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dfs's review
4.0
Good short stories.
Out of the six short stories in this book, my favorites were The Experiment, and The Screaming Void. I noticed that my reading engagement was the highest when reading these two.
For those of you wondering, here are the meanings of the incantations in Small Revolution and The Screaming Void:
Small Revolution
Contarso = account (Portuguese)
rencollo = quarrel? dispute? (Spanish-English Dictionary)
ivist = visit?
Eldri = older (Icelandic)
enn = than (Norwegian)
Kandveer = cane spring (Afrikaans)
The Screaming Void
jasu = brightness (Czech)
bhitho = be (Scottish Gaelic)
Xaant = barn (Somali)
maati = family (Oromo); maati o = don't you (Yoruba) or dirty
otrok = a child (Slovenian)
devosto = devoted (Italian)
What I really liked were the characters in the The Screaming Void. Mrs. Loneagan and Treat (notice the names). When you read the book, it fits so well. As for the mad scientist, that was eerie indeed.
Only four stars because not all the books were that great, but I do applaud the author for trying.
Out of the six short stories in this book, my favorites were The Experiment, and The Screaming Void. I noticed that my reading engagement was the highest when reading these two.
For those of you wondering, here are the meanings of the incantations in Small Revolution and The Screaming Void:
Small Revolution
Contarso = account (Portuguese)
rencollo = quarrel? dispute? (Spanish-English Dictionary)
ivist = visit?
Eldri = older (Icelandic)
enn = than (Norwegian)
Kandveer = cane spring (Afrikaans)
The Screaming Void
jasu = brightness (Czech)
bhitho = be (Scottish Gaelic)
Xaant = barn (Somali)
maati = family (Oromo); maati o = don't you (Yoruba) or dirty
otrok = a child (Slovenian)
devosto = devoted (Italian)
What I really liked were the characters in the The Screaming Void. Mrs. Loneagan and Treat (notice the names). When you read the book, it fits so well. As for the mad scientist, that was eerie indeed.
Only four stars because not all the books were that great, but I do applaud the author for trying.
stephaniieemoon's review
5.0
Book Review ✨ Conjured Darkness: Six Macabre Tales by Michael Jess Alexander
This collection includes six terrible tales that will send shivers down your spine, creep in your mind and maybe sneak into your nightmares.
I really enjoyed the cosmic horror elements in a few of the stories. I don’t tend to read a lot of cosmic horror, but Michael Jess Alexander brought new, fresh ideas to the sub-genre piquing my interest to delve into more
This collection includes six terrible tales that will send shivers down your spine, creep in your mind and maybe sneak into your nightmares.
I really enjoyed the cosmic horror elements in a few of the stories. I don’t tend to read a lot of cosmic horror, but Michael Jess Alexander brought new, fresh ideas to the sub-genre piquing my interest to delve into more
lezlie's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
What do serial killers, trapdoors, human experiments, black cult magic and a big mouth have in common?
They're all included (and much more!) in the latest collection of short stories by Michael Jess Alexander. Three of the stories either scared me or played into existing fears I already have and the other three made me laugh, even though laughing at one of them made me feel bad. ("Small Revolution" - when you read it, you'll understand..)
This makes two amazing collections I've read by this author and instead of slaking my thirst, it only makes me want to read more. The stories are all quick bites of literature that you can use to fill in a break at work, maybe a quick story with your morning coffee - but not before bed. Definitely not before bed!
I love that these stories have a completely different feel from the first collection - it feels like the author started with "gateway" horror in the first collection and leveled up in content and fear factor with this one. Don't let the cool cover art fool you though - these stories are not for the youngsters.
Huge thank you to the author for sharing an ARC with me to read and review! As soon as I read the first collection, I immediately asked if there was anything else in the works at that time and there wasn't anything set then. I was so delighted when the author remembered me when this collection was set to release!
They're all included (and much more!) in the latest collection of short stories by Michael Jess Alexander. Three of the stories either scared me or played into existing fears I already have and the other three made me laugh, even though laughing at one of them made me feel bad. ("Small Revolution" - when you read it, you'll understand..)
This makes two amazing collections I've read by this author and instead of slaking my thirst, it only makes me want to read more. The stories are all quick bites of literature that you can use to fill in a break at work, maybe a quick story with your morning coffee - but not before bed. Definitely not before bed!
I love that these stories have a completely different feel from the first collection - it feels like the author started with "gateway" horror in the first collection and leveled up in content and fear factor with this one. Don't let the cool cover art fool you though - these stories are not for the youngsters.
Huge thank you to the author for sharing an ARC with me to read and review! As soon as I read the first collection, I immediately asked if there was anything else in the works at that time and there wasn't anything set then. I was so delighted when the author remembered me when this collection was set to release!
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