Be Afraid!: Tales of Horror

Be Afraid!: Tales of Horror #1

by Edo Van Belkom (Editor, Contributor), Michael Kelly, Robert J. Sawyer

What scares you? Is it vampires and werewolves, or the terror that rises from the darkness of everyday life?

Be Afraid! gathers fifteen stories, twelve of them original, by award-winning authors from both the horror and young adult fields in an anthology in which the shivers are as familiar as the touch of a cold hand on the back of your neck.

Be afraid of an innocent-looking doll. Be afraid for the changes that occur to a young boy as he matures into adulthood. Be afraid for a girl who is teased by her schoolmates for having a scar that has ruined her otherwise pretty face. The stories take everyday situations and recast them in a scary and unforgettable light.

Edited by Edo van Belkom, Be Afraid! features tales by international award-winning and bestselling authors, including Robert J. Sawyer, Monica Hughes, Tim Wynne-Jones, Ed Greenwood, Nancy Kilpatrick, Joe R. Lansdale, Ed Gorman, Steve Rasnic Tem, and Richard Laymon as well as a host of exciting new writers.

Genres: Horror, Short Stories, Fiction, Anthologies

184 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2000

About the author

Bram Stoker and Aurora Award-winner Edo van Belkom is the author of over 200 stories of horror, science fiction, fantasy, and mystery. As an editor, he has four anthologies to his credit that include two books for young adults, Be Afraid! (A Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book of the Year finalist) and Be Very Afraid! (An Aurora Award winner — Best Work in English). Born in Toronto, van Belkom graduated from York University, then worked as a daily newspaper sports and police reporter before becoming a full-time writer. Edo van Belkom lives in Brampton, Ontario, with his wife Roberta and son Luke.

Reviews

[Brian Gaston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought van Belkom was one the best horror authors / editors in Canada before he choose a different path and this anthology is one of his best.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this anthology. despite the big names in it, the stories were lacking suspense and originality. in most of them, I could figure out the ending. I also was unaware that this was a young adults anthology when I got it. So that in and of itself was dissapointing- which I guess is my fault. But I have read horror anthologies aimed at younger readers that I liked. All in all, I only liked two of the stories.

The Gun Show, by Ed Gorman, who is always a good author, about a cursed firearm that leads those who buy it to kill others or themselves, and the kid who is trying to prevent these deaths, and

The Ibook, about a young man who steals a computer from a writer. I was able to figure out how that was going to end as well, which was discouraging, but it was still a good idea.

[Nora Peevy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great collection of children's short horror fiction. The best part is many of the stories deal with issues preteens and teens face today and/or current technology. Yes, there's a Frankenstein story included in this collection, but you will find much, much more. I believe this book might get a young adult reading again who has been missing from the library all summer. Enjoy!

Check back later for a link to my longer blog review.