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Carnival Macabre: An Anthology of Gothic Horror
Marvelous wonders! Wondrous marvels!
Come one, come all to the Carnival Macabre, where the shocking and obscure thrive. See the exquisite oddities, avoid centuries old vampires, meet the Master of the Fleas, hear the story of The Bone King, and become grateful you’ve never been bequeathed an old clown named Sorry. But do be wary on your travels, for if you reach The Goblin Market, you’ll know you’ve gone too far. Eleven extraordinary tales that will satisfy your morbid curiosities…and ensure you never look at carnivals quite the same again.
Come one, come all to the Carnival Macabre, where the shocking and obscure thrive. See the exquisite oddities, avoid centuries old vampires, meet the Master of the Fleas, hear the story of The Bone King, and become grateful you’ve never been bequeathed an old clown named Sorry. But do be wary on your travels, for if you reach The Goblin Market, you’ll know you’ve gone too far. Eleven extraordinary tales that will satisfy your morbid curiosities…and ensure you never look at carnivals quite the same again.
217 pages, Paperback
Published May 12, 2022
3 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Cassandra L. Thompson
28 books299 followersGothic horror lover Cassandra L. Thompson has been creating stories since she got her grubby little hands around a pen. When she is not busy managing a house full of feral children (human and canine) with her beloved husband, you can find her wandering around cemeteries, taking pictures of abandoned things, or in the library researching her latest obsession. She has a B.A. in History and an MLIS, but she ignores her degrees to focus on writing and running Quill & Crow Publishing House, both of which require copious amounts of coffee and Crows.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 6, 2022
If the Greatest Showman was horror.
Another flawless anthology from Quill & Crow Publishing House. This collection has everything a horror fan could ask for. An undead monster that preys on stranded victims, cursed objects, insane showmen, vampires, a cosmic horror story reminiscent of Stephen King’s It plus many more to sate your macabre desires.
My favorite story in this collection is Humbug written by Brad Acevedo its about a circus proprietor who's very similar to Phineas Barnum if he dabbled in horror that is. Not only a must read for horror fans but this book is a must read for fans of good stories.
Another flawless anthology from Quill & Crow Publishing House. This collection has everything a horror fan could ask for. An undead monster that preys on stranded victims, cursed objects, insane showmen, vampires, a cosmic horror story reminiscent of Stephen King’s It plus many more to sate your macabre desires.
My favorite story in this collection is Humbug written by Brad Acevedo its about a circus proprietor who's very similar to Phineas Barnum if he dabbled in horror that is. Not only a must read for horror fans but this book is a must read for fans of good stories.
May 9, 2022
I was given an advanced copy of this in exchange for an honest review. Let me tell you when I say that this book made me actually feel the spookiness of the carnival and those things that the mind tells you go on, is not just me saying things. Each story brought its own twist to the macabre, and each story left me wishing they were their own novel. Not every story spoke to me, but every story was enjoyable. Some stories left my heart racing, while others left me gutted for the destiny chosen.
Truly a great anthology.
Truly a great anthology.
June 2, 2022
“A clown is funny in the circus ring. But what would be the normal reaction to opening a door at midnight, and finding the same clown standing there in the moonlight?”
The forward by Brad Acevedo really highlighted all the reasons why I wanted to read this anthology. “To transform, to disturb, to amuse.” Carnivals and the many attractions associated with such a theme have been a fascination and fear of mine since childhood. I was one of those children that ended up watching Stephen Kings IT at way too young an age, inadvertently igniting a small case of coulrophobia. But of course… I can’t stay away.
For the most part—I am not a huge fan of anthologies. I’ve given a few other anthologies a try and I just don’t find them as entertaining and/or interesting. So, my opinion of this collection of stories is built on the fundamental foundation of my own preference of books I like to read. For me… this anthology was better than others I’ve read. But I still wasn’t overly impressed with all the stories. That’s to be expected, IMO, as not every writer is for every reader and when you have a collection of different writers in one book… it’d be naive to expect that you’re gonna love every single one.
However, focusing on the positives. I did find a few of the stories in this collection to be really good and there were enough of them that I feel it was worth the buy.
My favourites were:
Humbug by Brad Acevedo
Sorry by Fox Claret Hill
Sobriquet by Sabrina Voerman
One Last Chance by Alexander Pearce
The stories listed above, were (IMO), told well. Especially for a short story format. I really enjoyed the vividness and atmospheric approach some of the authors took with their stories. I could perfectly envision the scenes and even connected with some of the characters.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in stories with a carnival setting.
The forward by Brad Acevedo really highlighted all the reasons why I wanted to read this anthology. “To transform, to disturb, to amuse.” Carnivals and the many attractions associated with such a theme have been a fascination and fear of mine since childhood. I was one of those children that ended up watching Stephen Kings IT at way too young an age, inadvertently igniting a small case of coulrophobia. But of course… I can’t stay away.
For the most part—I am not a huge fan of anthologies. I’ve given a few other anthologies a try and I just don’t find them as entertaining and/or interesting. So, my opinion of this collection of stories is built on the fundamental foundation of my own preference of books I like to read. For me… this anthology was better than others I’ve read. But I still wasn’t overly impressed with all the stories. That’s to be expected, IMO, as not every writer is for every reader and when you have a collection of different writers in one book… it’d be naive to expect that you’re gonna love every single one.
However, focusing on the positives. I did find a few of the stories in this collection to be really good and there were enough of them that I feel it was worth the buy.
My favourites were:
Humbug by Brad Acevedo
Sorry by Fox Claret Hill
Sobriquet by Sabrina Voerman
One Last Chance by Alexander Pearce
The stories listed above, were (IMO), told well. Especially for a short story format. I really enjoyed the vividness and atmospheric approach some of the authors took with their stories. I could perfectly envision the scenes and even connected with some of the characters.
I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in stories with a carnival setting.
April 26, 2022
Another great compilation collaboration from Cassandra Thompson and other contributing authors. This time, its carnival themed. With eleven outstanding stories, you will not be disappointed.
In this particular compilation, you'll be introduced to the Master of Fleas, a centuries old vampire, the Bone King will come for you, and you'll get to peruse The Goblin Market.
So far, I have read several of these gothic anthologies, from Cassandra Thompson and I am rarely disappointed. I love the carnival theme here. I have always been fascinated with old time carnivals with all the oddities and curiosities that come with it. The stories are all well written and short, some leaving you wanting more.
If you love short stories and carnivals, then this is the book for you.
In this particular compilation, you'll be introduced to the Master of Fleas, a centuries old vampire, the Bone King will come for you, and you'll get to peruse The Goblin Market.
So far, I have read several of these gothic anthologies, from Cassandra Thompson and I am rarely disappointed. I love the carnival theme here. I have always been fascinated with old time carnivals with all the oddities and curiosities that come with it. The stories are all well written and short, some leaving you wanting more.
If you love short stories and carnivals, then this is the book for you.
May 2, 2022
The latest anthology from Quill & Crow is a real treat; an utterly unique collection of horror stories themed around the dark carnival.
Unearthly side shows, sinister fortune tellers, ghostly rollercoasters, magic mirrors and of course evil clowns… all the tropes you could wish for are here, but with none of the clichés. It’s grotesque and garish, but in true Quill & Crow style it’s always classy and inclusive. With the evocative turns of phrase and striking imagery that are the hallmarks of Quill & Crow authors, this book had me asking myself throughout: why is it that we are attracted to the seamy, spooky underside of that which is supposed to delight and amuse us?
Voices and dialogue are consistently convincing; for example the boxcar train hoppers in Craig E. Sawyer’s ’The Bone King’, and the down-and-out drifters in ’The Secret Showing’ by Daniel R. Robichaud are all beautifully done. ‘Goblin Market’ is a clever allegory of addiction, and I found myself sympathising with the little evil clown hidden in the walls of ’Sorry’.
Perhaps it is this poignancy associated with society’s outcasts and outsiders that helps explain our fascination with funfair horror.
Unearthly side shows, sinister fortune tellers, ghostly rollercoasters, magic mirrors and of course evil clowns… all the tropes you could wish for are here, but with none of the clichés. It’s grotesque and garish, but in true Quill & Crow style it’s always classy and inclusive. With the evocative turns of phrase and striking imagery that are the hallmarks of Quill & Crow authors, this book had me asking myself throughout: why is it that we are attracted to the seamy, spooky underside of that which is supposed to delight and amuse us?
Voices and dialogue are consistently convincing; for example the boxcar train hoppers in Craig E. Sawyer’s ’The Bone King’, and the down-and-out drifters in ’The Secret Showing’ by Daniel R. Robichaud are all beautifully done. ‘Goblin Market’ is a clever allegory of addiction, and I found myself sympathising with the little evil clown hidden in the walls of ’Sorry’.
Perhaps it is this poignancy associated with society’s outcasts and outsiders that helps explain our fascination with funfair horror.
May 6, 2022
As I was reading "Carnival Macabre", the impression I most often returned to, time and again, was that this collection of tales was reminiscent of one of Bradbury's collections of shorts -- perhaps most notably those with his macabre themes: collections such as "The October Country", "Dark Carnival", and "The Illustrated Man". While none of the stories quite approached Bradbury's genius, the collection itself felt familiar in that way and I found myself thinking I might need to revisit those old classics and my fond memories of them after I was done with this book.
Overall, the collection is like any other collection of short stories; there are stronger entries than others and there was a bit of unevenness in some of the storytelling for me. In my experience, that is how it often is regardless if there is a single author's work presented, or multiple authors' work. That's just the nature of short story anthologies and I accept that as part of reading a book of this type.
I hesitate to single out one piece or another for praise or criticism. The stories each had something praiseworthy that could be said about them, and each had at least one detail that I felt could have been done better. If forced to name the story that most resonated with me, it was probably the first tale in the anthology, "The Bone King" (Craig E. Sawyer). It was the story that initially set my mind on the sense this book reminded me of Bradbury, with later tales reinforcing that notion.
If I were to make any general criticism about the collection, it would be to say that one or two of the stories seemed to lack the anthology's theme of "Carnival", except in the most cursory of ways, and they felt out of place as a result. That's not to say they were bad inclusions -- the stories might have belonged better elsewhere.
Readers should keep in mind that the book is true to the title, filled more with tales of the macabre while never really venturing into something I would consider horror. The caveat that applies to such an assessment is that I only very rarely find something truly horrifying or frightening -- be it movies, books, or graphic novels. I grew up with horror as part of my regular diet and may have become desensitized to what might scare or terrify other people.
I feel this is a great book to read over a weekend at a casual pace. Especially on one of those dark and stormy weekends in front of a crackling fireplace.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Overall, the collection is like any other collection of short stories; there are stronger entries than others and there was a bit of unevenness in some of the storytelling for me. In my experience, that is how it often is regardless if there is a single author's work presented, or multiple authors' work. That's just the nature of short story anthologies and I accept that as part of reading a book of this type.
I hesitate to single out one piece or another for praise or criticism. The stories each had something praiseworthy that could be said about them, and each had at least one detail that I felt could have been done better. If forced to name the story that most resonated with me, it was probably the first tale in the anthology, "The Bone King" (Craig E. Sawyer). It was the story that initially set my mind on the sense this book reminded me of Bradbury, with later tales reinforcing that notion.
If I were to make any general criticism about the collection, it would be to say that one or two of the stories seemed to lack the anthology's theme of "Carnival", except in the most cursory of ways, and they felt out of place as a result. That's not to say they were bad inclusions -- the stories might have belonged better elsewhere.
Readers should keep in mind that the book is true to the title, filled more with tales of the macabre while never really venturing into something I would consider horror. The caveat that applies to such an assessment is that I only very rarely find something truly horrifying or frightening -- be it movies, books, or graphic novels. I grew up with horror as part of my regular diet and may have become desensitized to what might scare or terrify other people.
I feel this is a great book to read over a weekend at a casual pace. Especially on one of those dark and stormy weekends in front of a crackling fireplace.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 31, 2022
"Marvelous wonders! Wondrous marvels!
When Quill & Crow announced the submission call for Carnival Macabre, I was beyond excited. The dark cabaret/carnival aesthetic is one I absolutely adore, and I knew deep within my spooky heart that Quill & Crow would deliver a brilliant anthology for it. And I was right!
Carnival Macabre is a collection of flawlessly written stories, all centred around the premise of the carnival, and what sinister things may happen within. From demented showmen, decaying boardwalks, to long forgotten clowns, this anthology has it all.
