Scan barcode
casanovamacleod's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
barmyjen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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
5.0
This book was an ARC given to me. This is my no spoiler review.
The Paperboy is wonderfully creepy- 5 stars.
The Man Who Lost Paradise is an interesting take on both possession and addiction- 4 stars.
The September Laments of Annaleigh is a dark tale about family life- 3.5 stars.
Flesh is a story of survival- 4 stars.
At Peace Now? is about a lone survivor in an empty city- 5 stars.
Ghost Train; sometimes you just have to see a ghost no matter the consequences- 4 stars.
John Walker is a good narrator, with a strong clear voice who really sells the stories. Overall I give this collection 5 stars
The Paperboy is wonderfully creepy- 5 stars.
The Man Who Lost Paradise is an interesting take on both possession and addiction- 4 stars.
The September Laments of Annaleigh is a dark tale about family life- 3.5 stars.
Flesh is a story of survival- 4 stars.
At Peace Now? is about a lone survivor in an empty city- 5 stars.
Ghost Train; sometimes you just have to see a ghost no matter the consequences- 4 stars.
John Walker is a good narrator, with a strong clear voice who really sells the stories. Overall I give this collection 5 stars
vondav's review against another edition
4.0
As soon as I know there is a new anthology from KJK Publishing I will pre-order regardless of the theme.
The Paperboy by Amy Cross: As the paper is being delivered, one resident has an unhealthy obsession with his paperboy. Will seeing his eyes explain what’s going on? The descriptive style has you wondering what exactly had happened to the resident and was is he obsessed with the paperboy’s eyes. It is not till the end do you find out what exactly happened.
The Man who Lost Paradise by JC Michael: A drug addict is hunting for the ultimate fix, but what he has to do is worse than Hell. This story does not romanticise drug taking, it shows just how bad it can be. The main character had no qualms of doing what he wanted to, to get his next fix and due to his circumstances found it all too easy. However, halfway through the story, I actually started to feel sorry for him and I could understand what he wanted to achieve.
The September Laments of Annaleigh by Matthew Brockmeyer: A family trying to survive living in the wilderness. From the start this had a dystopian feel, a family living off the land and eating what they catch, but as the story continues you soon realise that there is something not right with them. Think of the families in all your favourite horror films, but it’s not just the family that you need to worry about but what is kept in the sty.
Flesh by Kevin J Kennedy: Two tribes have learnt to adapt by living underground. As I was reading this I was imagining the Morlock. Whilst you think this is a story about cannibalism, the dead have a unique way of fighting back. As the story is set underground it has a claustrophobic feel to it and that all is lost.
At Peace Now? By Lex H Jones: Ethan has important news for everyone. As you start this story this feels like a quest in an epic fantasy. Scattered throughout is the story behind him being there. Not much is known about the creature who is following him, but it all comes dangerously clear at the end.
Ghost Train by Mike Duke: A train crashing into a school bus killing many, triggered regular hauntings. Years on people are still talking about the ghostly train. Now four boys want to see if the stories are true. The bond between the four boys was as strong as brothers. When one of them was in danger whether it was from bullies or the train, they all fought together. This is a coming of age story with a great ending.
As this book has 6 stories, I read it pretty quickly and I need to congratulate KJK on another good author selection. Without a theme, there is a good mixture of horror and whilst I still had a favourite, I enjoyed reading them all. I’m looking forward to what will come next from KJK publishing
The Paperboy by Amy Cross: As the paper is being delivered, one resident has an unhealthy obsession with his paperboy. Will seeing his eyes explain what’s going on? The descriptive style has you wondering what exactly had happened to the resident and was is he obsessed with the paperboy’s eyes. It is not till the end do you find out what exactly happened.
The Man who Lost Paradise by JC Michael: A drug addict is hunting for the ultimate fix, but what he has to do is worse than Hell. This story does not romanticise drug taking, it shows just how bad it can be. The main character had no qualms of doing what he wanted to, to get his next fix and due to his circumstances found it all too easy. However, halfway through the story, I actually started to feel sorry for him and I could understand what he wanted to achieve.
The September Laments of Annaleigh by Matthew Brockmeyer: A family trying to survive living in the wilderness. From the start this had a dystopian feel, a family living off the land and eating what they catch, but as the story continues you soon realise that there is something not right with them. Think of the families in all your favourite horror films, but it’s not just the family that you need to worry about but what is kept in the sty.
Flesh by Kevin J Kennedy: Two tribes have learnt to adapt by living underground. As I was reading this I was imagining the Morlock. Whilst you think this is a story about cannibalism, the dead have a unique way of fighting back. As the story is set underground it has a claustrophobic feel to it and that all is lost.
At Peace Now? By Lex H Jones: Ethan has important news for everyone. As you start this story this feels like a quest in an epic fantasy. Scattered throughout is the story behind him being there. Not much is known about the creature who is following him, but it all comes dangerously clear at the end.
