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Death's Other Kingdom: Horror Tales of World War I
IN THE AIR, THE EARTH, AND THE SEA, THE WORLD BURNED.
Erupting in a land pregnant with conflict, The War to End All Wars blazed from 1914 to 1918, spreading until no continent escaped the touch of its flame. By the day of armistice, no civilization in history had witnessed more death, destruction, and carnage in such a short time.
TRAVEL THE GHOST ROAD. PART THE VEIL.
Curated by historian Coy Hall, Death's Other Kingdom collects nine frightening tales from this baptismal storm of steel. Within these pages, horrors of the supernatural bleed into the terrors of war. In this ritual of violence, humans have never been more vulnerable.
Erupting in a land pregnant with conflict, The War to End All Wars blazed from 1914 to 1918, spreading until no continent escaped the touch of its flame. By the day of armistice, no civilization in history had witnessed more death, destruction, and carnage in such a short time.
TRAVEL THE GHOST ROAD. PART THE VEIL.
Curated by historian Coy Hall, Death's Other Kingdom collects nine frightening tales from this baptismal storm of steel. Within these pages, horrors of the supernatural bleed into the terrors of war. In this ritual of violence, humans have never been more vulnerable.
254 pages, Paperback
Published April 2, 2024
37 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Coy Hall
35 books236 followersCoy Hall lives in West Virginia, where he splits time as a professor of history and author. His books include Grimoire of the Four Impostors (2021), The Hangman Feeds the Jackal: A Gothic Western (2022), The Promise of Plague Wolves (2023), and A Séance for Wicked King Death (2023).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 8, 2024
This is a wonderful anthology. Kudos to editor Coy Hall for maintaining a level of quality throughout. I can't say there's a single dud in the bunch. A few thoughts on the individual stories...
"The Apple" by Kay Vaindal: A great start. It takes the point of view of an old veteran who thinks the kids who are going off to fight World War I are too soft. Rest assured, he gets his comeuppance in a satisfyingly gruesome fashion. This is my first time experiencing this author's work and thoughts of Hilary Mantel came to mind more than once while I was reading. Vaindal has undeniable skill. There are wonderful speeches in this story that actors would kill to be able to do on stage or screen.
"Archangel" by Jay Charles is like touring a Hieronymus Bosch exhibit while tripping on DMT. First-rate phantasmagoria. Charles has an inspired style: I loved the description of a man's squirming as "larval."
Another quote: "Then a sudden wind of bullets swept him up and carried him back to the scrape."
"Death in the Ruins" by Brian G. Berry: It's a coming-of-age-in-wartime-lost-patrol-folk-horror story. Berry can pack a lot into a short story and he can do it very well indeed.
"Dead Rivers Flow" by Zakariah Johnson (author of MINK): This tale features not one, but two bits, of little-known historical fact, served up with first-rate suspense. Bless all the writers for throwing themselves headlong into the History behind these historical fictions. Johnson makes it real, and he makes it hurt.
"Jeanne and the Imp" by M.E. Proctor (author of FAMILY AND OTHER AILMENTS): A welcome break from all the understandably grim-and-gritty on display in the rest of the book. This is a delightful fantasy story. Proctor's got a knack for these. Bravo!
"Trench Foot" by Adam Hulse: A pitch-perfect example of pulp in the grand tradition of Robert E. Howard & Lester Dent. This is my first time reading a work by Hulse but I can assure you it won't be the last.
Other stories in the collection include: "Into Oblivion" by Stephanie Ellis. It has the pleasant aura of a classic TWILIGHT ZONE episode.
"The Second Front" by Charlie Wedding: A men-on-a-mission story. The action is relentless. Bonus points for the sharp-edged closing line.
"The Order of Moths" by Damien B. Raphael offers a Jamesian tale of the supernatural. The writing style is the most convincingly archaic of the bunch.
This is a fine collection on its own with the added benefit of introducing new readers to some truly excellent writers. My sincere thanks to Mr. Hall for sending me an Advance Reading Copy.
"The Apple" by Kay Vaindal: A great start. It takes the point of view of an old veteran who thinks the kids who are going off to fight World War I are too soft. Rest assured, he gets his comeuppance in a satisfyingly gruesome fashion. This is my first time experiencing this author's work and thoughts of Hilary Mantel came to mind more than once while I was reading. Vaindal has undeniable skill. There are wonderful speeches in this story that actors would kill to be able to do on stage or screen.
"Archangel" by Jay Charles is like touring a Hieronymus Bosch exhibit while tripping on DMT. First-rate phantasmagoria. Charles has an inspired style: I loved the description of a man's squirming as "larval."
Another quote: "Then a sudden wind of bullets swept him up and carried him back to the scrape."
"Death in the Ruins" by Brian G. Berry: It's a coming-of-age-in-wartime-lost-patrol-folk-horror story. Berry can pack a lot into a short story and he can do it very well indeed.
"Dead Rivers Flow" by Zakariah Johnson (author of MINK): This tale features not one, but two bits, of little-known historical fact, served up with first-rate suspense. Bless all the writers for throwing themselves headlong into the History behind these historical fictions. Johnson makes it real, and he makes it hurt.
"Jeanne and the Imp" by M.E. Proctor (author of FAMILY AND OTHER AILMENTS): A welcome break from all the understandably grim-and-gritty on display in the rest of the book. This is a delightful fantasy story. Proctor's got a knack for these. Bravo!
"Trench Foot" by Adam Hulse: A pitch-perfect example of pulp in the grand tradition of Robert E. Howard & Lester Dent. This is my first time reading a work by Hulse but I can assure you it won't be the last.
Other stories in the collection include: "Into Oblivion" by Stephanie Ellis. It has the pleasant aura of a classic TWILIGHT ZONE episode.
"The Second Front" by Charlie Wedding: A men-on-a-mission story. The action is relentless. Bonus points for the sharp-edged closing line.
"The Order of Moths" by Damien B. Raphael offers a Jamesian tale of the supernatural. The writing style is the most convincingly archaic of the bunch.
This is a fine collection on its own with the added benefit of introducing new readers to some truly excellent writers. My sincere thanks to Mr. Hall for sending me an Advance Reading Copy.
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April 21, 2024N.B. I do not rate on Goodreads.
It’s hard to believe this is the first anthology curated and edited by Coy Hall. From the cover to the formatting, as well as the stories, the standard is as high, if not higher, than most anthologies I’ve read. Kudos, Coy Hall!
As far as the stories are concerned, the amount of research involved on the authors’ part shone throughout. I also love the fact that there is a diverse mix, with some stories being harder on the gore and action and others more subtle. I think in an anthology it’s important to try to include something for everyone, because as readers we all have different preferences and tastes.
Some stories, such as The Apple by Kay Vaindal, were powerfully metaphorical and had a dreamlike quality. Same can be said about Death in the Ruins by Brian G. Berry which summoned a strong sense of place through its imagery. This one even included a touch of Arabian lore as a cosmic horror element, which I loved.
All nine stories are worthy of praise, as not one fell flat. Steph Ellis, for example, did an original take on the theme by setting the majority of her story in a hot air balloon. I loved the ‘smallness’ of this, the claustrophobia which stuck with me days later.
Adam Hulse gave us a story written in epistolary form, weaving between a letter and a journal. I might be biased, but I adored the British feel of this one.
Listen, when reviewing anthologies I hate naming favourites because let’s be honest, it’s so subjective! That said, and because of my preference and love of both the gothic and quiet, atmospheric horror, Jeanne and the Imp by M.E. Proctor stood out, and I have to say that the final story, The Order of Moths by Damien B. Raphael, knocked me off my feet. Utterly beautiful! The best short story I’ve read in a very long time, and IMO it should win awards.
Hats off to all involved!
It’s hard to believe this is the first anthology curated and edited by Coy Hall. From the cover to the formatting, as well as the stories, the standard is as high, if not higher, than most anthologies I’ve read. Kudos, Coy Hall!
As far as the stories are concerned, the amount of research involved on the authors’ part shone throughout. I also love the fact that there is a diverse mix, with some stories being harder on the gore and action and others more subtle. I think in an anthology it’s important to try to include something for everyone, because as readers we all have different preferences and tastes.
Some stories, such as The Apple by Kay Vaindal, were powerfully metaphorical and had a dreamlike quality. Same can be said about Death in the Ruins by Brian G. Berry which summoned a strong sense of place through its imagery. This one even included a touch of Arabian lore as a cosmic horror element, which I loved.
All nine stories are worthy of praise, as not one fell flat. Steph Ellis, for example, did an original take on the theme by setting the majority of her story in a hot air balloon. I loved the ‘smallness’ of this, the claustrophobia which stuck with me days later.
Adam Hulse gave us a story written in epistolary form, weaving between a letter and a journal. I might be biased, but I adored the British feel of this one.
Listen, when reviewing anthologies I hate naming favourites because let’s be honest, it’s so subjective! That said, and because of my preference and love of both the gothic and quiet, atmospheric horror, Jeanne and the Imp by M.E. Proctor stood out, and I have to say that the final story, The Order of Moths by Damien B. Raphael, knocked me off my feet. Utterly beautiful! The best short story I’ve read in a very long time, and IMO it should win awards.
Hats off to all involved!
May 30, 2024
I’ve been a fan of Hall’s work for a while, so I had to pick this up. First off, cover and interior design are top notch. There are lots of little ornamental touches that add a lot. It’s a beautiful thing to look at.
And the content is great as well! Hall did a great job at curating stories that tell stories of the war from various perspectives. We get stories in the trenches, of course, but also stories of the air, stories of those who wait back home, tales of those in Africa and the Ottoman. If it had one flaw, it would be that I want more!! 9 stories is simply not enough to cover such a vast experience. Stand out tales for me include Death in the Ruins by Brian Berry and Trenchfoot by Adam Hulse. There’s plenty to love here. Fans of war stories and horror would be well advised to get a copy.
And the content is great as well! Hall did a great job at curating stories that tell stories of the war from various perspectives. We get stories in the trenches, of course, but also stories of the air, stories of those who wait back home, tales of those in Africa and the Ottoman. If it had one flaw, it would be that I want more!! 9 stories is simply not enough to cover such a vast experience. Stand out tales for me include Death in the Ruins by Brian Berry and Trenchfoot by Adam Hulse. There’s plenty to love here. Fans of war stories and horror would be well advised to get a copy.
May 20, 2024
A fascinating anthology, which sets out to mix one of the most horrific wars with more otherwordly terrors. Packed with tales of cannibalism, fabled monsters, cosmic creatures, mad scientists and supernatural hauntings, what comes through even more clearly is how each author strives to put the emphasis of horror rightly on the reality of the War itself, which easily overpowers the fiction.
Not every story lands - the second one was the only one that didn't work for me in terms of being too abstract in storytelling and structure for example, with a couple of others having too abrupt endings - but the brilliant ones make up for it. Stephanie Ellis continues to shine with her writing in a story about observation balloons which really hits home with its eerie ending. One story of torturous scientific experiments in Africa is even more shocking when the author notes its loose ties to a forgotten side of real history which is even more unpleasant than the shocking super weapon they imagine. Stories of stalking in trenches and alien gas are nothing compared to the descriptions of the equivalent reality and the emphasis on the effects on real people over a century ago.
It's uncomfortable reading. As it should be.
Not every story lands - the second one was the only one that didn't work for me in terms of being too abstract in storytelling and structure for example, with a couple of others having too abrupt endings - but the brilliant ones make up for it. Stephanie Ellis continues to shine with her writing in a story about observation balloons which really hits home with its eerie ending. One story of torturous scientific experiments in Africa is even more shocking when the author notes its loose ties to a forgotten side of real history which is even more unpleasant than the shocking super weapon they imagine. Stories of stalking in trenches and alien gas are nothing compared to the descriptions of the equivalent reality and the emphasis on the effects on real people over a century ago.
It's uncomfortable reading. As it should be.
December 10, 2024
I'm a huge fan of anthologies, and have lost number of how many I've read. This is easily in the top 3. Easily. Hall has chosen an incredible range of stories. These take you into the trenches and the horrors never let up. Even if you removed the supernatural elements, these would be phenomenal horror stories.
April 14, 2024
This is an absolutely exceptional collection of dark speculative tales set during the so-called Great War.
When reviewing an anthology it is traditional to list a few favourites, but in this case that would be a superfluous exercise. All nine tales are exceptional, with nary a dud among them. Just to whet your appetite, there are ghostly air balloons, tragic revelations in the desert, wartime cults, terrors beneath the earth and above it, folk horror on the home front—and this list is by no means exhaustive.
Some will always question whether horror is an appropriate lens through which to view the very real terrors of human conflict, but the tone here manages to stay respectful, transcending the more common WWI narratives to explore less well known theatres and combatants.
A note on the writing quality—it is sublime across the board, the sort of writing you aspire to. Put it this way, if at least—at least—one of these tales doesn't win a horror, speculative or literary short fiction prize in the next year, I'll eat my tin hat.
When reviewing an anthology it is traditional to list a few favourites, but in this case that would be a superfluous exercise. All nine tales are exceptional, with nary a dud among them. Just to whet your appetite, there are ghostly air balloons, tragic revelations in the desert, wartime cults, terrors beneath the earth and above it, folk horror on the home front—and this list is by no means exhaustive.
Some will always question whether horror is an appropriate lens through which to view the very real terrors of human conflict, but the tone here manages to stay respectful, transcending the more common WWI narratives to explore less well known theatres and combatants.
A note on the writing quality—it is sublime across the board, the sort of writing you aspire to. Put it this way, if at least—at least—one of these tales doesn't win a horror, speculative or literary short fiction prize in the next year, I'll eat my tin hat.
May 16, 2024
Coy made an incredible selection of tales. One of the best anthologies to come out in 2024.
Extremely well curated, lovely crafted tales. Order of the moth, Apple, archangel - these are my top three.
Extremely well curated, lovely crafted tales. Order of the moth, Apple, archangel - these are my top three.
June 19, 2024
In reading Death's Other Kingdom, one encounters stories ranging in style from wild and pulpy to steady and meditative. I can imagine the challenge in approaching grim historical realities and transferring them into horror fiction. With careful handling, the writers in this collection keep their work grounded in an underlying sense of dread and palpable fear over the horrors of war, meaning the work derives its power and immediacy from its empathy. With nine stories, the collection is trim and efficient, boasting a keen focus. I was previously unfamiliar with a handful of the writers which offered me the opportunity to expand my personal reading list. With sharp story selection and strong writing from all involved, I can strongly recommend this collection. To add to that, several of the stories remain the most harrowing that I've encountered in some time.
April 27, 2024
This anthology of horror set in and around the trenches of the Great War is something to behold. Coy Hall has curated a masterful sequence of tales that bring the dread of war, up front and center. And if the man-made, real world terrors of warfare aren't enough to send 'the creep' down your spine, don't you worry about it. Death's Other Kingdom is assuredly not All Quiet on the Western Front, Paths of Glory nor (Junger's memoir) Storm of Steel. Within these pages, you will find elements of the otherworldly piercing through the veil of the fields we know, to add an extra layer of terror to the 20th century's first world wide conflagration. Some of my favorites from this collection include; "Dead Rivers Flow" by Zakariah Johnson, "The Order of Moths" by Damien B. Raphael and "Jeanne and the Imp" by M.E. Proctor. That's not to say that the other stories are poorly written or lacking; not at all. Each of these authors has done their homework on the era and it certainly shines though in the writing. If this is the Scythian Wolf's opening salvo into the historical horror subgenre, I can't wait to see what they cook up next.
Death's Other Kingdom receives my highest possible recommendation.
Death's Other Kingdom receives my highest possible recommendation.
April 24, 2024
Full disclosure- I have a story in this, but I'm not including it in my review.
Wow, the depth of research and knowledge on display combined with the contributors skill for storytelling is absolutely incredible. This anthology covers every corner of WWI with a range of styles. It's as strong an anthology I can remember reading. Credit to Coy Hall for putting such a thing together and hats off to the the writer's whose stories had me frantically reading such a high standard of emotionally charged horror.
Wow, the depth of research and knowledge on display combined with the contributors skill for storytelling is absolutely incredible. This anthology covers every corner of WWI with a range of styles. It's as strong an anthology I can remember reading. Credit to Coy Hall for putting such a thing together and hats off to the the writer's whose stories had me frantically reading such a high standard of emotionally charged horror.
April 15, 2024
Coy Hall has put together an amazing collection of horror tales from World War I. Nine different authors in this anthology give the readers nine unique and engaging stories. Each story masterfully written. It’s a must read for fans of historical horror.
April 25, 2024
First of all, I love the cover! And on to the actual review. 9 short stories in the anthology of the first World War and edited by talented author Coy Hall.
April 11, 2024
Themed anthologies can be great fun, and this one really shines. It takes the rich subject material of WWI and combines it with a stellar lineup of authors, with tremendously gratifying and entertaining results. I’ve read works by a few of these authors before, and enjoyed them, but I think their stories in this book are some of their best.
This is absolutely an anthology worthy of a spot on your shelf.
This is absolutely an anthology worthy of a spot on your shelf.
June 2, 2024
War and horror are a potent mix, so I was quite intrigued to find this anthology and I was not disappointed. A gritty and immersive mix of tales, some quite surreal and others with a hint of of the cosmic, occult hellish and of course all the horrors of war. A highly recommended, thoroughly chilling and gripping read.
April 21, 2024
Death's Other Kingdom: Horror Tales of World War I blew me away. Take the already horrific backdrop of World War I, then add the supernatural/horror element and you have a collection of truly terrifying and often heart-rending stories. I recently read and loved The Hangman Feeds the Jackal by Coy Hall, and wanted to see what he had put together with this horror anthology. I went in expecting the usual werewolves, zombies, and possibly some vampires but was I mistaken! This collection of superb storytelling is reminiscent of Lovecraft, Poe, and Chambers. Tales of cosmic horrors and the unnatural are entwined through the already horrendous events of war and its aftermath. Each author did an admiral job of immersing me in the WWI setting. While all the stories shone The Order of Moths by Damien B. Raphael was my favorite, an elegantly written tale of bereavement and witchery. Jeanne and the Imp by M.E. Proctor was an incredibly moving tale of vengeance with a delightful taste of occultism.
Great Job putting this all together editor Coy Hall and I will be seeking out all the writers' other works.
Great Job putting this all together editor Coy Hall and I will be seeking out all the writers' other works.
December 9, 2024
This just had a bunch of short stories relating to WWI. I found most of them ok, but there were some real gems in here too.
July 20, 2024
dying to have more collections like this!!! history & horror forever ✨✨
favorite stories: the apple, jeanne and the imp, and the second front
favorite stories: the apple, jeanne and the imp, and the second front
April 16, 2024
Editor Coy Hall was inspired when he decided to build a horror anthology around the very real monstrosities of World War I.
The nine stories gathered in the book are at once rooted in reality (up to a point) and a demonstration of how rich and varied the horror genre can be. Fantastic, slasher, magic, steampunk, monsters. The collection has been precisely curated to avoid repetition in themes and locations. They range from the trenches of France, to the sands of the Middle East, the desert of Namibia, the fight behind the lines, and the anguish of the home front.
The writing is superb, with a sense of voice and authenticity. This is historical fiction at its best and a complete chiller. Great work.
The nine stories gathered in the book are at once rooted in reality (up to a point) and a demonstration of how rich and varied the horror genre can be. Fantastic, slasher, magic, steampunk, monsters. The collection has been precisely curated to avoid repetition in themes and locations. They range from the trenches of France, to the sands of the Middle East, the desert of Namibia, the fight behind the lines, and the anguish of the home front.
