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Don't Look, Just Run
Consider this book a cautionary tale. The short stories, flash fiction, micro fiction, and poems contained within this collection are the stuff of nightmares—things you should’ve run from when you had the chance.
You’ll read a rhyming tale about a crafty northern witch with a deathly holiday fetish, the journal of a troubled woman who's been offered revitalization in the form of experimental skin therapy, and two flirty college students who learn exactly why taking strange drugs is bad. Lock your doors and pull your blanket up a little higher while you navigate a feud between neighbours that spirals out of control, operate a camera with a thirst for blood, and even chuckle while a family of vacationing demons let their hungry lil’ guy trick-or-treat, human-style.
If you take away anything from this book, besides a cramp from turning pages too fast or a case of spine tingles that won't quit—it should be this... Don't look, just run!
You’ll read a rhyming tale about a crafty northern witch with a deathly holiday fetish, the journal of a troubled woman who's been offered revitalization in the form of experimental skin therapy, and two flirty college students who learn exactly why taking strange drugs is bad. Lock your doors and pull your blanket up a little higher while you navigate a feud between neighbours that spirals out of control, operate a camera with a thirst for blood, and even chuckle while a family of vacationing demons let their hungry lil’ guy trick-or-treat, human-style.
If you take away anything from this book, besides a cramp from turning pages too fast or a case of spine tingles that won't quit—it should be this... Don't look, just run!
- GenresHorror
268 pages, Paperback
Published October 30, 2024
3 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 31, 2024
This is an amazing collection. I loved the variety in horror and writing style. I personally loved that it has some poetry. You don't find that very often in collections.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 15, 2024
Don't look, just run is a bone- chilling collection of horror stories and poems with an immensely immersive writing style. Conjuring a series of vividly descriptive and nightmarish horror, this book will definitely scare you and make you stay up at night with nerve-racking thrills and sinister invitation to blur the lines of reality and madness.
The book contains stories that deal with horror and scare inflicted upon with an intention of ripping off the reality from one's sense of living. It's gripping and genuinely darker with jaw dropping frightening violence. The first story is titled as "The Finisher" and this particular one for sure made me absolutely curious about the other stories in the book. As one of my favourites among the collection, it delivers the horrors of twisted and brutality of a psychopath who crosses all the limits of sanity. Another story titled as "Beautiful" highlights the impulsive need to beautify one appearance in a pharmaceutical trial and quickly spirals into complete horrendous alternation.
Each story brings out the darker side of creepy situations and mysterious elements of shocking frantic surprises. The poems are gritty and uniquely blend in the bizarre and absolutely unsettling events and situations. The writing style is impressive and it made me finish reading this book in a single sitting. I'm sure anyone who picks this up, which I highly recommend, will find themselves looking over their shoulders on the slightest register of sounds and becoming skeptical about others actions and intentions. If I have to describe the book in two words it would be "Hauntingly propulsive."
I am definitely looking forward to reading more books from R.A. Clark. The book feeds off the deep, dark, eerie situations while venturing well beyond the confines of the horror genre with an undiluted attention to the disturbing recesses of humanity and striking fears and scares into the hearts of the readers. A masterfully crafted and brilliant portrayal of grotesque depiction of unease, insanity and grisly terror.
You will definitely want to add this book to your immediate reading list. I'd highly recommend it.
The book contains stories that deal with horror and scare inflicted upon with an intention of ripping off the reality from one's sense of living. It's gripping and genuinely darker with jaw dropping frightening violence. The first story is titled as "The Finisher" and this particular one for sure made me absolutely curious about the other stories in the book. As one of my favourites among the collection, it delivers the horrors of twisted and brutality of a psychopath who crosses all the limits of sanity. Another story titled as "Beautiful" highlights the impulsive need to beautify one appearance in a pharmaceutical trial and quickly spirals into complete horrendous alternation.
Each story brings out the darker side of creepy situations and mysterious elements of shocking frantic surprises. The poems are gritty and uniquely blend in the bizarre and absolutely unsettling events and situations. The writing style is impressive and it made me finish reading this book in a single sitting. I'm sure anyone who picks this up, which I highly recommend, will find themselves looking over their shoulders on the slightest register of sounds and becoming skeptical about others actions and intentions. If I have to describe the book in two words it would be "Hauntingly propulsive."
