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whiskis's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
All the stories are worth reading. I want to mention specially the one with the animatronic because it was disturbing in a good way, and I'm still confused about it.
scubacat's review
3.0
Okay all you monster f*ckers out there (you know who you are!)- finished my first book of 2024 with this one: Creepy Court Vol. 1 - A Monster Mall Anthology. Written by a bunch of great authors if this is your genre. I only read Volume 1, as it's already over 600 pages.
I thought the overall concept was great! An 80s mall is already so creepy and the assortment of retailers left a lot of room to have some fun with the period. Some of the stories were better hits than others. I thought Playing Mantis was a good start. Frankie's Funhouse was a bit too long, but interesting. Lost and Found was sweet. I didn't enjoy Fed After Midnight at all and I didn't particularly like Play much either. But Creepy Pasta was short and sweet.
Personally, I think the short story format is tough, as it's basically just smut. There's not a lot of time for plot, and honestly I get super bored. So 3 stars from me, but I do still plan to read Vol. 2 eventually as I'm a huge Lily Mayne fan and her story is in that one.
I thought the overall concept was great! An 80s mall is already so creepy and the assortment of retailers left a lot of room to have some fun with the period. Some of the stories were better hits than others. I thought Playing Mantis was a good start. Frankie's Funhouse was a bit too long, but interesting. Lost and Found was sweet. I didn't enjoy Fed After Midnight at all and I didn't particularly like Play much either. But Creepy Pasta was short and sweet.
Personally, I think the short story format is tough, as it's basically just smut. There's not a lot of time for plot, and honestly I get super bored. So 3 stars from me, but I do still plan to read Vol. 2 eventually as I'm a huge Lily Mayne fan and her story is in that one.
lunas_libraryy's review
4.0
Playing Mantis - Clio Evans (3.5⭐)
This was a good quick story to start off the anthology. It wasn't too appealing to me, but an interesting concept.
Frankie's Funhouse - Beatrix Hollow (4.5/5⭐)
This was so unhinged and crazy and I absolutely LOVED IT. I can't wait for it to be re-released by itself so I can buy a physical copy! (this is perfect for fans of Five Nights At Freddies).
Lost and Found - Vera Valentine (4⭐)
Quite a cute story! I enjoyed it, even if it was very short. I'd definitely read this again if it was released as a longer version!
Fed After Midnight - Latrexa Nova (3⭐)
This was... something. The sex scenes felt a little disjointed and I just couldn't understand some of it. If it was a little longer and more detailed/explained more, then I probably would enjoy it more.
Play - Sabrina Day (3⭐)
This was good. A little underwhelming though. It didn't feel like there was much chemistry between the characters, so it didn't really hold my interest.
The Monster of Darkspell Comics - S.J. Sanders (4⭐)
This was a fun read. I enjoyed the lore, as well as how you get to experience the character's feelings and thoughts changing and developing as the story moves, even though it's a very short read.
Creepy Pasta - Evangeline Priest (4⭐)
This was quite a sweet story. I always enjoy stories involving Eldritch beings. But this was fun and interesting as well as cute.
This was a good quick story to start off the anthology. It wasn't too appealing to me, but an interesting concept.
Frankie's Funhouse - Beatrix Hollow (4.5/5⭐)
This was so unhinged and crazy and I absolutely LOVED IT. I can't wait for it to be re-released by itself so I can buy a physical copy! (this is perfect for fans of Five Nights At Freddies).
Lost and Found - Vera Valentine (4⭐)
Quite a cute story! I enjoyed it, even if it was very short. I'd definitely read this again if it was released as a longer version!
Fed After Midnight - Latrexa Nova (3⭐)
This was... something. The sex scenes felt a little disjointed and I just couldn't understand some of it. If it was a little longer and more detailed/explained more, then I probably would enjoy it more.
Play - Sabrina Day (3⭐)
This was good. A little underwhelming though. It didn't feel like there was much chemistry between the characters, so it didn't really hold my interest.
The Monster of Darkspell Comics - S.J. Sanders (4⭐)
This was a fun read. I enjoyed the lore, as well as how you get to experience the character's feelings and thoughts changing and developing as the story moves, even though it's a very short read.
Creepy Pasta - Evangeline Priest (4⭐)
This was quite a sweet story. I always enjoy stories involving Eldritch beings. But this was fun and interesting as well as cute.
megamac's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
readingsugar's review
I read the one author I came for and then a couple others for fun. Overall a fun time.
mx_manda's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The first half of this anthology is pleasantly surprising, solid.
1. Playing Mantis- Clio Evans: 4 stars
Quick, ridiculous, and bonkers in a fun way. Started off this anthology with some candy.
2. Frankie's Funhouse- Beatrix Hollow: 5 stars
I would argue this is the best story of the first half. Very dark. Definitely read the content warnings on this one.
3. Lost and Found- Vera Valentine: 3.5 stars
M/M, first queer story in the collection. Sweet and cute.
4. Fed After Midnight- Latrexa Nova: 3.5 stars
AAPI story, interesting take on Gremlins. Was ambitious in world building and would have been better for a bit more length and lore explanation, but really entertaining as-is.
5. Play- Sabrina Day: 4 stars
BIPOC. Another ambitious story that I would have loved more length to fully develop the story. A bit confusing. Had a good chuckle at what looks like playful jabs at the pretension of counter cultures in the young.
6. The Monster of Darkspell Comics- SJ Sanders: 3 stars
AAPI. While still an entertaining read, this is the "clunker" of the first half of the batch. Feels tired and dated after reading newer monster romances. SJ can't seem to continue innovating and moving past late 2010's monster and alien romance tropes and formulas.
7. Creepy Pasta- Evangeline Priest: 3 stars
AAPI. Tooth-achingly sweet and fluffy after the first stories in this half. Another story that's fine, but not one of the stronger ones.
1. Playing Mantis- Clio Evans: 4 stars
Quick, ridiculous, and bonkers in a fun way. Started off this anthology with some candy.
2. Frankie's Funhouse- Beatrix Hollow: 5 stars
I would argue this is the best story of the first half. Very dark. Definitely read the content warnings on this one.
3. Lost and Found- Vera Valentine: 3.5 stars
M/M, first queer story in the collection. Sweet and cute.
4. Fed After Midnight- Latrexa Nova: 3.5 stars
AAPI story, interesting take on Gremlins. Was ambitious in world building and would have been better for a bit more length and lore explanation, but really entertaining as-is.
5. Play- Sabrina Day: 4 stars
BIPOC. Another ambitious story that I would have loved more length to fully develop the story. A bit confusing. Had a good chuckle at what looks like playful jabs at the pretension of counter cultures in the young.
6. The Monster of Darkspell Comics- SJ Sanders: 3 stars
AAPI. While still an entertaining read, this is the "clunker" of the first half of the batch. Feels tired and dated after reading newer monster romances. SJ can't seem to continue innovating and moving past late 2010's monster and alien romance tropes and formulas.
7. Creepy Pasta- Evangeline Priest: 3 stars
AAPI. Tooth-achingly sweet and fluffy after the first stories in this half. Another story that's fine, but not one of the stronger ones.
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