The writing is superb, with a sense of voice and authenticity. This is historical fiction at its best and a complete chiller. Great work.
July 24, 2024
2.5/5 round up to 3. Thought about this. I think I was too harsh. 1/5 is far too low - I think I was just really disappointed for what I thought this would be.
Original review: Absolutely brutal read at times - not complementary. Some stories should have never been written, they were so boring and melodramatic my eyes bled. Few decent ones but they don’t make up for the slog you go through otherwise.
Really disappointed because this book was on my radar months before it was ever published.
Original review: Absolutely brutal read at times - not complementary. Some stories should have never been written, they were so boring and melodramatic my eyes bled. Few decent ones but they don’t make up for the slog you go through otherwise.
Really disappointed because this book was on my radar months before it was ever published.
April 19, 2024
This was an excellent anthology with so many stand out stories. From soul stealing weapons and air ballon spectres to monstrous progress, Death’s Other Kingdom illuminates the horrors of war and delivers them to us in new and terrifying ways.
April 10, 2024
Wow.
I should probably just leave that one word as my review but then again, I need to talk about this.
Every beginning of the year, I write myself a list of all the things I want to learn about in the months ahead. This year, WWI was on the list because I hardly know anything about it or what happened. We all know most things about the second war, but the first war had somehow slipped far into the past for me and fell between the cracks. Anyhow, war is horrible, so horrific and we never seem to stop or learn. Whatever humanity invents, we insist upon weaponising it. I'm saying these things because although this book is fiction, and each story wonderfully inventive, it also kind of felt like historical fact. The tales were so rich, I almost fancied I could smell the gunpowder. I had to stop at various points, to google things, like to see if Ritter Von Roth was a real person ( he was!) So I ended up learning lots of new things too.
I could say brilliant, or amazing, but those words don't cover how the tales make you feel. The whole anthology was special and powerful too. The stories will stay with me and there wasn't a dull or bad one. They are all so different too, from folklore coming to life in the shape of Nasnas, to the dreamlike qualities of the Archangel story. The Apple and Into Oblivion felt like original Twilight Zone tales that never aired but should have. I think my personal favourite story was Trench Foot but each tale had a huge impact in its own way.
I love anthologies, and usually, there are one or two tales that don't fit or fall a bit short. This one has been put together by an expert hand and chosen carefully. Also worth mentioning is the language. Every author nailed the way people spoke, and behaved in that era. It was exceptional, truly and I hope everyone turns their eyes to this and enjoys it as much as I did.
I should probably just leave that one word as my review but then again, I need to talk about this.
Every beginning of the year, I write myself a list of all the things I want to learn about in the months ahead. This year, WWI was on the list because I hardly know anything about it or what happened. We all know most things about the second war, but the first war had somehow slipped far into the past for me and fell between the cracks. Anyhow, war is horrible, so horrific and we never seem to stop or learn. Whatever humanity invents, we insist upon weaponising it. I'm saying these things because although this book is fiction, and each story wonderfully inventive, it also kind of felt like historical fact. The tales were so rich, I almost fancied I could smell the gunpowder. I had to stop at various points, to google things, like to see if Ritter Von Roth was a real person ( he was!) So I ended up learning lots of new things too.
I could say brilliant, or amazing, but those words don't cover how the tales make you feel. The whole anthology was special and powerful too. The stories will stay with me and there wasn't a dull or bad one. They are all so different too, from folklore coming to life in the shape of Nasnas, to the dreamlike qualities of the Archangel story. The Apple and Into Oblivion felt like original Twilight Zone tales that never aired but should have. I think my personal favourite story was Trench Foot but each tale had a huge impact in its own way.
I love anthologies, and usually, there are one or two tales that don't fit or fall a bit short. This one has been put together by an expert hand and chosen carefully. Also worth mentioning is the language. Every author nailed the way people spoke, and behaved in that era. It was exceptional, truly and I hope everyone turns their eyes to this and enjoys it as much as I did.
April 27, 2025
All thoughts and Opinions are my own.
-
"The young men of the world
Look into each other's eyes
And read there the same words:
Not yet! Not yet!
But soon perhaps, and perhaps certain
... The young men of the world
Are encompassed with death
He is all about them
In a circle of fire and bayonets"
Excerpts from "Lament" by F.S. Flint
Horror placed and relating to World War One is not something new. Look to photographs captured during the period, the haunted faces, the unearthly cratered landscapes, scattered with bodies. Look to the work of artists like Otto Dix, haunted and traumatized worked to put to paper, the reality of that horror.
Into today, lingering specters of this conflict have continued to be fuel for the imagination, stranges blossoms arising amongst the mud, the death, the loss.
The writers who contributed stories to Death's Other Kingdom achieve something quite refreshing. They treat World War One as an organic, messy experience that spanned the globe, wrought with horrors of its own making, let loose upon man, from which they were themselves created.
I was pleased to see stories not only placed on the Western Front, but also the Middle East, and South Africa. This conflict did not arise in a vacuum, the forces of western imperialism that were at play on the globe, whose machinations birthed this terrible moment are placed in full view. I rarely call out specific stories in anthologies, but Zakariah Johnson's Dead Rivers Flow, set in Africa, truly drives these realities home. He goes a step further including an Author's note which will illuminate readers on the European empires deeds in Africa, and the conflicts there, which began many years prior to "The Great War", yet for many, is still a part of History that is unknown.
Death's Other Kingdom is an excellent example of Horror that can be crafted in a Historical setting, that embraces the holistic realities of a period, the draws from quality Historiography.
-
"...But death replied: 'I choose him.' So he went,
And there was silence in the summer night;
Silence and safety; and the veils of sleep.
Then, far away, the thudding of the guns."
excerpt from "The Death Bed", by Siegfried Sassoon
-
"The young men of the world
Look into each other's eyes
And read there the same words:
Not yet! Not yet!
But soon perhaps, and perhaps certain
... The young men of the world
Are encompassed with death
He is all about them
In a circle of fire and bayonets"
Excerpts from "Lament" by F.S. Flint
Horror placed and relating to World War One is not something new. Look to photographs captured during the period, the haunted faces, the unearthly cratered landscapes, scattered with bodies. Look to the work of artists like Otto Dix, haunted and traumatized worked to put to paper, the reality of that horror.
Into today, lingering specters of this conflict have continued to be fuel for the imagination, stranges blossoms arising amongst the mud, the death, the loss.
The writers who contributed stories to Death's Other Kingdom achieve something quite refreshing. They treat World War One as an organic, messy experience that spanned the globe, wrought with horrors of its own making, let loose upon man, from which they were themselves created.
I was pleased to see stories not only placed on the Western Front, but also the Middle East, and South Africa. This conflict did not arise in a vacuum, the forces of western imperialism that were at play on the globe, whose machinations birthed this terrible moment are placed in full view. I rarely call out specific stories in anthologies, but Zakariah Johnson's Dead Rivers Flow, set in Africa, truly drives these realities home. He goes a step further including an Author's note which will illuminate readers on the European empires deeds in Africa, and the conflicts there, which began many years prior to "The Great War", yet for many, is still a part of History that is unknown.
Death's Other Kingdom is an excellent example of Horror that can be crafted in a Historical setting, that embraces the holistic realities of a period, the draws from quality Historiography.
-
"...But death replied: 'I choose him.' So he went,
And there was silence in the summer night;
Silence and safety; and the veils of sleep.
Then, far away, the thudding of the guns."
excerpt from "The Death Bed", by Siegfried Sassoon
May 6, 2024
Death’s Other Kingdom perfectly captures the corporeal and spiritual meat grinder of WWI. Mechanized death, mechanized damnation.
I enjoyed every story, but I’ll mention three to highlight the diversity and quality of this anthology.
“Archangel” by Jay Charles is a fever dream of broken-minded depravity conveyed through gorgeous, lurid prose. It left me dazed and literally unable to sleep. A powerful read.
“Dead Rivers Flow” by Zakariah Johnson takes us to the German campaign in Africa. I really enjoyed the highly inventive proto-Nazi occult plot. The story explores some absolutely horrific episodes of Germany’s colonial past to great effect.
“The Second Front” by Charlie Wedding is a propulsive tale of special forces slipping from their trenches and through the mud and spilled guts behind enemy lines. Edge-of-your-seat action and eldritch horror to boot!
An excellent slate of horror stories that span a surprising array of theatres and fronts.
I enjoyed every story, but I’ll mention three to highlight the diversity and quality of this anthology.
“Archangel” by Jay Charles is a fever dream of broken-minded depravity conveyed through gorgeous, lurid prose. It left me dazed and literally unable to sleep. A powerful read.
“Dead Rivers Flow” by Zakariah Johnson takes us to the German campaign in Africa. I really enjoyed the highly inventive proto-Nazi occult plot. The story explores some absolutely horrific episodes of Germany’s colonial past to great effect.
“The Second Front” by Charlie Wedding is a propulsive tale of special forces slipping from their trenches and through the mud and spilled guts behind enemy lines. Edge-of-your-seat action and eldritch horror to boot!
An excellent slate of horror stories that span a surprising array of theatres and fronts.
June 1, 2024
Death's Other Kingdom, like many horror anthologies, has a few outright stinkers. Perhaps one could chalk it up to some of the contributing authors, being so focused on the theme, forgot to make their tales particularly interesting or even spooky.
However, a few of the entries, took the assignment and ran away with it. Jay Charles' 'Archangel' and Stephanie Ellis' 'Into Oblivion' are both of note. Each of these authors took completely different subject matters and tacks with their approaches towards mixing horror stylings with the horrors of trench warfare--both to amazing and unsettling results.
However, a few of the entries, took the assignment and ran away with it. Jay Charles' 'Archangel' and Stephanie Ellis' 'Into Oblivion' are both of note. Each of these authors took completely different subject matters and tacks with their approaches towards mixing horror stylings with the horrors of trench warfare--both to amazing and unsettling results.
January 28, 2025
A well written collection of horror tales using WW1 as a backdrop. All different aspects of the horror world are explored in these stories from more mild mannered ghost tales to more creature feature types of tales, something for everyone. These types of collections let you dive into authors and styles you may not normally try and that's always good. Not every tale may be to your taste but I feel every tale will at least give you a great representation of its type.
Recommended, a majority of the tales were very entertaining for me and the ones which weren't to my taste were at least well written. Give it a shot, you will definitely find something to your liking.
Recommended, a majority of the tales were very entertaining for me and the ones which weren't to my taste were at least well written. Give it a shot, you will definitely find something to your liking.
April 6, 2024
DEATH'S OTHER KINGDOM is a fantastic collection of WW1 stories. Each of the nine tales features memorable characters, most notably due to brilliant dialogue. The prose is incredible from this pristine selection of talented writers, each who also did an impressive job with their knowledge and historical accuracy of The Great War. These are horrible situations that are beautifully told, be it real horror or the supernatural. And you feel like you are there, from trenches to catacombs to balloons. Looking forward to the next release from The Scythian Wolf.
April 11, 2024
No surprise this collection is so good, given that the genre (horror) and the brutal historical event (WWI) that collide here seem made for one another. There's also a satisfying variety to the proceedings, with stories of widely disparate style drawing inspiration from every corner of the global conflict. From concept to execution, a great anthology.
May 16, 2024
Death’s Other Kingdom: Horror Tales of World War I collects 9 unique & engaging stories that run the gamut from psychological, to supernatural, to bloody trench warfare. Each story's special and is a reason in & of itself to read this superb anthology.
April 16, 2024
I really enjoyed this collection, I was particularly fond of the first and last stories. Both have a sentimentality and style that you arely see in books these days. Kudos to the authors.
April 8, 2025
A few duds, but mostly great stories. Standouts for me were "Death in the Ruins" by Brian G. Berry and "Jeanne and the Imp" by M.E. Proctor.
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