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Raw Blood and Nerve: For Freakish Frights on Feverish Nights
In this edition of Raw Blood and Nerve:
A young Bible salesman discovers the murderous lengths to which past salesmen were willing to go, in our featured Nasty Novelette, "Faith and Blood" by Zary Fekete.
A terminally-ill husband and father develops an extraordinary (and bloody) plan to get his homeless family back on their feet.
An insomniac student's sleeplessness leads her to discover a vicious, rodent manifestation of Jesus Christ.
A man watches helplessly as the world around him literally dissolves.
A boy encounters his neighbors' killer horse, who has been slaughtering human beings for centuries.
A girl tends to a sickly older woman unable to die until their village's new priest arrives.
A grotesquely deformed serial killer, whose crimes have spanned continents and ages, now prowls a lonely stretch of highway in Pennsylvania's coal country.
And, as a bonus to the
The classic horror story "Mother of Monsters" by Guy de Maupassant, supplemented by a biographical essay of Maupassant by the Editor of Oldstyle Tales Press, M. Grant Kellermeyer.
A young Bible salesman discovers the murderous lengths to which past salesmen were willing to go, in our featured Nasty Novelette, "Faith and Blood" by Zary Fekete.
A terminally-ill husband and father develops an extraordinary (and bloody) plan to get his homeless family back on their feet.
An insomniac student's sleeplessness leads her to discover a vicious, rodent manifestation of Jesus Christ.
A man watches helplessly as the world around him literally dissolves.
A boy encounters his neighbors' killer horse, who has been slaughtering human beings for centuries.
A girl tends to a sickly older woman unable to die until their village's new priest arrives.
A grotesquely deformed serial killer, whose crimes have spanned continents and ages, now prowls a lonely stretch of highway in Pennsylvania's coal country.
And, as a bonus to the
The classic horror story "Mother of Monsters" by Guy de Maupassant, supplemented by a biographical essay of Maupassant by the Editor of Oldstyle Tales Press, M. Grant Kellermeyer.
149 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 13, 2026
About the author
Alex Grass
8 books255 followersAlex Grass was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife and three kids.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 22, 2026
In a sense, most of the short stories that Alex Grass curated for his anthology, Raw Blood and Nerve: For Freakish Frights on Feverish Nights, are about lonely victims of extreme circumstances, even if their tales seem pretty mundane at first glance; a bible seller confronted with an extreme understanding of religion, a radically commercialized healthcare system that leaves no chance for the feeble, two women living and maybe surviving in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of few remaining people as strange as themselves… And despite the occasional appearance of the supernatural here and there, the social commentary is ever present; a dystopia (or is it?) in which gas is literally unaffordable and traffic and climate change have reached alarming dimensions, recession (that cornered animal), dying dark industrial towns, young women under pressure to keep their figures through childbirth and more. My absolute highlights were Alex’s From the Horse’s Mouth which is super dreamy yet ends in a foreboding nightmare, as well as Euphemia, which was written by Christina Mîrzoi and literally stopped time for me while reading.
Two last mentions: the formatting and the self-made illustrations are perfect, some of the pictures are so awesome that I would hang them on my walls as posters. And finally, there is a bonus story by Guy de Maupassant, in what it seems like a series to introduce classic horror short stories beside contemporary works. I have read lots of Maupassant when I was in school, but I never knew that he a) got syphilis and died of it, and b) wrote horror. Raw Blood and Nerve closes with a non-fiction piece about him.
All in all, this was really a refreshing read, with all the illustrations and varied range, it feels like a zine rather than an anthology and I’m all here for it!
My sincere thanks to Alex Grass for sending me a review copy.
Two last mentions: the formatting and the self-made illustrations are perfect, some of the pictures are so awesome that I would hang them on my walls as posters. And finally, there is a bonus story by Guy de Maupassant, in what it seems like a series to introduce classic horror short stories beside contemporary works. I have read lots of Maupassant when I was in school, but I never knew that he a) got syphilis and died of it, and b) wrote horror. Raw Blood and Nerve closes with a non-fiction piece about him.
All in all, this was really a refreshing read, with all the illustrations and varied range, it feels like a zine rather than an anthology and I’m all here for it!
My sincere thanks to Alex Grass for sending me a review copy.
October 1, 2026
• BOOK REVIEW •
Date : 1st October 2026
Book : Raw Blood and Nerve
Author / Editor : Alex Grass + more
Genre : Psychological Horror / Anthologies
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
I was so stoked when the author reached out to me again to read this book that was also edited by him! I absolutely loved “Infernal Tramps” that I read not too long ago too. Thank you, @infernaltramps for the opportunity to read this and for the #gifted physical copy as well🖤
This book contains 9 short stories with only 141 pages in total, so it was perfect for me to read throughout the whole of last month. I don’t know why but his books are best read at night for the chilly vibes, atleast that’s what worked for me. So just like the previous book, I thought I’d share 3 stories that stood out to me the most with a mini review so I don’t spoil it and also just so you get a little sneak preview.
Somnia by Jordan Zachary - Imagine losing your mind in the wee hour of the night because sleep deprivation is making you hear things in the walls.
From The Horse’s Mouth by Alex Grass - What would you do if you ran into a folklore that people talked about growing up? Except now you actually gotta face it and hear what it has to say.
Euphemia by Cristina Mirzoi - It’s about a lonely woman stuck in a dying town who realizes that whatever is haunting the village is coming for her next.
✨ I’d add more but I have a feeling I won’t have enough space!
P/s : Check out the black pages and illustrations! So well thought of and definitely added to the spooky vibe!
#alexgrass #anthologies #weirdfiction #bookstagram
Date : 1st October 2026
Book : Raw Blood and Nerve
Author / Editor : Alex Grass + more
Genre : Psychological Horror / Anthologies
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
I was so stoked when the author reached out to me again to read this book that was also edited by him! I absolutely loved “Infernal Tramps” that I read not too long ago too. Thank you, @infernaltramps for the opportunity to read this and for the #gifted physical copy as well🖤
This book contains 9 short stories with only 141 pages in total, so it was perfect for me to read throughout the whole of last month. I don’t know why but his books are best read at night for the chilly vibes, atleast that’s what worked for me. So just like the previous book, I thought I’d share 3 stories that stood out to me the most with a mini review so I don’t spoil it and also just so you get a little sneak preview.
Somnia by Jordan Zachary - Imagine losing your mind in the wee hour of the night because sleep deprivation is making you hear things in the walls.
From The Horse’s Mouth by Alex Grass - What would you do if you ran into a folklore that people talked about growing up? Except now you actually gotta face it and hear what it has to say.
Euphemia by Cristina Mirzoi - It’s about a lonely woman stuck in a dying town who realizes that whatever is haunting the village is coming for her next.
✨ I’d add more but I have a feeling I won’t have enough space!
P/s : Check out the black pages and illustrations! So well thought of and definitely added to the spooky vibe!
#alexgrass #anthologies #weirdfiction #bookstagram
October 5, 2026
Raw Blood and Nerve: For Freakish Frights on Feverish Nights, brought to you by the incredible Alex Grass, is a fantastic anthology that collects dark tales of horror, terror, dread, and chilling suspense. They vary in theme and intensity but are all great reads.
I found the first story, “Road Trip” by David Halpert, especially impactful. It’s a tight, tense tale that quietly speaks to extreme financial hardship, the dark side of the healthcare system, devotion to family, and driving desperation, and the ending will absolutely slay you.
But there is more.
“Somnia” by Jordan Zachary is a compelling and unnerving fictionalization of the real dangers of sleep deprivation. Next is “The Vanishing” by Shan Powell, a chilling and bizarre story with poignant subtext regarding the coldness of corporations and humanity’s frightening dependence on a particular far-reaching industry. Then there’s “From the Horse’s Mouth” by Alex Grass, a dark, immersive, vivid tale of liminal creatures, intrigue, and terror.
“Euphemia” by Cristina Mirzoi is a powerful story of death, dying, and those things that hold us here. It’s followed by “Turnpike Jack” by Gator Martinez, a suspenseful and brutal horror tale about a backroads legend, a fresh take on a classic theme. The novelette “Faith and Blood” by Zary Fekete is next, a suspenseful and disturbing story of dread, desperation, and religious fanaticism.
The anthology closes with “Mother of Monsters” by Guy de Maupassant, an incredible classic horror story of grotesque atrocity, and then a fascinating biographical essay on Maupassant.
Each of these stories has its own cover art, and fun graphic design art pieces are interspersed throughout, adding to the reading experience. All are complex stories with depth, poignancy, and horror—quiet, overt, or some of both. This was a phenomenal read, and I cannot recommend it enough.
A Bibliophilia Templum review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2026/10/05/raw-blood-and-nerve/
I found the first story, “Road Trip” by David Halpert, especially impactful. It’s a tight, tense tale that quietly speaks to extreme financial hardship, the dark side of the healthcare system, devotion to family, and driving desperation, and the ending will absolutely slay you.
But there is more.
“Somnia” by Jordan Zachary is a compelling and unnerving fictionalization of the real dangers of sleep deprivation. Next is “The Vanishing” by Shan Powell, a chilling and bizarre story with poignant subtext regarding the coldness of corporations and humanity’s frightening dependence on a particular far-reaching industry. Then there’s “From the Horse’s Mouth” by Alex Grass, a dark, immersive, vivid tale of liminal creatures, intrigue, and terror.
“Euphemia” by Cristina Mirzoi is a powerful story of death, dying, and those things that hold us here. It’s followed by “Turnpike Jack” by Gator Martinez, a suspenseful and brutal horror tale about a backroads legend, a fresh take on a classic theme. The novelette “Faith and Blood” by Zary Fekete is next, a suspenseful and disturbing story of dread, desperation, and religious fanaticism.
The anthology closes with “Mother of Monsters” by Guy de Maupassant, an incredible classic horror story of grotesque atrocity, and then a fascinating biographical essay on Maupassant.
Each of these stories has its own cover art, and fun graphic design art pieces are interspersed throughout, adding to the reading experience. All are complex stories with depth, poignancy, and horror—quiet, overt, or some of both. This was a phenomenal read, and I cannot recommend it enough.
