Dark Stars

These stories were okay - some stood out above others, but some fell super flat. I don't know that any really classify as true horror, more on the creepy side.

Decent for those who are starting out in horror, looking for something that won't scare them senseless, but dipping their toes into the water a bit.

Average Rating: 2.82 leaves out of 13
Genre: Horror/Anthologies
Type: Audiobook
Worth?: Eh

First want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this in exchange for an honest review! Next this is going to be a LONG review since I will be reviewing each story. This won't be like my normal rating since there are more than one story/authors/etc.

The very beginning took up way too much time talking nonsense about why they came together and and what horror was or is. We don't need that. I could understand if each author had a snippet at the end explaining their story and how they felt about being in this group project. Then the very end made literally no sense as to why it was even in the dang book as well. It was just a mess and a bit sloppy.

So for the beginning and end I give it a 0/5.

Now for each story's review. There may or may not be spoilers in them so read at your own risk.

The Attentionist by Caroline Kepnes

I don't know if I would call it scary or not? Sure the situation is scary but it wasn't too bad. Nothing very extreme happened. Maybe they are starting off light and will progress into the darker stuff? Also I hate the older sis. She is crap. I guess I can say I get where the main gal was coming from with finally have the attention she thought she needed. I kind of even liked the ending. So with some thinking, because I had been going back and forth on this the whole time, I will be upping it to a 3 instead of a 2.5.

Rating: 3/5


The Life in Nightmares by Ramsey Campbell

This was a god awful bore. Did I keep skipping 30 secs through this? Yes. Nothing about this was horror. A smidge creepy maybe. 2% at most.

I believe I even said, “Giving me off brand Harry Potter with no magic.”

If this is how the books downfalls I should call it quits now. (Note: I didn't quit.)

Rate: .5/5


Papa Eye by Priya Sharmal

This was a lovely story. I adored it but it wasn't horror. It was sad & beautiful. If I could put colors to it I'd have to say a dark night blue with gold. There might have been a detail or two that could've been gore-ish? But it wasn't scary. I think this short should be on its own or in an entirely different book.

It's a 4 because it's so good but not horror. (Edit: I will be going down a bit because this book is about horror and it wasn't giving it to me. I still love the story though!)

Rate: 3.75/5


Volcano by Livia Llewellyn

It was... okay. It wasn't so much scary but it was creepy. I just wish I knew what the hell was going. For a second, when making the final review, I forgot what the story was even about. Uhm... gosh what do I even say about this? It seemed like the girl was a vampire but then it wasn't? I don't know why I rated it so high because I don't know what the monster/creature is or what it actually does. Aliens? Who the hell knows. The atmosphere is creepy but that is about it.

Rate: 2/5


All the Things He Called Memories by Stephen Graham Jones

Wow... so this was a slow burn but towards the end it hit you in the gut. Probably by far my favorite so far. My mouth had hung open towards the end in shock. I think I would even like to she this as a short horror film. It is about this couple during quarantine and the wife starts a science experiment that was proven correct, for both in a way I guess.

Rate: 4.5/5


Trinity River's Blues by Chesya Burke

This story wasn't bad but it wasn't great either. Coming from someone who lives in Louisiana I expect more from the subject in this story. They did a good job writing it but it lacked the seasonings. (Edit: I am lowering the score to 3 since when I think about it now there wasn't anything standing out about it.)

Rate: 3/5


The Familiar's Assistant by Alma Katsu

This was very gothic but like... a sleepy gothic, something that would fit well on a foggy/rainy day. This is supposed to be more for horror stories, though a good chunk of these stories don't really hit horror.

Rate: 3/5


Swim In The Blood of a Curious Dream by John FD Taff

What to say to this? It wasn't scary. Mostly it was just sad except towards the end then it was just creepy. I think of it as the movie MaMa... but without the jumpscares and like MaMa wasn't so much as haunting but like... having visitation rights. Weird as hell.

Rate: 2.75/5


The Sanguintalist by Gemma Files

This would be an AMAZING fantasy story. I would rather read it under that genre and it be longer. It wasn't scary or spooky, a little creepy but that is about it.

Rate: 2.5/5


Mrs. Addison's Nest by Josh Malerman

This story was pretty good compared to some of the ones before it. It had horror and creepiness to it. If I could sum it up with a comparison I would say a mix between IT and Caroline. I liked it.

Rate: 3/5


Challawa by Usman T Malik

Ahh this was magical and horrific. My favorite so far. The husband of the female lead had me feeling some kind of ANGRY. Hate him. Just HATE him and his whole existence. The narrator and writing of this story was impactful.

Rate: 5/5


Enough for Hunger and Enough for Hate by John Langan

This one seemed longer than the others but it was pretty creepy and disturbing. I think my jaw dropped once. This one dealt with a Native American creature. I love the details the author gave it. The gore in it was just right as well.

Rate: 3.75/5