I am definitely looking forward to reading more books from R.A. Clark. The book feeds off the deep, dark, eerie situations while venturing well beyond the confines of the horror genre with an undiluted attention to the disturbing recesses of humanity and striking fears and scares into the hearts of the readers. A masterfully crafted and brilliant portrayal of grotesque depiction of unease, insanity and grisly terror.
You will definitely want to add this book to your immediate reading list. I'd highly recommend it.
October 31, 2024
I loved this! This little book was such a bingeable, fun, and cinematic read.
Clarke has such a way of making her prose both terrifying and comedic; she hits exactly that sweet spot that a good, popcorn-ish horror movie can only do. Every single tale and poem was so exciting, and the anticipation of wondering what I was going to get kept me absolutely hooked.
There were a few stories where I had to take a moment to digest it all because I just wanted to be more deeply immersed in the vibes and the imaginary that the author painted in each of them. There are some stories that dable into sci-fi, which I didn't expect but were much welcomed.
Aliens, witches, the afterlife—you got it. I personally would love to read a full-length novel for any of my top 5, perhaps Never Read Latin Out Loud, but they all honestly were fully cohesive and didn't feel like any lacked more resolution or context.
All the flowers to the author, because Oculus, especially, was written so well, so masterfully cinematic. What a good read.
Clarke has such a way of making her prose both terrifying and comedic; she hits exactly that sweet spot that a good, popcorn-ish horror movie can only do. Every single tale and poem was so exciting, and the anticipation of wondering what I was going to get kept me absolutely hooked.
There were a few stories where I had to take a moment to digest it all because I just wanted to be more deeply immersed in the vibes and the imaginary that the author painted in each of them. There are some stories that dable into sci-fi, which I didn't expect but were much welcomed.
Aliens, witches, the afterlife—you got it. I personally would love to read a full-length novel for any of my top 5, perhaps Never Read Latin Out Loud, but they all honestly were fully cohesive and didn't feel like any lacked more resolution or context.
All the flowers to the author, because Oculus, especially, was written so well, so masterfully cinematic. What a good read.
October 26, 2024
Don’t look Just Run by R. A. Clarke
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is an amazing collection of spooky short horror stories and fun poems! This book had me on the edge of my seat! So many exciting and creepy stories to read! They are all very original and well written.
I think the author did a wonderful job with this book! This is my first book from this author, but I’ll be looking to read more!
All of the stories are excellent, but a few standouts are:
The Finisher
Sphere
Bridges burned
Beautiful
Malady
The passenger
Never Read Latin Out Loud
How the other half lives
Nobody suspects a Granny
Thank you to R.A. Clarke for an arc of this fantastic book of short horror stories.
*This book comes out October 30th! Just in time for a Halloween scare!*
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is an amazing collection of spooky short horror stories and fun poems! This book had me on the edge of my seat! So many exciting and creepy stories to read! They are all very original and well written.
I think the author did a wonderful job with this book! This is my first book from this author, but I’ll be looking to read more!
All of the stories are excellent, but a few standouts are:
The Finisher
Sphere
Bridges burned
Beautiful
Malady
The passenger
Never Read Latin Out Loud
How the other half lives
Nobody suspects a Granny
Thank you to R.A. Clarke for an arc of this fantastic book of short horror stories.
*This book comes out October 30th! Just in time for a Halloween scare!*
November 6, 2024
This collection of short stories, flash fiction, micro fiction, and poems was very enjoyable and nightmarish. Besides getting a cramp from turning the pages of this spooky book too fast or a case of goosebumps that won't quit—it should be this... Don't look, just run! I Highly recommend this wonderful book.
September 29, 2024
I just finished this ARC just now and MAN listen....I want to sleep with ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON! I could only read the majority of this during the day because I was a lil scared. This was the first that I read of hers and it was amazing! If Horror is your jam, be sure to check this out! You won't be disappointed! It's set to be released on October 31st! SN: That title is ALL ME! I'm not looking back for nothing! 😬🤣🤣🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏽♀️
October 31, 2024
I enjoyed the author’s style of writing. It was quirky, witty, and fun to read! I personally didn’t find the stories scary/ horrifying but to be fair, I’m not fazed easily by things. I definitely do feel like if you are looking into reading short stories and some poems mixed in, pick up this book!
October 7, 2024
Don’t Look, Just Run is a creeptastic collection of stories perfect for Halloween time.
We start with a bang with the story ‘The Finisher’ - mostly in the pov of a serial killer. This one, despite being only the first story is right up there as one of my favourites.
The collection continues with stories and poems full of aliens, witches, violence, body horror, a Viking horror which was cool. The demon pod story (I think it’s the last one now that I think about it) I could see being a full length story. Actually I could see as few stories being expanded on. No spoilers but there’s something for everyone I think.
Also I think being able to write a creepy poem is a talent in itself.
For me personally I wasn’t scared by any of the stories. I think I need the full length slow creepy build to be scared/uncomfortable. But there are certainly stories in this collection I can see scaring readers.
Highly recommend adding this one to the tbr.
We start with a bang with the story ‘The Finisher’ - mostly in the pov of a serial killer. This one, despite being only the first story is right up there as one of my favourites.
The collection continues with stories and poems full of aliens, witches, violence, body horror, a Viking horror which was cool. The demon pod story (I think it’s the last one now that I think about it) I could see being a full length story. Actually I could see as few stories being expanded on. No spoilers but there’s something for everyone I think.
Also I think being able to write a creepy poem is a talent in itself.
For me personally I wasn’t scared by any of the stories. I think I need the full length slow creepy build to be scared/uncomfortable. But there are certainly stories in this collection I can see scaring readers.
Highly recommend adding this one to the tbr.
October 20, 2024
This was an enjoyable read. I actually turned it into a bit of an experience—I got it just in time for “Spooktober” and decided to read a couple of stories every evening throughout October to capture that spooky vibe, and the stories did not disappoint.
This collection covers a wide spectrum of horror, from ghosts and the supernatural to gruesome violence, aliens, and other monsters.
One minor drawback was that a couple of the stories—specifically In A Field of Wheat and Cursed—felt a bit too similar in both theme and plot, with even the endings being somewhat alike.
That said, this wasn’t a recurring issue, and overall, the stories were engaging and diverse, offering a variety of worlds, themes, perspectives, and characters.
I also appreciated the vivid language and how the writing style shifted to suit each story perfectly.
My favorite stories in the collection were A Giant Tale, A Bad Patch, Beautiful, and How the Other Half Lives.
**I received a free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**
This collection covers a wide spectrum of horror, from ghosts and the supernatural to gruesome violence, aliens, and other monsters.
One minor drawback was that a couple of the stories—specifically In A Field of Wheat and Cursed—felt a bit too similar in both theme and plot, with even the endings being somewhat alike.
That said, this wasn’t a recurring issue, and overall, the stories were engaging and diverse, offering a variety of worlds, themes, perspectives, and characters.
I also appreciated the vivid language and how the writing style shifted to suit each story perfectly.
My favorite stories in the collection were A Giant Tale, A Bad Patch, Beautiful, and How the Other Half Lives.
**I received a free advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.**
November 3, 2024
This was a hell of a collection, with so much more than I expected! It is a feast for horror fans and for readers that enjoy their collection variegated, not only for the mix of subgenres, but also for the mix of poetry and prose (and with variety there too!).
If it wasn’t clear, I absolutely loved it! And I was once again amazed by the author’s talent to bring these stories to life so vividly and amusingly! I greedily gulped down every poem and story like there was no tomorrow and I could not find one I didn’t like!
I mentioned the variety, because in this collection you’ll find horror, supernatural, serial killers, science fiction and more. But as the title says: don’t look, just run, if you don’t want to end up like the characters in these stories. And you really don’t want to!
This author is a guarantee from me and I’m looking forward to what’s next!
Thanks to the author for a copy and this is my honest opinion.
If it wasn’t clear, I absolutely loved it! And I was once again amazed by the author’s talent to bring these stories to life so vividly and amusingly! I greedily gulped down every poem and story like there was no tomorrow and I could not find one I didn’t like!
I mentioned the variety, because in this collection you’ll find horror, supernatural, serial killers, science fiction and more. But as the title says: don’t look, just run, if you don’t want to end up like the characters in these stories. And you really don’t want to!
This author is a guarantee from me and I’m looking forward to what’s next!
Thanks to the author for a copy and this is my honest opinion.
September 26, 2024
I enjoyed the stories to some extent, but I didn't find them as horror-filled as they were advertised. They are well-written and intriguing, but they didn't quite resonate with the type of horror I prefer. I even read them in the middle of the night and had no trouble sleeping! My favorite in the collection was the first story; it kept me engaged, and I loved the ending.
