A review by ericarobyn
After Tomorrow: The Cellar Door Issue #4 by Aric Sundquist

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.75

After Tomorrow: The Cellar Door Issue #4 edited by Aric Sundquist is filled with tales of fear and the sheer determination to live in impossible situations. But in this collection, there are many tales where the apocalyptic landscape is the least of the characters’ worries. 

Content warning at the start:
Contains scenes of graphic violence, violence involving children, sexual assault, and misogyny.

Ah, apocalyptic horror is always so nerve-wracking! In this collection, there is such a terrifying spread of tales. Without fail, the thing that gets me with this sub-genre is the isolation and desperation for basic needs. I can’t help but put myself in the characters’ shoes and wonder what I would have done. 

My favorites from this collection include:

• SURVIVAL OF THE SMALLEST by Danielle Davis
• THE LONG WINTER by Aric Sundquist 
• THIRTY SECONDS by Scott McCloskey

Here are my thoughts on each tale:

CAT PERSON by Serena Jayne – 

Determined to become a mother, this woman concocts a plan to trick her ex-husband. But the apocalypse that they have going on puts a bit of a strain on the situation. 

There are so many small yet brutal scenes here. But oh my gosh, that last line had me particularly queasy! What an unsettling tale to kick off this collection! 

OLD FATHERS by Scott Paul Hallam – 

Taken by those he knew would come for him, this man grapples with fresh grief but focuses on his anger to help him fight back. 

This tale was so intense! Kicking off with a scene that’s right in the middle of the action, things only get more intense from there. 

SKIES by Elin Olausson – 

While trying to survive, this character captures birds and makes sure to keep listening for them. 

Oh gosh, that ending. I love that it’s not spelled right out for us so you can have either a dark ending or a lighter one.

THE BANJAX by Sarah Jones – 

This family trying to get by rotates who goes to look for survivors. But what happens when they find one?

I should have known this was going to take a turn, but I wasn’t at all prepared for where this one went. Grief and terror all wrapped up and mixed with terrible hunger. 

ALL THESE CHILDREN by Scotty Milder – 

After an attack, people have fled the cities to try to survive where they won’t be attacked. But of your, humans are terrible to one another, and more monsters walk among them. 

I had a gut feeling this one was going to be tough for me. I had to put this short tale down five times before getting through it. Phew. Pregnancy and anything with kids like this is so hard to read. And that ending! 

SURVIVAL OF THE SMALLEST by Danielle Davis – 

After he’s the last one of his group left alive, this young man goes into the city for supplies. He is discovered by a younger boy who brings him back to his crew of survivors. 

This tale was so scary and so fun! I was nervous to see what would happen next. I would love a whole book about Pollo!  

THE LONG WINTER by Aric Sundquist – 

When winter has set in, this character hasn’t seen another living thing in ages. When they see a wolf watching them eat, they try to make her comfortable. Luckily, it works and the two continue on to find food. 

I loved this tale! The terror with the cold and the creatures was solid nightmare fuel, but it was blended so wonderfully with hope!

THIRTY SECONDS by Scott McCloskey – 

When monsters have crawled out of the waters in this town, the people are forced to try to keep things as normal as they can during the day or risk losing their minds from fear. But at night, it’s all about surviving to the sunrise. This young kid has a tool that can help. But only for 30 seconds…

My gosh, the tension with this one! 30 seconds is such a small amount of time to be working with. I was so nervous during this entire read! 

COCKROACHES AND BODY AUTONOMY by Tre Luna – 

A woman who had been genetically modified since she was three had found a way to survive the role she was forced into. With a smile, she serves up what is expected of her, but she’s not going to just let the man take what he wants from her. 

As this hits in bodily autonomy, it had my blood boiling for this poor woman. Sci-fi or not, that’s such a hard topic to read about. I’m obsessed with the ending of this one! 

DEATH AND THE BLACK WINDOW by Richard Beauchamp – 

Determined to do something other than live in his lonely purgatory, this man finds his mission when coming across a family of fellow survivors. Unfortunately, he has no idea what he’s getting himself into. 

This apocalypse has such a terrifying premise! The poor kid, my god that hit me so hard. 

My Favorite Passages from After Tomorrow: The Cellar Door Issue #4 –

I used to cry sick off school when I was out of mascara, but alive is the most any of us can expect to be these days.
— THE BANJAX by Sarah Jones

The other dark figures scattered like smoke escaping in the wind.
— THE LONG WINTER by Aric Sundquist

Juniper is on the Everglades, just far enough into the wetlands to be considered remote. It’s a tiny, out of the way place that is easily forgotten by the world, though I’ve started to wonder if there’s any world out there to forget.
— THIRTY SECONDS by Scott McCloskey

My Final Thoughts on After Tomorrow: The Cellar Door Issue #4 –

All of these stories, even the ones with a lighter mood, made me feel so uneasy. At one point I was so antsy I started googling key tips from preppers. 

Yet another killer collection in this anthology series! Go grab your copy today!