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Sticks and Stones: Tales of Childhood Horror
Childhood. A time of endless discoveries and extraordinary dreams. Not all discoveries are pleasant, however, and some dreams prowl as wild-eyed nightmares. We who survived our youth did so by journeying through carrion wilderness, with life preying upon our innocence and wonder. Monsters ever hunted us, for monsters prefer the taste of children.
Sticks and Stones is a collection of dark, fantastical stories about those most vulnerable years. First heartaches. First goodbyes. First encounters with death and depravity.
Revisit childhood and learn why we're never supposed to tell lies.
Why we don't talk to strangers.
And why we never, ever wander into the woods alone.
“I closed the final page on this collection and stared into my fireplace in complete contemplation. C.W. Briar's collection drug me screaming back to my childhood. Every selection seems purposeful and geared towards full-tilt emotional impact. Poignant and chill-inducing. Read if you dare.”
- Justin Holley , Author of BRUISED, TETHERED TO DARKNESS and BLOOD FROM THE STARS
“If stories are the currency people share, C.W. Briar has created a cursed treasure chest out of his collection Sticks and Stones . There is something intimate and dark here that will leave you feeling smaller than before.”
- Jessica Ann York , Author
“Sticks and Stones may break your bones, but this collection of childhood-themed horror stories will haunt you. This book contains a variety of tales that will satisfy a range of horror fans, from chilling, classic ghost stories to out-of-this-world cosmic horror delights. This is an excellent sampling of the talent and range of CW Briar’s horror, and will leave you hungry for more—just one story is simply not enough.”
- Erin Kelly , Author of the TAINTED MOONLIGHT SERIES
Sticks and Stones is a collection of dark, fantastical stories about those most vulnerable years. First heartaches. First goodbyes. First encounters with death and depravity.
Revisit childhood and learn why we're never supposed to tell lies.
Why we don't talk to strangers.
And why we never, ever wander into the woods alone.
“I closed the final page on this collection and stared into my fireplace in complete contemplation. C.W. Briar's collection drug me screaming back to my childhood. Every selection seems purposeful and geared towards full-tilt emotional impact. Poignant and chill-inducing. Read if you dare.”
- Justin Holley , Author of BRUISED, TETHERED TO DARKNESS and BLOOD FROM THE STARS
“If stories are the currency people share, C.W. Briar has created a cursed treasure chest out of his collection Sticks and Stones . There is something intimate and dark here that will leave you feeling smaller than before.”
- Jessica Ann York , Author
“Sticks and Stones may break your bones, but this collection of childhood-themed horror stories will haunt you. This book contains a variety of tales that will satisfy a range of horror fans, from chilling, classic ghost stories to out-of-this-world cosmic horror delights. This is an excellent sampling of the talent and range of CW Briar’s horror, and will leave you hungry for more—just one story is simply not enough.”
- Erin Kelly , Author of the TAINTED MOONLIGHT SERIES
- GenresHorror
230 pages, Paperback
Published March 29, 2022
13 people are currently reading
53 people want to read
About the author
C.W. Briar
10 books52 followersC.W. Briar writes dark fantasy stories that fuse the suspense and creepiness of horror with the senses of wonder and adventure from fantasy. His first book, Wrath and Ruin, is a collection of haunting short stories from a variety of genres. His next book, Whispers from the Depths, is coming January 2019.
Briar is a graduate of Binghamton University and works as an engineer on trains and aircraft. His lives near Binghamton, NY with his wife, kids, and corgis.
Briar is a graduate of Binghamton University and works as an engineer on trains and aircraft. His lives near Binghamton, NY with his wife, kids, and corgis.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 31, 2022
Good read
I think it was really risky to write this book. A lot of people don't like horror involving kids. These stories were well done.
I think it was really risky to write this book. A lot of people don't like horror involving kids. These stories were well done.
August 23, 2022
I met C.W. Briar a few years back at a Scares That Care convention in Virginia, and always look forward to seeing him and spending time “chewing the fat”. However, I am embarrassed to say, I hadn’t actually read anything by him - until he posted about his latest STICKS AND STONES: TALES OF CHILDHOOD HORROR. I made him a promise that when I saw him this year, I would pick up a copy (signed, of course), and read it before year end. I know he probably doesn’t remember that promise, but I made good on it.
