joshuadysart's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
The book that turned me on to Barron. I've been a devoted fan ever since. Barron is part Jack London, part H.P. Lovecraft, part Ramsey Campbell, part Raymond Chandler... I'd even throw some Hemingway in the mix, and yet still a complete original with an astounding command of language. This is a great collection of horror stories mostly (though not all) in the pitch of bold masculine adventurers who have strayed far, far, too far from safety.
traa's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-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
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Car accident, Gore, Death, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Misogyny, Violence, Murder, Cursing, Torture, Alcohol, Stalking, Alcoholism, Child death, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Racism, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Pregnancy, and Racial slurs
lukeh_g's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
variablehoney's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
This was pretty meh. Only read the three that people suggested in the reviews. Glad I didn't spend more time with this one.
tyrshand's review against another edition
5.0
Most of the stories in this book are five star, for sure, and usually pretty chilling. I could read this all in one go because the impact of each had to be savored (shivered?) for a while so that each story affected me as it ought to. I'm definitely going to read more of Barron's work.
caitbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5* for having read 4 works by
Barron now, this short story
collection was good but not my favorite. Some stories
were definitely better than others,
my favorites have to be The Men
from Porlock and The Carrion Gods
In Their Heaven.
as a spoiler but if you have read
Barron's novel The Croning and
then read The Men From Porlock its
cool to see how these stories
connect.
All in all, I think Barron is a pro at
writing vivid descriptions that help
his readers get immersed in his
world of horror. And if you want to experience the best of his work in my opinion definitely pick up his other short story collection
Occultation.
Barron now, this short story
collection was good but not my favorite. Some stories
were definitely better than others,
my favorites have to be The Men
from Porlock and The Carrion Gods
In Their Heaven.
Spoiler
l don't know if this countsas a spoiler but if you have read
Barron's novel The Croning and
then read The Men From Porlock its
cool to see how these stories
connect.
All in all, I think Barron is a pro at
writing vivid descriptions that help
his readers get immersed in his
world of horror. And if you want to experience the best of his work in my opinion definitely pick up his other short story collection
Occultation.
mashashin's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
isabellesbooks's review against another edition
2.0
The thing about story collections is that I like some of the pieces and dislike others. There were a couple of hidden gems but not enough to justify the entire book for me. Also, this comment has nothing to do with my rating, but why did I read this book when I live in the Pacific Northwest?