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Trail XIII - The Path to Perdition
After the success of their first horror offering - Route 13 - The Highway to Hell, The Hive Publishers present to you, another bloodcurdling, spine-chilling, and eye-popping horror anthology that comprises stories that are about the Paranormal to Occult, Haunted Houses, Historical and Psychological Horror, Weird West and Splatterpunk. Apart from the Desi dose of horror, expect to be awed by the stories from international authors.
The journey through Trail Xiii will take you through thirteen bone-chilling stories strewn along with the putrefying dead bodies.
Beware, TRAIL XIII is not for the fainthearted. Tread carefully, for this is the path to perdition. Hush!
The Hive Publishers - for writers, by writers. Stories matter and we take them to the world at large.
The journey through Trail Xiii will take you through thirteen bone-chilling stories strewn along with the putrefying dead bodies.
Beware, TRAIL XIII is not for the fainthearted. Tread carefully, for this is the path to perdition. Hush!
The Hive Publishers - for writers, by writers. Stories matter and we take them to the world at large.
- GenresHorror
262 pages, Paperback
Published August 13, 2021
4 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Srivalli Rekha (Semi-Hiatus)
23 books725 followersBookshelf (GR algorithm has decreased my visibility. Freinds tell me they can't see my reviews in their feed. So here's the direct link to my 'read' shelf): https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...
An MBA graduate, Srivalli Rekha also has an MA in English Literature. She loves to write, blog, cook, take pictures, draw and craft silly things. Nature is her greatest inspiration. Books and music are her favorite companions. A freelance content writer during the day, she devours books at night and is a reviewer at NetGalley, BookSirens, and The Writers Workout.
Srivalli and her writer friends have founded The Hive, a non-traditional publishing collective, at the end of 2019.
Her works have been a part of several anthologies (eBooks and paperback publications)-
Sweek Flash Fiction Book 1 & 3, SweekStars 2018 Book,
Tales From the Cliff, Tales From the Toybox, 72 Hours of Insanity: Anthology of the Games Volume IV, VI, & VII, Way Words Vol 1, Issue 2 by Writer’s Workout,
Hawk’s Nest, Hawk’s Flight, and Rewind by ArtoonsInn Room9 Publications,
The Way We Were by Poetry Planet Publishing House,
Arise from the Dust Anthology by Let’s Make Stories,
Indian Summer in Verses by Plethora Blogazine and Writersgram,
Metaphorphosis by GMGA Publishing,
Route 13: Highway To Hell, Blood Runs Cold, Tea with a Drop of Honey, #Love, and Trail Xiii- The Path to Perdition by The Hive.
Violets in Hand, The House of Justice, and Pebbles in the Grass, her self-published ebooks are available on Amazon.
An MBA graduate, Srivalli Rekha also has an MA in English Literature. She loves to write, blog, cook, take pictures, draw and craft silly things. Nature is her greatest inspiration. Books and music are her favorite companions. A freelance content writer during the day, she devours books at night and is a reviewer at NetGalley, BookSirens, and The Writers Workout.
Srivalli and her writer friends have founded The Hive, a non-traditional publishing collective, at the end of 2019.
Her works have been a part of several anthologies (eBooks and paperback publications)-
Sweek Flash Fiction Book 1 & 3, SweekStars 2018 Book,
Tales From the Cliff, Tales From the Toybox, 72 Hours of Insanity: Anthology of the Games Volume IV, VI, & VII, Way Words Vol 1, Issue 2 by Writer’s Workout,
Hawk’s Nest, Hawk’s Flight, and Rewind by ArtoonsInn Room9 Publications,
The Way We Were by Poetry Planet Publishing House,
Arise from the Dust Anthology by Let’s Make Stories,
Indian Summer in Verses by Plethora Blogazine and Writersgram,
Metaphorphosis by GMGA Publishing,
Route 13: Highway To Hell, Blood Runs Cold, Tea with a Drop of Honey, #Love, and Trail Xiii- The Path to Perdition by The Hive.
Violets in Hand, The House of Justice, and Pebbles in the Grass, her self-published ebooks are available on Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 9, 2023
Summer Solstice by Srivalli Rekha - 4,5/5
Ciara hears someone singing in the woods as her dad’s getting things ready for her eighteenth birthday party. Her aunt knows that it’s much like a siren’s song, beautiful but deadly. She tells Ciara to stay away from the forest and the witches that live in it. Naturally, Ciara doesn’t do as she’s told. And neither does her dad.
A very good way to start the anthology. It doesn’t take long for the story to grab you as we get a shocking scene right from the get go. Once you’re sucked into the story, it doesn’t want to let you go. It slowly invites you into a gripping world where the fascinating, seductive and lethal Scandinavian Hulders roam the woods. And I think this concept could easily be expanded into an even stronger full length novel, or novella.
The Whispers of His Dry Lips by Milan Kovačević – 2,5/5
A man jumps off a roof. He lies in a hospital bed, the doctors say it’s a miracle that he’s still alive.
Weird but solid. It keeps you guessing, it’s well written and has a pretty decent twist at the end.
Look into My Eyes by Anshu Bhojnagarwala - 4/5
Natasha, her husband and her two kids move into a really big house. But as the neighbors are quick to tell them: it’s a haunted house. And it doesn’t take long for Natasha to believe that the rumors about the house are true.
Nice little haunted house story that starts a bit slow but when the spooky things start happening, it does grab you. It’s also a good thing that the protagonist is fleshed out quite well, to make us care for her.
Redivivus by Jonathan Wylde - 3/5
A guy is walking in the snow, drops of blood following him around wherever he goes. And then he stumbles into some kind of creature.
Solid little story that keeps you in the dark for most of the story, keeping you guessing. Good twist at the end too.
A Legend of Truth by Monica Singh - 3/5
Someone is stalking the protagonist in the woods. And then we go back in time to see how they eventually ended up there.
It’s a good concept. The mystery is quite good too. And I love that it’s inspired by an Indian epic. But there are a lot of flashbacks for such a short story. A flashback is often better used sparingly, as it always takes you out of the story at hand.
The Voice by Priya U Bajpai - 4/5
Two people are hiking through the mountains when a raincloud catches them by surprise. They decide to hide in the first cave they come across. In the middle of the cave stands a mighty tree, which is quite a rare sight in a cave. Not long after, one of the two hikers starts hearing an ominous voice.
It’s a well-written psychological horror story with a good concept and a solid backstory that grabs you from the start and keeps you intrigued until the end.
The Seer by Richard Beauchamp – 3,5/5
A guy walks into a cult-like church with a shotgun and sees some very nasty things.
There is a lot of gore here, intending to gross out the readers for scares. It’s a kind of horror that’s simply not for everyone, so your enjoyment may vary. But it’s done quite well here.
The Dante House by Varadharajan Ramesh – 4,5/5
Mina was involved in a car crash and wakes up in the middle of the night, in a car that’s smashed beyond repair. She decides to leave the car behind and stumbles in the dark towards the nearest village for medical assistance as she comes across an ominous gate.
Atmospheric, twisty and twisted in all the right ways. Gripping to say the least. Just a very strong concept done well. And the slow reveal of the protagonist’s mysterious backstory is a nice little bonus that also helps makes us care for her.
Click Click Bang Bang by Shankar Hosagoudar – 2,5/5
A girl’s mother is not allowed to go to church because everyone thinks she’s a witch. And then there’s the case of the missing manhood.
It’s not a bad story but this is just not my cup of tea.
Mother Promise by Prachi Sharma – 5/5
A woman is seemingly stalked and haunted by someone. It’s clear the stalker very much wants to kill her. But the way the messages she finds are written, they seem to be coming from her own son. And that simply can’t be true. Because her son is dead.
Creepy, gripping and intriguing. The kind of horror story that immediately puts you on the edge of your seat. I won’t say more as it would spoil the plot.
Naani and the shadows by Ell P - 4/5
A boy asks his grandmother to tell him a ghost story. And she decides to tell him a story about the time when his mother was close to being born. About how his grandfather was a forest official. About the poachers who came for the rhinos. And the dark magic they brought with them.
I don’t mind some words in another language with a footnote at the bottom of the page to explain what it means. Because it can elevate the setting, make it feel more authentic and even help flesh out the characters a little bit. But there are quite a lot in here for such a short story. Apart from that, it’s a solid spooky story with a strong ending.
Insidious thoughts by Angel Whelan - 3/5
A woman notices there’s something off about her husband. It doesn’t take long before it seems to affect her children too. And then she overhears something that terrifies her.
Solid spooky story that keeps you in the dark about what exactly is going on.
Leaving it all behind by Matt Piskun - 3/5
A man is pulled over by a police officer who starts questioning him about some recent murders in the area. When the police officer realizes who he is, he jumps into the river and runs for it.
Quite a gripping story with some flashbacks to flesh out the protagonist and shed some light on the events that lead up to his running from the police.
As is the case with every anthology, there are always some stories you like more than others. But overall, this is a very strong anthology that manages to showcase a lot of things the horror genre has to offer.
Ciara hears someone singing in the woods as her dad’s getting things ready for her eighteenth birthday party. Her aunt knows that it’s much like a siren’s song, beautiful but deadly. She tells Ciara to stay away from the forest and the witches that live in it. Naturally, Ciara doesn’t do as she’s told. And neither does her dad.
A very good way to start the anthology. It doesn’t take long for the story to grab you as we get a shocking scene right from the get go. Once you’re sucked into the story, it doesn’t want to let you go. It slowly invites you into a gripping world where the fascinating, seductive and lethal Scandinavian Hulders roam the woods. And I think this concept could easily be expanded into an even stronger full length novel, or novella.
The Whispers of His Dry Lips by Milan Kovačević – 2,5/5
A man jumps off a roof. He lies in a hospital bed, the doctors say it’s a miracle that he’s still alive.
Weird but solid. It keeps you guessing, it’s well written and has a pretty decent twist at the end.
Look into My Eyes by Anshu Bhojnagarwala - 4/5
Natasha, her husband and her two kids move into a really big house. But as the neighbors are quick to tell them: it’s a haunted house. And it doesn’t take long for Natasha to believe that the rumors about the house are true.
Nice little haunted house story that starts a bit slow but when the spooky things start happening, it does grab you. It’s also a good thing that the protagonist is fleshed out quite well, to make us care for her.
Redivivus by Jonathan Wylde - 3/5
A guy is walking in the snow, drops of blood following him around wherever he goes. And then he stumbles into some kind of creature.
Solid little story that keeps you in the dark for most of the story, keeping you guessing. Good twist at the end too.
A Legend of Truth by Monica Singh - 3/5
Someone is stalking the protagonist in the woods. And then we go back in time to see how they eventually ended up there.
It’s a good concept. The mystery is quite good too. And I love that it’s inspired by an Indian epic. But there are a lot of flashbacks for such a short story. A flashback is often better used sparingly, as it always takes you out of the story at hand.
The Voice by Priya U Bajpai - 4/5
Two people are hiking through the mountains when a raincloud catches them by surprise. They decide to hide in the first cave they come across. In the middle of the cave stands a mighty tree, which is quite a rare sight in a cave. Not long after, one of the two hikers starts hearing an ominous voice.
It’s a well-written psychological horror story with a good concept and a solid backstory that grabs you from the start and keeps you intrigued until the end.
The Seer by Richard Beauchamp – 3,5/5
A guy walks into a cult-like church with a shotgun and sees some very nasty things.
There is a lot of gore here, intending to gross out the readers for scares. It’s a kind of horror that’s simply not for everyone, so your enjoyment may vary. But it’s done quite well here.
The Dante House by Varadharajan Ramesh – 4,5/5
Mina was involved in a car crash and wakes up in the middle of the night, in a car that’s smashed beyond repair. She decides to leave the car behind and stumbles in the dark towards the nearest village for medical assistance as she comes across an ominous gate.
Atmospheric, twisty and twisted in all the right ways. Gripping to say the least. Just a very strong concept done well. And the slow reveal of the protagonist’s mysterious backstory is a nice little bonus that also helps makes us care for her.
Click Click Bang Bang by Shankar Hosagoudar – 2,5/5
A girl’s mother is not allowed to go to church because everyone thinks she’s a witch. And then there’s the case of the missing manhood.
It’s not a bad story but this is just not my cup of tea.
Mother Promise by Prachi Sharma – 5/5
A woman is seemingly stalked and haunted by someone. It’s clear the stalker very much wants to kill her. But the way the messages she finds are written, they seem to be coming from her own son. And that simply can’t be true. Because her son is dead.
Creepy, gripping and intriguing. The kind of horror story that immediately puts you on the edge of your seat. I won’t say more as it would spoil the plot.
Naani and the shadows by Ell P - 4/5
A boy asks his grandmother to tell him a ghost story. And she decides to tell him a story about the time when his mother was close to being born. About how his grandfather was a forest official. About the poachers who came for the rhinos. And the dark magic they brought with them.
I don’t mind some words in another language with a footnote at the bottom of the page to explain what it means. Because it can elevate the setting, make it feel more authentic and even help flesh out the characters a little bit. But there are quite a lot in here for such a short story. Apart from that, it’s a solid spooky story with a strong ending.
Insidious thoughts by Angel Whelan - 3/5
A woman notices there’s something off about her husband. It doesn’t take long before it seems to affect her children too. And then she overhears something that terrifies her.
Solid spooky story that keeps you in the dark about what exactly is going on.
Leaving it all behind by Matt Piskun - 3/5
A man is pulled over by a police officer who starts questioning him about some recent murders in the area. When the police officer realizes who he is, he jumps into the river and runs for it.
Quite a gripping story with some flashbacks to flesh out the protagonist and shed some light on the events that lead up to his running from the police.
As is the case with every anthology, there are always some stories you like more than others. But overall, this is a very strong anthology that manages to showcase a lot of things the horror genre has to offer.
August 14, 2021
The buzzing Hive is back, and this time, they have returned to their core strength of horror-thrillers. Needless to say, this book set high expectations in my mind. And to a great extent, the book was satisfying.
I loved how the title gave a subtle nod to the first Hive horror anthology. “Trail XIII: The Path to Perdition” is almost the verbatim equivalent of “Route 13: Highway to Hell”. So which one performs better? I must confess, I have a special place in my heart for Route 13 because it was the very first horror anthology I read in my life, and in many ways, it turned out to be a path-breaker in my reading habits. But other than the fact that both are horror anthologies with 13 tales each, the stories in the collections are quite distinct from each other. Route 13 had a more traditional horror feel while Path XIII goes into newer and varied subgenres. You won’t find a repetitiveness across the content because each story seems to take a different “path to perdition”.
While some of the stories clicked with me much more than I had anticipated, others left me feeling like something was missing. At the same time, this book demonstrated to me the vast variety that is possible within the “horror” genre. The book may be called “Path to Perdition” but it certainly doesn’t go down the tried-and-tested path of ghosts and monsters. Many stories don’t contain anything paranormal but they’ll still leave you stupefied. For an anthology to include a variety of genres and do justice to them is creditable.
While reading anthologies, I tend to rate the stories individually. Five stories came in the 4.5 - 5 star range and six stories fell in the 3.5 - 4 stars range. That’s 11 stories worth reading in a collection of 13, which is a great deal. If you are a beginner to horror, this might be a good book to test waters with as some of the stories are more atmospheric than spectral. If you are a seasoned horror reader, give this book a try for a motley assortment of horrifying tales from Indian and international writers.
The book is available in paperback and digital formats, and is free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
I loved how the title gave a subtle nod to the first Hive horror anthology. “Trail XIII: The Path to Perdition” is almost the verbatim equivalent of “Route 13: Highway to Hell”. So which one performs better? I must confess, I have a special place in my heart for Route 13 because it was the very first horror anthology I read in my life, and in many ways, it turned out to be a path-breaker in my reading habits. But other than the fact that both are horror anthologies with 13 tales each, the stories in the collections are quite distinct from each other. Route 13 had a more traditional horror feel while Path XIII goes into newer and varied subgenres. You won’t find a repetitiveness across the content because each story seems to take a different “path to perdition”.
While some of the stories clicked with me much more than I had anticipated, others left me feeling like something was missing. At the same time, this book demonstrated to me the vast variety that is possible within the “horror” genre. The book may be called “Path to Perdition” but it certainly doesn’t go down the tried-and-tested path of ghosts and monsters. Many stories don’t contain anything paranormal but they’ll still leave you stupefied. For an anthology to include a variety of genres and do justice to them is creditable.
While reading anthologies, I tend to rate the stories individually. Five stories came in the 4.5 - 5 star range and six stories fell in the 3.5 - 4 stars range. That’s 11 stories worth reading in a collection of 13, which is a great deal. If you are a beginner to horror, this might be a good book to test waters with as some of the stories are more atmospheric than spectral. If you are a seasoned horror reader, give this book a try for a motley assortment of horrifying tales from Indian and international writers.
The book is available in paperback and digital formats, and is free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
August 21, 2021
Well, I'm one of the authors of the book. But it's got 12 more stories, each of them belonging to a different subgenre of horror.
Read and enjoy the scare, gore, and terror if you are a horror aficionado.
Even if you aren't a fan, go ahead and grab the book. You might find something you like. :)
Read and enjoy the scare, gore, and terror if you are a horror aficionado.
Even if you aren't a fan, go ahead and grab the book. You might find something you like. :)
August 21, 2021
Trail XIII - The Path to Perdition
Horror anthology, Hive
Rating - Still trying to calm my palpitating heart.
It is a different beast, someone had said. And it is. A beast that pounces on unsuspecting hearts, rips them out of their protective cages and proceeds to shred it to pieces. A beast that isn't scared of shedding blood whether innocent or evil, or shies from mentions of spilling innards or popping eyeballs. Readers, when you choose to walk down this trail of mayhem, do it at your own discretion. I can promise you this; you won't come back unscathed from treading this path to perdition.
I embarked upon this journey by the Hive believing it to be similar to their earlier offering, Route 13 - Highway to Hell. Boy I couldn't be more wrong. Route 13 is as tame compared to Trail XIII as Frooti is to Vodka. The gory fare that's on offer in Trail XIII packs a rather powerful punch.
It consists of thirteen stories by thirteen different writers in different genres. The stories differ in their genres from the thrill of psychological horror to the mindless mayhem of splatterpunk but they unanimously keep your attention riveted to the words at hand. Being more of a fan of atmospheric horror and weird fiction, I absolutely loved Look Into My Eyes by Anshu Bhojnagarwala, The Voice by Priya Bajpai, Mother Promise by Prachi Sharma and Insidious Thoughts by Angel Whelan. I liked Summer Solstice by Srivalli and Naani and the Shadows by Ell P but I somehow felt the latter ended a little abruptly. I would have loved to know more of the dashing Naani.
Special mention to The Dante House by Varadhrajan Ramesh and Legend of Truth by Monica Singh. These two blew my mind and left me a shuddering mess. Click Click, Bang Bang is another tale worthy of a special mention for the way it brings the two timelines of its story together and for its sheer imagination.
The other stories are no less horrifying but their horror quotient lies more in the realm of blood and gore. I'm sure fans of this kind of horror would enjoy the gruesome tales while walking their chosen path to perdition with Trail XIII.
A big shout out to the Hive Publishers from whom I received the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Horror anthology, Hive
Rating - Still trying to calm my palpitating heart.
It is a different beast, someone had said. And it is. A beast that pounces on unsuspecting hearts, rips them out of their protective cages and proceeds to shred it to pieces. A beast that isn't scared of shedding blood whether innocent or evil, or shies from mentions of spilling innards or popping eyeballs. Readers, when you choose to walk down this trail of mayhem, do it at your own discretion. I can promise you this; you won't come back unscathed from treading this path to perdition.
I embarked upon this journey by the Hive believing it to be similar to their earlier offering, Route 13 - Highway to Hell. Boy I couldn't be more wrong. Route 13 is as tame compared to Trail XIII as Frooti is to Vodka. The gory fare that's on offer in Trail XIII packs a rather powerful punch.
It consists of thirteen stories by thirteen different writers in different genres. The stories differ in their genres from the thrill of psychological horror to the mindless mayhem of splatterpunk but they unanimously keep your attention riveted to the words at hand. Being more of a fan of atmospheric horror and weird fiction, I absolutely loved Look Into My Eyes by Anshu Bhojnagarwala, The Voice by Priya Bajpai, Mother Promise by Prachi Sharma and Insidious Thoughts by Angel Whelan. I liked Summer Solstice by Srivalli and Naani and the Shadows by Ell P but I somehow felt the latter ended a little abruptly. I would have loved to know more of the dashing Naani.
Special mention to The Dante House by Varadhrajan Ramesh and Legend of Truth by Monica Singh. These two blew my mind and left me a shuddering mess. Click Click, Bang Bang is another tale worthy of a special mention for the way it brings the two timelines of its story together and for its sheer imagination.
The other stories are no less horrifying but their horror quotient lies more in the realm of blood and gore. I'm sure fans of this kind of horror would enjoy the gruesome tales while walking their chosen path to perdition with Trail XIII.
A big shout out to the Hive Publishers from whom I received the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2021
As a fan of horror, I loved this book.
A small background before review, I bought the previous book, route 13 by same publishers when it was on a sale for dirt cheap price and loved reading it. It was a solid 4 stars anthology and I was bowled over by some short stories like Killing Murakami, Adventures of Virgin and Old Macdonald. So, I bought this book right on the day of release.
I thought these 13 stories would be by same writers but, I was disappointed when I saw the authors list. However, I am glad that this one is more polished and well rounded in terms of variety of stories at hand. I would give this a solid 4.5/5 rating ideally. Out of 13 stories, I finished 10 stories in two days but struggled to finish three as those three didn’t have interesting premise to hold my attention.
The below 4 are my favorites, these stories hooked me right from the word go. Minor spoilers ahead.
Summer solstice: This one was hauntingly poetic. The characters were well etched and the story took it’s time in building the world. Excellent description of the creatures and why they do what they do. I wish the story continued a tad more for the readers to know how they tackled the angry mob.
Insidious Thoughts: Such mastery in atmosphere building. Very creepy in both narrative as well as plot.
Dante House: This was coming from the writer of the best story of previous book. I had high hopes. It was excellent but kind of let down compared to previous story. However, full marks to the premise and imagination.
Click Click, Bang Bang: The best of the lot. What mastery over the craft this writer has. The lingo was perfect and added something special. For the first two chapters, it was a tad difficult to follow but , as the story went on, I was spellbound by the twists and turns the story took. It was thought provoking and challenging read with such frightening, jaw dropping events that scared the living daylights out of me. And surprisingly, In the end, I was rooting for a character (Agnes), I never thought I would in a conventional horror setting.
Overall, I loved this anthology. Looking forward to the next one from these talented bunch of writers.
A small background before review, I bought the previous book, route 13 by same publishers when it was on a sale for dirt cheap price and loved reading it. It was a solid 4 stars anthology and I was bowled over by some short stories like Killing Murakami, Adventures of Virgin and Old Macdonald. So, I bought this book right on the day of release.
I thought these 13 stories would be by same writers but, I was disappointed when I saw the authors list. However, I am glad that this one is more polished and well rounded in terms of variety of stories at hand. I would give this a solid 4.5/5 rating ideally. Out of 13 stories, I finished 10 stories in two days but struggled to finish three as those three didn’t have interesting premise to hold my attention.
The below 4 are my favorites, these stories hooked me right from the word go. Minor spoilers ahead.
Summer solstice: This one was hauntingly poetic. The characters were well etched and the story took it’s time in building the world. Excellent description of the creatures and why they do what they do. I wish the story continued a tad more for the readers to know how they tackled the angry mob.
Insidious Thoughts: Such mastery in atmosphere building. Very creepy in both narrative as well as plot.
Dante House: This was coming from the writer of the best story of previous book. I had high hopes. It was excellent but kind of let down compared to previous story. However, full marks to the premise and imagination.
Click Click, Bang Bang: The best of the lot. What mastery over the craft this writer has. The lingo was perfect and added something special. For the first two chapters, it was a tad difficult to follow but , as the story went on, I was spellbound by the twists and turns the story took. It was thought provoking and challenging read with such frightening, jaw dropping events that scared the living daylights out of me. And surprisingly, In the end, I was rooting for a character (Agnes), I never thought I would in a conventional horror setting.
Overall, I loved this anthology. Looking forward to the next one from these talented bunch of writers.
September 14, 2021
The anthology book that I'm about to present to the audience is more than a usual horror book. Consider yourselves warned! A great variety of different authors will make you shiver and tremble while trying to process what the hell has gotten into you! All the horrors and silent terrors lurking in the dark are about to unleash their supernatural powers in order to shake and awake your deepest fears and hidden desires! Be prepared to meet unthinkable ghosts and daemons, but also there will be some real blood and meat shredded into pieces by some of the most notorious serial killers that horror fiction has ever seen! A witch or a possessed person will grab you while being unaware, just for being a part of something bigger than you!
The Hive is bringing us something completely different on the horror market. To put it bluntly, the variety of authors and inspirational lines are here to provide an excellent reading experience. But that’s only the beginning. The greatest advantage of this anthology lies in the fact that every author was obviously inspired to deliver the best possible piece of their dark universe which resulted in thirteen well-paced stories with great potential to be filmed one day. At least some of them could find a place in the movie branch of the genre. Speaking of genre, you will find several different subgenres so there will be something thrilling even for the most choosy ones and the cherry-picking process will potentially be filled with dilemmas and second thoughts, as there are some really great passages of pure terror among the pages.
Authors come from different parts of the world and the most exotic country represented in the anthology is Serbia. Young Milan Kovacevic wrote an excellent story about some really fucked up moments in life and especially – the mind of a death incarnate in a form of a serial killer. Great pacing and the genre moment based on the corrupted perception will keep you focused until the very end delivered to be remembered. Besides Kovacevic’s The Whispers Of His Dry Lips, there are more scary stories that a true fan would like to read. For example, The Voice by Priya U Bajpai has probably the best story pacing and the dialogues that will make you suspicious about the main character’s identity issues. Also, A Legend Of Truth by Monica Singh is basically a folk tale based in a modern setting that will make you shiver, and the reason is a great storytelling skill and mastery in the original style.
I could keep writing about every shiny piece of the thirteen infernal jewels, but I’ll let that to the reader who dares to get the book and enter the dark place in which many fierce creatures dwell. Grab a book, and turn the lights off, take a deep breath... they're coming to get you, Barbara...
The Hive is bringing us something completely different on the horror market. To put it bluntly, the variety of authors and inspirational lines are here to provide an excellent reading experience. But that’s only the beginning. The greatest advantage of this anthology lies in the fact that every author was obviously inspired to deliver the best possible piece of their dark universe which resulted in thirteen well-paced stories with great potential to be filmed one day. At least some of them could find a place in the movie branch of the genre. Speaking of genre, you will find several different subgenres so there will be something thrilling even for the most choosy ones and the cherry-picking process will potentially be filled with dilemmas and second thoughts, as there are some really great passages of pure terror among the pages.
Authors come from different parts of the world and the most exotic country represented in the anthology is Serbia. Young Milan Kovacevic wrote an excellent story about some really fucked up moments in life and especially – the mind of a death incarnate in a form of a serial killer. Great pacing and the genre moment based on the corrupted perception will keep you focused until the very end delivered to be remembered. Besides Kovacevic’s The Whispers Of His Dry Lips, there are more scary stories that a true fan would like to read. For example, The Voice by Priya U Bajpai has probably the best story pacing and the dialogues that will make you suspicious about the main character’s identity issues. Also, A Legend Of Truth by Monica Singh is basically a folk tale based in a modern setting that will make you shiver, and the reason is a great storytelling skill and mastery in the original style.
I could keep writing about every shiny piece of the thirteen infernal jewels, but I’ll let that to the reader who dares to get the book and enter the dark place in which many fierce creatures dwell. Grab a book, and turn the lights off, take a deep breath... they're coming to get you, Barbara...
August 25, 2021
TRAIL XIII The Path to Perdition is international horror anthology contains 13 stories by authors from India, England, North America and Serbia. Number 13 which represents the number of stories contained in the book is not incidentally selected. The symbolism, mysticism, and doom of number 13 greatly influenced the total number of stories in the book. But this is nothing unusual in horror literature. Horror likes number 13. Because 13 causes restlessness, superstition and fear in people. That is all necessary for the horror genre.
The Path to Perdition like a first antology Route 13: Highway to Hell which also contains 13 stories will take you to a scary, dark place on which you will feel only fear and bone-chilling.
Maybe the names of this two books are different but it’s the same path. Road to hell. Highway to hell. The perdition you'll get to by reading. Nothing less than that.
Stories contains folklore horror, occult and haunted houses. The impression is blood is drops from the every pages of a book.
These are young authors whose have a lot of writing potential and this collection of stories in English language is a great opportunity for a worldwide breakthrough, but there are many other factors that affect it.
The reason I decided to read this book is the author from Serbia. Milan Kovačević and his story The Whispers of His Dry Lips, but I read the others stories as well attracted by the titles of the stories.
In conclusion, I can say, this book contains everything that a horror book should contain.
If you don't believe me, start reading...
The Path to Perdition like a first antology Route 13: Highway to Hell which also contains 13 stories will take you to a scary, dark place on which you will feel only fear and bone-chilling.
Maybe the names of this two books are different but it’s the same path. Road to hell. Highway to hell. The perdition you'll get to by reading. Nothing less than that.
Stories contains folklore horror, occult and haunted houses. The impression is blood is drops from the every pages of a book.
These are young authors whose have a lot of writing potential and this collection of stories in English language is a great opportunity for a worldwide breakthrough, but there are many other factors that affect it.
The reason I decided to read this book is the author from Serbia. Milan Kovačević and his story The Whispers of His Dry Lips, but I read the others stories as well attracted by the titles of the stories.
In conclusion, I can say, this book contains everything that a horror book should contain.
If you don't believe me, start reading...
August 26, 2021
A rollercoaster in horror, this book boasts 13 rides terrifying rides in the amusement park called Trail Xiii. From Gothic to Splatterpunk, from Desi to Bizzaro, this book has it all. Some of stories that started with me long after I'd read them are, Insidious thoughts, Naani and the shadows, Click Click Bang Bang and Look into my eyes.
Although the journey for each story was intriguing, I felt some stories lacked in the climax, and left me wanting for an ending as dramatic as the journey.
Although the journey for each story was intriguing, I felt some stories lacked in the climax, and left me wanting for an ending as dramatic as the journey.
August 13, 2021
Trial Xiii – The Path to Perdition has everything a horror aficionado asks for. A bit of imagery, a dash of blood, a lot of gore and here's the best part, clever psychological twists that make you rethink your own understanding of the world.
The readers are gently let into the book with Srivalli's atmospheric horror, seemingly pretty little nymphs, who wreck lives with impunity.
Next, there is The Whispers of His Dry Lips, a story that makes the reader shudder at their own thoughts.
Anshu's story tricks the reader to believe all is well until when it isn't. And when you realize it, it is too late.
Redivivus, now this enters your brain via words and messes with it. Proceed with caution.
Monica's nonlinear story shuttles back and forth, keeping the reader engaged throughout. A bit of history and a lot of imagination can never go wrong.
Priya Bajpai's The Voice, as innocuous as it sounds, has everything sinister going for it.
The Seer really had me stop and take a deep breath every four lines, especially towards the end. Not for the fainthearted.
The darkly poetic name, The Dante House, is my favorite, a thinking man's horror with the right amount of philosophy and terror. Well done, Varad, well done.
Shankar's Click Click Bang Bang has an old world charm about it. Well, charm is too nice a word to describe it. Monsters lurk in the most unusual places. Beware.
Prachi's Mother Promise read like a thriller. Kept one's heart racing till the end.
Naani and the Shadows has an interesting premise. You want to know how it all begins and how it ends and that keeps you glued to it.
Another one of my favourite, Insidious thoughts, this story is the perfect example of how we must fear our mind more than anything else, because more often than not, that is where the monster lives.
Leaving it All Behind is as scary as it sounds. A man morphing into what he has been chained to, or is he the beast that was attacking him? The three unique characters are essentially the same.
Overall, I enjoyed this book thoroughly and highly recommend it to all horror lovers.
I thank the publishers, Hive for the ARC of the book and wish that this August 13th Friday be the luckiest for them. I am voluntarily leaving a review and the views are my own.
The readers are gently let into the book with Srivalli's atmospheric horror, seemingly pretty little nymphs, who wreck lives with impunity.
Next, there is The Whispers of His Dry Lips, a story that makes the reader shudder at their own thoughts.
Anshu's story tricks the reader to believe all is well until when it isn't. And when you realize it, it is too late.
Redivivus, now this enters your brain via words and messes with it. Proceed with caution.
Monica's nonlinear story shuttles back and forth, keeping the reader engaged throughout. A bit of history and a lot of imagination can never go wrong.
Priya Bajpai's The Voice, as innocuous as it sounds, has everything sinister going for it.
The Seer really had me stop and take a deep breath every four lines, especially towards the end. Not for the fainthearted.
The darkly poetic name, The Dante House, is my favorite, a thinking man's horror with the right amount of philosophy and terror. Well done, Varad, well done.
Shankar's Click Click Bang Bang has an old world charm about it. Well, charm is too nice a word to describe it. Monsters lurk in the most unusual places. Beware.
Prachi's Mother Promise read like a thriller. Kept one's heart racing till the end.
Naani and the Shadows has an interesting premise. You want to know how it all begins and how it ends and that keeps you glued to it.
Another one of my favourite, Insidious thoughts, this story is the perfect example of how we must fear our mind more than anything else, because more often than not, that is where the monster lives.
Leaving it All Behind is as scary as it sounds. A man morphing into what he has been chained to, or is he the beast that was attacking him? The three unique characters are essentially the same.
Overall, I enjoyed this book thoroughly and highly recommend it to all horror lovers.
I thank the publishers, Hive for the ARC of the book and wish that this August 13th Friday be the luckiest for them. I am voluntarily leaving a review and the views are my own.
August 24, 2021
Disclaimer: I have a vested interest in this book as I am one of the contributing writers. Having said that, I loved it more than I expected.
Having bought and read and enjoyed all the books by Hive publishers, I can boldly state that this is their most ambitious and polished product (for the lack of better word).
There is a method to madness here. Each story brings its own charm and grips you and makes you turn pages. I am aware that there have been great number of submissions for this anthology call and I would take this review as an opportunity to raise my glass to the amazing publishing team to have picked stories which bring new dimensions of horror. This is where this one outshines Route 13. And this is coming from a big fan of Route 13. It's a big deal to admit that.
I liked reading all the stories. I was looking forward to the international writers with high expectations and I am glad that my expectation were exceeded. As the saying goes, when it comes to primal emotions like Horror, any story is universal. I like how each story had its own world building and brings otherworldly fears onto the fore.
I know I shouldn't name my favorites as a contributing writer but as they say 'Risk hai toh ishq hai', my favorite ones are:
The Seer: Great premise, solid style.
Summer Solstice: Great world building and poetic prose.
Dante House: Best concept on paper, wonderful imagination.
If one is even a wee bit curious about Horror literature, this is a must read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Having bought and read and enjoyed all the books by Hive publishers, I can boldly state that this is their most ambitious and polished product (for the lack of better word).
There is a method to madness here. Each story brings its own charm and grips you and makes you turn pages. I am aware that there have been great number of submissions for this anthology call and I would take this review as an opportunity to raise my glass to the amazing publishing team to have picked stories which bring new dimensions of horror. This is where this one outshines Route 13. And this is coming from a big fan of Route 13. It's a big deal to admit that.
I liked reading all the stories. I was looking forward to the international writers with high expectations and I am glad that my expectation were exceeded. As the saying goes, when it comes to primal emotions like Horror, any story is universal. I like how each story had its own world building and brings otherworldly fears onto the fore.
I know I shouldn't name my favorites as a contributing writer but as they say 'Risk hai toh ishq hai', my favorite ones are:
The Seer: Great premise, solid style.
Summer Solstice: Great world building and poetic prose.
Dante House: Best concept on paper, wonderful imagination.
If one is even a wee bit curious about Horror literature, this is a must read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
September 1, 2022
I would like to start the review with a caution.
This is not a regular book that can be completed in one sitting or a day. Please take breaks and read one story at a time.
Coming to the review, the anthology needs some energy to complete the reading. The gore and twists in each story makes us stick to the book.
The book takes the readers through the Nordic Folklore, Mayong, a place termed as the capital of black magic, and through a lot of other haunted places. The description of the places in each story makes us feel that we reside in those places.
Overall, the book is so gripping that readers will be compelled to read it continuously. But it is suggestible to take breaks to consume the gloominess of the places and to cope up with the gore in the stories.
This is not a regular book that can be completed in one sitting or a day. Please take breaks and read one story at a time.
Coming to the review, the anthology needs some energy to complete the reading. The gore and twists in each story makes us stick to the book.
The book takes the readers through the Nordic Folklore, Mayong, a place termed as the capital of black magic, and through a lot of other haunted places. The description of the places in each story makes us feel that we reside in those places.
Overall, the book is so gripping that readers will be compelled to read it continuously. But it is suggestible to take breaks to consume the gloominess of the places and to cope up with the gore in the stories.
October 19, 2021
Flipping the pages of ‘Trail XIII – the path to perdition’ feels like a journey down the lanes and by-lanes that define horror. There is intriguing suspense, bone-chilling gore and a psychologically inflicted and growing sense of horror as you turn page after page.
The book is an anthology by thirteen writers from around the globe. Between them they manage to keep your interest riveted. The stories are short. Now, had they been drama or romance then these stories would not have been more than a five to seven minute read. But, because they are horror with aspects of blood-curdling gore in some places, these stories, at times, require a lengthier reading time.
The book is well written. The writers have taken the liberty to explore multiple genres in the guise of horror and that is what makes this book cleanse your palate even as you continue to sample story after horrific story. Fantasy and ancient myths, family dramas in haunted houses, purgatory, forsaken friendships, granny’s tales to her grandchildren, the impurities of puritan societies, demons that lurk behind a person’s twisted thinking; this book has it all.
The stories have been carefully presented in an order which lets you first dip your toes into the water to test the temperature. It lets you get lulled into a sense of feeling – ‘ah, the water is warm. A swim will not be so chilling’. But, then just as you take a nose dive into the inviting depths, you feel instantly chilled. Your spine stiffens. Your muscles ice over. You start to feel this deep, unsettling tingling in your limbs that encompasses you till you are deep into a world that is more chilling than any waters you would have dived into. That’s how the book smacks you in the face!
Although, all stories in the book have their merits, there are some that I truly loved reading.
1. Naani and the shadows by Ell P – This story is an extremely clever use of the prompt. The paradox between the scenes is brought out in a very vivid manner. On one hand you have a sweet granny narrating a story to her grandkids and on the other hand, the story builds its atmosphere to dance a macabre truth around them. The horror here is created not by descriptions but via building an atmosphere that seeps it out, bit by bit.
2. Click, Click…bang, bang by Shankar Housagoudar – This story is a very different premise and that’s why I found it a refreshing take on horror. The author has taken pains to superimpose two different timelines and has worked those around the premise of evil in a society masquerading as puritan when in reality it is driven by all things sinister and occult like.
3. Mother promise by Prachi Sharma – a deeply troubling premise that makes a person sit and think – ‘the mind is the biggest demon’. This is a story that brings the psychological horror to the fore and slaps a reader in the face with it. The twin POV is the icing on the cake because it takes you into the minds of the characters. Just how far will a person go when captive to demonic thoughts?
4. Insidious thoughts by Angel Whelan – another story in which the protagonist is bound to the ministrations of her mind. She is bound to them to such an extent that even though at some point, as a reader, you start to understand her motives; you still want to continue reading because it would be a sin to leave the story half-finished. This is an engrossing and clever take on the prompt.
All in all, I recommend this book to all horror buffs.
The book is an anthology by thirteen writers from around the globe. Between them they manage to keep your interest riveted. The stories are short. Now, had they been drama or romance then these stories would not have been more than a five to seven minute read. But, because they are horror with aspects of blood-curdling gore in some places, these stories, at times, require a lengthier reading time.
The book is well written. The writers have taken the liberty to explore multiple genres in the guise of horror and that is what makes this book cleanse your palate even as you continue to sample story after horrific story. Fantasy and ancient myths, family dramas in haunted houses, purgatory, forsaken friendships, granny’s tales to her grandchildren, the impurities of puritan societies, demons that lurk behind a person’s twisted thinking; this book has it all.
The stories have been carefully presented in an order which lets you first dip your toes into the water to test the temperature. It lets you get lulled into a sense of feeling – ‘ah, the water is warm. A swim will not be so chilling’. But, then just as you take a nose dive into the inviting depths, you feel instantly chilled. Your spine stiffens. Your muscles ice over. You start to feel this deep, unsettling tingling in your limbs that encompasses you till you are deep into a world that is more chilling than any waters you would have dived into. That’s how the book smacks you in the face!
Although, all stories in the book have their merits, there are some that I truly loved reading.
1. Naani and the shadows by Ell P – This story is an extremely clever use of the prompt. The paradox between the scenes is brought out in a very vivid manner. On one hand you have a sweet granny narrating a story to her grandkids and on the other hand, the story builds its atmosphere to dance a macabre truth around them. The horror here is created not by descriptions but via building an atmosphere that seeps it out, bit by bit.
2. Click, Click…bang, bang by Shankar Housagoudar – This story is a very different premise and that’s why I found it a refreshing take on horror. The author has taken pains to superimpose two different timelines and has worked those around the premise of evil in a society masquerading as puritan when in reality it is driven by all things sinister and occult like.
3. Mother promise by Prachi Sharma – a deeply troubling premise that makes a person sit and think – ‘the mind is the biggest demon’. This is a story that brings the psychological horror to the fore and slaps a reader in the face with it. The twin POV is the icing on the cake because it takes you into the minds of the characters. Just how far will a person go when captive to demonic thoughts?
4. Insidious thoughts by Angel Whelan – another story in which the protagonist is bound to the ministrations of her mind. She is bound to them to such an extent that even though at some point, as a reader, you start to understand her motives; you still want to continue reading because it would be a sin to leave the story half-finished. This is an engrossing and clever take on the prompt.
All in all, I recommend this book to all horror buffs.
September 26, 2021
Book title – Trail XIII – The Path to Perdition
Author – Various
Publisher – The Hive
The Hive are back to what they do best; frighten you out of your wits. And they are back to the ideal format, an anthology of 13 blood curdling stories. I always feel, a compilation of 13 to 15 stories is ideal for an anthology.
Coming to the individual stories, there are quite a few which are page turners. Some of my favorites were –
A Legend of truth by Monica Singh – what seems like different stories of different characters are finally tied together in a crescendo of violence, after jumping different timeliness. The author has grip over her narration and never lets the story wander from it’s finale. A master story teller.
Summer Solstice by Srivalli Rekha – the author sticks to her strength, a fantasy of witches and normal people, at loggerheads with each other. And no guesses for who wins in the end. Srivalli weaves a tale which hypnotises you with unique characters and fantastical settings.
Look into my eyes by Anshu Bhojnagarwala – this story gave me the shivers every time the ghostly figure made an appearance. Something about child ghosts which gave me goosebumps. I can easily say, this is the best story by the author till date, atleast from all the stories from the author, which I have read till now.
Click Click, Bang Bang by Shankar Hosagoudar – the classic Shakespearean language, the old English setting and how the story unfolds to its gruesome finale make it a must read. Great research by the author in churning out a masterpiece.
Mother Promise by Prachi Sharma – I had never read a story from the author before and was impressed with the way the story unfolded to its tragic climax in so few words. Another gem from the anthology.
The Dante House by Varadharajan Ramesh - Varadharajan never fails to surprise you and he succeeds with this story as well. The way the story unfolds and the twist introduced, surprises and shocks you.
Redivivus by Benjamin Wylde – the goriest and bloodiest story of this anthology, please read it on an empty stomach. Hats off to the author’s gory imagination.
Nani & the Shadows by Ell P – a good, engaging story but this time I found it a bit bland from what Ell P is usually capable of. She is capable of frightening you out of your senses but this story can be read at midnight.
The Seer by Richard Beauchamp – the international writers in this anthology are contributing excessive blood and gore and this story is as gruesome as one can imagine.
Insidious Thoughts by Angel Whelan – the author takes you through the psychological disintegration of the protagonist to its violent climax with great, storytelling skills.
The Voice by Priya U Bajpai – a good story, it’s another one which brings down the gore as compared to some of the others in this anthology.
I would safely say, this is the best offering from The Hive till now and they really excel at frightening and thrilling the reader.
Go for it. It’s available on Amazon, Kindle as well as paperback.
Yatindra Tawde
Author – Various
Publisher – The Hive
The Hive are back to what they do best; frighten you out of your wits. And they are back to the ideal format, an anthology of 13 blood curdling stories. I always feel, a compilation of 13 to 15 stories is ideal for an anthology.
Coming to the individual stories, there are quite a few which are page turners. Some of my favorites were –
A Legend of truth by Monica Singh – what seems like different stories of different characters are finally tied together in a crescendo of violence, after jumping different timeliness. The author has grip over her narration and never lets the story wander from it’s finale. A master story teller.
Summer Solstice by Srivalli Rekha – the author sticks to her strength, a fantasy of witches and normal people, at loggerheads with each other. And no guesses for who wins in the end. Srivalli weaves a tale which hypnotises you with unique characters and fantastical settings.
Look into my eyes by Anshu Bhojnagarwala – this story gave me the shivers every time the ghostly figure made an appearance. Something about child ghosts which gave me goosebumps. I can easily say, this is the best story by the author till date, atleast from all the stories from the author, which I have read till now.
Click Click, Bang Bang by Shankar Hosagoudar – the classic Shakespearean language, the old English setting and how the story unfolds to its gruesome finale make it a must read. Great research by the author in churning out a masterpiece.
Mother Promise by Prachi Sharma – I had never read a story from the author before and was impressed with the way the story unfolded to its tragic climax in so few words. Another gem from the anthology.
The Dante House by Varadharajan Ramesh - Varadharajan never fails to surprise you and he succeeds with this story as well. The way the story unfolds and the twist introduced, surprises and shocks you.
Redivivus by Benjamin Wylde – the goriest and bloodiest story of this anthology, please read it on an empty stomach. Hats off to the author’s gory imagination.
Nani & the Shadows by Ell P – a good, engaging story but this time I found it a bit bland from what Ell P is usually capable of. She is capable of frightening you out of your senses but this story can be read at midnight.
The Seer by Richard Beauchamp – the international writers in this anthology are contributing excessive blood and gore and this story is as gruesome as one can imagine.
Insidious Thoughts by Angel Whelan – the author takes you through the psychological disintegration of the protagonist to its violent climax with great, storytelling skills.
The Voice by Priya U Bajpai – a good story, it’s another one which brings down the gore as compared to some of the others in this anthology.
I would safely say, this is the best offering from The Hive till now and they really excel at frightening and thrilling the reader.
Go for it. It’s available on Amazon, Kindle as well as paperback.
Yatindra Tawde
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2021
I usually do not read this genre of books, but I must concede, this book has turned out to be a really good purchase. I was literally glued to every story that I have read so far, and they were all gripping. There was a strong spooky and gruesome element to the stories that I have read, and I am seriously considering reading more of this genre. As someone who has always admired the element of 'twist in the tale', I am really intrigued by this collection. Kudos to the authors!
December 10, 2021
Not for the faint hearted
I loved this book and the different faces of horror that it offered. A must-read for horror fans. Loved it.
I loved this book and the different faces of horror that it offered. A must-read for horror fans. Loved it.
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