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Orphans of Bliss: Tales of Addiction Horror
"My soul's bliss kills my body, but does not satisfy itself." ~Emily Bronte
Addiction is the perpetual epidemic, where swarms of human moths flutter to the flames of hell. Because that warm blanket of a heroin high, that joyful intoxication of a pint of vodka, that electric energy from a line of cocaine, over time leaves you with a cold loneliness and a bitter heart. Relationships destroyed, bodies deteriorate, loved ones lost, yet the craving continues for that which is killing us—living, as the title suggests, like an Orphan of Bliss.
Welcome to the third and final fix of addiction horror and the follow up to the Shirley Jackson Award Finalist, Lullabies For Suffering. A diverse table of contents brought together for an explosive grand finale-an unflinching look at the insidious nature of addiction, told with searing honesty but compassion for those who suffer.
*Table of Contents includes:
Kealan Patrick Burke
Cassandra Khaw
Josh Malerman
S.A. Cosby
John FD Taff
Christa Carmen
Gabino Iglesias
Samantha Kolesnik
Mark Matthews
Kathe Koja
*The three Addiction Horror anthologies, Garden of Fiends, Lullabies for Suffering, and Orphans of Bliss, do not have to be read in order and are not sequential.
Addiction is the perpetual epidemic, where swarms of human moths flutter to the flames of hell. Because that warm blanket of a heroin high, that joyful intoxication of a pint of vodka, that electric energy from a line of cocaine, over time leaves you with a cold loneliness and a bitter heart. Relationships destroyed, bodies deteriorate, loved ones lost, yet the craving continues for that which is killing us—living, as the title suggests, like an Orphan of Bliss.
Welcome to the third and final fix of addiction horror and the follow up to the Shirley Jackson Award Finalist, Lullabies For Suffering. A diverse table of contents brought together for an explosive grand finale-an unflinching look at the insidious nature of addiction, told with searing honesty but compassion for those who suffer.
*Table of Contents includes:
Kealan Patrick Burke
Cassandra Khaw
Josh Malerman
S.A. Cosby
John FD Taff
Christa Carmen
Gabino Iglesias
Samantha Kolesnik
Mark Matthews
Kathe Koja
*The three Addiction Horror anthologies, Garden of Fiends, Lullabies for Suffering, and Orphans of Bliss, do not have to be read in order and are not sequential.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2022
81 people are currently reading
1242 people want to read
About the author
Mark Matthews
25 books416 followersMark Matthews is a graduate of the University of Michigan and a licensed professional counselor who has worked in behavioral health for over 20 years. He is the author of On the Lips of Children, All Smoke Rises, Milk-Blood, and The Hobgoblin of Little Minds. He is also the editor of a trio of 'addiction horror' anthologies including Orphans of Bliss, Lullabies for Suffering and Garden of Fiends. In 2021, he was nominated for a Shirley Jackson Award. His next novel, To Those Willing to Drown, is expected in May, 2025, followed by the novella, Kali's Web, in August, 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
July 25, 2022
With a table of contents that reads like a Who's Who of the best dark fiction writers today, how could ORPHANS OF BLISS be anything less than phenomenal? I had lofty expectations and I'm thrilled to say they were all exceeded.
I enjoyed every story here, which is rare for me.
Kealan Patrick's Burke's tale is a like a dreamy version of hell.
S.A. Cosby's ONE LAST BLAST is an enjoyable departure from Cosby's crime novels. Maybe not enjoyable for the characters, but it was for me.
From Cassandra Khaw's story about a girl who loses her father:
Abuse leaves scars.
HUDDLED MASSES, YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE by John F.D. Taff is a story about what replaces a man's heroin addiction. There are worse things than being addicted to drugs. There are holes, there are holes everywhere.
Gabino Iglesias' story HOLDING ON was a combination of crime, grit, class distinctions and pain. Sometimes it seems like, in certain areas of the world, including the United States, this narrative is coming true.
BUYER'S REMORSE by Samantha Kolesnik was a surprising and unique tale of a different kind of addiction. At first I thought the addiction was shopping, but I was way wrong.
Josh Malerman nailed his story about a witch that...well, you'll have to read it. The title of the tale is from a chilling scene in the narrative. A SOLID BLACK LIGHTHOUSE ON A PIER IN THE CRYPTIC. And it does sound cryptic, doesn't it?
Kathe Koja's SINGULARITY was super short, but like most of her work, it doesn't need to be wordy to make a serious impact.
Mark Matthews' tale of addiction was dark and stark.
I have read hundreds of anthologies and collections over the years and I can honestly say this one towers above most of them. Enough so that I would deem this in my top five anthologies of all time. I know that every reader brings their experiences and baggage to a story and maybe that's why these tales connected with me so deeply? I can't say for sure. I like to think that I do know top notch writing when I see it, and this volume is CHOCK-FULL of exactly that.
My highest recommendation!
*Thank you to Mark Matthews for the paperback ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. Also, thanks for that little note in the back.*
I enjoyed every story here, which is rare for me.
Kealan Patrick's Burke's tale is a like a dreamy version of hell.
S.A. Cosby's ONE LAST BLAST is an enjoyable departure from Cosby's crime novels. Maybe not enjoyable for the characters, but it was for me.
From Cassandra Khaw's story about a girl who loses her father:
"Hurt changes you. Hurt stays. Hurt gnaws a nest for itself in the heart and stays burrowed there until you die."
Abuse leaves scars.
HUDDLED MASSES, YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE by John F.D. Taff is a story about what replaces a man's heroin addiction. There are worse things than being addicted to drugs. There are holes, there are holes everywhere.
Gabino Iglesias' story HOLDING ON was a combination of crime, grit, class distinctions and pain. Sometimes it seems like, in certain areas of the world, including the United States, this narrative is coming true.
BUYER'S REMORSE by Samantha Kolesnik was a surprising and unique tale of a different kind of addiction. At first I thought the addiction was shopping, but I was way wrong.
Josh Malerman nailed his story about a witch that...well, you'll have to read it. The title of the tale is from a chilling scene in the narrative. A SOLID BLACK LIGHTHOUSE ON A PIER IN THE CRYPTIC. And it does sound cryptic, doesn't it?
Kathe Koja's SINGULARITY was super short, but like most of her work, it doesn't need to be wordy to make a serious impact.
Mark Matthews' tale of addiction was dark and stark.
"There is no death. Our bodies carry on. Fluids dehydrate into the sky to become rain clouds and fall back to earth. We decay into the soil, descend into the ground, and then resuurect into dandelions and tulips. We dissolve in the ocean, eaten by fish, become the ocean, become the fish."
I have read hundreds of anthologies and collections over the years and I can honestly say this one towers above most of them. Enough so that I would deem this in my top five anthologies of all time. I know that every reader brings their experiences and baggage to a story and maybe that's why these tales connected with me so deeply? I can't say for sure. I like to think that I do know top notch writing when I see it, and this volume is CHOCK-FULL of exactly that.
My highest recommendation!
*Thank you to Mark Matthews for the paperback ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. Also, thanks for that little note in the back.*
May 5, 2022
"Addiction is horror, and the history of horror is incomplete without addiction."
Never have I picked up a horror anthology and finished it in one sitting. Never. But there’s a first time for everything and I absolutely loved and devoured this book. 10 tales of horror, 10 amazing writers, 10 great reasons to pick up this third and final addition to Mark Matthew’s addiction-horror trilogy.
What makes this anthology an unforgettable read is the relatability, the varying perspectives, the diversity of experiences with struggle and pain and the gnawing hunger for escape. One does not need to have struggled with substance abuse to relate to what’s on these pages. These stories are about fighting our monsters, about living with our demons, about how terrifying it is to face our own fallibility. It’s about winning some battles and losing others. From alcoholism to obsessive hoarding to an inability to put away the credit card, each story will suck you in as it sucked me in. Author Mark Matthews mentioned in the book's introduction (which you should absolutely read ) that the title of this collection was partly inspired by the words of the orphan Heathcliff from Emily Bronte’s famous gothic romance, Wuthering Heights. “My soul’s bliss kills my body, but does not satisfy itself.” Just brilliant.
While I loved every story in this collection, my favorites were:
One Last Blast by S.A. Cosby
Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free by John F.D. Taff
Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell by Christa Carmen
A Solid Black Lighthouse on a Pier in the Cryptic by Josh Malerman
My Soul’s Bliss by Mark Matthews
Haunting, powerful, and chilling. I can not stress enough how much you need this book on your shelves. And no you do not need to have read the other two anthologies (Lullabies for Suffering + Garden of Fiends) in the trilogy before starting this one, but by all means grab them all!
(Thank you so much to author Mark Matthews and Wicked Run Press for this beautiful review copy!)
Never have I picked up a horror anthology and finished it in one sitting. Never. But there’s a first time for everything and I absolutely loved and devoured this book. 10 tales of horror, 10 amazing writers, 10 great reasons to pick up this third and final addition to Mark Matthew’s addiction-horror trilogy.
What makes this anthology an unforgettable read is the relatability, the varying perspectives, the diversity of experiences with struggle and pain and the gnawing hunger for escape. One does not need to have struggled with substance abuse to relate to what’s on these pages. These stories are about fighting our monsters, about living with our demons, about how terrifying it is to face our own fallibility. It’s about winning some battles and losing others. From alcoholism to obsessive hoarding to an inability to put away the credit card, each story will suck you in as it sucked me in. Author Mark Matthews mentioned in the book's introduction (which you should absolutely read ) that the title of this collection was partly inspired by the words of the orphan Heathcliff from Emily Bronte’s famous gothic romance, Wuthering Heights. “My soul’s bliss kills my body, but does not satisfy itself.” Just brilliant.
While I loved every story in this collection, my favorites were:
One Last Blast by S.A. Cosby
Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free by John F.D. Taff
Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell by Christa Carmen
A Solid Black Lighthouse on a Pier in the Cryptic by Josh Malerman
My Soul’s Bliss by Mark Matthews
Haunting, powerful, and chilling. I can not stress enough how much you need this book on your shelves. And no you do not need to have read the other two anthologies (Lullabies for Suffering + Garden of Fiends) in the trilogy before starting this one, but by all means grab them all!
(Thank you so much to author Mark Matthews and Wicked Run Press for this beautiful review copy!)
April 20, 2022
This is the third (and final) anthology of addiction horror edited by Mark Matthews, but my first. I want to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this read but that feels so inappropriate given the subject matter. Some stories were horrific; not the jump scare variety, but the type that gets under your skin. Many of the stories will be accompanying me for a while, whether I want them to or not.
You Wait For It, Like It Waits For You by Kealan Patrick Burke
Reality isn’t easily distinguishable for Sean, as the days pass in the room with no door.
Sometimes not even death can stop you from needing a fix.
Eleanor returns to her childhood home, a place of fear and pain.
Alan Denbrough is a collector. If you have trypophobia, you may want to skip this one.
This rehab offers something different: virtual reality recovery simulation.
Guillermo needs to get Max and Alondra out of Section C before it’s too late.
Sometimes the punishment fits the crime.
If you draw the attention of a witch in a bar, be prepared for the consequences.
We’re in space, but I was fairly lost. I may need to reread this one.
We meet two addicts, whose lives had diverged, at a funeral.
Now I’m keen to read Garden of Fiends and Lullabies for Suffering.
Content warnings include mention of .
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Wicked Run Press for the opportunity to read this anthology. I’m rounding up from 4.5 stars.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
You Wait For It, Like It Waits For You by Kealan Patrick Burke
Reality isn’t easily distinguishable for Sean, as the days pass in the room with no door.
“Do you know where you are?”One Last Blast by S.A. Cosby
“Inside myself.”
Sometimes not even death can stop you from needing a fix.
“I … can … smell it.”What We Name Our Dead by Cassandra Khaw
Eleanor returns to her childhood home, a place of fear and pain.
Hurt changes you. Hurt stays. Hurt gnaws a nest for itself in the heart and stays burrowed there until you die.Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free by John F.D. Taff
Alan Denbrough is a collector. If you have trypophobia, you may want to skip this one.
I don’t hoard so much as … collect. And yes, there’s a distinction.Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell by Christa Carmen
This rehab offers something different: virtual reality recovery simulation.
“What do you wish it would show you?”Holding On by Gabino Iglesias
Guillermo needs to get Max and Alondra out of Section C before it’s too late.
In Section C, nothing good ever happens at night.Buyer’s Remorse by Samantha Kolesnik
Sometimes the punishment fits the crime.
“Everything has a price”A Solid Black Lighthouse on a Pier in the Cryptic by Josh Malerman
If you draw the attention of a witch in a bar, be prepared for the consequences.
“Drink and you are drunk.”Singularity by Kathe Koja
We’re in space, but I was fairly lost. I may need to reread this one.
You know you’ve never been wanted the way the dark wants you now.My Soul’s Bliss by Mark Matthews
We meet two addicts, whose lives had diverged, at a funeral.
Because that’s what happens with certain moments. They imprint themselves on you and you can’t change them. They define you, become the hinge all your decisions swing upon.I wasn’t sure what to expect when I began this anthology but out of ten stories, I came away with five favourites, those by Cassandra Khaw, John F.D. Taff, Christa Carmen, Josh Malerman and Mark Matthews.
Now I’m keen to read Garden of Fiends and Lullabies for Suffering.
Content warnings include mention of .
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Wicked Run Press for the opportunity to read this anthology. I’m rounding up from 4.5 stars.
Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
April 9, 2022
When I saw that there was going to be a third book in addiction horror anthology series I jumped at the chance to read an advanced copy! I loved the first two and this one is as good if not better than the others. The amazingly talented writers and the variety of stories made for a fantastic read. Plus the cover art is STUNNING!!
I’ve dealt with mild drug addiction in the past (thankfully, nothing like in these stories) and I come from a long line of drug addicts and alcoholics so I have a personal connection to this horrible affliction. I think it’s one of the reasons I’m drawn to addiction horror.
A few favorites:
YOU WAIT FOR IT LIKE IT WAITS FOR YOU by Kealan Patrick Burke is a disturbing tale of one mans journey through rehab. I always enjoy KPB’s writing and this story will haunt you.
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS AND STRAIGHT INTO HELL by Christa Carmen This story was one of the most intriguing and heartbreaking.
HUDDLED MASSES, YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE by John F.D. Taff is about a man that has replaced his heroin addiction with something far worse. Oh my, this one was crazy!!
BUYER'S REMORSE by Samantha Kolesnik. I thought I knew what the protagonist’s addiction was but I was really, really wrong. Kolesnik continues to impress me with her talent.
There really wasn’t a story I didn’t like in this collection. If you can handle the triggers that come with addiction horror I highly recommend this!! Release date is May 4th 2022.
Thank you Mark Matthews and Wicked Run Press for my digital ARC.
I’ve dealt with mild drug addiction in the past (thankfully, nothing like in these stories) and I come from a long line of drug addicts and alcoholics so I have a personal connection to this horrible affliction. I think it’s one of the reasons I’m drawn to addiction horror.
A few favorites:
YOU WAIT FOR IT LIKE IT WAITS FOR YOU by Kealan Patrick Burke is a disturbing tale of one mans journey through rehab. I always enjoy KPB’s writing and this story will haunt you.
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS AND STRAIGHT INTO HELL by Christa Carmen This story was one of the most intriguing and heartbreaking.
HUDDLED MASSES, YEARNING TO BREATHE FREE by John F.D. Taff is about a man that has replaced his heroin addiction with something far worse. Oh my, this one was crazy!!
BUYER'S REMORSE by Samantha Kolesnik. I thought I knew what the protagonist’s addiction was but I was really, really wrong. Kolesnik continues to impress me with her talent.
There really wasn’t a story I didn’t like in this collection. If you can handle the triggers that come with addiction horror I highly recommend this!! Release date is May 4th 2022.
Thank you Mark Matthews and Wicked Run Press for my digital ARC.
April 6, 2022
Addiction is a subject horrific enough in and of itself. Certainly enough to warrant an anthology. Three anthologies in fact, of which this is the last one and the only one I’ve read. And it’s a powerhouse of one. Story after story hammers in the nightmare of deadly dependency and deleterious desire that is addiction.
These tales are viscerally disturbing but do remain on the literary side of speculative fiction in writing quality.
The lineup is pretty awesome, lots of easily recognizable names.
My favorites were the stories by Burke and Taff (absolutely stunning and mesmerizingly disturbing). The least favorite the one by Iglecias (that just read like someone wanted to hit every check on the socially conscious and woke list, pandering and moralizing).
Overall, a great read. A journey into the darkness well worth taking…if you dare. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
These tales are viscerally disturbing but do remain on the literary side of speculative fiction in writing quality.
The lineup is pretty awesome, lots of easily recognizable names.
My favorites were the stories by Burke and Taff (absolutely stunning and mesmerizingly disturbing). The least favorite the one by Iglecias (that just read like someone wanted to hit every check on the socially conscious and woke list, pandering and moralizing).
Overall, a great read. A journey into the darkness well worth taking…if you dare. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
April 6, 2022
OBSESSED
May 5, 2022
Orphans of Bliss: Tales of Addiction Horror is an anthology of 10 stories, written by some of the best modern horror authors, with the same central theme: the insidious nature of addiction.
I already knew many of the authors, but I particularly love collections because they give me the chance to discover new voices and especially if they are my cup of tea.
All the stories are beautifully written: I don't know if the authors have/had direct experiences with the different addictions they wrote about, but they felt so real and painful and truly horrific.
As with most collections, I didn't *love* all the stories but, out of 10 stories, I found these 5 absolutely incredible:
- One Last Blast, by S.A. Cosby
- Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free, by John F.D. Taff
- Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell, by Christa Carmen
- A Solid Black Lighthouse on a Pier in the Cryptic, by Josh Malerman
- My Soul’s Bliss, by Mark Matthews
I also enjoyed all the others, with the exception of one story that I believe was simply not for me and I was not able to connect with.
Orphans of Bliss: Tales of Addiction Horror is overall a powerful and haunting collection that I'm very happy to have read and that I would recommend to all horror readers. Also (and this is something I found out just now) it's part of a trilogy of anthologies, following Garden of Fiends and Lullabies for Suffering. If they are as good as Orphans of Bliss, I'm in for a treat!
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.
* I'd like to thank Mark Matthews, Wicked Run Press and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I already knew many of the authors, but I particularly love collections because they give me the chance to discover new voices and especially if they are my cup of tea.
All the stories are beautifully written: I don't know if the authors have/had direct experiences with the different addictions they wrote about, but they felt so real and painful and truly horrific.
As with most collections, I didn't *love* all the stories but, out of 10 stories, I found these 5 absolutely incredible:
- One Last Blast, by S.A. Cosby
- Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free, by John F.D. Taff
- Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell, by Christa Carmen
- A Solid Black Lighthouse on a Pier in the Cryptic, by Josh Malerman
- My Soul’s Bliss, by Mark Matthews
I also enjoyed all the others, with the exception of one story that I believe was simply not for me and I was not able to connect with.
Orphans of Bliss: Tales of Addiction Horror is overall a powerful and haunting collection that I'm very happy to have read and that I would recommend to all horror readers. Also (and this is something I found out just now) it's part of a trilogy of anthologies, following Garden of Fiends and Lullabies for Suffering. If they are as good as Orphans of Bliss, I'm in for a treat!
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.
* I'd like to thank Mark Matthews, Wicked Run Press and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 29, 2022
**Edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews! **
Mark Matthews returns with the third anthology of addiction based horror stories and much like the first two, Matthews has enlisted a stellar group of writers who you know will deliver phenomenal stories.
If you’ve not read either of the previous entries, no worries, these are not connected in that sense (although Kealan Patrick Burke’s stories in each one are set in the same world), so you can dive in and not have read the other two. Saying that, you really should as the work featured within is always haunting, heartbreaking and captivating.
With ‘Orphans of Bliss’ I found the level of storytelling to be lights out. Amazing from start to finish.
What I liked: Each author has very distinct ways of telling their stories and that works really well for the reader, as each piece feels fresh and nothing comes off as repetitive. I think one thing I really enjoyed was that there were only 10 stories. Lately, many anthologies are nearing three times that amount and it can make for an uneven reading experience.
Not here.
Highlights for me were;
– ‘You Wait For It, Like It Waits For You’ by Kealan Patrick Burke. This one followed Sean, an addict who has done some horrific thing. His wife and kids have left him and he is in a recovery centre/hospital setting. But not all is how it seems and, as expected, Kealan gives us a haunting look at a mind that is struggling.
– ‘One Last Blast’ by S.A. Cosby. We get to follow Kenny Wayne, a small town dealer of Meth and a new hot product Ice Man for an evening. Cosby crafted a short but unsettling story, one that was a blast to see unfold.
– ‘What We Name Our Dead’ by Cassandra Khaw. This starts off with just a devastating line and gets worse from there. I don’t want to mention too much but wow did Khaw go dark.
– ‘Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell’ by Christa Carmen. A really unique Sci-Fi mash-up, we get a VR set up to help with addicts and some interesting ramifications from there.
– ‘Holding On’ by Gabino Iglesias. Another futuristic- Sci-Fi blended story, we follow Guillermo as he tries to find his friend and significant other who is pregnant. This was filled with action, creatures and some pointed social commentary. Really well done.
What I didn’t like: While I did enjoy each story, some started off with really interesting premises and faded away, while a few were good but I just didn’t connect with them like the others. Anthologies are always like that and readers will find stories they love more than others.
Why you should buy this: Matthews has once again given us an anthology that looks at how addiction can hook into a person and hold tight, while also sharing how that addiction affects them and those closest. The stories are filled with darkness, despair but also these wiggling ideas that pull the reader along.
Definitely an anthology you’ll want to check out!
Mark Matthews returns with the third anthology of addiction based horror stories and much like the first two, Matthews has enlisted a stellar group of writers who you know will deliver phenomenal stories.
If you’ve not read either of the previous entries, no worries, these are not connected in that sense (although Kealan Patrick Burke’s stories in each one are set in the same world), so you can dive in and not have read the other two. Saying that, you really should as the work featured within is always haunting, heartbreaking and captivating.
With ‘Orphans of Bliss’ I found the level of storytelling to be lights out. Amazing from start to finish.
What I liked: Each author has very distinct ways of telling their stories and that works really well for the reader, as each piece feels fresh and nothing comes off as repetitive. I think one thing I really enjoyed was that there were only 10 stories. Lately, many anthologies are nearing three times that amount and it can make for an uneven reading experience.
Not here.
Highlights for me were;
– ‘You Wait For It, Like It Waits For You’ by Kealan Patrick Burke. This one followed Sean, an addict who has done some horrific thing. His wife and kids have left him and he is in a recovery centre/hospital setting. But not all is how it seems and, as expected, Kealan gives us a haunting look at a mind that is struggling.
– ‘One Last Blast’ by S.A. Cosby. We get to follow Kenny Wayne, a small town dealer of Meth and a new hot product Ice Man for an evening. Cosby crafted a short but unsettling story, one that was a blast to see unfold.
– ‘What We Name Our Dead’ by Cassandra Khaw. This starts off with just a devastating line and gets worse from there. I don’t want to mention too much but wow did Khaw go dark.
– ‘Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell’ by Christa Carmen. A really unique Sci-Fi mash-up, we get a VR set up to help with addicts and some interesting ramifications from there.
– ‘Holding On’ by Gabino Iglesias. Another futuristic- Sci-Fi blended story, we follow Guillermo as he tries to find his friend and significant other who is pregnant. This was filled with action, creatures and some pointed social commentary. Really well done.
What I didn’t like: While I did enjoy each story, some started off with really interesting premises and faded away, while a few were good but I just didn’t connect with them like the others. Anthologies are always like that and readers will find stories they love more than others.
Why you should buy this: Matthews has once again given us an anthology that looks at how addiction can hook into a person and hold tight, while also sharing how that addiction affects them and those closest. The stories are filled with darkness, despair but also these wiggling ideas that pull the reader along.
Definitely an anthology you’ll want to check out!
March 26, 2022
Star review in the April issue of Library Journal.
Three Words That Describe This Book: stunning, visceral, timely issues
DRAFT REVIEW:
With his third addiction horror anthology, Matthews offers 10 original stories, with a breadth of terror as wide and as personal as the monster of addiction which seethes at the center of each tale. The invited authors utilize different dark speculative elements, employ their unique narrative voice, and come at these tales from different perspectives. Cassandra Khaw writes a haunting tale of the isolation experienced by the child of an addict, while S.A. Cosby takes a more literal approach bringing meth addicts back from the dead, looking for one more hit, and John FD Taff uses a strong narration from an unhinged hoarder to draw readers into a nightmare. But it is Christa Carmen’s heartbreakingly honest look at “recovery” that is the star here, a story that is sure to end up on many speculative fiction year-end award lists. All ten are compelling Horror stories on their own, but gathered together, they hold a power, one that will break readers, opening their eyes to a truth we are all facing, something that only the very best Horror is capable of.
Verdict: A visceral depiction of the havoc, pain, and anguish of addiction, this triumphant conclusion to Matthews’ trilogy is a must add to all collections as anyone who has even been even tangentially touched by the monster of addiction will need access to these groundbreaking volumes and the lifeline they may just provide to the hopeless.
Three Words That Describe This Book: stunning, visceral, timely issues
DRAFT REVIEW:
With his third addiction horror anthology, Matthews offers 10 original stories, with a breadth of terror as wide and as personal as the monster of addiction which seethes at the center of each tale. The invited authors utilize different dark speculative elements, employ their unique narrative voice, and come at these tales from different perspectives. Cassandra Khaw writes a haunting tale of the isolation experienced by the child of an addict, while S.A. Cosby takes a more literal approach bringing meth addicts back from the dead, looking for one more hit, and John FD Taff uses a strong narration from an unhinged hoarder to draw readers into a nightmare. But it is Christa Carmen’s heartbreakingly honest look at “recovery” that is the star here, a story that is sure to end up on many speculative fiction year-end award lists. All ten are compelling Horror stories on their own, but gathered together, they hold a power, one that will break readers, opening their eyes to a truth we are all facing, something that only the very best Horror is capable of.
Verdict: A visceral depiction of the havoc, pain, and anguish of addiction, this triumphant conclusion to Matthews’ trilogy is a must add to all collections as anyone who has even been even tangentially touched by the monster of addiction will need access to these groundbreaking volumes and the lifeline they may just provide to the hopeless.
April 8, 2022
“Take my blood and drink it, for my soul’s bliss has killed my body, but has not satisfied itself.”
Orphans of Bliss, Tales of Addiction Horror edited by Mark Matthews is a third installment of a three part anthology series. This book contains short stories focused around addiction and the dark places addiction will drag one under. It was… quite the intense read. Although it was difficult to relate to stories such as these since I’ve never experienced addiction to this level, I could still empathize and feel the dread in being trapped in these habits. It’s awful and it left my skin crawling. I don’t know, I just feel kinda depressed now. Like there’s no hope. 😂 Although some stories did end on a hopeful note, which was nice!
My top three tales from this anthology are:
You Wait For It, Like It Waits For You by Kealan Patrick Burke
Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell by Christa Carmen
Buyer’s Remorse by Samantha Kolesnik (I actually related to this one the most)
The last story, My Soul’s Bliss by Mark Matthews, the editor, was also distressing in a good way.
If you can handle the triggers that come with addiction horror, I highly suggest this anthology. It’s filled with amazing stories, there wasn’t one I disliked, and it drowns you in goopy, black dread. (Also, this cover is definitely one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen.)
Orphans of Bliss, Tales of Addiction Horror edited by Mark Matthews is a third installment of a three part anthology series. This book contains short stories focused around addiction and the dark places addiction will drag one under. It was… quite the intense read. Although it was difficult to relate to stories such as these since I’ve never experienced addiction to this level, I could still empathize and feel the dread in being trapped in these habits. It’s awful and it left my skin crawling. I don’t know, I just feel kinda depressed now. Like there’s no hope. 😂 Although some stories did end on a hopeful note, which was nice!
My top three tales from this anthology are:
You Wait For It, Like It Waits For You by Kealan Patrick Burke
Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell by Christa Carmen
Buyer’s Remorse by Samantha Kolesnik (I actually related to this one the most)
The last story, My Soul’s Bliss by Mark Matthews, the editor, was also distressing in a good way.
If you can handle the triggers that come with addiction horror, I highly suggest this anthology. It’s filled with amazing stories, there wasn’t one I disliked, and it drowns you in goopy, black dread. (Also, this cover is definitely one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen.)
August 4, 2022
Good collection. I read all of the short stories but am leaving the bonus novella in the back unread for now. When/if I read it, I'll certainly update this review, but for now, my rating is based on my impressions of the short stories in this anthology.
You Wait for it, Like it Waits for You, by Kealan Patrick Burke. ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
One Last Blast, by S.A. Cosby. ⭐⭐⭐
What We Name Our Dead, By Cassandra Khaw. ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free, by John F.D. Taff. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell, by Christa Carmen. ⭐⭐⭐.5
Holding On, by Gabino Iglesias. ⭐⭐⭐
Buyer's Remorse, by Samantha Kolesnik. ⭐⭐⭐.5
A Solid Black Lighthouse on the Pier in the Cryptic, by Josh Malerman. ⭐⭐⭐
Singularity, by Kathe Koja. ⭐⭐
My Soul's Bliss, by Mark Matthews. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
You Wait for it, Like it Waits for You, by Kealan Patrick Burke. ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
One Last Blast, by S.A. Cosby. ⭐⭐⭐
What We Name Our Dead, By Cassandra Khaw. ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free, by John F.D. Taff. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell, by Christa Carmen. ⭐⭐⭐.5
Holding On, by Gabino Iglesias. ⭐⭐⭐
Buyer's Remorse, by Samantha Kolesnik. ⭐⭐⭐.5
A Solid Black Lighthouse on the Pier in the Cryptic, by Josh Malerman. ⭐⭐⭐
Singularity, by Kathe Koja. ⭐⭐
My Soul's Bliss, by Mark Matthews. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 8, 2022
Author and editor Mark Matthews (Garden of Fiends, and the Shirley Jackson Award-
nominated Lullabies for Suffering) has returned with his third and final anthology that focuses on
tales of addiction horror. One can read any of the anthologies in whichever order they prefer. As
with the others, Orphans focuses on the links between horror and real-life addiction issues,
presenting these tales as a chance for healing. The stories included herein do not shy away from
the ugliest parts of addiction.
In ‘Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free’ (Taff) focuses on a hoarder and drug addict
whose reluctant son tries to help him only to uncover a plot far more sinister. ‘Disturbing’
doesn’t begin to describe this story. ‘Through the Looking Glass and Straight into Hell’
(Carmen) focuses on an addict who returns to a recovery center to undergo virtual reality
therapy. Readers who have had their own struggles with addictions and relapses will find
Carmen’s story harder to take. Nonetheless, the prose is vibrant. Gabino Iglesias presents
‘Holding On’ about Guillermo, a former fugitive living in a segregated government sector for
people of color with chemical dependencies. He used to be hooked on gravedust along with a
friend, from whom he finds a note that someone is after them again. With Lovecraftian nihilism,
this agonizing tale will eat away at readers. Showcasing the tale of a woman addicted to
shopping and far worse is ‘Buyer’s Remorse’ (Kolesnik), a compelling tale that will keep readers
on the edge of their seats. Overall, Orphans of Bliss is a strong anthology with memorable stories
that will resonate with horror readers.
Other highlights include: ‘One Last Blast’ by S.A. Cosby, which starts with a drug dealer,
Kenny Wayne, who has enough problems as it is but he is confronted with the worst terrors after
the party. In ‘What We Name Our Dead,’ Cassandra Khaw tells the tale of Eleanor who is
haunted by her father’s death. Despite trying to move on, she knows that everyone drags their
pasts and pain behind them.
nominated Lullabies for Suffering) has returned with his third and final anthology that focuses on
tales of addiction horror. One can read any of the anthologies in whichever order they prefer. As
with the others, Orphans focuses on the links between horror and real-life addiction issues,
presenting these tales as a chance for healing. The stories included herein do not shy away from
the ugliest parts of addiction.
In ‘Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free’ (Taff) focuses on a hoarder and drug addict
whose reluctant son tries to help him only to uncover a plot far more sinister. ‘Disturbing’
doesn’t begin to describe this story. ‘Through the Looking Glass and Straight into Hell’
(Carmen) focuses on an addict who returns to a recovery center to undergo virtual reality
therapy. Readers who have had their own struggles with addictions and relapses will find
Carmen’s story harder to take. Nonetheless, the prose is vibrant. Gabino Iglesias presents
‘Holding On’ about Guillermo, a former fugitive living in a segregated government sector for
people of color with chemical dependencies. He used to be hooked on gravedust along with a
friend, from whom he finds a note that someone is after them again. With Lovecraftian nihilism,
this agonizing tale will eat away at readers. Showcasing the tale of a woman addicted to
shopping and far worse is ‘Buyer’s Remorse’ (Kolesnik), a compelling tale that will keep readers
on the edge of their seats. Overall, Orphans of Bliss is a strong anthology with memorable stories
that will resonate with horror readers.
Other highlights include: ‘One Last Blast’ by S.A. Cosby, which starts with a drug dealer,
Kenny Wayne, who has enough problems as it is but he is confronted with the worst terrors after
the party. In ‘What We Name Our Dead,’ Cassandra Khaw tells the tale of Eleanor who is
haunted by her father’s death. Despite trying to move on, she knows that everyone drags their
pasts and pain behind them.
April 28, 2022
After reading Lullabies for Suffering, I couldn’t believe my luck when I received an ARC of Orphans of Bliss from Netgalley and Wicked Run Press. Lullabies was my first foray into Addiction based horror as a niche genre, and I was blown away by how excellently written this entire series is. Mark Matthews has gathered quite the lineup of horror authors for this collection!
Orphans of Bliss is a 10 story collection featuring some of today’s most excellent modern horror authors. There's no need to read the series in chronological order. I believe this series can give much insight into what those with varying addictions have to endure, while giving a bit of a supernatural twist here and there. Here’s a brief, spoiler-free rundown of what awaits you in this gritty trove of truths:
Keenan Patrick Burke starts off the collection with “You Wait For It Like It Waits For You”, which cleverly connects to the worldbuilding of his prior 2 stories in the previous 2 collections, although each story definitely stands alone. I was amazed with the way Burke was able to perfectly mirror the internalized environment that an addict traps themselves in when coping with withdrawal and the struggle of attempts to rehabilitate.
“One last Blast” by S. A. Cosby was able to bring some much needed comic relief with this foray into what can happen when a certain blend of meth with unforeseen side effects starts making its rounds into a small party town. Highly enjoyed this one!
“What We Name Our Dead” by Cassandra Khaw is a much more somber tale of the effects a parent’s addiction has on their adult children, and whether we are willing to heal or continue to hurt in the name of moving on from the trauma of one's past.
“Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free” by John F.D. Taft is an interesting tale about hoarding, as those who suffer from the disorder are dealing with the very same irrational toolbox of coping skills and rationalizations as any other addict has. I was definitely NOT expecting that ending!
“Through the Looking Glass and Straight to Hell” by Christa Carmen was a creepy look at what the future of rehabilitation could look like if virtual reality VR programs were introduced into facilities. Could knowing what your life could be like with sobriety help or harm you on your way to recovery?
“Holding On” by Gabino Iglesias has some of the most excellent world building I have ever read in a short story. It felt like a whole novel’s worth of environmental, societal, and governmental structures were erected in such a quick manner that by the time I had wrapped my head around how everything in this world worked, the ending slapped me in the face and left me breathless. I really related to the characters in this story, because as an addict in recovery you remember all too well the way that other people, especially those with any sort of authority, will look down upon you as a lesser person for having dealt with addiction (or various other differences in personhood like being neurodivergent, sexuality, mental health, etc). Many different types of people will heavily relate to this horrible little gem of a story.
“Buyer’s Remorse” by Samantha Kolesnik is another mischievous tale featuring what can happen when your appetite for appearances, designer brands, and spoiling your fancy girlfriends is larger than the sum of your own wallet, and the things a special sort of psychopath might do to balance out the two.
"A Solid Black Lighthouse On A Pier In The Cryptic" by Josh Malerman was an absolute treat, not only for fans but for his own fellow writers who may be attempting to seek the muse while also battling addiction. Lori would write the most awe inspiring novel if it weren't for many reasons, least of all her alcoholism, but when Lori pisses off the wrong person at her local bar, she begins to spiral into a nonstop nightmare of booze until hitting her inevitable bottom.
"Singularity" by Katherine Koja was really the only tale of all 10 that I couldn't completely wrap my mind around. Speculative fiction that leaves out quite a few bits of key information. I felt that this brief story highlights the theme that fantasy might be better than reality, and could one even handle actualizing their own?
And last, but definitely not least, "My Soul's Bliss" by Mark Matthews really messed me up. The story follows Peter and his ex Luci- a recovered addict and active addict- as they both attend the funeral of their mutual friend Quinn. The story touches upon the themes of addiction that highlight an emotional connection between addicts who used together, and how difficult it can be in both cases to get clean while you watch the other continue to deteriorate from drug use, as well as to still be in the throes of your addiction while feeling left behind by someone you love as they continue their sobriety journey.
This story will touch both former and active addicts as well as family and friends of an addict. There is so much survivors guilt and resentment involved on both sides, which I have experienced in my own life, watching old friends succumb to their addiction as I got clean, became a mother, and changed my life. You lose many people along the journey, both literally and figuratively, and reading this story made me very emotional.
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading, but what are you waiting for lol?!
Enjoy the series, then check out the prior collections because they're some of the best anthologies I've ever read.
Orphans of Bliss is a 10 story collection featuring some of today’s most excellent modern horror authors. There's no need to read the series in chronological order. I believe this series can give much insight into what those with varying addictions have to endure, while giving a bit of a supernatural twist here and there. Here’s a brief, spoiler-free rundown of what awaits you in this gritty trove of truths:
Keenan Patrick Burke starts off the collection with “You Wait For It Like It Waits For You”, which cleverly connects to the worldbuilding of his prior 2 stories in the previous 2 collections, although each story definitely stands alone. I was amazed with the way Burke was able to perfectly mirror the internalized environment that an addict traps themselves in when coping with withdrawal and the struggle of attempts to rehabilitate.
“One last Blast” by S. A. Cosby was able to bring some much needed comic relief with this foray into what can happen when a certain blend of meth with unforeseen side effects starts making its rounds into a small party town. Highly enjoyed this one!
“What We Name Our Dead” by Cassandra Khaw is a much more somber tale of the effects a parent’s addiction has on their adult children, and whether we are willing to heal or continue to hurt in the name of moving on from the trauma of one's past.
“Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free” by John F.D. Taft is an interesting tale about hoarding, as those who suffer from the disorder are dealing with the very same irrational toolbox of coping skills and rationalizations as any other addict has. I was definitely NOT expecting that ending!
“Through the Looking Glass and Straight to Hell” by Christa Carmen was a creepy look at what the future of rehabilitation could look like if virtual reality VR programs were introduced into facilities. Could knowing what your life could be like with sobriety help or harm you on your way to recovery?
“Holding On” by Gabino Iglesias has some of the most excellent world building I have ever read in a short story. It felt like a whole novel’s worth of environmental, societal, and governmental structures were erected in such a quick manner that by the time I had wrapped my head around how everything in this world worked, the ending slapped me in the face and left me breathless. I really related to the characters in this story, because as an addict in recovery you remember all too well the way that other people, especially those with any sort of authority, will look down upon you as a lesser person for having dealt with addiction (or various other differences in personhood like being neurodivergent, sexuality, mental health, etc). Many different types of people will heavily relate to this horrible little gem of a story.
“Buyer’s Remorse” by Samantha Kolesnik is another mischievous tale featuring what can happen when your appetite for appearances, designer brands, and spoiling your fancy girlfriends is larger than the sum of your own wallet, and the things a special sort of psychopath might do to balance out the two.
"A Solid Black Lighthouse On A Pier In The Cryptic" by Josh Malerman was an absolute treat, not only for fans but for his own fellow writers who may be attempting to seek the muse while also battling addiction. Lori would write the most awe inspiring novel if it weren't for many reasons, least of all her alcoholism, but when Lori pisses off the wrong person at her local bar, she begins to spiral into a nonstop nightmare of booze until hitting her inevitable bottom.
"Singularity" by Katherine Koja was really the only tale of all 10 that I couldn't completely wrap my mind around. Speculative fiction that leaves out quite a few bits of key information. I felt that this brief story highlights the theme that fantasy might be better than reality, and could one even handle actualizing their own?
And last, but definitely not least, "My Soul's Bliss" by Mark Matthews really messed me up. The story follows Peter and his ex Luci- a recovered addict and active addict- as they both attend the funeral of their mutual friend Quinn. The story touches upon the themes of addiction that highlight an emotional connection between addicts who used together, and how difficult it can be in both cases to get clean while you watch the other continue to deteriorate from drug use, as well as to still be in the throes of your addiction while feeling left behind by someone you love as they continue their sobriety journey.
This story will touch both former and active addicts as well as family and friends of an addict. There is so much survivors guilt and resentment involved on both sides, which I have experienced in my own life, watching old friends succumb to their addiction as I got clean, became a mother, and changed my life. You lose many people along the journey, both literally and figuratively, and reading this story made me very emotional.
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading, but what are you waiting for lol?!
Enjoy the series, then check out the prior collections because they're some of the best anthologies I've ever read.
April 22, 2022
*Orphans of Horror is filled with great stories that are very f**ked up and twisted with unexpected (even gruesome details throughout) endings. This has to be one of my favorite books this year and I will definitely be reading more by the contributing authors in this anthology!
Top 3 favorites:
•You Wait for It, Like it Waits for You by Kealan Patrick Burke
•Through the Looking Glass and Straight to Hell by Christa Carmen
•Holding On by Gabino Iglesias
*Please read trigger/content warnings before reading this book. It is a heavy book about multiple people with varying addictions, whether on the road to recovery or while actively abusing.
Top 3 favorites:
•You Wait for It, Like it Waits for You by Kealan Patrick Burke
•Through the Looking Glass and Straight to Hell by Christa Carmen
•Holding On by Gabino Iglesias
*Please read trigger/content warnings before reading this book. It is a heavy book about multiple people with varying addictions, whether on the road to recovery or while actively abusing.
June 18, 2022
Following on the heels of Garden of Fiends and Lullabies for Suffering, Mark Matthews presents the third and final installment in his series of Addiction Horror anthologies. I’ve shouted my love for Lullabies since its release, and both eagerly anticipated this volume, while also worrying it might not live up to my lofty expectations.
Fear not, because this entry truly stands up to the precedent set by the books before it. Matthews eschews the novella-length stories this time around in favor of a well-rounded group of authors at their very best. At their root, these anthologies have always felt very rooted in the human experience, presenting addiction as an illness that befalls a three-dimensional character, rather than an evil character trait. The stories included within continue that tradition of fully-fleshed out characters under extraordinary duress.
Frequent contributors Kealan Patrick Burke and John F.D. Taff are back. Burke introduces the group of stories in style with “You Wait For It, Like It Waits For You”. Taff’s contribution, “Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free” is among the strongest and most memorable stories in the anthology, proving once more his mastery of short fiction. While the anthology contains no weak links, some of my favorites included Samantha Kolesnik’s “Buyer’s Remorse”, Christa Carmen’s “Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell”, and Josh Malerman’s “A Solid Black Lighthouse on a Pier in the Cryptic”.
Appropriately, the collection ends with Mark Matthews “My Soul’s Bliss”. This grandmaster of ceremonies closes the door softly and tenderly on his way out, placing the cap on a necessary and heartrending series. Readers of the Garden and Lullabies will find a lot to peak their interest within these pages. Readers unfamiliar with Matthews’ work will find top-tier stories from some of the most exciting names in modern horror.
Fear not, because this entry truly stands up to the precedent set by the books before it. Matthews eschews the novella-length stories this time around in favor of a well-rounded group of authors at their very best. At their root, these anthologies have always felt very rooted in the human experience, presenting addiction as an illness that befalls a three-dimensional character, rather than an evil character trait. The stories included within continue that tradition of fully-fleshed out characters under extraordinary duress.
Frequent contributors Kealan Patrick Burke and John F.D. Taff are back. Burke introduces the group of stories in style with “You Wait For It, Like It Waits For You”. Taff’s contribution, “Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free” is among the strongest and most memorable stories in the anthology, proving once more his mastery of short fiction. While the anthology contains no weak links, some of my favorites included Samantha Kolesnik’s “Buyer’s Remorse”, Christa Carmen’s “Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell”, and Josh Malerman’s “A Solid Black Lighthouse on a Pier in the Cryptic”.
Appropriately, the collection ends with Mark Matthews “My Soul’s Bliss”. This grandmaster of ceremonies closes the door softly and tenderly on his way out, placing the cap on a necessary and heartrending series. Readers of the Garden and Lullabies will find a lot to peak their interest within these pages. Readers unfamiliar with Matthews’ work will find top-tier stories from some of the most exciting names in modern horror.
March 27, 2022
This book was .. something else. Each one of this stories is unique, horrifying and ultimately.. sad. The really nightmare-ish but truly vivid portrayals of orphans of bliss. My personal favorite is 'Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell' by Christa Carmen , i was shocked at the ending . I loved all the other stories but that one personally left a mark on me. Overall, this was an enjoyable, truly interesting and well-written book. The only thing that i didn't like is that the text on my kindle appeared on the left side of the screen so half of the right side was empty but i'm sure it's just some formatting error ( and if it's not and the book is just formatted that way, i'm sorry but i just think it's frustrating ).
Thank you NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 7, 2022
Tales of Addiction Horror by some of my favorite authors. I felt immersed in all of them, while some made me feel shaky and unsettled others were weird and left me with a sense of profound gratitude. Gratitude that I’m alive and feel free to make my own decisions and I’m not beholden to something/someone I need. Besides books…there is that and I do need them to survive.
Some of my favorites:
Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell by Christa Carmen was a futuristic look at rehab. It reminded me of a Black Mirror episode. What would you do if you could see what life could be like without your addiction? And not just see it, but live it. Would you have a new found sense of purpose? What if the life without addiction was worse? All questions in this thought provoking short story.
Buyer’s Remorse by Samantha Kolesnik is a character driven story that is focused on a serial killer who preys on the rich and sick. Sort of an Angel of Death situation except this killer is opportunistic and uses the victim for monetary gain. Because sometimes you Need the nicest things.
My Soul’s Bliss by Mark Matthews had me turned inside out. I could see the perspective of all three characters, Peter, who was able to finally break his addiction and walk away; Luci, who was still in thrall to drugs and didn’t want to get clean; Kate who helped Peter get clean. I wanted to be mad at Luci, but felt drawn to her need and desperation. I was happy Peter kicked his habit, but disgusted about how he could leave people behind. I’d say everyone got what they deserved in the end…which was horror and lots of it.
There’s lots of great horror here, melded in with some sci-fi and a dash of despair. Wonderful conclusion to the addiction horror trio.
Some of my favorites:
Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell by Christa Carmen was a futuristic look at rehab. It reminded me of a Black Mirror episode. What would you do if you could see what life could be like without your addiction? And not just see it, but live it. Would you have a new found sense of purpose? What if the life without addiction was worse? All questions in this thought provoking short story.
Buyer’s Remorse by Samantha Kolesnik is a character driven story that is focused on a serial killer who preys on the rich and sick. Sort of an Angel of Death situation except this killer is opportunistic and uses the victim for monetary gain. Because sometimes you Need the nicest things.
My Soul’s Bliss by Mark Matthews had me turned inside out. I could see the perspective of all three characters, Peter, who was able to finally break his addiction and walk away; Luci, who was still in thrall to drugs and didn’t want to get clean; Kate who helped Peter get clean. I wanted to be mad at Luci, but felt drawn to her need and desperation. I was happy Peter kicked his habit, but disgusted about how he could leave people behind. I’d say everyone got what they deserved in the end…which was horror and lots of it.
There’s lots of great horror here, melded in with some sci-fi and a dash of despair. Wonderful conclusion to the addiction horror trio.
April 21, 2022
Huge thanks to NetGalley, the authors and the publisher for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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I really enjoyed this collection of stories!
Buyer's Remorse definitely my favourite but all the stories are entertaining in their own subgenre!
This is worth a read by any lover of horror.
Overall rating: 5/5 stars
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I really enjoyed this collection of stories!
Buyer's Remorse definitely my favourite but all the stories are entertaining in their own subgenre!
This is worth a read by any lover of horror.
Overall rating: 5/5 stars
July 20, 2022
I can’t get over how much I loved this anthology. When the subject matter is so dark, is loved even the right word?
Orphans of Bliss: Tales of Addiction Horror is a collection of short horror stories by some of the best writers in the genre. Each story is unique, wildly creative, and unrelentingly dark. The real life terrors of addiction blend with traditional horror themes to tell exquisite stories that I think about daily. I was thrilled to get a copy of this ARC from NetGalley, but am still blown away by how much it has impacted me. I’ve even struggled to write this review because I wasn’t sure how to do justice to such a difficult topic being executed so well.
From the beginning of the introduction to the end of the last story, this anthology is worth your time. It is dark and heavy and triggers abound, but it will make you think and feel and stay with you for a long time, even if you’re not sure you want it to.
Orphans of Bliss: Tales of Addiction Horror is a collection of short horror stories by some of the best writers in the genre. Each story is unique, wildly creative, and unrelentingly dark. The real life terrors of addiction blend with traditional horror themes to tell exquisite stories that I think about daily. I was thrilled to get a copy of this ARC from NetGalley, but am still blown away by how much it has impacted me. I’ve even struggled to write this review because I wasn’t sure how to do justice to such a difficult topic being executed so well.
From the beginning of the introduction to the end of the last story, this anthology is worth your time. It is dark and heavy and triggers abound, but it will make you think and feel and stay with you for a long time, even if you’re not sure you want it to.
April 24, 2022
A fantastic group of authors give the final book in the series a solid and satisfying conclusion with their horrifying tales of addiction. My review can be read here ---> https://wp.me/p5t5Tf-1ZX
November 10, 2023
Collection of short horror stories all dealing with addiction.
August 3, 2022
Solid anthology. The novella My Soul's Bliss by Mark Matthews is the crown jewel of the bunch, with Kathe Koja's "Singularity" coming in at a close second. (If you enjoyed that one, I strongly recommend her novel
The Cipher
.)
"You Wait For It, Like It Waits For You" by Kealan Patrick Burke started off strong with its metaphorical imagery of a room with no exit, but then turned into a family drama I found too realistically prosaic.
The only real dud was "Holding On" by Gabino Iglesias. It has all the proverbial subtlety of a sledgehammer, with painfully didactic lines like, "A perfect example of how those who criticize and discriminate are often monsters deserving of everything they wished upon those they disapproved of." The author should have let the story speak for itself.
"You Wait For It, Like It Waits For You" by Kealan Patrick Burke started off strong with its metaphorical imagery of a room with no exit, but then turned into a family drama I found too realistically prosaic.
The only real dud was "Holding On" by Gabino Iglesias. It has all the proverbial subtlety of a sledgehammer, with painfully didactic lines like, "A perfect example of how those who criticize and discriminate are often monsters deserving of everything they wished upon those they disapproved of." The author should have let the story speak for itself.
June 4, 2023
It was great; the only thing that disappoints me is that this is the last one. There are only a few series or authors who are reliable for me, but Addiction Horror would fall in that category. This is a collection that has heavy-hitting indie authors Samantha Kolesnik and John FD Taff, whom I've read before. And Mark Matthews, well, Jack Ketchum praised him, so that should tell you something about him! This series appealed to me because I can't recall any horror that has dealt so specifically with this topic, and because I know something about addiction. I've used drugs with people in our active addiction, and I've seen it destroy lives. I've been to funerals like the one in the last story. I've also seen people recover. The book's introduction references Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights, which is a good example, and I'm sure these types of addictive personalities are in all types of literature if you're looking for them. It reminds me of something I'm currently reading by Kierkegaard. The section "Silhouettes" in Either/Or speaks of "reflective sorrow." In his analysis of Clavigo by Goethe, Marie can't face the fact that her lover who left her was a deceiver. What is that, but a type of addiction?
May 28, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and publishers for this ARC.
I always find it hard to rate short story collections, and this one is no exception. There were some stories that I absolutely loved and that’ll probably stay with me for quite some time, and then there were some that didn’t capture me as much. Overall, I really enjoyed this book though, and I really want to check out the other books in this series.
The thing I liked most about this book is probably that the stories are so diverse. They all shock you in a way, but in different ways. The stories that I personally liked best would have to be One Last Blast (S.A. Cosby), Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe free (John FD Taff), and Buyer’s Remorse (Samantha Kolesnik).
Overall, this was a great book, and I’d definitely recommend checking it out if you’re at all interested in horror stories.
I always find it hard to rate short story collections, and this one is no exception. There were some stories that I absolutely loved and that’ll probably stay with me for quite some time, and then there were some that didn’t capture me as much. Overall, I really enjoyed this book though, and I really want to check out the other books in this series.
The thing I liked most about this book is probably that the stories are so diverse. They all shock you in a way, but in different ways. The stories that I personally liked best would have to be One Last Blast (S.A. Cosby), Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe free (John FD Taff), and Buyer’s Remorse (Samantha Kolesnik).
Overall, this was a great book, and I’d definitely recommend checking it out if you’re at all interested in horror stories.
May 19, 2022
I could have read Orphans of Bliss in one sitting. I very intentionally did not. One story a day is all I allowed myself, and I'm so glad I approached it that way. You should absolutely allow yourself at least one full evening to ruminate on each of the ten tales. Every story holds its own. Each is as unique as I believe them to be necessary.
As of late, addiction, recovery from, abstinence from drugs/booze has moved into a sort of pop-like, look-at-me, trend-friendly place. And that's okay, I'm not knocking that version of addiction dialog. When it comes to addiction conversations and potential recovery paths (old and new) the more the merrier, the better for the diseased, truly. But this book, even more so than its predecessors for me, really drags you deep and brutally into the conversation in the most terrifically dark ways possible. Addiction is dark. It is scary. It is grotesque. And this book entertainingly reminds us of that fact.
I have no ideas about the authors own real-world experiences with addictions (addictions of all kinds too), save one of them, but every story here resonated with this recovering addict and alcoholic.
Lastly, I'll just say this: if some production company wanted to re-invent the Creepshow, Tales From The Crypt/Darkside type of weekly, Orphans of Bliss and its writers would be one helluva way to ensure that new show landed with a most delightfully horrendous and meaningful punch.
Well done, everyone.
As of late, addiction, recovery from, abstinence from drugs/booze has moved into a sort of pop-like, look-at-me, trend-friendly place. And that's okay, I'm not knocking that version of addiction dialog. When it comes to addiction conversations and potential recovery paths (old and new) the more the merrier, the better for the diseased, truly. But this book, even more so than its predecessors for me, really drags you deep and brutally into the conversation in the most terrifically dark ways possible. Addiction is dark. It is scary. It is grotesque. And this book entertainingly reminds us of that fact.
I have no ideas about the authors own real-world experiences with addictions (addictions of all kinds too), save one of them, but every story here resonated with this recovering addict and alcoholic.
Lastly, I'll just say this: if some production company wanted to re-invent the Creepshow, Tales From The Crypt/Darkside type of weekly, Orphans of Bliss and its writers would be one helluva way to ensure that new show landed with a most delightfully horrendous and meaningful punch.
Well done, everyone.
July 14, 2022
I really liked "What We Name Our Dead" by Cassandra Khaw - I was surprised, since I didn't like "Nothing But Blackened Teeth" by her even a little bit. But this story was very close to me because I have also dealt with grief over an abusive/toxic father. I really felt this one.
I also liked "A Solid Black Lighthouse on a Pier in the Cryptic," a story about an alcoholic woman who is cursed by a witch to get drunk off everything she drinks - this one was kind of cute and fun. And it had a pleasant ending.
I don't know if I would say I *liked* "Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free," the one with the hoader who "hoards" his family, but it was really creepy. Executed well, I guess I would say.
"Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell" stood out to me as another one that was executed well, but boy was it sad.
List of the stories:
You Wait For It, Like It Waits For You by Kealan Patrick Burke
One Last Blast by S. A. Cosby
What We Name Our Dead by Cassandra Khaw
Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free by John FD Taff
Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell by Christa Carmen
Holding On by Gabino Iglesias
Buyer's Remorse by Samantha Kolesnik
A Solid Black Lighthouse on a Pier in the Cryptic by Josh Malerman
Singularity by Kathe Koja
My Soul's Bliss by Mark Matthews
I also liked "A Solid Black Lighthouse on a Pier in the Cryptic," a story about an alcoholic woman who is cursed by a witch to get drunk off everything she drinks - this one was kind of cute and fun. And it had a pleasant ending.
I don't know if I would say I *liked* "Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free," the one with the hoader who "hoards" his family, but it was really creepy. Executed well, I guess I would say.
"Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell" stood out to me as another one that was executed well, but boy was it sad.
List of the stories:
You Wait For It, Like It Waits For You by Kealan Patrick Burke
One Last Blast by S. A. Cosby
What We Name Our Dead by Cassandra Khaw
Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free by John FD Taff
Through the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell by Christa Carmen
Holding On by Gabino Iglesias
Buyer's Remorse by Samantha Kolesnik
A Solid Black Lighthouse on a Pier in the Cryptic by Josh Malerman
Singularity by Kathe Koja
My Soul's Bliss by Mark Matthews
March 15, 2025
This had a couple of bangers and also a couple of flops. This is worth your time if you know you enjoy addiction horror. I also think most people who are in the chairs with me would find a story that resonated. It's sort of like the horror version of the personal stories in the Big Book.
October 26, 2022
Stories by Samantha Kolesnik and John F.D.Taff really made this anthology for me.
4 Stars ****
4 Stars ****
May 4, 2022
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Well, this was… something else? I’m not really sure what to say about it. It was defiantly a unique collection of short stories by today’s modern horror authors. There were some stories I liked better than the others; but all 10 short stories read like nightmares, with the central theme being addiction. A few continue to stick with me: ’Huddled Masses, Yearning To Breathe Free’ by John F.D. Taff, ‘Buyer’s Remorse’ by Samantha Kolesnik and ‘My Soul’s Bliss’ by Mark Matthews.
Well, this was… something else? I’m not really sure what to say about it. It was defiantly a unique collection of short stories by today’s modern horror authors. There were some stories I liked better than the others; but all 10 short stories read like nightmares, with the central theme being addiction. A few continue to stick with me: ’Huddled Masses, Yearning To Breathe Free’ by John F.D. Taff, ‘Buyer’s Remorse’ by Samantha Kolesnik and ‘My Soul’s Bliss’ by Mark Matthews.
May 21, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
I’m not a big horror reader, but the title and cover art of this anthology drew me in, and then the actual stories kept me engaged.
Every story is written by a different author and has a different take on both the subject of addiction and the horror genre. Some have supernatural elements while some take a more grounded approach to horror. Most deal with substance use and abuse, but a couple talk about other forms of addiction.
I didn’t love all of the stories, but I did have some definite favorites that I’m still thinking about.
The story “Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free” was truly chilling, and the author did a masterful job of putting the readers into the head of a character who did horrible things and making us almost understand his mindset. Definitely terrifying!
My other favorite, “Buyer’s Remorse,” is a delightfully queer story with a kind of awful sapphic main character who gets what’s coming to her without it feeling like a punishment for her sexuality or even her addiction. Just her actions. This story was also just generally enjoyable to read, even while it kept me on edge.
I think the last story was my least favorite. It was a little too long and a little too religious for my personal taste, and I didn’t like the way it treated women. I understand why it was chosen as the closer, though.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this anthology to a horror fan looking for something short to read or to someone who is, like me, interested in exploring the genre for the first time.
Please note that every story in this collection is about addiction, most contain substance use, and many also contain other potentially triggering content including death, murder, body horror, blood, and confinement. Please take care of yourself if any of these are likely to be an issue for you.
I’m not a big horror reader, but the title and cover art of this anthology drew me in, and then the actual stories kept me engaged.
Every story is written by a different author and has a different take on both the subject of addiction and the horror genre. Some have supernatural elements while some take a more grounded approach to horror. Most deal with substance use and abuse, but a couple talk about other forms of addiction.
I didn’t love all of the stories, but I did have some definite favorites that I’m still thinking about.
The story “Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free” was truly chilling, and the author did a masterful job of putting the readers into the head of a character who did horrible things and making us almost understand his mindset. Definitely terrifying!
My other favorite, “Buyer’s Remorse,” is a delightfully queer story with a kind of awful sapphic main character who gets what’s coming to her without it feeling like a punishment for her sexuality or even her addiction. Just her actions. This story was also just generally enjoyable to read, even while it kept me on edge.
I think the last story was my least favorite. It was a little too long and a little too religious for my personal taste, and I didn’t like the way it treated women. I understand why it was chosen as the closer, though.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this anthology to a horror fan looking for something short to read or to someone who is, like me, interested in exploring the genre for the first time.
Please note that every story in this collection is about addiction, most contain substance use, and many also contain other potentially triggering content including death, murder, body horror, blood, and confinement. Please take care of yourself if any of these are likely to be an issue for you.
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