thesleepyreader79's review
5.0
My third foray into Short Story September and I chose a book from what has become one of my favorite publishing houses, Quill and Crow Publishing House. This is the 5th anthology series that I have read from them and I again, was not disappointed. This book is filled with 10 stories of gothic medical horror, each from a different author.
Each of these stories are creepy, disturbing and horrific yet entertaining. They also remind of the years gone by of shocking medical treatments and insane asylums where people were often held against their will. All the writers bring their own take on the topic and even though the theme is the same, each story is original and unique in its own way.
This is a fantastic collection, and it is very hard to choose a favorite. I really enjoyed "The Cannibal and the Barber" by Spyder Collins; Embryo by Nick Petrou and "Merciful"by Cassandra Thompson, although I appreciate all the stories and the efforts each author put into making medical horror come to life.
Each of these stories are creepy, disturbing and horrific yet entertaining. They also remind of the years gone by of shocking medical treatments and insane asylums where people were often held against their will. All the writers bring their own take on the topic and even though the theme is the same, each story is original and unique in its own way.
This is a fantastic collection, and it is very hard to choose a favorite. I really enjoyed "The Cannibal and the Barber" by Spyder Collins; Embryo by Nick Petrou and "Merciful"by Cassandra Thompson, although I appreciate all the stories and the efforts each author put into making medical horror come to life.
dharmlost's review
5.0
This collection of short stories was a lovely dip into the gothic horror genre that I have not done in some time. I regret that because I forgot how very lovely and near and dear to my heart stories in this vein can be.
That said, wow, these stories pulled absolutely no punches and I am here for that. Each author brought their twist to the anthology and hammered their words in with skill, and left me wanting, craving, desiring more.
That said, wow, these stories pulled absolutely no punches and I am here for that. Each author brought their twist to the anthology and hammered their words in with skill, and left me wanting, craving, desiring more.
junglewriter's review
5.0
With Anomalies & Curiosities, Cassandra Thompson has proven she’s not only a prolific horror writer. But also an amazing editor. This collection is gothic horror at its best, the kind of anthology Mary Shelley would have written for.
But read with caution, the stories curated here each come with their own dose of dread and are definitely not for the faint of heart.
But read with caution, the stories curated here each come with their own dose of dread and are definitely not for the faint of heart.
leighsbookishlife's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
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