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pause_theframe's review
4.0
I am a huge fan of a good horror read, but am a parent of young children, so definitely struggle to find time for myself. I normally end up reading in the wee hours of the morning, but with this book I have some brilliant short stories that I can read in wee sections, when I have a small moment for myself. If has been so enjoyable and I absolutely loved the stories included in the book.
The variety is lovely and really reads well. They all flow well and really tell good stories, with a decent amount of detail in each.
I really like the overall layout of the book, the characters in each story and honestly loved this book. I fully recommend it, especially if you are looking for your next horror read.
The variety is lovely and really reads well. They all flow well and really tell good stories, with a decent amount of detail in each.
I really like the overall layout of the book, the characters in each story and honestly loved this book. I fully recommend it, especially if you are looking for your next horror read.
zarco_j's review
3.0
Hmm this was weird, and not necessarily in a good way.. I struggled with these stories, they felt a bit wishy washy and weren't what I was expecting.
Some stories resonated better than others, but that's okay I obviously wasn't the audience this book needed.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Some stories resonated better than others, but that's okay I obviously wasn't the audience this book needed.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
jayfr's review
3.0
Hmm this was weird, and not necessarily in a good way.. I struggled with these stories, they felt a bit wishy washy and weren't what I was expecting.
Some stories resonated better than others, but that's okay I obviously wasn't the audience this book needed.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Some stories resonated better than others, but that's okay I obviously wasn't the audience this book needed.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
bookivore's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
3.5
A collection of strange, dark stories. Some are not what I would personally classify as horror but they are all leaning to darkness. I appreciated the variety and imagination in the stories but for some reason didn't really connect with most of them. Maybe it was the feeling I often had that I didn't quite understand enough to feel the full impact. A sense of mystery is good in a story, but for me it was too deep in many of the tales. This is certainly a book to consider if you want something a little outside of the box, however.
sarrie's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
The Best of our Past, the Worst of our Future is a creepy, quiet collection of short stories from Christi Nogle that genuinely define the words ‘quiet horror’ for me. In fact on starting this arc I had honestly forgotten what I was going in for. I knew it was short stories and I remembered being excited about the premise so I picked it up wanting something I could read a story here and there. Jokes on me. I read the whole thing in two days.
Each story starts somewhat mundane, taking the first as an example - a mother look for a place to have her children. From there it slowly unveils it’s ‘horror’ aspect, and for the most part in ways I didn’t expect. Mushroom horror has been very big lately, and while there is one in the book it’s done differently and far more creepy than I’d seen yet. It’s a surprising and impressive collection of ideas. Additionally each story features a House in some way, and I cannot stress how none of these were your typical ‘haunted house’ they each took a different role and aspect.
There are a few that didn’t come across for me, as is the norm with collections like this. Some of the stories lean a bit far into experimental horror such as the one of the young girl and the yellow book of stories. But a few of the more experimental ones did work, like the story with the café! Experimental horror almost never works for me so the grade and variation in stories impressed me here as well.
Overall this was a great collection and one I’d recommend for lovers of the genre. Quiet, unsettling horror that I wouldn’t recommend before bed, but I definitely recommend if you want that slow unsettled, goosebumps on your skin feeling.
Each story starts somewhat mundane, taking the first as an example - a mother look for a place to have her children. From there it slowly unveils it’s ‘horror’ aspect, and for the most part in ways I didn’t expect. Mushroom horror has been very big lately, and while there is one in the book it’s done differently and far more creepy than I’d seen yet. It’s a surprising and impressive collection of ideas. Additionally each story features a House in some way, and I cannot stress how none of these were your typical ‘haunted house’ they each took a different role and aspect.
There are a few that didn’t come across for me, as is the norm with collections like this. Some of the stories lean a bit far into experimental horror such as the one of the young girl and the yellow book of stories. But a few of the more experimental ones did work, like the story with the café! Experimental horror almost never works for me so the grade and variation in stories impressed me here as well.
Overall this was a great collection and one I’d recommend for lovers of the genre. Quiet, unsettling horror that I wouldn’t recommend before bed, but I definitely recommend if you want that slow unsettled, goosebumps on your skin feeling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Death
Minor: Body horror, Animal cruelty, and Abandonment
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