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Bonemeal
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 9, 2026
WOW!!
This book was the perfect palette cleanser after a week of horror reads. It has all of the popular horror tropes but it’s a book completely separate on its own.
There are some stories in here that are truly unsettling and something that makes you stare at the wall for a while. Such a fun read, and I DEVOURED all 17 of these short nightmares
This book was the perfect palette cleanser after a week of horror reads. It has all of the popular horror tropes but it’s a book completely separate on its own.
There are some stories in here that are truly unsettling and something that makes you stare at the wall for a while. Such a fun read, and I DEVOURED all 17 of these short nightmares
August 30, 2026
Some stories were much better than others. Some were just kind of ok, but others were absolutely bloodcurdling I love that! Definitely worth the read.
September 8, 2026
I honestly love this book! It gives off an Adult version of Scary stories to tell in the dark (those were my favorite books growing up). I definitely recommend reading this while listening to scary classical music for the extra spooky feeling at night time!!!
August 20, 2026
Grim, bleak, dreary, haunting, ALL right up my alley!
September 14, 2026
I had the pleasure of receiving a copy of Bonemeal from the author Michael Hernandez, and I genuinely loved this collection of horror stories.
Bonemeal is a horror anthology filled with unique, gruesome, and surprisingly thought-provoking tales. Each story has its own unsettling flavor, and I loved never quite knowing what I was going to get next. There’s plenty of disturbing imagery and deliciously creepy moments, but there are also funny and interesting little details sprinkled throughout that kept the collection feeling fresh and unpredictable.
What really stood out to me is that these stories don’t just rely on gore for the sake of gore. They actually give you things to think about—and occasionally leave you sitting there going, “...well, that was horrifying.”
If you’re a horror reader who likes stories that are weird, creative, gruesome, and a little bit unexpected, I definitely recommend giving Bonemeal a try. 🖤
Michael, thank you for sending me a copy! I had such a fun time getting thoroughly creeped out.
Bonemeal is a horror anthology filled with unique, gruesome, and surprisingly thought-provoking tales. Each story has its own unsettling flavor, and I loved never quite knowing what I was going to get next. There’s plenty of disturbing imagery and deliciously creepy moments, but there are also funny and interesting little details sprinkled throughout that kept the collection feeling fresh and unpredictable.
What really stood out to me is that these stories don’t just rely on gore for the sake of gore. They actually give you things to think about—and occasionally leave you sitting there going, “...well, that was horrifying.”
If you’re a horror reader who likes stories that are weird, creative, gruesome, and a little bit unexpected, I definitely recommend giving Bonemeal a try. 🖤
Michael, thank you for sending me a copy! I had such a fun time getting thoroughly creeped out.
July 28, 2026
A can’t miss horror favorite!
Holy shit! This author knows horror. I went into this expecting a few creepy short stories but these are terrifying and at times made me get up and shake off the goosebumps I had. It’s like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark meets Stephen King but honestly some of these were scarier than some of the stuff King has written. This book will be on my yearly spooky season read list and I’ll be on the lookout for more from Michael Hernandez.
Holy shit! This author knows horror. I went into this expecting a few creepy short stories but these are terrifying and at times made me get up and shake off the goosebumps I had. It’s like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark meets Stephen King but honestly some of these were scarier than some of the stuff King has written. This book will be on my yearly spooky season read list and I’ll be on the lookout for more from Michael Hernandez.
August 7, 2026
Brace yourself!
What a thrill ride! An anthology of creepy tales, each more disturbing than the last. Amazing pictures that help solidify the dread.
What a thrill ride! An anthology of creepy tales, each more disturbing than the last. Amazing pictures that help solidify the dread.
July 28, 2026
If you enjoyed Scary Stories to Read In the Dark, this is perfect for you. Bonemeal is a collection of 17 short stories with a handful of artwork that leaves you feeling just as unsettled at the stories themselves. Michael was able to make me feel terrified about things I never thought to be terrified of, having me look over my shoulder even though I knew no one else was in the room. Checking dark closets and leaving one too many lights on in the house. Some of the stories left me wanting more, and some I couldn’t wait to be over (in the most terrifyingly best way possible, I promise!). It is hard for a book to genuinely scare me, but this one did it for sure. I really hope to see some of these short stories be turned into full books themselves!!
July 29, 2026
Bonemeal is a compilation of 17 short stories all in horror genre. As with all short story book and me, there are some I did like and some I did not. I really liked Hernandezs' imagery and the descriptions he brought to each story. And I loved the pen/ink drawings included all done by Hernandez.
Never did I think that a story about bad dandruff could be so horrific! But it was. Loved the story of the school but, too and the drawing that went with it. the drawings tipped my review from 3.5 to 4 stars.
Never did I think that a story about bad dandruff could be so horrific! But it was. Loved the story of the school but, too and the drawing that went with it. the drawings tipped my review from 3.5 to 4 stars.
August 31, 2026
spooky stories to tell your friends
Honestly, adult Are You Afraid of the Dark adult scary stories to tell around the camp fire! I loved each and every one of these stories and the artwork equally creeped me out! The best way to end Summerween and jump right in to spooky season.
Honestly, adult Are You Afraid of the Dark adult scary stories to tell around the camp fire! I loved each and every one of these stories and the artwork equally creeped me out! The best way to end Summerween and jump right in to spooky season.
July 5, 2026
A collection of 17 horror stories with some super short reads and a few longer ones mixed in. For a first work of fiction, there’s a lot to like here.
One thing I thought Michael Hernandez did really well was taking everyday things and making them creepy as hell. Stuff like mirrors, pills, and even an itch somehow become nightmare fuel. There are some pretty gnarly descriptions throughout and a few stories get REALLY dark… like holy cow.
You can definitely see some Stephen King influence in here, which is right up my alley, and I thought the atmosphere in a lot of the stories was done really well. I also liked the artwork throughout the book — some of it was genuinely unsettling. There is also an entire poem included which was a cool surprise.
Like most short story collections, some stories hit more than others for me, but overall I had a good time with it and definitely think it’s worth checking out, especially as a debut.
One thing I thought Michael Hernandez did really well was taking everyday things and making them creepy as hell. Stuff like mirrors, pills, and even an itch somehow become nightmare fuel. There are some pretty gnarly descriptions throughout and a few stories get REALLY dark… like holy cow.
You can definitely see some Stephen King influence in here, which is right up my alley, and I thought the atmosphere in a lot of the stories was done really well. I also liked the artwork throughout the book — some of it was genuinely unsettling. There is also an entire poem included which was a cool surprise.
Like most short story collections, some stories hit more than others for me, but overall I had a good time with it and definitely think it’s worth checking out, especially as a debut.
June 6, 2026
If you liked Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark growing up, you’ll love Bonemeal. It has that creepy, old-school ghost story feel. The stories are easy to get into and just really fun to read. Definitely one to add to your shelf if you love spooky stories.
August 20, 2026
I love horror short stories, and these didn’t disappoint! Michael is clearly a very talented writer, his stories pulled me in and kept me coming back for more.
A few of these stories had me viscerally terrified, even tensing during some of the more intense body horror moments.
My favorite story was the last one - it was heartfelt and poignant but also delivered on the horror front. I’ll never be able to look at a stag the same way again!
If you’re a fan of horror short stories, I would definitely recommend checking out this collection!
A few of these stories had me viscerally terrified, even tensing during some of the more intense body horror moments.
My favorite story was the last one - it was heartfelt and poignant but also delivered on the horror front. I’ll never be able to look at a stag the same way again!
If you’re a fan of horror short stories, I would definitely recommend checking out this collection!
September 18, 2026
One of the best short horror story collections I’ve ever read. The imagery the author is able to create, the constant sense of dread, just all of it!! Highly recommend this one to anyone who is looking for some true nightmare fuel.
August 24, 2026
Super spooky stories
August 30, 2026
*Copy received from author in exchange for honest review*
I was all over this anthology like a rash: creepy, sometimes funny, downright bizarre. The best way I can describe this is old school, nostalgic creepiness - kind of like watching goosebumps from the 90s.
I was genuinely unnerved by ‘Fear of the Dark’ and ‘Gol’ but :) and Itch are stand outs that I thought about for days after. Who knew dandruff could be scary?
The entire anthology is interspersed by the author’s own artwork and drawings which brings it all to life perfectly.
Highly recommend as a palate cleanser / quick read that will stick with you.
I was all over this anthology like a rash: creepy, sometimes funny, downright bizarre. The best way I can describe this is old school, nostalgic creepiness - kind of like watching goosebumps from the 90s.
I was genuinely unnerved by ‘Fear of the Dark’ and ‘Gol’ but :) and Itch are stand outs that I thought about for days after. Who knew dandruff could be scary?
The entire anthology is interspersed by the author’s own artwork and drawings which brings it all to life perfectly.
Highly recommend as a palate cleanser / quick read that will stick with you.
August 5, 2026
“A childhood pull of what lay beneath the thin veneer of reality dared him to keep himself in place.”
- Gol
The book is, in simplistic terms, a horror anthology. However, the stories are broken up by occasional pieces of dark poetry, as well as several terrific and haunting hand-drawn illustrations, which help break up the traditional, story-driven anthology format.
The variety in the book’s layout extends to the individual stories, with some being simple and straightforward while others are denser and more intricate. This is also reflected in the length of each story, with some running just 5–10 pages and others stretching to 20 or more. That makes it easy to pick up and read casually, which is generally how I prefer to read anthologies, though it also works well if you want to read it straight through.
The stories explore a wide range of ideas and approaches. Recurring themes such as mental illness, insecurity, and inner turmoil weave throughout many of the stories. I also got strong EC Comics vibes from many of the tales in Bonemeal, which is somewhat to be expected with a short-story anthology.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit, but a few stories stood out to me in particular: “Blood Drive,” “Itch” (which is wonderfully gross and extra descriptive), “Drive,” “Night at the Opera,” “Words,” “Night Sail,” and “Gol.” In all honesty, though, there wasn’t much to dislike about any of the stories in Bonemeal. It’s a well-written, nicely balanced collection that’s well worth the time of any horror fiction fan.
Rating: 3.75
- Gol
The book is, in simplistic terms, a horror anthology. However, the stories are broken up by occasional pieces of dark poetry, as well as several terrific and haunting hand-drawn illustrations, which help break up the traditional, story-driven anthology format.
The variety in the book’s layout extends to the individual stories, with some being simple and straightforward while others are denser and more intricate. This is also reflected in the length of each story, with some running just 5–10 pages and others stretching to 20 or more. That makes it easy to pick up and read casually, which is generally how I prefer to read anthologies, though it also works well if you want to read it straight through.
The stories explore a wide range of ideas and approaches. Recurring themes such as mental illness, insecurity, and inner turmoil weave throughout many of the stories. I also got strong EC Comics vibes from many of the tales in Bonemeal, which is somewhat to be expected with a short-story anthology.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit, but a few stories stood out to me in particular: “Blood Drive,” “Itch” (which is wonderfully gross and extra descriptive), “Drive,” “Night at the Opera,” “Words,” “Night Sail,” and “Gol.” In all honesty, though, there wasn’t much to dislike about any of the stories in Bonemeal. It’s a well-written, nicely balanced collection that’s well worth the time of any horror fiction fan.
Rating: 3.75
September 13, 2026
Almost DNF’d this book but didn’t want to spend all this time trying to get through it and have it not count toward my reading goal this year. It was okay, but not something I enjoyed. It’s a compilation of multiple small stories but I found most of the stories were difficult to follow, seemed to just focus on being grotesque instead of building an actual plot. The stories often left me feeling confused from trying to make out what the story was actually about even at the conclusion. There is inconsistent use of quotation marks, which makes it difficult to separate different characters speaking. It felt like the delivery was confusing leading up to the conclusion where you finally figured out what happened, mostly a repetitive attempt at a an “aha” moment but just didn’t click for me. Overall I just had a hard time wanting to keep reading it.
September 18, 2026
I’m not a huge fan of short stories and this really solidified that. Unfortunately I feel that with a collection of short stories, there’s stories that can be interesting and then others are downright boring.
A big gripe I have is the lack of quotation marks and the grammar mistakes. I understand creativity to an extent but it’s just not functioning well. And as someone from Pittsburgh (PITTSBURGH MENTIONED RAHHH 🦅),
Pittsburgh is spelled wrong in the story. In general the stories really focused on gore and shock value rather than actual plot so the majority of it leaves you feeling confused.
A big gripe I have is the lack of quotation marks and the grammar mistakes. I understand creativity to an extent but it’s just not functioning well. And as someone from Pittsburgh (PITTSBURGH MENTIONED RAHHH 🦅),
Pittsburgh is spelled wrong in the story. In general the stories really focused on gore and shock value rather than actual plot so the majority of it leaves you feeling confused.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an early copy of Bonemeal from the author, and this is exactly the kind of book horror fans should be adding to their shelves. It’s been a long time since I’ve read ghost stories that felt this fresh. The collection is eerie, strange and memorable. The atmosphere of each story stays with you long after you close the book. The drawings make it even better. They add a creepy, personal touch and turn the book into something you experience, not just something you read.
Original, unsettling, and impossible to forget. Five stars.
Original, unsettling, and impossible to forget. Five stars.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved this book. It’s a great collection of horror short stories, and each one had its own creepy, unsettling feel. The stories were engaging, easy to get into, and kept me wanting to read more.
The hand-drawn images were also a great touch. They added to the atmosphere and made the book feel even more unique. Overall, this was a really enjoyable horror read and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who likes short, scary stories.
The hand-drawn images were also a great touch. They added to the atmosphere and made the book feel even more unique. Overall, this was a really enjoyable horror read and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who likes short, scary stories.
July 1, 2026
A dark anthology that makes you think deep
I took my time reading this collection of stories so I could soak one each dark and twisted tale. Some were short, some were long, but they all had your mind spinning. There is folklore that will spook you. There are stories that will make you question things. I have my favorites; however, they were all individually twisted. I hope the author continues with their tales of writing horror.
I took my time reading this collection of stories so I could soak one each dark and twisted tale. Some were short, some were long, but they all had your mind spinning. There is folklore that will spook you. There are stories that will make you question things. I have my favorites; however, they were all individually twisted. I hope the author continues with their tales of writing horror.
August 5, 2026
If you know me, you know I love short story collections and this one did not miss. Each story really felt so unique in each way and yet they all flowed together as a whole within this collection. I loved the fact there was a variety of stories in length as well. This book is great if you are looking for some grown up style ghost stories you would tell around a camp fire.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A deep exploration into the darkest corners of many horror sub-genres. Thrilling ghost stories and psychological horror mixed well with disturbing body horror, cosmic horror and more. Haunted poetry and frightening illustrations using various mediums.
Review of advance copy
Thrilling, deep and full of unique angles that aren’t often explored in horror. Unsettling illustrations and a perfect mix of hard charging stress horrors and slow boil ghost stories!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Horrifying. Disturbing. Precise. Shifts gears quickly and takes the reader kicking and screaming into the dark. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Glad the author gave me a copy to review! Thank you!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A dynamic, twisted set of stories with really cool illustrations. There's a poem in here that gets super dark super quickly. Some of the illustrations are really freaky too!
Review of advance copy
If you enjoyed the preview, you will surely dive into this read! It’s subtle in areas and sublimely creepy in many ways. This book will disturb your senses and electrify them all at the same time. Without giving away any of the stories, I will simply say, if you enjoy horror, this one will knock your socks off! Enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews