Scan barcode
jzthecatlady's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Thank you to the editor for providing a review copy! I was very excited to read this anthology as my best friend has a story in it! I'm also newer to reading horror so I liked being able to consume a lot of different stories in small increments like this. It helped me get more comfortable within the genre and also hone in more on the types of things I'm really drawn to. Overall I very much enjoyed it and found all the stories to be well written. I provided more individualized reviews of each story below.
Hannah by Nikoline Kaiser ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I really enjoyed this story. It was a unique premise and the protagonist was a compelling character. I docked one star because I felt everything at the end wrapped up so neatly it was almost incongruous with the rest of the story.
The Molt by Shannon Riley ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - This had some elements of body horror which isn't my personal favorite, but I felt that they were well done. I also felt like it really captured the way that middle schoolers think and behave which made the whole story feel very real.
Jezebels by Valerie Hunter ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - This was one of my favorites of the entire anthology. As someone who grew up in a very religious environment I related to a lot of the themes. This one was especially tragic because most of the elements are things we definitely know happen in real life. The supernatural elements were there in the perfect amount, just enough to be frightening but not enough to take away from the true to life horrors also occurring.
First Blood by Cat Voleur ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I was impressed that this story was able to successfully build a fantasy world and execute the story within it in the confines of a short story format. I found myself wishing the story were longer because I became so invested in the world and the lore.
Mister Wolf by RB Kelly ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I really enjoyed the premise of this and the slow build of tension. I briefly suspected the twist but then I got distracted by other plot points and forgot and so was freshly surprised when it came around. My only complaint was that the background of why people feel ill at ease in the house is never explained so I wasn't fully satisfied when the story came to a close.
Sit Up With Your Dead by Anj Baker ⭐⭐⭐ - This story just wasn't for me. The premise was good but not executed in the best way... despite being the title we never get an explanation as to why we sit up with our dead or how the people came to discover they needed to do that. Also the setting and writing style, while they worked well together, were just not my cup of tea. I did appreciate the little twist midway through.
The End of Limerence by Emma E. Murray ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I found this to be the most heartbreaking story in the collection. Horrifying because it could really happen.
The Radiant Children by Lauren Carter ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - This was a really cool premise, and done in a way I at least haven't seen before. A lot of surprise twists and turns. Found myself again wanting to know more about how the way of this world came to be, even though it's not needed for the story. I was just invested.
We Should Have Turned Back by Ruth Anna Evans ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Again a story that was horrifying because so much of it could totally happen to any one of us. It was tense (in a good way) the entire time. The last couple pages I felt needed reworked a little bit, just to sharpen the wrap up because as it stands it's just a little murky and didn't quite land for me.
Memory in Motion by Caitlin Marceau ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Another one of my favorites in the collection. The emotions were all so raw and clear, I felt every single one while I was reading. And I used to dance so the backdrop was something that really resonated with me.
Happily Ever After by Tasha Reynolds ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - So I had several favorites, what can I say. I really enjoyed the perspective of a younger child and found the premise again quite frightening because of how real it was.
The Revenant by Elise Forier Edie ⭐⭐⭐ - I really liked the setup of this and was excited to see where it went, but I don't feel like it was as successful as it could have been. We never got explanation as to why the ghost needs blood, and then there was the suggestion that the protagonist was mentally unwell, but we never really got groundwork to support that she was an unreliable narrator. I did like how the very end came together but a lot of bits in the middle felt too murky for me.
Spiderella by Chelsea Pumpkins ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I was here for this story until the very last page. I thought it felt real and was well written and the suspense kept building. But we were left with way too many questions at the end and there was a reveal that was foreshadowed (I thought) but then we never got.
Rotpearl by Erin Brown ⭐⭐⭐ - This was another story that I feel like just wasn't for me. The setting and the world didn't feel built enough for me to be able to get invested. The premise was interesting but I was always sort of unclear as to what purpose the mother's backstory served and how it related to the protagonist's journey. It tied together at the end but throughout the story it just wasn't clear how we were meant to feel about the mother or interpret her actions.
The Horror at Foxglove Farm by Cassandra Daucus ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I was very into this story. It was mysterious and spooky but also somehow cozy. I had to dock a star because I just didn't understand what was going on in the final climax sequence, it felt like we needed more explanation that we didn't get. Additionally the end wrapped up almost a bit too neatly.
Sea Glass by Chloe Spencer ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the execution of this premise, it felt very unique. I did find it (in broad strokes) similar to The Molt so I was surprised both were include din this anthology, but I enjoyed this one very much as well. It felt very indicative of the early teen experience and I found all the characters interesting. I did feel like we got a lot of characters set up that we didn't get to see paid off, as there wasn't time to explore them all. A little bit of body horror in this one as well, which isn't my favorite, but was definitely necessary to the story and appropriately done.
Hannah by Nikoline Kaiser ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I really enjoyed this story. It was a unique premise and the protagonist was a compelling character. I docked one star because I felt everything at the end wrapped up so neatly it was almost incongruous with the rest of the story.
The Molt by Shannon Riley ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - This had some elements of body horror which isn't my personal favorite, but I felt that they were well done. I also felt like it really captured the way that middle schoolers think and behave which made the whole story feel very real.
Jezebels by Valerie Hunter ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - This was one of my favorites of the entire anthology. As someone who grew up in a very religious environment I related to a lot of the themes. This one was especially tragic because most of the elements are things we definitely know happen in real life. The supernatural elements were there in the perfect amount, just enough to be frightening but not enough to take away from the true to life horrors also occurring.
First Blood by Cat Voleur ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I was impressed that this story was able to successfully build a fantasy world and execute the story within it in the confines of a short story format. I found myself wishing the story were longer because I became so invested in the world and the lore.
Mister Wolf by RB Kelly ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I really enjoyed the premise of this and the slow build of tension. I briefly suspected the twist but then I got distracted by other plot points and forgot and so was freshly surprised when it came around. My only complaint was that the background of why people feel ill at ease in the house is never explained so I wasn't fully satisfied when the story came to a close.
Sit Up With Your Dead by Anj Baker ⭐⭐⭐ - This story just wasn't for me. The premise was good but not executed in the best way... despite being the title we never get an explanation as to why we sit up with our dead or how the people came to discover they needed to do that. Also the setting and writing style, while they worked well together, were just not my cup of tea. I did appreciate the little twist midway through.
The End of Limerence by Emma E. Murray ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I found this to be the most heartbreaking story in the collection. Horrifying because it could really happen.
The Radiant Children by Lauren Carter ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - This was a really cool premise, and done in a way I at least haven't seen before. A lot of surprise twists and turns. Found myself again wanting to know more about how the way of this world came to be, even though it's not needed for the story. I was just invested.
We Should Have Turned Back by Ruth Anna Evans ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Again a story that was horrifying because so much of it could totally happen to any one of us. It was tense (in a good way) the entire time. The last couple pages I felt needed reworked a little bit, just to sharpen the wrap up because as it stands it's just a little murky and didn't quite land for me.
Memory in Motion by Caitlin Marceau ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Another one of my favorites in the collection. The emotions were all so raw and clear, I felt every single one while I was reading. And I used to dance so the backdrop was something that really resonated with me.
Happily Ever After by Tasha Reynolds ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - So I had several favorites, what can I say. I really enjoyed the perspective of a younger child and found the premise again quite frightening because of how real it was.
The Revenant by Elise Forier Edie ⭐⭐⭐ - I really liked the setup of this and was excited to see where it went, but I don't feel like it was as successful as it could have been. We never got explanation as to why the ghost needs blood, and then there was the suggestion that the protagonist was mentally unwell, but we never really got groundwork to support that she was an unreliable narrator. I did like how the very end came together but a lot of bits in the middle felt too murky for me.
Spiderella by Chelsea Pumpkins ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I was here for this story until the very last page. I thought it felt real and was well written and the suspense kept building. But we were left with way too many questions at the end and there was a reveal that was foreshadowed (I thought) but then we never got.
Rotpearl by Erin Brown ⭐⭐⭐ - This was another story that I feel like just wasn't for me. The setting and the world didn't feel built enough for me to be able to get invested. The premise was interesting but I was always sort of unclear as to what purpose the mother's backstory served and how it related to the protagonist's journey. It tied together at the end but throughout the story it just wasn't clear how we were meant to feel about the mother or interpret her actions.
The Horror at Foxglove Farm by Cassandra Daucus ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I was very into this story. It was mysterious and spooky but also somehow cozy. I had to dock a star because I just didn't understand what was going on in the final climax sequence, it felt like we needed more explanation that we didn't get. Additionally the end wrapped up almost a bit too neatly.
Sea Glass by Chloe Spencer ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the execution of this premise, it felt very unique. I did find it (in broad strokes) similar to The Molt so I was surprised both were include din this anthology, but I enjoyed this one very much as well. It felt very indicative of the early teen experience and I found all the characters interesting. I did feel like we got a lot of characters set up that we didn't get to see paid off, as there wasn't time to explore them all. A little bit of body horror in this one as well, which isn't my favorite, but was definitely necessary to the story and appropriately done.
drakaina16's review
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you to the editor for providing a review copy.
Whenever I see Ruth Anna Evans' name on an anthology, I know it's going to be diverse and full of quality work. Dark Blooms is no exception, and it starts off with a bang with the story Hannah, which made me cry. I loved this anthology. 4.5 stars, rounded up
Hannah by Nikoline Kaiser ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Molt by Shannon Riley ⭐⭐⭐.5
Jezebels by Valerie Hunter ⭐⭐⭐.5
First Blood by Cat Voleur ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mister Wolf by RB Kelly ⭐⭐⭐
Sit Up With Your Dead by Anj Baker ⭐⭐⭐
The End of Limerence by Emma E. Murray ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Radiant Children by Lauren Carter ⭐⭐⭐⭐
We Should Have Turned Back by Ruth Anna Evans ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Memory in Motion by Caitlin Marceau ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Happily Ever After by Tasha Reynolds ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
The Revenant by Elise Forier Edie ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spiderella by Chelsea Pumpkins ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rotpearl by Erin Brown ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Horror at Foxglove Farm by Cassandra Daucus ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sea Glass by Chloe Spencer ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Whenever I see Ruth Anna Evans' name on an anthology, I know it's going to be diverse and full of quality work. Dark Blooms is no exception, and it starts off with a bang with the story Hannah, which made me cry. I loved this anthology. 4.5 stars, rounded up
Hannah by Nikoline Kaiser ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Molt by Shannon Riley ⭐⭐⭐.5
Jezebels by Valerie Hunter ⭐⭐⭐.5
First Blood by Cat Voleur ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mister Wolf by RB Kelly ⭐⭐⭐
Sit Up With Your Dead by Anj Baker ⭐⭐⭐
The End of Limerence by Emma E. Murray ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Radiant Children by Lauren Carter ⭐⭐⭐⭐
We Should Have Turned Back by Ruth Anna Evans ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Memory in Motion by Caitlin Marceau ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Happily Ever After by Tasha Reynolds ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
The Revenant by Elise Forier Edie ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spiderella by Chelsea Pumpkins ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rotpearl by Erin Brown ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Horror at Foxglove Farm by Cassandra Daucus ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sea Glass by Chloe Spencer ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
More...