Never Whistle at Night

(Read 28/10/23) I don't even particularly care for Halloween but I do enjoy using it as an excuse to read some horror stories. I loved Tommy Orange's first novel and got this as soon as I saw his name in the line-up: worth it. A really strong collection, with lots of different variants on the horrific, be it rooted in reality or otherwise. So many writers here I'll be looking to read more of.

The only real gripe I had was that tonal shifts between stories could be jarring. This was particularly noticeable between stories 19 and 20, going from a story that was deeply spiritual and evocative to one that was firmly rooted in the worst of reality from the first page, opening with a flashback to child molestation. It's sudden and sickening which, yes, is the point, but I couldn't help but feel that more could have been done to ensure a more smooth transition between stories and subject matter.

1. Kushtuka by Mathilda Zelder - 3/5
2. White Hills by Rebecca Roanhorse - 4.5/5
3. Navajos Don't Wear Elk Teeth by Conley Lyons - 4/5
4. Wingless by Marcie R. Rendon - 3.5/5
5. Quantum by Nick Medina - 4.5/5
6. Hunger by Phoenix Boudreau - 3/5
7. Tick Talk by Cherie Dimaline - 3/5
8. The Ones Who Killed Us by Brandon Hobson - 4/5
9. Snakes are Born in the Dark by D.H. Trujillo - 3.5/5
10. Before I Go by Norris Black - 4/5
11. Night in the Chrysalis by Tiffany Morris - 3/5
12. Behind Colin's Eyes by Shane Hawk - 3.5/5
13. Heart-Shaped Clock by Kelli Jo Ford - 3/5
14. Scariest. Story. Ever. by Richard Van Camp 4.5/5
15. Human Eaters by Royce K. Young Wolf - 4.5/5
16. The Longest Street in the World by Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. - 4/5
17. Dead Owls by Mona Susan Power - 3/5
18. The Prepper by Morgan Talty - 4.5/5
19. Uncle Robert Rides the Lightning by Kate Hart - 5/5
20. Sundays by David Heska Wanbli Weiden - 3/5
21. Eulogy for a Brother, Resurrected by Carson Faust - 4/5
22. Night Moves by Andrea L. Rogers - 4/5
23. Capgras by Tommy Orange - 4.5/5
24. The Scientist's Horror Story by Darcie Little Badger - 3.5/5
25. Collections by Amber Blaeser-Wardzala - 4/5
26. Limbs by Waubgeshig Rice - 5/5

Overall a great collection!