I struggled to pick my ultimate favourite, as all eleven stories were just amazing! However, I managed to narrow it down to my top three, which were Sorry by Fox Claret Hill, Penny For Your Fortune by Katerini Koraki, and Sobriquet by Sabrina Voerman. These three in particular stuck with me long after I'd finished them!
A fantastically dark anthology that I can't recommend enough!
When Quill & Crow announced the submission call for Carnival Macabre, I was beyond excited. The dark cabaret/carnival aesthetic is one I absolutely adore, and I knew deep within my spooky heart that Quill & Crow would deliver a brilliant anthology for it. And I was right!
Carnival Macabre is a collection of flawlessly written stories, all centred around the premise of the carnival, and what sinister things may happen within. From demented showmen, decaying boardwalks, to long forgotten clowns, this anthology has it all.
I struggled to pick my ultimate favourite, as all eleven stories were just amazing! However, I managed to narrow it down to my top three, which were Sorry by Fox Claret Hill, Penny For Your Fortune by Katerini Koraki, and Sobriquet by Sabrina Voerman. These three in particular stuck with me long after I'd finished them!
A fantastically dark anthology that I can't recommend enough!
May 30, 2022
This is the third anthology of Quill and Crow's that I've read, and this is by far my absolute favorite! Each story was engaging, and I love how the writers interpreted the carnival theme in their own way. Several of the stories made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end from the darkness and macabre they evoked, although all the stories were lyrical kept me coming back for more. This anthology is a perfect blend of beautiful prose and quiet horror that creeps under the skin.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
July 2, 2022
As soon as I saw the cover for this anthology, I knew I was in for a treat! Horror is about the unthinkable and gruesome. It dips it’s icy fingers into your mind until you’re consumed with a sense of unimaginable dread. What better setting than a dark carnival to invoke these feelings? Whimsy and the whisper of danger lurk around every corner and that is exactly what these pages contain.
The foreword, by Brad Acevedo, does a wonderful job of setting up the tone of the tales to come. You know exactly what you’re going to get from the beginning.
Carnival Macabre: An Anthology of Gothic Horror is a thoughtfully curated collection of dark tales, each one lovingly crafted to fit the over arching theme.
Admittedly, I was concerned that the stories would be too limited but the tales play well with another, each author offering up something different for the reader to devour. And I did devour.
While I wanted to give this anthology 5 stars, there were a couple tales that fell just a bit short towards the end as they ended slightly too abruptly but overall, it’s an extremely strong collection and I highly recommend it for those who, like me, enjoy rich imagery and a chilling tale.
Ghosts, goblins and demons, oh my!
[Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.]
The foreword, by Brad Acevedo, does a wonderful job of setting up the tone of the tales to come. You know exactly what you’re going to get from the beginning.
Carnival Macabre: An Anthology of Gothic Horror is a thoughtfully curated collection of dark tales, each one lovingly crafted to fit the over arching theme.
Admittedly, I was concerned that the stories would be too limited but the tales play well with another, each author offering up something different for the reader to devour. And I did devour.
While I wanted to give this anthology 5 stars, there were a couple tales that fell just a bit short towards the end as they ended slightly too abruptly but overall, it’s an extremely strong collection and I highly recommend it for those who, like me, enjoy rich imagery and a chilling tale.
Ghosts, goblins and demons, oh my!
[Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.]
June 8, 2022
I enjoyed these. The latest collection from Quill and Crow offers a series of tales with a Carnival bent, so prepare to ride the rails, visit freak shows, encounter ghoulish clowns, Fagin-types and plenty of other interesting villains. These tales are often subtle, creepy, and full of an approach to horror that is more spooky than gross (generally).
There's a lot of clever references to author inspirations here. I really enjoyed the way Eddins Sinclair used literary and cultural touchstones in 'Taman Shud' - maybe my favorite story in the collection. Other inspirations - I won't say which story to avoid spoilers - include nods to Salem's Lot, the old fairground fortune teller story, John Carpenter's 'Cigarette Burns' (which deserves more attention itself), and plenty of reminders of the HBO series Carnivale.
My favourites were:
Taman Shud by Eddins Sinclair
Humbug by Brad Acevedo
Sorry by Fox Claret Hill
The Unveiling by Erica Schaef
Finally, as an aside I thought the index of trigger warnings at the end of the book was a great idea. I don't get triggered by horror much myself, but I can see how some people would like to be forewarned.
There's a lot of clever references to author inspirations here. I really enjoyed the way Eddins Sinclair used literary and cultural touchstones in 'Taman Shud' - maybe my favorite story in the collection. Other inspirations - I won't say which story to avoid spoilers - include nods to Salem's Lot, the old fairground fortune teller story, John Carpenter's 'Cigarette Burns' (which deserves more attention itself), and plenty of reminders of the HBO series Carnivale.
My favourites were:
Taman Shud by Eddins Sinclair
Humbug by Brad Acevedo
Sorry by Fox Claret Hill
The Unveiling by Erica Schaef
Finally, as an aside I thought the index of trigger warnings at the end of the book was a great idea. I don't get triggered by horror much myself, but I can see how some people would like to be forewarned.
November 7, 2022
As I’m one of the contributors to Carnival Macabre, it's difficult to give a review that won't be seen as biased.
However, after a few read-throughs, I believe genuinely this is an excellent anthology.
Having the topic of a ‘Carnival Macabre’ for an anthology could have led to dozens of Stephen King’s IT derivatives, but the ideas put forward by the contributors all either stay away from tired tropes or subvert them completely.
I very much enjoyed all the short stories, even though some are not a genre/theme which I would normally enjoy. However, I believe that’s one of the reasons why anthology works so well and why I will continue to read the Quill and Crow anthologies in the future.
My personal favourites are:
- Sorry – Fox Claret Hill
- Goblin Market – Valerie Alexander
- Sobriquet – Sabrina Voerman
Also, excellent cover art!
However, after a few read-throughs, I believe genuinely this is an excellent anthology.
Having the topic of a ‘Carnival Macabre’ for an anthology could have led to dozens of Stephen King’s IT derivatives, but the ideas put forward by the contributors all either stay away from tired tropes or subvert them completely.
I very much enjoyed all the short stories, even though some are not a genre/theme which I would normally enjoy. However, I believe that’s one of the reasons why anthology works so well and why I will continue to read the Quill and Crow anthologies in the future.
My personal favourites are:
- Sorry – Fox Claret Hill
- Goblin Market – Valerie Alexander
- Sobriquet – Sabrina Voerman
Also, excellent cover art!
May 25, 2022
Carnival Macabre is a special anthology. I was so lucky as to receive an ARC of this book, and I am so grateful - it is a powerhouse of writing talent. Scary enough I couldn’t read it before bed, the gothic thrills in this book just don’t stop. The characters flew off the page, and the creepy crawlies…well. They flourished with abandon. A couple stories really reached out and grabbed my imagination, and their claws have just not let go. They are:
Sorry, by Fox Claret Hill
Raclure’s Curiosity, by Amy Westphal
The Secret Showing on the Midway of Dreams, by Daniel R. Robichaud
That said, I enjoyed every story in this anthology.
Step right up dear reader, Carnival Macabre will not disappoint!.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
Sorry, by Fox Claret Hill
Raclure’s Curiosity, by Amy Westphal
The Secret Showing on the Midway of Dreams, by Daniel R. Robichaud
That said, I enjoyed every story in this anthology.
Step right up dear reader, Carnival Macabre will not disappoint!.
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
May 26, 2022
This is the second anthology by Quill & Crow that I have read.
Disclaimer, I have a short story within this anthology, and will obviously not be taking it into account for this review!
I really enjoyed this collection, I think it had a really broad selection and every reader will find something within this batch of wonders. From fae and goblins to body horror and things that will haunt you in your waking hours. Some were period pieces, and some had a more modern feel, and I think that worked to remind readers that the macabre and our fascination with all things strange and unusual carries over the decades.
My favourites were Erica Schaef's "The Unveiling" and Alexander Pearce's "One Last Chance".
Disclaimer, I have a short story within this anthology, and will obviously not be taking it into account for this review!
I really enjoyed this collection, I think it had a really broad selection and every reader will find something within this batch of wonders. From fae and goblins to body horror and things that will haunt you in your waking hours. Some were period pieces, and some had a more modern feel, and I think that worked to remind readers that the macabre and our fascination with all things strange and unusual carries over the decades.
My favourites were Erica Schaef's "The Unveiling" and Alexander Pearce's "One Last Chance".
September 26, 2022
CARNIVAL MACABRE: AN ANTHOLOGY OF GOTHIC HORROR - 5/5
I love short story collections and when they are horror themed it is even better!
I knew this anthology had a carnival theme and felt that each story was an actual booth in the carnival - I felt that I enjoyed the experience of some stories more than others and each experience from each story was different. There was a real mix of writing styles and times.
I love short story collections and when they are horror themed it is even better!
I knew this anthology had a carnival theme and felt that each story was an actual booth in the carnival - I felt that I enjoyed the experience of some stories more than others and each experience from each story was different. There was a real mix of writing styles and times.
May 22, 2022
"No one could appeal to mankind's worst impulses better than a barker, a reader of the human condition and the human spirit, a stoker of both curiosities and cruelties." -- The Secret Showing on the Midway of Dreams, Daniel R. Robichaud
I love short story collections, and an anthology of creepy carnival tales is right up my alley. This selection was very well curated -- there's a beautiful flow that I often find is missing in these thematic collections. And I can say that this is one of few anthologies I've read where I genuinely enjoy EVERY story.
My favorites were:
- Raclure's Curiosity by Amy Westphal -- I love me some supernatural vengeance, but the ending had me smirking.
- Humbug by Brad Acevedo -- The contrast between Cerrina's dramatic, Ringmistress-style narrative and Marcus's own down-to-earth voice was just brilliant. I was oh-so-pleasantly disgusted.
- Sorry by Fox Claret Hill -- I feel so much love towards Sorry (and not just because I'm Canadian 😉).
- The Secret Showing on the Midway of Dreams by Daniel R. Robichaud -- Redolent of old-fashioned grit and snake-oil salesmen.
- Sobriquet by Sabrina Voerman -- Not all seductions are sexual. Kindness and kinship offered after a life of cruelty and loneliness can be just as enticing.
(I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of an honest review)
I love short story collections, and an anthology of creepy carnival tales is right up my alley. This selection was very well curated -- there's a beautiful flow that I often find is missing in these thematic collections. And I can say that this is one of few anthologies I've read where I genuinely enjoy EVERY story.
My favorites were:
- Raclure's Curiosity by Amy Westphal -- I love me some supernatural vengeance, but the ending had me smirking.
- Humbug by Brad Acevedo -- The contrast between Cerrina's dramatic, Ringmistress-style narrative and Marcus's own down-to-earth voice was just brilliant. I was oh-so-pleasantly disgusted.
- Sorry by Fox Claret Hill -- I feel so much love towards Sorry (and not just because I'm Canadian 😉).
- The Secret Showing on the Midway of Dreams by Daniel R. Robichaud -- Redolent of old-fashioned grit and snake-oil salesmen.
- Sobriquet by Sabrina Voerman -- Not all seductions are sexual. Kindness and kinship offered after a life of cruelty and loneliness can be just as enticing.
(I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of an honest review)
May 12, 2022
Oh! What a show.
Wow, this anthology is chilling. I can hear the music playing in my head and smell the cotton candy full of dread. I will never look at a boardwalk or fleas the same again. Another great group of diverse writers from Quill&Crow Publishing House. This anthology is a little more grotesque than their previous anthologies but it is written in an excellent way. These stories are captivating, interesting, creepy and unique. This book is a true showcase of macabre tales, that live up to the title Carnival Macabre. If are into creepy, stay with you, horror stories, I highly recommend giving this a read. Who knows, maybe Jacques will give you everything you want.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Wow, this anthology is chilling. I can hear the music playing in my head and smell the cotton candy full of dread. I will never look at a boardwalk or fleas the same again. Another great group of diverse writers from Quill&Crow Publishing House. This anthology is a little more grotesque than their previous anthologies but it is written in an excellent way. These stories are captivating, interesting, creepy and unique. This book is a true showcase of macabre tales, that live up to the title Carnival Macabre. If are into creepy, stay with you, horror stories, I highly recommend giving this a read. Who knows, maybe Jacques will give you everything you want.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
October 8, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What an incredible anthology!
Carnival Macabre is all types of spookiness and mysticism of a carnival where one can't put the book down. Reminiscent of Freak Show™ by FOX and Edgar Allan Poe, it's definitely a must to all anthology and fantastical horror fans.
Right in time for Halloween and make you feel shivers at times when flipping the pages.
What an incredible anthology!
Carnival Macabre is all types of spookiness and mysticism of a carnival where one can't put the book down. Reminiscent of Freak Show™ by FOX and Edgar Allan Poe, it's definitely a must to all anthology and fantastical horror fans.
Right in time for Halloween and make you feel shivers at times when flipping the pages.
May 22, 2022
This book was the type of creepy that reading it you were fine. But a week later when you wake up in the middle of the night you can’t help but think about the stories while feeling as if perhaps you should keep the lights on a little longer.
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 22, 2022
This is a great anthology book of horror. I have always loved the darker carnival ones, and this one did not disappoint. It is loaded with all varieties of oddities to keep you up late reading at night. As always, there may be one or two stories that one may not like as much as the others, as is the way of all anthology books, but this one is worth the read.
May 22, 2022
A fantastic collection of freakshows, magic, and horror. As if a gothic carnival setting wasn't scary enough, these authors had to take it one step further. Highly recommend this one.
August 8, 2022
There are a few misses in this collection, but most stories are definite hits. Overall a great gothic anthology that any fan of the genre should check out.
November 29, 2022
CARNIVAL MACABRE is yet another great anthology from Quill & Crow. The theme of spooky, dark carnivals is a classic one, and the authors here are paying it glorious, macabre homage with these wonderful tales.
All the freaks are within these pages. There is creepiness woven throughout. Just in time for Spooky Season, buy yourself a ticket to this CARNIVAL MACABRE and enjoy the shivers!
All the freaks are within these pages. There is creepiness woven throughout. Just in time for Spooky Season, buy yourself a ticket to this CARNIVAL MACABRE and enjoy the shivers!
April 3, 2023
This was a really fun read! A gorgeously varied collection of eleven gothic stories centred around the theme of carnivals from the wonderful Quill and Crow Publishing House. It delivered time and again with delicious, disturbing and sometimes terrifying tales of the goings-on at travelling carnivals. You have everything from ancient vampires, to conflicted Fae, to disturbing doctoring, to foreboding folktales that might be true...! This is a very atmospheric read, and would be perfect to consume during those long winter nights huddled safely under the covers, but equally, I have read it all during the approach of spring, and I cannot say enough how much of a relief it is to be under the sun when there's so much darkness in this. Just the perfect catch for those of us who love chills and creeping horror.
Firm favourites include 'The Bone King' by Craig. E Sawyer, a gorgeous western tale with some of the best dialogue I have read in a short story - jumps right off the page. I had chills reading this. Another was of course the lovely, disturbing tale: The Unveiling by Erica Shaef. I have to say, I did not see the twist coming at all, and I loved it all the more for that! A delicious read with detail to die for, and one of the best creeping horror I've read.
I'm now looking forward to dipping into all the other lovely collections of short stories by Q&CPH.
Firm favourites include 'The Bone King' by Craig. E Sawyer, a gorgeous western tale with some of the best dialogue I have read in a short story - jumps right off the page. I had chills reading this. Another was of course the lovely, disturbing tale: The Unveiling by Erica Shaef. I have to say, I did not see the twist coming at all, and I loved it all the more for that! A delicious read with detail to die for, and one of the best creeping horror I've read.
I'm now looking forward to dipping into all the other lovely collections of short stories by Q&CPH.
April 28, 2022
With summer approaching, carnivals will be popping up all over soon. What better book to read to than this anthology of spooky tales, each with a carnival-type setting? As with most anthologies, there were some stories that were outstanding, and some that didn't quite hit the mark for me personally. But that's just a matter of personal taste. One story in particular - Sorry - will be sticking with me for some time!
I enjoyed the wide range of writing styles, and the unique takes on carnival horror from each author. The only down side for me was that one or two stories suffered from a little lack of editing. Things like closing quotation marks instead of opening, etc.
Overall, it was a fun read with some very talented writers.
*I received an advance review copy for free in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the wide range of writing styles, and the unique takes on carnival horror from each author. The only down side for me was that one or two stories suffered from a little lack of editing. Things like closing quotation marks instead of opening, etc.
Overall, it was a fun read with some very talented writers.
*I received an advance review copy for free in exchange for an honest review.
May 23, 2022
Intriguing, I did think it would be a bit more horror. I liked the main character.
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