starslang's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
onemorepagecrew's review against another edition
4.5
Spook Lights: Southern Gothic Horror by Eden Royce is a collection of short stories that I flew through in a day. With 172 pages you get 12 short stories from one author, showcasing excellent writing and a clear voice.
This is not horror that is overly gory or in your face. It’s delicate and spooky, more of a subtle whisper than a boom in your face. I loved the foreword from the author explaining her connection to the south and why she loves the gothic horror sub-genre. I felt her personal note throughout each of the stories and appreciated the variety of stories and characters.
I’ll be reading book two in this series before the year ends, and I recommend this to anyone looking for a quick and spooky read. Southern Gothic Horror is new to me, and I found it to be incredibly interesting. Let me know if you give this a go - I’d love to know what you think of it!
oddreads_nicolestins's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? No
5.0
Perfect for the month of October, or for spooky readers year-long! While it was a quick read, I'll be thinking of these stories for a long time. I loved 11 out of the 12 stories and my top 3:
1 - Doc Buzzard's Coffin
2 - The Choking Kind
3 - Since Hatchet Was a Hammer
Highly recommend this collection, and I look forward to reading more from Eden Royce!
1 - Doc Buzzard's Coffin
2 - The Choking Kind
3 - Since Hatchet Was a Hammer
Highly recommend this collection, and I look forward to reading more from Eden Royce!
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Gaslighting, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Body horror, Torture, Sexual content, and Vomit
bgstrong's review
5.0
I am so glad I found this book. Southern Gothic Horror is one of my absolute favorite genres but this was like discovering the genre for the first time.
Admittedly I hadn’t read any Southern Gothic horror by POC authors until this book and I’m so just blown away at this new perspective of both The South and horror.
Beautiful, haunting, lyrical, and graphic - so many good stories in here.
Admittedly I hadn’t read any Southern Gothic horror by POC authors until this book and I’m so just blown away at this new perspective of both The South and horror.
Beautiful, haunting, lyrical, and graphic - so many good stories in here.
jesterror's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
taylored_novels's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? Yes
3.5
nakiacookauthor's review against another edition
4.0
Yay for Southern Black Gothic Horror
I have been looking for these types of stories for ages and I’m glad to have found them. Some were a bit too get in and out for me as I found myself wanting more of the good thing I was getting, but there are plenty of other stories to leave you satisfied. I loved the world building and general tone of foreboding, along with a sense of justice or revenge being served in these stories. I plan to read the second book in the near future.
I have been looking for these types of stories for ages and I’m glad to have found them. Some were a bit too get in and out for me as I found myself wanting more of the good thing I was getting, but there are plenty of other stories to leave you satisfied. I loved the world building and general tone of foreboding, along with a sense of justice or revenge being served in these stories. I plan to read the second book in the near future.
biancarosesmith's review against another edition
4.0
This is a collection of 12 Southern gothic horror stories which are more so quiet horror rather than in your face.
The stories range from the exploration of immortality to hag witches (my fave), root work, magic, revenge and DOC BUZZARD’S COFFIN which reunited me with one of my favourite characters, Jezabel in Root Magic which was released this year.
A great little collection for those who enjoy Southern gothic horror.
The stories range from the exploration of immortality to hag witches (my fave), root work, magic, revenge and DOC BUZZARD’S COFFIN which reunited me with one of my favourite characters, Jezabel in Root Magic which was released this year.
A great little collection for those who enjoy Southern gothic horror.