Horror is something like black taffy these days, enough elasticity to stretch across any room (even the word “room” feels a little confining while discussing the modern state of horror: Is it a room actually? Could be something else), and you’ll find that elasticity here in the pages of this book.
The Attentionist by Caroline Kepnes
Reg and Maeve really want Tony to call. Naturally, he’ll have a friend so the sisters will be able to go on a double date.
The phrase you learn in school is fight or flight. As if those are the only choices. As if we’re all so quick to throw a punch or make a run for it. Some of us are slow. We just need a minute to think.
A Life in Nightmares by Ramsey Campbell
When past and present, reality and nightmares collide.
“I don’t know why I should dream about the past”
Papa Eye by Priya Sharma
When Ravi goes to the island, they see life and death in a whole new light.
“We’ve been struggling with how to explain it. Now you can see for yourself.”
Volcano by Livia Llewellyn
A new job, a new colleague, a pervasive darkness.
It still bothers me that I can’t remember last night.
All the Things He Called Memories by Stephen Graham Jones
When you’re quarantining with your partner, a research scientist, who wants to discuss your greatest fear. You know, besides the pandemic.
“Because our minds are puzzle boxes,” Marcy said, obviously. “You can twist them this way, that way, and, if you’re really lucky, maybe once in a while you unlock one of them.”
Trinity River’s Blues by Chesya Burke
Jazz, a murder of crows and a woman who sees dead people.
“This here … this is longing. Its power manifested. You don’t understand who you are and so you let your fears and insecurities control you.”
The Familiar’s Assistant by Alma Katsu
Eric has spent weeks tracking him down. Now he’s standing at the vampire’s door.
You can’t accept a monster in your life and think that you’re safe. That you’ll be able to control him.
Swim in the Blood of a Curious Dream by John F.D. Taff
Peter just wants to drive his son to their new home. The weather has other ideas. So does Peter’s dead wife.
Because, as I’ve learned, separation doesn’t diminish the love a child has for their parent.
Nor does death.
The Sanguintalist by Gemma Files
The blood speaks to Lala.
Tell me now. Show me, if you can’t form the words. Let me see it.
Let me see it all.
Mrs. Addison’s Nest by Josh Malerman
This all started in detention fifteen years ago. It ends now.
REMEMBER WHERE YOU ARE
Challawa by Usman T. Malik
Karisma returns to Pakistan with her husband. While she’s there, she plans to do some research.
“Challawa. A mercurial creature that shimmers and is gone. A mirage that evaporates when you get close to it.”
Enough For Hunger and Enough For Hate by John Langan
Michelle is trying to track down her brother’s killer. And his body.
“There was nothing I wanted more than to spend every waking second with her.”
Usually when I pick up an anthology, it’s because there’s one particular author’s story I need to read. This time around, that author was Stephen Graham Jones.
With anthologies, I always find the stories are a bit of a mixed bag. I love this because there’s usually something for everyone. I also dread this because I know it’s just as likely I’ll encounter stories that I’m not so keen on.
My horror preference is the “would you like more blood with that?” variety. I actively seek out reads where I have the overwhelming urge to look over my shoulder and question whether it’s safe to turn out the lights, as well as my decision to eat before reading. I’m not as comfy with ambiguity so some reads here didn’t work as well for me.
I enjoyed many of the stories but they didn’t elicit fear in me. The most horrified I felt was when I realised I’d finished more than one story with no way of explaining what it was about because I had no idea.
One of my favourite things about anthologies is the opportunity to find authors whose books have somehow flown under my radar. While I loved the story I came here for, I was also introduced to two authors whose books I definitely need to investigate in the near future: Priya Sharma and Usman T. Malik.
Content warnings include addiction, death by suicide, domestic abuse, miscarriage and sexual assault. Readers with emetophobia may have trouble with some scenes.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Titan Books for the opportunity to read this anthology.
Once Upon a Blurb
Created as an homage to the 1980 classic horror anthology, Dark Forces, edited by Kirby McCauley, this collection contains 12 original novelettes showcasing today’s top horror talent. Dark Stars features all-new stories from award-winning authors and up-and-coming voices like Stephen Graham Jones, Priya Sharma, Usman T. Malik, Caroline Kepnes, and Alma Katsu, with seasoned author John F.D. Taff at the helm. An afterword from original Dark Forces contributor Ramsey Campbell is a poignant finale to this bone-chilling collection.
Within these pages you’ll find tales of dead men walking, an insidious secret summer fling, an island harbouring unspeakable power, and a dark hallway that beckons. You’ll encounter terrible monsters – both human and supernatural – and be forever changed. The stories in Dark Stars run the gamut from traditional to modern, from dark fantasy to neo-noir, from explorations of beloved horror tropes to the unknown – possibly unknowable – threats.
It’s all in here because it’s all out there, now, in horror.
Schizanthus Nerd 