E is for Evil

by Rhonda Parrish (Editor), Beth Cato, Laura VanArendonk Baugh

The fifth edition of the Alphabet Anthologies.

Genres: Horror, Fantasy

327 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 15, 2018

About the author

Rhonda Parrish has the attention span of a magpie. Not only can she not focus on a single project at a time, but she also fails at sticking to one genre or even one type of writing (she does manage to stay true to one hockey team, though – Let’s go Oilers!). Perhaps best known for her work as an anthology editor – the Ottawa Review of Books called her “Canada’s best-known and most prolific speculative fiction anthologist” – Rhonda also works as a short story writer, novelist, game writer and a poet. She has been honoured to be included in a handful of ‘Best of’ anthologies, earn a coveted starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and be shortlisted for several awards including the Rhysling Award, the Aurora Award, the Dwarf Stars Award and Alberta Book Publishing Awards.

Most of her work falls under the speculative fiction umbrella but she has also penned paranormal non-fiction and non-speculative work.

In an effort to impose some order in her chaos, these days most of her short fiction and poetry is published directly through her Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/RhondaParrish .

More information about her, updates and calls for submission are posted on her website http://www.rhondaparrish.com/home/.

Reviews

[Melodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This anthology is the right sort of mix. Often you see 'horror' as gore and there is so much more to it than that. Horror can represent so many things. I'm not really a horror fan and read this book because a friend asked me to try it. I can say that I'm really glad I did. The creativity and ingenuity that the authors have actually made it pretty hard to put down and for a mother of a toddler... well, we are ALWAYS able to put things down in a hurry. In this case, not so much... had to start reading it during nap times and at bed... NOT the best time to read horror, but it may have changed my mind when it comes to reading horror in the future. No two stories are the same. If you love horror... or you want to experience horror on a level that is beyond guts and gore (though it has some of that too) I highly recommend trying this anthology.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

More detailed review to come, but this is a wonderful, diverse short story collection. The theme is "evil." Some stories come at the theme directly and others obliquely, but every one of them fits.

There are 26 stories, one for each letter of the alphabet. Part of the fun is figuring out the full title of each story, which is only revealed at the end. I hit about half of them on the head, and came close on most of the rest, but there were a few where I thought "why didn't I think of that" when I read the title.

Definitely recommend this one for sf/fantasy/horror fans.

[Brad Oates · Rating 5 out of 5]

In each installment of Rhonda Parrish’s Alphabet Anthology series, a letter is used to set a unifying theme for the book. Then, each author contributes a story woven around that theme, and grounded in some way by their assigned letter of the alphabet. How do each of the 26 stories collected here incorporate their letter? Well, that’s all part of the fun!

In this fifth installment of the Alphabet Anthology, E is for Evil, every selection is united by the theme of evil. Each of the 26 authors explore their conceptions of evil in unique ways, with plenty of wry wit, deep insight, and entertaining twists to go around.

E is for Evil is a fun, quirky, and thoroughly entertaining anthology which is sure to have something for every type of reader. It is absolutely worth the time for anyone who enjoys imaginative and thought-provoking literature.

-Brad OH Inc.
www.BradOHInc.com

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

E is for Evil is an anthology of 26 stories that all have "evil" as their common thread. All of these stories are dark fantasy and/or horror, but that still leaves a vast set of stories, and all of these use "evil" in interesting and creative ways. Evil is done by mythological beings, goddesses, and many, many humans. But for such dark subject matter, the stories are light, engaging, and even freeing.

While not ever story hit my "sweet spot" for fiction, and there were two or three that were too long or too short to suit me, these are all stories that make you wonder - make you think.

[Jack Messenger · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn’t quite the kind of book I was expecting, but devotees of fantasy, horror and science fiction should find these stories much more to their taste. Featuring ghosts and demons, goblins and witches, zombies, werewolves and vampires, there is more than enough here for readers to sink their teeth into. One of the overarching themes of the stories is the great truth that most of the evil in this world is perpetrated by human beings, either as individuals or as groups. One story in particular, Megan Engelhardt’s T is for Toll, approaches this theme head on in terms of war, while the first story, Michael Fosburg’s A is for Appalachia, sets it out in the deeds of individuals. The stories are varied and mostly quite short – just the thing for a stimulating bedtime read.

[Jeannette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my usual style of reading but the short stories were good for when I couldn't read something longer. If you like sci-fi, paranormal and more these stories will be good reading for you but maybe not as a bedtime story.

I received this book for free in exchange for my review.

[Beth Cato]

Not a review. Includes my story "R is for Rita."

[Book lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evil tales

A good anthology of stories for every letter of the alphabet. The tales of evil range from horror, Sci-fi to supernatural. It's a good read for anyone looking for interesting short stories about the darker side of life.

[Jenny_acc · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say i was a bit disappointed with the content of these stories. I was expecting a bit more "evil" than what i got. DOn't get me wrong , i quite liked most of these stories, just the evil theme was not there in my opinion.

[Jess Garner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through library thing giveaway in exchange for an honest review. E is for Evil is an anthology of 26 stories. This is not my usual type of reading but the short stories were good, my favorite one from the book was the one about the artists. However it did take me awhile to read this book i just kept putting it down and then picking it up again to read another story.E is for Evil is an anthology of 26 stories. This is not my usual type of reading but the short stories were good, my favorite one from the book was the one about the artists. However it did take me awhile to read this book i just kept putting it down and then picking it up again to read another story.