Pisces51’s Reviews > Y’All Ain’t Right: Southern Extreme Horror > Status Update

TREMBLE by Kasey Lansdale & Joe R. Lansdale is a splendid story and I would be remiss if I did not rate this fantastic, bitter sweet tale of rage and revenge 5+ Stars. I did not expect another homerun following Triana's tale of horror and madness in the West Virginia woods. TREMBLE is a slow scintillating burn, beautiful prose, and a storyline that is reminiscent of the Sirens from mythology as well as "Carrie".

KIN by Kristopher Triana. This story was included in Triana's sensational themed short story collection "Blood Relations". It was a finalist in the "Best Collection" category at the Splatterpunk Awards in 2021. This contribution by Triana is the "Crown Jewel" in this themed anthology. I truly enjoyed rereading it. The story is chilling from the outset, the atmospheric backdrop unsettling. Fantastic 5+ Star Read.

SWAMP WATER BOOGIE by Daniel J. Volpe is precisely the story I would expect to read in this anthology. Two close buddies are deep in the swamp water and up to no damn good. Mitch lights the fuse of a stick of dynamite and throws it with the practiced arm of an ex-football jock. Gary thinks it was a dud because of the delayed explosion. These Southern boys have more on their plate than illegal gators. Easy 4 Stars.

KIKI by Gregory L. Norris is the sordid tale of "Kiki" disturbed daughter of saintly father's second marriage. Kiki subjected to Daddy's vitriolic ranting, raving directed toward children from first marriage. Sad Dad is physically handicapped, impoverished because of his despised three kids. What's a "want to be" only child do to make Saint Dad "Glad"? Predictable, fairly gory, but with plot twist at end. 3 Stars.

GOOD GRIEF, IT'S THE EJACULATION! --Douglas Ford. How can the ostensible retelling of an alleged TV Special on Halloween to a group of Trick or Treaters in lieu of candy be satisfactory? How can an absurdly silly (horror?) story be simultaneously disgustingly lewd and repulsive? Truth is, he would have lost me with the grotesque brutal murder and decapitation of an elderly defensive dog. Rated 1 Star.

BACK ROAD by Candace Nola is about a trio of friends travelling down a remote country road in a Prius. The driver Miranda is out to do a good deed. It is a cautionary tale about the dangers of complacency and convenient assumptions. The rough road is unforgiving and the drive morphs into a sight seeing trip straight out of hillbilly hell. Does anyone think this can end well? Always enjoy Candace Nola. Rated 5 Stars.

WELCOME TO CLIFTON, TX by Eric Butler was contributed by an author who is unfamiliar to me. That is no surprise because I am still experiencing new-to-me contributors to the hardcore extreme horror scene. That said, this guy is a gem, a diamond in the rough. He can certainly churn out chilling scenes drenched in graphic gore. His well written prose is hauntingly poetic and his villain comically original. 4 Stars.

YOOFO by Christine Morgan is initially an hysterically funny tale about a pair of rednecks who go on a hike to reach an infamous make out site. This tiring little odyssey to sight see town couples make out on Homecoming Night morphs into an entirely different experience. Their overriding desire to see some (breasts) on girls outside the family is oddly enough achieved in an explosive colorful finale. Rated 3 Stars.

OBAMA LOVER by WJW is about one black man's bloodlust to answer injustices he witnesses against minority victims with extreme prejudice. The story is unravelled in a clipped cadence which works to focus the reader's attention on his heinous sadistic acts. It is crystal clear that he is a sadistic serial murderer. Hmmm...This fan of White's didn't like that It felt like a social justice rant. 3 Stumbling Stars.

GENITAL GRINDER 2.5 by Ryan Harding was LOL funny occasionally with the redneck conversation between our two buddies. They were bartering the proceeds of a stolen lottery ticket to meet and more than greet a favorite porn queen. Specializing in anal adventures of course. Story was well written but despite a welcome plot twist, extreme sexual torture expertise extolled by Harding, just okay. Rated 3 Stars.