This World of Vile Wonder: Horror Tales of the Scientific Revolution

by Coy Hall, Stephanie Ellis, J.M. Thor

A HIDDEN SIDE OF THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION

In an age lit by fire, only the most curious and driven souls turned a flame to the unknown. From university professors to women forced to remain in shadow to heretic monks to mad wanderers, all explored realms beyond the senses. All challenged authority. The most fortunate found acclaim in the New Science, their names recorded in immortal stone. The least fortunate peered beyond the veil, discovering the dark nerve fibers that underpin this mortal coil. Their discoveries were grim, their knowledge foul, their names buried.

AN AGE OF UNSPEAKABLE DISCOVERIES

The Fathomeer by J.M. Thor
Two Paths, One Death by Chey Rivera
Oscula Naturae by Josh Reynolds
The Circulation of Blood by Jack Dowden
Raise a Glass to John Dee by M.E. Proctor
The Devil's Blight by Jennifer Ostopovich
Horror Vacui by Stephanie Ellis
Ars Logica by S.J. Shank
The Dreaming Eye of a Dead Astronomer by Coy Hall

Genres: Horror, Short Stories

244 pages, Paperback

Published October 17, 2025

About the author

Coy 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).

Reviews

[Catherine McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first anthology I have ever read where I can honestly say that every single story is a winner. You know what it's like, it's almost impossible to read an anthology without having favourites, but I could not rank the stories in here no matter how hard I tried.
The time period in which the stories is set is a fascinating one, a time when new discoveries were being made and the veil between factual science and alchemy blurred. What's more, every single author managed to capture the tone and language of the time while still making the stories accessible to a modern audience. I commend them for this!
While it is clear that great consideration was given to the task of historical accuracy, the reading experience never felt laden or restricted. Each author explored their own theme, deploying a variety of story-telling techniques, forms, and devices which provided variety and range. I would not hesitate to read the work of any one of the authors featured here.
Final thoughts...
This is a 'grown up' anthology, a classic, and one that deserves to be shelved among the literary greats.

[Michael Shotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent collection of tales set in a period of history that's often overlooked by creators of speculative fiction.

One of the best things about "This World of Vile Wonder" is the way it's been organized. Most of its stories are a bit of a slow burn, taking their time to establish their locations, circumstances, and historical context, while amassing a palpable sense of creeping dread that perfectly fits the overall theme of the collection. Those near the beginning are more straightforward and grounded, with things becoming more complex and "out there" as each subsequent entry unfolds. I consider this a very wise move as it provides a sense of building toward something despite each story being a standalone experience. Another element that contributes to that effect lies in recurring references to major real-world events and historical figures of the period, and themes such as the conflicts or marriages between science and religion.

I hesitate to say much more as I feel "This World of Vile Wonder" is better experienced than explained but if you are at all interested in chilling, unsettling, and thought-provoking narratives wrapped in a convincing veneer of historical and scientific authenticity, it's a read I'd absolutely recommend.

[D.S. LaLonde · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first-rate anthology of short stories set during the scientific revolution.
What’s really special in this book is the incredible consistency across the stories, in regard to both quality and tone. Each author does a really effective job of building atmosphere.
The stories are a solid mix of macabre, deep, and creepy. You get a bit of everything, including horrors from the depths, creatures in the woods, infectious monstrosities, ancient evils, and otherworldly creatures, often with the theme of people stumbling upon or outright seeking forbidden knowledge and the unknowable.
Highly recommended for readers of horror.

[Cloud · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best anthologies I've ever read. The stories have lots of variety in style, from more lyrical prose, to lovecraftian narration, from grim historical fiction tinged with occultism and alchemy to gorier plots.
I read it slowly because I wanted each story to linger and play on my mind for longer, but it's honestly the first anthology that never had me bored. Each story was intriguing in its own way and, although I might have my favourites, this was all in all an excellent selection!

[M.E. Proctor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is appropriate that the two stories that bookend “This World of Vile Wonder” are tales of seafaring. Discovery beyond the well-known maps, to places that used to be represented with drawings of monsters. All the stories in the collection happen at the crossroad of science and mystery, in a time period when rationality and superstition faced each other in combat, and it wasn’t clear who would win. Anthologies are seldom so perfectly in accord, both in tone and style, across nine authors with their personal take on the theme. There’s exploration of the deep, of the past, of the body, of the heavens and maybe Hell, of human psychology and desire. This book is like the globe on its cover, lit by a flickering candle. There are many shadows surrounding islands of brightness. A fascinating collection.

[Avery Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique setting for horror. It's refreshing to see an anthology with subject matter that hasn't been done to death. I enjoyed all of the stories. Atmosphere takes precedence over gore.

[G.R. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best anthologies I've read. Coy Hall has assembled a wonderful collection. His contribution is fantastic, and I will get to the rest of the Toth stories. I love how the dogs are front and centre with the events of the story.

I can't single any story out though because they all stand out. World class writing from all involved, and what is striking is how different they all are within the Mediaeval setting, yet they still manage to flow into each other so well and share a spiritual kinship. Everyone clearly understood the project and it all feels so palpable. Amazing to think we're only talking hundreds of years ago but it really touches on the vast differences of attitudes, belief structures etc. of the era. I loved the sense of being a stranger in a strange land as I read this.

A strong feel of the old ways giving way to the new abounds throughout, and that is where much of the horror is present, as a grip on antiquated notions of science and folklore still remain despite the strides forward.

It's clear to the reader just how much hard work and research went into this. It was a joy to read and most certainly a collection I shall revisit in the future.
Very highly recommended.

[Anthony Perconti · Rating 5 out of 5]

This World of Vile Wonder features nine exemplary horror tales set during the hundred plus year period, known as the Scientific Revolution. What makes this milieu so fascinating, is that we the readers, are deposited at the ground floor of the modern world. The protagonists found herein, utilize the rudiments of empiricism to explore the unknown. The problem arises natch, when these said practitioners bump up against the truly unknowable, be it in the form of otherworldly Watchers, to sinister kisses from nature. And that's what makes this anthology so compelling. It is that push-pull between the knowable (yet undiscovered), versus the downright alien. After all, forbidden knowledge is deemed such for a reason.

Keep them coming, Scythian Wolf. Well done!

This World of Vile Wonder rates 5 out of 5, gold filigreed Venetian eyes.

[Josh Hitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid collection of horror shorts dealing with the 16th and 17th centuries and the yearning for pushing the limits of human knowledge. All nine are well done tales. So many of them are top notch that I wouldn't be able to order them in any order. I was planning on just reading one tale at a time between novels but ended up reading them one after the other because I was enjoying them so much.

Highly recommended, definitely can't go wrong with this collection.

[Lorenzo Benatti · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a huge fan of other novels written by Coy Hall, I approached this collection with pretty high expectations even though he is not the main author here. All in all, I enjoyed a lot all the stories a part of the volume as they gave me a different version of horror thanks to their historical flair. Extremely recommended if you are looking for something alternative, but entertaining at the same time!

[James Callan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy anthologies for their mix of styles and stories, but I often find they are hit or miss throughout. I expected as much from "This World of Vile Wonder," but I have to say, after reading this collection, that all 9 stories within are all very solid—there is not a weak link among the chain.

Highly recommended for enthusiasts of horror, history, and good, strong storytelling.

[B P · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's surprising that a period of intellectual upheaval doesn't have more stories set in it, but these authors have done their research and then some. Impeccable curation.