A Bibliophilia Templum review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2026/10/05/raw-blood-and-nerve/
Review of advance copy received from Author
💀 ROBIN’S REVIEW: THE AUTOPSY OF RAW BLOOD AND NERVE
Raw Blood and Nerve: For Freakish Frights on Feverish Nights
by Alex Grass, David Halpert, Jordan Zachary, Shan Powell, Cristina Mîrzoi, Gator Martinez, M. Kellermeyer, Zary Fekete and Guy de Maupassant
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀
🪦 THE BODY
This book opens the door, invites you inside, and then immediately starts doing things that would make a normal person leave.
Fortunately, horror readers have never been known for good judgment.
Raw Blood and Nerve is a collection of strange, bloody, unsettling little trips into places I probably should not have enjoyed visiting nearly as much as I did.
The stories are wildly different from each other, but they share one important quality.
Something is always wrong.
Sometimes very, very wrong.
And apparently that is exactly how I like my fiction.
🔪 FIRST INCISION
One of the things I liked most is how quickly these stories establish their own particular flavor of trouble.
There is no waiting around for thirty pages while everyone discusses the weather.
We have places to go.
People to traumatize.
Questionable things to discover.
Some stories creep up quietly, while others seem perfectly happy to grab you by the face and announce that subtlety has left the building.
I respect both approaches.
Especially when one of them manages to make a medical procedure significantly more horrifying than it already is.
🩸 THE AUTOPSY
Anthologies can be risky because eventually you usually hit that one story where your attention quietly wanders off to see what is happening on Facebook.
That did not happen much here.
There is enough variety in style, setting, and type of horror that each story feels like its own unpleasant little surprise.
We get psychological breakdowns, bodily destruction, bizarre supernatural situations, grim humor, and some truly questionable religious imagery.
And then there are the rats.
I am not explaining the rats.
If I had to experience that particular descent into nonsense without warning, so do you.
🫀 STILL HAD A PULSE
What really worked for me was that underneath all the blood and general bad behavior, several of these stories actually have something emotional going on.
Rude.
I came here for horror, not feelings.
A few of them manage to make you care about the person involved before everything starts sliding toward disaster, which naturally makes the horrible parts much more effective.
There are also some genuinely funny moments scattered through the collection.
Not cheerful funny.
More the kind where you laugh and then briefly reconsider what kind of person you have become.
Perfectly healthy.
🦴 WHAT BROKE
As with any collection, I liked some stories more than others.
That is less criticism and more the basic law of anthologies.
A couple lingered with me longer, while others were quick bites of weirdness before moving along to the next disaster.
But nothing felt like the exact same nightmare wearing a different hat.
The shift into the classic material near the end is also noticeably different in style, although the accompanying discussion of Guy de Maupassant and his fascination with unstable perception, obsession, isolation, and the uncertainty between madness and the supernatural makes its inclusion make sense.
☠️ CAUSE OF DEATH
Raw Blood and Nerve is nasty, strange, funny in places it probably should not be, and full of the sort of stories that make you close the book and stare into space for a second.
Exactly what I want from a horror collection.
There is enough variety here that you never really know what fresh nightmare is coming next.
You just know somebody is probably about to have an absolutely terrible day.
And I will apparently continue enjoying that from the safety of my chair like the well-adjusted person I clearly am.
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
Raw Blood and Nerve: For Freakish Frights on Feverish Nights
by Alex Grass, David Halpert, Jordan Zachary, Shan Powell, Cristina Mîrzoi, Gator Martinez, M. Kellermeyer, Zary Fekete and Guy de Maupassant
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Skull Dread Rating: 💀💀
🪦 THE BODY
This book opens the door, invites you inside, and then immediately starts doing things that would make a normal person leave.
Fortunately, horror readers have never been known for good judgment.
Raw Blood and Nerve is a collection of strange, bloody, unsettling little trips into places I probably should not have enjoyed visiting nearly as much as I did.
The stories are wildly different from each other, but they share one important quality.
Something is always wrong.
Sometimes very, very wrong.
And apparently that is exactly how I like my fiction.
🔪 FIRST INCISION
One of the things I liked most is how quickly these stories establish their own particular flavor of trouble.
There is no waiting around for thirty pages while everyone discusses the weather.
We have places to go.
People to traumatize.
Questionable things to discover.
Some stories creep up quietly, while others seem perfectly happy to grab you by the face and announce that subtlety has left the building.
I respect both approaches.
Especially when one of them manages to make a medical procedure significantly more horrifying than it already is.
🩸 THE AUTOPSY
Anthologies can be risky because eventually you usually hit that one story where your attention quietly wanders off to see what is happening on Facebook.
That did not happen much here.
There is enough variety in style, setting, and type of horror that each story feels like its own unpleasant little surprise.
We get psychological breakdowns, bodily destruction, bizarre supernatural situations, grim humor, and some truly questionable religious imagery.
And then there are the rats.
I am not explaining the rats.
If I had to experience that particular descent into nonsense without warning, so do you.
🫀 STILL HAD A PULSE
What really worked for me was that underneath all the blood and general bad behavior, several of these stories actually have something emotional going on.
Rude.
I came here for horror, not feelings.
A few of them manage to make you care about the person involved before everything starts sliding toward disaster, which naturally makes the horrible parts much more effective.
There are also some genuinely funny moments scattered through the collection.
Not cheerful funny.
More the kind where you laugh and then briefly reconsider what kind of person you have become.
Perfectly healthy.
🦴 WHAT BROKE
As with any collection, I liked some stories more than others.
That is less criticism and more the basic law of anthologies.
A couple lingered with me longer, while others were quick bites of weirdness before moving along to the next disaster.
But nothing felt like the exact same nightmare wearing a different hat.
The shift into the classic material near the end is also noticeably different in style, although the accompanying discussion of Guy de Maupassant and his fascination with unstable perception, obsession, isolation, and the uncertainty between madness and the supernatural makes its inclusion make sense.
☠️ CAUSE OF DEATH
Raw Blood and Nerve is nasty, strange, funny in places it probably should not be, and full of the sort of stories that make you close the book and stare into space for a second.
Exactly what I want from a horror collection.
There is enough variety here that you never really know what fresh nightmare is coming next.
You just know somebody is probably about to have an absolutely terrible day.
And I will apparently continue enjoying that from the safety of my chair like the well-adjusted person I clearly am.
Reviewed by Robin for Robin’s Review
September 15, 2026
Anything that has Alex Grass’ name on it is an instant read for me. This anthology is no exception. It covers a wide variety of fantastic stories by authors that are new to me. Each author brings their own exceptional voice to the anthology. This anthology is one of the best I have ever read. Alex Grass does a phenomenal job finding the perfect stories. I can’t pick a favorite, there are too many good ones!
I’m sharing a quick look into each story below.
In the story Road Trip by David Halpert, a man is finally getting the MRI he has been waiting for. I was not expecting that ending! For those who love those unexpected twists in a story, this is for you! A fantastic story. David Halpert writes smoothly and clearly.
Somnia by Jordan Zachary is about a student in college who has trouble with sleeping. After 48 hours of no sleep, he begins to hallucinate. Boy, does this take a turn for the worst! Definitely in my top favorites.
In The Vanishing by Shantell Powell, things are starting to vanish. It starts with gasoline. Nobody can explain what is happening and why. A one-of-a-kind story that I absolutely LOVE. This is one that will have me thinking about it for months.
From the Horse's Mouth by Alex Grass is about a black horse that follows a boy throughout his life. A really cool story. Kind of like having a ghost follow you all your life, hovering in the background, watching you. Grass is one of my favorite authors, I always enjoy his stories.
The story Euphemia by Christina Mirzou is another unique story that is dark and dreary. Euphemia lives in a desolate town and we spend the day with her. All is not what it seems for Euphemia. I loved this one, too. Definitely an author I need to read more of.
In Turnpike Jack by Gator Martinez, a state trooper meets Turnpike Jack one night while on patrol. The state trooper is in for a sweet treat meeting this dude. While this story is a common trope, it is well written and entertaining nonetheless. Fantastic writing.
Faith and Blood by Zary Feket is about a young man trying to sell bibles. I found this one to be too religious for me to fully enjoy. It is a well written story, it just wasn’t for me. Highly recommended for those that love religious horror.
Mother of Monsters by Guy de Maupassant. This is an original story by Maupassant, an author I’m not familiar with. de Maupassant is a writer from the early 1800s, but don’t let that deter you from checking out this story. It’s a fantastic piece of literature. I really enjoyed it.
Last but not least, is an essay detailing the life and writing history of Guy de Maupassant. Written by English professor Michael Grant Kellermeyer, we are taken down memory lane and learn the history of de Maupassant. Fantastically written and informative in an entertainment style.
I am excited for all of you to read this anthology. Every story is remarkable in its own way, written by talented writers. Not only is Alex Grass a fantastic author, he did a fabulous job editing these stories. An anthology that you will never forget.
I’m sharing a quick look into each story below.
In the story Road Trip by David Halpert, a man is finally getting the MRI he has been waiting for. I was not expecting that ending! For those who love those unexpected twists in a story, this is for you! A fantastic story. David Halpert writes smoothly and clearly.
Somnia by Jordan Zachary is about a student in college who has trouble with sleeping. After 48 hours of no sleep, he begins to hallucinate. Boy, does this take a turn for the worst! Definitely in my top favorites.
In The Vanishing by Shantell Powell, things are starting to vanish. It starts with gasoline. Nobody can explain what is happening and why. A one-of-a-kind story that I absolutely LOVE. This is one that will have me thinking about it for months.
From the Horse's Mouth by Alex Grass is about a black horse that follows a boy throughout his life. A really cool story. Kind of like having a ghost follow you all your life, hovering in the background, watching you. Grass is one of my favorite authors, I always enjoy his stories.
The story Euphemia by Christina Mirzou is another unique story that is dark and dreary. Euphemia lives in a desolate town and we spend the day with her. All is not what it seems for Euphemia. I loved this one, too. Definitely an author I need to read more of.
In Turnpike Jack by Gator Martinez, a state trooper meets Turnpike Jack one night while on patrol. The state trooper is in for a sweet treat meeting this dude. While this story is a common trope, it is well written and entertaining nonetheless. Fantastic writing.
Faith and Blood by Zary Feket is about a young man trying to sell bibles. I found this one to be too religious for me to fully enjoy. It is a well written story, it just wasn’t for me. Highly recommended for those that love religious horror.
Mother of Monsters by Guy de Maupassant. This is an original story by Maupassant, an author I’m not familiar with. de Maupassant is a writer from the early 1800s, but don’t let that deter you from checking out this story. It’s a fantastic piece of literature. I really enjoyed it.
Last but not least, is an essay detailing the life and writing history of Guy de Maupassant. Written by English professor Michael Grant Kellermeyer, we are taken down memory lane and learn the history of de Maupassant. Fantastically written and informative in an entertainment style.
I am excited for all of you to read this anthology. Every story is remarkable in its own way, written by talented writers. Not only is Alex Grass a fantastic author, he did a fabulous job editing these stories. An anthology that you will never forget.
September 22, 2026
I don’t think I’ve ever read an anthology as consistently beautiful and odd as Raw Blood and Nerve. Every single featured story was strange and brutal in the best way. Some were heartbreaking, some carried sardonic humor, but all were beautifully written.
Also, shout-out to the artwork in this book! Not only is the cover phenomenal, but I loved the illustrations between each chapter. A mixture of pinup girls, old magazine ads, and satire. Just something to look out for as you read!
As I said, all stories were great, but a few of my favorites were:
- The Road Trip by David Halpert
- From the Horse’s Mouth by Alex Grass
- Faith and Blood by Zary Feket
- Somnia by Jordan Zachary
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed Alex Grass’s short story collection, Infernal Tramps, and Ray Bradbury fans!
Also, shout-out to the artwork in this book! Not only is the cover phenomenal, but I loved the illustrations between each chapter. A mixture of pinup girls, old magazine ads, and satire. Just something to look out for as you read!
As I said, all stories were great, but a few of my favorites were:
- The Road Trip by David Halpert
- From the Horse’s Mouth by Alex Grass
- Faith and Blood by Zary Feket
- Somnia by Jordan Zachary
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed Alex Grass’s short story collection, Infernal Tramps, and Ray Bradbury fans!
September 30, 2026
I’ve really enjoyed everything I’ve read that Alex Grass has written and has been involved with, so I had a pretty good feeling I was going to enjoy this one too.
Raw Blood and Nerve is a short collection, but the stories cover a lot of ground. There’s religious horror, strange creatures, serial killers, death, illness, and some genuinely bizarre ideas thrown into the mix.
Because it’s so short, it’s an easy anthology to get through, but the stories still manage to leave an impression. Euphemia by Christina Mîrzoi was one that really stood out to me. It’s dark, dreary, and has this strange, unsettling atmosphere as we spend the day with Euphemia in her desolate little town. Things aren’t quite what they seem, and I really loved where the story went. Another one I loved is The Vanishing by Shantell Powell. It starts with gasoline disappearing, and from there, things just keep vanishing. Nobody knows why it’s happening or what’s coming next, and I loved the uncertainty of it all.
I really enjoyed all of the stories in this anthology. Some stood out to me more than others, but there wasn’t one that I didn’t enjoy. I really liked how different each story was, and I never knew what I was going to get next.
I also really liked having Mother of Monsters by Guy de Maupassant included, along with the essay about Maupassant. It was a great little extra.
Thank you so much to Alex Grass for the #gifted copy! All opinions are my own.
Raw Blood and Nerve is a short collection, but the stories cover a lot of ground. There’s religious horror, strange creatures, serial killers, death, illness, and some genuinely bizarre ideas thrown into the mix.
Because it’s so short, it’s an easy anthology to get through, but the stories still manage to leave an impression. Euphemia by Christina Mîrzoi was one that really stood out to me. It’s dark, dreary, and has this strange, unsettling atmosphere as we spend the day with Euphemia in her desolate little town. Things aren’t quite what they seem, and I really loved where the story went. Another one I loved is The Vanishing by Shantell Powell. It starts with gasoline disappearing, and from there, things just keep vanishing. Nobody knows why it’s happening or what’s coming next, and I loved the uncertainty of it all.
I really enjoyed all of the stories in this anthology. Some stood out to me more than others, but there wasn’t one that I didn’t enjoy. I really liked how different each story was, and I never knew what I was going to get next.
I also really liked having Mother of Monsters by Guy de Maupassant included, along with the essay about Maupassant. It was a great little extra.
Thank you so much to Alex Grass for the #gifted copy! All opinions are my own.
September 17, 2026
Loved the stories!
October 13, 2026
*Raw Blood and Nerve* was the perfect read for fall. There's just something about curling up with a collection of disturbing horror stories when the weather starts getting colder that feels right.
This book is a collection of short horror stories written by different authors, which I absolutely loved. Instead of spending the entire book with one author's writing style, you get a little taste of several. Each author brings something different to the table, whether that's their approach to horror, their storytelling, or just how far they're willing to go to make their readers uncomfortable.
There are several stories that will stick with me.
I found myself completely obsessed with a few of them. There was one in particular that had me laughing in a very sick and twisted way, only for the ending to leave me sitting there wondering what the actual fuck I had just read. I genuinely didn't know whether I wanted to laugh harder or be concerned about the fact that I found it funny in the first place.
Which, honestly, is exactly the kind of experience I want from horror.
One of the things I enjoyed most about *Raw Blood and Nerve* was the variety. The stories explore several different topics, so you're never quite sure what kind of nightmare you're walking into next. Some are disturbing, others are downright twisted, and a few manage to catch you completely off guard. You might enjoy certain stories more than others depending on your personal taste in horror, but that's part of what makes an anthology like this so much fun.
And just when you think you've had enough of one author's particular brand of insanity, you're introduced to someone else's.
Another thing I really appreciated was the short description about the author's writing. These give you a little insight into the person responsible for whatever disturbing thing you just read, often including the genres or types of stories they typically write.
It gives readers an opportunity to discover writers they might never have come across otherwise. I actually walked away from this book with a few new authors on my radar whose other work I want to explore.
So not only did I get an entertaining collection of horror stories, but apparently I've also managed to make my already ridiculous TBR even longer. Fantastic.
Overall, *Raw Blood and Nerve* was a wonderfully unsettling reading experience. It's dark, it's strange, it's occasionally hilarious in ways that probably say something questionable about my sense of humor, and it offers a little something for different kinds of horror readers.
If you enjoy short horror stories, unexpected endings, and that lovely feeling of closing a book and questioning what the hell you just subjected yourself to, this is absolutely worth checking out.
Just don't expect every story to let you walk away feeling comfortable.
This book is a collection of short horror stories written by different authors, which I absolutely loved. Instead of spending the entire book with one author's writing style, you get a little taste of several. Each author brings something different to the table, whether that's their approach to horror, their storytelling, or just how far they're willing to go to make their readers uncomfortable.
There are several stories that will stick with me.
I found myself completely obsessed with a few of them. There was one in particular that had me laughing in a very sick and twisted way, only for the ending to leave me sitting there wondering what the actual fuck I had just read. I genuinely didn't know whether I wanted to laugh harder or be concerned about the fact that I found it funny in the first place.
Which, honestly, is exactly the kind of experience I want from horror.
One of the things I enjoyed most about *Raw Blood and Nerve* was the variety. The stories explore several different topics, so you're never quite sure what kind of nightmare you're walking into next. Some are disturbing, others are downright twisted, and a few manage to catch you completely off guard. You might enjoy certain stories more than others depending on your personal taste in horror, but that's part of what makes an anthology like this so much fun.
And just when you think you've had enough of one author's particular brand of insanity, you're introduced to someone else's.
Another thing I really appreciated was the short description about the author's writing. These give you a little insight into the person responsible for whatever disturbing thing you just read, often including the genres or types of stories they typically write.
It gives readers an opportunity to discover writers they might never have come across otherwise. I actually walked away from this book with a few new authors on my radar whose other work I want to explore.
So not only did I get an entertaining collection of horror stories, but apparently I've also managed to make my already ridiculous TBR even longer. Fantastic.
Overall, *Raw Blood and Nerve* was a wonderfully unsettling reading experience. It's dark, it's strange, it's occasionally hilarious in ways that probably say something questionable about my sense of humor, and it offers a little something for different kinds of horror readers.
If you enjoy short horror stories, unexpected endings, and that lovely feeling of closing a book and questioning what the hell you just subjected yourself to, this is absolutely worth checking out.
Just don't expect every story to let you walk away feeling comfortable.
September 18, 2026
A special thank you to Alex Grass for my review copy.
This anthology of short stories and mixed media was a quick read, and I recommend it for anyone who enjoys dark, melancholic horror.
The themes of death, grief, loss, loneliness, and the deprivation of happiness are pregnant in Raw Blood and Nerve.
Sandwiched between the stories are the images Alex found, and remind me of pulp horror nostalgia. My favorites being: Ghoulsler 666, Keep Your Fangs Clean, A Nasty Novelette, and "No. This is poison."
Speaking of favorites, of the stories mine were Euphemia, Turnpike Jack, and Faith and Blood.
For a full breakdown:
Road Trip: Loved this story. I felt I could relate but I can't say more without ruining the story. Body horror: Rated 10/10!
Somnia: You can guess by the name I can relate to this one as well. But also, this story is great for any current or alumni college student. We all have been there staying up late to finish those papers. And the rats definitely gave me a good laugh.
The Vanishing: I can't imagine hating your job during a pandemic of any kind, especially during an economic crisis!
From the Horse's Mouth: I loved the evolution of the main character and the black stallions relationship.
"...a brother and sister who never married (each other or anyone else)."
Euphemia: This was definitely my favorite story. I felt like I was reading a Shirley Jackson novel. Absolutely loved this one.
"They were dumb livestock slowly moving through purgatory, never reaching the slaughterhouse."
"Mirrors were objects of vanity and beauty. Euphemia and Berta were neither vain or beautiful."
"...the church was too cold for the parishioners, too cold even for God."
Turnpike Jack: This was another favorite. What happens when an urban legend becomes reality? Read it and find out!
Faith and Blood: I also loved this one. This is perfect for any fans of the movie Heretic.
Mother of Monsters: Blurry line of pitying Mother of Monsters, or being angered by what she does and how she funds her life.
This anthology of short stories and mixed media was a quick read, and I recommend it for anyone who enjoys dark, melancholic horror.
The themes of death, grief, loss, loneliness, and the deprivation of happiness are pregnant in Raw Blood and Nerve.
Sandwiched between the stories are the images Alex found, and remind me of pulp horror nostalgia. My favorites being: Ghoulsler 666, Keep Your Fangs Clean, A Nasty Novelette, and "No. This is poison."
Speaking of favorites, of the stories mine were Euphemia, Turnpike Jack, and Faith and Blood.
For a full breakdown:
Road Trip: Loved this story. I felt I could relate but I can't say more without ruining the story. Body horror: Rated 10/10!
Somnia: You can guess by the name I can relate to this one as well. But also, this story is great for any current or alumni college student. We all have been there staying up late to finish those papers. And the rats definitely gave me a good laugh.
The Vanishing: I can't imagine hating your job during a pandemic of any kind, especially during an economic crisis!
From the Horse's Mouth: I loved the evolution of the main character and the black stallions relationship.
"...a brother and sister who never married (each other or anyone else)."
Euphemia: This was definitely my favorite story. I felt like I was reading a Shirley Jackson novel. Absolutely loved this one.
"They were dumb livestock slowly moving through purgatory, never reaching the slaughterhouse."
"Mirrors were objects of vanity and beauty. Euphemia and Berta were neither vain or beautiful."
"...the church was too cold for the parishioners, too cold even for God."
Turnpike Jack: This was another favorite. What happens when an urban legend becomes reality? Read it and find out!
Faith and Blood: I also loved this one. This is perfect for any fans of the movie Heretic.
Mother of Monsters: Blurry line of pitying Mother of Monsters, or being angered by what she does and how she funds her life.
November 2, 2026
My thanks to Goodreads and Dickinson Horror Shorts for an advance copy of this digital magazine of short horror stories.
I don't know if it is my age, my attention span, of the many things I have to do as an adult, but I am beginning to enjoy shorter works of fiction recently. I used to love to read door stoppers, books that if one fell on a baby, well goodbye baby. Now though I find myself reading novellas and short story collections much more than I ever have. Few genres work as well in short form as horror. A few lines, a few pages, a few chapters and one can have a complete story, full of pathos, bathos, psychopaths, and bloody actions. There are a lot practicing this art, making short stories great again. And quite a few are in this collection, the first of a series I hope to read more of. Raw Blood and Nerve: For Freakish Frights on Feverish Nights is edited by Alex Grass, and is a collection that spans the length and breadth of horror, along with some really wonderful illustrations.
The stories seemed grounded in the world we find ourselves in, a world where the bad guys have won, and we are all just waiting for the grave. A story about a dying man and his plan to make his family rich, a mix of body horror, and political reality. Stories of religion, and the fears then instill to keep people under control, when even death can't let one escape. Stories of animals doing bad things, and stories of people out of control, or even worse, control being taken from them. Along with a classic story that reminds us that fear has always been with us.
A really good anthology, one that introduced me to a few authors I want to know more about. Not everything hits, but that happens in collections. One person's fear is another person's bedtime story, or even one to be skipped. A really good collection, and one I hope to can't wait to read future installments of.
I don't know if it is my age, my attention span, of the many things I have to do as an adult, but I am beginning to enjoy shorter works of fiction recently. I used to love to read door stoppers, books that if one fell on a baby, well goodbye baby. Now though I find myself reading novellas and short story collections much more than I ever have. Few genres work as well in short form as horror. A few lines, a few pages, a few chapters and one can have a complete story, full of pathos, bathos, psychopaths, and bloody actions. There are a lot practicing this art, making short stories great again. And quite a few are in this collection, the first of a series I hope to read more of. Raw Blood and Nerve: For Freakish Frights on Feverish Nights is edited by Alex Grass, and is a collection that spans the length and breadth of horror, along with some really wonderful illustrations.
The stories seemed grounded in the world we find ourselves in, a world where the bad guys have won, and we are all just waiting for the grave. A story about a dying man and his plan to make his family rich, a mix of body horror, and political reality. Stories of religion, and the fears then instill to keep people under control, when even death can't let one escape. Stories of animals doing bad things, and stories of people out of control, or even worse, control being taken from them. Along with a classic story that reminds us that fear has always been with us.
A really good anthology, one that introduced me to a few authors I want to know more about. Not everything hits, but that happens in collections. One person's fear is another person's bedtime story, or even one to be skipped. A really good collection, and one I hope to can't wait to read future installments of.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Disclosure: I received an ARC of the book from the editor, Alex Grass.
Raw Blood and Nerve is not only a collection of very well written and disturbing horror stories, but also of commercial ads altered to reflect the horror theme.
There are a total of seven original stories from seven different authors (six of whom I’m unfamiliar with), including Mr. Glass, plus a classic tale from Guy de Maupassant. Every single story is a knockout in its own right, but I especially loved the editor’s story “from the horse’s mouth” (no capitals in the title), a remarkably creepy tale of a boy’s encounter with a demonic horse. Another creeper outer is Faith & Blood by Zary Fekete, a slow burner of a yarn about a Bible selling youngster making the rounds in his historically Puritanical town with an awful religious history.
I truly loved reading this quite remarkable anthology. Highly recommended.
Raw Blood and Nerve is not only a collection of very well written and disturbing horror stories, but also of commercial ads altered to reflect the horror theme.
There are a total of seven original stories from seven different authors (six of whom I’m unfamiliar with), including Mr. Glass, plus a classic tale from Guy de Maupassant. Every single story is a knockout in its own right, but I especially loved the editor’s story “from the horse’s mouth” (no capitals in the title), a remarkably creepy tale of a boy’s encounter with a demonic horse. Another creeper outer is Faith & Blood by Zary Fekete, a slow burner of a yarn about a Bible selling youngster making the rounds in his historically Puritanical town with an awful religious history.
I truly loved reading this quite remarkable anthology. Highly recommended.
September 20, 2026
What I love about anthologies is that even if every story doesn't hit, most of the stories do, and that makes it a rewarding read even if it's not perfect. This anthology, however, is as close to perfect as any anthology I've ever read. Every story hits—some a little too close to home—and every story feels like it won its place in the collection. I admit, I may be biased. I love weird horror, cosmic horror, and paranoid horror. This is absolutely my niche. But this is a book I'm sure to come back to again, and I've found a few new authors to follow, as well.
In addition to the stunning stories is the stunning artwork (all carefully attributed at the end of the book) that graces everything Alex Grass publishes, a short story by Guy de Maupassant, and a wonderful essay about Maupassant. Everything here feels so cohesive and well-rounded that I can only imagine what a labor of love it must have been to put it together.
In addition to the stunning stories is the stunning artwork (all carefully attributed at the end of the book) that graces everything Alex Grass publishes, a short story by Guy de Maupassant, and a wonderful essay about Maupassant. Everything here feels so cohesive and well-rounded that I can only imagine what a labor of love it must have been to put it together.
October 25, 2026
3.25⭐ Thank you Goodreads and Alex Grass for a Kindle copy of this book. This is a quick read for anyone into horror and anthologies. Despite not being moved by some of the curated stories I can appreciate the connecting themes of sacrifice and survival present in each of them and how far some people are willing to go to be selfless when presented with troubling times and circumstances. Beautiful to see some good old fashioned non generative graphics in between the works as well.
Stories I enjoyed the most were
September 13, 2026
I was given an ARC of this anthology and I could NOT put it down. I had a hard time choosing a favorite between them all, but I found the Maupassant essay so fascinating.
This anthology includes stories by David Halpert, Jordan Zachary, Shantell Powell, Alex Grass (author of Infernal Tramps), Cristina Mîrzoi, and Gator Martine.
It also features a novelette by Zary Fekete and the story "Mother of Monsters" by the one and only Guy de Maupassant. "Mother of Monsters" is followed by an essay on Maupassant written by M. Grant Kellermeyer.
I cannot wait for future volumes to come out, this one absolutely exceeded my expectations.
This anthology includes stories by David Halpert, Jordan Zachary, Shantell Powell, Alex Grass (author of Infernal Tramps), Cristina Mîrzoi, and Gator Martine.
It also features a novelette by Zary Fekete and the story "Mother of Monsters" by the one and only Guy de Maupassant. "Mother of Monsters" is followed by an essay on Maupassant written by M. Grant Kellermeyer.
I cannot wait for future volumes to come out, this one absolutely exceeded my expectations.
October 29, 2026
You know those previews of the next book in a series at the end of the book you just finished reading? Those 5-8 pages of a "sample" of the book? Yeah, this was a book full of "stories" like that. None of the stories were complete and left me thinking, "Okaaayyy.....???" Not sure where all these 5-star ratings came from, but to each their own.
October 18, 2026
This book is a journey down the dark and twisted short tales of individuals authors. If you need a book the has dark pages to enhance your spooky vibes this is the one for you. Add this sweet pictured treat to your to be read list. Great work Alex! I hope to see more of your work.
September 16, 2026
I received a review copy of this anthology. Raw Blood and Nerve, turned out to be a bit of a mixed bag, but very much a bag worth picking up!
Not every story landed for me, but the prose and individual styles consistently did. Each author brings something different to the collection, and there are some genuinely talented indie writers here. There’s the chilling The Vanishing, where the world is literally ending and you still have to go to work. Turnpike Jack, which was one of my favorites. Alex Grass delivers in From the Horse’s Mouth, with that strange rhythm I loved in Infernal Tramps and a splendid dose of existential dread. There’s supernatural horror, cryptids, religious creepiness, and at least one story that left me wondering what the hell I just read.
The last story, a tribute to Guy de Maupassant, surprised me. I ended up loving it, learning something in the process, and immediately wanting to read more from Michael Grant. Some stories hit harder than others, but the misses were never big ones, and I was entertained throughout. There are several stories here that I’ll be thinking about for a while. I finished wishing there were more.
Not every story landed for me, but the prose and individual styles consistently did. Each author brings something different to the collection, and there are some genuinely talented indie writers here. There’s the chilling The Vanishing, where the world is literally ending and you still have to go to work. Turnpike Jack, which was one of my favorites. Alex Grass delivers in From the Horse’s Mouth, with that strange rhythm I loved in Infernal Tramps and a splendid dose of existential dread. There’s supernatural horror, cryptids, religious creepiness, and at least one story that left me wondering what the hell I just read.
The last story, a tribute to Guy de Maupassant, surprised me. I ended up loving it, learning something in the process, and immediately wanting to read more from Michael Grant. Some stories hit harder than others, but the misses were never big ones, and I was entertained throughout. There are several stories here that I’ll be thinking about for a while. I finished wishing there were more.
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