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Howls from Hell: A Horror Anthology
Spacefaring researchers disturb an ancient horror. An enchanted object curses a grieving widow. A haunted reel torments a film student. A murder trial hinges on a chilling testimony.
In 'HOWLS FROM HELL', 16 emerging horror writers pave the way for the future of the genre. Fans of dark and macabre fiction will savor this exhibition of all-original tales born from one of the fastest-growing horror communities in the world: HOWL Society.
With a foreword by Grady Hendrix, this anthology unveils the horror writers of tomorrow with spine-tingling stories from P.L. McMillan, J.W. Donley, Shane Hawk, Christopher O'Halloran, Alex Wolfgang, Amanda Nevada DeMel, Lindsey Ragsdale, Solomon Forse, Justin Faull, M. David Clarkson, B.O.B. Jenkin, S.E. Denton, Thea Maeve, Joseph Andre Thomas, Joe Radkins, Quinn Fern, and others.
In 'HOWLS FROM HELL', 16 emerging horror writers pave the way for the future of the genre. Fans of dark and macabre fiction will savor this exhibition of all-original tales born from one of the fastest-growing horror communities in the world: HOWL Society.
With a foreword by Grady Hendrix, this anthology unveils the horror writers of tomorrow with spine-tingling stories from P.L. McMillan, J.W. Donley, Shane Hawk, Christopher O'Halloran, Alex Wolfgang, Amanda Nevada DeMel, Lindsey Ragsdale, Solomon Forse, Justin Faull, M. David Clarkson, B.O.B. Jenkin, S.E. Denton, Thea Maeve, Joseph Andre Thomas, Joe Radkins, Quinn Fern, and others.
308 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 2021
43 people are currently reading
2314 people want to read
About the author
Grady Hendrix
68 books35.1k followersGrady Hendrix is the author of the novels Horrorstör, about a haunted IKEA, and My Best Friend's Exorcism, which is like Beaches meets The Exorcist, only it's set in the Eighties. He's also the author of We Sold Our Souls, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, and the upcoming (July 13!) Final Girl Support Group!
He's also the jerk behind the Stoker award-winning Paperbacks from Hell, a history of the 70's and 80's horror paperback boom, which contains more information about Nazi leprechauns, killer babies, and evil cats than you probably need.
And he's the screenwriter behind Mohawk, which is probably the only horror movie about the War of 1812 and Satanic Panic.
You can listen to free, amazing, and did I mention free podcasts of his fiction on Pseudopod. He also does a podcast called Super Scary Haunted Homeschool.
If you're not already sick of him, you can learn all his secrets at his website.
He's also the jerk behind the Stoker award-winning Paperbacks from Hell, a history of the 70's and 80's horror paperback boom, which contains more information about Nazi leprechauns, killer babies, and evil cats than you probably need.
And he's the screenwriter behind Mohawk, which is probably the only horror movie about the War of 1812 and Satanic Panic.
You can listen to free, amazing, and did I mention free podcasts of his fiction on Pseudopod. He also does a podcast called Super Scary Haunted Homeschool.
If you're not already sick of him, you can learn all his secrets at his website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
March 17, 2021
3.5/4 stars
A Howling good read!
This was an incredibly unique and interesting collection of sixteen short stories from HOWL society. Not one tale is the same. Some are short while others are longer. As with all books containing short stories, there may be some that you enjoy more than others, some that scare you while some may be just creepy. One grossed me out -It gets in your eyes. I have eye issues. I will leave it at that so that short story was gloriously creepy (and gross) for me! It was also nice to learn a little about the authors after each short story. We are given what they do when they are not writing and where one may connect/follow them on social media.
Ones I particularly enjoyed:
A Casual Encounter
Manufactured God
Red Punch Buggy
Possess and Serve
Red and the Beast
Fans of horror and fans of short stories will enjoy this collection. I enjoyed HOWLS from Hell’s original and creative short stories. Plus, the illustrations are fabulous as well.
Thank you to HOWL Society Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
A Howling good read!
This was an incredibly unique and interesting collection of sixteen short stories from HOWL society. Not one tale is the same. Some are short while others are longer. As with all books containing short stories, there may be some that you enjoy more than others, some that scare you while some may be just creepy. One grossed me out -It gets in your eyes. I have eye issues. I will leave it at that so that short story was gloriously creepy (and gross) for me! It was also nice to learn a little about the authors after each short story. We are given what they do when they are not writing and where one may connect/follow them on social media.
Ones I particularly enjoyed:
A Casual Encounter
Manufactured God
Red Punch Buggy
Possess and Serve
Red and the Beast
Fans of horror and fans of short stories will enjoy this collection. I enjoyed HOWLS from Hell’s original and creative short stories. Plus, the illustrations are fabulous as well.
Thank you to HOWL Society Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
March 22, 2024
**3.5-stars rounded up**
Howls From Hell is a highly-entertaining Horror Anthology packed full of over-the-top, toe-curling content!!
Prior to reading, I discovered this well-rounded collection was collectively edited by, HOWL Society, which if I understand correctly, is an online group for Horror Readers and Writers.
I think this is fascinating and such a great example of the camaraderie that can be found within the Horror Fiction community.
Yes, I know we have our problems, but the whole essence of this collection is what it should be about. Supporting one another in this genre we all feel so passionately about.
In addition to its compelling origin, this is a wildly-varied and engrossing collection. It's absolutely worth the read.
I looked forward to starting each new story, as I never knew what to expect. Each author brought their own unique style and voice.
If I were to select my three favorite stories of the collection, they would be: Gooseberry Bramble by Solomon Forse, It Gets In Your Eyes by Joseph Andre Thomas and Junco Creek by S.E. Denton.
Overall, the entire collection is great though. The Foreward by Grady Hendrix brought me to the brink of tears; oh, the nostalgia.
I think of the 16-stories included, only two didn't resonate with me.
With this being said, I definitely think there is something in this anthology for every Horror Reader.
If you consider yourself a fan of the genre, give it a go, support your community and have fun while doing it!
Howls From Hell is a highly-entertaining Horror Anthology packed full of over-the-top, toe-curling content!!
Prior to reading, I discovered this well-rounded collection was collectively edited by, HOWL Society, which if I understand correctly, is an online group for Horror Readers and Writers.
I think this is fascinating and such a great example of the camaraderie that can be found within the Horror Fiction community.
Yes, I know we have our problems, but the whole essence of this collection is what it should be about. Supporting one another in this genre we all feel so passionately about.
In addition to its compelling origin, this is a wildly-varied and engrossing collection. It's absolutely worth the read.
I looked forward to starting each new story, as I never knew what to expect. Each author brought their own unique style and voice.
If I were to select my three favorite stories of the collection, they would be: Gooseberry Bramble by Solomon Forse, It Gets In Your Eyes by Joseph Andre Thomas and Junco Creek by S.E. Denton.
Overall, the entire collection is great though. The Foreward by Grady Hendrix brought me to the brink of tears; oh, the nostalgia.
I think of the 16-stories included, only two didn't resonate with me.
With this being said, I definitely think there is something in this anthology for every Horror Reader.
If you consider yourself a fan of the genre, give it a go, support your community and have fun while doing it!
April 17, 2021
When a horror anthology boasts an introduction from none other than Grady Hendrix, you know you’re in for something special.
Featuring sixteen tales of horror from the HOWL (Horror Obsessed Writing and Literature) Society, Howls From Hell treats us to such diverse tales as;
• A rare screening of long-lost movie reels that sparks a desperate search to learn more of the mysterious and sinister filmmaker behind them
• An excavation in the far future unwittingly unleashes a long-dormant monster upon the world
• Two fairytale heroines who aim to find their own happily ever after through bloodshed and vengeance
• A trip into the wilderness to reconnect with a distant teenage son that becomes a fight for survival as someone, or something, strikes when they are at their most vulnerable
Before reading this book, I had only read work by one of the authors beforehand and I’m happy to report that I now have fifteen other authors whose work I most certainly need to keep an eye out for in the future. There wasn’t a single story in this collection that I did not enjoy.
What makes this already rare claim even more impressive is how diverse the collection of stories is. There truly is something to suit everybody’s taste collected here. Like Sci-Fi horror? P.L McMillan (‘Manufactured God’) has you covered. Body Horror? Joseph Andre Thomas (‘It Gets In Your Eye’) and M. David Clarkson (‘Sprout’) have some great ones! How about Fantasy (Thea Maeve, ‘Red and the Beast’) or Urban Fantasy (J.W. Donley, ‘The Pigeon Lied’)? There’s also witchcraft, surrealism, cosmic horror, creature features, dark comedy and basically any other sub-genre you care to mention. The only thing the shorts really have in common is how consistently high quality they all are.
Picking favourites in a book full of stand-outs is a tall order. ‘Suspended in Light’ by Alex Wolfgang is a tense and creepy tale that effectively gets under your skin whereas the books closing story, ‘A Fistful of Murder’ by Lindsay Ragsdale is a fun, tongue in cheek black comedy with a fantastic premise. Twist my arm and I may have to go with ‘Possess and Serve’ by Christopher O’Halloran, an action-packed Sci-Fi offering that mixes the best parts of ‘Repossessor’ and ‘Altered Carbon’, although special mention must go to Solomon Forse and the frankly bizarre short ‘Gooseberry Bramble’. Told as a monologue from a witness on the stand in a murder trial, recounting a decades-old story of a deadly creature, this had some frankly horrifying imagery, as inventive as it is disturbing.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention the fantastic illustrations that precede each story, offering a small visual taste of what’s to come. They really added something extra to the reading experience, and may well have ruined me for other non-illustrated anthologies!
An anthology is a great way to discover new authors but expecting a book filled with hit after hit is a tall order and, with so many different voices and styles on show, it’s almost inevitable that not all will be to everybody’s taste. Cherish the rare find of an anthology like Howls From Hell, where every story will likely be somebody’s favourite.
You can read more reviews of new and upcoming horror releases at https://www.myindiemuse.com/horror-li...
I also promote indie horror via Twitter and Instagram - @RickReadsHorror
Featuring sixteen tales of horror from the HOWL (Horror Obsessed Writing and Literature) Society, Howls From Hell treats us to such diverse tales as;
• A rare screening of long-lost movie reels that sparks a desperate search to learn more of the mysterious and sinister filmmaker behind them
• An excavation in the far future unwittingly unleashes a long-dormant monster upon the world
• Two fairytale heroines who aim to find their own happily ever after through bloodshed and vengeance
• A trip into the wilderness to reconnect with a distant teenage son that becomes a fight for survival as someone, or something, strikes when they are at their most vulnerable
Before reading this book, I had only read work by one of the authors beforehand and I’m happy to report that I now have fifteen other authors whose work I most certainly need to keep an eye out for in the future. There wasn’t a single story in this collection that I did not enjoy.
What makes this already rare claim even more impressive is how diverse the collection of stories is. There truly is something to suit everybody’s taste collected here. Like Sci-Fi horror? P.L McMillan (‘Manufactured God’) has you covered. Body Horror? Joseph Andre Thomas (‘It Gets In Your Eye’) and M. David Clarkson (‘Sprout’) have some great ones! How about Fantasy (Thea Maeve, ‘Red and the Beast’) or Urban Fantasy (J.W. Donley, ‘The Pigeon Lied’)? There’s also witchcraft, surrealism, cosmic horror, creature features, dark comedy and basically any other sub-genre you care to mention. The only thing the shorts really have in common is how consistently high quality they all are.
Picking favourites in a book full of stand-outs is a tall order. ‘Suspended in Light’ by Alex Wolfgang is a tense and creepy tale that effectively gets under your skin whereas the books closing story, ‘A Fistful of Murder’ by Lindsay Ragsdale is a fun, tongue in cheek black comedy with a fantastic premise. Twist my arm and I may have to go with ‘Possess and Serve’ by Christopher O’Halloran, an action-packed Sci-Fi offering that mixes the best parts of ‘Repossessor’ and ‘Altered Carbon’, although special mention must go to Solomon Forse and the frankly bizarre short ‘Gooseberry Bramble’. Told as a monologue from a witness on the stand in a murder trial, recounting a decades-old story of a deadly creature, this had some frankly horrifying imagery, as inventive as it is disturbing.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention the fantastic illustrations that precede each story, offering a small visual taste of what’s to come. They really added something extra to the reading experience, and may well have ruined me for other non-illustrated anthologies!
An anthology is a great way to discover new authors but expecting a book filled with hit after hit is a tall order and, with so many different voices and styles on show, it’s almost inevitable that not all will be to everybody’s taste. Cherish the rare find of an anthology like Howls From Hell, where every story will likely be somebody’s favourite.
You can read more reviews of new and upcoming horror releases at https://www.myindiemuse.com/horror-li...
I also promote indie horror via Twitter and Instagram - @RickReadsHorror
March 19, 2021
3.5 stars! There were some real standouts in this anthology:
HOWLS FROM HELL is a showcase of new, talented voices in horror fiction. According to the entertaining introduction from Grady Hendrix, the stories in this anthology represent The HOWL society, a Discord chat born from a subreddit group (if I understand all of that correctly).
Anthologies can sometimes be tough reads and they aren't for everyone. I know that some horror fans won't even read/review Anthologies or Author Collections. I love short stories so I probably read more than the average person-I see them as the best way to introduce myself to a bunch of new-to-me authors to see if I want to investigate their work further. HOWLS FROM HELL is made up entirely of new-to-me authors. I’m not entirely sure, but I think some of the authors drew an illustration for someone else’s story. At least that’s what it seemed like to me and I thought that was cool.
A CASUAL ENCOUNTER/Quinn Fern- Right out of the gate this story grabbed my attention. Creative 'monster building' and a great hook/set-up for this seductive creature-feature. Very fresh, very 'now'
THE PIGEON LIED/J.W. Donley- This story jumps right into an elaborate universe complete with a huge cast of characters and an intricate plot having much ado about hats. Even though I had a hard time tracking this story, I enjoyed the author's speculative storytelling voice.
MANUFACTURED GOD/P.L. McMillan- I immediately got a Ridley Scott vibe with this story. Super immersive, high-tech, sci-fi/cosmic horror. A small group of explorers investigates a chamber of unknown origins and I enjoyed the dialog between the characters as they make discoveries. I could see this developed into a longer novel.
RED PUNCH BUGGY/B. O. B. Jenkin- Car accident. I'm not sure exactly what it was, but this story was disorienting for me.
SHE'S TAKEN AWAY/Shane Hawk- Police Dept. Transcription between a doctor and a patient. During the question and answer session, readers learn that the patient is a twin and that her twin sister has been institutionalized. The details of what the “evil twin” has done to get herself “taken away” are very disturbing and tantalizing. I loved this wicked tale.
SUSPENDED IN LIGHT/Alex Wolfgang-Julia is a film school student and is going through found footage. Old reels she’s feeding through a projector. Alone. Creepy stuff. “PLAY US FOREVER”. I would read more of this author’s work for sure.
GOOSEBERRY BRAMBLE- Solomon Forse- A testimony at a murder trial. A man tells the story of when he was a child and he disobeyed his grandma’s orders to never venture over to Gooseberry Bramble. Such a compelling narrative. I love reading stories like this.
CLEMENT & SONS/Joe Radkins- Haunted House. Fixer-upper. I love fixer-upper stories. There is something so appealing about an author taking the time to describe a house in disrepair and observe the protagonists set to cleaning it. But this house comes with a price and a grandfather clock. I enjoyed this story.
POSSESS and SERVE/Christopher O'Halloran- This was an original, imaginative alternate universe where Police officers could “assume control” over a perp’s actions to deescalate a situation. At least I *think* that's what was happening--then it turned into a domestic story of a relationship and family life. Admittedly, I thought this story was a little too long for the anthology and I felt my interest wan. This was just under 50 pages and I didn’t finish it, I think I was just used to shorter stories at this point.
DUPLICITOUS WINGS/Amanda Nevada DeMel- A desperate woman summons revenge upon her brother for stealing what she believes is rightfully hers. This story was not for me. I found it difficult to suspend disbelief in order to invest.
IT GETS IN YOUR EYES/Joseph Andre Thomas- A woman comes home from vacation with something irritating her eye. It becomes a real issue. This one too had a few issues to contend with, like doctor/patient confidentiality and HIPPA violations. Made it difficult to invest in, but once I did-this had some interesting, gross-out body horror at the end.
RED AND THE BEAST/Thea Maeve- I skipped this one just because I wasn’t in the mood for a fairytale-but I will go back. Sometimes I do crave a good, dark castle/prince/princess/slay-the-beast story.
THE INTRUDER/Justin Faull- A man gets stuck in traffic and winds up in a foul mood. When he gets home, something has clearly entered his apartment. The man has an altercation with the intruder. But then it could just be some kind of nightmare? Possession? It ended a little abruptly but it’s an interesting concept with real potential.
SPROUT/M. David Clarkson- This one has a shocking beginning. My eyes widened and my first impression was, “Ok-WOW”
Compelling first-person narrative-lots of pop culture references. I felt like this story was interesting but it was a little disjointed-some odd breaks in the story.
JUNCO CREEK/S. E. Denton- Leigh and Ben ascend into the Sierra Nevada range (close to my old stomping grounds, actually) for a nature-getaway and some mother/son bonding time in a remote cabin. I’ll add this story to my growing list of personal horrors. I think there is something so vulnerable about renting a house from strangers. Also, the outdoors is scary. Bears. Wildlife. Feeling like your son is distancing himself from you. Everything about this story scared me. I enjoyed it-one of my favorites. “There’s somebody under the cabin.” UGH!! Terrifying!!
A FISTFUL OF MURDER/Lindsey Ragsdale- A man gets some cash marked with the words “KILL” and begins to feel very strange. A quick story. I liked the storytelling voice.
HOWLS FROM HELL is a showcase of new, talented voices in horror fiction. According to the entertaining introduction from Grady Hendrix, the stories in this anthology represent The HOWL society, a Discord chat born from a subreddit group (if I understand all of that correctly).
Anthologies can sometimes be tough reads and they aren't for everyone. I know that some horror fans won't even read/review Anthologies or Author Collections. I love short stories so I probably read more than the average person-I see them as the best way to introduce myself to a bunch of new-to-me authors to see if I want to investigate their work further. HOWLS FROM HELL is made up entirely of new-to-me authors. I’m not entirely sure, but I think some of the authors drew an illustration for someone else’s story. At least that’s what it seemed like to me and I thought that was cool.
A CASUAL ENCOUNTER/Quinn Fern- Right out of the gate this story grabbed my attention. Creative 'monster building' and a great hook/set-up for this seductive creature-feature. Very fresh, very 'now'
THE PIGEON LIED/J.W. Donley- This story jumps right into an elaborate universe complete with a huge cast of characters and an intricate plot having much ado about hats. Even though I had a hard time tracking this story, I enjoyed the author's speculative storytelling voice.
MANUFACTURED GOD/P.L. McMillan- I immediately got a Ridley Scott vibe with this story. Super immersive, high-tech, sci-fi/cosmic horror. A small group of explorers investigates a chamber of unknown origins and I enjoyed the dialog between the characters as they make discoveries. I could see this developed into a longer novel.
RED PUNCH BUGGY/B. O. B. Jenkin- Car accident. I'm not sure exactly what it was, but this story was disorienting for me.
SHE'S TAKEN AWAY/Shane Hawk- Police Dept. Transcription between a doctor and a patient. During the question and answer session, readers learn that the patient is a twin and that her twin sister has been institutionalized. The details of what the “evil twin” has done to get herself “taken away” are very disturbing and tantalizing. I loved this wicked tale.
SUSPENDED IN LIGHT/Alex Wolfgang-Julia is a film school student and is going through found footage. Old reels she’s feeding through a projector. Alone. Creepy stuff. “PLAY US FOREVER”. I would read more of this author’s work for sure.
GOOSEBERRY BRAMBLE- Solomon Forse- A testimony at a murder trial. A man tells the story of when he was a child and he disobeyed his grandma’s orders to never venture over to Gooseberry Bramble. Such a compelling narrative. I love reading stories like this.
CLEMENT & SONS/Joe Radkins- Haunted House. Fixer-upper. I love fixer-upper stories. There is something so appealing about an author taking the time to describe a house in disrepair and observe the protagonists set to cleaning it. But this house comes with a price and a grandfather clock. I enjoyed this story.
POSSESS and SERVE/Christopher O'Halloran- This was an original, imaginative alternate universe where Police officers could “assume control” over a perp’s actions to deescalate a situation. At least I *think* that's what was happening--then it turned into a domestic story of a relationship and family life. Admittedly, I thought this story was a little too long for the anthology and I felt my interest wan. This was just under 50 pages and I didn’t finish it, I think I was just used to shorter stories at this point.
DUPLICITOUS WINGS/Amanda Nevada DeMel- A desperate woman summons revenge upon her brother for stealing what she believes is rightfully hers. This story was not for me. I found it difficult to suspend disbelief in order to invest.
IT GETS IN YOUR EYES/Joseph Andre Thomas- A woman comes home from vacation with something irritating her eye. It becomes a real issue. This one too had a few issues to contend with, like doctor/patient confidentiality and HIPPA violations. Made it difficult to invest in, but once I did-this had some interesting, gross-out body horror at the end.
RED AND THE BEAST/Thea Maeve- I skipped this one just because I wasn’t in the mood for a fairytale-but I will go back. Sometimes I do crave a good, dark castle/prince/princess/slay-the-beast story.
THE INTRUDER/Justin Faull- A man gets stuck in traffic and winds up in a foul mood. When he gets home, something has clearly entered his apartment. The man has an altercation with the intruder. But then it could just be some kind of nightmare? Possession? It ended a little abruptly but it’s an interesting concept with real potential.
SPROUT/M. David Clarkson- This one has a shocking beginning. My eyes widened and my first impression was, “Ok-WOW”
Compelling first-person narrative-lots of pop culture references. I felt like this story was interesting but it was a little disjointed-some odd breaks in the story.
JUNCO CREEK/S. E. Denton- Leigh and Ben ascend into the Sierra Nevada range (close to my old stomping grounds, actually) for a nature-getaway and some mother/son bonding time in a remote cabin. I’ll add this story to my growing list of personal horrors. I think there is something so vulnerable about renting a house from strangers. Also, the outdoors is scary. Bears. Wildlife. Feeling like your son is distancing himself from you. Everything about this story scared me. I enjoyed it-one of my favorites. “There’s somebody under the cabin.” UGH!! Terrifying!!
A FISTFUL OF MURDER/Lindsey Ragsdale- A man gets some cash marked with the words “KILL” and begins to feel very strange. A quick story. I liked the storytelling voice.
July 12, 2022
This collection of short stories is absolutely PHENOMENAL! I got a copy for review from @howl_society 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 diversity in this collection, quite often they tend to be white, straight male centric and while I have nothing against these kinds of writers, it’s nice to see some diverse 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 stories, from gruesome and gory to just downright bone chilling. Horror fans, you don’t want to miss out on this collection!
May 21, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this horror anthology published by the HOWL Society. When I was asked to read and review an ARC of this book, I was more than happy to do so. The HOWL Society operates on a discord server that got its start through /r/horrorlit, which is one of my favorite subreddits. As with most anthologies, some of the stories were better than others, but most of these were solid.
Forward: 5/5
You might be thinking, "You're reviewing the forward?" Yes, yes I am. The forward is written by Grady Hendrix, author of The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, which was one of my favorite books of 2020. The forward is definitely worth the read. Don't skip over it. If you're a horror fan, it might just touch your heart.
A Casual Encounter: 3/5
This one is pretty short, even for a short story. There isn't time for much character development or even much plot. While I enjoyed it and didn't find it boring, it was somewhat predictable and didn't have much "meat" to it.
The Pigeon Lied: 4/5
From the moment I started reading this, I was afraid I wasn't going to like it. This story is a little on the weird side and I don't typically enjoy that type of thing. After I got into it, though, I found it to be incredibly well-written. The world was unique and the plot was fast without being inauthentic. It was overall very satisfying.
Manufactured God: 4.5/5
Sci-fi isn't really my jam, but I do appreciate some science-y aspects and this story worked well for me. Who wouldn't love some futuristic archeology? It's a great premise. The main character had a distinct voice and I thought the tale was riveting. The only reason I rated down was because I think horror is more frightening if it's rooted in the real world, but parts of this story seemed a little too unbelievable for my taste.
Red Punch Buggy: 2/5
I honestly don't remember too much about this one (my notes just had the rating) but I remember a general feeling that nothing had really happened in the story. I found it hard to sympathize with the main character. Maybe I just didn't "get" it but I'm not sure what I could have missed.
She's Taken Away: 4/5
This one is solidly good and also short so it's definitely worth the read. It's told in a unique way--in the form of a transcribed interview recording. It's not particularly shocking or thought-provoking, but it was fun.
Suspended in Light: 4/5
While this was somewhat vague, I was okay with it. I liked the characters and the setting, possibly because I'm a college student myself. It was atmospheric without that being its only strong point.
Gooseberry Bramble: 5/5
This lovely story was one of my favorites in the anthology--possibly my top favorite. I love books with Southern vibes and this short story was extremely Southern. The horror aspects of the story were, well, horrifying and very unique. It felt authentic and was told in the form of a court testimony, which made it even better. I would recommend this one to basically everybody.
Clement & Sons: 3.5/5
I would describe this story as okay. It's slightly trope-y and predictable. Considering how much time that the story spends with the main character, I thought it would be better if we got to know her a little better. Regardless, the story was still enjoyable and light.
Possess and Serve: 5/5
I loved the premise for this story! I also thought the characters were very well-fleshed out and relatable. The horror aspects were disturbing in a very realistic way and I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to know how everything would turn out. The threat was real. Overall, this was a very well written story and one of my favorites in the anthology.
Duplicitous Wings: 4.5/5
The subject matter--witchy vibes, spells, and winged women--was right up my alley. I thought it was interesting, even if the twist was somewhat obvious in my opinion. It wasn't particularly frightening or uncomfortable, but it worked. The only reason I rated down was because I would have liked it better if the family had been characterized a little better. However, this is partly because we see them through the protagonist's eyes and thus they are described how she views them. I still wish there had been a workaround to this or better descriptions that would give further insight, but it's a small want compared to how much I enjoyed the story overall.
It Gets in Your Eyes: 5/5
Am I the only one who hates eyes? I don't mind touching my own eyes (I wear contacts) but eye-related body horror always kind of grosses me out. The descriptions were really well done. I think the decision to make the boyfriend the narrator instead of the girl with the eye problem was genius and really helped add to the suspense. I also liked how the narrator's voice was distinctive.
Red and the Beast: 4/5
This story was different from the others in the sense that it never really felt like a horror story. It doesn't quite fit in with the others and feels more dark fantasy than horror. Luckily, I love fantasy books and this one had the added benefit of having fairytale vibes, which I also love. However, these fairytale elements felt more smashed together than cohesive, which left the story somewhat unnatural and forced at times. Despite this, it was fast=paced and enjoyable.
The Intruder: 3/5
Though I didn't hate this story while reading, I found it pretty forgettable. I loved the writing style, which I thought was descriptive and insightful, and thought it was winding up to be a fantastic story. By the end it fell kind of flat.
Sprout: 4.5/5
This one reminded me of Uprooted, which happens to be one of my favorite books ever, because of the creepy forest. I loved the atmosphere and vibes of the story and I thought that the horror aspects were particularly well-done. However, I had a hard time relating to the narrator or caring much about him.
Junco Creek: 3.5/5
I love a good spooky story that takes place in the outdoors and this one fills the role quite well. I liked the ending, too, although it could have ended on a slightly more definitive note. My biggest problem was with the "monster" itself, which I found a little too cliche.
A Fistful of Murder: 4/5
Although this one was a little less definitive than I like, I think it worked well and contributed to the horror factor. There was one part in particular that I knew was coming, but the anticipation only added to the suspense. There were also times when I grew frustrated with the protagonist because I felt like he didn't do the most logical thing, but of course you never know how you would react in that kind of situation.
Thank you to HOWL Society Press for sending me an advanced copy of this anthology.
Forward: 5/5
You might be thinking, "You're reviewing the forward?" Yes, yes I am. The forward is written by Grady Hendrix, author of The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, which was one of my favorite books of 2020. The forward is definitely worth the read. Don't skip over it. If you're a horror fan, it might just touch your heart.
A Casual Encounter: 3/5
This one is pretty short, even for a short story. There isn't time for much character development or even much plot. While I enjoyed it and didn't find it boring, it was somewhat predictable and didn't have much "meat" to it.
The Pigeon Lied: 4/5
From the moment I started reading this, I was afraid I wasn't going to like it. This story is a little on the weird side and I don't typically enjoy that type of thing. After I got into it, though, I found it to be incredibly well-written. The world was unique and the plot was fast without being inauthentic. It was overall very satisfying.
Manufactured God: 4.5/5
Sci-fi isn't really my jam, but I do appreciate some science-y aspects and this story worked well for me. Who wouldn't love some futuristic archeology? It's a great premise. The main character had a distinct voice and I thought the tale was riveting. The only reason I rated down was because I think horror is more frightening if it's rooted in the real world, but parts of this story seemed a little too unbelievable for my taste.
Red Punch Buggy: 2/5
I honestly don't remember too much about this one (my notes just had the rating) but I remember a general feeling that nothing had really happened in the story. I found it hard to sympathize with the main character. Maybe I just didn't "get" it but I'm not sure what I could have missed.
She's Taken Away: 4/5
This one is solidly good and also short so it's definitely worth the read. It's told in a unique way--in the form of a transcribed interview recording. It's not particularly shocking or thought-provoking, but it was fun.
Suspended in Light: 4/5
While this was somewhat vague, I was okay with it. I liked the characters and the setting, possibly because I'm a college student myself. It was atmospheric without that being its only strong point.
Gooseberry Bramble: 5/5
This lovely story was one of my favorites in the anthology--possibly my top favorite. I love books with Southern vibes and this short story was extremely Southern. The horror aspects of the story were, well, horrifying and very unique. It felt authentic and was told in the form of a court testimony, which made it even better. I would recommend this one to basically everybody.
Clement & Sons: 3.5/5
I would describe this story as okay. It's slightly trope-y and predictable. Considering how much time that the story spends with the main character, I thought it would be better if we got to know her a little better. Regardless, the story was still enjoyable and light.
Possess and Serve: 5/5
I loved the premise for this story! I also thought the characters were very well-fleshed out and relatable. The horror aspects were disturbing in a very realistic way and I couldn't stop reading because I wanted to know how everything would turn out. The threat was real. Overall, this was a very well written story and one of my favorites in the anthology.
Duplicitous Wings: 4.5/5
The subject matter--witchy vibes, spells, and winged women--was right up my alley. I thought it was interesting, even if the twist was somewhat obvious in my opinion. It wasn't particularly frightening or uncomfortable, but it worked. The only reason I rated down was because I would have liked it better if the family had been characterized a little better. However, this is partly because we see them through the protagonist's eyes and thus they are described how she views them. I still wish there had been a workaround to this or better descriptions that would give further insight, but it's a small want compared to how much I enjoyed the story overall.
It Gets in Your Eyes: 5/5
Am I the only one who hates eyes? I don't mind touching my own eyes (I wear contacts) but eye-related body horror always kind of grosses me out. The descriptions were really well done. I think the decision to make the boyfriend the narrator instead of the girl with the eye problem was genius and really helped add to the suspense. I also liked how the narrator's voice was distinctive.
Red and the Beast: 4/5
This story was different from the others in the sense that it never really felt like a horror story. It doesn't quite fit in with the others and feels more dark fantasy than horror. Luckily, I love fantasy books and this one had the added benefit of having fairytale vibes, which I also love. However, these fairytale elements felt more smashed together than cohesive, which left the story somewhat unnatural and forced at times. Despite this, it was fast=paced and enjoyable.
The Intruder: 3/5
Though I didn't hate this story while reading, I found it pretty forgettable. I loved the writing style, which I thought was descriptive and insightful, and thought it was winding up to be a fantastic story. By the end it fell kind of flat.
Sprout: 4.5/5
This one reminded me of Uprooted, which happens to be one of my favorite books ever, because of the creepy forest. I loved the atmosphere and vibes of the story and I thought that the horror aspects were particularly well-done. However, I had a hard time relating to the narrator or caring much about him.
Junco Creek: 3.5/5
I love a good spooky story that takes place in the outdoors and this one fills the role quite well. I liked the ending, too, although it could have ended on a slightly more definitive note. My biggest problem was with the "monster" itself, which I found a little too cliche.
A Fistful of Murder: 4/5
Although this one was a little less definitive than I like, I think it worked well and contributed to the horror factor. There was one part in particular that I knew was coming, but the anticipation only added to the suspense. There were also times when I grew frustrated with the protagonist because I felt like he didn't do the most logical thing, but of course you never know how you would react in that kind of situation.
Thank you to HOWL Society Press for sending me an advanced copy of this anthology.
May 12, 2021
A literary society dedicated to write and read horror. It sounds like something from the 18th Century but it's not. At least not this one. Born on Discord, the chat platform, The Horror-Obssesed Writing and Literature Society is a club for those who like to spike their lives with horror-induced adrenaline highs.
Together, by a process of submission and general membership voting, they selected a year's best in short stories and the result of this selection is Howls From Hell.
Not every story in this anthology is a hit (at least not for me), but since horror is such a personal taste, I imagine that what didn't make it for me, may just well be someone else's cup of blood (or tea, if you're not of the vampiric persuasion).
For anyone who wants to read horror but is not so committed to the genre as to take on a whole novel, at least not at first, this is a good entry point. The stories here include pretty much every horror subgenre, from slash porn, all blood and running, to horror in space, where no one would hear you scream.
I particularly liked The Pigeon Lied by J.W. Donley. This story offers an interesting take on Luciferian folklore, including some clever takes on Sumerian Mythology and sparse but well chosen Biblical references. Interesting, Hell-adjacent funny, and at times just funny, this one caught my attention right from the start.
Then there was Red Punch Buggy by B.O.B. Jenkin, where much like the driver in the story, I didn't know where anything of it was going. Confusion was the emotion at hand, for me as much as for the characters, but the horrible realization was there, waiting for all of us in the final lines, and it was all too shocking not to get shock.
Red and the Beast by Thea Maeve is also a good one. Here, the author takes us back to the origin of every fairy tale. Yes, nowadays Disney Co. has done its best to convince us that fairy tales are sweet bedtime stories, but that's far from the true. Folktales and fairy tales were born from our collective fears, they are nothing else but cautionary tales, warning us about the dangers of the world. Well, both Red and Beauty sure learned who to fear and who to chase.
As a whole, a 3.5 stars rounded to 4 because the world does need a bit more horror of the literary kind.
Netgalley provided me with a free copy.
Together, by a process of submission and general membership voting, they selected a year's best in short stories and the result of this selection is Howls From Hell.
Not every story in this anthology is a hit (at least not for me), but since horror is such a personal taste, I imagine that what didn't make it for me, may just well be someone else's cup of blood (or tea, if you're not of the vampiric persuasion).
For anyone who wants to read horror but is not so committed to the genre as to take on a whole novel, at least not at first, this is a good entry point. The stories here include pretty much every horror subgenre, from slash porn, all blood and running, to horror in space, where no one would hear you scream.
I particularly liked The Pigeon Lied by J.W. Donley. This story offers an interesting take on Luciferian folklore, including some clever takes on Sumerian Mythology and sparse but well chosen Biblical references. Interesting, Hell-adjacent funny, and at times just funny, this one caught my attention right from the start.
Then there was Red Punch Buggy by B.O.B. Jenkin, where much like the driver in the story, I didn't know where anything of it was going. Confusion was the emotion at hand, for me as much as for the characters, but the horrible realization was there, waiting for all of us in the final lines, and it was all too shocking not to get shock.
Red and the Beast by Thea Maeve is also a good one. Here, the author takes us back to the origin of every fairy tale. Yes, nowadays Disney Co. has done its best to convince us that fairy tales are sweet bedtime stories, but that's far from the true. Folktales and fairy tales were born from our collective fears, they are nothing else but cautionary tales, warning us about the dangers of the world. Well, both Red and Beauty sure learned who to fear and who to chase.
As a whole, a 3.5 stars rounded to 4 because the world does need a bit more horror of the literary kind.
Netgalley provided me with a free copy.
March 5, 2021
This book is full of great stories by very talented authors, it’s Lovecraftian influences were very satisfying to a huge nerd like me - and I especially was a fan of Gooseberry Bramble and Suspended in Light - both of which gave me a very rare scare.
Based on the author this book is a mix of serious and lighthearted, some stories are very detailed and long - others are only a couple pages hence the first story, which was one of my favorites as well. I was interested in most of these plots, but not all are pulled off. I believe this book is mostly fun and entertaining, but it can be hit or miss. It has moments of true spookiness though, which is extremely rare! I felt honestly bothered by the idea of a child being trapped in a Berry, and popped between someone’s teeth.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me review this arc, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Based on the author this book is a mix of serious and lighthearted, some stories are very detailed and long - others are only a couple pages hence the first story, which was one of my favorites as well. I was interested in most of these plots, but not all are pulled off. I believe this book is mostly fun and entertaining, but it can be hit or miss. It has moments of true spookiness though, which is extremely rare! I felt honestly bothered by the idea of a child being trapped in a Berry, and popped between someone’s teeth.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me review this arc, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
April 13, 2021
HOWLS FROM HELL is a beast of an anthology (get it? huh? huh?) with many brand-new-to-me authors. It’s a given that I would be drawn to the gorgeous cover art and the forward written by Grady Hendrix, but after reading it I realize it’s spectacular in its own right.
There are a total of sixteen stories, none of them alike. Each story gave me a new horror experience, but the one thing they all have in common is they are addictive.
The Howl Society stands for Horror-Obsessed Writing and Literature Society. It’s a community of horror readers and writers on Discord who read books monthly and have discussions about all things horror. It’s also inclusive because guess what?...it’s 100% free. Sounds pretty fantastic, right?
The forward by Grady Hendrix encompasses why I love horror so perfectly. His words gave me all the horror warm and fuzzies and left me ready to begin.
I haven’t read an anthology recently that doesn’t have a single bad apple.m, but every one of these little gems shines. Reading, I went through all sorts of reactions: I gasped, I winced, I laughed, and I immediately looked up more books by authors I didn’t even know were out there.
The first story A CASUAL ENCOUNTER by Quinn Fern is wicked fun. It is the perfect amuse-bouche for your horror palette and I left it with a wink and a smile. From this 5 star story, I hit one after the other. No joke, I rate every one of these 5 stars. I’ll give you a couple more teasers below:
Shane Hawk’s SHE’S TAKEN AWAY is perfectly executed. It’s written as a transcript of a doctor-patient session where the patient discusses her likely evil twin. There is not a single sinister word wasted.
SUSPENDED BY LIGHT by Alex Wolfgang thoroughly impressed me. I love a good “lost footage” trope and in this one a student starts watching old film reels when things get real creepy.
Science fiction and dystopian stories are favorite genres of mine, so I thoroughly enjoyed POSSES AND SERVE by Christopher O’Halloran. This futuristic style story takes place in a world where law enforcement agents utilize the Assume Control Unit. Basically agents can posses the bodies of civilians in order to deescalate a situation.
Okay so I don’t know if this makes me weird, but the story IT GETS IN YOUR EYES by Joseph Andre Thomas made me chuckle. I couldn’t read it fast enough. Reading the thoughts of our narrator was suspenseful but there is some great sarcasm that I much appreciated. The ending is everything.
I cannot recommend HOWLS FROM HELL enough. After the week I had, it was exactly what the doctor ordered.
Thank you so much to the Howl Society and Night Worms for my review copy.
There are a total of sixteen stories, none of them alike. Each story gave me a new horror experience, but the one thing they all have in common is they are addictive.
The Howl Society stands for Horror-Obsessed Writing and Literature Society. It’s a community of horror readers and writers on Discord who read books monthly and have discussions about all things horror. It’s also inclusive because guess what?...it’s 100% free. Sounds pretty fantastic, right?
The forward by Grady Hendrix encompasses why I love horror so perfectly. His words gave me all the horror warm and fuzzies and left me ready to begin.
I haven’t read an anthology recently that doesn’t have a single bad apple.m, but every one of these little gems shines. Reading, I went through all sorts of reactions: I gasped, I winced, I laughed, and I immediately looked up more books by authors I didn’t even know were out there.
The first story A CASUAL ENCOUNTER by Quinn Fern is wicked fun. It is the perfect amuse-bouche for your horror palette and I left it with a wink and a smile. From this 5 star story, I hit one after the other. No joke, I rate every one of these 5 stars. I’ll give you a couple more teasers below:
Shane Hawk’s SHE’S TAKEN AWAY is perfectly executed. It’s written as a transcript of a doctor-patient session where the patient discusses her likely evil twin. There is not a single sinister word wasted.
SUSPENDED BY LIGHT by Alex Wolfgang thoroughly impressed me. I love a good “lost footage” trope and in this one a student starts watching old film reels when things get real creepy.
Science fiction and dystopian stories are favorite genres of mine, so I thoroughly enjoyed POSSES AND SERVE by Christopher O’Halloran. This futuristic style story takes place in a world where law enforcement agents utilize the Assume Control Unit. Basically agents can posses the bodies of civilians in order to deescalate a situation.
Okay so I don’t know if this makes me weird, but the story IT GETS IN YOUR EYES by Joseph Andre Thomas made me chuckle. I couldn’t read it fast enough. Reading the thoughts of our narrator was suspenseful but there is some great sarcasm that I much appreciated. The ending is everything.
I cannot recommend HOWLS FROM HELL enough. After the week I had, it was exactly what the doctor ordered.
Thank you so much to the Howl Society and Night Worms for my review copy.
April 15, 2021
Many thanks to Solomon Forse from Howl Society Press for an ARC copy of this brilliant collection of short stories. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
16 stories with a foreword by Grady Hendrix, Howls From Hell is a horror anthology from Howl Society Press.
OH MY GOD, finished this book and am wondering how the hell am I gonna sleep in the night. Each story begins with a beautiful illustration that I am thankful is not a color image(not sure if it is so coz an ARC, but am really thankful), those images are enough to make one get nightmares, also each of them has a description of the author at the end and their social media connect which is definitely helpful. Grady Hendrix provides the foreword and the genius that he is, transports the reader to a childhood that most horror fans would resonate with.
Some stories are beyond creepy, I mean, the range of horror that is covered in this book is exemplary. There are demons, there are beasts, there are ghosts, there’s one with a psychological horror twist, another one with a cracking retelling of red riding hood and beauty and the beast, a futuristic tale that cannot be more weirder, a fantasy horror thriller, a dystopian science fiction, my obvious point that there's a story for every horror aficionado here and this book as a collection is must-have for all fans of horror.
Like in any anthology, some stories may grab a reader’s attention more than others, and personally, IT GETS IN YOUR EYES by Joseph Andre Thomas was the one that gave me nightmares, imagine my terror that I kept looking at the mirror and checking my eyes, pulling it and rubbing it and whatnot. Gasping, gulping, choking, read this with all the lights blazing!
5 glowing stars for each story in this book. Outstanding!
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India, Meduim.com, Facebook, and Twitter.
16 stories with a foreword by Grady Hendrix, Howls From Hell is a horror anthology from Howl Society Press.
OH MY GOD, finished this book and am wondering how the hell am I gonna sleep in the night. Each story begins with a beautiful illustration that I am thankful is not a color image(not sure if it is so coz an ARC, but am really thankful), those images are enough to make one get nightmares, also each of them has a description of the author at the end and their social media connect which is definitely helpful. Grady Hendrix provides the foreword and the genius that he is, transports the reader to a childhood that most horror fans would resonate with.
Some stories are beyond creepy, I mean, the range of horror that is covered in this book is exemplary. There are demons, there are beasts, there are ghosts, there’s one with a psychological horror twist, another one with a cracking retelling of red riding hood and beauty and the beast, a futuristic tale that cannot be more weirder, a fantasy horror thriller, a dystopian science fiction, my obvious point that there's a story for every horror aficionado here and this book as a collection is must-have for all fans of horror.
Like in any anthology, some stories may grab a reader’s attention more than others, and personally, IT GETS IN YOUR EYES by Joseph Andre Thomas was the one that gave me nightmares, imagine my terror that I kept looking at the mirror and checking my eyes, pulling it and rubbing it and whatnot. Gasping, gulping, choking, read this with all the lights blazing!
5 glowing stars for each story in this book. Outstanding!
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India, Meduim.com, Facebook, and Twitter.
April 3, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.
Review:
Well well well, this was an absolute smorgasbord of horror stories; what an absolute delight this was to read! It has everything and there will be something in this collection for all horror fans and readers. A collection of 16 horror stories ranging from short to slightly longer reads, supernatural vibes, talking pigeons, testicles exploding and other descriptions of the male anatomy, hairy home invaders to a horror, queer Disney inspired tale 🙌🏼 I loved it!
.
Highlights:
There is so much on offer in this short collection. The Standout stories for me were:
💀 Red and the Beast - Thea Maeve
💀It gets in your eyes - Joseph Andre
💀Posses and Serve - Christopher O’Halloran
💀A Casual Encounter - Quinn Fern
The award for best opening paragraph of a story ever, goes to:
💀Sprout - M. David Clarkson. It made me gag; I had to compose myself to continue! It was a very good read overall. Nicely done.
.
Lowlights:
As with all anthologies, there are some stories that don’t hit the mark and this one has 3 that I didn’t fully understand what they were trying to achieve.
.
Would I recommend it:
Oh absolutely, it’s super fun and I loved Grady Hendrix’s foreword, a really good introduction. Loved it.
Review:
Well well well, this was an absolute smorgasbord of horror stories; what an absolute delight this was to read! It has everything and there will be something in this collection for all horror fans and readers. A collection of 16 horror stories ranging from short to slightly longer reads, supernatural vibes, talking pigeons, testicles exploding and other descriptions of the male anatomy, hairy home invaders to a horror, queer Disney inspired tale 🙌🏼 I loved it!
.
Highlights:
There is so much on offer in this short collection. The Standout stories for me were:
💀 Red and the Beast - Thea Maeve
💀It gets in your eyes - Joseph Andre
💀Posses and Serve - Christopher O’Halloran
💀A Casual Encounter - Quinn Fern
The award for best opening paragraph of a story ever, goes to:
💀Sprout - M. David Clarkson. It made me gag; I had to compose myself to continue! It was a very good read overall. Nicely done.
.
Lowlights:
As with all anthologies, there are some stories that don’t hit the mark and this one has 3 that I didn’t fully understand what they were trying to achieve.
.
Would I recommend it:
Oh absolutely, it’s super fun and I loved Grady Hendrix’s foreword, a really good introduction. Loved it.
April 16, 2021
I’ll read most any genre but I have always had a strong admiration for horror, specifically its devoted following. Grady Hendrix says it best in the forward for this anthology when he described it as a family. Writers, readers, they’re all in this together, supporting creative nightmares in equal measure.
The twisted imagination inside these pages is excellent. As in all anthologies, there are a handful that stand out, and there are several writers I desperately want more of, but I can assure you that horror fans everywhere will be very, very happy. Check it out.
Thank you to Solomon Forse and Howl Society Press for this advance review copy of Howls from Hell.
The twisted imagination inside these pages is excellent. As in all anthologies, there are a handful that stand out, and there are several writers I desperately want more of, but I can assure you that horror fans everywhere will be very, very happy. Check it out.
Thank you to Solomon Forse and Howl Society Press for this advance review copy of Howls from Hell.
April 11, 2021
With a foreword from Grady Hednrix that pumped me all the way up to love and share horror even more, the HOWLS FROM HELL anthology does not slow down or let up in the slightest! The stories here are from members of the HOWL Society, aka “Horror-Obsessed Writing and Literature Society." Every story in this collection is a win in my book and almost all of these authors are "new to me" and I am definitely on the lookout for more! Usually I find with anthologies there are a couple that do not hit the mark for me, but that was not the case for me in Howls From Hell. And the range of horror within these 16 stories covers a little bit of practically everything you can think of and then some more. There is something for every horror lover here. Each short story has a unique illustration on the title and that was always fun to look forward to and wonder what it meant in connection with the title beneath. I am completely impressed with the talent in this anthology as well all these new stories I now have that live rent free in my mind!
Thank you to HOWL Society and Night Worms for this #NightWormsBookParty review copy!
Thank you to HOWL Society and Night Worms for this #NightWormsBookParty review copy!
April 8, 2021
A five-person excavation team explores an underground structure only to discover a monstrous abomination. A female lures her victims to uncertain and deadly consequences. A set of 16mm film reels are discovered from an anonymous donor leading to contorted cryptic messages found within. A truly twisted fairytale unfolds as Red and Beauty venture into gloomy forests and dark castles to confront dubious inanimate objects and villainous beasts.
Howls From Hell is a collection of spine-tingling stories ranging from tales of futuristic horrors to body possessions to downright bizarre occurrences of the freakish kind—an anthology readers of horror will want to get their hands on as quickly as possible. It’s a collection that includes works by Shane Hawk, Alex Wolfgang, and S.E. Denton—authors gathered to exhibit their creativity by means of cosmic visitors, haunted tomes, and fantastical existences.
The ever-talented Grady Hendrix kicks off the adventure with his tantalizing forward. His take on childhood experiences and the horror community in general are sure to tug at the heart strings. The common thread of this passion for the scary, outsiders banning together and the pleasure of meeting others like yourself is all about horror being family.
Highlights from this anthology include:
Manufactured God by P. L. McMillan. An exceptional sci-fi/creature feature horror story. A mammoth kaiju vibe blends claustrophobic surroundings with a regrettable deadly curiosity. The author not only applies a tense explorative backdrop, but also discloses a discovery that was not to be awakened by mankind.
Duplicitous Wings by Amanda Nevada DeMel. Utilizing the dark arts of alchemy, an entity of a separate plane of existence is conjured and unleashed into present day provoking unforgettable vengeance upon its unsuspecting victims. Amanda Nevada DeMel cleverly applies an uneasy feeling of not being in control of one’s own destiny causing an apprehensive nightmare for the reader to experience.
Possess and Serve by Christopher O’Halloran. This piece of fiction is about trust, morality, manipulation and deceit. With the capability of possessing another’s body comes responsibility and an oath to serve and protect. Written with a sleuth atmosphere, a terrifying protagonist, and an arrangement of twisted plot points, this one will keep you guessing till the end.
Sprout by M. David Clarkson. The greatest opening line from any story I have ever read goes to Sprout. ‘Nuff said.
Howl Society (Horror-Obsessed Writing And Literature Society) A horror book club designed for writers and readers of the genre makes sure you get your blood curdling bang for your buck with this gathering of authors. Enjoy! I did.
(originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com visit me at Mystery & Suspense)
Howls From Hell is a collection of spine-tingling stories ranging from tales of futuristic horrors to body possessions to downright bizarre occurrences of the freakish kind—an anthology readers of horror will want to get their hands on as quickly as possible. It’s a collection that includes works by Shane Hawk, Alex Wolfgang, and S.E. Denton—authors gathered to exhibit their creativity by means of cosmic visitors, haunted tomes, and fantastical existences.
The ever-talented Grady Hendrix kicks off the adventure with his tantalizing forward. His take on childhood experiences and the horror community in general are sure to tug at the heart strings. The common thread of this passion for the scary, outsiders banning together and the pleasure of meeting others like yourself is all about horror being family.
Highlights from this anthology include:
Manufactured God by P. L. McMillan. An exceptional sci-fi/creature feature horror story. A mammoth kaiju vibe blends claustrophobic surroundings with a regrettable deadly curiosity. The author not only applies a tense explorative backdrop, but also discloses a discovery that was not to be awakened by mankind.
Duplicitous Wings by Amanda Nevada DeMel. Utilizing the dark arts of alchemy, an entity of a separate plane of existence is conjured and unleashed into present day provoking unforgettable vengeance upon its unsuspecting victims. Amanda Nevada DeMel cleverly applies an uneasy feeling of not being in control of one’s own destiny causing an apprehensive nightmare for the reader to experience.
Possess and Serve by Christopher O’Halloran. This piece of fiction is about trust, morality, manipulation and deceit. With the capability of possessing another’s body comes responsibility and an oath to serve and protect. Written with a sleuth atmosphere, a terrifying protagonist, and an arrangement of twisted plot points, this one will keep you guessing till the end.
Sprout by M. David Clarkson. The greatest opening line from any story I have ever read goes to Sprout. ‘Nuff said.
Howl Society (Horror-Obsessed Writing And Literature Society) A horror book club designed for writers and readers of the genre makes sure you get your blood curdling bang for your buck with this gathering of authors. Enjoy! I did.
(originally posted at mysteryandsuspense.com visit me at Mystery & Suspense)
April 13, 2021
Howls from Hell Anthology
Forward by Grady Hendrix is everything! Our little horror community is family. We may argue a little bit here and there but we always come together with care. I love it!
A casual encounter by Quinn Fern - This story is one you can sink your teeth into without even feeling bad about it. Super fun and loved the added internet chat room names … hilarious!
The Pigeon Lied by J.W. Donley - It’s hard living as one of the head demon’s sons. Nothing you do is ever good enough but maybe if he can get a crown from one of the demon faction things will all be better. Oh what trouble will he get himself into. This story would be great as a graphic novel and kinda reminded me of the movie Little Nicky in a way.
Manufactured god by P.L. McMillian - Oh scary deep discoveries in old Egypt tombs. Claustrophobia is the first thing that comes to mind but the unknown could be even scarier when it has super sharp teeth.
Red Punch Buddy by B.O.B. Jenkin - punch buggy no punch back… lol that’s the saying right? What happens if you punch the actual buggy? This story has lines that made me chuckle.
She’s taken away by Shane Hawk - a psychiatrist interview which left me wanting more to this story. I need more!!!!
Suspended in Light by Alex Wolfgang - Found film horror is one we don’t see enough of. This story was very intriguing and kept me hooked and guessing the whole time.
Gooseberry Bramble by Solomon Forse - A trial and warning from elders of the long lost children. Very interesting how this story was set up and left me speeding through till the end.
Clement & Sons by Joe Radkins - An old grandfather clock and a women’s pasts come together for a painful story of loss.
Possess and Serve by Christopher O’Halloran - ok this story might be my favorite! While it’s kind of predictable, it definitely scores points for its unique concept and for making me enjoy a police based story. Police officers possessing those in need and sticky situations. This one is much more thriller and loads of action and fun.
Duplicitous Wings by Amanda Nevada Demel - Ugh this one is emotional and I loved it!! Demons are so unpredictable.
It Gets in Your Eyes by Joseph Andrew Thomas - There is something so annoying when you get something in your eye. This story was unnerving just thinking of how this character was feeling. This story was nicely constructed.
Red and The Beast by Thea Maeve - I really enjoyed this turning two classic fairy tales on their heads and intermingling them. I also really loved the ending and wouldn’t be mad for more.
The Intruder by Justin Faull - ok this story was really weird at first but I grew to understand it by the end.
Sprout by M. David Clarkson - ooooo body horror! Definitely a fun and interesting story that could gain a full novel and backstory about this ancient mystery woman.
Junco Creek by S.E. Denton - Don't you know a cabin in the woods never leads to a happy ending. Lol I really enjoyed this one.
A fistful of murder by Lindsay Ragsdale - How about some killer money for the ending story!!!
Review of “Howls from Hell” 16 short story collection out May 18th!!!
Howls from Hell is a collection of stories from a group of authors who are connected in a discord group to help each other. I love that when I read this collection of stories I could tell that they had helped each other in some way. The stories flowed and fit well together even though the stories ranged from a demon king’s son trying to gain a crown of power to money that will set you in a path of rage. Now, I did have a few that just stood out from the rest. My first favorite was “Possess and Serve by Christopher O’Halloran”. I don’t normally read cop/police related stories but this one was so unique and interesting I just couldn’t stop reading when cops can possess you in dangerous situations. Ugh!!! So good!!! My second favorite story was “The Pigeon Lied by J.W. Donley”. This story kind of reminded me of the movie “Little Nicky”, so more of a funny horror. My last favorite was “Duplicitous Wings by Amanda Nevada Demel”. This one was intense and kinda made me tear up a little. Those were my favorites but there wasn’t a bad story in this collection. There are a great variety of stories in subject and in length. You can check out my goodreads for a description and title for each story. Thank you to Nightworms and Howls Society for sending this copy in exchange for an honest review!!!
Forward by Grady Hendrix is everything! Our little horror community is family. We may argue a little bit here and there but we always come together with care. I love it!
A casual encounter by Quinn Fern - This story is one you can sink your teeth into without even feeling bad about it. Super fun and loved the added internet chat room names … hilarious!
The Pigeon Lied by J.W. Donley - It’s hard living as one of the head demon’s sons. Nothing you do is ever good enough but maybe if he can get a crown from one of the demon faction things will all be better. Oh what trouble will he get himself into. This story would be great as a graphic novel and kinda reminded me of the movie Little Nicky in a way.
Manufactured god by P.L. McMillian - Oh scary deep discoveries in old Egypt tombs. Claustrophobia is the first thing that comes to mind but the unknown could be even scarier when it has super sharp teeth.
Red Punch Buddy by B.O.B. Jenkin - punch buggy no punch back… lol that’s the saying right? What happens if you punch the actual buggy? This story has lines that made me chuckle.
She’s taken away by Shane Hawk - a psychiatrist interview which left me wanting more to this story. I need more!!!!
Suspended in Light by Alex Wolfgang - Found film horror is one we don’t see enough of. This story was very intriguing and kept me hooked and guessing the whole time.
Gooseberry Bramble by Solomon Forse - A trial and warning from elders of the long lost children. Very interesting how this story was set up and left me speeding through till the end.
Clement & Sons by Joe Radkins - An old grandfather clock and a women’s pasts come together for a painful story of loss.
Possess and Serve by Christopher O’Halloran - ok this story might be my favorite! While it’s kind of predictable, it definitely scores points for its unique concept and for making me enjoy a police based story. Police officers possessing those in need and sticky situations. This one is much more thriller and loads of action and fun.
Duplicitous Wings by Amanda Nevada Demel - Ugh this one is emotional and I loved it!! Demons are so unpredictable.
It Gets in Your Eyes by Joseph Andrew Thomas - There is something so annoying when you get something in your eye. This story was unnerving just thinking of how this character was feeling. This story was nicely constructed.
Red and The Beast by Thea Maeve - I really enjoyed this turning two classic fairy tales on their heads and intermingling them. I also really loved the ending and wouldn’t be mad for more.
The Intruder by Justin Faull - ok this story was really weird at first but I grew to understand it by the end.
Sprout by M. David Clarkson - ooooo body horror! Definitely a fun and interesting story that could gain a full novel and backstory about this ancient mystery woman.
Junco Creek by S.E. Denton - Don't you know a cabin in the woods never leads to a happy ending. Lol I really enjoyed this one.
A fistful of murder by Lindsay Ragsdale - How about some killer money for the ending story!!!
Review of “Howls from Hell” 16 short story collection out May 18th!!!
Howls from Hell is a collection of stories from a group of authors who are connected in a discord group to help each other. I love that when I read this collection of stories I could tell that they had helped each other in some way. The stories flowed and fit well together even though the stories ranged from a demon king’s son trying to gain a crown of power to money that will set you in a path of rage. Now, I did have a few that just stood out from the rest. My first favorite was “Possess and Serve by Christopher O’Halloran”. I don’t normally read cop/police related stories but this one was so unique and interesting I just couldn’t stop reading when cops can possess you in dangerous situations. Ugh!!! So good!!! My second favorite story was “The Pigeon Lied by J.W. Donley”. This story kind of reminded me of the movie “Little Nicky”, so more of a funny horror. My last favorite was “Duplicitous Wings by Amanda Nevada Demel”. This one was intense and kinda made me tear up a little. Those were my favorites but there wasn’t a bad story in this collection. There are a great variety of stories in subject and in length. You can check out my goodreads for a description and title for each story. Thank you to Nightworms and Howls Society for sending this copy in exchange for an honest review!!!
November 6, 2023
This anthology is great because not only did it introduce me to a bunch of new authors, but it introduced me to the HOWL Society (the "Horror-Obsessed Writing and Literature" society) which I'm very excited to learn more about - and maybe join one day??
Man, what a fun collection of stories! There is so much variety presented here (body horror, sci-fi horror, folklore, occult/cults, cosmic horror, hilarious horror, demons, monsters, evil twins, etc). Seriously, there's definitely something for everyone here - and luckily for me almost all of it worked! It just seemed like everyone involved had a great time writing these twisted tales, and their enthusiasm and creativity spills from the pages.
And speaking of the writers, it was awesome getting to meet a huge cast of new (to me) authors! Lots of talent here for sure. Oh, and several of the authors also provide illustrations for the stories which were so cool! Like I said, lots of talent.
I really did enjoy most of these stories, but some stand out ones for me were:
"Manufactured Gods" by P.L. McMillan - an epic blend of sci-fi horror, tech horror, and Egyptian mythology where a group of scientists go to explore the ruins of Earth and find a truly unsettling monster deep below ground.
"Red Punch Buggy" by B.O.B. Jenkin - at first read I found it to be a funny and disturbing little tale, but it has since burrowed into my brain and I can't stop thinking about it. Much like Scott Cole's Crazytimes, it uses humor mixed with shocking violence to wonderful effect.
"A Fistful of Murder" by Lindsey Ragsdale - a story about a man who finds a dollar bill with the word KILL written on it, and every time he looks at it he is forced to do just that. It's a simple idea but structured and played out beautifully.
"Suspended in Light" by Alex Wolfgang - another one that got under my skin and I can't stop thinking about. Creepy story of a women reviewing old film reels and unleashing a haunting force. I didn't fully understand the ending, but I enjoyed the ride.
Man, what a fun collection of stories! There is so much variety presented here (body horror, sci-fi horror, folklore, occult/cults, cosmic horror, hilarious horror, demons, monsters, evil twins, etc). Seriously, there's definitely something for everyone here - and luckily for me almost all of it worked! It just seemed like everyone involved had a great time writing these twisted tales, and their enthusiasm and creativity spills from the pages.
And speaking of the writers, it was awesome getting to meet a huge cast of new (to me) authors! Lots of talent here for sure. Oh, and several of the authors also provide illustrations for the stories which were so cool! Like I said, lots of talent.
I really did enjoy most of these stories, but some stand out ones for me were:
"Manufactured Gods" by P.L. McMillan - an epic blend of sci-fi horror, tech horror, and Egyptian mythology where a group of scientists go to explore the ruins of Earth and find a truly unsettling monster deep below ground.
"Red Punch Buggy" by B.O.B. Jenkin - at first read I found it to be a funny and disturbing little tale, but it has since burrowed into my brain and I can't stop thinking about it. Much like Scott Cole's Crazytimes, it uses humor mixed with shocking violence to wonderful effect.
"A Fistful of Murder" by Lindsey Ragsdale - a story about a man who finds a dollar bill with the word KILL written on it, and every time he looks at it he is forced to do just that. It's a simple idea but structured and played out beautifully.
"Suspended in Light" by Alex Wolfgang - another one that got under my skin and I can't stop thinking about. Creepy story of a women reviewing old film reels and unleashing a haunting force. I didn't fully understand the ending, but I enjoyed the ride.
April 12, 2021
In my quest to continue to try new things, I decided to give short story collections/anthologies another go and what better way to go than with a collection titled HOWLS FROM HELL. I typically stay away from these collections as it always ends the same - some I love, some I don't and so collectively, I end up almost always rating them down the middle. While these can be a great sampling of new authors to consider, I am just that person who likes to read a full novel over the short story to determine that. But that's just MY preference.
Over the weekend, I opened this up and the first story just caught my attention. Short it was and absolutely devious - I was just instantly transported back into my horror loving tingles and then kept runing page after page. I'd devour 3 or 4 stories, then go about my business and then come back. I'd really like some more Casual Encounters 😉. The stand outs for me were Junco Creek, It Gets In Your Eyes and Red And The Beast. I also liked Possess and Serve but it also gave me the willies because having an officer take over a person's body to deescalate a situation sounds like about the last thing I'd ever want a cop to do. **SHIVER** I'll also be checking any and all bills I get out of an ATM due to A Fistful of Murder.
This collection was a lot of fun. Maybe because it's been a while since I've truly immersed myself in a collection. Maybe because these authors are so talented. Maybe because this gloomy weather was just oh so suitable for these reads. In any manner, I did find that like with all collections, I loved some, liked some and meh about some. But instead of doing my usual down the middle rating, I'm giving it an extra star because YES. If you are a fan of horror collections, grab a copy and run. Try not to get a paper cut though - who knows what will happen if any blood gets on these page. 😈
Over the weekend, I opened this up and the first story just caught my attention. Short it was and absolutely devious - I was just instantly transported back into my horror loving tingles and then kept runing page after page. I'd devour 3 or 4 stories, then go about my business and then come back. I'd really like some more Casual Encounters 😉. The stand outs for me were Junco Creek, It Gets In Your Eyes and Red And The Beast. I also liked Possess and Serve but it also gave me the willies because having an officer take over a person's body to deescalate a situation sounds like about the last thing I'd ever want a cop to do. **SHIVER** I'll also be checking any and all bills I get out of an ATM due to A Fistful of Murder.
This collection was a lot of fun. Maybe because it's been a while since I've truly immersed myself in a collection. Maybe because these authors are so talented. Maybe because this gloomy weather was just oh so suitable for these reads. In any manner, I did find that like with all collections, I loved some, liked some and meh about some. But instead of doing my usual down the middle rating, I'm giving it an extra star because YES. If you are a fan of horror collections, grab a copy and run. Try not to get a paper cut though - who knows what will happen if any blood gets on these page. 😈
April 13, 2021
I keep claiming not to like short story collections/anthologies but I keep reading some real good ones. Don’t know if my taste has changed or there has just been bomb collections coming out. I’m going to be completely honest I wasn’t planning on accepting this ARC but it became a Night Worms book party and you know, FOMO!!!! So I jumped in. I’m so glad I did because this anthology wowed the heck out of me! Each story is better than the last. Each is super ominous and weird. Every time I embarked in a new story I felt like I was strapping in for an amazing ride. One of my favorite stories in the collection, Suspended in Light, was so trippy and dark. I honestly felt like I was losing it right alongside our main character. Another stand-out story for me was Manufactured God. It was like a mini horror expedition packed with action and suspense. I could honestly name 90% of this collection as a favorite but I will spare you my ramblings and adoration for this book. Just know that this anthology is a must read especially for those that love their stories short and maybe not so sweet.
Thank you so much to Howl Society Press and also to Night Worms for my review copy.
Thank you so much to Howl Society Press and also to Night Worms for my review copy.
April 12, 2021
It was cool to read a Horror anthology full of emerging writers because besides the introduction by Grady Hendrix, I hadn't heard of any of these authors before.
There are 16 stories in this collection and while I wish there was a little more of a thread to tether them together I enjoyed the majority of them.
The three that really stuck out for me were:
🔑 A Casual Encounter by Quinn Fern, which at six pages managed to successfully intrigue me and make me smile evilly.
🏥 She's Taken Away by Shane Hawk
Which follows the good twin/evil twin trope, but is told in an interesting transcript style that left me wanting more.
👁️ It Gets in Your Eyes by Joseph Andre Thomas
This was my favorite of all the stories! As a contact lens wearer there's just something about eyeball horror that really creeps me out and connects with me. This will be an author to watch because if he's this good in such few pages I shudder to think what fun could await in a debut.
There are 16 stories in this collection and while I wish there was a little more of a thread to tether them together I enjoyed the majority of them.
The three that really stuck out for me were:
🔑 A Casual Encounter by Quinn Fern, which at six pages managed to successfully intrigue me and make me smile evilly.
🏥 She's Taken Away by Shane Hawk
Which follows the good twin/evil twin trope, but is told in an interesting transcript style that left me wanting more.
👁️ It Gets in Your Eyes by Joseph Andre Thomas
This was my favorite of all the stories! As a contact lens wearer there's just something about eyeball horror that really creeps me out and connects with me. This will be an author to watch because if he's this good in such few pages I shudder to think what fun could await in a debut.
April 9, 2021
This is a fun anthology. I had no idea that the Howl Society even existed. Essentially, this is a collection of horror stories from writers who are all members of the Howl Society on Discord. Grady Hendix is a member, and he sets the stage with a forward that anyone who loves horror can relate to. After reading it I was definitely pumped to read some horror.
This is interesting to me, because I found that the stories that stood out to me the most were some of the longest ones. Don't get me wrong, I love a great piece of flash fiction, but for some reason the stories that had a bit more meat on their bones are the ones that stuck with me. I'm wondering if that's because it's been a while since I've read a short story collection or anthology, but now that I'm typing this I don't think it's been as long as I was originally thinking. Hey, you like what you like, right? And as of today, the following are the stories that are still floating around in my brain.
All of the horror stories I've read that involve old acetate film reels stay with me. I'm particularly fond of Gemma Files's brilliant novel EXPERIMENTAL FILM. So right when I started to read Suspended in Light by Alex Wolfgang I was hooked. There's something deeply creepy to me about old 16mm films. Perhaps it's because it's a modern type of media that seems out of place for how early it was invented. Moving pictures were created as early as 1888, and that seems much too antiquated for something that we still enjoy today, albeit in a much improved fashion. Regardless, I'm very interested in stories about haunted films.
The next story to really stand out to me is sort of a cross between horror and dystopian sci-fi. Possess and Serve by Christopher O'Halloran introduces the very interesting concept of the Assumed Control Unit, where agents "posses" a person's body whenever someone feels overwhelmed and unable to deal with their current situation. By simply pressing a button you can call an agent to assume control of your body and deescalate your current situation. Sounds great, right? Except what if the person who has sworn to protect you is less than trustworthy?
And the last story I'm going to mention is a really good body horror story with a twisted ending. It Gets In Your Eyes by Joseph Andre Thomas is about a woman who goes on a cruise and returns home with a nagging sensation that there is "something in her eye". After seeing multiple doctors, and even trying to diagnose herself on the internet, Marnie is still uncomfortable and convinced that something is very wrong with here eye. Is it all in her head, like the doctors suggest? Well, you will have to read this one to find out.
Overall I enjoyed all of the stories in this anthology. The ones I mentioned specifically in this review stuck with me the most, but this is really a rather strong anthology throughout. I definitely recommend picking this one up.
This is interesting to me, because I found that the stories that stood out to me the most were some of the longest ones. Don't get me wrong, I love a great piece of flash fiction, but for some reason the stories that had a bit more meat on their bones are the ones that stuck with me. I'm wondering if that's because it's been a while since I've read a short story collection or anthology, but now that I'm typing this I don't think it's been as long as I was originally thinking. Hey, you like what you like, right? And as of today, the following are the stories that are still floating around in my brain.
All of the horror stories I've read that involve old acetate film reels stay with me. I'm particularly fond of Gemma Files's brilliant novel EXPERIMENTAL FILM. So right when I started to read Suspended in Light by Alex Wolfgang I was hooked. There's something deeply creepy to me about old 16mm films. Perhaps it's because it's a modern type of media that seems out of place for how early it was invented. Moving pictures were created as early as 1888, and that seems much too antiquated for something that we still enjoy today, albeit in a much improved fashion. Regardless, I'm very interested in stories about haunted films.
The next story to really stand out to me is sort of a cross between horror and dystopian sci-fi. Possess and Serve by Christopher O'Halloran introduces the very interesting concept of the Assumed Control Unit, where agents "posses" a person's body whenever someone feels overwhelmed and unable to deal with their current situation. By simply pressing a button you can call an agent to assume control of your body and deescalate your current situation. Sounds great, right? Except what if the person who has sworn to protect you is less than trustworthy?
And the last story I'm going to mention is a really good body horror story with a twisted ending. It Gets In Your Eyes by Joseph Andre Thomas is about a woman who goes on a cruise and returns home with a nagging sensation that there is "something in her eye". After seeing multiple doctors, and even trying to diagnose herself on the internet, Marnie is still uncomfortable and convinced that something is very wrong with here eye. Is it all in her head, like the doctors suggest? Well, you will have to read this one to find out.
Overall I enjoyed all of the stories in this anthology. The ones I mentioned specifically in this review stuck with me the most, but this is really a rather strong anthology throughout. I definitely recommend picking this one up.
March 17, 2021
Howls From Hell is such a fun and creepy short story collection! Out of 16 tales by emerging horror writers, some are weird, others dark or scary, but all are unique and well-written. As a reader and a fellow horror lover, I immediately knew these were written with great care and passion for the genre. I particularly enjoyed spotting subtle nods to horror's classic tropes and the genre's well-known names. The stunning illustrations accompanying each story were stunning (and dark!) and added to the chilling atmosphere of the collection.
I found "A Casual Encounter" and "Gooseberry Bramble" the most imaginative and tense; both were excellent from start to the last line. "Suspended in Light" was gripping and genuinely spooky, and "It Gets in Your Eyes" was gross, graphic, but brilliant and still somewhat surprising, which I very much enjoyed.
Last but not least, I loved Grady Hendrix's foreword to the collection and his introduction to HOWL Society. As a life-long horror fan, I was happy to share a passion for the darker genre through reading these stories. Thank you to NetGalley and HOWL Society Press for letting me access this book early and give my honest review.
I found "A Casual Encounter" and "Gooseberry Bramble" the most imaginative and tense; both were excellent from start to the last line. "Suspended in Light" was gripping and genuinely spooky, and "It Gets in Your Eyes" was gross, graphic, but brilliant and still somewhat surprising, which I very much enjoyed.
Last but not least, I loved Grady Hendrix's foreword to the collection and his introduction to HOWL Society. As a life-long horror fan, I was happy to share a passion for the darker genre through reading these stories. Thank you to NetGalley and HOWL Society Press for letting me access this book early and give my honest review.
May 19, 2021
Great collection! A wild, weird, gonzo collection of unique and imaginative horror stories. Totally worth your time! I am in absolutely no way biased. I can be trusted completely.
April 11, 2021
Haunted film reels, ancient evils discovered on a forgotten Earth, police officers with the controversial ability to possess the people they serve! This anthology was loaded with talent, all from new writers debuting their best!
HOWLS FROM HELL is a collection of 16 short stories ranging from paranormal to science fiction to cosmic horror. I found myself easily flipping through pages of dark whimsy, gruesome body horror, and supernatural circumstances. Every contribution to this anthology was a literary treat brought to fruition by horror writers from the HOWL (Horror Obsessed Writing and Literature) Society—a book club/ community for horror enthusiasts!
There were some stories where the bloody details succeeded in making me cringe, while other stories were so witty and darkly imaginative! As a lover of sci-fi horror, “MANUFACTURED GOD” by P.L. McMillan (one of the illustrators for this anthology) needs to be transformed into an entire series! Shane Hawk’s “SHE’S TAKEN AWAY” made me wish there was a full novel about an institutionalized young woman and her evil twin, and Thea Maeve’s “RED AND THE BEAST” was such a dark, creative marriage of two familiar fairy tales (Thea, please tell me you have a whole unpublished collection of reimagined fairy tales hidden away somewhere! I very much need them in my life. Thank you.)
For lovers of ingenious and macabre short stories, this anthology will be available in May!
A great big thank you to Howl Society and Night Worms for this #NightWormsBookParty review copy!
HOWLS FROM HELL is a collection of 16 short stories ranging from paranormal to science fiction to cosmic horror. I found myself easily flipping through pages of dark whimsy, gruesome body horror, and supernatural circumstances. Every contribution to this anthology was a literary treat brought to fruition by horror writers from the HOWL (Horror Obsessed Writing and Literature) Society—a book club/ community for horror enthusiasts!
There were some stories where the bloody details succeeded in making me cringe, while other stories were so witty and darkly imaginative! As a lover of sci-fi horror, “MANUFACTURED GOD” by P.L. McMillan (one of the illustrators for this anthology) needs to be transformed into an entire series! Shane Hawk’s “SHE’S TAKEN AWAY” made me wish there was a full novel about an institutionalized young woman and her evil twin, and Thea Maeve’s “RED AND THE BEAST” was such a dark, creative marriage of two familiar fairy tales (Thea, please tell me you have a whole unpublished collection of reimagined fairy tales hidden away somewhere! I very much need them in my life. Thank you.)
For lovers of ingenious and macabre short stories, this anthology will be available in May!
A great big thank you to Howl Society and Night Worms for this #NightWormsBookParty review copy!
April 10, 2021
3.5 rounded up to 4.
Thank you Howls Society for sending me a copy of Howls From Hell. This is a great anthology to try if you're looking to hear some new(er) voices in horror. I loved reading a little bit about each author at the end of their story.
Here are a few that stood our for me:
A Casual Encounter by Quinn Fern - a fun piece of flash fiction that really kicked off the anthology.
She's Taken Away by Shane Hawk - I love psychological horror and the interview style was cool.
Gooseberry Bramble by Solomon Forse - the writing was so immersive, I felt like I was there!
It Gets in Your Eyes by Joseph Andre Thomas - Uck! I hate things about eyeballs. My eyeballs are so sensitive. This was so uncomfortable and great.
Thank you Howls Society for sending me a copy of Howls From Hell. This is a great anthology to try if you're looking to hear some new(er) voices in horror. I loved reading a little bit about each author at the end of their story.
Here are a few that stood our for me:
A Casual Encounter by Quinn Fern - a fun piece of flash fiction that really kicked off the anthology.
She's Taken Away by Shane Hawk - I love psychological horror and the interview style was cool.
Gooseberry Bramble by Solomon Forse - the writing was so immersive, I felt like I was there!
It Gets in Your Eyes by Joseph Andre Thomas - Uck! I hate things about eyeballs. My eyeballs are so sensitive. This was so uncomfortable and great.
March 27, 2021
Howls From Hell is a horror anthology from a group of talented writers. There are ancient Egyptian monsters. There are old-fashioned movies that must be watched. A haunted house. Evil money. A talking pigeon.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this selection of stories. I did have my favourites, but I don't feel as though any were filler. It's all killer here.
I particularly enjoyed Possess and Serve by Christopher O'Halloran. I would definitely read a novel based in the world of that story (agents take literal control of other humans' bodies in times of crisis).
Special mention to Joseph Andre Thomas, for It Gets in Your Eyes. That story freaked me out.
Kudos as well to Joe Radkins and P.L. McMillan for contributing great stories as well as fantastic horror artwork.
It's difficult to highlight individual stories and authors in this collection. They have all clearly worked incredibly hard, and it pays off. I want a Howls From Hell Part 2, please!
Thanks to the writers, Howl Society Press, and NetGalley for this copy.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this selection of stories. I did have my favourites, but I don't feel as though any were filler. It's all killer here.
I particularly enjoyed Possess and Serve by Christopher O'Halloran. I would definitely read a novel based in the world of that story (agents take literal control of other humans' bodies in times of crisis).
Special mention to Joseph Andre Thomas, for It Gets in Your Eyes. That story freaked me out.
Kudos as well to Joe Radkins and P.L. McMillan for contributing great stories as well as fantastic horror artwork.
It's difficult to highlight individual stories and authors in this collection. They have all clearly worked incredibly hard, and it pays off. I want a Howls From Hell Part 2, please!
Thanks to the writers, Howl Society Press, and NetGalley for this copy.
April 10, 2021
I loved this collection.
This is an anthology by the HOWL Society (Horror-Obsessed Writing and Literature Society)
HOWL Society is a Horror community located on Discord.
Every story is unique, with a great range of story types, and writing styles, with everything from a sci-fi story, creature feature, a darker grown-up spin on an old fairy tale, to a fun and brutal story about an evil pigeon and the demon underground and their obsession with hats (I know how it sounds, but it actually worked really well)
Like most anthologies, I loved some stories more than others; I especially loved
THE PIGEON LIED byJ.W. Donley,
MANUFACTURED GOD by P.L. McMillan,
SHE'S TAKEN AWAY by Shane Hawk, (who also wrote Anoka which we have seen a bit on here lately.)
POSSESS and SERVE by Christopher O'Halloran,
RED AND THE BEAST by Thea Maeve,
SPROUT by M. David Clarkson,
A FISTFUL OF MURDER by Lindsey Ragsdale
There is also a foreword by Grady Hendrix, which talks about the horror community and how it is like a family, which reminds me a lot of this the Books of Horror Facebook group that I am a part of because the lack of drama and bitching, and sense of community and supporting I get.
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.*
This is an anthology by the HOWL Society (Horror-Obsessed Writing and Literature Society)
HOWL Society is a Horror community located on Discord.
Every story is unique, with a great range of story types, and writing styles, with everything from a sci-fi story, creature feature, a darker grown-up spin on an old fairy tale, to a fun and brutal story about an evil pigeon and the demon underground and their obsession with hats (I know how it sounds, but it actually worked really well)
Like most anthologies, I loved some stories more than others; I especially loved
THE PIGEON LIED byJ.W. Donley,
MANUFACTURED GOD by P.L. McMillan,
SHE'S TAKEN AWAY by Shane Hawk, (who also wrote Anoka which we have seen a bit on here lately.)
POSSESS and SERVE by Christopher O'Halloran,
RED AND THE BEAST by Thea Maeve,
SPROUT by M. David Clarkson,
A FISTFUL OF MURDER by Lindsey Ragsdale
There is also a foreword by Grady Hendrix, which talks about the horror community and how it is like a family, which reminds me a lot of this the Books of Horror Facebook group that I am a part of because the lack of drama and bitching, and sense of community and supporting I get.
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.*
May 25, 2021
Howls From Hell is one of the most entertaining anthology books I’ve read in a loooong time. It starts strong and continues that way until the very last page. These writers are people that legitimately love horror in all of its different facets. This is 100% going in my physical book collection as it would be foolish not to add it.
Thanks so much to NetGalley, HOWL Society, and all these terrific authors for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks so much to NetGalley, HOWL Society, and all these terrific authors for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2021
Also reviewed on www.curiosityboughtthebook.com
Howls from Hell includes 16 stories from emerging horror writers. All the authors are part of the HOWL Society, also known as the “Horror-Obsessed Writing and Literature Society”.
My review:
Usually anthologies are a hit and miss sort of thing. I don’t think I have ever read a horror anthology and not disliked at least one story. Well, today is a first apparently. Every single story in this book is enjoyable. Of course, I liked some more than others, but there were no duds. And that is a rare feat in my opinion.
I’m gonna point out a few stories that were exceptionally amazing. So here we go:
She’s Taken Away by Shane Hawk
Gooseberry Bramble by Solomon Forse
Red Punch Buggy by B.O.B. Jenkins
And my absolutely favorite:
Suspended in Light by Alex Wolfgang
A big thanks to Soloman Forse for the review copy! And I’m extremely excited to have found the HOWL Society on Discord.
Howls from Hell includes 16 stories from emerging horror writers. All the authors are part of the HOWL Society, also known as the “Horror-Obsessed Writing and Literature Society”.
My review:
Usually anthologies are a hit and miss sort of thing. I don’t think I have ever read a horror anthology and not disliked at least one story. Well, today is a first apparently. Every single story in this book is enjoyable. Of course, I liked some more than others, but there were no duds. And that is a rare feat in my opinion.
I’m gonna point out a few stories that were exceptionally amazing. So here we go:
She’s Taken Away by Shane Hawk
Gooseberry Bramble by Solomon Forse
Red Punch Buggy by B.O.B. Jenkins
And my absolutely favorite:
Suspended in Light by Alex Wolfgang
A big thanks to Soloman Forse for the review copy! And I’m extremely excited to have found the HOWL Society on Discord.
April 13, 2021
For all of you that are not fans of short story collections and especially anthologies, it's time for you to venture outside of your comfort zone.
Howls From Hell is a collection of 16 horror stories, all from new-to-me authors that have an immense amount of talent and what I believe to be, bright futures in this genre.
I have always been a fan of short story collections and anthologies. However, I have noticed that I end up enjoying a collection more when there is a common element in every story that somehow ties them together, a subtle detail, or hell, even the entire sub-genre it may be categorized in. This however, would not be one of those anthologies. Every story in this collection is so unique that I would recommend reading it in small doses. I have no doubt that it would still be as effective reading several stories at once however, I found that I did not experience the sub-genre whiplash as much when I let each story soak in and gave each one it's own time. The verb marinate comes to mind.
In this collection my favorite stories were the opener, A Casual Encounter by Quinn Fern, a six page feisty little teaser of what is to come. If she could actually hurry up and write a novella or full length novel, I would be absolutely thrilled and first in line for that pre-order. Other favorites include Possess and Serve by Christopher O'Halloran which satisfied my desire for dark crime fiction, It Gets In Your Eyes by Joseph Andre Thomas which I think will deeply please every fan with an affliction for body horror and, Sprout by M. David Clarkson which vaguely blends dark fantasy with "holy shit, why is this not a wildly popular mini series on ANY streaming platform?!"
With every anthology, there are stories that I absolutely adore and yell through the keyboard about and, there are stories that make me want to take a break. However, in this collection, the very few stories that I did not particularly enjoy, were still written exceptionally well. This is a collection that every single horror fan will find at least one, probably two, stories to fan girl about like they were a 14 year old girl, just leaving a BTS concert. I highly recommend checking it out and giving Howl Society a follow on social media. I anticipate big things coming from these authors and this press.
Howls From Hell is a collection of 16 horror stories, all from new-to-me authors that have an immense amount of talent and what I believe to be, bright futures in this genre.
I have always been a fan of short story collections and anthologies. However, I have noticed that I end up enjoying a collection more when there is a common element in every story that somehow ties them together, a subtle detail, or hell, even the entire sub-genre it may be categorized in. This however, would not be one of those anthologies. Every story in this collection is so unique that I would recommend reading it in small doses. I have no doubt that it would still be as effective reading several stories at once however, I found that I did not experience the sub-genre whiplash as much when I let each story soak in and gave each one it's own time. The verb marinate comes to mind.
In this collection my favorite stories were the opener, A Casual Encounter by Quinn Fern, a six page feisty little teaser of what is to come. If she could actually hurry up and write a novella or full length novel, I would be absolutely thrilled and first in line for that pre-order. Other favorites include Possess and Serve by Christopher O'Halloran which satisfied my desire for dark crime fiction, It Gets In Your Eyes by Joseph Andre Thomas which I think will deeply please every fan with an affliction for body horror and, Sprout by M. David Clarkson which vaguely blends dark fantasy with "holy shit, why is this not a wildly popular mini series on ANY streaming platform?!"
With every anthology, there are stories that I absolutely adore and yell through the keyboard about and, there are stories that make me want to take a break. However, in this collection, the very few stories that I did not particularly enjoy, were still written exceptionally well. This is a collection that every single horror fan will find at least one, probably two, stories to fan girl about like they were a 14 year old girl, just leaving a BTS concert. I highly recommend checking it out and giving Howl Society a follow on social media. I anticipate big things coming from these authors and this press.
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