While it might be spooky for someone new to horror, seasoned readers may find it relatively easy. Overall, the stories are interesting and enjoyable.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
While it might be spooky for someone new to horror, seasoned readers may find it relatively easy. Overall, the stories are interesting and enjoyable.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 19, 2024
As most of the other reviews have and will say- it is so hard to judge an entire anthology of stories with one rating. Overall, I enjoyed the majority of these. I found some fun symbolism and metaphors, the gore was plentiful, the author was respectful with her trigger warnings, and I felt all the things reading through this collector. Dread, disgust, and bleak feelings were so prevalent as I devoured these. Another plus- such a quick read too!
I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 20, 2024
This is a delightful collection of horror short stories and poetry that has something for every horror lover.
There is unease, creepiness, dread, chaos, unexpected twists, possession, traps, body horror, gore, witches, aliens, psychopaths, deep thoughtful reflection, threatening uses of Latin, and the odd touch or two of sarcasm.
This is a page-turner that I'll be returning to for a reread, and it's the perfect companion for the dark Halloween evenings.
*I received an advance reader copy for free, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review*
There is unease, creepiness, dread, chaos, unexpected twists, possession, traps, body horror, gore, witches, aliens, psychopaths, deep thoughtful reflection, threatening uses of Latin, and the odd touch or two of sarcasm.
This is a page-turner that I'll be returning to for a reread, and it's the perfect companion for the dark Halloween evenings.
*I received an advance reader copy for free, and I'm voluntarily leaving a review*
September 14, 2024
Just Run right out and get this book! This horror anthology was absolutely fantastic. The majorty of the stories are short, making it a breeze to read. I loved that there were poems in this book. You don't often find that in an anthology and it really made this one stand out for me. The Siren was my favorite in this collection.
October 10, 2024
I really enjoyed this short story book, I pretty much liked every one of them except for one or 2.
The author here did a great job at making chilling and sometimes combining scare and laughter.
I was able to guess some twists and some other not, I couldn't guess most of them which shows this originality of the stories.
I like the writing style and tone of the author, it is immersive while being simple in a very good way.
I like the little poems in between some stories.
Here's a rating of each story :
The Finisher : 4/5
Sphere : 3/5
The Chimney : 3/5
A Bad Patch : 4/5
A Giant Tale : 4.5/5
Bridges Burned : 3/5
Oculus : 4.5/5
Ripples : 4/5
Beautiful : 4.5/5
Malady : 4/5
In a field of wheat : 3/5
The Passenger : 3.5/5
Cursed : 2/5
Chicken : 2.5/5
Never read latin out loud : 3/5
Fair maiden of sin : 4/5
Cupid's arrow : 2.75/5
The Siren : 4/5
How the other half lives : 3.5/5
Nobody suspects a granny : 2.5/5
Deadly expérimentation : 4.5/5
The author here did a great job at making chilling and sometimes combining scare and laughter.
I was able to guess some twists and some other not, I couldn't guess most of them which shows this originality of the stories.
I like the writing style and tone of the author, it is immersive while being simple in a very good way.
I like the little poems in between some stories.
Here's a rating of each story :
The Finisher : 4/5
Sphere : 3/5
The Chimney : 3/5
A Bad Patch : 4/5
A Giant Tale : 4.5/5
Bridges Burned : 3/5
Oculus : 4.5/5
Ripples : 4/5
Beautiful : 4.5/5
Malady : 4/5
In a field of wheat : 3/5
The Passenger : 3.5/5
Cursed : 2/5
Chicken : 2.5/5
Never read latin out loud : 3/5
Fair maiden of sin : 4/5
Cupid's arrow : 2.75/5
The Siren : 4/5
How the other half lives : 3.5/5
Nobody suspects a granny : 2.5/5
Deadly expérimentation : 4.5/5
November 24, 2024
This was a chilling collection of short stories and poems. Each story is unique but each one makes you want to read the next one! I have a few favorites and ones that definitely had me turning on the lights and jumping at sounds, lol it was a fun, scary and easy read! Thank you Rockstar Book Tours and R.A. Clarke for sharing this book with me!
September 16, 2024
"𝔚𝔢 𝔠𝔬𝔲𝔩𝔡'𝔳𝔢 𝔟𝔢𝔢𝔫 𝔤𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔱 𝔱𝔬𝔤𝔢𝔱𝔥𝔢𝔯..."
A collection of short horror stories, perfect for the spooky season! I absolutely loved them. The poetry was amazing too! I’m not sure why it read this at night and in bed, definitely some stories freaked me out!
The first one hooked me in so much, omg it was horrifying. If you want a horror read…pick this one up!
A collection of short horror stories, perfect for the spooky season! I absolutely loved them. The poetry was amazing too! I’m not sure why it read this at night and in bed, definitely some stories freaked me out!
The first one hooked me in so much, omg it was horrifying. If you want a horror read…pick this one up!
September 19, 2024
Perfect mix of horror stories perfect for spooky season!
Some I liked more then others, there weee 1 or 2 that I felt were reasonably predictable but then again I’ve read a lot of horror so that could be just a me problem.
Definitely recommend for any fans of scary stories!
Some I liked more then others, there weee 1 or 2 that I felt were reasonably predictable but then again I’ve read a lot of horror so that could be just a me problem.
Definitely recommend for any fans of scary stories!
Read
October 19, 2024Perfect for Halloween month ❣️
-it is a collection of Horror stories
- all the stories are short but soo damn good and have gave me the chills
- all the stories were short but soo damn good . Just couldn't stop reading them
- this is perfect for me as I am doing Spooky reads for October
-it is a collection of Horror stories
- all the stories are short but soo damn good and have gave me the chills
- all the stories were short but soo damn good . Just couldn't stop reading them
- this is perfect for me as I am doing Spooky reads for October
October 30, 2024
This spooky collection of short stories, poems, and illustrations. It is extremely dark and creepy. Something for everyone. I really enjoyed this book. It's perfect for the Halloween season.
Thank you, RA Clarke
Thank you, RA Clarke
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2024
ARC Review ✨️
☆Awesome Collection♡
These short horror stories were so good! I ended up really enjoying each one. The author did such a wistful job creating and writing each one! It's perfect for spooky season or for any horror lover in general!
Thanks to the author and booksirens for the ARC!
☆Awesome Collection♡
These short horror stories were so good! I ended up really enjoying each one. The author did such a wistful job creating and writing each one! It's perfect for spooky season or for any horror lover in general!
Thanks to the author and booksirens for the ARC!
November 4, 2024
This is great! Something for every moment & most tastes, as long as you like a little bit of nasty! Chilling, horrifying & frightening, are good descriptions of what you will find in this book. I do recommend.
September 16, 2024
This were good, scary horror stories. I was very surprised by the poems, I have not often come across this in short horror stories. As a result, it immediately rose to 5 stars. Definitely recommended!
September 18, 2024
I loved it! It was amazing. It was so beautiful. I was hooked from the beginning. I was hanging onto every word.
November 1, 2024
You know when you get a great book and you can't put it down? This is one of those books. Right from the start I was hooked with the first story. It got better with each story.
November 2, 2024
This is what nightmares are made of. Perfect for spooky season! I like the variety of longer stories, real short stories and poems! Turning the page was just as much a surprise as the story. Get yourself a copy, you will not regret it!
November 4, 2024
Run
Two college kids take something best left alone. A family of demons take their littlest one trick or treating. What could go wrong. Spine chilling frightful read.
Two college kids take something best left alone. A family of demons take their littlest one trick or treating. What could go wrong. Spine chilling frightful read.
November 27, 2024
I love a good horror anthology and this is a great one! There are so many different types of horror and different writing styles in this book, so you will not get bored! The sign of a great horror book is to scare you to not sleep and this one did a fantastic job in that!
In this book there are many different types of writing such as fiction, flash fiction, poems, and more! A few of my favorite stories are:
The passenger
Never Read Latin Out Loud
How the other half lives
Nobody suspects a Granny
In this book there are many different types of writing such as fiction, flash fiction, poems, and more! A few of my favorite stories are:
The passenger
Never Read Latin Out Loud
How the other half lives
Nobody suspects a Granny
Want to read
September 13, 2024It's a nice book with nice stories I'm leaving this here b cause I read it for free in book sirens
May 16, 2025
You love horror and thriller?? This book is for you. Not just one or two but multiple stories, each unique and thrilling. It was amazing reading so many wonderful stories all in one book. I am just glad I found this book. I would highly recommend it to horror lovers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews