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malykaofhearts's review
4.0
This was incredible! I loved Heavy Rain and Casualties of a Predictable Apocalypse the most, and was shocked to see there isn't much if any other books by these talented humans.
I rated each story individually, and most were between 3-4.5 but a few missed the mark for me.
This was a pleasant surprise. Give it a shot!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I rated each story individually, and most were between 3-4.5 but a few missed the mark for me.
This was a pleasant surprise. Give it a shot!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
kalesaladd's review
5.0
Very seldom that just about EVERY story in an Anthology crawls so deeply under my skin. Phenomenal collection. I will be recommending this to anyone and everyone that will listen.
*update* just realized this one has released so full review below.
Don't Play In The Closet -David Worn 3/5⭐️
-------------
A Twisted, modern take on the Pied Piper (just what it reminded me of), I enjoyed it, but wish it had been longer.
>ExecuteRelease_ - P.L. McMillan 3/5⭐️
------------
A tale of technological advancement gone wrong, but not in the way that it's usually portrayed.
I enjoyed the idea, the ending was not my favorite.
Son Of Yokozuro - Caleb Stephens 4/5 ⭐️
------------
This take on Kaiju made me heart hurt, but I liked it.
Crickets - Solomon Forse 5/5⭐️
------------
You remember any of the weird toy crazes that pop up every few years where, somehow, at the same time, every child on earth wants the exact same toy and no one except for them, understands the appeal? It's annoying, expensive, and maybe a little creepy? This story takes that phenomenon to a new skin-crawling level of "wtf" I loved it.
You Shall Return - L.P. Hernandez 4/5⭐️
------------
This story is told from the POV of a little girl , Ellie, who lives with her family on the plains in the middle of nowhere Texas until one day, during a horrific dust storm, things start to get a little.... strange. I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would.
The Richardson Family Reunion 2/5⭐️
------------
A nervewracking family reunion is interrupted by both a welcome and unwelcome guest.
I like this idea, but I didn't so much appreciate the execution
Casualties of a Predictable Apocalypse- Joseph Andre Thomas 3/5⭐️
------------
After a life altering natural disaster, one woman is forced to confront her new reality.
I liked the idea behind it.
Heavy Rain - T.J. Price 3/5⭐️
------------
Not sure how I would be able to describe this without giving it away, it started off pretty slow, but by the end of it I enjoyed the story.
A War In Hell - Mike Adamson 3/5⭐️
------------
A History Professor becomes uniquely cut out for a special kind of apocalypse.
I feel like I would've enjoyed this one a lot more if the writing style didn't feel so ... heavy? I guess. It was a little tough to get through but I loved the ideas and storyline.
Fleshies- Thea Maeve 3/5⭐️
------------
Not sure how to describe this one without giving it away.
They got what they deserved. Except those two. You'll get what I mean. I liked the story but it felt a little rushed.
A Tornado or Something Like It - C.B. Jones 3/5⭐️
------------
Having lived through several Tornados this one had me squirming a bit. I feel like I missed something with the ending but I may have just been tired. I enjoyed it.
A Thing Of Habit - Cassandra Khaw 3/5⭐️
------------
Cassandra's stories always require at least one re-read for me to fully comprehend what is going on, this one is no different. I enjoyed the story but the ending is foggy for me.
Unzipped - Bridget D. Brave 5/5⭐️
------------
This story is set in a cave, I was squirming almost the entire time I was reading it, the claustrophobia is very palpable, I adored it all the way through.
The Last Sermon Of Brother Grime - Timaeus Bloom 4/5⭐️
------------
I don't know where to begin even trying to describe this. The whole thing felt like I smacked my head on a dumpster next to a barbecue restaurant and had a hyper-realistic fever dream.
Against The Flats - Jennifer L. Collins 5/5⭐️
------------
Jellyfish.
I have such an intense fear of the ocean, and this did the opposite of improving that. You aren't gonna catch me out there anytime soon.
Hope Is A Sad Song - Gully Novaro 4/5⭐️
------------
Short and gross.
New fear unlocked.
Systematic Infection - Michelle Tang 5/5⭐️
------------
Medical negligence is so incredibly terrifying. This story hurt and warmed my heart in ways that made me feel queasy.
Forever Home - Chelsea Pumpkins 3/5 ⭐️
------------
This story should be a 4/5 but it hurt me so much I couldn't do it. Made me want to cry and hug my animals.
The Children of The Event- Carson Winter 4/5⭐️
------------
Huge fan of this Author's NoSleep stories so was pleasantly surprised to see this in the collection. Really intriguing storyline, I wish the story had lasted longer.
Detritus- Lindsey Ragsdale 3/5⭐️
------------
I enjoyed this ocean voyage tale but I couldn't help but feel like it was missing something.
Thank you to Netgalley for the review copy.
*update* just realized this one has released so full review below.
Don't Play In The Closet -David Worn 3/5⭐️
-------------
A Twisted, modern take on the Pied Piper (just what it reminded me of), I enjoyed it, but wish it had been longer.
>ExecuteRelease_ - P.L. McMillan 3/5⭐️
------------
A tale of technological advancement gone wrong, but not in the way that it's usually portrayed.
I enjoyed the idea, the ending was not my favorite.
Son Of Yokozuro - Caleb Stephens 4/5 ⭐️
------------
This take on Kaiju made me heart hurt, but I liked it.
Crickets - Solomon Forse 5/5⭐️
------------
You remember any of the weird toy crazes that pop up every few years where, somehow, at the same time, every child on earth wants the exact same toy and no one except for them, understands the appeal? It's annoying, expensive, and maybe a little creepy? This story takes that phenomenon to a new skin-crawling level of "wtf" I loved it.
You Shall Return - L.P. Hernandez 4/5⭐️
------------
This story is told from the POV of a little girl , Ellie, who lives with her family on the plains in the middle of nowhere Texas until one day, during a horrific dust storm, things start to get a little.... strange. I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would.
The Richardson Family Reunion 2/5⭐️
------------
A nervewracking family reunion is interrupted by both a welcome and unwelcome guest.
I like this idea, but I didn't so much appreciate the execution
Casualties of a Predictable Apocalypse- Joseph Andre Thomas 3/5⭐️
------------
After a life altering natural disaster, one woman is forced to confront her new reality.
I liked the idea behind it.
Heavy Rain - T.J. Price 3/5⭐️
------------
Not sure how I would be able to describe this without giving it away, it started off pretty slow, but by the end of it I enjoyed the story.
A War In Hell - Mike Adamson 3/5⭐️
------------
A History Professor becomes uniquely cut out for a special kind of apocalypse.
I feel like I would've enjoyed this one a lot more if the writing style didn't feel so ... heavy? I guess. It was a little tough to get through but I loved the ideas and storyline.
Fleshies- Thea Maeve 3/5⭐️
------------
Not sure how to describe this one without giving it away.
They got what they deserved. Except those two. You'll get what I mean. I liked the story but it felt a little rushed.
A Tornado or Something Like It - C.B. Jones 3/5⭐️
------------
Having lived through several Tornados this one had me squirming a bit. I feel like I missed something with the ending but I may have just been tired. I enjoyed it.
A Thing Of Habit - Cassandra Khaw 3/5⭐️
------------
Cassandra's stories always require at least one re-read for me to fully comprehend what is going on, this one is no different. I enjoyed the story but the ending is foggy for me.
Unzipped - Bridget D. Brave 5/5⭐️
------------
This story is set in a cave, I was squirming almost the entire time I was reading it, the claustrophobia is very palpable, I adored it all the way through.
The Last Sermon Of Brother Grime - Timaeus Bloom 4/5⭐️
------------
I don't know where to begin even trying to describe this. The whole thing felt like I smacked my head on a dumpster next to a barbecue restaurant and had a hyper-realistic fever dream.
Against The Flats - Jennifer L. Collins 5/5⭐️
------------
Jellyfish.
I have such an intense fear of the ocean, and this did the opposite of improving that. You aren't gonna catch me out there anytime soon.
Hope Is A Sad Song - Gully Novaro 4/5⭐️
------------
Short and gross.
New fear unlocked.
Systematic Infection - Michelle Tang 5/5⭐️
------------
Medical negligence is so incredibly terrifying. This story hurt and warmed my heart in ways that made me feel queasy.
Forever Home - Chelsea Pumpkins 3/5 ⭐️
------------
This story should be a 4/5 but it hurt me so much I couldn't do it. Made me want to cry and hug my animals.
The Children of The Event- Carson Winter 4/5⭐️
------------
Huge fan of this Author's NoSleep stories so was pleasantly surprised to see this in the collection. Really intriguing storyline, I wish the story had lasted longer.
Detritus- Lindsey Ragsdale 3/5⭐️
------------
I enjoyed this ocean voyage tale but I couldn't help but feel like it was missing something.
Thank you to Netgalley for the review copy.
blatdriver's review
3.0
3.5 out of 5 starts.
This is a good collection of disaster stories of all types, like most anthologies, you’re going to get a variety of stories and writing styles, most I like others I could not fully get into.
But overall there is some great unique stories in here, and it's worth checking out.
Some of my favourites are
- Execute Release by P.L.McMillan
- Don’t Play in the Closet by David Worn
- Unzipped by Bridget D. Brave
- Against the Flats by Jennifer L.Collins
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.*
This is a good collection of disaster stories of all types, like most anthologies, you’re going to get a variety of stories and writing styles, most I like others I could not fully get into.
But overall there is some great unique stories in here, and it's worth checking out.
Some of my favourites are
- Execute Release by P.L.McMillan
- Don’t Play in the Closet by David Worn
- Unzipped by Bridget D. Brave
- Against the Flats by Jennifer L.Collins
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.*
hauntedvictoria24's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I really enjoyed this anthology! Each of the stories are well written and unique! My favorite story in this anthology is "Heavy Rain" by TJ Price but I really enjoyed them all.
10/10 - highly recommend
*Special thank you to NetGalley and the publisher and author for allowing me to read a copy of this book before publication.*
10/10 - highly recommend
*Special thank you to NetGalley and the publisher and author for allowing me to read a copy of this book before publication.*
stitching_ghost's review
4.0
Early reviews had me a bit nervous about this one but as it turns out it was a pretty good anthology with a lot of fun aspects and stories that were well written, it all felt very polished as I like to say. The nature of the disasters covered and of the protagonists varies greatly as do the tones and approaches the authors went for. Natural disaster and manmade horrors,
I enjoyed the tidbits about the authors and the images peppered throughout the book, I thought it added a touch of levity in an anthology that could have otherwise been quite heavy.
There was only one story that I didn't care for and I had to read it twice to make sure I didn't miss something and that felt a bit out the left field considering the rest of the anthology, so it might just be that I really do not vibe with that particular author's style. One story, Forever Home, had me bawling in my cat's fur and Link (aforementioned cat) would like to file an official complaint against Chelsea Pumpkins, the author, for subjecting him to this indignity. Long story short, it's a mixed bag, like every anthology, but I enjoyed the vast majority of the entries.
Disclosure: I received a digital review copy of this book from HOWL Society Press through NetGalley.
I enjoyed the tidbits about the authors and the images peppered throughout the book, I thought it added a touch of levity in an anthology that could have otherwise been quite heavy.
There was only one story that I didn't care for and I had to read it twice to make sure I didn't miss something and that felt a bit out the left field considering the rest of the anthology, so it might just be that I really do not vibe with that particular author's style. One story, Forever Home, had me bawling in my cat's fur and Link (aforementioned cat) would like to file an official complaint against Chelsea Pumpkins, the author, for subjecting him to this indignity. Long story short, it's a mixed bag, like every anthology, but I enjoyed the vast majority of the entries.
Disclosure: I received a digital review copy of this book from HOWL Society Press through NetGalley.
reunitepangaea's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
brigitte66's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
lonelymanatee's review
5.0
Another year, another anthology from the HOWLS. This one is tied together by the theme of disasters. They may be man made disasters or an act of God (or Godzilla). There is horror to be found when the world we know is thrown askew.
I found the theme of this anthology a little looser than previous HOWLS outing. Of course, this is a product of the fact that “disaster” is a far vaguer topic than “dark ages.” This meant that there was a lack of cohesion between stories.
However, those stories are incredibly well written. Once again, HOWLS has put together some of the best horror short stories I have read. None of the stories were duds or skippable. Every one of them was worth the read.
These haunting tales are going to be replaying in my head for weeks to come. I can’t wait to see what nightmares HOWLS brings us next year.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I found the theme of this anthology a little looser than previous HOWLS outing. Of course, this is a product of the fact that “disaster” is a far vaguer topic than “dark ages.” This meant that there was a lack of cohesion between stories.
However, those stories are incredibly well written. Once again, HOWLS has put together some of the best horror short stories I have read. None of the stories were duds or skippable. Every one of them was worth the read.
These haunting tales are going to be replaying in my head for weeks to come. I can’t wait to see what nightmares HOWLS brings us next year.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.