Now, I’m going to see if I can get him to promise to make a batch of Buffalo Chicken pierogi for AuthorCon 2023 (yes, I know, the recipe is included after the story, but he already has experience making them).
OK, so my question is this - why the hell did I wait so long to read anything by him???? I blame our mutual friend Kevin Lucia (you seen me rave about him as well) for not pushing me more - and Kevin wrote the forward!
Briar takes on something a lot of authors shy away from, and that’s childhood tragedy and horror. Honestly, being a kid is scary as hell (ok, so is being an adult most days). They are trying to figure themselves out, their bodies are changing in weird ways, they jump at the slightest noise, and every shadow is something out to get them. Most adults forget what it was like, but reading this book, you are more than enlightened as to how it was growing up - and he does so wonderfully. Almost as if he was hypnotized before each story and made to remember tragic things that happened.
But here’s the real kicker. If you read as much as I do, you get to notice the cadence, rhythm, and voice of the authors you read. If you took a bunch of authors, and put them in a room saying, “Write a paragraph describing ”, you’re going to get a bunch of different styles; and if they are from authors you know, you could probably match each one to theirs. Chuck’s collection reads like it is an anthology of multiple authors, and not a collection from one. His tone, pace, and writing style changes from story to story - something I have honestly never seen before (to such an extent). Truly amazing.
Writing style aside, the stories are fantastic. From urban legend (DEVIL’S ELBOW), to true terror (TAKE ONLY ONE, PLEASE [my personal favorite]), C.W. takes you on a wild carnival ride of horror; one that leaves you gasping for air, screaming for mommy, and wanting to get back in line for another go.
Now, I’m going to see if I can get him to promise to make a batch of Buffalo Chicken pierogi for AuthorCon 2023 (yes, I know, the recipe is included after the story, but he already has experience making them).
OK, so my question is this - why the hell did I wait so long to read anything by him???? I blame our mutual friend Kevin Lucia (you seen me rave about him as well) for not pushing me more - and Kevin wrote the forward!
Briar takes on something a lot of authors shy away from, and that’s childhood tragedy and horror. Honestly, being a kid is scary as hell (ok, so is being an adult most days). They are trying to figure themselves out, their bodies are changing in weird ways, they jump at the slightest noise, and every shadow is something out to get them. Most adults forget what it was like, but reading this book, you are more than enlightened as to how it was growing up - and he does so wonderfully. Almost as if he was hypnotized before each story and made to remember tragic things that happened.
But here’s the real kicker. If you read as much as I do, you get to notice the cadence, rhythm, and voice of the authors you read. If you took a bunch of authors, and put them in a room saying, “Write a paragraph describing ”, you’re going to get a bunch of different styles; and if they are from authors you know, you could probably match each one to theirs. Chuck’s collection reads like it is an anthology of multiple authors, and not a collection from one. His tone, pace, and writing style changes from story to story - something I have honestly never seen before (to such an extent). Truly amazing.
Writing style aside, the stories are fantastic. From urban legend (DEVIL’S ELBOW), to true terror (TAKE ONLY ONE, PLEASE [my personal favorite]), C.W. takes you on a wild carnival ride of horror; one that leaves you gasping for air, screaming for mommy, and wanting to get back in line for another go.
July 31, 2023
Heartbreaking and beautiful, Briar is a dark mind trapped in the nicest guy you'll ever meet's body.
April 5, 2022
Sticks and Stones feels like a themed anthology rather than the work of a single author. The stories are varied in subject and tone, with some consistent artistic flourishes present throughout. C.W. is a gifted wordsmith in his creativity of expression and his ability to root descriptions in an age-appropriate lexicon. A child describing stitches as a centipede implanted upside-down in his skin. Another child's heart "skips rope" in her chest. Like Bradbury, these vibrant offerings force the reader to envision the actions through a new lens.
As with every collection, there will be favorites and I had a few. "Under the Bed" held its cards close to the chest but allowed peeks and glimpses that kept me guessing. "A Fine Line Indeed" was a bleak nightmare, distant echoes of "Tender is the Flesh." On the backend of the book, "Take Only One, Please" felt like some of the best NoSleep Podcast Halloween episodes. This story also had my single favorite description in the entire book - won't spoil it but it includes a penny.
Coming of age horror may be the next big thing in the genre. If so, C.W. Briar could very well lead the charge.
As with every collection, there will be favorites and I had a few. "Under the Bed" held its cards close to the chest but allowed peeks and glimpses that kept me guessing. "A Fine Line Indeed" was a bleak nightmare, distant echoes of "Tender is the Flesh." On the backend of the book, "Take Only One, Please" felt like some of the best NoSleep Podcast Halloween episodes. This story also had my single favorite description in the entire book - won't spoil it but it includes a penny.
Coming of age horror may be the next big thing in the genre. If so, C.W. Briar could very well lead the charge.
June 29, 2022
Lately I’ve been drawn to short stories/novellas, and C.W. Briar’s Stick and Stones would be a perfect example why.
Here we are presented with a collection of short stories, with a wide range of topics, children being the central theme. It’s not scary or creepy because of gore or jump scares. They invoke these feelings for 2 reasons, in my opinion: It brings us back to a time when we believed the shadow in the corner of the room would suck us into hell, and for some of us, it conjures up past traumas or situations which are highly plausible. Yes, there are sensitive themes including SA, suicidal ideation, abuse, bullying, cannibalism, etc. But it is very well done, and not necessarily thrown in your face.
As with any collection, we all have favorites. Mine are:
A Fine Line Indeed
The Door
Ikra’s Stone
I of course enjoyed the rest of the collection, as C.W. Briar has a way with words, drawing you into his worlds with ease. Being able to write from the point of view of children of differing ages is no easy feat, but the author nailed it. I will definitely be reading more of C.W. Briar’s work in the future.
Here we are presented with a collection of short stories, with a wide range of topics, children being the central theme. It’s not scary or creepy because of gore or jump scares. They invoke these feelings for 2 reasons, in my opinion: It brings us back to a time when we believed the shadow in the corner of the room would suck us into hell, and for some of us, it conjures up past traumas or situations which are highly plausible. Yes, there are sensitive themes including SA, suicidal ideation, abuse, bullying, cannibalism, etc. But it is very well done, and not necessarily thrown in your face.
As with any collection, we all have favorites. Mine are:
A Fine Line Indeed
The Door
Ikra’s Stone
I of course enjoyed the rest of the collection, as C.W. Briar has a way with words, drawing you into his worlds with ease. Being able to write from the point of view of children of differing ages is no easy feat, but the author nailed it. I will definitely be reading more of C.W. Briar’s work in the future.
August 9, 2022
Anyone who knows me well enough, knows how seldom I give 5-stars to anything I read but WOW - Sticks & Stones was really amazing.
I first met Chuck a handful of years ago when he came to one of my book signings. It's always great to meet other Horror-minded authors. He bought one of my titles & I bought a couple of his - that just happened to be on the Local Author shelf along with my own. I enjoyed those first books of his I read well-enough so when this new title came up and finding myself on a Short Story train, decided to give it a go. His prior books were good but this one - Dang, Chuck! I'm blown away at how much BETTER these ones are. He's grown so much as an author that I can't really chose a favorite in this collection. I truly enjoyed every single one - which says a lot about a collection to me.
If you are triggered by children in dire straits of ANY KIND - you may well want to pass on this, otherwise - BUY THIS BOOK!!
I first met Chuck a handful of years ago when he came to one of my book signings. It's always great to meet other Horror-minded authors. He bought one of my titles & I bought a couple of his - that just happened to be on the Local Author shelf along with my own. I enjoyed those first books of his I read well-enough so when this new title came up and finding myself on a Short Story train, decided to give it a go. His prior books were good but this one - Dang, Chuck! I'm blown away at how much BETTER these ones are. He's grown so much as an author that I can't really chose a favorite in this collection. I truly enjoyed every single one - which says a lot about a collection to me.
If you are triggered by children in dire straits of ANY KIND - you may well want to pass on this, otherwise - BUY THIS BOOK!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews