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The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror
Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror: Volume One
Join twenty-five masterful authors and talented newcomers with more than 400 pages of the disturbing, unnerving, haunting, and strange. This outstanding annual exploration of the year’s best dark fiction delivers tales of deathly possession, the weirdly surreal, mysterious melancholy, and frighteningly plausible futures. Confront your own humanity and the fears that stir you—from the darkly supernatural and painfully familiar to the disquieting terror of the unknown.
513 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2020
95 people are currently reading
317 people want to read
About the author
Paula Guran
97 books211 followersPaula Guran is senior editor for Prime Books. She edited the Juno fantasy imprint from its small press inception through its incarnation as an imprint of Pocket Books. She is also senior editor of Prime's soon-to-launch digital imprint Masque Books. Guran edits the annual Year's Best Dark Fantasy and Horror series as well as a growing number of other anthologies. In an earlier life she produced weekly email newsletter DarkEcho (winning two Stokers, an IHG award, and a World Fantasy Award nomination), edited Horror Garage (earning another IHG and a second World Fantasy nomination), and has contributed reviews, interviews, and articles to numerous professional publications.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 4, 2021
This collection of short stories is absolutely PHENOMENAL! I got a review copy from @kayepublicity and I’m so glad I did so that I could discover these stories. Out of the whole collection there was one, MAYBE two stories that I didn’t absolutely love and the rest all knocked it out of the park! I really loved that there were a lot of female authors in this collection, quite often they tend to be male centric and while I have nothing against male writes, some of my favourites are male, it’s nice to see the ladies get some representation. I discovered SO many new authors who’s work I want to look into as well and that’s always exciting! This collection really has it all when it comes to horror and dark fantasy stories, from gruesome and gory to just downright bone chilling. Horror fans, you don’t want to miss out on this collection!
July 19, 2022
A suprisingly good selection of stories. There were a couple that fell flat for me, but most were good to very good, and a couple were so good that I'm going to look for more by those authors (Marissa Lingen, Rivers Solomon). Also really enjoyed Boiled Bones and Black Eggs by Nghi Vo - I'm reading her novel, Siren Queen, right now, and enjoying it a lot. All in all, quite a worthy collection.
My only caveat is that the new publisher is lax on proofing. There were several places where obvious typos or word omissions threw me out of the flow of a story. This was the first volume Ms. Guran has done in this series under new publisher Pyr. I sure hope they do better by her in future volumes.
My only caveat is that the new publisher is lax on proofing. There were several places where obvious typos or word omissions threw me out of the flow of a story. This was the first volume Ms. Guran has done in this series under new publisher Pyr. I sure hope they do better by her in future volumes.
May 15, 2021
Faves:
"Shattered Sidewalks of the Human Heart" - Sam J. Miller
"Burrowing Machine" - Sara Saab
"About the O'Dells" - Pat Cadigan
"Thoughts and Prayers" - Ken Liu
"Logic Puzzles" - Vaishnavi Patel
"Haunted" - Carmen Maria Machado
"Glass Eyes in Porcelain Faces" - Jack Westlake
"Hunting by the River" - Daniel Carpenter
"Shattered Sidewalks of the Human Heart" - Sam J. Miller
"Burrowing Machine" - Sara Saab
"About the O'Dells" - Pat Cadigan
"Thoughts and Prayers" - Ken Liu
"Logic Puzzles" - Vaishnavi Patel
"Haunted" - Carmen Maria Machado
"Glass Eyes in Porcelain Faces" - Jack Westlake
"Hunting by the River" - Daniel Carpenter
January 19, 2021
It is at long last 2021, and the Year of Living Hideously is over. Maybe; I mean, already we’ve seen an attempted coup in our government, a seditionist riot in Washington, and a second impeachment for He Who Ought Not Be Named. But what we do have, happily, are two truly wonderful and long-awaited year-end collections: Paula Guran’s “The Year’s Best Horror and Dark Fantasy Volume 1”, and Ellen Datlow’s “The Year’s Best Horror Volume 12”. As ever, I am going to look at the Guran book first, because it is traditionally my first read of the new year.
The first thing long-time adherents of this series will note: the cover is different. Vastly different. The usual layout and graphics have changed, beginning with a full-page artwork. Very eye-catching. Also slick; whereas the previous editions’ covers were a bit more of a matte finish, except around the (smallish) cover pic. Part of me kinda likes it, part of me is a bit disappointed, because it will not match the previous Guran volumes I own. But that’s a very minor concern. As is the title, which lists this as “Volume 1”. All of the previous editions were, of course, “The Year’s Best Horror and Dark Fantasy 2009” and so on based on the year. Being as this is a new publisher, it is, I suppose, a fresh start. Either way, it’s still the inimitable Paula Guran making the picks here, and that simply cannot be a bad thing. I have rhapsodized in the past about her ability to somehow choose what I like, and suffice to say, she’s done it again.
Now then. If you like short reviews, you might stop right there. Or, maybe…
...ah, good. You’re still reading. Then let’s get something out of the way first. One of my major beefs about the Prime editions of these collections were the crushingly innumerable typos found in them. I am so happy to be able to report that this year’s book is darned near free of the annoying typographical errors. Page 408 has the only real egregious example, and it’s easily spotted and just as easily ignored.
More to the point. The content. There is a LOT to like here. As always, I will not attempt to summarize each story, I will just note the ones I really, really like. Beginning with, “Shattered Sidewalks of the Human Heart” by Sam J Miller. Oh my goodness. An end-of-the-world story, ho-hum…or…not. Why? Here’s a one-word clue: Kong. Yes, that Kong, and his femme fatale, and their fates, as related by a New York City cabdriver and soon to be spreader of death. Wow! This is an awesome piece of work. I was speechless.
“The Surviving Child” by Joyce Carol Oates. I do not hesitate to admit, there are just some times I do not “get” her work. Maybe I have to be in a particular mood. In this case, I was definitely in the mood and I absolutely got it. I bet you will too.
“About the O’Dells” by Pat Cadigan. What happens when a horrific event happens on your doorstep as a child, and how you go about purging yourself of the stain. Just amazing. Just amazing. I’ve already read it three times. I KEEP THESE BOOKS, by the way. Yes, I do re-read them! You should too.
Then consider, “A Catalog of Storms” by Fran Wilde. Now, full disclosure: I live with two wannabe storm chasers, though I actually came closer to witnessing a tornado than either of them. I have yet to witness a somanyquestions or vivid or ashpale. Probably that’s a good thing. This story is lyrical and sad and wonderful.
(I know, I know, I am listing a lot here, but this is just such a GOOD collection)
“Logic Puzzles” by Vaishnavi Patel. As a lover of puzzles, this one grabbed me and held on. A young woman, new to the country, loves puzzles. She especially loves creating her own puzzles…and her puzzles have a strange effect on the world around her. The story is short and to the point. Terrific. What’s more, it is the first of three such brief shockers. “Conversations With the Sea Witch” by Theodora Goss is lovely…I could see Priya Sharma (absent from this year's collection, but trust me, do check out "Ormeshadow") doing this, but not any better. Beautiful, beautiful. Yes, there can be beauty in Dark Fantasy. And then there is “Haunt” by Carmen Maria Machado. The shortest of the lot, I think, and all the more brilliant in is subtle suddenness. Gee whiz, if I could write like this, I would be in these collections, not reviewing them. But that’s okay.
I think I’m going to have to stop now, but not without listing my absolute revelations here. These are the authors I’m going to look for this year. First, Ellen Klages. Oh my, “Nice Things”. You’re going to want to read this one carefully. I’ve read it twice now. Wow. This one would’ve fit very nicely on Night Gallery. Then, Nghi Vo, and “Boiled Bones and Black Eggs”. The dinner guest who Will. Not. Go. Away. Beautifully done, dark and funny. And what a voice! And—almost at the end now—Aimee Ogden and “His Heart is the Haunted House”. If every story ever written is somewhat derivative of a predecessor, this one most certainly is NOT. What a concept, and what execution. If Klages belongs with Serling, this one is Creepshow, with George Romero bringing it to life. Just amazing, with a very satisfying conclusion.
Except. There must be a BEST ONE. One story that stands above. Perhaps not far, but elevated nonetheless. And in this volume, that distinction must go to Seanan McGuire and “Phantoms of the Midway”. I don’t mind admitting that I am an emotional person and cry at the drop of a hat, but this story of a carny girl who is not all she seems had me in weirdly happy tears. I shall let McGuire’s own words at the climax describe it: “It’s a little shivery, but you want to be there anyway. You want to know what happens next.” Indeed I do, Seanan, indeed I do. You can’t see me, but I am standing and applauding…whilst simultaneously wiping a few stray tears.
As happens in all such collections, there are a few tales that do not grab me as others do. But, taste. There’s no accounting for it. Doesn’t mean that they are any less deserving of note, just that I didn’t draw that frisson or joy from them I might’ve. Maybe it’s just a matter of mood, as with the Joyce Carol Oates story above. Maybe my tea didn’t steep thoroughly, or I was cold. God knows that’s possible these days; I stay cold. Hell, I’m cold right now and it’s 3 in the afternoon. Who can explain that? A cardiologist or oncologist, maybe, but right now I have no insurance so that’s out of the question.
Anyway. I am so happy to be able to review this book. It has been a constant in my life the past dozen years, and with its new home at Pyr, I hope it’s set for a continuation of its long and fruitful run. That there are so many new names again is a wonderful thing, and the quality is beyond question. Paula Guran continues to have that touch, the ability to pick out what can either frighten or amuse or perhaps tug (or yank!) the heartstrings. This year she’s even included a listing of further reading, which is either a good thing or bad depending on how much free time you have, or wish you had. In any case, despite the unforeseen and mostly unpleasant events of 2020, I nonetheless go into the new year with renewed hope. Thank you Paula Guran, and I hope we meet again under happier circumstances this time next year.
The first thing long-time adherents of this series will note: the cover is different. Vastly different. The usual layout and graphics have changed, beginning with a full-page artwork. Very eye-catching. Also slick; whereas the previous editions’ covers were a bit more of a matte finish, except around the (smallish) cover pic. Part of me kinda likes it, part of me is a bit disappointed, because it will not match the previous Guran volumes I own. But that’s a very minor concern. As is the title, which lists this as “Volume 1”. All of the previous editions were, of course, “The Year’s Best Horror and Dark Fantasy 2009” and so on based on the year. Being as this is a new publisher, it is, I suppose, a fresh start. Either way, it’s still the inimitable Paula Guran making the picks here, and that simply cannot be a bad thing. I have rhapsodized in the past about her ability to somehow choose what I like, and suffice to say, she’s done it again.
Now then. If you like short reviews, you might stop right there. Or, maybe…
...ah, good. You’re still reading. Then let’s get something out of the way first. One of my major beefs about the Prime editions of these collections were the crushingly innumerable typos found in them. I am so happy to be able to report that this year’s book is darned near free of the annoying typographical errors. Page 408 has the only real egregious example, and it’s easily spotted and just as easily ignored.
More to the point. The content. There is a LOT to like here. As always, I will not attempt to summarize each story, I will just note the ones I really, really like. Beginning with, “Shattered Sidewalks of the Human Heart” by Sam J Miller. Oh my goodness. An end-of-the-world story, ho-hum…or…not. Why? Here’s a one-word clue: Kong. Yes, that Kong, and his femme fatale, and their fates, as related by a New York City cabdriver and soon to be spreader of death. Wow! This is an awesome piece of work. I was speechless.
“The Surviving Child” by Joyce Carol Oates. I do not hesitate to admit, there are just some times I do not “get” her work. Maybe I have to be in a particular mood. In this case, I was definitely in the mood and I absolutely got it. I bet you will too.
“About the O’Dells” by Pat Cadigan. What happens when a horrific event happens on your doorstep as a child, and how you go about purging yourself of the stain. Just amazing. Just amazing. I’ve already read it three times. I KEEP THESE BOOKS, by the way. Yes, I do re-read them! You should too.
Then consider, “A Catalog of Storms” by Fran Wilde. Now, full disclosure: I live with two wannabe storm chasers, though I actually came closer to witnessing a tornado than either of them. I have yet to witness a somanyquestions or vivid or ashpale. Probably that’s a good thing. This story is lyrical and sad and wonderful.
(I know, I know, I am listing a lot here, but this is just such a GOOD collection)
“Logic Puzzles” by Vaishnavi Patel. As a lover of puzzles, this one grabbed me and held on. A young woman, new to the country, loves puzzles. She especially loves creating her own puzzles…and her puzzles have a strange effect on the world around her. The story is short and to the point. Terrific. What’s more, it is the first of three such brief shockers. “Conversations With the Sea Witch” by Theodora Goss is lovely…I could see Priya Sharma (absent from this year's collection, but trust me, do check out "Ormeshadow") doing this, but not any better. Beautiful, beautiful. Yes, there can be beauty in Dark Fantasy. And then there is “Haunt” by Carmen Maria Machado. The shortest of the lot, I think, and all the more brilliant in is subtle suddenness. Gee whiz, if I could write like this, I would be in these collections, not reviewing them. But that’s okay.
I think I’m going to have to stop now, but not without listing my absolute revelations here. These are the authors I’m going to look for this year. First, Ellen Klages. Oh my, “Nice Things”. You’re going to want to read this one carefully. I’ve read it twice now. Wow. This one would’ve fit very nicely on Night Gallery. Then, Nghi Vo, and “Boiled Bones and Black Eggs”. The dinner guest who Will. Not. Go. Away. Beautifully done, dark and funny. And what a voice! And—almost at the end now—Aimee Ogden and “His Heart is the Haunted House”. If every story ever written is somewhat derivative of a predecessor, this one most certainly is NOT. What a concept, and what execution. If Klages belongs with Serling, this one is Creepshow, with George Romero bringing it to life. Just amazing, with a very satisfying conclusion.
Except. There must be a BEST ONE. One story that stands above. Perhaps not far, but elevated nonetheless. And in this volume, that distinction must go to Seanan McGuire and “Phantoms of the Midway”. I don’t mind admitting that I am an emotional person and cry at the drop of a hat, but this story of a carny girl who is not all she seems had me in weirdly happy tears. I shall let McGuire’s own words at the climax describe it: “It’s a little shivery, but you want to be there anyway. You want to know what happens next.” Indeed I do, Seanan, indeed I do. You can’t see me, but I am standing and applauding…whilst simultaneously wiping a few stray tears.
As happens in all such collections, there are a few tales that do not grab me as others do. But, taste. There’s no accounting for it. Doesn’t mean that they are any less deserving of note, just that I didn’t draw that frisson or joy from them I might’ve. Maybe it’s just a matter of mood, as with the Joyce Carol Oates story above. Maybe my tea didn’t steep thoroughly, or I was cold. God knows that’s possible these days; I stay cold. Hell, I’m cold right now and it’s 3 in the afternoon. Who can explain that? A cardiologist or oncologist, maybe, but right now I have no insurance so that’s out of the question.
Anyway. I am so happy to be able to review this book. It has been a constant in my life the past dozen years, and with its new home at Pyr, I hope it’s set for a continuation of its long and fruitful run. That there are so many new names again is a wonderful thing, and the quality is beyond question. Paula Guran continues to have that touch, the ability to pick out what can either frighten or amuse or perhaps tug (or yank!) the heartstrings. This year she’s even included a listing of further reading, which is either a good thing or bad depending on how much free time you have, or wish you had. In any case, despite the unforeseen and mostly unpleasant events of 2020, I nonetheless go into the new year with renewed hope. Thank you Paula Guran, and I hope we meet again under happier circumstances this time next year.
November 17, 2020
Guran has edited/curated a few dozen anthologies over the years, along with annual collections of The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy & Horror. I wasn’t sure what to expect other than the seemingly obvious – a collection of scary stories personally chosen by Guran. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I got that and so much more.
All the authors featured in this anthology are talented and offer a mix of creepy, eerie, dark, disturbing, surreal, and troublesome narratives. On the other hand, while dark, I found some of them to be a bit comforting as well. Usually I’m hesitant to read short stories because they often offer no closure and leave the reader wanting more. While the stories featured in The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, Vol. 1 are no exception, I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this book.
Read my full review at The Nerd Cantina.
Listen to my interview with author Paula Guran on Episode 112 of The Nerd Cantina podcast.
All the authors featured in this anthology are talented and offer a mix of creepy, eerie, dark, disturbing, surreal, and troublesome narratives. On the other hand, while dark, I found some of them to be a bit comforting as well. Usually I’m hesitant to read short stories because they often offer no closure and leave the reader wanting more. While the stories featured in The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, Vol. 1 are no exception, I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this book.
Read my full review at The Nerd Cantina.
Listen to my interview with author Paula Guran on Episode 112 of The Nerd Cantina podcast.
December 13, 2020
Ken Liu’s “Thoughts and Prayers” was the standout story in this anthology
March 20, 2024
Averaged out my ratings for the individual stories as best I could.
The highlights for me:
Shattered Sidewalks of the Human Heart by Sam J. Miller, fantastic. There's nothing I can say about it that's *enough*, but it felt like it was for me in a way.
The Promise of Saints by Angela Slatter... the thing it reminded me of it wasn't really *like*? So I can't say 'it's like (X)' because it isn't. It does have the dark fairy tale vibes of Emily Carrol's work but in prose.
A Strange Uncertain Light by G. V. Anderson, lovely.
Conversations With the Sea Witch by Theodora Goss was also just... everything I wanted in a fantasy story?
Phantoms of the Midway by Seanan McGuire, who I had followed online for cat pictures and such and not read anything by and now really do have to read EVERYTHING by, but this is really just a beautiful thing.
Boiled Bones and Black Eggs by Nghi Vo, another author I now have to read everything by, a DELIGHT.
His Heart is the Haunted House by Aimee Ogden definitely did something for me, and like... I could really see that one so vividly.
In That Place She Grows a Garden by Del Sandeen I can't recommend enough.
The Thing With Feathers by Marissa Lingen... I don't know what I expected it to be but I am glad that it was what it was instead.
Some Kind of Blood-Soaked Future by Carlie St. George was a fantastic take on the final girl. I know there have been some novels about final girls but if you like your fiction shorter, this is a great one.
Read After Burning- Maria Dahvana Headley. I don't know if I liked it the most but it MOVED me the most.
The few disappointments for me:
The Surviving Child by Joyce Carol Oates is not a disappointment because it wasn't good, just that hers was a name I recognized and I think there have been other works by her that I enjoyed more.
Thoughts and Prayers by Ken Liu, the title REALLY got my attention but the story itself was... I mean, it was way more sci-fi than fantasy, which isn't bad! Like if it had been a Black Mirror episode I would have thought 'yeah, fair, this is saying what it needs to say and is a tonal match to my expectations as well', but my mouth was set for the fantastic and the supernatural, and while you can ABSOLUTELY make the argument that it fits under the banner of horror in a 'real world horrors' sense, it just... I had hoped for fantastic and supernatural, and instead I got a bleak story with characters I failed to really connect to. I would give his writing another try, in another story, but this one was one I got very excited for and then it wasn't a match for me.
Hunting by the River by Daniel Carpenter... again, not a bad story at all! There were things in it I really enjoyed but I think I wanted something out of it that it felt like it *almost* delivered.
Stories that fell somewhere in the middle that I do have thoughts/feelings on:
About the O'Dells by Pat Cadigan wasn't my favorite *story* but had a really good narrator voice!
Burrowing Machines by Sara Saab had some things I really liked, it wasn't up in the five star stratosphere but it was one of those ones that was coming close for me.
Logic Puzzles by Vaishnavi Patel had a vibe that reminds me of several old stories that I loved, those sort of disturbing ones, you know. A pinch of The Monkey's Paw and a dash of Sredni Vashtar, but stirred into something new. While it also didn't fully ascend to the ranks of the five star read, it had a quick and compelling nastiness that makes me think this is the kind of short story that creates a future horror lover out of a weird little child who happens to find it at just the right time in their life.
Blood is Another Word for Hunger by Rivers Solomon was powerful. I think the only thing that took it down from the top tier for me personally is that my horror surrounding childbirth isn't the fun kind. I really have to be in the right mood to tackle childbirth stuff and find it enjoyable, and the way it was presented here was... like, on the one hand a force for good and balance and finding/forging family, but also a horrific and taxing thing! So I think for someone who can bear that theme, this IS going to be one of the best in the bunch!
Really love that the year's best dark fantasy and horror is so diverse-- in terms of the authors being recognized and the stories being told! It's not a matter of ticking certain boxes (and ignoring others), it's a matter of looking for the best stories and not writing any of them off out of hand. It's a really solid collection. Very glad I happened to stumble across it in my local library.
The highlights for me:
Shattered Sidewalks of the Human Heart by Sam J. Miller, fantastic. There's nothing I can say about it that's *enough*, but it felt like it was for me in a way.
The Promise of Saints by Angela Slatter... the thing it reminded me of it wasn't really *like*? So I can't say 'it's like (X)' because it isn't. It does have the dark fairy tale vibes of Emily Carrol's work but in prose.
A Strange Uncertain Light by G. V. Anderson, lovely.
Conversations With the Sea Witch by Theodora Goss was also just... everything I wanted in a fantasy story?
Phantoms of the Midway by Seanan McGuire, who I had followed online for cat pictures and such and not read anything by and now really do have to read EVERYTHING by, but this is really just a beautiful thing.
Boiled Bones and Black Eggs by Nghi Vo, another author I now have to read everything by, a DELIGHT.
His Heart is the Haunted House by Aimee Ogden definitely did something for me, and like... I could really see that one so vividly.
In That Place She Grows a Garden by Del Sandeen I can't recommend enough.
The Thing With Feathers by Marissa Lingen... I don't know what I expected it to be but I am glad that it was what it was instead.
Some Kind of Blood-Soaked Future by Carlie St. George was a fantastic take on the final girl. I know there have been some novels about final girls but if you like your fiction shorter, this is a great one.
Read After Burning- Maria Dahvana Headley. I don't know if I liked it the most but it MOVED me the most.
The few disappointments for me:
The Surviving Child by Joyce Carol Oates is not a disappointment because it wasn't good, just that hers was a name I recognized and I think there have been other works by her that I enjoyed more.
Thoughts and Prayers by Ken Liu, the title REALLY got my attention but the story itself was... I mean, it was way more sci-fi than fantasy, which isn't bad! Like if it had been a Black Mirror episode I would have thought 'yeah, fair, this is saying what it needs to say and is a tonal match to my expectations as well', but my mouth was set for the fantastic and the supernatural, and while you can ABSOLUTELY make the argument that it fits under the banner of horror in a 'real world horrors' sense, it just... I had hoped for fantastic and supernatural, and instead I got a bleak story with characters I failed to really connect to. I would give his writing another try, in another story, but this one was one I got very excited for and then it wasn't a match for me.
Hunting by the River by Daniel Carpenter... again, not a bad story at all! There were things in it I really enjoyed but I think I wanted something out of it that it felt like it *almost* delivered.
Stories that fell somewhere in the middle that I do have thoughts/feelings on:
About the O'Dells by Pat Cadigan wasn't my favorite *story* but had a really good narrator voice!
Burrowing Machines by Sara Saab had some things I really liked, it wasn't up in the five star stratosphere but it was one of those ones that was coming close for me.
Logic Puzzles by Vaishnavi Patel had a vibe that reminds me of several old stories that I loved, those sort of disturbing ones, you know. A pinch of The Monkey's Paw and a dash of Sredni Vashtar, but stirred into something new. While it also didn't fully ascend to the ranks of the five star read, it had a quick and compelling nastiness that makes me think this is the kind of short story that creates a future horror lover out of a weird little child who happens to find it at just the right time in their life.
Blood is Another Word for Hunger by Rivers Solomon was powerful. I think the only thing that took it down from the top tier for me personally is that my horror surrounding childbirth isn't the fun kind. I really have to be in the right mood to tackle childbirth stuff and find it enjoyable, and the way it was presented here was... like, on the one hand a force for good and balance and finding/forging family, but also a horrific and taxing thing! So I think for someone who can bear that theme, this IS going to be one of the best in the bunch!
Really love that the year's best dark fantasy and horror is so diverse-- in terms of the authors being recognized and the stories being told! It's not a matter of ticking certain boxes (and ignoring others), it's a matter of looking for the best stories and not writing any of them off out of hand. It's a really solid collection. Very glad I happened to stumble across it in my local library.
April 28, 2021
Not quite horror as in scare you sh*tless. More like, Politically Corect ghost stories...
The Fourth Trimester Is the Strangest • REBECCA CAMPBELL [***]
Shattered Sidewalks of the Human Heart • SAM J. MILLER [***]
The Surviving Child • JOYCE CAROL OATES [***]
The Promise of Saints • ANGELA SLATTER [**]
Burrowing Machines • SARA SAAB [**]
About the O’Dells • PAT CADIGAN [**]
A Catalog of Storms • FRAN WILDE [**]
Thoughts and Prayers • KEN LIU [****]
Logic Puzzles • VAISHNAVI PATEL [**]
A Strange Uncertain Light • G. V. ANDERSON [***]
Conversations With the Sea Witch • THEODORA GOSS [***]
Haunt • CARMEN MARIA MACHADO [**]
Nice Things • ELLEN KLAGES [***]
Glass Eyes in Porcelain Faces • JACK WESTLAKE [**]
Phantoms of the Midway • SEANAN MCGUIRE [*]
Hunting by the River • DANIEL CARPENTER [**]
Boiled Bones and Black Eggs • NGHI VO [***]
His Heart Is the Haunted House • AIMEE OGDEN [**]
In That Place She Grows a Garden • DEL SANDEEN [**]
The Blur in the Corner of Your Eye • SARAH PINSKER [***]
The Coven of Dead Girls • L’ERIN OGLE [**]
Blood Is Another Word for Hunger • RIVERS SOLOMON [**]
The Thing, With Feathers • MARISSA LINGEN [**]
Some Kind of Blood-Soaked Future • CARLIE ST. GEORGE [***]
Read After Burning • MARIA DAHVANA HEADLEY [***]
The Fourth Trimester Is the Strangest • REBECCA CAMPBELL [***]
Shattered Sidewalks of the Human Heart • SAM J. MILLER [***]
The Surviving Child • JOYCE CAROL OATES [***]
The Promise of Saints • ANGELA SLATTER [**]
Burrowing Machines • SARA SAAB [**]
About the O’Dells • PAT CADIGAN [**]
A Catalog of Storms • FRAN WILDE [**]
Thoughts and Prayers • KEN LIU [****]
Logic Puzzles • VAISHNAVI PATEL [**]
A Strange Uncertain Light • G. V. ANDERSON [***]
Conversations With the Sea Witch • THEODORA GOSS [***]
Haunt • CARMEN MARIA MACHADO [**]
Nice Things • ELLEN KLAGES [***]
Glass Eyes in Porcelain Faces • JACK WESTLAKE [**]
Phantoms of the Midway • SEANAN MCGUIRE [*]
Hunting by the River • DANIEL CARPENTER [**]
Boiled Bones and Black Eggs • NGHI VO [***]
His Heart Is the Haunted House • AIMEE OGDEN [**]
In That Place She Grows a Garden • DEL SANDEEN [**]
The Blur in the Corner of Your Eye • SARAH PINSKER [***]
The Coven of Dead Girls • L’ERIN OGLE [**]
Blood Is Another Word for Hunger • RIVERS SOLOMON [**]
The Thing, With Feathers • MARISSA LINGEN [**]
Some Kind of Blood-Soaked Future • CARLIE ST. GEORGE [***]
Read After Burning • MARIA DAHVANA HEADLEY [***]
December 7, 2022
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What surprised me the most about this collection was how little horror seemed to be represented here. While there are a few stories that feel slightly horror-esque, most fall into the realms of dark fantasy/fiction. Thankfully it’s a genre I enjoy, but if you are hoping for some good old fashioned horror, you’ll likely be largely disappointed.
It’s a very solid anthology featuring a nice variety of story “types” that ultimately hits the mark most of the time. While the lack of true “horror” or anything that actually brings the scare factor to the forefront might turn some people off, if you imagine the word “horror” in the title was replaced with the word “fiction” your expectations will be better aligned with the stories within.
This is one I can whole heartedly recommend to any fan of the dark fantasy/fiction genres, and maybe even to those fans that want something to read that feels a little creepy at times but it won’t keep you awake fearing the monsters in the dark at night.
It’s not perfect, but it’s highly enjoyable.
https://solo.to/storyphoria
What surprised me the most about this collection was how little horror seemed to be represented here. While there are a few stories that feel slightly horror-esque, most fall into the realms of dark fantasy/fiction. Thankfully it’s a genre I enjoy, but if you are hoping for some good old fashioned horror, you’ll likely be largely disappointed.
It’s a very solid anthology featuring a nice variety of story “types” that ultimately hits the mark most of the time. While the lack of true “horror” or anything that actually brings the scare factor to the forefront might turn some people off, if you imagine the word “horror” in the title was replaced with the word “fiction” your expectations will be better aligned with the stories within.
This is one I can whole heartedly recommend to any fan of the dark fantasy/fiction genres, and maybe even to those fans that want something to read that feels a little creepy at times but it won’t keep you awake fearing the monsters in the dark at night.
It’s not perfect, but it’s highly enjoyable.
October 26, 2025
I have a complex relationship when it comes to horror. I'm rather neutral to just grossed out when it comes to elements like body horror and excessive gore. But when a story focuses on the psyche, the unknowns of the world, or illuminates the very real horrors we sadly call mundane that can really make for great storytelling. But there are many fans of hack and slash type stories as well as theatrical counterparts. So I'm always a little uncertain going into an anthology.
As with any collection, I resonated with some works more than others. But I was pleasantly surprised how many fell into that more creeping, biting, vibe than just brutality. Even the story that focused on my own very common dislike of spiders made my heart ache for the real terror of that tale. I also loved how it was a mix of tragedy and defiance from story to story.
Interesting collection that turned out a better experience than I had anticipated.
As with any collection, I resonated with some works more than others. But I was pleasantly surprised how many fell into that more creeping, biting, vibe than just brutality. Even the story that focused on my own very common dislike of spiders made my heart ache for the real terror of that tale. I also loved how it was a mix of tragedy and defiance from story to story.
Interesting collection that turned out a better experience than I had anticipated.
April 20, 2023
While this collection had a lot worth reading, Ogle's "Coven of Dead Girls" & St. George's "Some Kind of Blood Soaked Future" were real standouts for me. With the former telling a great little haunting narrative in under 10 pages and the latter being such a fun take on final girls that it really outperformed some of the novel-length takes on the trope I've read.
Westlake's "Glass Eyes in A Porcelain Face" deserves an honorable mention but it's theme read too much like a covid denial story for me to enjoy it as much as I would have liked even if I doubt this was the intent.
-Favorite Horror Stories of 2023
Westlake's "Glass Eyes in A Porcelain Face" deserves an honorable mention but it's theme read too much like a covid denial story for me to enjoy it as much as I would have liked even if I doubt this was the intent.
-Favorite Horror Stories of 2023
May 14, 2021
Great collection, will definitely add next year's edition to the must buy pile. Ken Liu's Thoughts and Prayers was the most collected story for the year (deservedly so) but other great stories from this collection included works from Angela Slatter, Pat Cadigan, Fran Wilde, Seanan McGuire and Rivers Solomon.
September 16, 2021
I gave up after 2.5 stories, not wanting to waste more of my time with this. I absolutely hated the narrative style, for one, and secondly, the first 2 stories went absolutely nowhere. The third I had to stop reading because it was just so long-winded and appeared to be going nowhere too. I bet it could be shortened to 2 pages.
November 25, 2022
As is common with anthologies, my interest in the stories varied. The collection wasn’t quite as dark or horrific as I expected. My favorites were “The Fourth Trimester Is the Strangest” (Rebecca Campbell); “Thoughts and Prayers” (Ken Liu); the novella “A Strange Uncertain Light” (G.V. Anderson); and, “In That Place She Grows a Garden” (Del Sandeen).
August 22, 2021
Don’t get me wrong, these were well written stories. But almost none of them felt dark fantasy or horror to me. Just angst mostly. Guess I went into this looking for something different based on the title of the collection or I would’ve rated it higher.
January 3, 2024
I totally enjoyed
I must say, I didn't think that I would enjoy the book that much.I was so wrong.I have since bought the other three books and, of course, the audibles.You can not go wrong with this first book it has something for everyone and well written
I must say, I didn't think that I would enjoy the book that much.I was so wrong.I have since bought the other three books and, of course, the audibles.You can not go wrong with this first book it has something for everyone and well written
November 23, 2020
Excellent.
It made me discover new to me authors and read some new works by beloved authors.
It's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It made me discover new to me authors and read some new works by beloved authors.
It's highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
January 27, 2021
some good some less. more good than bad tho.
April 24, 2023
Great stories, always a fun read. Would have liked them to lean a little harder towards the horror elements, but a great read.
April 25, 2023
As usual with anthologies, I liked some, didn't like others.
August 12, 2024
2.5 stars. Mostly a miss for me, but I did enjoy Pat Cadigan, Ken Liu, Seanan McGuire, Nghi Vo, Sarah Pinsker, L’erin Ogle and Carlie St George.
November 28, 2024
Excellent anthology@
Currently reading
May 13, 2025"The Surviving Child" by Joyce Carol Oates - Elisabeth plans to marry Alexander whose son Stefan has survived the murder/suicide of his mother and sister in the garage by carbon monoxide. By the end of the story Elisabeth is so miserable living with Alexander that she attempts to end her life in the same manner but Stefan rescues her and she learns that Alexander was the one who pulled Stefan from the car and left his wife and stepdaughter to die.
"Haunt" by Carmen Maria Machado - A couple mistake a runaway for the ghost of their drowned daughter.
"Haunt" by Carmen Maria Machado - A couple mistake a runaway for the ghost of their drowned daughter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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