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aileen_710's review
dark
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? It's complicated
3.0
angustiacosmica's review
5.0
The joy I felt from revisiting these stories is indescribable. Imagine visiting an old friend you haven't seen in years, that's exactly what this felt like.
It's no news that C. K. Walker's era in Nosleep, back in 2015's or so was its golden era. I would hungrily devour every single post and dwell them for days to come. And it's not just me, everyone who visited the sub back then agrees with the notion, it nurtured some of the best horror up to date.
I read most of these online back then and they still hold up as strongly as when I first read them, eyes straining against Nosleep's black and white theme.
Good times.
Looking forward to catching up with all of it again.
It's no news that C. K. Walker's era in Nosleep, back in 2015's or so was its golden era. I would hungrily devour every single post and dwell them for days to come. And it's not just me, everyone who visited the sub back then agrees with the notion, it nurtured some of the best horror up to date.
I read most of these online back then and they still hold up as strongly as when I first read them, eyes straining against Nosleep's black and white theme.
Good times.
Looking forward to catching up with all of it again.
tcgarback's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
⭐️ ⭐️
Critical Score: D+
Personal Score: C+
Reading Experience: 📘📘📘(3/5)
Poorly written, with plot holes and obvious typos everywhere, this feels like a pitiful collection at first glance. But there are a few standouts, and they stand out because Walker is moderately skilled at creeping us out. I just wish she exercised this skill more.
I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone unless they’re famished for creepy stories in the creepypasta realm—I wouldn’t classify these as creepypastas stylistically, and that’s the main reason I didn’t have more fun, as I can overlook mechanical and craft issues but need to be unsettled if I’m to walk away happy.
My ranking of the stories:
“Paradise Pine” A-. Scared the crap out of me, which is surprising because it relies on familiar ingredients.
“The Lost Town of Deepwood, Pennsylvania, Part One” A-. Super similar to Borrasca, but that’s more of a compliment than an insult. Cozy, creepy fun with an unsettling and somehow emotional ending.
“The Creek” B+. Depressing. A sad, terrible thing.
“Gin and Toxic” B+. An entertaining turn away from horror with an ending that leaves something wanting.
“The Glen” B. Meh until the twist that caught me off-guard.
“The Disappearance of Emily Morgan” B-. Pretty run-of-the-mill, but I look back on it fondly.
“Betsy the Doll” B-. It was nice to see the doll trope taken in a different direction, although this one is unscary and underwhelming in hindsight.
“June 10th, 1999” B-. A slightly goofy twist that leaves plot holes Walker could have easily dodged, but creeped me out at first.
“Death at 423 Steerborn Street” C+. Painfully predictable from the get-go, otherwise would have made for a nasty little tale.
“The Lost Town of Deepwood, Pennsylvania, Part Two” C+. Way too long and not scary like Part One, this kills the established story arc in the same way Borrasca’s Part 5 did. But I was mildly invested, nonetheless.
“The Afterlife Experiment” C. Super (and knowingly) unoriginal and STILL manages to be embarrassingly predictable. Despite all that, it’s still a fun, cozy read.
“Who Killed Jacob Bennett?” C-. Inoffensive because of how short it is, but overall too bland and predictable to stick with me; I had to keep flipping back to remember what this was about.
Critical Score: D+
Personal Score: C+
Reading Experience: 📘📘📘(3/5)
Poorly written, with plot holes and obvious typos everywhere, this feels like a pitiful collection at first glance. But there are a few standouts, and they stand out because Walker is moderately skilled at creeping us out. I just wish she exercised this skill more.
I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone unless they’re famished for creepy stories in the creepypasta realm—I wouldn’t classify these as creepypastas stylistically, and that’s the main reason I didn’t have more fun, as I can overlook mechanical and craft issues but need to be unsettled if I’m to walk away happy.
My ranking of the stories:
“Paradise Pine” A-. Scared the crap out of me, which is surprising because it relies on familiar ingredients.
“The Lost Town of Deepwood, Pennsylvania, Part One” A-. Super similar to Borrasca, but that’s more of a compliment than an insult. Cozy, creepy fun with an unsettling and somehow emotional ending.
“The Creek” B+. Depressing. A sad, terrible thing.
“Gin and Toxic” B+. An entertaining turn away from horror with an ending that leaves something wanting.
“The Glen” B. Meh until the twist that caught me off-guard.
“The Disappearance of Emily Morgan” B-. Pretty run-of-the-mill, but I look back on it fondly.
“Betsy the Doll” B-. It was nice to see the doll trope taken in a different direction, although this one is unscary and underwhelming in hindsight.
“June 10th, 1999” B-. A slightly goofy twist that leaves plot holes Walker could have easily dodged, but creeped me out at first.
“Death at 423 Steerborn Street” C+. Painfully predictable from the get-go, otherwise would have made for a nasty little tale.
“The Lost Town of Deepwood, Pennsylvania, Part Two” C+. Way too long and not scary like Part One, this kills the established story arc in the same way Borrasca’s Part 5 did. But I was mildly invested, nonetheless.
“The Afterlife Experiment” C. Super (and knowingly) unoriginal and STILL manages to be embarrassingly predictable. Despite all that, it’s still a fun, cozy read.
“Who Killed Jacob Bennett?” C-. Inoffensive because of how short it is, but overall too bland and predictable to stick with me; I had to keep flipping back to remember what this was about.
tigerlilys's review
3.0
rereading these stories a few years after i first read them. i think i probably enjoyed it more the first time and the writing could be better but the stories are so unique and interesting that those shortcomings can mostly be overlooked.
igetcarriedawayy's review
4.0
Looking for a story that makes you go, “did I actually just read that?” These books are for you. I was hooked on these little short stories and must say Borassca is probably one of my favorite tales I have read, truly captivating and creepy.
“I’ve always felt a little lost in life, like I never received complete instructions on who I'm supposed to be.”
“I’ve always felt a little lost in life, like I never received complete instructions on who I'm supposed to be.”
mothergoosereads's review
4.0
Looking for a story that makes you go, “did I actually just read that?” These books are for you. I was hooked on these little short stories and must say Borassca is probably one of my favorite tales I have read, truly captivating and creepy.
“I’ve always felt a little lost in life, like I never received complete instructions on who I'm supposed to be.”
“I’ve always felt a little lost in life, like I never received complete instructions on who I'm supposed to be.”
alizaydqahtanis's review
3.0
rereading these stories a few years after i first read them. i think i probably enjoyed it more the first time and the writing could be better but the stories are so unique and interesting that those shortcomings can mostly be overlooked.
jimbob_luke's review
5.0
I've had this in my tbr pile for awhile now and decided to give it a shot. Boy, am I glad I did. This collection of tales has a twist in almost every story, and each one surprised me. If, like me, you enjoy reading Creepypastas and/or Nosleep, then this is for you. Perfect seasonal read with Halloween on the way.