Ghost Train by Mike Duke: A train crashing into a school bus killing many, triggered regular hauntings. Years on people are still talking about the ghostly train. Now four boys want to see if the stories are true. The bond between the four boys was as strong as brothers. When one of them was in danger whether it was from bullies or the train, they all fought together. This is a coming of age story with a great ending.
As this book has 6 stories, I read it pretty quickly and I need to congratulate KJK on another good author selection. Without a theme, there is a good mixture of horror and whilst I still had a favourite, I enjoyed reading them all. I’m looking forward to what will come next from KJK publishing
ericarobyn's review against another edition
4.0
The Horror Collection: Gold Edition is yet another awesome collection of tales that had a story for all types of horror fans; from light horror to heartbreaking and gore filled!
This collection was so much fun!
In this collection, Flesh by Kevin J. Kennedy and Ghost Train by Mike Duke were my two favorites.
Per usual, here are my quick breakdowns and reactions for each story that was included.
The Paperboy by Amy Cross – 4/5
Oh gosh! What an intense loop! I usually hate repetition, but in this case it made the story that much more suspenseful. The obsession with the adult seeing the paperboys eyes was certainly intriguing. I was definitely left wondering what happened after the hat was lifted… and what’s up with all the wounds?
The Man Who Lost Paradise by J.C. Michael -2/5
Woah. What an interesting take on addiction! I liked the possession element to this, but I’m personally not a fan of stories that center around addiction. It was wonderfully written, just not for me.
The September Laments of Annaleigh by Matthew Brockmeyer – 3/5
Jeeze! What a messed up little family. And what in the world were those critters bred for?!
Flesh by Kevin J. Kennedy – 5/5
Ever wonder what would happen if a family lived away from the public, in a cave that over the years, has the ability to change them into lizard-like creatures? Oh goodness!! This certainly made me was to go read The Tale of Sawney Bean again! I loved that this one picked up a time after that book ended. I had been wondering how the family may have fared in later years… What an interesting storyline! I loved the zombie element!
At Peace Now? by Lex H Jones – 4/5
Phew! What an intense tale right from the start! The afterlife is such an interesting thing. I love seeing the different settings that people come up with! I certainly wouldn’t want to end up in this one!
Ghost Train by Mike Duke – 5/5
Oh my goodness. That first scene was brutal. Thoughts of anyone getting into an accident with a train is horrific. But kids? So horrible! I felt bad for the kid that was supposed to be on the bus that day as well! Then we jump to when that kid is all grown up and has a kid of his own named Billy. Billy and his friends want to go see the rumored ghost train… of course that sets off a tale of mystery and determination to get their friends back.
My Final Thoughts:
I read this while on an early morning flight from Boston to Phoenix and I was totally drawn in. Thank goodness too, because I hate flying! This helped pass the time wonderfully!
This collection was so much fun!
In this collection, Flesh by Kevin J. Kennedy and Ghost Train by Mike Duke were my two favorites.
Per usual, here are my quick breakdowns and reactions for each story that was included.
The Paperboy by Amy Cross – 4/5
Oh gosh! What an intense loop! I usually hate repetition, but in this case it made the story that much more suspenseful. The obsession with the adult seeing the paperboys eyes was certainly intriguing. I was definitely left wondering what happened after the hat was lifted… and what’s up with all the wounds?
The Man Who Lost Paradise by J.C. Michael -2/5
Woah. What an interesting take on addiction! I liked the possession element to this, but I’m personally not a fan of stories that center around addiction. It was wonderfully written, just not for me.
The September Laments of Annaleigh by Matthew Brockmeyer – 3/5
Jeeze! What a messed up little family. And what in the world were those critters bred for?!
Flesh by Kevin J. Kennedy – 5/5
Ever wonder what would happen if a family lived away from the public, in a cave that over the years, has the ability to change them into lizard-like creatures? Oh goodness!! This certainly made me was to go read The Tale of Sawney Bean again! I loved that this one picked up a time after that book ended. I had been wondering how the family may have fared in later years… What an interesting storyline! I loved the zombie element!
At Peace Now? by Lex H Jones – 4/5
Phew! What an intense tale right from the start! The afterlife is such an interesting thing. I love seeing the different settings that people come up with! I certainly wouldn’t want to end up in this one!
Ghost Train by Mike Duke – 5/5
Oh my goodness. That first scene was brutal. Thoughts of anyone getting into an accident with a train is horrific. But kids? So horrible! I felt bad for the kid that was supposed to be on the bus that day as well! Then we jump to when that kid is all grown up and has a kid of his own named Billy. Billy and his friends want to go see the rumored ghost train… of course that sets off a tale of mystery and determination to get their friends back.
My Final Thoughts:
I read this while on an early morning flight from Boston to Phoenix and I was totally drawn in. Thank goodness too, because I hate flying! This helped pass the time wonderfully!
More...