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Confinement by Kiran Millwood Hargrave - 4/5

This one was so good, and I think it was made better by having been based off of a true story and post-partum depression. I liked the writing style and really felt the tension and anxiety of this story through and through. I've been wanting to read something by Kiran Millwood Hargrave for a while now so I'm glad this one was one of the better stories in this collection.

The Hanging of the Greens by Andrew Michael Hurley - 3/5

While an enjoyable read in that I liked the writing style, I don't think it was a stand out for me. This story reads like A Christmas Carol meets The Lottery by Shirley Jackson. I liked the build-up and the mystery of the story, but I don't think the payoff was strong enough. Also, I don't know how I feel about alcoholism being equated to being possessed.

The Chillingham Chair by Laura Purcell

3/5? 2.5/5?

Interesting concept but not a story that I found particularly innovative. This story felt like an unfinished through or something that should have been expanded on beyond the scope of being a short story. It ended on what could have been a continuation in the story. I also didn't love the tone of the story, as it felt more camp rather than chilling.

Lily Wilt by Jess Kidd

3.5/5

Written in a more punchy style than the previous stories, this one reminded me of a penny dreadful or something from the Twilight Zone. Fun but not my favorite.

The Eel Singers by Natasha Pulley - 3.75/5

I loved the concept and the part of the story set in the fen. Spooky and unsettling. I didn't like some of the characterization of the Japanese main character (it's really obvious the author is NOT Asian), and the opening scene in the Japanese village in the UK. I found it unnecessary. Also the writing at times reminded me of The House in the Cerulean Sea (in a bad way lol)

Thwaite's Tenant by Imogen Hermes Gowar - 4/5

TW: domestic abuse

This story was reminiscent of The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, and is probably a call back to that, considering the title of the story. It's much darker in tone than the first story, and deals with heavier topics. Feminism is so important and I think people today take it for granted, like women weren't granted divorce even if they were being abused? Wild.

A Study in Black and White by Bridget Collins - 4/5

What a way to start off this collection! This story was wonderfully written and properly gave me chills. Her writing really satisfied my current craving for a gothic story. So looking forward to reading the two Bridget Collins novels I have after this!

Review for The Burning One by Shakira Toussaint - 4/5

Wow, I really had no idea where this was going the entire time. The light bulb moment at the end was so intense and the end of the story was fantastic. Loved this one!

Review for Truth or Dare by Alex Brown - 4/5

This was a fun one and I support a woman who overreacts to a man wronging her!! This one kind of felt like an old Twilight Zone episode and I really enjoyed it. I liked the narration of recounting a story to the reader, and I thought the concept was really unique and clever.

Rating for It Stays With You by Aden Polydoros - 3.5/5

If I was rating this for the concept alone, I would give it a 5/5 stars. I really loved the concept of trying to out-run your trauma, but always having it shadow you throughout your life. I just didn't really care for the execution and writing style. The prose felt a bit disjointed and the dialogue leaned Netflix teen-movie-esque.

Review of Third Burn by Courtney Gould - 3/5

This story has The Scarlet Letter energy!!! I feel like this could be a novella or a novel, because the themes that are explored in this don't have enough pages to really expand on them to an in-depth degree. But another one that had me holding my breath trying not to read ahead to see what happens next! The writing was also a bit flat for my liking but overall good.

Review of Petrified by Olivia Chadra - 3/5

I really liked the concept of this story a lot but I feel like it could have been fleshed out more. The writing felt a bit disjointed and could have been connected better. I wanted there to be more conversation about colonization and gentrification, and I also found it interesting that a story with that at the focus had an immigrant main character, rather than indigenous.

Review for Ghost on the Shore by Allison Saft - 4/5

Loved the writing style, definitely in reading more from Saft in the future. Sad sapphics are going to love this one!!! Good allegory for grief, the grieving process, and unrequited love. For the girlies who aren't out, who are afraid to be out, who are afraid to take the next step, this one is for you!

Review of One-Lane Bridge by Hannah Whitten - 3/5

I enjoyed this for the most part. I found the subject of anger being a valid emotion, as long as you know how to hold it and own (process) it, really interesting, but I feel like the ending required a bit of suspension of disbelief. I won't spoil it, but I find it hard to believe that that would have been the outcome that easily.

Rating for Loved By All, Save One by Tori Bovalino - 4/5

Oo the writing for this one was so good. I loved the true crime element of this one, the tension, the suspense, the not shying away from a very scary real life kind of situation. I really liked that there was a focus and emphasis on the stripping away of humanhood for murder victims, esp those with a brutal death. Definitely going to read more by Tori Bovalino

Rating for The Tallest Poppy by Chloe Gong - 3/5

This one didn't quite come together for me. I don't think Gong's writing style is for me, as I've previously tried to read TVD and DNF'ed. While her prose here was much smoother, the tension was a bit lacking overall. I know that this story is inspired by the "tallest poppy syndrome" but it lacked a cohesiveness. Some good horrifying moments tho that made me cringe.

Rating for Stay by Erica Waters - 4/5

When the lightbulb went off for me I gagged!!!! Micro body horror and sapphic rep!

Krampuslauf by Holly Black - 4/5 stars

Just love Holly Black's writing and vibe no matter what