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Waking the Dead and Other Horror Stories
Fear is only a step away...
A shadow falls. A shape in the window.
A sound at the door. The dead have risen.
This book collects ten short stories of
horror, tragedy and the things in between
from the terrifying imagination of
award-winning fictionist Yvette Tan.
Are you ready to wake the dead?
"Tan is a consummate storyteller; her voice, rich and confident, reassures us for a moment that all is well, before slowly revealing exquisite horrors. Every story in this collection is worth your while, evoking flavors of the Filipino city and countryside, serving to blur the twilit gap between the real and the unseen."
-- Dean Francis Alfar
author of the The Kite of Stars
and Other Stories
and Salamanca
A shadow falls. A shape in the window.
A sound at the door. The dead have risen.
This book collects ten short stories of
horror, tragedy and the things in between
from the terrifying imagination of
award-winning fictionist Yvette Tan.
Are you ready to wake the dead?
"Tan is a consummate storyteller; her voice, rich and confident, reassures us for a moment that all is well, before slowly revealing exquisite horrors. Every story in this collection is worth your while, evoking flavors of the Filipino city and countryside, serving to blur the twilit gap between the real and the unseen."
-- Dean Francis Alfar
author of the The Kite of Stars
and Other Stories
and Salamanca
149 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
7 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Yvette Tan
21 books77 followersYVETTE NATALIE U. TAN is a Manila-based horror writer. Her works have been published in The Philippine Free Press, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Manila Times, Uno magazine, Rogue magazine, Story Philippines, and the Philippine Genre Stories, among others.
Her fiction has also appeared in anthologies such as Sleepless in Manila and Philippine Speculative Fiction II and III.
Her fiction has also appeared in anthologies such as Sleepless in Manila and Philippine Speculative Fiction II and III.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 15, 2015
It's one of the instances when I really devoured a horror book. The stories in this collection are all well-written. I am not really a fan of sci-fi, fantasy genre especially supernatural or horror books. However, it is always fascinates me to read this genre because of my belief that it is not a horror book if it does not scare me. Much like: what's the use of a romance novel if it will not make you dreamy if not feel in love with the story or sometimes with the characters?
But this book did: IT MADE ME SCARED.
One particular story is the tiyanak with Tan's direct approach in storytelling that you would like to perhaps see in the sanitized version of Edgar Samar. Here, that gruesome and scary child creature is bared in its rawness: fierce and unforgiving.
My favorite story though is the hideous kapre that had a soft heart to the brave little battered yet innocent child. Your heart will bleed not for the child but for the kapre and that's a spin that only talented authors can pull off. The reason is that we hate kapres because of how they look but here it's like the Beast falling for Bella but in this case, Bella is a child and there is no romance between them.
I did not like that people still picture the Marcoses as evil. Let's learn from the past but let's leave them in peace now. I have no lost love for any of them but it is just becoming too tiring for me. Let's demonize the succeeding ones and I am sure there are so many negative things that can be written about them.
Overall, I really liked this book. A lot better than Eliza Victoria's A Bottle of Storm Clouds: Stories (3 stars) so why oh why did you let it win in the poll over this book, Jzhun?
But this book did: IT MADE ME SCARED.
One particular story is the tiyanak with Tan's direct approach in storytelling that you would like to perhaps see in the sanitized version of Edgar Samar. Here, that gruesome and scary child creature is bared in its rawness: fierce and unforgiving.
My favorite story though is the hideous kapre that had a soft heart to the brave little battered yet innocent child. Your heart will bleed not for the child but for the kapre and that's a spin that only talented authors can pull off. The reason is that we hate kapres because of how they look but here it's like the Beast falling for Bella but in this case, Bella is a child and there is no romance between them.
I did not like that people still picture the Marcoses as evil. Let's learn from the past but let's leave them in peace now. I have no lost love for any of them but it is just becoming too tiring for me. Let's demonize the succeeding ones and I am sure there are so many negative things that can be written about them.
Overall, I really liked this book. A lot better than Eliza Victoria's A Bottle of Storm Clouds: Stories (3 stars) so why oh why did you let it win in the poll over this book, Jzhun?
September 25, 2013
Branding a story as "horror" is a promise, and the promise can set a storyteller (writer, filmmaker)up for failure. You'll have to contend with consumer expectations. If you promise me horror, you better make sure I will be scared, or at the very least, creeped out.
BUT I have realized that most stories that stop people from going to the bathroom in the middle of the night do not scare me. (And the stories that people find boring are the ones that won't let me sleep.) I've been disappointed so many times with stories that purport to be horror but bore me to tears, so I stop expecting to be scared. All I hope for is solid storytelling and beautiful language.
Walking the Deaddid not creep me out, but the stories made me sad, thoughtful, excited. They evoked a response, and they kept me reading. Of the stories, "Delivering the Goods" stayed with me the longest. I loved the confidence in the voice, the subtle horror, the sadness. I wanted to know more about the main character. I'm still thinking of him now.
This book kept me cozy as I read in my favorite place - in my bed, under the sheets. That's good enough for me.
BUT I have realized that most stories that stop people from going to the bathroom in the middle of the night do not scare me. (And the stories that people find boring are the ones that won't let me sleep.) I've been disappointed so many times with stories that purport to be horror but bore me to tears, so I stop expecting to be scared. All I hope for is solid storytelling and beautiful language.
Walking the Deaddid not creep me out, but the stories made me sad, thoughtful, excited. They evoked a response, and they kept me reading. Of the stories, "Delivering the Goods" stayed with me the longest. I loved the confidence in the voice, the subtle horror, the sadness. I wanted to know more about the main character. I'm still thinking of him now.
This book kept me cozy as I read in my favorite place - in my bed, under the sheets. That's good enough for me.
October 3, 2022
This book is marketed as a collection of horror stories so it was a let down that there were stories here that are anything but horror.
There were hits and misses in this book. I have to say that I did enjoy the stories that revolve around Filipino Mythology, specifically:
- The Bridge
- Stella for Star
- Kulog
- Waking the Dead
"Daddy" is a good short story that tackles grief and loss. It seems like a personal story from the author.
"The Child Abandoned" is a good bit of folklore that ties myth and religion together. I like how the last story, "Sidhi", ties in together with this first story. However, "Sidhi" is just all over the place.
"Stars" had an interesting concept but it can benefit if the story was fleshed out more. "Delivering the goods" is a good look into atrocities possibly happening in real life. However, it actually feels more tame than the horrors of our reality.
"Boss, ex" felt more of an attempt at sci-fi and, together with "Fade to Nothing," reads more like a story about human behavior and relationships. Not really a fan of these last two.
There were hits and misses in this book. I have to say that I did enjoy the stories that revolve around Filipino Mythology, specifically:
- The Bridge
- Stella for Star
- Kulog
- Waking the Dead
"Daddy" is a good short story that tackles grief and loss. It seems like a personal story from the author.
"The Child Abandoned" is a good bit of folklore that ties myth and religion together. I like how the last story, "Sidhi", ties in together with this first story. However, "Sidhi" is just all over the place.
"Stars" had an interesting concept but it can benefit if the story was fleshed out more. "Delivering the goods" is a good look into atrocities possibly happening in real life. However, it actually feels more tame than the horrors of our reality.
"Boss, ex" felt more of an attempt at sci-fi and, together with "Fade to Nothing," reads more like a story about human behavior and relationships. Not really a fan of these last two.
February 9, 2024
- I like how the first story has a connection sa last story
- [The bridge] oks lang.
- [Delivering the goods] Gusto ko 'to! Napapansin ko I am into horrors made by humans. ⭐️
- [Waking the Dead] oks lang.
- [Stella for Star] Bet ko 'to! Brutal with a pinoy classic horror character and a gay couple. The ending is good. The story feels complete. ⭐️
- [Kulog] Heartwarming twists to your classic kapre! Bet ko din 'to. I like how kapres are given a different image. ⭐️
- [Fade to Nothing] Oks lang.
- [Daddy] Nakakalungkoooot! Bet ko! ⭐️
- [Stars] It's giving Stranger Things vibes. Bet ko 'to. Survival, monster trope. Pero hindi ko bet 'yung ending. The ending feels lazy for me.
- [Sidhi] I love the scifi-mythology-neon-punk settings ng Quiapo. Pero ang messy ng ending.
A good and easy read!
- [The bridge] oks lang.
- [Delivering the goods] Gusto ko 'to! Napapansin ko I am into horrors made by humans. ⭐️
- [Waking the Dead] oks lang.
- [Stella for Star] Bet ko 'to! Brutal with a pinoy classic horror character and a gay couple. The ending is good. The story feels complete. ⭐️
- [Kulog] Heartwarming twists to your classic kapre! Bet ko din 'to. I like how kapres are given a different image. ⭐️
- [Fade to Nothing] Oks lang.
- [Daddy] Nakakalungkoooot! Bet ko! ⭐️
- [Stars] It's giving Stranger Things vibes. Bet ko 'to. Survival, monster trope. Pero hindi ko bet 'yung ending. The ending feels lazy for me.
- [Sidhi] I love the scifi-mythology-neon-punk settings ng Quiapo. Pero ang messy ng ending.
A good and easy read!
February 9, 2024
A really creative, poignant and thoughtful collection of stories.
February 18, 2014
For me, the first narrative, "The Child Abandoned", is the strongest piece in this collection. On the whole, this book gave me varying degrees of horror...horror with disgust, horror with eroticism, horror with spite...
June 23, 2014
This was an easy and entertaining read, though the stories didn't scare me as I hoped it would. There were a few stories that resounded to me, particularly The Bridge, Stella for Star, and Kulog. I love the author's writing style; it was very easy to relate to and enjoy.
May 29, 2025
Not a standout collection but I did like Delivering the Goods, Stella for Star, and Kulog. I will read more from this author.
February 17, 2025
“The Tiyanak chirps like a bird. It follows its human victims by leaping after them like a nighttime animal chasing its quarry. With sharp nails it scratches the man who picks it up from the ground and fondles it erroneously thinking it is a human baby.”
- Maximo D. Ramos, Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology
I grew up in Sampaloc, Manila, where horror stories were a big part of how the parents and grandparents scared the kids. Not in my mom's vocabulary. My mom and I would often visit a Betamax rental on Calamba St., and I still remember the excitement of borrowing two films: Aswang, a classic Filipino Aiza horror flick, and Impakto, which takes inspiration from the Tiyanak. What struck me about both films was the richness of Filipino horror stories, and that same feeling bathed over me while reading this book.
Yvette Tan’s “Waking the Dead and Other Horror Stories” is a delightful plunge into the spooky and surreal, all wrapped up in a uniquely Filipino vibe. This collection is not just horror; it’s an exploration of family, folklore, and the strange ways they intertwine in our lives. One of the standout features that I want to highlight is Tan's exploration of personal and collective trauma, particularly in the story of a character in “Daddy” receiving phone calls from her deceased father. This narrative brilliantly captures the complexities of grief and the lingering connections we maintain with those we've lost, making it profoundly relatable. If I had the chance to get a phone call from my mom and hear her say “Don’t Forget,” I would think back on all our memories. I’d hold onto those wonderful times, especially when she let me pick which horror movie to borrow at the video store. Those moments shaped my introduction to horror.
This book is one of those that spark your imagination and make you reflect on deeper things and it also includes diverse voices in its stories. I truly appreciate authors who write inclusively in their narratives and often represent the community properly.
“Waking the Dead and Other Stories” isn’t just a horror anthology; it’s a celebration of the human experience... messy, beautiful, and sometimes terrifying. If you’re looking for a book that’ll make you chuckle, shiver, and think, you’ve found your book. Grab a copy, curl up in a cozy spot, and prepare for a wonderfully haunting Filipino horror experience! Always remember that the uncanny is just lurking just around the corner, waiting to be awakened by your imagination.
- Maximo D. Ramos, Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology
I grew up in Sampaloc, Manila, where horror stories were a big part of how the parents and grandparents scared the kids. Not in my mom's vocabulary. My mom and I would often visit a Betamax rental on Calamba St., and I still remember the excitement of borrowing two films: Aswang, a classic Filipino Aiza horror flick, and Impakto, which takes inspiration from the Tiyanak. What struck me about both films was the richness of Filipino horror stories, and that same feeling bathed over me while reading this book.
Yvette Tan’s “Waking the Dead and Other Horror Stories” is a delightful plunge into the spooky and surreal, all wrapped up in a uniquely Filipino vibe. This collection is not just horror; it’s an exploration of family, folklore, and the strange ways they intertwine in our lives. One of the standout features that I want to highlight is Tan's exploration of personal and collective trauma, particularly in the story of a character in “Daddy” receiving phone calls from her deceased father. This narrative brilliantly captures the complexities of grief and the lingering connections we maintain with those we've lost, making it profoundly relatable. If I had the chance to get a phone call from my mom and hear her say “Don’t Forget,” I would think back on all our memories. I’d hold onto those wonderful times, especially when she let me pick which horror movie to borrow at the video store. Those moments shaped my introduction to horror.
This book is one of those that spark your imagination and make you reflect on deeper things and it also includes diverse voices in its stories. I truly appreciate authors who write inclusively in their narratives and often represent the community properly.
“Waking the Dead and Other Stories” isn’t just a horror anthology; it’s a celebration of the human experience... messy, beautiful, and sometimes terrifying. If you’re looking for a book that’ll make you chuckle, shiver, and think, you’ve found your book. Grab a copy, curl up in a cozy spot, and prepare for a wonderfully haunting Filipino horror experience! Always remember that the uncanny is just lurking just around the corner, waiting to be awakened by your imagination.
April 9, 2025
Waking the Dead and Other Horror Stories by Yvette Tan was, honestly, a wow read for me. While not every story aligned with my personal preferences, the collection as a whole was rich in atmosphere, creativity, and cultural depth. I especially loved how the first and last stories were connected—it gave the book a circular kind of closure, even if the ending felt a bit chaotic.
Some stories leaned more toward the eerie or emotional rather than pure horror, which I didn’t mind at all. It actually gave the collection variety and showed the author’s range. The standouts for me—like The Bridge, Boss, Ex, Stella for Star, Kulog, and Daddy—were stories I wish had been longer. They had such a unique ambiance, with plots that pulled me in and left me wanting more.
Of course, there were a few that didn’t quite hit the mark for me, but that was more about personal taste than the quality of the writing.
Overall, if you're into short fiction that weaves Filipino folklore, emotional undercurrents, and a touch of the strange and supernatural, this is definitely worth picking up.
Some stories leaned more toward the eerie or emotional rather than pure horror, which I didn’t mind at all. It actually gave the collection variety and showed the author’s range. The standouts for me—like The Bridge, Boss, Ex, Stella for Star, Kulog, and Daddy—were stories I wish had been longer. They had such a unique ambiance, with plots that pulled me in and left me wanting more.
Of course, there were a few that didn’t quite hit the mark for me, but that was more about personal taste than the quality of the writing.
Overall, if you're into short fiction that weaves Filipino folklore, emotional undercurrents, and a touch of the strange and supernatural, this is definitely worth picking up.
July 21, 2021
Actual Rating: 4.5
Had this for a long while in my shelf (I bought it at a discount price and as a fan of anthologies and collections, it was a good deal. Plus, I barely have any "horror" on my shelf) but I never got around to reading it.
Fast forward to 2021, with Trese premiering on Netlix, creator Budjette Tan mentioned how one of the stories in this collection inspired the character of The Madame. It made me remember that I have a copy of this so it got bumped up the TBR.
It was a different kind of horror tbh and not the kind I was expecting. It was more like a mix of lower mythology, folklore, and speculative fiction but it worked, at least for me.
Majority of the pieces gripped me and had me thinking about it even afterwards.
TL;DR - while it may not fully deliver on the "horror" promise, the pieces are still well-written and are worth checking out.
Had this for a long while in my shelf (I bought it at a discount price and as a fan of anthologies and collections, it was a good deal. Plus, I barely have any "horror" on my shelf) but I never got around to reading it.
Fast forward to 2021, with Trese premiering on Netlix, creator Budjette Tan mentioned how one of the stories in this collection inspired the character of The Madame. It made me remember that I have a copy of this so it got bumped up the TBR.
It was a different kind of horror tbh and not the kind I was expecting. It was more like a mix of lower mythology, folklore, and speculative fiction but it worked, at least for me.
Majority of the pieces gripped me and had me thinking about it even afterwards.
TL;DR - while it may not fully deliver on the "horror" promise, the pieces are still well-written and are worth checking out.
August 19, 2018
I’m not fond of horror, or speculative fiction in general. And it’s quite a shame because I think the spec fics I’ve read are well-written, but I can’t appreciate them enough because I just can’t feel them. So from time to time, I push myself to read a spec fic book, hoping it would impress me. Fortunately, it does several times. Unfortunately, not in this one.
The stories in this anthology are neat, but none of them horrified me in any way. But of course, a writing is more than just its genre. There are other aspects to appreciate in Tan’s writing. Although I find the settings not vivid enough, the character descriptions are beautiful. And the political overtones in The Bridge are particularly impressive.
The stories in this anthology are neat, but none of them horrified me in any way. But of course, a writing is more than just its genre. There are other aspects to appreciate in Tan’s writing. Although I find the settings not vivid enough, the character descriptions are beautiful. And the political overtones in The Bridge are particularly impressive.
September 3, 2024
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book by a Filipino author, and this one caught my attention thanks to a recommendation from a bookstagrammer. The way it was described made me eager to grab a copy. The stories in this collection were short and, while it was marketed as horror, it felt more like a compilation of Filipino folklores to me. Unfortunately, the brevity of the stories left me wanting more depth. The standout for me was the story about Stella, but the others didn’t leave a lasting impression. I’m considering picking up the author’s other book, *Seek Ye Whore*, but I’ll definitely check out some reviews first.
October 9, 2019
binili ko tong libro sa National Bookstore dahil sa mga magandang review tungkol sa kwentong kapre . At dahil ang manunulat nitong si Yvette Tan din sumulat sa pelikulang katatakutang Ilawod, na akin namang nagustuhan. Napagdesisyunan ko tong bilhin agad. Nagustuhan ko ang mga kwentong katatakutan. Pero mas maganda siguro kung eto ay isinulat sa wikang Pilipino ng sa ganun ay di na ako na nose bleed .
November 21, 2021
I enjoyed this collection of short stories. Each story was well-written and felt full. Although I wouldn't say each one I could consider as a "horror" story, a few fit the bill and completed its mission of being eerily creepy, even grotesque but some felt far from the genre. What I appreciate the most is that each story had relationships as the overarching foundation of the main plot which made it more relatable and easy to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2022
Delivering the goods - gory
The bridge - makes me want to visit san Juanico
Boss, ex? - still confused about the ending
Waking the dead - short and shocking. The teeth
Stella for star - reminded me of undin
Kulog - not sure if I want to meet a kapre. Children are kinder than adults. Less judgy too.
Daddy - made me miss my mom
Stars - will include balicasag in my bucket list since my parents are from bohol
The bridge - makes me want to visit san Juanico
Boss, ex? - still confused about the ending
Waking the dead - short and shocking. The teeth
Stella for star - reminded me of undin
Kulog - not sure if I want to meet a kapre. Children are kinder than adults. Less judgy too.
Daddy - made me miss my mom
Stars - will include balicasag in my bucket list since my parents are from bohol
February 5, 2024
Seems to integrate Filipino culture well–in pockets, in short sentences–but also suffers from the disease of "describing without being specific enough". There's a few stories that leave me baffled and uncaring, a couple that are far more interesting, and some that are wanting. It's interesting by way of context. But that's it.
February 5, 2024
There’s a clear difference between Yvette Tan’s style in Seek Ye Whore, and this book which happens to be her first. While I like her second book better, this is a solid collection too, whith a good dose of monsters, ghosts and the macabre.
I’ll look forward to getting her third book (onwards) too. I just became a fan.
I’ll look forward to getting her third book (onwards) too. I just became a fan.
November 14, 2024
Beautiful, i agree some of these stories are pushing the horror genre a bit but still, some horrors are not the traditional or mainstream kind.
11 stories
Favorites (3): Kulog, Stars, and Sidhi
Least liked (2): Waking the Dead (titular story), Fade to Nothing
Special Mention (1): The Child Abandoned (prequel to Sidhi)
11 stories
Favorites (3): Kulog, Stars, and Sidhi
Least liked (2): Waking the Dead (titular story), Fade to Nothing
Special Mention (1): The Child Abandoned (prequel to Sidhi)
May 30, 2025
It’s dark and oftentimes sad.
I guess horror doesn’t always mean scary and that’s not a bad thing. Horror in the sense that’s its horrible—the stories not the writing. Some stories had horrible people so I eagerly turned the page just so I can see comeuppance and some were just horrible because the people didn’t get any.
I guess horror doesn’t always mean scary and that’s not a bad thing. Horror in the sense that’s its horrible—the stories not the writing. Some stories had horrible people so I eagerly turned the page just so I can see comeuppance and some were just horrible because the people didn’t get any.
December 4, 2021
This ended too soon.
February 21, 2022
Definitely a page turner! Hard to put down. Keeps you intrigued after each story.
October 13, 2022
"part of me wondered if what they said about tikbalangs was true, that it wasn't only their heads that were proportioned like a horse's."
now I'm hooked
now I'm hooked
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2023
It’s not your typical horror anthology.
August 18, 2024
Actually 5 stars to Sidhi, kulog, and fade to nothing for illustrating a near perfect tone for tragic character dynamics in just a few pages
June 14, 2025
all stories are unexpected. you have to keep an open mind.
March 23, 2018
I bought this book from Mt. Cloud Bookshop in Baguio. Up to now, I still think the "ghost" in the bookshop recommended me this book.
Okay. So much for a horror story.
The stories are not your conventional "horror stories"--well, not all of them, anyway. I was kidding when I said it was recommended to me by a spirit, but I am serious if I tell you that I purchased this book because it sounded like that TV series about zombies.
As I was saying, the stories are not the typical "ghost stories" or tales of a paranormal or supernatural nature like Stephen King's or Neil Gaiman. I applaud the author for being able to spin the stories that you would typically classify in a different genre into stories are *real* scary nonetheless. I find it difficult to say much but reveal and spoil very little, but I woud say that I enjoyed reading this collection and that it was definitely worth it.
Okay. So much for a horror story.
The stories are not your conventional "horror stories"--well, not all of them, anyway. I was kidding when I said it was recommended to me by a spirit, but I am serious if I tell you that I purchased this book because it sounded like that TV series about zombies.
As I was saying, the stories are not the typical "ghost stories" or tales of a paranormal or supernatural nature like Stephen King's or Neil Gaiman. I applaud the author for being able to spin the stories that you would typically classify in a different genre into stories are *real* scary nonetheless. I find it difficult to say much but reveal and spoil very little, but I woud say that I enjoyed reading this collection and that it was definitely worth it.
December 20, 2015
I like the stories, I guess? Interesting, horrific in a way that humans and human emotions are horrific. Not exactly horror like Stephen King does horror, or even M.R. James does horror. I guess this is the Yvette Tan brand of horror and all the respect for the author for that.
I like the Quiapo stories best, I want to see more of that world; a city where saints and dreamers and creatures from our lower mythology all live together.
The voice and narrative aren't particularly strong, the constant use of the first person perspective isn't my cuppa usually, and I guess that's why this collection doesn't make as much of an impact on me as, say, Bottle of Stormclouds. Could be stronger. Will look for her work in the future, since this feels more like someone beginning to get their grip on their writing voice.
I like the Quiapo stories best, I want to see more of that world; a city where saints and dreamers and creatures from our lower mythology all live together.
The voice and narrative aren't particularly strong, the constant use of the first person perspective isn't my cuppa usually, and I guess that's why this collection doesn't make as much of an impact on me as, say, Bottle of Stormclouds. Could be stronger. Will look for her work in the future, since this feels more like someone beginning to get their grip on their writing voice.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews