Reviews

Collision: Stories by J. S. Breukelaar

beastreader's review

3.0

If you are looking for a delightfully, unique collection of horror and weird (in a good way) stories, than, you should check out this anthology. Each story was something that I can't recall having ever read before; despite the fact that some of my favorite stories, Lion Man, Fairy Tale, and The Box were previously published. Another story that I really liked was Ava Rune.

Although, I will say that while, I was not over the moon with all of the stories in this anthology; there was about half to a little more than half of the stories that I did enjoy. Some of the characters were like "carnies" types from a carnival. These stories might be things of nightmares but not all nightmares are bad. I do suggest you check out this collection of stories.

erincataldi's review

3.0

I thought this collection of macabre short stories would be very fitting for Halloween so I was very pumped to try this author out. I'll admit I wasn't a fan of every story in the collection and I thought some were much stronger than others. I was however a huge fan of the afterword following each short story, which outlined the author's inspiration for each tale. It made me appreciate the stories a little more, even if I didn't love them all. From amputees to aliens to ghostly dogs and vile, monstrous acts; this collection really is all over the place. The writing is unique, lush, and dark; very fitting for all the stories. These aren't tales with happy endings where everything gets wrapped up neatly with a bow at the end. The final and longest story, was definitely my favorite. It felt the most complete and visceral for me; and I could absolutely see it being a movie or season of American Horror Story. It was very chilling and very well written. J.S. Breukelaar is definitely an author to watch out for!

nica00's review

4.0

A hit or miss collection for me.
Favorites:
Union Falls
Raining Street
Ava Rune
Lion Man
Fixed
Like Ripples on a Blank Shore

mommasaystoread's review

4.0

This collection covers a wide variety of horror/thriller tropes, including some I wouldn't normally pick up, but they do have a couple of things in common. The writing is excellent and the author certainly has the short story/novella length read down to a fine art. Each story pulled me in quickly and held on tight. Regardless of the particular trope, each tale has a tone of disquiet, and they all make you think outside the box, way outside the box in some cases. This is not a book for those who need everything laid out and tied up in a neat little bow, but if you like stories that stretch the imagination sometimes to point of scratching your head in wonder, then I recommend giving this one a read. Some stories are more complicated than others, but each is thoroughly thought-provoking. I took my time with the book, reading one story every day or so to fully digest each crazy, twisted world the author has created.

mhartford's review

dark emotional funny mysterious 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

3.0

crystals_library's review

4.0

J.S. Breukelaar is very talented. I wish I could come up with these stories. Her range from horror to sci-fi is impressive. There is mental health issues, LGBTQ relationships, aliens, and so much more.

Union Falls ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Raining Street ⭐⭐⭐
The Box ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ava Rune ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lion Man ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fairy Tale ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fixed ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rogues Bay 3013 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
War Wounds ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Collision ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Glow ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Like Ripples on a Blank Shore ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I am becoming more and more particular about short story collections and I loved this one!
I will definitely be reading J.S. Breukelaar's full length novels very soon.

Thank you to Meerkat Press for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

mariahaskins's review

5.0

Breukelaar’s novel Aletheia is a darkly fascinating ghost story that blends literary depth and complexity with bone-chilling horror. That same talent for finding the uncanny cracks in the seemingly everyday world are evident in Collision, where she spins 12 fantastical and eerie tales that move between fantasy, science fiction, Gothic horror, and points in-between. It’s a collection that hooks the reader with its daring imagination, masterful prose, and characters that feel both utterly real and beguilingly odd. As author Angela Slatter observes in the collection’s introduction, “There’s a spark of magnificent strangeness and a strange spark of magnificence in each and every one.”