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kimberlyf's review against another edition
3.0
This short story collection averages out to 3.5 stars for me, rounded down.
Mr. Dark’s Carnival by Glen Hirshberg:
Halloween is Professor David Roemer’s favorite day of the year. The story opens with David discussing the mysterious, legendary Mr. Dark’s Carnival with his students. Nobody has ever been or knows anyone who has ever been… Which begs the question, is it even real? Or just another urban legend?
5⭐️ The atmosphere was killer, as was the plot. The longest story in this collection and my absolute favorite.
The Facts in the Case of My Sister by Lee Thomas:
As a child, David was a believer in magic and used his sister, Joyce, as the subject of his magic tricks. Later in life, Joyce suffers an accident and David calls upon a past trick to get answers.
3⭐️ Touches of real life terror. A cautionary tale.
Mischief Night by Holly Newstein :
In Pennsylvania, the night before Halloween is known as Mischief Night where kids play harmless pranks. That is, until one turns deadly… Willard Cole is an old drunk (though he promised himself as a child that he would never allow that to happen). What does one have to do with the other?
4⭐️ Not so much horror as it is just down right sad.
The Ghost Maker by Del James:
A mob hit man has to watch his back any day of the year but especially on Halloween night.
2⭐️ This started out as an interesting story line but ultimately, did nothing for me. It doesn’t feel like it fit in this collection.
The Pumpkin Boy by Al Sarrantonio:
Jody Wendt is on his own for half an hour every day until his mom gets home. He knows he’s not supposed to leave the house but when the pumpkin boy walks by his window, he can’t help himself… Len Schneider’s past ghosts haunt him. After all, it’s why he moved away from Milwaukee. But his ghosts seem to be following him…
3.5⭐️
This was a true grab bag of stories, some awfully savory where others were just ok. I definitely enjoyed the first collection more than the second. See you for my review of the next installment
Mr. Dark’s Carnival by Glen Hirshberg:
Halloween is Professor David Roemer’s favorite day of the year. The story opens with David discussing the mysterious, legendary Mr. Dark’s Carnival with his students. Nobody has ever been or knows anyone who has ever been… Which begs the question, is it even real? Or just another urban legend?
5⭐️ The atmosphere was killer, as was the plot. The longest story in this collection and my absolute favorite.
The Facts in the Case of My Sister by Lee Thomas:
As a child, David was a believer in magic and used his sister, Joyce, as the subject of his magic tricks. Later in life, Joyce suffers an accident and David calls upon a past trick to get answers.
3⭐️ Touches of real life terror. A cautionary tale.
Mischief Night by Holly Newstein :
In Pennsylvania, the night before Halloween is known as Mischief Night where kids play harmless pranks. That is, until one turns deadly… Willard Cole is an old drunk (though he promised himself as a child that he would never allow that to happen). What does one have to do with the other?
4⭐️ Not so much horror as it is just down right sad.
The Ghost Maker by Del James:
A mob hit man has to watch his back any day of the year but especially on Halloween night.
2⭐️ This started out as an interesting story line but ultimately, did nothing for me. It doesn’t feel like it fit in this collection.
The Pumpkin Boy by Al Sarrantonio:
Jody Wendt is on his own for half an hour every day until his mom gets home. He knows he’s not supposed to leave the house but when the pumpkin boy walks by his window, he can’t help himself… Len Schneider’s past ghosts haunt him. After all, it’s why he moved away from Milwaukee. But his ghosts seem to be following him…
3.5⭐️
This was a true grab bag of stories, some awfully savory where others were just ok. I definitely enjoyed the first collection more than the second. See you for my review of the next installment
maeghin's review against another edition
4.0
With Halloween just around the corner this is a perfect read to get you into the Halloween spirit.
MR DARKS CARNIVAL
The best story in this volume. Who doesn’t love a haunted house urban legend...the ending was a bit predictable but that is what made it so great.
THE FACTS IN THE CASE OF MY SISTER
Not very Halloweenish but it does deal with monsters and it covers one of the worst ones.
MISCHIEF NIGHT
This story follows a group of boys that are up to no good.
THE GHOST MAKER
A mafia related Halloween story
THE PUMPKIN BOY
Detectives, missing children, sinister clowns and a walking talking robotic pumpkin boy, this story was great though I felt like it could have been longer.
MR DARKS CARNIVAL
The best story in this volume. Who doesn’t love a haunted house urban legend...the ending was a bit predictable but that is what made it so great.
THE FACTS IN THE CASE OF MY SISTER
Not very Halloweenish but it does deal with monsters and it covers one of the worst ones.
MISCHIEF NIGHT
This story follows a group of boys that are up to no good.
THE GHOST MAKER
A mafia related Halloween story
THE PUMPKIN BOY
Detectives, missing children, sinister clowns and a walking talking robotic pumpkin boy, this story was great though I felt like it could have been longer.
dnemec's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second in a series of five Halloween Carnivals. The anthology features 5 different authors and are centered on Halloween. I like the idea that the publisher is releasing one a week in October, gearing up for the holiday.
As with all anthologies, I had my favorites. I have read some of Al Sarrantino's Orangefield books and stories in the past and enjoyed them. The Pumpkin Boy did not disappoint. My favorite of the bunch though was Glen Hirshberg's Mr. Dark's Carnival. A college history professor well-versed in local legends finds out the truth behind long-rumored tales of Mr. Dark's Carnival. There is a lot of background and story building up to the end, which while close, I did not quite guess. I found it strangely alluring - both the story and the carnival. Definitely the best, in my opinion.
As with all anthologies, I had my favorites. I have read some of Al Sarrantino's Orangefield books and stories in the past and enjoyed them. The Pumpkin Boy did not disappoint. My favorite of the bunch though was Glen Hirshberg's Mr. Dark's Carnival. A college history professor well-versed in local legends finds out the truth behind long-rumored tales of Mr. Dark's Carnival. There is a lot of background and story building up to the end, which while close, I did not quite guess. I found it strangely alluring - both the story and the carnival. Definitely the best, in my opinion.
titanic's review against another edition
2.0
Although this book was much better than the first volume, the stories still weren't that great. I was planning on reading the entire series if I enjoyed this volume but I didn't, they were okay but the moment I move onto another book I'm going to forget what they were all about so clearly there wasn't anything special about them. I also noticed that some of them struggled to include Halloween which I thought was odd, but in general, I didn't dislike any of these stories like I did with the first volume. However, this volume did have stories that left me confused and not in a good way. One, in particular, I reread the ending, and it still made zero sense. Eh, oh well.
reytru1065's review against another edition
4.0
What a great collection of short spooky stories. Some of the stories fell short for me but overall this is a great quick read to get into the Halloween spirit!!
mad_about_books's review against another edition
5.0
Halloween brings all our demons to the fore. It is a time to suspend disbelief and don that witch hat or ghost sheet and roam the night looking for the chills associated with meeting up with the dead. Making children shriek with delightful fear is a pastime in which some indulge. Others do mischief to their neighbors. It is a time to indulge your greatest fears.
In the lead up to Halloween this year, Brian James Freeman is setting several anthologies out into the wilds of readers' imaginations to make their skin crawl a little and the need to sleep with a light on just that much more appealing.
Buckle up and enjoy (is that the right sentiment?) the second volume of HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL.
MR. DARK’S CARNIVAL by Glen Hirshberg
Here is a longish tale of search and denial in the realm of possibilities. Fact or folklore? It's up to you to decide. (4-stars)
THE FACTS IN THE CASE OF MY SISTER by Lee Thomas
Halloween is the time for monsters and magic, but what about the other 364 days and nights in the year? We tell our children that monsters don't exist and hope that nothing ever proves us wrong. (5 stars)
MISCHIEF NIGHT by Holly Newstein
Seventh grade boys will be boys, or something like that. Put seventh grade boys onto a night made for vengeful pranks and you have a recipe for disaster. Fortunately, those boys do grow up. (5 stars)
THE GHOST MAKER by Del James
Bada bing, bada boom… a bit of noir for a change of pace. (4 stars)
THE PUMPKIN BOY by Al Sarrantonio
Here is scary Halloween as seen through the eyes of a child. Sometimes, you just need to believe what they say no matter how much you might want to resist. If you have children, you know your greatest fear. (5-stars)
In the lead up to Halloween this year, Brian James Freeman is setting several anthologies out into the wilds of readers' imaginations to make their skin crawl a little and the need to sleep with a light on just that much more appealing.
Buckle up and enjoy (is that the right sentiment?) the second volume of HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL.
MR. DARK’S CARNIVAL by Glen Hirshberg
Here is a longish tale of search and denial in the realm of possibilities. Fact or folklore? It's up to you to decide. (4-stars)
THE FACTS IN THE CASE OF MY SISTER by Lee Thomas
Halloween is the time for monsters and magic, but what about the other 364 days and nights in the year? We tell our children that monsters don't exist and hope that nothing ever proves us wrong. (5 stars)
MISCHIEF NIGHT by Holly Newstein
Seventh grade boys will be boys, or something like that. Put seventh grade boys onto a night made for vengeful pranks and you have a recipe for disaster. Fortunately, those boys do grow up. (5 stars)
THE GHOST MAKER by Del James
Bada bing, bada boom… a bit of noir for a change of pace. (4 stars)
THE PUMPKIN BOY by Al Sarrantonio
Here is scary Halloween as seen through the eyes of a child. Sometimes, you just need to believe what they say no matter how much you might want to resist. If you have children, you know your greatest fear. (5-stars)
jamiethelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fair collection of short stories, but as usual some stories rose above the others. Mr. Dark’s Carnival and The Ghost Maker fell flat for me while The Facts in the Case of My Sister, Mischief Night, and The Pumpkin Boy were perfect for pre-Halloween reading.
This is a fair collection of short stories, but as usual some stories rose above the others. Mr. Dark’s Carnival and The Ghost Maker fell flat for me while The Facts in the Case of My Sister, Mischief Night, and The Pumpkin Boy were perfect for pre-Halloween reading.
tyler_j's review against another edition
3.75
Actual Rating: 3.7 stars
TW: Death, Suicide, Murder, Gun, Alcoholism, Abuse
Mr. Dark’s Carnival by Glen Hirshberg- 4.5 stars
A ghost story in Montana. David, a college professor, teaches a class about folklore and his favorite part of the course is about the folk tale of Mr. Dark’s Carnival. It’s been rumored for years that a mysterous carnival pops up and only a certain few people get chosen to attend. He has never met anyone that has been to the carnival and doesn’t believe it exists, until he gets his ticket.
I loved the story, the creepiness, the folk lore, the atmosphere, and the carnival. The ending had me wanting to cry!
The Facts in the Case of My Sister by Lee Thomas- 5 stars
At 11 years old David gets into magic and hypnosis, using his new found talent on his 8 year old sister Joyce. Later in life Joyce ends up in the hospital from an “accident” that he doesn’t believe was an accident at all. This story was so heart-wrenching and had me in tears. David pulls a trick from his past to bring to light what really happened and learns that magic has consequences, even when ment for good, beyond what an 11 year old can see, and that sometimes, believing in monsters is a good thing. It’s all in the wording.
Mischief Night by Holly Newstein- 5 stars
Mischief Night in Pennsylvania some kids play annoying though harmless pranks. TPing trees, egging cars. But sometimes lines get crossed and things can get deadly. Willard, an old man had a good life with a wife and kids. Never drinking due to growing up with a nasty drunk for a father. In his retirement he figures it’s a harmless way to celebrate, but the bottle doesn’t let go of him. A troubled teen stumbles into his basement on mischief night. Can Willard’s bad decisions help the troubled teen on the path he’s on?
This story also had me in tears.
The Ghost Maker by Del James- 2.5 stars
You have to be on guard when your a mob hit man, especially on Halloween. Truthfully I liked it until the end only because I didn’t get it.
The Pumpkin Boy by Al Sarrantonio- 1.5 stars
Jody is home alone, 5 years old, for ½ an hour everyday after his babysitter leaves and before mom gets home. He knows he isn’t supposed to leave the house but he can’t resist following a pumpkin boy. A boy with metal for a body and a pumpkin for a head. There’s more to it but I didn’t understand it. Other people do though so i’m thinking this is a “it’s me” problem and not the story.
I loved 3 out of 5 stories and the other 2 I just didn't get personally but others have. I definitely recommend this anthology and enjoyed it even more than the first! I do plan on picking up the other 3 too! Thank you to Netgalley and Hydra for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
TW: Death, Suicide, Murder, Gun, Alcoholism, Abuse
Mr. Dark’s Carnival by Glen Hirshberg- 4.5 stars
A ghost story in Montana. David, a college professor, teaches a class about folklore and his favorite part of the course is about the folk tale of Mr. Dark’s Carnival. It’s been rumored for years that a mysterous carnival pops up and only a certain few people get chosen to attend. He has never met anyone that has been to the carnival and doesn’t believe it exists, until he gets his ticket.
I loved the story, the creepiness, the folk lore, the atmosphere, and the carnival. The ending had me wanting to cry!
The Facts in the Case of My Sister by Lee Thomas- 5 stars
At 11 years old David gets into magic and hypnosis, using his new found talent on his 8 year old sister Joyce. Later in life Joyce ends up in the hospital from an “accident” that he doesn’t believe was an accident at all. This story was so heart-wrenching and had me in tears. David pulls a trick from his past to bring to light what really happened and learns that magic has consequences, even when ment for good, beyond what an 11 year old can see, and that sometimes, believing in monsters is a good thing. It’s all in the wording.
Mischief Night by Holly Newstein- 5 stars
Mischief Night in Pennsylvania some kids play annoying though harmless pranks. TPing trees, egging cars. But sometimes lines get crossed and things can get deadly. Willard, an old man had a good life with a wife and kids. Never drinking due to growing up with a nasty drunk for a father. In his retirement he figures it’s a harmless way to celebrate, but the bottle doesn’t let go of him. A troubled teen stumbles into his basement on mischief night. Can Willard’s bad decisions help the troubled teen on the path he’s on?
This story also had me in tears.
The Ghost Maker by Del James- 2.5 stars
You have to be on guard when your a mob hit man, especially on Halloween. Truthfully I liked it until the end only because I didn’t get it.
The Pumpkin Boy by Al Sarrantonio- 1.5 stars
Jody is home alone, 5 years old, for ½ an hour everyday after his babysitter leaves and before mom gets home. He knows he isn’t supposed to leave the house but he can’t resist following a pumpkin boy. A boy with metal for a body and a pumpkin for a head. There’s more to it but I didn’t understand it. Other people do though so i’m thinking this is a “it’s me” problem and not the story.
I loved 3 out of 5 stories and the other 2 I just didn't get personally but others have. I definitely recommend this anthology and enjoyed it even more than the first! I do plan on picking up the other 3 too! Thank you to Netgalley and Hydra for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
charlisbookbox's review
3.0
While I loved Halloween Carnival Volume One, I wasn’t quite as impressed with Halloween Carnival Volume Two.
To my idea, the best story in this batch of five stories was Mr. Dark’s Carnival by Glen Hirshberg. It added a twist at the end that I honestly didn’t see coming. I’m not sure why, but I didn’t see it coming. It was awesome, creepy, and just like when I watched The Sixth Sense, there were clues that I didn’t realize pointed to the ending.
The Facts in the Case of My Sister by Lee Thomas wasn’t too bad either. I kind of figured what was going on, but there were a couple of subtle things that startled me that had nothing to do with the actual story line, but were just awesome things to see in the story. While this story was predictable, it was very good.
Mischief Night by Holly Newstein wasn’t even memorable enough for me to remember what the story was about. I literally finished the book less than 24 hours ago and have no clue what that story was about.
The Ghost Maker by Del James wasn’t scary or creepy. It didn’t even fit as horror, sci fi, or fantasy. There was nothing horror about it. It was so straight forward that I just didn’t see the point in it being there.
The Pumpkin Boy by Al Sarrantonio was just plain weird. I have no idea what the author was going for, but I’m assuming weird wasn’t it. It had a plot twist that just didn’t make a lick of sense because you didn’t know enough about the backstory. I think it could have been a better story if the backstory behind it had been better fleshed out.
All in all, the only reason this collection didn’t get 2 stars was because of Mr. Dark’s Carnival – that was a great story and I’d love to see more like that in Volumes 3-5.
***I received a copy of this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.***
To my idea, the best story in this batch of five stories was Mr. Dark’s Carnival by Glen Hirshberg. It added a twist at the end that I honestly didn’t see coming. I’m not sure why, but I didn’t see it coming. It was awesome, creepy, and just like when I watched The Sixth Sense, there were clues that I didn’t realize pointed to the ending.
The Facts in the Case of My Sister by Lee Thomas wasn’t too bad either. I kind of figured what was going on, but there were a couple of subtle things that startled me that had nothing to do with the actual story line, but were just awesome things to see in the story. While this story was predictable, it was very good.
Mischief Night by Holly Newstein wasn’t even memorable enough for me to remember what the story was about. I literally finished the book less than 24 hours ago and have no clue what that story was about.
The Ghost Maker by Del James wasn’t scary or creepy. It didn’t even fit as horror, sci fi, or fantasy. There was nothing horror about it. It was so straight forward that I just didn’t see the point in it being there.
The Pumpkin Boy by Al Sarrantonio was just plain weird. I have no idea what the author was going for, but I’m assuming weird wasn’t it. It had a plot twist that just didn’t make a lick of sense because you didn’t know enough about the backstory. I think it could have been a better story if the backstory behind it had been better fleshed out.
All in all, the only reason this collection didn’t get 2 stars was because of Mr. Dark’s Carnival – that was a great story and I’d love to see more like that in Volumes 3-5.
***I received a copy of this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.***
jamiethelibrarian's review
3.0
I received an advanced readers copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a fair collection of short stories, but as usual some stories rose above the others. Mr. Dark’s Carnival and The Ghost Maker fell flat for me while The Facts in the Case of My Sister, Mischief Night, and The Pumpkin Boy were perfect for pre-Halloween reading.
This is a fair collection of short stories, but as usual some stories rose above the others. Mr. Dark’s Carnival and The Ghost Maker fell flat for me while The Facts in the Case of My Sister, Mischief Night, and The Pumpkin Boy were perfect for pre-Halloween reading.