torgotorgo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
kandicez's review
3.0
I am going to start by saying I bought this ebook because of a facebook post that said something about letting Stephen King read you a bedtime story. Who wouldn't want that? I was a little irritated when I realized this was NOT a newly published short story, but one I've read many times before. I quickly got over that because not only is this recycled King a gem, but the other three stories included are also pretty good.
Jordy Verrill, the only character in “Weeds”, the first story, is a staple for any King fan. Not only did we read it in Cavalier magazine, and other collections, but it was the second story in Creepshow, entitled “The Lonely Death of Jordy Verrill”. This is obviously a nod to Lovecraft. When a meteor hits the ground on simple minded Jordy’s farm all he thinks about is how much he can get if he sells it. Too bad that the meteor ends up giving Jordy oh so much more than a little cash. Five stars, all the way!
The next story was worthy of five stars until the last quarter. I actually felt is had a bit of a “King” feel to it, and wondered if that’s why it was chosen for this volume. When you hit the three quarter mark that theory flies out the window. I don’t give away plots in reviews, but trust me when I say the suspension of disbelief becomes almost impossible at that point. I think my final rating for this particular installment would be three stars.
Jordy Verrill, the only character in “Weeds”, the first story, is a staple for any King fan. Not only did we read it in Cavalier magazine, and other collections, but it was the second story in Creepshow, entitled “The Lonely Death of Jordy Verrill”. This is obviously a nod to Lovecraft. When a meteor hits the ground on simple minded Jordy’s farm all he thinks about is how much he can get if he sells it. Too bad that the meteor ends up giving Jordy oh so much more than a little cash. Five stars, all the way!
The next story was worthy of five stars until the last quarter. I actually felt is had a bit of a “King” feel to it, and wondered if that’s why it was chosen for this volume. When you hit the three quarter mark that theory flies out the window. I don’t give away plots in reviews, but trust me when I say the suspension of disbelief becomes almost impossible at that point. I think my final rating for this particular installment would be three stars.
ninjabunneh's review
2.0
I have a severe love/hate relationship with anthologies. Unfortunately, I also have a severe weakness for horror thereby resulting in a trigger happy request thumb.
Only one story in this book piqued my interest - Weeds, by Stephen King. Which, was published in 1976 for the first time and so is extremely well known and, well, old.
Uncle Stevie himself played the role of Jordy in the Creepshow movie rendition.
Fun little fact there for ya, since I have nothing really positive to say about the other stories. The rest were kind of snooze inducing and luckily the book was pretty short.
2 ninja bunnehs covered in moss
(ARC received from NG in exchange for a review. Thanks, NG!)
Only one story in this book piqued my interest - Weeds, by Stephen King. Which, was published in 1976 for the first time and so is extremely well known and, well, old.
Uncle Stevie himself played the role of Jordy in the Creepshow movie rendition.
Fun little fact there for ya, since I have nothing really positive to say about the other stories. The rest were kind of snooze inducing and luckily the book was pretty short.
2 ninja bunnehs covered in moss
(ARC received from NG in exchange for a review. Thanks, NG!)
tay_is_cray's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mad_about_books's review
5.0
Anyone who is a long-time fan of Stephen King (as I am), will surely know the name Jordy Verill, and will immediately hearken back to the George A. Romero film "Creepshow," and the graphic story collection based on it. "Weeds" takes you into the mind of Jordy Verill so you will better understand his "lonesome death."
Kelley Armstrong is an author on my 'to read' list. I am always happy to read somebody new, and when that read is as dark and twisted as "The Price You Pay," that writer moves much closer to the top of my list. She examines issues of friendship, dependency and abuse. I won't go into detail because that would diminish the suspense. I will say that paying forward can be dangerous.
Also on my authors-to-read list is Bill Pronzini. In "Magic Eyes," he examines the horror of paranoia as it is exhibited by a man in an institution for the criminally insane. The supernatural aspect of the story exists only in the mind of the protagonist, which shows that horror truly exist in the real world. After reading "Magic Eyes," I look forward to reading Bill Pronzini's longer works.
Simon Clark has a way with horror. His ability to portray the supernatural and the psychological side-by-side is well demonstrated in "Murder in Chains." He recalls the stories of David and Goliath and Jack the Giant Killer as one man must face physical and moral dilemmas below the streets of Leeds. I find that Clark brings a unique voice to the horror genre, and I have enjoyed reading anything he has written. I also feel that I need to qualify my enjoyment by adding something I heard Clive Barker say... "There is no delight the equal of dread."
Last, but by no means least, Ramsey Campbell's "The Watched" rounds out the offerings in DARK SCREAMS. THE OXFORD COMPANION TO ENGLISH LITERATURE describes Campbell as "Britain's most respected living horror writer." If you have read anything he has written, you know he crafts his horror to evoke fleeting shivers as he takes you into the mind of protagonist. Inducing a child to spy on his possibly nefarious neighbors is definitely a theme that screams bad idea. It calls into question the affect the action will have on the child, and the character of the adult who takes this action.
Overall DARK SCREAMS definitely lives up to its promise, and I highly recommend it to anyone, like me, who loves the things that go bump in the night.
Kelley Armstrong is an author on my 'to read' list. I am always happy to read somebody new, and when that read is as dark and twisted as "The Price You Pay," that writer moves much closer to the top of my list. She examines issues of friendship, dependency and abuse. I won't go into detail because that would diminish the suspense. I will say that paying forward can be dangerous.
Also on my authors-to-read list is Bill Pronzini. In "Magic Eyes," he examines the horror of paranoia as it is exhibited by a man in an institution for the criminally insane. The supernatural aspect of the story exists only in the mind of the protagonist, which shows that horror truly exist in the real world. After reading "Magic Eyes," I look forward to reading Bill Pronzini's longer works.
Simon Clark has a way with horror. His ability to portray the supernatural and the psychological side-by-side is well demonstrated in "Murder in Chains." He recalls the stories of David and Goliath and Jack the Giant Killer as one man must face physical and moral dilemmas below the streets of Leeds. I find that Clark brings a unique voice to the horror genre, and I have enjoyed reading anything he has written. I also feel that I need to qualify my enjoyment by adding something I heard Clive Barker say... "There is no delight the equal of dread."
Last, but by no means least, Ramsey Campbell's "The Watched" rounds out the offerings in DARK SCREAMS. THE OXFORD COMPANION TO ENGLISH LITERATURE describes Campbell as "Britain's most respected living horror writer." If you have read anything he has written, you know he crafts his horror to evoke fleeting shivers as he takes you into the mind of protagonist. Inducing a child to spy on his possibly nefarious neighbors is definitely a theme that screams bad idea. It calls into question the affect the action will have on the child, and the character of the adult who takes this action.
Overall DARK SCREAMS definitely lives up to its promise, and I highly recommend it to anyone, like me, who loves the things that go bump in the night.
rackncheese's review
3.0
Overall, this was an enjoyable little anthology. Most of the stories were quite good, but all in all nothing too amazing. It was good for a quick spooky read.
bmacenlightened's review
3.0
Disappointing stories from normally good authors. 3 stars if you get it on discount.
shoemaker's review against another edition
1.0
A waste of time. If, as an editor, I couldn't come up with a handful of stories any better than this, I wouldn't bother.
erichart's review
4.0
Solid stories in a short anthology that's perfect for a quick read between longer books.