Elemental Forces: Horror Short Stories

by Mark Morris (Editor), Annie Knox, Jim Horlock

An powerful fifth book in the horror anthology series which Booklist called "Highly recommended for longstanding horror fans and those readers who may not think horror is for them. There is something for everyone in this one."Elemental forces is the fifth volume in the non-themed horror series of original stories, showcasing the very best short fiction that the genre has to offer, and edited by Mark Morris. This new anthology contains 20 original horror stories, 16 of which have been commissioned from some of the top names in horror, and 4 selected from the 100s of stories sent to Flame Tree during a short open submissions window. A delicious feasts of the familiar and the new, the established and the emerging. Authors confirmed for this edition include Andy Davidson, Aaron Dries, Paul Finch, Christina Henry, Laurel Hightower, Verity Holloway, Jim Horlock, Gwendolyn Kiste, Annie Knox, Sarah Langan, Tim Lebbon, Will Maclean, Luigi Musolino, Kurt Newton, Nicholas Royle, David J. Schow, Paul Tremblay, P.C. Verrone.Previous titles in the series, all still in print are After Sundown, Beyond the Veil, Close to Midnight and Darkness Beckons.FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Anthologies

304 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2024

About the author

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Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published October 8, 2024.

Congratulations, Mark Morris! You have done a fine job selecting some delectable stories here. They weren’t all winners, of course, but I really liked several and I loved one of them.

The book contains twenty original stories, sixteen from established, regularly published writers and four chosen from publisher Flame Tree’s open submission process…I love that the publisher gave four people the chance to be included here, and we, the readers, don’t know who they are, although I suppose one could make a pretty good guess by looking at the author credits at the end of the book, but I didn’t want to know.

The story I loved: “I Miss You Too Much” by Sarah Langan (OK, I do know she is an established writer.)

Stories I really liked: “The Note” by Paul Tremblay (same)

“A House of Woe and Mystery” by Andy Davidson (shades of Stephen King’s wonderful novella “The Mist” here)

“The Entity” by Nicholas Royale

Nice job!

[Oliver Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable and admirably varied horror anthology, expertly pulled together by editor Mark Morris. The lack of a central theme beyond modern horror means there are all sorts of stories here. That variety means that if a story doesn’t hit the mark (and the vast majority do) then you’re only a few pages away from something different.

[Happy Goat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review on Happy Goat Horror:
https://happygoathorror.com/2024/10/3...

This is an outstanding anthology of assorted horror stories, no two alike, all bringing something a little different. My favourite is the final story by Sarah Langan, which scared the holy heck out of me, quite frankly. Brilliant!

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

So effectively edited! I've never read any of these authorsa before and wrote down the majority of them to read further. Most of the stories were 4 or 5s for me, some 3s, maybe a couple 2s. Lots of body horror, so that wins me over nearly every time.

[Bookworm86 · Rating 4 out of 5]

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Elemental Forces' edited by Mark Morris


This book is very well written with vivid descriptions that absolutely grip the readers attention and puts them right in the middle of it all making your heart pound and you constantly second guessing.

An addictive and horrific collection of 20 short stories filled with blood, supernatural, science fiction, gore, twists, horror and absolutely everything you could ask for in a gripping page turner. As I always do with books of short stories or poems I will rate them individually and then give an overall rating at the end. These are the stories that are included in order, a short description of what they are about and my rating:

👀 The Peeler by Poppy Z. Brite: Barton's boyfriend Rudy is going to lose his vision unless Barton finds a way to pay for the operation he needs. There is only one way to get the money he needs and thet is 'The Peeler' where he needs to perform a removal. A reminder that we are who we are for many reasons and things can change so much by removing one thing. Intriguing with a twist. 4/5

🐶 The Entity by Nicholas Royle: Martin and Ruth ask Ruth's old friend from years ago Tim to house sit for them and look after their dog, cat and tortoises but they also warn of an Entity in the house. Some strange goings on start happening but the ending is the strangest. 3/5

🐀 Nobody Wants To Work Here Anymore by Christina Henry: A rat causes bigger problems than Environmental Health when it meets McKayla in the refrigerator. 3/5

🐦‍⬛The Scarecrow Festival by Tim Major: Andy has been invited by an old school friend Gavin to visit his local Scarecrow festival but they haven't spoken for 27 years after an incident in school. 3/5

