"Deviants and Decadents" is a forbidden feast for souls hungry for immersive horror, captivating fantasy, and evocative poetry. It calls upon those with an insatiable appetite for chilling tales, lovers of mystical worlds, and seekers of beauty even in the darkest recesses of the human psyche. A unique blend of genres will leave a lasting impression on readers, captivating their hearts and stirring their souls.
A Perfect Symphony of Horror, Fantasy, and Poetry
This collection combines the macabre allure of horror, the whimsical enchantment of fantasy, and the mesmerizing power of poetry to create an unparalleled reading experience. It entangles you in a web of twisted emotions, intoxicating desires, and spine-chilling horrors, leaving you breathless and eager for the next revelation.
Special Bonus Content! Original Short Stories by Jae Mazer, Dicey Gregor and Megan Stockton
"This book is not just a collection of visceral smears, but a great conjunction of brilliant minds playing in the spilled fluids. Lisa Vasquez has a deft touch weaving the darkness into stories which leave lines of crimson. Add Dicey, Jae, and Megan to the party, and you have a collection of beautiful perversions gently punctuated by pristine poetry which ends all too quickly. Fan-***-tastic." M Ennenbach, author of Cuckoo.
Unveiling the Darkness: Lisa Vasquez, owner and editor-in-chief of Momento Mori Ink ezine
With roles encompassing CEO, editor, author, and mentor, she has left an indelible mark as a versatile creative force.
Previously at the helm of Stitched Smile Publications, Lisa's visionary leadership transformed the publishing house into a haven for emerging horror authors.
As the editor-in-chief of House of Stitched magazine, Lisa unveiled the unsung heroes of the horror industry. Her discerning eye brought to light the behind-the-scenes contributors that make the genre thrive. Having retired from her role at House of Stitched, Lisa's editorial legacy stands as a testament to her dedication the art of storytelling.
In her role as a mentor, Lisa guided aspiring writers through the labyrinthine paths of the horror genre, imparting her wisdom and nurturing their talents.
Lisa's talents extend to the realm of multi-media artistry, where she wields acrylic, charcoal, and watercolor to create captivating works. Her artistic vision adds yet another layer to her creative tapestry, intertwining her love for horror with visual expression.
Deviants and Decadents is a book of short stories and poems. This book was.. beautiful. I know that strange to say about a horror book, but the stories and poems this books contained were magnificent!
The stories and poems were well written. The short stories each had twists that were equally satisfying and unexpected.
The first short story in this book was my favorite. The description of the flowers and the feelings that the characters were so flawless, i could almost smell and feel them myself. The end was just.. superb! It’s now in my top 3 favorite short stories.
The writing and dialogue flowed well, which made this one hard to put down. So much so, I actually read through this one back to back.
The illustrations were so beautiful and satisfying. I feel like the went well with the book.
I cant wait to see what other twisted tells Lisa has in story for us.
I would highly recommend this book.. to anyone really. Anyone looking for a great read, get this book. Put it as the next TBR book after your current read. Shoot, I’m thinking about reading it again.
First off I would like to thank Lisa for allowing me to read this book so I could talk about on its release day. This is my first book I've read from her and certainly won't be my last. Her writing ability, the illustrations and the group of writers she collected for this book were all phenomenal and she's someone I look forward to discovering more from in 2024.
Now for the actual book, this was a breath of fresh air from the books that I have been reading recently. The opening poem "I Am" by Lisa is a perfect example of the raw, dark and sensual feminine energy that this book is brimming with on every single page. So of the truly incredible highlights of this book include "Lilith's Rise To Power" by Dicey Grenor which is a retelling of the story of Lilith in the Garden of Eden. One of the most powerful stories I've read in a long time and had me completely enthralled in the story. Also "The Mother Knows Best" by Megan Stockton is a twisted tale of a man making a horrible decision that he won't survive and a woman finding her way as she delivers sweet two revenge to two men that will leave you wanting so much more.
Overall I am absolutely amazed by how incredibly dark and beautiful this book is and I can not recommend it enough to each and every one of you. It's the perfect mix of horror, fantasy and poetry that's speaks to the soul. This is a must read if you want to end your year on a high note or start your new year with something that will get under your skin and take residences in your psyche.
In this mix of dark fantasy and horror, the reader has the absolute pleasure of enjoying poetry, short stories, and illustrations by Lisa Vasquez (she also created the stunning cover art!). She’s gathered additional works by other fantastic authors: Megan Stockton, Jae Mazer, and Dicey Grenor. This really rounds out the collection with some different voices in the mix!
Many of Lisa’s works are hauntingly poetic, starkly grim, and fantastically otherworldly. You’ll find gods and goddesses and zombies and devils amongst the pages, along with other assorted creatures, characters, and creations. Each entry has emotion and magic in the writing; the reader will feel the words viscerally and be transported within the pages.
“Goddess of the Underworld In her womb where demons burled Mother night, invoke my hour Bring me to the ivory tower Stay with me in this burdened time Until the peace of Death is mine”
I loved how many stories focussed on divine and powerful femininity, especially Lillith’s retelling in “Lilith’s Rise to Power” by Dicey Grenor, “The Mother Knows Best” by Megan Stockton, and “Starfall” by Lisa Vasquez.
You won’t be disappointed with purchasing this book, and again, just look at that incredible cover art that can adorn your bookshelves!
There are several things that could use more explaining mostly in the beginning setting. This was an odd, but enticing read. It caused curiosity for such bizarre matters and showed more than gave answers. It could be blended in a bit better with transitions. The oddness sets it up to be like a wicked folklore or old fairytale.
How do you like your horror? Perhaps in bite-sized, rare pieces? Then you need to check out this anthology from the brilliant mind of Lisa Vasquez!
A woman who decides to throw a party, while something sinister, lurks nearby.
At the end of the world, all that are left is a handful of humans, and the part human, part arachnid Sins.
A man who's still reeling from the loss of his wife and child receives an invitation he can't refuse.
There's a terrible storm happening, and a man's inability to deal with his wife's death might come back to haunt him.
What if death could be beautiful?
It was Christmas time, and Carole was about to turn 7. All was well until the screams started.
There's a man on a cross (don't jump ahead of me here), and an act of kindness results in…well, you're going to have to read it.
By Dicey Grenor
A classic tale of the Garden of Eden, with several unexpected twists.
By Jae Maezer
A girl desperate for her mom to come back to life tries to find the perfect gift to make it a reality.
By Megan Stockton
A man steps out on his wife with unexpected consequences, and a woman finds her place in the world.
These pages are loaded with unforgettable stories, a sprinkle of poetry, several different takes on old tales, some spice, and three extra authors! Jae Maezer, Megan Stockton, and Dicey Grenor have contributed pieces of their work as well!
I freely admit to judging a book by its cover. When I saw this book, I knew that I needed it, and that I would most likely love it. As usual, I was correct! I am fairly new to Lisa's writing, but I had enjoyed everything I've read of her so far, and Deviants and Decadents is no exception. A collection of her writing, the amazing cover and interior art, plus additional stories by a couple of my favorite authors, and I was sold!
Filled with spectacular stories and deep, dark poetry, this collection is everything! Lisa has this fantastic ability to combine horror and spice in a way that makes you feel a little dirty, and I am not mad about it! Midsummer Nightmare was sexy and scary at the same time, I loved it!
The White Widow. Listen, I thought I would hate this story. I abhor spiders. So much. Leave it to Lisa to make me have a crush on a spider/ human hybrid Queen. Brimstone Manor was a wonderful grief and addiction horror story. And there were some holiday themed stories as well. Christmas Carole was a terrifying story with absolutely no Tiny Tim, and Christ Cthonia was an Easter tale with zero mention of bunnies or eggs.
Lilith's Rise to Power by Dicey Grenor was a Garden of Eden story that far surpasses the original. Please by Jae Mazer was a story of Agatha trying to get the cemetery groundskeeper to do "something" for her. Seeing how far she was willing to go was intense. And The Mother Knows Best by Megan Stockton was the cosmic, erotic horror that I was unaware I needed.
All in all, this is an amazing collection by a masterful writer that I highly recommend you check out.
Lisa Vasquez immerses us in a mythical world full of horror and beauty. The stories and poems cover multiple genres and I loved all of them! Vasquez knows how to do this well and it shows. I felt like I was reading a special edition of the book with all of the fantastic artwork and the gorgeous layout. But, this is the normal book for purchase! It is absolutely stunning!
If the book wasn’t already classy enough, she had some guest spots that included the amazing Jae Mazer, Dicey Grenor, and Megan Stockton who all added their own captivating tales to the mix. I’d have to say my favorites were the stories set in the Victorian era. The courting and romance of that time just draws me in because it was so taboo for the time.
I cannot stress enough how well this book was done. It’s classic horror done exquisitely! I am so glad I purchased my own copy for my shelf. This will be one I could read over and over again and love it every time! Go get this beautiful book. You will not be disappointed.
The illustration cover is gorgeous, but the stories inside are chilling.
Comprised of poems and tales of dark fantasy this collection is amazing.
These tales are crafted beautifully and will bring chills with each turn of the page. Midsummer Nightmare is a dark fantasy, and quite terrifying tale and it was my favorite in the book! I wish there was more to the tale or that it was a novella or book it’s so wonderful! Brimstone Manor was and another of my favorites, again wishing there was more to the story, because I didn’t want it to end. If you like chilling tales, with dark and sci-fi elements that will have you on edge then you need to pick this up.
If you love chilling tales and poetry, pick this up.
The wonderful thing about collections of stories is you can revisit those individual ones, you can skip around and you can make it your own.
Deviants and Decadents is a beautifully written collection from the Unsaintly Queen, Lisa Vasquez, and featuring special guests Jae Mazer, Megan Stockton, and Dicey Grenor. Full of dark beauty and raw sensual grace, these ladies have brought their spiciest and most powerful depths of emotional empowerment to this incredible collection. Midsummer Nightmare, Please, and Brimstone Manor were favorites for me, if forced to choose, but every piece in this collection is a delightfully delicious read.
Deviants and Decadents is a fantastic anthology of poetry and short stories. Lisa Vasquez shares some poetry and short stories. Additionally, Jae Mazer, Dicey Grenor, and Megan Stockton have a short story in this anthology.
The poetry is absolutely enthralling.
The stories are dark, captivating, and sometimes relatable.
The artwork, though, is truly something to see. Seriously, look at that cover. And there is more in the book.
I am going to need a physical copy of this to put on my bookshelf. You need to check this one out.
This book which is less then a week away from release hit all the marks of what I needed in a book. My perfect little emo, Taylor swift loving, poetry loving and gothic art styles heart needed. Short stories mixed with classic literature and poems so beautifully written I couldn’t pick a single line to quote because I loved all of them. Thank you Lisa, this was what the doctor ordered. Well this and the muscle relaxers for my back that I threw out.
Deviants and Decadents is a collection of short stories and poems. Every story was hauntingly beautiful. I loved all of them. My favorite short stories were White widow, please, brimstone manor, mazzy shade of winter. My favorite poems were i am, oubliette, and starfall. I really enjoyed this and am adding it to my 'Read again' list.
This book was amazing. I am normally so so when it comes to books of short stories, not liking many and only loving a few. Let me tell you everything in this book is gold! I loved all of them and couldn't find one I didn't like.
This is a must read for fans of dark chilling tales that take place in mystical words, people's love lives, fantasy and what may reside in peoples minds and souls.
Next, I have been waiting for something from Lisa for a long time. Lisa has a fantastic voice. Whether she is writing a poem, a short story, a novel, editing a magazine, or mentoring a fledgling writer (who sadly still hasn’t spread his fingers and began to type), her voice is special and, in my humble opinion, unique.
In this new collection of poetry and stories, she weaves a tapestry of dark depravity and beauty.
My favorite story is “White Widow.”
There are stories by Jae Maezer, Megan Stockton and Dicey Grenor as well!
Overall, this is a cannot miss. I recommend you pick this book up posthaste, if not sooner!
First off, I was given this book as an ARC read. I hold ARC’s near and dear to my heart, because I realize and understand that the writer is trusting me, as a reader/beta reader to treat their work, work that they spent many hours, days, weeks, months and sometimes years perfecting, honing and making it the best it can be..to treat it fairly and read it with an open mind and open heart and then review it with an open mind and open heart, but most of all, with honesty. To say that I was SUPER EFFING excited to have this book in my hands from the likes of Lisa Vasquez is an EFFING understatement. I got my first taste of her deliciously dark work with “Unfleshed” and I was immediately enthralled. Wow, if you haven’t had the pleasure of reading that one, do yourself a favor and fix that ASAP. But back to Deviants and Decadents… May I say that the Cover itself is so darkly erotic and beautiful. I absolutely love it. By the time I was reading the last line of her first poem “I Am”, I was all excited and giddy….but by the end of “The White Widow”, I knew I was “All In” and I haven’t been “All In” to a book for such a long long time. Lisa’s writing is perfect to me as a female reader. The descriptions are on point, not too much and definitely not too little. She weaves a story like I have seen few do. One of my favorite stories in the book Is “Lilith’s Rise To Power” by Dicey Grenor. Wow!! What a different and deliciously powerful take on The Garden of Eden story. I absolutely loved it. ALL of the stories in this collection are absolutely amazing. All of the authors poured their darks hearts and souls into their stories and it shows. In the last 6 months, I have started about 7 books, books of all kinds.. novels, short stories, anthologies..and nothing has kept my attention like this one. All of these stories and poems are so deliciously dark and depraved. I love it!!