Kyra

The Mouthless Body in The Lake

3/5 was written well but didn’t really enjoy it

Cold as Ice

3/5 this was a cool idea, I just wish there was little more meat to the story.

Children aren’t the only ones…

2/5 sad cause I really love Josh Malerman’s writing normally but this pretty forgettable.

The Vermin Moon

2/5 another really forgettable read that I personally didn’t find that interesting.

The Body of Leonora James

4/5 this was definitely a more enjoyable one. The story was interesting and had a brothers grim kinda vibe.

Mr. Butler

1/5 this one was creepy and not in a fun way, didn’t enjoy it but the author did manage to create a really unsettling story.

Feast of Gray

1/5 even more forgettable than the others.

Father’s Last Christmas

5/5 I really like this one it felt like the beginning of an epic novel but was still satisfying in its end.

The Warmth of Snow

1/5 felt like just reading someone complaining nonstop, almost skipped it part way through as it was almost unbearable to read.

Wintry Blue

4.5/5 I did like this one, had a good atmosphere and set was a little cringy at some parts but enjoyed it.

Carol of the Hells

4/5 not bad per se, was a really interesting idea. And definitely built up some dread but felt lacking.

Nice

5/5 I really liked this one as well thought it was really funny. And it work super well in the short format

Thaw

4/5 this one was fun was perfect length for what it was, wasn’t anything special though

Candy Cane

4/5 this is one I wished was longer I think this could make for a really fun full novel.

Eggnog

5/5 I really really loved this one, more realistic than the others which I think add to the horror.

Threads

5/5 another really good read, I do wish it was longer as it felt like there could be so much too but I still loved reading it.

The Ladies’ Society for the Dead

3/5 I typically like Darcy Coates writing, I really liked the setup but didn’t feel it really followed through.

Being Nice

5/5 this was super funny, and felt almost like a comedy sketch definitely drawn me to reading more from Jeff Strand

Ghosted

2/5 just kinda sad, and not very enjoyable.

Bruiser

4.5/5 while I really did love this story, find it sentimental and sweet, I didn’t feel like it really fit with the rest of the collection.

Overall I am glad to have read this collection, had 11 stories out of the 22 that I really liked, and 14 that were at least a 3 or above so not too bad.

"The Atlas of Hell" 4/5

I really loved this one found it to be a kind of horror comedy which I could easily see playing out well on the screen. The characters all felt a little goofy and like caricatures but in a very loveable way.

"The Diabolist" 5/5

Probably the only one that I felt was actually really creepy and worked so well as short story, it didn't need more or less, it was weird and off putting in all the right ways.

"Skullpocket" 4.5/5

A weird story that also had a weird sense of charm to it, that also reminds me why I typically don't like shorter stories as I wanted so much more, it was over to quick and I was stuck wanting more from this weird little world.

"The Maw" 1/5

My least favorite, jumping between the two perspectives was a bit much, and overall just felt like it had no real structure.

"The Visible Filth"4/5

Very much had a blumhouse vibe to it, and I can see it as one of those horror movies with a bunch of dumb 20 somethings getting into stuff they shouldn't. Not horrible, enjoyable in some spots but nothing special.

"The Butcher's Table"3/5

Rather than not being enough this one felt almost like it had to much, it either needed to be a longer novel or need to have some stuff cut out, I didn't find the characters memorable or interesting, which was sad cause there was definitely something interersting there with the whole idea of the cults.

This is one of those books where I did like the build up of the story and thought it was going in a really interesting direction for like the first 80-90% and then just found its last bit kinda boring.

One of my favourite parts of the Darcy Coates I've read so far including this is that you can't tell right away if the monsters in them are real monsters or people playing at monsters.

The characters were very vanilla every man type or characters nothing to really write home about and the setting was also average, and yet it was such and enjoyable read, you see the danger the characters are walking into and so after every page you keep going waiting to see how they react to whats coming next. Feels like a story that would make an great spooky horror movie or even a cool short series, so highly recommened !

I kept putting off reading this book and now I don't why, this was a fantastic book. The story was haunting in the fact that it really felt like a story you could read about. Even though some of the characters were a little over the top, it still had a grounded feel that leaned it to feeling mor elikie a real story. It is an interesting look at what types of things can happen when young people are alone and affraid. The only bit I wasn't as big a fan of some of the emphasis on lack of technology being a culprit cause it felt a bit like boomer yelling for you to get off your phone. But overall was a very enjoyable book.

Once again Paul kills it, this was such and interesting perspective to take for this style of story. It also really well paralleled with many of the things we have faced when it comes to disease and misinformation. characters were written well, and the whole story felt very grounded and real.

This book was good, the characters were written well even when I greatly disliked them, and the mystery had me guessing for a while. However, I wouldn't say that it was anything to write home about, the mystery was really that surprising and overall felt like an episode of a crime drama than a super suspenseful thriller. But I did enjoy it, and would recommend it as long as expectations are managed.

I didn’t like any of the characters in this book, they all felt like caricatures of people. The boyfriend was insufferable, the aunt and grandmother felt mean in a way that felt cartoonish. And yet I actually enjoyed the overall mystery and the idea of the story was very intriguing. Not the best book I’ve ever read but nowhere near the worst, and I did find myself wanting to pick it up. So that’s why even with my distaste for the characters I had to give it at least a 3.5 even though an argument for a lower rating could be made.

This was a good follow up, and I am really glad I gave it shot even though I had some issues with the rape in book one. It was sad and yet also had a lot of moments that felt cathartic. I enjoyed seeing the journey of the characters and the ending was the perfect mix of hopefulness and sadness.

Loved the way it was written, the multiple timelines were done well, and I a way that made me excited to reach each part. The folklore aspect of it was very enjoyable and really created a more immersive setting. The only down side is the amount of sexual violence though it wasn’t graphic some felt a little unnecessary and kept me wondering if I would end up reading the second book. However after finishing it, I think though still unnecessary it didn’t ruin my overall enjoyment of the book and I will likely continue the series.

While there is much from the TV show I missed in the book and some parts of the ending that I think were done better in the show, I think reading the books just added to my overall love for the series and world. Sad the story is over but so happy I pick them up.

While there are some moments I found annoying including how little empathy everyone has for Eph. It's a was great, and enjoyable to read, though I will Zach is as annoying if not more annoying than in the show. What a horrible child. Overall loved it.

Watched the show beforehand, and while I don't think I can say the book is better than the show I am so glad I read the book, it adds a lot more to the story in some aspects. And also in general just more details. I may not be the best written but it is a very unique story with a cool monster.

This was a hard read just cause of the way it's written, but I was pretty good. And interesting to compare it with the other pieces of media inspired by it. Definitely think its a cool thing to read especially if you plan to or have looked what it's inspired.

This book was a great read that I didn’t want to put down, the main character was interesting funny even throughout the more serious tone of the book. I enjoyed the other all creepy vibe of the book and felt the suspense climb. However, there is something I can’t quite put my finger on which leads me to give it a 4 over a 5, something is missing though I am not exactly sure what it is was, just felt me feeling like there was something lacking. All round though I do suggest this book to anyone who loves more subtle and slow horror.

So up until the last part of this book it was so good, felt like a such a unique concept that I haven't really read before, I almost couldn't put it down. Then the end just was a cluster fuck and I was left a little disappointed by it. However it doesn't take away from how amazing the beginning and middle bits were. Very creepy and spooky.

I would be lying if I said there weren’t a few cheesy or over the top moments throughout this book. But overall I couldn’t put this book down and couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. It has a few twists and turns most remaining a mystery till near the end which was very enjoyable. And I love reading from the different perspectives, not finding myself wanting to rush through any character. It got me out of what felt like the start of a reading slump.

Leave it to Josh Malerman to hit it out of the park again! This book was wonderfully spooky annd atmospheric, the tension built well, and had genuinely creepy moments. The way he writes adds to the overall nightmare that builds throughout the book. Loved every minute of it, and never wanted to put it down. Highly suggest this to those who love horror, the is a fun and horrifying adventure into a families worst nightmare.

Great idea, but I hated the end. And felt at times it was lacking.

Also super weird and gross to have the main character be interested in a minor.

I really loved the start of this book, it was fantastic I loved the characters and it was going in such an interesting direction and then bam it ends and I was so confused, idk why it ended like it did but it felt like half the book was missing.

This was a weird and fun ride! I enjoyed the way the main character was written and loved how the story came together until the end which I wish was a bit more ambiguous. And some end plots points that seemed to be a bit out there and a little random.

I think that this book is almost a perfect example of what short stories should be. They had just enough detail to keep you interested and to make sure you understand the world while not getting too bogged down in unnecessary details. They were a great length as well none felt like they over stayed their welcome and at the same time managed to have enough breathing room to feel like like a full story.

Very enjoyable set of stories that all feel like they shared a general theme and feeling. Can’t wait to read more of his work.

This is a hard one to rate, it’s beautifully written, like poetry in some places. The first chapter didn’t feel super narrative to me and more like spoken word, was a little worried I wasn’t going to like it, but as it goes on it gets better and better. It definitely a slower book and long so it took me a while to get through, however it feels so wholly unique and wonderful that I think anything less than 5 stars wouldn’t be fitting. So even though idk if it was generally my style I absolutely love it and will be reading the next instalment for sure.

I found this to be a wonderfully paced short story, it wrapped up well and was engaging the whole time. The main character is great, and the setting makes this a great mix of historical fiction with splashes of horror and fantasy mixed in. Highly recommend for a short sweet read.

I honestly don't really know how I feel about this book, it felt slow but also wasn't bad and had moments I enjoyed. In the end it felt flat and was happy to be finished. But at the same time I can't fully say I didn't enjoy it. Weird read.