🧒The Wrong Element by Aaron Dries: Hugo and his son Finn are hiding from abusive ex Guy. This one is told from Finn and Hugo's perspectives. I must admit I really didn't get this one. 2/5

🫎 Mister Reaper by Annie Knox: After a failed suicide attempt Stephanie awakens at the mall she works in. She is not alone and her guide to her afterlife but he isn't quite what anyone would expect. Love this laugh out loud and strange story!! 5/5

☢️The Call Of The Deep by Laurel Hightower: Mel arrives at the Stack (a nuclear facility)to discover Keeper Ellis has already left before their 6 weeks shift could overlap. Mel notices there is water in observation area that shouldn't be there. However it isn't just water there but something else is within the building. A story filled with suspense and the unknown. 4/5

🤢 The Plague by Luigi Musolino: Tullio is meant to be giving a speech at the Party Of Change, the Anti-Vax/No Big Pharma movement that he is president of when he wakes up with a fever and feeling awful. He finally relents and calls a doctor but for those who aren't interested in modern medicines there was only one thing the doctor could do. A gruesome story filled with horror. 5/5

⛪Jack-A-Lent by Paul Finch: Michael goes to church to confess his sins to Father O'Shea and tells him all about the tradition of Jack-A-Lent, The Taxation Team that Michael was a part of Filled with suspense, tension 4/5

👭The Only Face You Ever Knew by Gwendolyn Kiste: Veronica and Catherine are shopping in a supermarket but when Catherine turns around Veronica has disappeared. Catherine goes to the police and they discover where Veronica is but Catherine knows something isn't right. A story filled with mystery and what happens when loved ones won't let go. 4/5

🍽️They Eat The Rest by Jim Horlock: Abernathy is at the prestigious dinner party of the Du Pont's when he discovers something isn't right about the gravy in the famous gravy boat in front of him. A story filled with gore and horror this one gets a 5/5 from me.

✉️ The Note by Paul Tremblay: After Linda reads a note on a door she disappears and her husband is determined to find out what happened. This one has great premise and mystery but I thought the ending was a let down so 3/5 from me unfortunately.

🪦 Unmarked by Tim Lebbon: In this book our protagonist visits Ronnie regularly to let him know of any bodies she has come across as she herself is a ghost. A beautiful, sad and supernatural story and definitely one of my favourites. 5/5

🚓 Red Meat Flag by David J. Schow: Chelsey is trying to hunt down an extremely gruesome and morbid serial killer nicknamed Mister Tweezers. One of the more gruesome takes with a great twist. 5/5

🎭 A Review Of Slime Tutorial: The Musical by P.C. Verrone: A critic goes to see a premier of 'Slime Tutorial' which ends up being more immersive than anyone could imagine. Wasn't a huge fan of this one if I'm honest. 3/5

🔮 The Doppelganger Ballet by Will Maclean: A gangster goes to a fortune teller where he is told he will be murdered by a person with the same face as him. Gruesome karma. 4/5

📦Eight Days West Of Plethora by Verity Holloway: Mancino robs a priest and his daughter of a box they were guarding.The daughter shouts at him to "Throw it into the sea" but Mancino refuses to listen and continues his journey. 3/5

🦮The Daughters Of Canaan by Kurt Newton: Mary-Alice is a cleaner who keeps seeing dog-headed men. The only place she feels safe is at work but soon she starts noticing strange things and having nightmares. 3/5

🌊 A House Of Woe And Mystery by Andy Davidson: When a vortex opens in the Atlantic people start to go stir crazy and we see how our protagonist is coping. 2/5

💔I Miss You Too Much by Sarah Langan: Stella hated her childhood home but when she visits her mother things seem to be better, for a while. Not a massive fan of this one although did like the unexpected twist! 3/5

This may be the first book I have read by this author but it most certainly won't be the last and I cannot wait to get stuck into more of his previous and future books!!!

A great collection of short stories with an excellent range of situations, characters, locations and narratives. My favourite ones had to be 'Mr Reaper,'. 'The Plague' , 'They Eat The Rest' , 'Unmarked', 'Red Meat Flag' These stories include suspense, horror, tension, murder, fantasy, the supernatural and much more! There is a great mix of stories so there is definitely something in there for everyone. The cover is absolutely amazing and it was one of the things that drew me to the book. This book is ideal to be able to pick up and read a story during a break or while making a cuppa!! I would probably avoid reading them as a bedtime story though!!! I am a huge fan of horror stories and the gorier the better for me!!! The excellent descriptions throughout ensures you feel the hair raising on your arms and the chill on your skin!!! The fact that these are short stories also allows you to pick it up and read a story at a time or read/listen to it in one sitting which is perfect for those who like to read multiple books at one time. All of these authors have excellent writing skills and and I look forward to reading more of their work! The average rating for all the story ratings is 3.5 so I give the overall book a 4/5 rating

Grab your copy of 'Elemental Forces' and discover which stories you love!!!

Overall a fantastic selection of short horror stories that will keep you up at night

#ElementalForces #MarkMorris #PoppyZBrite #AndyDavidson #AaronDries #PaulFinch #ChristinaHenrey #LaurelHightower #VerityHolloway #JimHorlock #GwendolynKiste #AnnieKnox #SarahLangan #TimLebbon #WillMaclean #TimMajor #LuigiMusolino #KurtNewton #NicholasRoyle #DavidJSchow #PaulTremblay #PCVerrone #FlameTreePress #RandomThingsTours #RandomTTours

@MarkMorris @PoppyZBrite @AndyDavidson @AaronDries @PaulFinch @ChristinaHenrey @LaurelHightower @VerityHolloway @JimHorlock @GwendolynKiste @AnnieKnox @SarahLangan @TimLebbon @WillMaclean @TimMajor @LuigiMusolino @KurtNewton @NicholasRoyle @DavidJSchow @PaulTremblay @PCVerrone @FlameTreePress @RandomThingsTours @RandomTTours

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[Kayleigh Dobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this isn't the best anthology I've read this year, it's at least tied in first place. Overall, brilliant quality of writing and stories, and the last one by Sarah Langan is STILL bothering me a week after reading it. It was extremely frightening....YAY!

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you want a solid horror collection to keep you company this spooky season? Do you want to be weirded out, scared, emotionally challenged, feel uneasiness creeping you out even after you have finished reading? Elemental Forces has all the short horror stories you need from some of the best writers in the horror genre!

I am so amazed by how quickly I’ve read these stories, how they called out to me wanting to be unleashed and poured into my brain, with some of them still lingering there. almost like they were destined to, like there has always been a space for them in my psyche.
These stories lay out some of the dreads, or uncertainties I’ve always had in such unique and able voices that I wish I could read them again for the first time.

This is a fantastic collection highlighting that, no matter how much progressed or advanced the human race is, at the same time it really isn’t, because here we are, with the same basic fears we always had and that we’ll probably continue to have until we are no more.

Thanks to the authors, editor Mark Morris, Flame Tree Press and Random Things Tours for a copy and this is my honest opinion.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book of horror stories as usual from this series and editor.

My favorites:

A Review of Slime Tutorial: The Musical by P.C. Verona

Comedic Horror. This had so much satire and wit. A theatre critic goes to a showing of a new musical post Covid and finds the star of the show is a singing and eating slime monster. Trust me. Just read it.

I Miss You Too Much by Sarah Langan

I’ve been on a haunted house kick lately and this satisfied that urge. Not your typical haunted house. More a haunted woman. Generational Trauma, mental illness, toxic mother/daughter relationships and witchcraft. All things that make an amazing horror short story! One of my favorite short story reads of the year.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 5 of the Booklist Series.

I love how this book is described as having something for everyone, and it really does!

There are 20 stories in here - 16 commissioned and 4 that were selected personally by Flame Tree Press and they are all very different, although you won't be able to tell who was commissioned and who wasn't if you removed the names against each story! The quality is fabulous!

Having read a few books published by Flame Tree Press, I always know that the books is going to be fantastic as I haven't been disappointed yet so absolutely recommend to all horror readers and even people wanting to give horror a try!

Dark, twisty, and utterly creepy... these are perfect for spooky season!

[Stephen Bacon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elemental Forces is the fifth entry in Flame Tree Press’s ABC of Horror series edited by Mark Morris, containing original non-themed horror stories from some of the best practitioners of modern dark fiction. This particular book has sixteen commissioned stories and four of the best that were selected from an open submission window.

Following a brief but interesting introduction by the editor, Poppy Z Brite kicks us off with The Peeler, in which Barton visits a shady place down near the docks, undergoing an operation which will help him pay for an old friend’s medical treatment. But this is no ordinary procedure, and what Barton is set is lose is worth far more than he really understands. This is a visceral, gut-punch of a story, and a fine way to commence proceedings. The Entity by Nicholas Royle is a subtle slice of the uncanny, in which the narrator Tim is asked by Ruth, an old friend from university, to pet-sit for her and her husband whilst they take a short holiday. The house is in rural France, and before the couple depart they tell Tim that the house has an ‘entity’. What follows next is unsettling and suspenseful, told with Royle’s trademark prose – deceptively straightforward and yet layered with disturbing suggestion – with such a wonderful ending. Christina Henry’s Nobody Wants to Work Here Anymore involves strange goings-on at a fast-food restaurant. The setting feels refreshingly original, and the story grows darker and darker as the story progresses. The Scarecrow Festival by Tim Major is an enjoyable slice of British folk horror in which Andy visits his old school friend Gavin in order to attend the village’s scarecrow festival. But tensions are high because they haven’t spoken for 27 years following a disturbing incident at school… The Wrong Element by Aaron Dries tells the story of Hugo and his son Finn (using both characters’ viewpoints) who are scarred – physically and mentally – by Hugo’s ex, Guy. Dark and disturbing.

Mister Reaper by Annie Knox is at times heartbreaking, frightening and humorous. When Stephanie comes round near midnight in a shopping mall after a failed suicide attempt, she is greeted by her version of the Grim Reaper. Only this one has her best interests at heart. I found Laurel Hightower’s The Call of the Deep to be incredibly creepy. Mel works at The Stack (a government nuclear facility), and her shift begins as a fellow co-worker vanishes in mysterious circumstances. This story was one of my favourites, touching on Lovecraftian themes, and it did little to ease my thalassophobia. Luigi Musolino’s The Plague tells the story of Tullio, who wakes one morning feeling like he is coming down with some dreadful illness. To a generation of readers who have recently experienced the Covid pandemic, this one is truly frightening. The always-reliable Paul Finch offers Jack-A-Lent, blending crime and horror into a startlingly intense tale about a gang of violent thugs from Merseyside. Another highlight is Gwendolyn Kiste’s The Only Face You Ever Knew, in which Catherine’s girlfriend Veronica vanishes one day in a supermarket. The progress of this tale caught me off-guard, with some incredibly creepy passages of prose.

They Eat the Rest by Jim Horlock is one that didn’t quite work for me, although it’s an enjoyably delightful piece of body horror. Paul Tremblay’s The Note is mysterious and evocative, telling the story of what happens to a couple when the wife disappears after reading a note pinned to the door of a neighbours’ abandoned house. Unmarked by Tim Lebbon is hauntingly beautiful – with enough about the story to support a much longer work – in which the restless spirit of our long-dead narrator visits an elderly man, whose mutually-beneficial relationship reveals the whereabouts of hidden graves. This supernatural tale is wonderful, melancholy and deeply moving. Red Meat Flag by David J Schow details the search for a gruesome serial killer known as Mister Tweezers, told with unmistakable flair by one of the originators of splatterpunk. PC Verrone’s A Review of Slime Tutorial: The Musical was another that didn’t quite do it for me, despite it being a well-written satire on musical theatre, shot through with some razor-sharp prose

In Will Maclean’s The Doppelganger Ballet a violent gangster visits a fortune teller, only to be warned that he will soon be murdered by a man with the same face as him. An enjoyable revenge thriller, written in an engaging style. When I say that Eight Days West of Plethora by Verity Holloway reminds me of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower, I mean it as a compliment. Mancino steals a mysterious box from a priest and is urged to throw it into the sea. When he fails to comply, a series of strange events make him regret his decision. Kurt Newton’s The Daughters of Canaan is full of portents and nightmarish visions as Mary-Alice struggles to deal with the idea that she can see dog-headed men hidden among society. Does she have a role herself to play in this? A House of Woe and Mystery by Andy Davidson is short and sweet, an apocalyptic tale in which a woman reflects on her life and the events that brought about the end of the world. I loved the brevity of this one, which makes every word count. Sarah Langan’s I Miss You Too Much is a disturbing story about a married woman who journeys back to her childhood home to care for her mother in the last few days of her life. This is a well-written tale, unsettling, and with a nice ending, and is a fine way to round off the anthology.

This anthology is further evidence that Flame Tree Press’s ABCs of Horror is a series that is going from strength to strength. Under the stewardship of Mark Morris, Elemental Forces is another fine entry, suggesting that the market for horror short stories is as vibrant as it’s ever been. The non-themed horror anthology has always been one close to my heart, and these books are testament to the editor’s skill and the willingness of the publisher to bring these new stories to the public. The breadth of storytelling and the quality of prose highlights the diversity that can be found in dark fiction, destroying the notion that horror is a tired genre with little to offer but gore and violence, aimed at a narrow demographic. No matter what sub-genre of horror you prefer, there is surely something here to satisfy every reader. This reader is already looking forward to next year’s entry. Highly recommended.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flame Tree Press’ annual collection of new horror short stories, edited by Mark Morris, has become a highlight of my autumn in recent years. Like its four predecessors, Elemental Forces left an impression on me and expanded my wishlist/TBR. Also as in previous years, inevitably not every story was “my thing”, but I could nevertheless always appreciate the quality of the writing.

This year, the stories that particularly stood out to me can be grouped (with some overlap) into three themes: emotionally moving stories; stories involving mothers; and stories that are especially humorous and creative.

Without giving too much away, the first story in the book, The Peeler by Poppy Z. Brite, really set me up for a couple of these standout themes. A serviceman, Barton, takes a couple of days’ leave in an insalubrious port town, where he heads to a mysterious facility where you can trade memories for cash – the more precious the memories, the larger the payment. The ones Barton chooses to sacrifice are high-value and, as it turns out, load-bearing, making this story not only scary, but also very emotionally impactful and poignant.

Another story that pulled hard on my heartstrings was The Only Face You Ever Knew by Gwendolyn Kiste. Main character Catherine turns around in the supermarket to find her fiancée, Veronica, has vanished seemingly into thin air. Heartbroken, Catherine manages to track Veronica down, but she’s much-altered and has no memories of Catherine or their life together. The scary part is how Veronica’s “reset” came to be and how much it diminished her, while Catherine’s refusal to let go really moved me.

Along with Kiste, Sarah Langan is an author I hadn’t come across before, but whose back catalogue I’m now going to have to start exploring ASAP! In her contribution, I Miss You Too Much, middle-aged Stella discovers that the clinginess of her mother, and creepiness of the home she fled at 18, have a supernatural element. Unfortunately, she’s already back in their grip by the time this becomes apparent.

A couple of other stories I found particularly emotionally stirring were Unmarked, by Tim Lebbon, and Mister Reaper, by Annie Knox. The former includes elements of mystery and race-against-time, as a ghost tries to find their remains and communicate their location to the only person who can see them, a friendly centenarian.

The latter, meanwhile, additionally falls into my ‘humorous and creative’ category. Thoroughly fed-up retail temp Stephanie wakes up on the brink of death, having attempted suicide in the toilets at work. So follows an entertaining exchange in an empty shopping centre with a straight-talking, yet surprisingly sympathetic reaper who’s running ahead of schedule, and his more goal-oriented colleague, as Stephanie decides whether she wants to live or die.

Two other stories that made me laugh were No One Wants To Work Here Anymore, by Christina Henry, and A Review of Slime Tutorial: The Musical, by P. C. Verrone. While dissimilar in subject matter and format, much of the humour in both comes from jaded characters.

In Henry’s contribution, a demon terrorises a fast food joint, getting into the heads of the already stressed-out employees before moving on to the customers. This is all very inconvenient for wannabe manager Brian, as the other workers on shift desert their posts, leaving him holding the fort.

Verrone’s story takes the form of a review of an innovative new musical theatre production – think Edward Scissorhands, but with a friendly (and very much real) slime winning over an intolerant suburb. However, the slime turns out to be more than just a triple threat performer, and the show descends into real-life horror for cast and audience alike. Even so, the tough critic retains their cynical, detached lens right up to the page before last.

Before I close this review, something that did bother me in a couple of places in this collection (not in the stories mentioned above) was the idea that over-population is particularly to blame for wrecking the planet.

While many of us can – and ought to – do our bit to be more green, there’s a huge imbalance. A tiny number of very rich people are causing by far the most environmental (and social) damage, directly and indirectly. At the other end of the scale, there are indigenous groups with strong traditions of with respect for nature.

You also have to be so careful when talking about “over-population” as it can so easily tip over into eugenics, with questions about precisely who should be prevented from having children and how, and exactly which people should be kept alive or left to die.

Elemental Forces features the wide range of themes and high-quality, memorable stories I’ve come to anticipate every year.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.5 of 5
I was a long-time reader of DAW's The Year's Best Horror Stories series and I've been randomly looking for something similar, with more current writers and stories. I came across this collection and decided to give it a try. There are definitely some names I recognize, which is good (Christina Henry is one of my favorites!) but it also includes a lot of names that i am not familiar with and I really like finding new (to me) authors that I might want to follow.

Overall, I was slightly disappointed with this collection. Most of these stories were not at all memorable. And more than a few didn't even feel like horror. Twice, while reading in the collection, I had to go back to my main Kindle page to make sure I was really reading from this book.

There were, however, a few standouts.

Jim Horlock's "They Eat the Rest" was wonderfully creepy and so very, very unique. This is exactly the kind of story I'm looking for when I read a collection like this. When the end takes you by surprise (especially when it shouldn't), I'm immediately a fan. I was not familiar with Horlock, but I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of his work.

David J. Schow is one of the few authors with whom I was familiar before going into the book. I've liked his work well enough previously, but he's never been a 'must-read' author for me. His story here, "Red Meat Flag," really struck a great chord for me. In this story it was the narrative voice that really appealed. Schow, through his narrator, really draws the reader into the story. And with a title like "Red Meat Flag" Schow let's us know right from the start that this isn't going to be too subtle. Really fun!

Only one more story had a positive impact on me. "The Daughter's of Canaan" by Kurt Newton was absolutely tremendous. I was hooked from the very first sentence: "Everywhere Mary-Alice looked she saw dog-headed men." Fantastic! And it only gets better.

The rest of the stories were fine, but nothing was strong enough to be recommendation-worthy.

This book contains the following:

Introduction - Mark Morris
"The Peeler" - Poppy Z. Brite
"The Entity" - Nicholas Royle
"Nobody Wants to Work Here Anymore" - Christina Henry
"The Scarecrow Festival" - Tim Major
"The Wrong Element" - Aaron Dries
"Mister Reaper" - Annie Knox
"The Call of the Deep" - Laurel Hightower
"The Plague" - Luigi Musolino
"Jack-A-Lent" - Paul Finch
"The Only Face You Ever Knew" - Gwendolyn Kiste
"They Eat the Rest" - Jim Horlock
"The Note" - Paul Tremblay
"Unmarked" - Tim Lebbon
"Red Meat Flag" - David J. Schow
"A Review of Slime Tutorial: The Musical" - P.C. Verrone
"The Doppelgänger Ballet" - Will Maclean
"Eight Days West of Plethora" - Verity Holloway
"The Daughters of Canaan" - Kurt Newton
"A House of Woe and Mystery" - Andy Davidson
"I Miss You Too Much" - Sarah Langan
Author Biographies
Looking for a good book? Elemental Forces, edited by Mark Morris is a decent collection of writing but not particularly dark or horrific. A few standouts but mostly not very noteworthy.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fifth installment in Mark Morris’s horror anthology series, this collection brings together 20 chilling original stories from some of the genre’s biggest names, along with exciting new voices that are bound to make their mark.

Whether you’re a seasoned horror lover or new to the genre, this book has something to offer everyone.

From supernatural forces to psychological thrills, Elemental Forces manages to cover a wide spectrum of horror, making it a highly versatile collection.

The stories here range from slow, creeping dread to full-blown terror, and it’s this variety that kept me on edge. The best part? Even if you’re not typically a horror fan, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself captivated by at least one (if not several) of these haunting tales.

The anthology features stories from acclaimed authors like Christina Henry, Paul Tremblay, and Laurel Hightower, who all bring their own brand of terror to the table. Their contributions are every bit as spine chilling as you’d expect.

One of the standout qualities of Elemental Forces is the way each story builds tension in its own unique way. Some rely on atmospheric horror, where the tension creeps up slowly, leaving you with a sense of unease long after you’ve finished reading. Others dive right into the visceral, confronting readers with vivid and often terrifying imagery that’s hard to shake. It’s the kind of book where you’ll find yourself alternating between racing to the next page and needing to take a breather after a particularly intense story.

Mark Morris, as always, does a stellar job curating the stories, ensuring that there’s a balance between familiar themes and fresh concepts. You’ll find classic horror elements—like haunted houses and dark forests—juxtaposed with modern fears, creating a satisfying blend that feels both timeless and new. The pacing of the anthology is excellent, with each story flowing naturally into the next, ensuring that you’re never quite sure what horrors await on the following page.

For long-time fans of the series, Elemental Forces continues the legacy of previous volumes like After Sundown and Darkness Beckons, but it also stands out in its own right. Whether it’s the eerie psychological depth of Andy Davidson’s contribution or the visceral terror of Aaron Dries, there’s no shortage of talent in this collection.

Elemental Forces is a gripping and terrifying collection that showcases the very best of contemporary horror. Whether you’re looking for a quick scare or something that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished reading, this anthology delivers. Perfect for curling up with on a dark, stormy night, but be warned, you might want to keep the lights on.

A huge thank you to Random Book Tours and Flame tree for providing me with a copy of this amazing book in exchange for an honest review.

[Karolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is my review for Elemental Forces by Mark Morris

I really enjoyed reading these short stories. They are a complete mix, none are in the same vein. Some are by well seasoned top named authors whereas a small number come from the open submission window that Flame Tree Press ran. This is the fifth anthology in the series which is good for horror fans and readers who would like to try the genre. I like the fact that there is a mix of old and new authors' stories in the book. There is a good mix of stories and I really liked the mix that was in the book, the stories were well chosen. Horror is given bad press but this shows horror stories in a different light and that horror can be written differently to Dracula and The Shining etc. Horror stories along with the genre have evolved over time and are now different to what they used to be.

Blurb :

A powerful fifth book in the horror anthology series which Booklist called "Highly recommended for longstanding horror fans and those readers who may not think horror is for them. There is something for everyone in this one."

Elemental Forces is the fifth volume in the non-themed horror series of original stories, showcasing the very best short fiction that the genre has to offer, and edited by Mark Morris. This new anthology contains 20 original horror stories, 16 of which have been commissioned from some of the top names in horror, and 4 selected from the 100s of stories sent to Flame Tree during a short open submissions window. A delicious feast of the familiar and the new, the established and the emerging.

Previous titles in the series, all still in print, are: After Sundown, Beyond the Veil, Close to Midnight and Darkness Beckons.

[George Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

QOTD: who's a favourite author you only discovered recently?

When the latest Mark Morris anthology unexpectedly lands on your doorstep, it’s not a delivery, it’s destiny. I read the table of contents, and actually had to sit myself down, by which I mean cling to the nearest chair, and brace myself for the cosmic storm I knew was brewing. With plenty of big names, that would make any horror fan weak in the knees, Tim Lebbon, Poppy Z. Brite, and Paul Tremblay to name a few, but also lots of authors I’d never heard of before, who blew my metaphorical socks off… they’re probably in a different dimension by now. Some stories hum with sci-fi intrigue, whilst others descend into Black Mirror-esque madness. A few tales are dark and twisted enough to make your soul feel like it needs a shower, while others simply entertain like the guilty pleasures they are. The stories are connected only by one thing, in them, is something bigger than us, some cosmic monster, some god-like entity, some elemental force? 

As aforementioned, the thread that runs through this anthology is the sobering idea that we are but ants in the grand, terrifying opera of the universe… and the universe is an unforgiving conductor. Whether this existential punch is landed via an ancient monster, a plague, or indeed through the grim reaper himself, who is of course a sloth, “Elemental Forces,” is a reminder that we are not alone. If you read my full review, via the link in my stories, bio or by going to fanfiaddict.com, I’ll talk you through my top four- from least to most devastating (to build tension).

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elemental Forces volume five is a short story collection by Flametree press put together by Mark Morris an edited by Annie Knox. In the book there is 20 stories told by many well-known authors and some unknown to me authors. There’s weird stories like The Note by Paul Tremblay in another by Will McClain call The Doppelgänger Ballet, there is my favorite Eight Miles West Of Plethera by Valerie Holloway which was very well done Another one that I really really liked was the very last story called I Miss You Too Much by Sarah Langdon and that was a great way to end an already great anthology of horror stories it was weird and horrific and OMG good. They have so many I wish I could mention but there’s just too many they were all so different with many themes and I would definitely say there’s a story for everyone. From a dead man who finds dead missing people, to a girl whose mom is so envious she takes over her life, a married man who’s wife leaves him after a walk to get ice cream, to many many other stories I could go on and on about these short tails as they are so very good but I digress. I really liked this anthology as I always do and definitely recommend it for those short horror story fans

[L Powers (Bookish_Mum) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This horror anthology is like a box of dark chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get, but it's all deliciously twisted.

First off, the variety is amazing. Not vibing with one story? No sweat. Flip a few pages and you're in a whole new nightmare. It keeps things fresh and fun, perfect for when you want a quick scare on your lunch break (though maybe save it for after dinner if you're easily spooked).

Now, let me gush about "Mr Reaper," "The Plague," and "They Eat The Rest." Holy. Moly. These stories are the real deal - they cranked up the creep factor to eleven and left me checking under the bed. Seriously next-level stuff that'll stick with you.

What I love most is how this book covers all the horror bases. You want suspense? Got it. Gore? Oh yeah. Ghosts? You betcha. It's like a greatest hits album of everything that goes bump in the night.

And the writing? Chef's kiss. These authors know how to set a scene. The descriptions are so vivid, I swear I felt actual goosebumps crawling up my arms. It's like they've found a way to beam their twisted imaginations directly into your brain.

Overall, If you're a horror fan, "Elemental Forces" is a must-read. It's the perfect blend of established horror heavyweights and fresh blood (pun totally intended). Just maybe keep the lights on while you're reading. You know, just in case.

[Mario Guslandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark Morris keeps offering horror anthologies where variety is the rule.
Which is good because every reader can find his/her cup of tea, according to personal taste.
My own favorites in the book are : “ The Only Face You Ever Knew” by Gwendolyn Kiste, an outstanding tale describing the love story between two young women and the unusual events surrounding their relationship, “ The Note”, by Paul Tremblay ,a puzzling but fascinating story revolving around the mysterious disappearance of a married woman and “ The Doppelgänger Ballet” by Will Maclean where a man worried by a disturbing prophecy ends up fulfilling his unlucky destiny.

[S.J. Townend · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of the ABC of Horror anthologies, but Elemental Force is my favourite so far. Twenty very different horror stories, but all brilliant, transgressive and captivating tales.

The Peeler (Poppy Z. Brite), The Entity (Nicholas Royle) (a gentle creep of paranoia), The Note (Paul Tremblay), A Review of Slime (P. C. Verrone) (humorous cosmic theatre) , and I Miss You Too Much (Sarah Langan) are all total belters I'm sure I'll go back and read again.

[Josef Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great edition to this dark anthology series.

For a full review, please go to https://areviewerdarkly.blogspot.com/... and follow me on X @josenher

[Bill Borre]

"The Note" by Paul Tremblay - A man and his wife walk by a neglected house one evening in order to get ice cream. They notice a note stuck on the door and on their way back the wife approaches the house to read the note. The man asks her what it said and she refuses to answer him. She leaves for work and never returns.

"Red Meat Flag" by David J. Schow - A detective meets his end when he falls into the trap a serial killer he's pursuing nicknamed Mr. Tweezers has set for him.

[Deborah Goulding · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stories

[Runalong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really strong collection with a theme of being trapped being explored very well and quite a few gems to find into

Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is just for Annie Knox's story, and even though I did read the entire book, I can definitely say Annie's story was in the top 3 which is amazing and I'm so happy about that!

This story starts out grim(haha, get it? Mister Reaper? Grim? Okay, sorry). When we meet our main character, she is waking up, but that's the last thing she was expecting to do after what she just attempted. The story progresses, and by the time we get to the end, I actually have hope for our girl and her life... or do I? Either way, Mister Reaper and CrowHead were pretty fun and girl, you definitely better call out of work tomorrow.

In the words of Stephanie, See You On The Other Side, F*ckers!