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Kids
Kids.
They laugh, they scream, they play.
They're innocent and harmless, cute and cuddly, the apple of their parents' eye.
Or...
None of the above applies. Kids can be the joy of a couple's life, but in the world of horror, they are anything but. These kids can kill, and maim; they laugh while you scream and play in the hot blood spilled from your mutilated, shuddering body. They may look cute and cuddly but, on the inside, they're pure and absolute evil.
Kids is an anthology about the devils spawn; children who break all social protocol and scare the living hell out of you. Newborn, toddler, infant, teenager? Kids has them all. Whether they're evil personified or bravely facing evil head on, these children will live long in the memory.
From Dark Chapter Press comes Kids, the first of an exclusive two-part anthology. Featuring eighteen terrifying stories of child-based terror from a whole host of horror talent, the words on these pages will leave you shaking with fear. Featuring a foreword from Ryan C. Thomas, this book isn't suitable for bedtime stories, but it will appeal to the horror readers who like their lore gory, violent, suspenseful, and darkly humorous.
Remember, they're only children. What harm can they do?
They laugh, they scream, they play.
They're innocent and harmless, cute and cuddly, the apple of their parents' eye.
Or...
None of the above applies. Kids can be the joy of a couple's life, but in the world of horror, they are anything but. These kids can kill, and maim; they laugh while you scream and play in the hot blood spilled from your mutilated, shuddering body. They may look cute and cuddly but, on the inside, they're pure and absolute evil.
Kids is an anthology about the devils spawn; children who break all social protocol and scare the living hell out of you. Newborn, toddler, infant, teenager? Kids has them all. Whether they're evil personified or bravely facing evil head on, these children will live long in the memory.
From Dark Chapter Press comes Kids, the first of an exclusive two-part anthology. Featuring eighteen terrifying stories of child-based terror from a whole host of horror talent, the words on these pages will leave you shaking with fear. Featuring a foreword from Ryan C. Thomas, this book isn't suitable for bedtime stories, but it will appeal to the horror readers who like their lore gory, violent, suspenseful, and darkly humorous.
Remember, they're only children. What harm can they do?
- GenresHorrorAnthologies
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2016
13 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
About the author
Jack Rollins
21 books67 followers+++ Get your FREE, exclusive horror ebooks including 'Tender Morsels' and 'A Haunting at Collingwood House' at https://www.jackrollins.substack.com +++
Jack Rollins was born and raised among the twisting cobbled streets and lanes, ruined forts and rolling moors of rural Northumberland, England in 1980. He is the author of the horror novel The Cabinet of Doctor Blessing, the novella The Séance and a range of short , dark fiction tales. Jack lives in Newcastle, England.
Jack can be found online at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jackrollinshorror
Jack Rollins was born and raised among the twisting cobbled streets and lanes, ruined forts and rolling moors of rural Northumberland, England in 1980. He is the author of the horror novel The Cabinet of Doctor Blessing, the novella The Séance and a range of short , dark fiction tales. Jack lives in Newcastle, England.
Jack can be found online at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jackrollinshorror
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 13, 2016
"I love kids, but I could never eat a whole one – Oscar Wilde.
After reading this anthology, you may be put off for life. This is full of stories of, not the cute gurgly type of kids but the kids of nightmares."
See here for the full review:
Kids
After reading this anthology, you may be put off for life. This is full of stories of, not the cute gurgly type of kids but the kids of nightmares."
See here for the full review:
Kids
March 26, 2016
Kids
Creeptastic
This anthology was over the top, even the intro was amazing! If I was absolutely forced to choose my favorites, I would probably still want to list each story. That being said, I will just highlight a couple random stories…
The Bones of Baby Dolls was great because it was so unique; we meet Cassie, a little girl with a ton of morbid curiosity. Cassie does a couple of experiments and asks her parents for answers, but nothing satisfies her wonder until she goes too far!
The Boy in the Apartment was also exceptional, it let you relate to being bullied while also twisting the plot enough to keep shocking you. Yes, miss the train!
Twins gave me the creeps at times before reading Lennon’s tale, so that just added to the weirdness. Just thinking about twins saying things at the same time and dressing alike is confusing but wait til you add evil into the equation!
Born Bad had me on the edge of my seat with drama. Some neighbors are nosey but none deserve what the characters here get!
Milk is set in the 80’s, it is funny, sad, and Bray does a great job making such a short story feel so deep. The ending will GET YOU!
Anna lost her dad, then starts having troubles in school, sounds typical, right? Well, the way this mother and daughter deal with their issues is anything but normal, although highly entertaining!
Dig was a twisted short that I loved; kids can see and hear things every day and still not truly understand their meanings…
Omens took my emotions through the ringer (in good ways), I was sad, scared, worried, touched, angry and then shocked-way to go Chantal!
The Butcher’s Apprentice was filled with some of the funniest lines I’ve ever read, this tale was entertaining from beginning to end!
So, I loved Kids, heck the theme of this anthology alone was creepy goodness, from the introduction all the way to the afterward and every little bit in between! Get yours! I highly recommend to all fans of modern horror!
Creeptastic
This anthology was over the top, even the intro was amazing! If I was absolutely forced to choose my favorites, I would probably still want to list each story. That being said, I will just highlight a couple random stories…
The Bones of Baby Dolls was great because it was so unique; we meet Cassie, a little girl with a ton of morbid curiosity. Cassie does a couple of experiments and asks her parents for answers, but nothing satisfies her wonder until she goes too far!
The Boy in the Apartment was also exceptional, it let you relate to being bullied while also twisting the plot enough to keep shocking you. Yes, miss the train!
Twins gave me the creeps at times before reading Lennon’s tale, so that just added to the weirdness. Just thinking about twins saying things at the same time and dressing alike is confusing but wait til you add evil into the equation!
Born Bad had me on the edge of my seat with drama. Some neighbors are nosey but none deserve what the characters here get!
Milk is set in the 80’s, it is funny, sad, and Bray does a great job making such a short story feel so deep. The ending will GET YOU!
Anna lost her dad, then starts having troubles in school, sounds typical, right? Well, the way this mother and daughter deal with their issues is anything but normal, although highly entertaining!
Dig was a twisted short that I loved; kids can see and hear things every day and still not truly understand their meanings…
Omens took my emotions through the ringer (in good ways), I was sad, scared, worried, touched, angry and then shocked-way to go Chantal!
The Butcher’s Apprentice was filled with some of the funniest lines I’ve ever read, this tale was entertaining from beginning to end!
So, I loved Kids, heck the theme of this anthology alone was creepy goodness, from the introduction all the way to the afterward and every little bit in between! Get yours! I highly recommend to all fans of modern horror!
July 21, 2016
Review of KIDS
(Anthology from Dark Chapter Press, Various Authors)
The Victorian ostensible perception of children was to consider them sweet little innocent angels (hence the popularity of cherubs on the graves of children in that era), but modern society recognizes that children can be not only misbehaving, but actually criminal. Children can and do kill, on occasion. Children also, on occasion, torment and kill small animals and pets. The various children in this Anthology, singly or paired, are something more than just acting up. Some of these are downright evil.
Every single story in this anthology is a gem: well-written, tautly-developed, with fascinating and well-rounded characters. There is suspense, horror, plot twists, and many surprises, not all good. I definitely recommend this, both for the Anthology as an entirety, and for its introductions to many excellent authors.
(Anthology from Dark Chapter Press, Various Authors)
The Victorian ostensible perception of children was to consider them sweet little innocent angels (hence the popularity of cherubs on the graves of children in that era), but modern society recognizes that children can be not only misbehaving, but actually criminal. Children can and do kill, on occasion. Children also, on occasion, torment and kill small animals and pets. The various children in this Anthology, singly or paired, are something more than just acting up. Some of these are downright evil.
Every single story in this anthology is a gem: well-written, tautly-developed, with fascinating and well-rounded characters. There is suspense, horror, plot twists, and many surprises, not all good. I definitely recommend this, both for the Anthology as an entirety, and for its introductions to many excellent authors.
July 2, 2016
Dark Chapter Press has made quite a name for themselves in the short time that they've been in existence. The amount of quality they have put into their releases is amazing, and the cover for Kids adds to their growing legacy. The theme itself is interesting because let's be honest and admit that children are creepy. They don't mean to be, they just are. Anyone with a child or knows someone with a child can attest to this. This anthology doesn't make them any less creepier. If anything you may want to lock your door before you go to sleep, and if you plan on having kids reading this anthology will take away that desire real quick.
Kids is a horror anthology that reminds us that children are great subjects for horror. Look at Children Of The Corn, or The Omen. For some all you have to do is glance at the kid next door to see just how creepy kids are. This anthology will no doubt cause a few nightmares and may force you to sleep with a night light on. It's that creepy and unnerving. The editors here have done a great job picking these stories and you have a wealth of different elements that make this such an insanely good anthology. These are stories that stick with you and make you watch children a little closer. What exactly are they thinking? Why are they staring at me like that? The goal of Kids is to frighten you and these stories do that without a whole lot of gore. It's the kids themselves that make this so damn terrifying.
This is easily one of my favorite anthologies and shows that if done right an anthology full of creepy, evil, and even zombie kids can be unsettling. All of these stories are well written and unforgettable. From beginning to end there isn't a bad story at all and the editors have truly picked the best of the best. None of these stories should be skimmed or skipped unless you feel uncomfortable and maybe need a break. Each of these stories make you feel uneasy and you wonder how many of these authors have kids of their own. Kids have always been at the epicenter of great horror and this anthology is just another reason why Dark Chapter Press is one of the most talked about publishers out there. I received this in exchange for an honest review and cannot wait until volume 2 comes out.
Kids is a horror anthology that reminds us that children are great subjects for horror. Look at Children Of The Corn, or The Omen. For some all you have to do is glance at the kid next door to see just how creepy kids are. This anthology will no doubt cause a few nightmares and may force you to sleep with a night light on. It's that creepy and unnerving. The editors here have done a great job picking these stories and you have a wealth of different elements that make this such an insanely good anthology. These are stories that stick with you and make you watch children a little closer. What exactly are they thinking? Why are they staring at me like that? The goal of Kids is to frighten you and these stories do that without a whole lot of gore. It's the kids themselves that make this so damn terrifying.
This is easily one of my favorite anthologies and shows that if done right an anthology full of creepy, evil, and even zombie kids can be unsettling. All of these stories are well written and unforgettable. From beginning to end there isn't a bad story at all and the editors have truly picked the best of the best. None of these stories should be skimmed or skipped unless you feel uncomfortable and maybe need a break. Each of these stories make you feel uneasy and you wonder how many of these authors have kids of their own. Kids have always been at the epicenter of great horror and this anthology is just another reason why Dark Chapter Press is one of the most talked about publishers out there. I received this in exchange for an honest review and cannot wait until volume 2 comes out.
April 5, 2016
Kids
Creeptastic
This anthology was over the top, even the intro was amazing! If I was absolutely forced to choose my favorites, I would probably still want to list each story. That being said, I will just highlight a couple random stories…
The Bones of Baby Dolls was great because it was so unique; we meet Cassie, a little girl with a ton of morbid curiosity. Cassie does a couple of experiments and asks her parents for answers, but nothing satisfies her wonder until she goes too far!
The Boy in the Apartment was also exceptional, it let you relate to being bullied while also twisting the plot enough to keep shocking you. Yes, miss the train!
Twins gave me the creeps at times before reading Lennon’s tale, so that just added to the weirdness. Just thinking about twins saying things at the same time and dressing alike is confusing but wait til you add evil into the equation!
Born Bad had me on the edge of my seat with drama. Some neighbors are nosey but none deserve what the characters here get!
Milk is set in the 80’s, it is funny, sad, and Bray does a great job making such a short story feel so deep. The ending will GET YOU!
Anna lost her dad, then starts having troubles in school, sounds typical, right? Well, the way this mother and daughter deal with their issues is anything but normal, although highly entertaining!
Dig was a twisted short that I loved; kids can see and hear things every day and still not truly understand their meanings…
Omens took my emotions through the ringer (in good ways), I was sad, scared, worried, touched, angry and then shocked-way to go Chantal!
The Butcher’s Apprentice was filled with some of the funniest lines I’ve ever read, this tale was entertaining from beginning to end!
So, I loved Kids, heck the theme of this anthology alone was creepy goodness, from the introduction all the way to the afterward and every little bit in between! Get yours! I highly recommend to all fans of modern horror!
Creeptastic
This anthology was over the top, even the intro was amazing! If I was absolutely forced to choose my favorites, I would probably still want to list each story. That being said, I will just highlight a couple random stories…
The Bones of Baby Dolls was great because it was so unique; we meet Cassie, a little girl with a ton of morbid curiosity. Cassie does a couple of experiments and asks her parents for answers, but nothing satisfies her wonder until she goes too far!
The Boy in the Apartment was also exceptional, it let you relate to being bullied while also twisting the plot enough to keep shocking you. Yes, miss the train!
Twins gave me the creeps at times before reading Lennon’s tale, so that just added to the weirdness. Just thinking about twins saying things at the same time and dressing alike is confusing but wait til you add evil into the equation!
Born Bad had me on the edge of my seat with drama. Some neighbors are nosey but none deserve what the characters here get!
Milk is set in the 80’s, it is funny, sad, and Bray does a great job making such a short story feel so deep. The ending will GET YOU!
Anna lost her dad, then starts having troubles in school, sounds typical, right? Well, the way this mother and daughter deal with their issues is anything but normal, although highly entertaining!
Dig was a twisted short that I loved; kids can see and hear things every day and still not truly understand their meanings…
Omens took my emotions through the ringer (in good ways), I was sad, scared, worried, touched, angry and then shocked-way to go Chantal!
The Butcher’s Apprentice was filled with some of the funniest lines I’ve ever read, this tale was entertaining from beginning to end!
So, I loved Kids, heck the theme of this anthology alone was creepy goodness, from the introduction all the way to the afterward and every little bit in between! Get yours! I highly recommend to all fans of modern horror!
December 18, 2016
As always, I appreciate book recommendations from authors, editors, etc. and am rarely disappointed when someone puts himself out there to support a book. This is one creep-a-licious collection that I found (beyond) enjoyable. This is not an appropriate read for those who have "issues" with the idea of wicked kids. Come on! That's what these spine-tingling tales are all about! I read a lot of horror and find a lot of good work out there. This exceeds that! I would give this collection more than 5 stars if I could. It's a horrifically good read - that may even bring a bloody smile or two - but not for long. A diverse collection of over-the-top disturbing children from some brilliant writers in this genre. Keep the books coming!
June 22, 2016
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway. My opinion is just that...mine...and completely unbiased.
WARNING - These tales are NOT for those who are offended by graphic horror/psychological tales involving children.
This collection is written by some very talented writers who are not afraid to pull out all the stops. I was trapped within these pages before I even finished reading the foreward. These stories will make you open your eyes wide, or clinch them shut; grit your teeth, or bite your tongue; yell "Hell, no", or quietly plead "don't", and clinch your sheets, or better yet, hide under them. Dark Chapter Press has knocked it out of the park with this one!
WARNING - These tales are NOT for those who are offended by graphic horror/psychological tales involving children.
This collection is written by some very talented writers who are not afraid to pull out all the stops. I was trapped within these pages before I even finished reading the foreward. These stories will make you open your eyes wide, or clinch them shut; grit your teeth, or bite your tongue; yell "Hell, no", or quietly plead "don't", and clinch your sheets, or better yet, hide under them. Dark Chapter Press has knocked it out of the park with this one!
June 22, 2016
Normally with an anthology I'll dip in and out over a long period but I kept reading this book until I'd finished - two evenings actually which says a lot for the quality of the stories. Enjoyed the mix of tales with some very definitely not for the squeamish. Couldn't quite work out whether little girls or little boys were the most evil, The Bones of Baby Dolls by Feind Gottes, definitely gives the girls an edge whilst The Butcher' Apprentice by David Basnett redressed the balance.
May 3, 2016
I received this free from a goodreads giveaway.
The 1st story from this book was kinda ehh but after that it started to get better.
I wasn't really expecting any of the stories to be bloody but yeah some of them were pretty bloody which was nice....well if you like that stuff anyways.
Most of the stories were pretty good just the 1st one that i really didn't like but yeah pretty solid book.
The 1st story from this book was kinda ehh but after that it started to get better.
I wasn't really expecting any of the stories to be bloody but yeah some of them were pretty bloody which was nice....well if you like that stuff anyways.
Most of the stories were pretty good just the 1st one that i really didn't like but yeah pretty solid book.
April 19, 2016
A chilling time
Kids are scary. They are not evil or are they,hard to say? The horror that scares me the most involves kids. Maybe next time you are with your kids pay attention to what is behind their eyes
Kids are scary. They are not evil or are they,hard to say? The horror that scares me the most involves kids. Maybe next time you are with your kids pay attention to what is behind their eyes
March 25, 2016
Child Sized Chunks of Terror
This anthology is an amazing showcase of the talent of offer with today's Authors, each story is terrifyingly delightful, each unique in its own way.
This anthology is an amazing showcase of the talent of offer with today's Authors, each story is terrifyingly delightful, each unique in its own way.
March 25, 2016
Wow! Truly horrifying anthology with some of the most twisted misfits in horror. I simply couldn't pick out a favourite if i had to. Each one was different, and nasty in its own way. Impressive.
September 2, 2016
I read quite a lot of anthologies/collections and I would go as far as to say this is the most consistent I have read since Wrath James White's House of a Thousand Sins. The thing about a collection of shorts, whether it is by one author or a whole bunch of them, there is generally a few stories that I don't enjoy. This book on the other hand is just one excellent short after another. I didn't particularly enjoy the two stories that had animal killing in them but that is just a personal thing. I'm sure there are areas of horror I enjoy that others don't. All in all a fantastic antho.
September 13, 2016
Great!
This was quite the creepy anthology! I really enjoyed it. It had plenty of twists, turns and suspense to keep my interest. I recommend checking this one out. I look forward to the next volume.
This was quite the creepy anthology! I really enjoyed it. It had plenty of twists, turns and suspense to keep my interest. I recommend checking this one out. I look forward to the next volume.
August 25, 2016
Amazing book totally loved it. Can't recommend it enough
December 5, 2017
Very good collection of stories. Some were very gory while others just scary. A couple of them were a little dull. Kids are ruthless and basically killers in this collection. Creepy!!
Read
July 16, 2017dont rememnber finishing it. Was not engaging
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews