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netslummer's review
4.0
This collection of short horror stories really exceeded my expectations. I normally find short horror story collections to be very hit or miss but I really truly enjoyed the majority of these. My two favorites were Coma Toast and Polybus.
I took reading this very slowly, reading one story every few days to let them all sink in. I think Marsella is really talented and highly recommend this to horror fans.
TW: violence, gore, sexual assault, neglect and child abuse, animal cruelty, death, suicide, religion, cannibalism, and substance abuse.
I took reading this very slowly, reading one story every few days to let them all sink in. I think Marsella is really talented and highly recommend this to horror fans.
TW: violence, gore, sexual assault, neglect and child abuse, animal cruelty, death, suicide, religion, cannibalism, and substance abuse.
sofeeeee's review
5.0
I have never really read short story collections as i've never really been a fan of short stories but I found this book amazing every short story was wonderuly written and tidily wrapped up as to not leave any story/plot holes(my biggest gripe) again joshua marsella kmocked it out of the park with this one and I will definately be reading more of his work as I've been sold on his very great writing. 10/10 would/have recommended. Complete side note but I loved the story of the young man(forgot his name) and sam's intervention such a beautiful story in the middle of all the horror.
aaronlindsey's review
5.0
These short stories have a classic horror feel. Some of the scares are subtle, kind of like Shirley Jackson-ish. All were entertaining.
I love to end my days with a short story and this book has been on my nightstand for a while now. I would have moved it to the top a lot sooner if I'd know I would enjoy it so much.
I love to end my days with a short story and this book has been on my nightstand for a while now. I would have moved it to the top a lot sooner if I'd know I would enjoy it so much.
stephv99's review
5.0
This short story collection was an amazing read!! It was dark but had lots of heartbreak as well. It’s a fantastic horror anthology!! It was a quick read and it blew me away
kathleenabby's review
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
A selection of short horror stories surrounding desperation, grief, hate. These stories are haunting and chilling but best of all incredibly human.
night_shift's review
dark
fast-paced
2.5
Truly, I'm in the minority with this it seems but I'm just not a huge fan of any story in here. I don't know if it has to do with none of them being particularly shocking or scary to me, the clear lack of a good editor, or just stylistic choices that annoy me.
'Sacrifice' is fine and probably the best of the bunch, though the ending 'gut punch' folks talk about was pretty obvious from the get go. 'Unholy Communion' could've been better had the story not revealed immediately that the main character at least lives long enough to tell the tale, thus destroying any tension it might've had. 'Coma Toast's title gave me a chuckle. 'Polypus' has good cosmic horror vibes.
Overall, there is some gorgeous and/or grotesque imagery Marsella scatters throughout, but it isn't enough to carry it solidly into 'recommend' territory for me.
As for Marsella's novellas 'Scratches' and 'Severed'... I really don't know if I'll check them out.
'Sacrifice' is fine and probably the best of the bunch, though the ending 'gut punch' folks talk about was pretty obvious from the get go. 'Unholy Communion' could've been better had the story not revealed immediately that the main character at least lives long enough to tell the tale, thus destroying any tension it might've had. 'Coma Toast's title gave me a chuckle. 'Polypus' has good cosmic horror vibes.
Overall, there is some gorgeous and/or grotesque imagery Marsella scatters throughout, but it isn't enough to carry it solidly into 'recommend' territory for me.
As for Marsella's novellas 'Scratches' and 'Severed'... I really don't know if I'll check them out.
alwaysaudreyreads's review
4.0
"A mother is willing to sacrifice it all to save her unborn child...
A pair of fishermen reel in a catch they'll soon regret..
A mysterious puzzle holds an ancient secret...
...and ten more wicked tales of the macabre from the remarkably disturbed mind of Joshua Marsella."
My Thoughts:
As with all short story collections I enjoyed some more than others, but overall this is a solid collection. This collection was a cocktail of genres; horror, fantasy, sci-fi, and post apocalypse to name a few. I love the mix of genres throughout the collection which keeps each story fresh and exciting. With all of that said, please look up trigger warnings for this collection (Which Joshua Marsella does include at the end of the book, but they do contain some spoilers).The overall theme of this collection is dark and disturbing, which is absolutely perfect for my horror loving heart.
Well done collection!
Thank you to @joshua_marsella for the gifted copy of this book.
A pair of fishermen reel in a catch they'll soon regret..
A mysterious puzzle holds an ancient secret...
...and ten more wicked tales of the macabre from the remarkably disturbed mind of Joshua Marsella."
My Thoughts:
As with all short story collections I enjoyed some more than others, but overall this is a solid collection. This collection was a cocktail of genres; horror, fantasy, sci-fi, and post apocalypse to name a few. I love the mix of genres throughout the collection which keeps each story fresh and exciting. With all of that said, please look up trigger warnings for this collection (Which Joshua Marsella does include at the end of the book, but they do contain some spoilers).The overall theme of this collection is dark and disturbing, which is absolutely perfect for my horror loving heart.
Well done collection!
Thank you to @joshua_marsella for the gifted copy of this book.
raincorbyn's review
5.0
It was an absolute pleasure to revisit these creepy, haunting, arrestingly human stories, to adapt them into audio.
The settings and tones are varied, but the quality and gutsiness are consistent. Throughout, there is a sense of fairness that spoke to me. Fairness in revenge, horror in unresolved violence, and human decency at stake all the way through.
Aliens, horror warped Christmases, a splash of Catholic creeps, and real, honest grief await you in Hunger For Death. I hope you clear your plate.
The settings and tones are varied, but the quality and gutsiness are consistent. Throughout, there is a sense of fairness that spoke to me. Fairness in revenge, horror in unresolved violence, and human decency at stake all the way through.
Aliens, horror warped Christmases, a splash of Catholic creeps, and real, honest grief await you in Hunger For Death. I hope you clear your plate.
nwreader's review
4.0
This is a solid short story collection. If you like horror stories that are on the darker/sadder side (mmeeeeee!) then you will most likely get enjoyment from this book. One of the overarching themes I got from this was that people suck.
There are 13 stories in this collection all ranging from gross body horror to more psychological cosmic-ish terror. The thing that I liked most about this book is that, yes, there are moments of actual "monster" moments BUT the true horror comes from the humans themselves. I find death, murder and morally bad characters more terrifying than anything else. Marsella shows the ugly sides of people in these stories and I loved it. I feel there are different "sub-genres" of horror in this that will appeal to most people who enjoy quick, dark narratives. These stories gave me a feeling as if you are around a campfire at night in the woods and listening to someone share these tales.
I think this is a great first short story collection and with Marsella being on my auto-read list, I can't wait for his next book to come out!
My Favorite Stories:
- A ROOM FULL OF TOYS: Loved the vibe with this one; heartbreaking and bone chilling.
- TO FEAST WITH ORPHANS: This one made me laugh a little but I love a good revenge type story and creepy children! (Also, a great Christmas story)
- A TRAILER PARK CHRISTMAS: Yes, another fun Christmas story involving a punishment in some way.
- UNHOLY COMMUNION: Midnight Mass vibes (religious horror) but WOW..the climatic scene was done brilliantly. It was gross and shocking. Loved it.
- SACRIFICE: Lots of tension and the ending just ripped my heart out (I like to feel emotions).
**I'd like to note that the TW/CW are listed at the back of the book if you are at all interested. You can also always message me and I can give you a heads up.
*Thank you to the author for an e-arc copy in exchange for my honest review.
There are 13 stories in this collection all ranging from gross body horror to more psychological cosmic-ish terror. The thing that I liked most about this book is that, yes, there are moments of actual "monster" moments BUT the true horror comes from the humans themselves. I find death, murder and morally bad characters more terrifying than anything else. Marsella shows the ugly sides of people in these stories and I loved it. I feel there are different "sub-genres" of horror in this that will appeal to most people who enjoy quick, dark narratives. These stories gave me a feeling as if you are around a campfire at night in the woods and listening to someone share these tales.
I think this is a great first short story collection and with Marsella being on my auto-read list, I can't wait for his next book to come out!
My Favorite Stories:
- A ROOM FULL OF TOYS: Loved the vibe with this one; heartbreaking and bone chilling.
- TO FEAST WITH ORPHANS: This one made me laugh a little but I love a good revenge type story and creepy children! (Also, a great Christmas story)
- A TRAILER PARK CHRISTMAS: Yes, another fun Christmas story involving a punishment in some way.
- UNHOLY COMMUNION: Midnight Mass vibes (religious horror) but WOW..the climatic scene was done brilliantly. It was gross and shocking. Loved it.
- SACRIFICE: Lots of tension and the ending just ripped my heart out (I like to feel emotions).
**I'd like to note that the TW/CW are listed at the back of the book if you are at all interested. You can also always message me and I can give you a heads up.
*Thank you to the author for an e-arc copy in exchange for my honest review.