spookybookwitch's review
3.0
The stories varied wildly and widely in both quality of tale and in strength of writing. It doesn’t feel super cohesive which kind of turned me away from the book, which is too bad because I was super excited to read an anthology of women in horror.
becandbooks's review
2.0
Trigger/Content warnings: death/murder, sexual assault, toxic relationships, stalking, outing of sexuality, bullying, violence, necrophilia, rape
Representation: non-binary, queer MC & POC side character (Personal Demons), queer MC and off-screen character (The Eyes of the Dead)
24 Hour Diner by Charlotte Platt ★★
Generic paranormal story - not really horror, in my opinion.
Sideshow by Jude Reid ★★★1/2
Lovely atmosphere and well-defined characters. I enjoyed how this story developed. But it didn't blow me away at all.
The Doll's House by Alyson Faye ★★★1/2
Finally something a little creepy. I love how this developed and the ambiguity that was throughout the story until the very end.
Blood by Red Claire ★
I'm confused by the story. Also, by the fact that this was fantasy. Not horror.
Self-Portrait with Pears by Rachel Bolton ★★1/2
Part of me actually did enjoy this story, but again, NOT HORROR. This was absolutely more of a suspense short story. Good, but also just way too much of the creepy stalker dude which amounted to nothing other than me being really mad and annoyed.
Personal Demons by Angelique Fawns ★
No no no no no no. Not only was the non-binary MC misgendered BY THE AUTHOR in the first few lines (okay, this may be changed in the final copy - please note I am reading a proof) but "...being a lesbian doesn't suit me" is possibly one of the worst lines I have ever come across. The writing made me cringe, the story-telling was jaunty and it seemed incredibly cliche to use the name Lilith.
Friends with Benefits by E.F. Schraeder ★★1/2
I didn't fully understand what was happening. But I liked it? But then it felt incomplete and rushed. Oh and some of the most DISGUSTING mental health language in this story. *sigh* I just want a well-written full length novel of this...
Night Terrors by Angela Sylvaine ★★1/2
This was well-written and I didn't hate it. But absolutely not horror (definitely sci-fi) and not original at all.
The Girl Who Never Stopped Bleeding by Sam Lauren ★
This would have been good if the entire thing hadn't been some weird, messed up analogy about female menstruation.
Leda and the Fly by Marnie Azzarelli ★★★★1/2
Finally something good! If you loved The Yellow Wallpaper then this will be right up your alley.
Jenny's Bobo by Hillary Lyon ★★
This was promising. Until it ended suddenly, turning this into a short story with zero point.
Extinguishing Fireflies by Rebecca Rowland ★★★★
I enjoyed this! Super creepy vibes, gorgeously developed twist.
The Eyes of the Dead by Danielle R. Bailey DNF
I can't believe this was written. I can't believe this was chosen for an anthology.
Don't subject yourself to this story. It's disgusting. It's graphic shock value just for the sake of it. It is the worst torture/rape/necrophilia scene I've ever come across. Also shitty dialogue about substance abuse/homelessness.
My Mirror Wife by Ash Tudor ★★★★
Really well scripted victim-to-villain story. I loved the way this finished as well. Deliciously dark and messed-up.
Patterns of Faerytales by Azzurra Nox ★★★★
I enjoyed this one. Absolutely more fantasy with horror elements, than strictly horror. But it was well told.
Campfire Tales: The Bloody Rings by Emma Johnson-Rivard ★★
Meh.
Cracked by Regan Moore ★★★
Not bad, but honestly it didn't thrill me either. The premise could make a great horror story, but I didn't feel a whole heap of suspense.
Angel of Death by Phoebe Jane Johnson ★★
This was just odd. Like I was reading two stories at once? The two parts just didn't gel together.
Her Garden Grows by Maxine Kollar DNF
Revival by Madison Estes ★★★★1/2
This was good! The dark creepy, second-guessing sort of horror that I want from short stories.
A Song Only She Can Hear by Wondra Vanian ★★★1/2
I really enjoyed this one but it wasn't as atmospheric as I wanted. The story was great, but it didn't feel spooky?
Tribal Influence by Erica Ruhe ★★★1/2
This was a nicely fleshed out story. I enjoyed it, but I wasn't blown away.
So all up, some okay stories, a couple of stories that were fantastic and even more that strongly recommend you skip over. My average star rating for the anthology is 2.5. Pick it up if the descriptions of the stories intrigue you. But I don't think this is a collection that I will be revisiting.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
Representation: non-binary, queer MC & POC side character (Personal Demons), queer MC and off-screen character (The Eyes of the Dead)
24 Hour Diner by Charlotte Platt ★★
Generic paranormal story - not really horror, in my opinion.
Sideshow by Jude Reid ★★★1/2
Lovely atmosphere and well-defined characters. I enjoyed how this story developed. But it didn't blow me away at all.
The Doll's House by Alyson Faye ★★★1/2
Finally something a little creepy. I love how this developed and the ambiguity that was throughout the story until the very end.
Blood by Red Claire ★
I'm confused by the story. Also, by the fact that this was fantasy. Not horror.
Self-Portrait with Pears by Rachel Bolton ★★1/2
Part of me actually did enjoy this story, but again, NOT HORROR. This was absolutely more of a suspense short story. Good, but also just way too much of the creepy stalker dude which amounted to nothing other than me being really mad and annoyed.
Personal Demons by Angelique Fawns ★
No no no no no no. Not only was the non-binary MC misgendered BY THE AUTHOR in the first few lines (okay, this may be changed in the final copy - please note I am reading a proof) but "...being a lesbian doesn't suit me" is possibly one of the worst lines I have ever come across. The writing made me cringe, the story-telling was jaunty and it seemed incredibly cliche to use the name Lilith.
Friends with Benefits by E.F. Schraeder ★★1/2
I didn't fully understand what was happening. But I liked it? But then it felt incomplete and rushed. Oh and some of the most DISGUSTING mental health language in this story. *sigh* I just want a well-written full length novel of this...
Night Terrors by Angela Sylvaine ★★1/2
This was well-written and I didn't hate it. But absolutely not horror (definitely sci-fi) and not original at all.
The Girl Who Never Stopped Bleeding by Sam Lauren ★
This would have been good if the entire thing hadn't been some weird, messed up analogy about female menstruation.
Leda and the Fly by Marnie Azzarelli ★★★★1/2
Finally something good! If you loved The Yellow Wallpaper then this will be right up your alley.
Jenny's Bobo by Hillary Lyon ★★
This was promising. Until it ended suddenly, turning this into a short story with zero point.
Extinguishing Fireflies by Rebecca Rowland ★★★★
I enjoyed this! Super creepy vibes, gorgeously developed twist.
The Eyes of the Dead by Danielle R. Bailey DNF
I can't believe this was written. I can't believe this was chosen for an anthology.
Don't subject yourself to this story. It's disgusting. It's graphic shock value just for the sake of it. It is the worst torture/rape/necrophilia scene I've ever come across. Also shitty dialogue about substance abuse/homelessness.
My Mirror Wife by Ash Tudor ★★★★
Really well scripted victim-to-villain story. I loved the way this finished as well. Deliciously dark and messed-up.
Patterns of Faerytales by Azzurra Nox ★★★★
I enjoyed this one. Absolutely more fantasy with horror elements, than strictly horror. But it was well told.
Campfire Tales: The Bloody Rings by Emma Johnson-Rivard ★★
Meh.
Cracked by Regan Moore ★★★
Not bad, but honestly it didn't thrill me either. The premise could make a great horror story, but I didn't feel a whole heap of suspense.
Angel of Death by Phoebe Jane Johnson ★★
This was just odd. Like I was reading two stories at once? The two parts just didn't gel together.
Her Garden Grows by Maxine Kollar DNF
Revival by Madison Estes ★★★★1/2
This was good! The dark creepy, second-guessing sort of horror that I want from short stories.
A Song Only She Can Hear by Wondra Vanian ★★★1/2
I really enjoyed this one but it wasn't as atmospheric as I wanted. The story was great, but it didn't feel spooky?
Tribal Influence by Erica Ruhe ★★★1/2
This was a nicely fleshed out story. I enjoyed it, but I wasn't blown away.
So all up, some okay stories, a couple of stories that were fantastic and even more that strongly recommend you skip over. My average star rating for the anthology is 2.5. Pick it up if the descriptions of the stories intrigue you. But I don't think this is a collection that I will be revisiting.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
oddly's review
3.0
I couldn’t pass up this women-in-horror anthology! What especially intrigued me was that I had never read any of these authors before, and I am always on the lookout for new authors to watch.
That said, I didn’t enjoy this collection. I gave each story a try, but I ended up skimming at least half of them. There wasn’t much in them for me to sink my teeth into and get invested.
There were also issues with the editing that I felt were unnecessary and should have been resolved, from grammar and styling errors to factual errors, such as describing a wife murdering her husband as “matricide.”
I love that Nox is putting forward collections that feature women’s horror writing and I hope that she continues to do so. It is amazing to see all the love for the genre.
That said, I didn’t enjoy this collection. I gave each story a try, but I ended up skimming at least half of them. There wasn’t much in them for me to sink my teeth into and get invested.
There were also issues with the editing that I felt were unnecessary and should have been resolved, from grammar and styling errors to factual errors, such as describing a wife murdering her husband as “matricide.”
I love that Nox is putting forward collections that feature women’s horror writing and I hope that she continues to do so. It is amazing to see all the love for the genre.
twiinklex's review against another edition
3.0
A collection of creepy short stories with more misses than hits. I thought that it started off strong and I liked the first couple of stories, but the book got weaker the further I got through it. Although there were a few memorable stories, many were forgettable and made no sense, and this was not helped by a weak story being the final chapter. I am aware that this is an anthology but would still like to have seen the stories more fleshed out. There were also a lot of typos and sloppy writing.
I think 'Sideshow' is my favourite story. Others that I enjoyed: 24 Hour Diner, Self-Portrait with Pears, Night Terrors, Extinguishing Fireflies, My Mirror Wife, Her Garden Grows. Also it's weird that I remember nothing about the most graphic/violent story ('The Eyes of the Dead') until I went back to it again.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I think 'Sideshow' is my favourite story. Others that I enjoyed: 24 Hour Diner, Self-Portrait with Pears, Night Terrors, Extinguishing Fireflies, My Mirror Wife, Her Garden Grows. Also it's weird that I remember nothing about the most graphic/violent story ('The Eyes of the Dead') until I went back to it again.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
stranger_sights's review
3.0
See my full review (including separate reviews of each story at:
https://mediadrome.wordpress.com/2020/02/17/strange-girls-women-in-horror-anthology/
I just averaged everything to come up with this one. Drumroll, please!
⭐⭐⭐
It was actually 2.7, but barely (rounded up to 3 for GoodReads though). Honestly, my thoughts on this book were just too damned all over the place for me to rate it higher.
https://mediadrome.wordpress.com/2020/02/17/strange-girls-women-in-horror-anthology/
I just averaged everything to come up with this one. Drumroll, please!
⭐⭐⭐
It was actually 2.7, but barely (rounded up to 3 for GoodReads though). Honestly, my thoughts on this book were just too damned all over the place for me to rate it higher.
paulalovesbooks's review
4.0
(Español/English)
Este fue un ARC gracias a NetGalley
Este libro es un compilado de cuentos cortos de historias de terror, cuyos personajes principales son mujeres. Son 22 historias cortas que tiene historias de todo tipo: paranormal, ciencia ficción, contemporáneo, etc. Hay historias divertidas y otras que te rompen el corazón. Y definitivamente algunos cuentos serían perfectos como libros!
Tiene un formato muy entretenido para leer y perfectamente puede elegir un cuento para cada día y leerlos en el orden que estimen conveniente. Todos los cuentos fueron entretenidos, pero hay cinco que se ganaron mi corazón, y me encantaría ver versiones extendidas de esas historias:
Jenny's Bobo cuenta la historia de una chica que tiene una criatura bastante particular en su casa. Este perfectamente podría ser un Middle-Grade.
Night Terrors me dejó con una sensación de angustia, muy al estilo de Black Mirror. Realmente una historia atrapante.
Self -Portrait With Pears: este fue lejos mi favorito, es una historia impactante y con un tema muy actual y peligroso. Este libro me dejó con la sangre helada y realmente es un cuento de terror porque habla de nuestra realidad.
The Doll's House: Este cuento también me dejó con un poco de miedo. Es macabro y quedé con muchas ganas de ver que pasaba. Podría leer un libro sobre esta historia. Muñecas de temer.
Sideshow: Este cuento dio un giro que no esperaba y fue fantástico y asqueroso al mismo tiempo.
Como les dije antes, hay muchos cuentos y de seguro encuentran alguno que será su favorito. Además, como son historias cortas se leen en unos minutos y son muy entretenidos.
******************************************
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC
This book is a compilation of short horror stories, whose main characters are women. There are 22 short stories of all kinds: paranormal, science fiction, contemporary, etc. There are funny stories, very scary ones and others that will break your heart. And definitely some stories would be perfect as books!
It has a very entertaining format for reading and you can perfectly choose a story for each day and read them in any order. All the stories were entertaining, but there are five that won my heart, and I'd love to see extended versions of those stories:
Jenny's Bobo tells the story of a girl who has a very particular creature in her house. This could perfectly be a Middle-Grade book.
Night Terrors left me with a feeling of anguish, much like Black Mirror. A really captivating story.
Self-Portrait With Pears: this was far my favorite, it's a shocking story with a very current and dangerous theme. This book left me with cold blood because it talks about our reality. It's heartbreaking and terrifying.
The Doll's House: This story also left me with fear, I mean... dolls are creepy objects. It's macabre and I really wanted to see more. I would love to read a book about this story.
Sideshow: This story took a turn I didn't expect and was fantastic and disgusting at the same time.
As I told you before, there are many stories and you'll surely find one that will be your favorite.
Este fue un ARC gracias a NetGalley
Este libro es un compilado de cuentos cortos de historias de terror, cuyos personajes principales son mujeres. Son 22 historias cortas que tiene historias de todo tipo: paranormal, ciencia ficción, contemporáneo, etc. Hay historias divertidas y otras que te rompen el corazón. Y definitivamente algunos cuentos serían perfectos como libros!
Tiene un formato muy entretenido para leer y perfectamente puede elegir un cuento para cada día y leerlos en el orden que estimen conveniente. Todos los cuentos fueron entretenidos, pero hay cinco que se ganaron mi corazón, y me encantaría ver versiones extendidas de esas historias:
Jenny's Bobo cuenta la historia de una chica que tiene una criatura bastante particular en su casa. Este perfectamente podría ser un Middle-Grade.
Night Terrors me dejó con una sensación de angustia, muy al estilo de Black Mirror. Realmente una historia atrapante.
Self -Portrait With Pears: este fue lejos mi favorito, es una historia impactante y con un tema muy actual y peligroso. Este libro me dejó con la sangre helada y realmente es un cuento de terror porque habla de nuestra realidad.
The Doll's House: Este cuento también me dejó con un poco de miedo. Es macabro y quedé con muchas ganas de ver que pasaba. Podría leer un libro sobre esta historia. Muñecas de temer.
Sideshow: Este cuento dio un giro que no esperaba y fue fantástico y asqueroso al mismo tiempo.
Como les dije antes, hay muchos cuentos y de seguro encuentran alguno que será su favorito. Además, como son historias cortas se leen en unos minutos y son muy entretenidos.
******************************************
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC
This book is a compilation of short horror stories, whose main characters are women. There are 22 short stories of all kinds: paranormal, science fiction, contemporary, etc. There are funny stories, very scary ones and others that will break your heart. And definitely some stories would be perfect as books!
It has a very entertaining format for reading and you can perfectly choose a story for each day and read them in any order. All the stories were entertaining, but there are five that won my heart, and I'd love to see extended versions of those stories:
Jenny's Bobo tells the story of a girl who has a very particular creature in her house. This could perfectly be a Middle-Grade book.
Night Terrors left me with a feeling of anguish, much like Black Mirror. A really captivating story.
Self-Portrait With Pears: this was far my favorite, it's a shocking story with a very current and dangerous theme. This book left me with cold blood because it talks about our reality. It's heartbreaking and terrifying.
The Doll's House: This story also left me with fear, I mean... dolls are creepy objects. It's macabre and I really wanted to see more. I would love to read a book about this story.
Sideshow: This story took a turn I didn't expect and was fantastic and disgusting at the same time.
As I told you before, there are many stories and you'll surely find one that will be your favorite.
catsluvcoffee's review
2.0
Anthologies are usually a lot of fun for me. I love that authors can create within the confines of the short story. I was expecting Strange Girls to be similar to Betty Bites Back, a female-centric feminist anthology that I recently read. Betty Bites Back featured women who were fed up with the misogyny of the system and were "biting back". Azzurra Nox, who selected all the stories in Strange Girls, also had a story featured in Betty Bites Back.
Unfortunately, while I enjoyed all of the stories in Betty Bites Back—albeit some more than others—I did not find the stories in Strange Girls to be equal to the task. While the stories did all feature girls or women and did all have elements of horror, they appeared a bit disjointed and didn't follow any other common theme.
Read more at Cats Luv Coffee
Unfortunately, while I enjoyed all of the stories in Betty Bites Back—albeit some more than others—I did not find the stories in Strange Girls to be equal to the task. While the stories did all feature girls or women and did all have elements of horror, they appeared a bit disjointed and didn't follow any other common theme.
Read more at Cats Luv Coffee
wittyandsarcasticbookclub's review
1.0
https://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.home.blog/2020/01/01/strange-girls-women-in-horror-anthology-by-azzurra-nox-arc-review/
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This will be available on February 18th.
There’s a reason I’m posting this review so far ahead of the book’s release date: it is really, really bad. I hate posting a negative review right before a release date, so I’m posting this earlier. My final feeling on this anthology is: YUCK.
I went into this book with excitement, looking forward to horror stories where women are the major focus. That’s a cool idea, and I stand by that. However, what was included in this book is not something I would ever knowingly choose to read.
One story had an incredibly nasty person who had a penchant for necrophilia. Another repeated the phrase “You didn’t say no” multiple times. What you infer from that is unfortunately correct. I don’t read these things in books. It bothers me enough that I mention it in my blog review policy. I will give a shout out to yet another story involving these problems: this one at least included a trigger warning at the beginning. I chose to skip that story.
Okay, you might be thinking, that’s just a few examples though, and you’re right. Other stories felt unfinished (and not in a good way). That doesn’t mean that these authors are bad: in fact, I’m sure some of them are very talented. It might have very well been a choice to leave these particular stories with an unfinished feeling, but it didn’t work for me.
I can’t choose a favorite story among the ones in this anthology because so many of them left a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach and not the fun sense of eeriness that I was hoping for. My takeaway from this anthology was disappointment. Hopefully, the next book I read will be more enjoyable.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This will be available on February 18th.
There’s a reason I’m posting this review so far ahead of the book’s release date: it is really, really bad. I hate posting a negative review right before a release date, so I’m posting this earlier. My final feeling on this anthology is: YUCK.
I went into this book with excitement, looking forward to horror stories where women are the major focus. That’s a cool idea, and I stand by that. However, what was included in this book is not something I would ever knowingly choose to read.
One story had an incredibly nasty person who had a penchant for necrophilia. Another repeated the phrase “You didn’t say no” multiple times. What you infer from that is unfortunately correct. I don’t read these things in books. It bothers me enough that I mention it in my blog review policy. I will give a shout out to yet another story involving these problems: this one at least included a trigger warning at the beginning. I chose to skip that story.
Okay, you might be thinking, that’s just a few examples though, and you’re right. Other stories felt unfinished (and not in a good way). That doesn’t mean that these authors are bad: in fact, I’m sure some of them are very talented. It might have very well been a choice to leave these particular stories with an unfinished feeling, but it didn’t work for me.
I can’t choose a favorite story among the ones in this anthology because so many of them left a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach and not the fun sense of eeriness that I was hoping for. My takeaway from this anthology was disappointment. Hopefully, the next book I read will be more enjoyable.
quirkycatsfatstacks's review
3.0
3 1/2 stars
I received a copy of Strange Girls through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Strange Girls is the newest anthology out on the racks, and it has a specific and unique focus. This whole collection is a variation on the standard horror themes – with girls and women being the focus and authors behind it all.
Naturally, when I saw this compilation I knew I had to give it a read. I've been getting really into horror lately, but have been wanting to see different takes on the matter. This anthology seemed to do exactly that, while providing insight and perspective that I would very much appreciate. I loved that this anthology aimed to empower women and girls in the world of horror, that's not something you see every day.
As with any anthology, there are certain short stories that I felt really spoke to me. In this instance, my favorites were Night Terrors, Patterns of Fairytales, Cracked, Campfire Tales: The Bloody Rings, and A Song Only She Can Hear.
My rating is based on the average of all the ratings I gave each short story in this anthology. So to get a better idea for each one, take a peek down below. I've included a quick description, warning label, and rating for each one. As well as a quick rundown of my opinion for them all.
“And in a world where everyday women’s choices are dwindling or are at stake, this anthology serves to celebrate these girls’ choices.”
24 Hour Diner by Charlotte Platt
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings:
You know how the story goes. Girl meets guy, guy meets girl. Horror and violence ensue. Wait, what? This is a classic twist on the whole night time diner scene, where there's more than one predator on the hunt.
24 Hour Diner is probably one of those short stories that vampire buffs, in particular, appreciated. I personally enjoyed the twist, though I'll confess that it also made me chuckle a bit – thanks to my preference towards playing vampire based Tabletop RPGs on the weekend.
Sideshow by Jude Reid
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Sexual assault
A snake-charmer isn't an uncommon sight for a traveling circus, but this charmer is quite a bit different from what you might expect. On the bright side, her hunger is liberating for some.
Sideshow was an entertaining read, though the implied assault is a bit rough to see/hear. I enjoyed the different take and all of the inferences on how sometimes women just really need to stick together. Even when they're not the same species.
The Doll’s House by Alyson Faye
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Abuse
The Doll's House is a fun twist on the whole murdering dolls concept that horror fans have surely seen before. Though this time around there are a few alterations to the story, giving it an even more disturbing edge.
I enjoyed this read. It was fun, with just the right amount of dark and disturbing elements to balance it all out.
Blood by Claire Hamilton Russell
Rating: ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Bleeding
Blood is a story that hints at more than it actually tells. It's playing with the concept of lineage – and all of the dark implications that sometimes go with it.
This was an okay read, though perhaps not the most exciting. It's heavily leaning towards fantasy (which I'm obviously okay with) but probably would have done a lot better had there been more time to provide details and explanations.
Self-Portrait With Pears by Rachel Bolton
Rating: ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Stalking
Self-Portrait With Pears is a dark and chilling tale, as one boy becomes obsessed with a fellow classmate.
Remember how I mentioned that this whole collection was meant to be a symbol of empowerment? I don't feel like this story fits in with the rest. It was interesting and creepy, and thus fit those definitions. But it didn't fit the whole girl rising up against all odds – or by having something strange or weird protect or change her.
Personal Demons by Angelique Fawns
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Transphobia
Personal Demons uses allegories to start a conversation. One high school student has been outted by their teacher, only to then make a friend with the most unlikely of creatures – a succubus.
This was a decent read, all things considered. I did feel like the main character took the whole concept a bit too easily, but it did allow for a different sort of story. One that forced her to make some tough decisions down the line.
Friends With Benefits by E.F. Schraeder
Rating: ⋆ ⋆
Friends With Benefits is not at all the story you're going to expect when seeing that title. This is the story of one girl and the strange and alarming alterations that have forcibly begun on her body, once her mother suddenly passed away.
I have questions about this one. I feel like we needed a few answers between points a and b, and the absence of those answers made it overall a bit more difficult to follow. Also, the title is fairly misleading.
Night Terrors by Angela Sylvaine
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Surgery
Night Terrors is a dark and chilling tale. A girl wakes up after her surgery. That's nothing new. But what follows makes it all the stranger, for her nightmares and night terrors reveal the truth. The truth of what has been done to her, and the truth of what she is.
This was a fascinating story. I would have happily read a novella or novel on this story, had I been given half a chance. I loved the concept and the way it was carried out.
The Girl Who Never Stopped Bleeding by Sam Lauren
Rating: ⋆
Warnings: Blood, stigma
The Girl Who Never Stopped Bleeding twists the religious beliefs surrounding women and periods and spins it to a whole new level.
I didn't enjoy this one. I wanted to, but I just couldn't. At first, it seemed like the author was going to try and make a point, but by the end, it ended up reading as more of a support for those beliefs – then an attack on them. I don't think that was actually the intent, but I could be wrong.
Leda and the Fly by Marnie Azzarelli
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Depression
Leda and the Fly is a fascinating story. A tale of depression, and what can happen to a person based on what they ingest.
This one was fascinating. I love everything that was left unsaid, as well as the way the story itself unfolded. It was extremely intriguing and left me wanting more.
Jenny’s Bobo by Hillary Lyon
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Jenny's Bobo is a tale of a girl and her...peculiar pet. She may not come off as the most responsible teenager around, but at least she's got a solid understanding with her friend/pet, Bobo.
I want to rate this one higher, I really do. But it almost felt like it cut off at the halfway mark. I desperately want to know more about Bobo and all of the things that his strange owner had planned.
Extinguishing Fireflies by Rebecca Rowland
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Graphic details
Extinguishing Fireflies is the tale of one cute yet very deadly kitten. The tale unfolds in the most alarming of ways.
This was an interesting read. The author did a great job of leading the reader in such a way where you can almost guess the revelation right before it occurs.
The Eyes of the Dead by Danielle R. Bailey
Rating: ⋆
Warnings: Rape, necrophilia, graphic details, gore
This short story poses the question: what would it be like, if the soul didn't actually leave the body, but instead could continue to witness everything?
If I could leave a negative star rating on a story, I would. This short story was horrid. It was graphic and indulgent. For context, none of the other short stories in this collection have a trigger warning. But this one does.
I wish I had taken that trigger warning more seriously and skipped it entirely. As it was I couldn't finish it. It was truly horrific. It also wasn't empowerment in any way, shape or form. It was a girl getting assaulted brutally.
The Mirror Wife by Ash Tudor
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warning: Poisoning
The Mirror Wife is a twist on the whole 'husband gets sick of his wife and decides to have her killed' trope. Nothing is predictable in this tale, which is full of twists and turns.
I loved the twist on this tale, it was fascinating and intriguing. It fit the concept of strange and empowering, which is perfect.
Patterns of Fairytales by Azzurra Nox
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Patterns of Fairytales is a story focused on the concepts of buried truths – and the legend of selkies.
I absolutely loved this story! I cannot say enough nice things about it. I will say that I would have killed to see a full novel on this series of events. Because it was brilliant.
Campfire Tales: The Bloody Rings by Emma Johnson-Rivardy
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Forced marriage
Campfire Tales: The Bloody Rings is a twist on the telling of terrible tales for a region. You know what I mean. Each location has their own horror story. This is one to add to your repertoire.
This was a fantastic read! At first, I wasn't sure what to expect, but by the end, I didn't want to see it finish, because I was so enthralled by the story itself and the storytelling style.
Cracked by Regan Moore
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Another haunted doll tale. But this one is not like the other. Nor is it like any others out there. A haunted doll follows a thief of a woman, fully intent on handing out repercussions for her actions.
Can I have more of this? Please? I loved it! A whole short story collection of this karmic and creepy doll would be really interesting if you ask me.
Angel of Death by Phoebe Jane Johnson
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Death penalty
Angel of Death is a short story about one woman (not a woman, really) who takes vengeance and the law into her own hands. It's slightly political, as she aims to go after those who think themselves above the law.
This was an interesting read. I would have loved to see more of the before and after for this tale. But as far as short stories go, it was perfectly timed and placed.
Her Garden Grows by Maxine Kollar
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Her Garden Grows follows Rosamund and her most peculiar pet. This story will not go at all how you expect. But it does fit the theme of this anthology perfectly, for more than one reason.
This was a really interesting read. And I promise, her cat is fine. It was a unique perspective (the cat – or cat-like creature, I'm still not sure) that I personally really enjoyed. But that's probably not much of a shocker, huh?
Revival by Madison Estes
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Cadavers
A twisted take on the practice of medical cadavers – and how one student reacts to seeing the latest one up for dissection. As it turns out, this man with a lost loved one in his past...has some things to work out.
This was another interesting read, one that was almost fun to try and guess which way it was going to go. It was also beautifully written, so I want to give some credit for that.
A Song Only She Can Hear by Wondra Vanian
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Graphic violence
A Song Only She Can Hear is the promised mermaid story in this collection! It was absolutely worth the wait. A mermaid has spent her whole life on land. So imagine her joy when she finally met another mermaid. Or rather, a merman.
This is seriously my favorite from the whole collection. It's amazing, and I'm not just saying that because of mermaids. It was beautifully written, dark, disturbing, and absolutely a highlight of this anthology.
Tribal Influence by Erica Ruhe
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Internment camp, illegal human experimentation
The final short story in this collection, it's a dark tale of powers and interment. The combination is an interesting one, but very well written.
I'm not sure I would have picked this story to wrap up the anthology, but it was also not a bad call either. I really enjoyed it, and once again find myself wishing that it had been a full novella or novel.
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
I received a copy of Strange Girls through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Strange Girls is the newest anthology out on the racks, and it has a specific and unique focus. This whole collection is a variation on the standard horror themes – with girls and women being the focus and authors behind it all.
Naturally, when I saw this compilation I knew I had to give it a read. I've been getting really into horror lately, but have been wanting to see different takes on the matter. This anthology seemed to do exactly that, while providing insight and perspective that I would very much appreciate. I loved that this anthology aimed to empower women and girls in the world of horror, that's not something you see every day.
As with any anthology, there are certain short stories that I felt really spoke to me. In this instance, my favorites were Night Terrors, Patterns of Fairytales, Cracked, Campfire Tales: The Bloody Rings, and A Song Only She Can Hear.
My rating is based on the average of all the ratings I gave each short story in this anthology. So to get a better idea for each one, take a peek down below. I've included a quick description, warning label, and rating for each one. As well as a quick rundown of my opinion for them all.
“And in a world where everyday women’s choices are dwindling or are at stake, this anthology serves to celebrate these girls’ choices.”
24 Hour Diner by Charlotte Platt
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings:
You know how the story goes. Girl meets guy, guy meets girl. Horror and violence ensue. Wait, what? This is a classic twist on the whole night time diner scene, where there's more than one predator on the hunt.
24 Hour Diner is probably one of those short stories that vampire buffs, in particular, appreciated. I personally enjoyed the twist, though I'll confess that it also made me chuckle a bit – thanks to my preference towards playing vampire based Tabletop RPGs on the weekend.
Sideshow by Jude Reid
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Sexual assault
A snake-charmer isn't an uncommon sight for a traveling circus, but this charmer is quite a bit different from what you might expect. On the bright side, her hunger is liberating for some.
Sideshow was an entertaining read, though the implied assault is a bit rough to see/hear. I enjoyed the different take and all of the inferences on how sometimes women just really need to stick together. Even when they're not the same species.
The Doll’s House by Alyson Faye
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Abuse
The Doll's House is a fun twist on the whole murdering dolls concept that horror fans have surely seen before. Though this time around there are a few alterations to the story, giving it an even more disturbing edge.
I enjoyed this read. It was fun, with just the right amount of dark and disturbing elements to balance it all out.
Blood by Claire Hamilton Russell
Rating: ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Bleeding
Blood is a story that hints at more than it actually tells. It's playing with the concept of lineage – and all of the dark implications that sometimes go with it.
This was an okay read, though perhaps not the most exciting. It's heavily leaning towards fantasy (which I'm obviously okay with) but probably would have done a lot better had there been more time to provide details and explanations.
Self-Portrait With Pears by Rachel Bolton
Rating: ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Stalking
Self-Portrait With Pears is a dark and chilling tale, as one boy becomes obsessed with a fellow classmate.
Remember how I mentioned that this whole collection was meant to be a symbol of empowerment? I don't feel like this story fits in with the rest. It was interesting and creepy, and thus fit those definitions. But it didn't fit the whole girl rising up against all odds – or by having something strange or weird protect or change her.
Personal Demons by Angelique Fawns
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Transphobia
Personal Demons uses allegories to start a conversation. One high school student has been outted by their teacher, only to then make a friend with the most unlikely of creatures – a succubus.
This was a decent read, all things considered. I did feel like the main character took the whole concept a bit too easily, but it did allow for a different sort of story. One that forced her to make some tough decisions down the line.
Friends With Benefits by E.F. Schraeder
Rating: ⋆ ⋆
Friends With Benefits is not at all the story you're going to expect when seeing that title. This is the story of one girl and the strange and alarming alterations that have forcibly begun on her body, once her mother suddenly passed away.
I have questions about this one. I feel like we needed a few answers between points a and b, and the absence of those answers made it overall a bit more difficult to follow. Also, the title is fairly misleading.
Night Terrors by Angela Sylvaine
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Surgery
Night Terrors is a dark and chilling tale. A girl wakes up after her surgery. That's nothing new. But what follows makes it all the stranger, for her nightmares and night terrors reveal the truth. The truth of what has been done to her, and the truth of what she is.
This was a fascinating story. I would have happily read a novella or novel on this story, had I been given half a chance. I loved the concept and the way it was carried out.
The Girl Who Never Stopped Bleeding by Sam Lauren
Rating: ⋆
Warnings: Blood, stigma
The Girl Who Never Stopped Bleeding twists the religious beliefs surrounding women and periods and spins it to a whole new level.
I didn't enjoy this one. I wanted to, but I just couldn't. At first, it seemed like the author was going to try and make a point, but by the end, it ended up reading as more of a support for those beliefs – then an attack on them. I don't think that was actually the intent, but I could be wrong.
Leda and the Fly by Marnie Azzarelli
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Depression
Leda and the Fly is a fascinating story. A tale of depression, and what can happen to a person based on what they ingest.
This one was fascinating. I love everything that was left unsaid, as well as the way the story itself unfolded. It was extremely intriguing and left me wanting more.
Jenny’s Bobo by Hillary Lyon
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Jenny's Bobo is a tale of a girl and her...peculiar pet. She may not come off as the most responsible teenager around, but at least she's got a solid understanding with her friend/pet, Bobo.
I want to rate this one higher, I really do. But it almost felt like it cut off at the halfway mark. I desperately want to know more about Bobo and all of the things that his strange owner had planned.
Extinguishing Fireflies by Rebecca Rowland
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Graphic details
Extinguishing Fireflies is the tale of one cute yet very deadly kitten. The tale unfolds in the most alarming of ways.
This was an interesting read. The author did a great job of leading the reader in such a way where you can almost guess the revelation right before it occurs.
The Eyes of the Dead by Danielle R. Bailey
Rating: ⋆
Warnings: Rape, necrophilia, graphic details, gore
This short story poses the question: what would it be like, if the soul didn't actually leave the body, but instead could continue to witness everything?
If I could leave a negative star rating on a story, I would. This short story was horrid. It was graphic and indulgent. For context, none of the other short stories in this collection have a trigger warning. But this one does.
I wish I had taken that trigger warning more seriously and skipped it entirely. As it was I couldn't finish it. It was truly horrific. It also wasn't empowerment in any way, shape or form. It was a girl getting assaulted brutally.
The Mirror Wife by Ash Tudor
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warning: Poisoning
The Mirror Wife is a twist on the whole 'husband gets sick of his wife and decides to have her killed' trope. Nothing is predictable in this tale, which is full of twists and turns.
I loved the twist on this tale, it was fascinating and intriguing. It fit the concept of strange and empowering, which is perfect.
Patterns of Fairytales by Azzurra Nox
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Patterns of Fairytales is a story focused on the concepts of buried truths – and the legend of selkies.
I absolutely loved this story! I cannot say enough nice things about it. I will say that I would have killed to see a full novel on this series of events. Because it was brilliant.
Campfire Tales: The Bloody Rings by Emma Johnson-Rivardy
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Forced marriage
Campfire Tales: The Bloody Rings is a twist on the telling of terrible tales for a region. You know what I mean. Each location has their own horror story. This is one to add to your repertoire.
This was a fantastic read! At first, I wasn't sure what to expect, but by the end, I didn't want to see it finish, because I was so enthralled by the story itself and the storytelling style.
Cracked by Regan Moore
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Another haunted doll tale. But this one is not like the other. Nor is it like any others out there. A haunted doll follows a thief of a woman, fully intent on handing out repercussions for her actions.
Can I have more of this? Please? I loved it! A whole short story collection of this karmic and creepy doll would be really interesting if you ask me.
Angel of Death by Phoebe Jane Johnson
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Death penalty
Angel of Death is a short story about one woman (not a woman, really) who takes vengeance and the law into her own hands. It's slightly political, as she aims to go after those who think themselves above the law.
This was an interesting read. I would have loved to see more of the before and after for this tale. But as far as short stories go, it was perfectly timed and placed.
Her Garden Grows by Maxine Kollar
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Her Garden Grows follows Rosamund and her most peculiar pet. This story will not go at all how you expect. But it does fit the theme of this anthology perfectly, for more than one reason.
This was a really interesting read. And I promise, her cat is fine. It was a unique perspective (the cat – or cat-like creature, I'm still not sure) that I personally really enjoyed. But that's probably not much of a shocker, huh?
Revival by Madison Estes
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Cadavers
A twisted take on the practice of medical cadavers – and how one student reacts to seeing the latest one up for dissection. As it turns out, this man with a lost loved one in his past...has some things to work out.
This was another interesting read, one that was almost fun to try and guess which way it was going to go. It was also beautifully written, so I want to give some credit for that.
A Song Only She Can Hear by Wondra Vanian
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Graphic violence
A Song Only She Can Hear is the promised mermaid story in this collection! It was absolutely worth the wait. A mermaid has spent her whole life on land. So imagine her joy when she finally met another mermaid. Or rather, a merman.
This is seriously my favorite from the whole collection. It's amazing, and I'm not just saying that because of mermaids. It was beautifully written, dark, disturbing, and absolutely a highlight of this anthology.
Tribal Influence by Erica Ruhe
Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆
Warnings: Internment camp, illegal human experimentation
The final short story in this collection, it's a dark tale of powers and interment. The combination is an interesting one, but very well written.
I'm not sure I would have picked this story to wrap up the anthology, but it was also not a bad call either. I really enjoyed it, and once again find myself wishing that it had been a full novella or novel.
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks