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A review by michelle_e_goldsmith
Cherry Crow Children by Deborah Kalin
5.0
This was a very strong collection and a excellent instalment in the consistently impressive Twelve Planet series.
Kalin has a beautiful turn of phrase and a talent for beautiful description that delivers tantalising hints of the sinister undercurrent present in most of her stories. Her horrors also feel fresh and are more disturbing for being largely unpredictable (as opposed to if she stuck to more established conventions for her monsters and other horror elements). Although her monsters themselves are truly memorable, it is often it is the way humans react to their presence that is most horrifying.
All the stories in 'Cherry Crow Children' are very strong and well worth reading for any horror fan. The first three are all memorable and have moments of brilliance. If the collection contained only those three I would expect it to be a contender for awards etc.
However, in my opinion the final novella, 'Cherry Crow Children of Haverny Wood', was outstanding. I read a substantial amount of short horror fiction and it was probably one of the best new horror stories I have read for a long time. I was planning to sleep, but once I started reading it I couldn't stop until it was finished. I think that any fan of beautifully written, original horror who doesn't read it is missing out on something.
Kalin has a beautiful turn of phrase and a talent for beautiful description that delivers tantalising hints of the sinister undercurrent present in most of her stories. Her horrors also feel fresh and are more disturbing for being largely unpredictable (as opposed to if she stuck to more established conventions for her monsters and other horror elements). Although her monsters themselves are truly memorable, it is often it is the way humans react to their presence that is most horrifying.
All the stories in 'Cherry Crow Children' are very strong and well worth reading for any horror fan. The first three are all memorable and have moments of brilliance. If the collection contained only those three I would expect it to be a contender for awards etc.
However, in my opinion the final novella, 'Cherry Crow Children of Haverny Wood', was outstanding. I read a substantial amount of short horror fiction and it was probably one of the best new horror stories I have read for a long time. I was planning to sleep, but once I started reading it I couldn't stop until it was finished. I think that any fan of beautifully written, original horror who doesn't read it is missing out on something.