tells the story of a family who has moved to the country to begin a new life. Drake is a boy who just wants his dog to return after he disappeared into the open landscape. But the world is under attack and the family must band together to fight what’s killing people. This story was fascinating and quite frightening because it turns something that is supposed to protect us, something in our society that we can consider safe and loving and turns them into monsters.
Each of the Novellas were well done for different reasons. There were a few times when I wanted more descriptive moments or more showing rather than telling, but the simplicity of the story telling worked fantastically for this genre. Scribner crafts uncomfortable, creepy, and frightening stories that will sit with you long after reading them.
The first story Falling from the Sky is a post-apocalyptic story about a man and his son who live in a cabin deep in the woods. There’s something in the sky that’s killing people and destroying everything they can. The man teaches his son to be keenly aware of these threats while also protecting his son from threats he’s not even sure about. The story is told third person but through the eyes of a child and I thought that worked really well. There was a sense of mystery and urgency that gave the story momentum. The ending was surprising. It may not be for everyone, but I definitely didn’t see it coming.
The second story, It Never Died, was my least favorite story. Holden is a young man who is raising his gambling addicted brother, while also working at a nursing home. He also has two friends he gets caught in some criminal activity with. The older people are either suffering from dementia or there is something much more sinister going on. People go missing, the world begins to close in on him and the results are disturbing. There was a lot to enjoy in I Never Died and it’s not for the faint of heart. There’s just a lot going on, and it felt like a rushed ending. I think if there was a better understanding of the character’s fears and reactions, I could have connected with it better.
What I Became is the most disturbing story of the bunch. The story follows a foster child, Coy, through his life as he is abused repeatedly. All the horrific things he encounters and experiences are beyond what anyone should have to deal with, but the ending finds reason for it all. This is definitely a story is why trigger warnings were created. Scribner does not relent on the grotesque and the inhumanity of humanity. Each chapter was so compelling that I couldn’t stop, no matter how unsettling it became.
Something Unnatural is the last Novella and tells the story of a family who has moved to the country to begin a new life. Drake is a boy who just wants his dog to return after he disappeared into the open landscape. But the world is under attack and the family must band together to fight what’s killing people. This story was fascinating and quite frightening because it turns something that is supposed to protect us, something in our society that we can consider safe and loving and turns them into monsters.
Each of the Novellas were well done for different reasons. There were a few times when I wanted more descriptive moments or more showing rather than telling, but the simplicity of the story telling worked fantastically for this genre. Scribner crafts uncomfortable, creepy, and frightening stories that will sit with you long after reading them.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews