cupofchait's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Self harm, Suicide, and Pregnancy
Book of short storieslezlie's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This collection is aptly named and the description that these five stories pack a punch is the truth. There was something about each of these stories that made an impact on me, leaving its memorable mark, each in its own way.
It's funny because my favorite story in this collection is the same type that was my favorite in his previous collection that I read - urban legend. In this collection, the first story, "Ignorance Is Bliss" is about two friends who travel to Vietnam to investigate an island where Bigfoot was supposedly filmed. Very atmospheric and absolutely mind-blowing with what transpires in that jungle. Just perfection.
"Dataism" was a story that was a different type of horror - the kind I could actually see coming true in our future. A society where every single aspect of life is recorded and uploaded to the world wide web - failure to do so results in severe punishment.
"Gene Slave" was one that I thought was not going to be my style - but I decided to hang in a bit and trust the author. I'm so glad I did because again, the author did something quite spectacular here with its theme exploration. Think of an event in your life that was unforeseen, yet utterly and irrevocably lifechanging. Did you lose your grip on sanity for a bit? Find yourself unable to fully process and contemplating all manner of ludicrous options? This story really delved into this and I found it fascinating.
"From Riches to Rags" Carlson saved and saved and saved. He was excessively frugal and he just kept cutting things out of his life in order to save money. He retired early from working, but then spent his days managing his wealth: moving investments around, purchasing stock and monitoring his different accounts. Then the epiphany comes - why hadn't he thought of it before? I thought he'd officially lost his last marble. By the end of the story, I did a complete 180.
"The Dutiful Hit" This one will hit differently depending on your personal beliefs regarding choice and free will. I was overwhelmed with compassion and sadness. There was beauty in the message this story carries and I hope readers see that too.
Another solid collection by James Flynn. His stories always make me feel such compassion for his characters, understanding for their choices and situations and you just can't ask for more than that!
It's funny because my favorite story in this collection is the same type that was my favorite in his previous collection that I read - urban legend. In this collection, the first story, "Ignorance Is Bliss" is about two friends who travel to Vietnam to investigate an island where Bigfoot was supposedly filmed. Very atmospheric and absolutely mind-blowing with what transpires in that jungle. Just perfection.
"Dataism" was a story that was a different type of horror - the kind I could actually see coming true in our future. A society where every single aspect of life is recorded and uploaded to the world wide web - failure to do so results in severe punishment.
"Gene Slave" was one that I thought was not going to be my style - but I decided to hang in a bit and trust the author. I'm so glad I did because again, the author did something quite spectacular here with its theme exploration. Think of an event in your life that was unforeseen, yet utterly and irrevocably lifechanging. Did you lose your grip on sanity for a bit? Find yourself unable to fully process and contemplating all manner of ludicrous options? This story really delved into this and I found it fascinating.
"From Riches to Rags" Carlson saved and saved and saved. He was excessively frugal and he just kept cutting things out of his life in order to save money. He retired early from working, but then spent his days managing his wealth: moving investments around, purchasing stock and monitoring his different accounts. Then the epiphany comes - why hadn't he thought of it before? I thought he'd officially lost his last marble. By the end of the story, I did a complete 180.
"The Dutiful Hit" This one will hit differently depending on your personal beliefs regarding choice and free will. I was overwhelmed with compassion and sadness. There was beauty in the message this story carries and I hope readers see that too.
Another solid collection by James Flynn. His stories always make me feel such compassion for his characters, understanding for their choices and situations and you just can't ask for more than that!
ericarobyn's review
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
A Bunch of Fives by James Flynn is a collection of short stories that successfully leaves readers feeling how the author had hoped; like they’ve had a blow to the face.
Content warnings: body horror, surgery, and other darkness.
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
My goodness, each story in this collection was so dark in its own way! I loved that they were all so different! Not just in the themes and levels of intensity, but when looked at as the overall flow of the story as well.
Dataism is the one stand out from this collection for me. The thought of living in that world is absolutely terrifying!
Per usual, here are my notes on each tale.
Preface
This is the most fitting and funny preface I’ve read in a long while! Readers, you’re going to love the metaphor here!
Ignorance is Bliss
Mack and Eric travel to an island in search of the rumored Càn Giò Creature. One is excited, one is skeptical. The skeptic changes his mind once they discover what’s really going on on the island. But will they both leave?
This tale is so chilling. I love any story set in remote areas, so I was super excited to see what these two would uncover. There is a surgery involved that goes into some body horror, so tread lightly there if that concerns you.
Dataism
This tale can be boiled down to this one chilling passage: “We’re living in the digital age whether you like it or not.”
Imagine a world where literally everything was to be posted online. You have zero privacy. If you go against the ways of the new world, you go to prison.
That’s exactly what happened the the main character here as he was caught with a journal of private thoughts he refused to upload.
I hate the thought of this type of work so much. I would be right there with the main character, hating everyone second of the internet focused society. I have my limits with the current state, I cannot imagine being forced to do everything on camera. I can barely handle work zoom meetings!
Gene Slave
When a sex crazed man finds out that he’s going to be the father of triplets after a one night stand, he goes to extreme measures…
This one wasn’t for me, but I saw it through. The reveal toward the end was jaw dropping!
From Riches to Rags
Obsessed with money, this man spends all his time trying to increase the number in his bank account. But slowly over time, he becomes more obsessed with freedom as he cuts away anything that costs him money.
This story was wild! I was so nervous that something bad was going to happen. The anxiety this one filled me with! Phew!
The Dutiful Hit
When a hit man is approached with a job, he doesn’t ask anything other than where. On the night of the hit, he’s shocked to see who his target was.
This tale was so eerie! Just creeping through the house was anxiety-inducing enough, then add to it the horrors he found? Yikes!
My Final Thoughts on A Bunch of Fives
A must-read for fans of unsettling horror that forces you to think about the themes, whether you want to or not. This was a wicked collection of nightmares!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content and Body horror
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