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Bad Realities: Strange tales of shock and suspense
"Dark, indelible, and gleefully unsettling tales." — Kirkus Reviews
Delve into the uncanny worlds of Bad Realities . Drawing from the realms of horror, fantasy, and science fiction, this anthology whisks readers away into unsettling realities that make you think long after the final page.
A terrible fad involving large knives sweeps the country in . . . CHOP
To avoid the apocalypse, a boy must cannibalize the dead in . . . THE IMPORTANCE OF EATING ERNEST
A towering barbarian returns to his homeland to prevent an ancient elixir from falling into villainous hands in . . . HONDO RANE AND THE CITY OF ILLUSION
After World War IV, a giant, radioactive beast haunts the wastelands. Can a psychic girl harness her secret powers long enough to stop . . . THE FLOATING BRAIN
With its blending of genres and consistent atmosphere of dread, Bad Realities promises a reading experience that is as thrilling as it is memorable. Step into the shadows and uncover the strange truths waiting within.
Delve into the uncanny worlds of Bad Realities . Drawing from the realms of horror, fantasy, and science fiction, this anthology whisks readers away into unsettling realities that make you think long after the final page.
A terrible fad involving large knives sweeps the country in . . . CHOP
To avoid the apocalypse, a boy must cannibalize the dead in . . . THE IMPORTANCE OF EATING ERNEST
A towering barbarian returns to his homeland to prevent an ancient elixir from falling into villainous hands in . . . HONDO RANE AND THE CITY OF ILLUSION
After World War IV, a giant, radioactive beast haunts the wastelands. Can a psychic girl harness her secret powers long enough to stop . . . THE FLOATING BRAIN
With its blending of genres and consistent atmosphere of dread, Bad Realities promises a reading experience that is as thrilling as it is memorable. Step into the shadows and uncover the strange truths waiting within.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2023
About the author
Andrew Schrader
6 books13 followersAndrew Schrader is a Los Angeles-based author and filmmaker.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 1, 2023
Bad realities: the importance of eating Ernest: I love horror books and stories with cannibalism, so this story was the reason why I wanted to read the book, and I didn't expect this very short story to make me this emotional and have wet eyes in the end 🥹 sad and beautiful, and I wish it was longer with a story behind the door, where did all the bodies come from and why did they believe it or made him think they believed it. Also being same age as the cannibal made me stare at the wall with mouth open and my brain refused to work properly for a while. I suspect it could have been an Apocalypse cult, but I need more of this story to confirm my theory.
Chop: I know these are short stories, but I really really want them to be a bit longer! This was chopped at the most juicy part!
Next story: “Illusion, reality, the mind cannot
tell the difference." I didn't expect this story, and it was longer than the first two, and bloodier, gorier.
Dogfight: back to a very short story, it was futuristic and had interesting premise and a sad ending. No dogs were harmed though, so I was happy.
I’m Ready to Affirm You Now, Gamma: well now I won't be able to look at the word "affirmation" without getting flashbacks from this story 👀
Seeds: scientist doesn't want to play god and instead wants to walk around and see what's life all about, really. Interesting concept, again, I wanted longer story but there's beauty in a quick ending. The seed was planted and now my imagination gets to grow the story.
Family: well, this story made me sad and angry and teary eyed and sad again in the end. And now I miss my grandma.
Man of stone: I'm not sure I got this one, it was so different from the others.
Jack Nasty on the wind: "The bones,
they tell stories." Scarecrows are cool, and already scary without them being possessed by evil forces. This was a thrilling and dark story of paranoia and murder caused by a curious person digging up an old bloodthirsty spirit.
Lonely one: story of obsession and mental illness with a dash of finding a soulmate via dating app.
In the trees (a fairy tale) : Caleb's dad is right! this story was strangely sweet.
The floating brain: finally I got a longer short story! And it was amazing! Horrible, captivating piece of a sci-fi horror with an ending that made me smile and for once, didn't wish for a longer story because it was enough, it was exactly the length it needed to be. And there was a character mentioned who had my last name, Volkov, that was a fun surprise. Although I think his name didn't matter to the story, I still liked that he was named. And Ditsch has all my heart! I have a soft spot for robots and he was special.
I loved this collection of short horrors! Definitely recommend if you want something short and fun with a different kind of horror in every other story.
Chop: I know these are short stories, but I really really want them to be a bit longer! This was chopped at the most juicy part!
Next story: “Illusion, reality, the mind cannot
tell the difference." I didn't expect this story, and it was longer than the first two, and bloodier, gorier.
Dogfight: back to a very short story, it was futuristic and had interesting premise and a sad ending. No dogs were harmed though, so I was happy.
I’m Ready to Affirm You Now, Gamma: well now I won't be able to look at the word "affirmation" without getting flashbacks from this story 👀
Seeds: scientist doesn't want to play god and instead wants to walk around and see what's life all about, really. Interesting concept, again, I wanted longer story but there's beauty in a quick ending. The seed was planted and now my imagination gets to grow the story.
Family: well, this story made me sad and angry and teary eyed and sad again in the end. And now I miss my grandma.
Man of stone: I'm not sure I got this one, it was so different from the others.
Jack Nasty on the wind: "The bones,
they tell stories." Scarecrows are cool, and already scary without them being possessed by evil forces. This was a thrilling and dark story of paranoia and murder caused by a curious person digging up an old bloodthirsty spirit.
Lonely one: story of obsession and mental illness with a dash of finding a soulmate via dating app.
In the trees (a fairy tale) : Caleb's dad is right! this story was strangely sweet.
The floating brain: finally I got a longer short story! And it was amazing! Horrible, captivating piece of a sci-fi horror with an ending that made me smile and for once, didn't wish for a longer story because it was enough, it was exactly the length it needed to be. And there was a character mentioned who had my last name, Volkov, that was a fun surprise. Although I think his name didn't matter to the story, I still liked that he was named. And Ditsch has all my heart! I have a soft spot for robots and he was special.
I loved this collection of short horrors! Definitely recommend if you want something short and fun with a different kind of horror in every other story.
June 1, 2023
Genre: Speculative fiction, horror, suspense, science fiction
CW: gore, violence, suicide, depression, child abuse
This book contains 12 short stories of varying lengths. One thing I liked about it is the variety. There's a little something for everyone here and true to the book’s title, each story portrays a warped version of reality. I find a story captivating when, in spite of the mental gymnastics that I sometimes have to do to accommodate its weirdness, I know that there is a hidden truth in it.
For instance, it’s maddening to think that nowadays war is just a whisper away. We fight a constant battle to avoid succumbing to social media and the paradoxical feelings of isolation and loneliness that it brings. We deal with strained family relationships, childhood trauma, and the fear of losing our identities. These issues were delicately woven into each bizarre storyline and I found myself reflecting on a lot of it.
Not to mention that somewhere in this book is a cadaver-eating boy-monster, a murderous scarecrow, and the wildest death match between a three-eyed girl and a giant brain. HUGE PLUS.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of strange, dark stories or you’re just slowly trying to branch out into this genre, I would highly recommend this book. Also if you enjoyed shows like Black Mirror or The Twilight Zone, you might one to give this book a try. Each story was riveting and unique and I found myself wishing they would all get turned into full length novels.
CW: gore, violence, suicide, depression, child abuse
This book contains 12 short stories of varying lengths. One thing I liked about it is the variety. There's a little something for everyone here and true to the book’s title, each story portrays a warped version of reality. I find a story captivating when, in spite of the mental gymnastics that I sometimes have to do to accommodate its weirdness, I know that there is a hidden truth in it.
For instance, it’s maddening to think that nowadays war is just a whisper away. We fight a constant battle to avoid succumbing to social media and the paradoxical feelings of isolation and loneliness that it brings. We deal with strained family relationships, childhood trauma, and the fear of losing our identities. These issues were delicately woven into each bizarre storyline and I found myself reflecting on a lot of it.
Not to mention that somewhere in this book is a cadaver-eating boy-monster, a murderous scarecrow, and the wildest death match between a three-eyed girl and a giant brain. HUGE PLUS.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of strange, dark stories or you’re just slowly trying to branch out into this genre, I would highly recommend this book. Also if you enjoyed shows like Black Mirror or The Twilight Zone, you might one to give this book a try. Each story was riveting and unique and I found myself wishing they would all get turned into full length novels.
August 25, 2023
Ooo… this was a good read!
Bad Realities is a collection of 12 stories that range in subjects, genres, and length. I have to commend the author for the versatility in his writing. From a monster that eats dead people, to deadly fads, to a gigantic brain, there really is a little bit of a everything. Personally, I didn’t find all the stories ‘scary’, but there definitely is a feeling of unease in each one and very much reminded me of Black Mirror / Twilight Zone / The X-Files. The distorted realities of the stories was a great draw and each story piqued a different interest.
For, I particularly liked ‘Family’ and ‘Chop’ – their connections to our increasingly growing dependence on technology is a scary possibility. ‘Jack Nasty’ and ‘The Importance of Eating Ernest’ felt like classic horrors and I wished there was more to ‘Hondo Rane’ – it was too short!
Overall, I thought this was a great selection of stories and I quite enjoyed each one of them. Thank you Voracious Readers and Andrew Schrader for my copy! I received and ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All above thoughts and opinions are my own.
Bad Realities is a collection of 12 stories that range in subjects, genres, and length. I have to commend the author for the versatility in his writing. From a monster that eats dead people, to deadly fads, to a gigantic brain, there really is a little bit of a everything. Personally, I didn’t find all the stories ‘scary’, but there definitely is a feeling of unease in each one and very much reminded me of Black Mirror / Twilight Zone / The X-Files. The distorted realities of the stories was a great draw and each story piqued a different interest.
For, I particularly liked ‘Family’ and ‘Chop’ – their connections to our increasingly growing dependence on technology is a scary possibility. ‘Jack Nasty’ and ‘The Importance of Eating Ernest’ felt like classic horrors and I wished there was more to ‘Hondo Rane’ – it was too short!
Overall, I thought this was a great selection of stories and I quite enjoyed each one of them. Thank you Voracious Readers and Andrew Schrader for my copy! I received and ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All above thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 23, 2023
The cover of this book instantly brought to mind images of cheap horror B movies, so it was a pleasant surprise to find that the stories contained within it were far from half-baked ideas.
The collection contains a variety of takes from the disturbing to the horrific, and from the dystopian to fantasy, and the author certainly has an original mind. The writing is clear, concise and easy to read whilst descriptions are vivid and not overly long and character development is strong throughout.
The shorter stories, in my opinion, are the strongest in this collection, and show the greatest originality. 'Hondo Rane…' is a fantasy based story and, I felt, a little too formulaic - although, if one enjoys fantasy tales, then this does hold its own. The other longer story 'The Floating Brain' is, for the most part, highly original, and its short chapters work very effectively.
This is definitely a collection for lovers of the TV series theTwilight Zone, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark, twisted tales.
The collection contains a variety of takes from the disturbing to the horrific, and from the dystopian to fantasy, and the author certainly has an original mind. The writing is clear, concise and easy to read whilst descriptions are vivid and not overly long and character development is strong throughout.
The shorter stories, in my opinion, are the strongest in this collection, and show the greatest originality. 'Hondo Rane…' is a fantasy based story and, I felt, a little too formulaic - although, if one enjoys fantasy tales, then this does hold its own. The other longer story 'The Floating Brain' is, for the most part, highly original, and its short chapters work very effectively.
This is definitely a collection for lovers of the TV series theTwilight Zone, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark, twisted tales.
August 8, 2023
I suggest reading Bad Realities if you like horror, short story collections, sci-fi, fantasy, and dystopian thrillers. Bonus points if you enjoyed Black Mirror or The Twilight Zone.
This book is a collection of 12 short horror stories. While the stories are different from each other and can be read as standalone, the entire book has this dystopian / philosophical theme underneath that ties all the stories together.
Bad Realities delivered all the creepy/unsettling vibes I was expecting based on the description and cover art. 😳 The more I read, the more I understood the core concept of the book, which made the stories even more enjoyable. I especially LOVED two of the stories, Family and Jack Nasty on the Wind.
The book review printed on the cover said it best (I am so jealous I didn’t come up with this myself 😂) when they called these short stories “gleefully unsettling tales”. It perfectly sums up the mix of emotions you will feel while reading Bad Realities.
If you like horror, I highly recommend this one ❤️
This book is a collection of 12 short horror stories. While the stories are different from each other and can be read as standalone, the entire book has this dystopian / philosophical theme underneath that ties all the stories together.
Bad Realities delivered all the creepy/unsettling vibes I was expecting based on the description and cover art. 😳 The more I read, the more I understood the core concept of the book, which made the stories even more enjoyable. I especially LOVED two of the stories, Family and Jack Nasty on the Wind.
The book review printed on the cover said it best (I am so jealous I didn’t come up with this myself 😂) when they called these short stories “gleefully unsettling tales”. It perfectly sums up the mix of emotions you will feel while reading Bad Realities.
If you like horror, I highly recommend this one ❤️
May 29, 2023
Where to start...well let me start with a warning, if you don't like truly gut-turning horror, and you don't like gore, you should probably skip this one. I can't remember the last time I felt actual physical revulsion while reading something, and I loved every minute of it. I admit it, I'm a horror junkie, I love the adrenaline rush. But this was on another level. This collection gripped me in its claws quickly, and didn't let me go. If I hadn't experienced it first hand, I would've laughed at the notion that a book could evoke such a strong, visceral response from me. It was brilliant. I think the best part is the gore doesn't feel gratuitous, but *essential* to the stories when incorporated. In the preface, Schrader talks about wanting to connect to the reader's subconscious, and I'd have to say mission accomplished. Oh, and I'll absolutely be reading this again, it's too good to read only once.
September 2, 2023
First of all, a huge thank you to the author, Andre Schrader, for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Bad Realities is truly a collection of delicious tales that ick and excite from the first story to the last. I loved how no two stories are the same. They're all so different from the plots, to the characters and in a certain story or two, even the writing style. If you're into creepy sci-fi then this is a book you need to check out.
My top stories in this book are "Family", "I'm Ready to Affirm You Now, Gamma", "Jack Nasty on the Wind" and my absolute favorite "The Importance of Eating Ernest." If there is ever a full length novel based on "Jack Nasty and the Wind" you bet your backside I'll be one of the first waiting to read it. Don't get me wrong it was great as a short story, I'd just love to read more of this delightfully creepy story.
Bad Realities is truly a collection of delicious tales that ick and excite from the first story to the last. I loved how no two stories are the same. They're all so different from the plots, to the characters and in a certain story or two, even the writing style. If you're into creepy sci-fi then this is a book you need to check out.
My top stories in this book are "Family", "I'm Ready to Affirm You Now, Gamma", "Jack Nasty on the Wind" and my absolute favorite "The Importance of Eating Ernest." If there is ever a full length novel based on "Jack Nasty and the Wind" you bet your backside I'll be one of the first waiting to read it. Don't get me wrong it was great as a short story, I'd just love to read more of this delightfully creepy story.
June 1, 2023
Bad Realities is a collection of short stories with one longer story at the end by Andrew Schrader. These stories of shock, suspense, and a touch of horror will keep you coming back for more. Which story will be your favorite? Will it be the one where a girl must battle a giant floating brain? Or will it be the one where a game is all too real? Or will it be the one about a man on a dating app?
There is so much to explore in this book, and each story that you read will leave you intrigued as to what the next one will be about. Some are twisted and strange, and others are horrific and dark. But one thing is for sure – at least one of these stories will stick with you long after you have put this book down...if you’re even able to do so.
This author has created a unique collection of stories, and you’ll be looking forward to more to come from them.
5 out of 5 stars
There is so much to explore in this book, and each story that you read will leave you intrigued as to what the next one will be about. Some are twisted and strange, and others are horrific and dark. But one thing is for sure – at least one of these stories will stick with you long after you have put this book down...if you’re even able to do so.
This author has created a unique collection of stories, and you’ll be looking forward to more to come from them.
5 out of 5 stars
June 16, 2023
Schrader never disappoints and is one of my favorite authors for a reason. Once again, he has created chilling tales with heart and grit that linger in your mind for days after you close the pages and return to your everyday life. The worlds in ‘Bad Realities’ feel even more poignant as we stand in the shadows of the collective trauma and stress we have endured over the last few years.
Every story in this collection is top-notch, and I would love to read a full-length novel centering on One-State and the floating brains. I don’t know where Andrew gets his ideas, but I wish I could tap the source myself! I absolutely recommend this book and all of Schrader’s other works to anyone who loves horror or speculative fiction. Why isn't he on the best-seller list with a film in the works already?!
Every story in this collection is top-notch, and I would love to read a full-length novel centering on One-State and the floating brains. I don’t know where Andrew gets his ideas, but I wish I could tap the source myself! I absolutely recommend this book and all of Schrader’s other works to anyone who loves horror or speculative fiction. Why isn't he on the best-seller list with a film in the works already?!
September 9, 2023
Super special thanks to Andrew Schrader for sending me a copy of his book in exchange for my honest review!
This collection of short stories was a lot of fun and definitely dark and unique. I appreciated Schrader’s writing style and how he immediately throws the reader into the deep end and immerses you into a new reality with every short story.
The short stories that I loved the most were: The Importance of Eating Earnest, Hondo Rane and the City of Illusion, Jack Nasty on the Wind, and The Floating Brain. I think the length of these short stories helped develop stakes that made me more invested. I find that the shorter ones, while easier to digest, gave me a sense of whiplash because they packed such a punch in a shorter amount of pages.
Definitely a fun read for fans of Black Mirror and anthology shows that challenge your perception of reality!
This collection of short stories was a lot of fun and definitely dark and unique. I appreciated Schrader’s writing style and how he immediately throws the reader into the deep end and immerses you into a new reality with every short story.
The short stories that I loved the most were: The Importance of Eating Earnest, Hondo Rane and the City of Illusion, Jack Nasty on the Wind, and The Floating Brain. I think the length of these short stories helped develop stakes that made me more invested. I find that the shorter ones, while easier to digest, gave me a sense of whiplash because they packed such a punch in a shorter amount of pages.
Definitely a fun read for fans of Black Mirror and anthology shows that challenge your perception of reality!
January 22, 2024
I picked this one up on a whim when it was a freebie based on nothing more than the cover looked cool. And, I’m pretty glad I did.
Not everything was a hit for me here, but the tales that did work for me I had fun with. The Importance of Eating Ernest kicked it off in a weird, funny and sad way, while Chop had me hooked all the way to its excellent punchline.
Dogfight was something of a Ray Bradbury/Richard Bachman hybrid story from some weird future I’d rather not see, likewise I’m Ready to Affirm You Now, Gamma - which had strong vibes while also being one of the oddest things I’ve read in a long time.
I’ll also shoutout Lonely One and In The Trees, both of which I admired what they were aiming for, even if they didn’t quite make it - at least for me.
Plenty to enjoy here and a fun one to dip in and out of over the last few days.
Not everything was a hit for me here, but the tales that did work for me I had fun with. The Importance of Eating Ernest kicked it off in a weird, funny and sad way, while Chop had me hooked all the way to its excellent punchline.
Dogfight was something of a Ray Bradbury/Richard Bachman hybrid story from some weird future I’d rather not see, likewise I’m Ready to Affirm You Now, Gamma - which had strong vibes while also being one of the oddest things I’ve read in a long time.
I’ll also shoutout Lonely One and In The Trees, both of which I admired what they were aiming for, even if they didn’t quite make it - at least for me.
Plenty to enjoy here and a fun one to dip in and out of over the last few days.
May 29, 2023
As the title indicates, these are truly stories of bad realities, some full of horror and others strange and gripping. I haven't read and reviewed a book in a long time, but description sounded interesting and I wanted to see how bad some realities could get.
To say that this was a fun and quick read, wouldn't do it justice, because it also was thought-provoking and at times disgusting and other times sad and sweet. Despite every bad thing that happens in each story, I felt drawn to some of the worlds and wanted to have a full length book to better enjoy them.
But I'm also glad they were short because this was exactly what I needed to read right now.
To say that this was a fun and quick read, wouldn't do it justice, because it also was thought-provoking and at times disgusting and other times sad and sweet. Despite every bad thing that happens in each story, I felt drawn to some of the worlds and wanted to have a full length book to better enjoy them.
But I'm also glad they were short because this was exactly what I needed to read right now.
May 28, 2023
This is a really good collection of short stories. I am into the weird and twisted stories that allow your mind to go wild with the "what if". For me, I was getting Black Mirror vibes. Which if you have watched Black Mirror, each episode does not always make sense or even end with an ending. It is the unknown that makes the stories "scary".
There are a few stories that I really enjoyed...The Importance of Eating Ernest, Dogfight, Family, Lonely Ones, and In the Trees. So, if this book sounds like something you like to read, you do need to pick up a copy and check it out for yourself.
There are a few stories that I really enjoyed...The Importance of Eating Ernest, Dogfight, Family, Lonely Ones, and In the Trees. So, if this book sounds like something you like to read, you do need to pick up a copy and check it out for yourself.
August 4, 2023
I loved the stories in this book! I especially liked Dog Fight, Chop, and The Importance of Being Earnest. These were my favorite stories in this collection of stories. The author is good at writing stories that are made for a darker audience overall and I am a huge fan now of his. I love dark stories and these did not disappoint. The first story is a story of a cannibalistic boy who must eat people to 'save the world' from the apocalypse. And of course there is a shocking twist in alot of these stories!
May 6, 2026
If you like horror, sci-do, and/or social commentary, this collection of short stories is for you! Each one was filled with the unexpected and I loved every sentence. Andrew’s writing style/subject matter has been so versatile when it comes to the three books I’ve read of his that it always keeps me wanting more. They’ve all given me the heebie jeebies in a different way for different reasons and I’ll never get tired of it!
June 1, 2023
This anthology was just as weird as it's cover and I loved it!!! Each story takes place is some sort of dytopian timeline & explores some messed up concepts.
Blending elements of fantasy, science fiction, and horror along with philosophical ruminations and bits of humor - Bad Realities is a trip of a collection.
My favorites were Family and The Floating Brain!
Blending elements of fantasy, science fiction, and horror along with philosophical ruminations and bits of humor - Bad Realities is a trip of a collection.
My favorites were Family and The Floating Brain!
October 15, 2023
Wow. Just wow. This book of short stories was a great read. Each story was completely engaging and leaving you wanting more. So we’ll written. Some were downright disturbing why other creepy and even others left you feeling uncomfortable. It’s an easy read and would be great for an afternoon at home in your favorite chair.
July 30, 2023
I absolutely loved this book and the dark stories contained within. The stories were well written and gave me chills which is exactly what I was looking for. I would definitely recommend this book to any horror lovers who want a great read.
Read
August 18, 2023This author knows how to write horror. For those that might be a little squeamish then you’re probably not a horror fan. I am referring to cannibalism.
The stories are entertaining.
This book was provided by Voracious Readers Only. The review is by Timothy and is unbiased.
The stories are entertaining.
This book was provided by Voracious Readers Only. The review is by Timothy and is unbiased.
August 14, 2023
A little Twilight Zone, Black Mirror, Tales from the Crypt. Each story had me anticipating what twist was to come. Quite enjoyable.
August 25, 2023
This is a collection of bizarre stories that I very much enjoyed reading. There are underlying messages and lessons that really made me think.
September 22, 2023
Went into this one blind having forgotten the blurb, definitely did enjoy myself though. That first story took me by surprise, I was not expecting a story featuring a cannibal. Felt sorry for guy though and his auntie. The two longer stories of the collection were were interesting, and I can't tell which one I liked more. Overall I was very impressed.
September 22, 2023
This is a wonderful read. Bad Realities is an appropriate title. If you haven’t read this author and enjoy twisted things then you will want to begin reading this author. You won’t be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews