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michael_benavidez's review against another edition
5.0
Gothic medical horror is a pretty specific and possibly niche idea on which to base a collection of stories on. Gothic stories on their own are a delicate balance of atmosphere and haunting through lines that merge seamlessly into one another. Adding the idea of medical horror further limits the types and styles of stories and plots within.
Or so one would think.
This a collection of ten stories, from ten different authors. Each are unique and layered. The sense of gothic dread and time period aesthetic are well at the forefront, giving readers what they hunger for and more. The medical side of the stories bring an added twist, sometimes not as apparent as one would think when beginning the tale. Each author brings their specific talents, blending their established style with the macabre elegance one looks to find within Gothic fiction, while making full use of the medical haunts.
There really isn't much more I can say without spoilers or trying to pick favorites. Which honestly isn't right because I was enthralled by each one.
Or so one would think.
This a collection of ten stories, from ten different authors. Each are unique and layered. The sense of gothic dread and time period aesthetic are well at the forefront, giving readers what they hunger for and more. The medical side of the stories bring an added twist, sometimes not as apparent as one would think when beginning the tale. Each author brings their specific talents, blending their established style with the macabre elegance one looks to find within Gothic fiction, while making full use of the medical haunts.
There really isn't much more I can say without spoilers or trying to pick favorites. Which honestly isn't right because I was enthralled by each one.
thesleepyreader79's review
5.0
My third foray into Short Story September and I chose a book from what has become one of my favorite publishing houses, Quill and Crow Publishing House. This is the 5th anthology series that I have read from them and I again, was not disappointed. This book is filled with 10 stories of gothic medical horror, each from a different author.
Each of these stories are creepy, disturbing and horrific yet entertaining. They also remind of the years gone by of shocking medical treatments and insane asylums where people were often held against their will. All the writers bring their own take on the topic and even though the theme is the same, each story is original and unique in its own way.
This is a fantastic collection, and it is very hard to choose a favorite. I really enjoyed "The Cannibal and the Barber" by Spyder Collins; Embryo by Nick Petrou and "Merciful"by Cassandra Thompson, although I appreciate all the stories and the efforts each author put into making medical horror come to life.
Each of these stories are creepy, disturbing and horrific yet entertaining. They also remind of the years gone by of shocking medical treatments and insane asylums where people were often held against their will. All the writers bring their own take on the topic and even though the theme is the same, each story is original and unique in its own way.
This is a fantastic collection, and it is very hard to choose a favorite. I really enjoyed "The Cannibal and the Barber" by Spyder Collins; Embryo by Nick Petrou and "Merciful"by Cassandra Thompson, although I appreciate all the stories and the efforts each author put into making medical horror come to life.
dharmlost's review
5.0
This collection of short stories was a lovely dip into the gothic horror genre that I have not done in some time. I regret that because I forgot how very lovely and near and dear to my heart stories in this vein can be.
That said, wow, these stories pulled absolutely no punches and I am here for that. Each author brought their twist to the anthology and hammered their words in with skill, and left me wanting, craving, desiring more.
That said, wow, these stories pulled absolutely no punches and I am here for that. Each author brought their twist to the anthology and hammered their words in with skill, and left me wanting, craving, desiring more.
junglewriter's review
5.0
With Anomalies & Curiosities, Cassandra Thompson has proven she’s not only a prolific horror writer. But also an amazing editor. This collection is gothic horror at its best, the kind of anthology Mary Shelley would have written for.
But read with caution, the stories curated here each come with their own dose of dread and are definitely not for the faint of heart.
But read with caution, the stories curated here each come with their own dose of dread and are definitely not for the faint of heart.
leighsnerdlife's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
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