What do you think?
Rate this book
Split Scream #2
Split Scream Volume Two
Dread Stone Press presents SPLIT SCREAM, a new Horror Novelette Double Feature. This is Volume Two. Grab some popcorn, turn the lights low, and don't be afraid to scream.
FEATURING:
"The Shivering World" - Cynthia Gómez
Nayeli's brilliance should be enough to outshine the darkness she longs to leave behind, but she fears she'll never get further than what her unstable mother can provide: a futon in a garage. She's determined to transfer to a good college and get out, but the men in her life-a violent neighbor, a greedy landlord, her mother's predatory boyfriend-stand in her way. Only once she encounters the supernatural, a being she suspects to be La Llorona herself, does Nayeli begin to truly see the power she is capable of. But at what cost? "The Shivering World" is a Faustian bargain in a place of poverty and gentrification, where supernatural terrors meet the horrors of escaping to a new life.
"What Ate the Angels" - M. Lopes da Silva
Non-binary ASMR artist November discovers the sound of a giant heartbeat beneath Los Angeles, which only they seem to hear. When their vore-loving partner Heather, a City Hall archivist, grows ill and can't get the healthcare she needs, they believe they will find a solution through the thrum. November journeys underground, through abandoned Prohibition-era tunnels, to the den of a creature born from the fabric of the city itself: oil, bones, chemicals-and souls. "What Ate the Angels" is queer body horror full of dread and pulpy, throbbing filth.
FEATURING:
"The Shivering World" - Cynthia Gómez
Nayeli's brilliance should be enough to outshine the darkness she longs to leave behind, but she fears she'll never get further than what her unstable mother can provide: a futon in a garage. She's determined to transfer to a good college and get out, but the men in her life-a violent neighbor, a greedy landlord, her mother's predatory boyfriend-stand in her way. Only once she encounters the supernatural, a being she suspects to be La Llorona herself, does Nayeli begin to truly see the power she is capable of. But at what cost? "The Shivering World" is a Faustian bargain in a place of poverty and gentrification, where supernatural terrors meet the horrors of escaping to a new life.
"What Ate the Angels" - M. Lopes da Silva
Non-binary ASMR artist November discovers the sound of a giant heartbeat beneath Los Angeles, which only they seem to hear. When their vore-loving partner Heather, a City Hall archivist, grows ill and can't get the healthcare she needs, they believe they will find a solution through the thrum. November journeys underground, through abandoned Prohibition-era tunnels, to the den of a creature born from the fabric of the city itself: oil, bones, chemicals-and souls. "What Ate the Angels" is queer body horror full of dread and pulpy, throbbing filth.
- GenresHorrorShort Stories
132 pages, Paperback
Published November 15, 2022
2 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 4, 2022
Split Scream has continued to blow my mind with the quality of stories included, not to mention a sleek as hell design scheme. Not only is this a great way to introduce readers to authors in bite size pieces, opening the door to seek out their other books, it showcases how incredibly talented these writers are. Cynthia Gomez and M. Lopes da Silva are powerhouses, immediately getting you invested in the characters and the horrors they experience. Shameless greedy for more Split Scream !!!
October 23, 2022
check my full review here!
another win by Dreadstone press, 2 unique and terrifying voices by amazing authors.
the beloved double feature strikes again, and i'm so excited for round 3.
another win by Dreadstone press, 2 unique and terrifying voices by amazing authors.
the beloved double feature strikes again, and i'm so excited for round 3.
August 2, 2023
This series is great-- I'm almost sorry I didn't save vol. 2 for last, because I don't see how it's not going to end up being my favorite.
"The Shivering World" is folkloric, literary horror in which a teenage girl suffering through a vividly described grind of poverty, racism, misogyny, sexual harassment, and managing her emotionally unstable mother discovers a power within herself and decides to embrace it. Even if embracing it makes her a monster in the eyes of people who have never been backed into a corner and forced to make drastic choices. There's some homoerotic ghost stuff in this one, too!
"What Ate the Angels" isn't as well-written as "The Shivering World" on the level of prose style, but it's solid pulp, featuring a solid monster movie storyline updated for the 2020s with a nonbinary ASMR artist protagonist, their vore fetishist girlfriend as damsel in distress, and social commentary packed into every burble of slimy, gooey gore. I also found it a humane and generous take on the difficulties of entering a relationship with (or being) a generally lovely person whose unaddressed mental health problems can make them behave in out of character, (in this case literally) toxic ways.
"The Shivering World" is folkloric, literary horror in which a teenage girl suffering through a vividly described grind of poverty, racism, misogyny, sexual harassment, and managing her emotionally unstable mother discovers a power within herself and decides to embrace it. Even if embracing it makes her a monster in the eyes of people who have never been backed into a corner and forced to make drastic choices. There's some homoerotic ghost stuff in this one, too!
"What Ate the Angels" isn't as well-written as "The Shivering World" on the level of prose style, but it's solid pulp, featuring a solid monster movie storyline updated for the 2020s with a nonbinary ASMR artist protagonist, their vore fetishist girlfriend as damsel in distress, and social commentary packed into every burble of slimy, gooey gore. I also found it a humane and generous take on the difficulties of entering a relationship with (or being) a generally lovely person whose unaddressed mental health problems can make them behave in out of character, (in this case literally) toxic ways.
July 30, 2025
Split Scream: Volume 2 - 5/5
Finally got around to finishing this collection of 2 novelettes from Cynthia Gomez and M. Lopes da Silva. The collection structured in a way that's meant to evoke the feeling of a horror film double feature and it does the is pretty effectively, even if I read both stories 25+ days apart rather than as a pair. I loved both of these stories a lot and found them really effective, engaging, and interesting.
The Shivering World by Cynthia Gomez
A young woman, Nayeli, desperately wants to get out, to escape living in her uncle's garage with her unstable mum and withdrawn little brother to go to college, but a line of abusive men stand in her way. She feels trapped until she encounters the supernatural, and a bloody way out.
I loved the way this managed to tackle mythology in what feels like an very fresh way than what I've often seen in similar stories where racially marginalised and indigenous people use, or are used by, mythological/folklore stories to fight back. it's more in conversation with the story in play, what it means and how it can be interpreted in Nayeli's context compared to how men talk about that self-same tale. This is integrated well into Nayeli's college life and really enhanced that element of the story. Most of the novelette is centred on overcoming these abusive men though, from their landlord who can throw them out at any time cause they're undocumented, to her mother's abusive boyfriend, or the abusive neighbour next door etc. It's both gratifying, seeing what happens to these shitty dudes, but still emphasises the toll it inflicts on Nayeli. Just a real solid story, loved it.
What Ate the Angels by M. Lopes da Silva
Moving into their girlfriend Heather's flat, November starts to hear an intoxicating heart beat that echoes from the city itself. Meanwhile, Heather's insecurities (and vore fetish) are heightened by something lurking in the subterranean tunnels that lie forgotten in the city's guts.
This was my favourite of this two story collection, which shockingly centres queerness, kink, and fetish (as well as a lot of body horror) as its main focuses :3 Specifically, it largely focuses on a sort of othering effect in kink/fetish, of feeling gross and weird because you're into, well, vore or getting off to the sound of heartbeats or whatever, that you're feeding this disgusting monster inside you that shouldn't be fed. This of course links to queerness too, similar kinds of experiences are definitely felt by the most vanilla of queer people just due to how queerness is often conflated with fetish or is fetishised through queerphobia, but it's primarily centred on kink here. The story does this really well, and also manages to emphasise the strain, insecurity, and toxicity that can inject into a relationship and also how a partner can take kink way too far with you without your assent or consent (even if this is all heightened by the horror element). If I had any complaint it's that the prose can be a little too eager to just go "this person did this, then this person did this" but aside from that? Loved it.
***
Overall, a really worth reading and enjoyable collection. I love what Tenebrous Press (even if this collection was released pre-Tenebrous publishing the Split Scream series) is doing in the weird, queer horror space and I'm definitely gonna be checking out more editions of Split Scream and their other titles.
Finally got around to finishing this collection of 2 novelettes from Cynthia Gomez and M. Lopes da Silva. The collection structured in a way that's meant to evoke the feeling of a horror film double feature and it does the is pretty effectively, even if I read both stories 25+ days apart rather than as a pair. I loved both of these stories a lot and found them really effective, engaging, and interesting.
The Shivering World by Cynthia Gomez
A young woman, Nayeli, desperately wants to get out, to escape living in her uncle's garage with her unstable mum and withdrawn little brother to go to college, but a line of abusive men stand in her way. She feels trapped until she encounters the supernatural, and a bloody way out.
I loved the way this managed to tackle mythology in what feels like an very fresh way than what I've often seen in similar stories where racially marginalised and indigenous people use, or are used by, mythological/folklore stories to fight back. it's more in conversation with the story in play, what it means and how it can be interpreted in Nayeli's context compared to how men talk about that self-same tale. This is integrated well into Nayeli's college life and really enhanced that element of the story. Most of the novelette is centred on overcoming these abusive men though, from their landlord who can throw them out at any time cause they're undocumented, to her mother's abusive boyfriend, or the abusive neighbour next door etc. It's both gratifying, seeing what happens to these shitty dudes, but still emphasises the toll it inflicts on Nayeli. Just a real solid story, loved it.
What Ate the Angels by M. Lopes da Silva
Moving into their girlfriend Heather's flat, November starts to hear an intoxicating heart beat that echoes from the city itself. Meanwhile, Heather's insecurities (and vore fetish) are heightened by something lurking in the subterranean tunnels that lie forgotten in the city's guts.
This was my favourite of this two story collection, which shockingly centres queerness, kink, and fetish (as well as a lot of body horror) as its main focuses :3 Specifically, it largely focuses on a sort of othering effect in kink/fetish, of feeling gross and weird because you're into, well, vore or getting off to the sound of heartbeats or whatever, that you're feeding this disgusting monster inside you that shouldn't be fed. This of course links to queerness too, similar kinds of experiences are definitely felt by the most vanilla of queer people just due to how queerness is often conflated with fetish or is fetishised through queerphobia, but it's primarily centred on kink here. The story does this really well, and also manages to emphasise the strain, insecurity, and toxicity that can inject into a relationship and also how a partner can take kink way too far with you without your assent or consent (even if this is all heightened by the horror element). If I had any complaint it's that the prose can be a little too eager to just go "this person did this, then this person did this" but aside from that? Loved it.
***
Overall, a really worth reading and enjoyable collection. I love what Tenebrous Press (even if this collection was released pre-Tenebrous publishing the Split Scream series) is doing in the weird, queer horror space and I'm definitely gonna be checking out more editions of Split Scream and their other titles.
May 30, 2023
Another Split Scream, another double-feature - and what a double-feature it is. This time our novelettes (the handy little explainer intro is also repeated in this volume) are The Shivering World by Cynthia Gómez and What Ate the Angels by M Lopes da Silva. The first follows a young woman's struggles with poverty, identity and patriarchy, and the sacrifices required to escape the position she is in, as manifested both figuratively and literally by the story of La Llarona. The second is a razor-sharp exploration of toxicity - within ourselves, within our relationships, and in the foundations and history of its setting, Los Angeles.
There is an acute sense of embedding in both these stories; a feeling that we are really seeing into a character's life, a real tangle of relationships and emotions, daily struggles and internal experiences. Though both writers have unique voices, they are united in their ability to ground the uncanny in affectingly real worlds. In that vein, they both share a strong sense of place, and of characters fitting within a place. This is not to say that they are comfortable within their setting - The Shivering World is centred around characters trying to escape where they are - but that both place and character shape one another, and feel deeply intertwined. The garage-turned-family-home in The Shivering World, next door to a violent neighbour and too far from anywhere our protagonist is trying to get. The La Brea tar pits and the sewers of Los Angeles, reaching out through time to spew bile over and into the city's people.
It's only fair, though, to consider each story on its own merits, and those merits are many. What Ate the Angels effectively uses shifts in perspective to convey the difficult relationship between the main characters, and the ways in which they experience the story's events. In so doing, the novelette contains within its compact word count stomach-churning body horror, clear-eyed social awareness, and a painful, raw evocation of intra-relationship hurts and emotional struggles. It is by turns disgusting, contemplative and hopeful - a potent mixture.
The Shivering World, though less jagged, is no less painful. Gómez's evocation of the both large and petty humiliations of poverty, of racism, of patriarchy, as experienced by a promising student pushing against the crushing weight of social deprivation, is no less than masterful. Seeing that frustration and desperation firsthand, the reader is startled to find how quickly once-unthinkable sacrifices can be justified. More delicate, perhaps, than What Ate the Angels, this novelette is by no means less powerful.
Split Scream has gone from strength to strength with this volume. Just like with the first, it is incredible that such evocative, moving, and above all horrifying stories can be crammed into a book this size.
There is an acute sense of embedding in both these stories; a feeling that we are really seeing into a character's life, a real tangle of relationships and emotions, daily struggles and internal experiences. Though both writers have unique voices, they are united in their ability to ground the uncanny in affectingly real worlds. In that vein, they both share a strong sense of place, and of characters fitting within a place. This is not to say that they are comfortable within their setting - The Shivering World is centred around characters trying to escape where they are - but that both place and character shape one another, and feel deeply intertwined. The garage-turned-family-home in The Shivering World, next door to a violent neighbour and too far from anywhere our protagonist is trying to get. The La Brea tar pits and the sewers of Los Angeles, reaching out through time to spew bile over and into the city's people.
It's only fair, though, to consider each story on its own merits, and those merits are many. What Ate the Angels effectively uses shifts in perspective to convey the difficult relationship between the main characters, and the ways in which they experience the story's events. In so doing, the novelette contains within its compact word count stomach-churning body horror, clear-eyed social awareness, and a painful, raw evocation of intra-relationship hurts and emotional struggles. It is by turns disgusting, contemplative and hopeful - a potent mixture.
The Shivering World, though less jagged, is no less painful. Gómez's evocation of the both large and petty humiliations of poverty, of racism, of patriarchy, as experienced by a promising student pushing against the crushing weight of social deprivation, is no less than masterful. Seeing that frustration and desperation firsthand, the reader is startled to find how quickly once-unthinkable sacrifices can be justified. More delicate, perhaps, than What Ate the Angels, this novelette is by no means less powerful.
Split Scream has gone from strength to strength with this volume. Just like with the first, it is incredible that such evocative, moving, and above all horrifying stories can be crammed into a book this size.
December 12, 2022
Once again, Dread Stone Press hits hard with two bizarre novelettes of horror by Cynthia Gómez and M. Lopes da Silva, and art by Evangeline Gallagher and C. Paul Ramey.
Unique in style and theme from Volume 1, the novelettes in Volume 2 did not disappoint. I can now safely say that Dread Stone Press knows how to put together delicious double features for horror fans everywhere.
I loved "The Shivering World" and "What Ate the Angels", so let’s dive in.
The first story, “The Shivering World” explores what it means to be on the outside and just want the same chances as everyone else. What cost would you be willing to pay for a chance to improve your life and break a negative cycle? Gómez also explores cultural lore, spinning the story of La Llorona and giving her new life. A beautiful, dark, and — at times — bitter fairy tale, “The Shivering World” is a delicious tale of Faustian dread.
“What Are the Angels” then plunges you into the gritty cityscape of Los Angeles. November is the the non-binary main character who is just trying to make a clean living making ASMR videos. Unfortunately for them, the city has other plans, infesting their life and love with unrelenting filth. Again, our protagonist is faced with a choice, a cost. How far would you be willing to go for someone you love? A throat-gripping ride into the dirty underbelly of L.A., of messy relationships, and the torture of someone in love — this is one tale that will leave you stained.
Once again, a delicious duo, a dangerous dive into dark desires, and delirious dirges around decisions. Whew. Look at that alliteration. Haha. Seriously though, this double feature is a must read for horror fans!
Unique in style and theme from Volume 1, the novelettes in Volume 2 did not disappoint. I can now safely say that Dread Stone Press knows how to put together delicious double features for horror fans everywhere.
I loved "The Shivering World" and "What Ate the Angels", so let’s dive in.
The first story, “The Shivering World” explores what it means to be on the outside and just want the same chances as everyone else. What cost would you be willing to pay for a chance to improve your life and break a negative cycle? Gómez also explores cultural lore, spinning the story of La Llorona and giving her new life. A beautiful, dark, and — at times — bitter fairy tale, “The Shivering World” is a delicious tale of Faustian dread.
“What Are the Angels” then plunges you into the gritty cityscape of Los Angeles. November is the the non-binary main character who is just trying to make a clean living making ASMR videos. Unfortunately for them, the city has other plans, infesting their life and love with unrelenting filth. Again, our protagonist is faced with a choice, a cost. How far would you be willing to go for someone you love? A throat-gripping ride into the dirty underbelly of L.A., of messy relationships, and the torture of someone in love — this is one tale that will leave you stained.
Once again, a delicious duo, a dangerous dive into dark desires, and delirious dirges around decisions. Whew. Look at that alliteration. Haha. Seriously though, this double feature is a must read for horror fans!
January 23, 2024
Another 2 for 1 special from the Split Scream series and as in the first, two very different moods for the stories included here. The Shivering World was the more successful of the two for me as it created an emotional and almost dreamlike atmosphere at times that blended well with lyrical imagery and the descriptions of a legendary supernatural being that changes our heroine's life, for better or worse. Blends revenge fantasies with questions of conscience. How far would you go for the chance at a better future?
I wanted to love What Ate the Angels more than I did. I give it lots of points for a sympathetic non-binary character with some very relatable struggles as they attempt to adjust to their recent moving in with their partner, who has her own issues going on. And I adored the notion of the tar pits as a kind of symbol of the city of Los Angeles and the grunge and grime of modern day life. I loved the concept so much that I kind of wish it had been pushed further. It feels a little underdeveloped for the strength of the images and idea itself but other readers' mileage may vary. Definitely still worth a read for the imagery and the character of November. This series is a great find for lovers of weird horror.
I wanted to love What Ate the Angels more than I did. I give it lots of points for a sympathetic non-binary character with some very relatable struggles as they attempt to adjust to their recent moving in with their partner, who has her own issues going on. And I adored the notion of the tar pits as a kind of symbol of the city of Los Angeles and the grunge and grime of modern day life. I loved the concept so much that I kind of wish it had been pushed further. It feels a little underdeveloped for the strength of the images and idea itself but other readers' mileage may vary. Definitely still worth a read for the imagery and the character of November. This series is a great find for lovers of weird horror.
February 3, 2024
Another excellent double feature from the Split Scream series.
Cynthia Gomez's story "The Shivering World" is a folk horror ghost story riff of the La Llorna mythology. Written absolutely beautifully and dealing with familial trauma and general hate against women, minorities, undocumented persons and rising above that and destroying it. It's a haunting story.
M. Lopes Da Silva's story " What Are The Angels" is a pulpy cosmic horror. This was a wild monster sludge story steeped in social commentary which also seemed to serve as an allegory for toxic relationships. This was wild and excellent.
Let's not forget the interior illustrations by C. Paul Ramey which are great and definitely level up the reading experience for these stories!
Cynthia Gomez's story "The Shivering World" is a folk horror ghost story riff of the La Llorna mythology. Written absolutely beautifully and dealing with familial trauma and general hate against women, minorities, undocumented persons and rising above that and destroying it. It's a haunting story.
M. Lopes Da Silva's story " What Are The Angels" is a pulpy cosmic horror. This was a wild monster sludge story steeped in social commentary which also seemed to serve as an allegory for toxic relationships. This was wild and excellent.
Let's not forget the interior illustrations by C. Paul Ramey which are great and definitely level up the reading experience for these stories!
August 29, 2024
Really enjoyed both stories in this volume. The main character in Gómez's story is very well realised and the injustice she faces is well described. Da Silva's story has great characters and the goop is very reminiscent of John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness. Loved their take on a grand, cosmic horror story and how it affected the relationship of their main characters.
October 23, 2022
Review to come.
December 8, 2022
A fantastic follow-up to Volume One. Highly original, highly weird.
April 6, 2023
Two excellent tales!
July 1, 2023
Cynthia Gómez is going to be a giant in horror one day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2024
Really stellar pair of novelettes! I love the folklore and familial instability in Cynthia Gómez's piece and the weird body-horror of M. Lopes da Silva!
July 13, 2023
The Split Scream series is fun and innovative. Novelettes that can be read in a short amount of time, paired to act like a Friday night double feature. The stories in volume 2 do not disappoint. Gomez's "The Shivering World" is drenched in folklore, while Silva's "What Ate the Angels" is a creature feature to die for. Both are seeped in cinematic imagery, and could easily be put on a big screen. Read them! Because if I say much more, I will just end up giving everything away.
September 28, 2024
Yet another great read.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews