slasherreads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5/5
I really loved this collection. Like, REALLY loved this collection. If you like horror, especially if you like classic horror (either movies or literature), this is definitely for you. Every story does something unique or interesting with the source material. The stories also benefit from the diversity of their authors; I especially appreciated the queer elements. I really love adaptations because I like to see what elements authors tease out or change or interpret, and all the authors did just a fantastic job.
That said, an encyclopedic knowledge of the source material isn't needed to enjoy the collection. For some, all I had was passing knowledge picked up through cultural osmosis. For example, I have never seen "The Blob" (I know, I know) yet "Da Noise, Da Funk, Da Blob" was one of my favorites. It makes me want to watch the movie at some point and then re-read the story, to see the choices made.
Of course, in some instances, I do wish I had been familiar with the source material first. For example, "The Invisible Man: The Fire This Time." I only have a passing knowledge of "The Invisible Man" and next to none about "The Fire Next Time" (both now on my to-read list). I still really loved the story, but I feel I couldn't appreciate it fully. That's not a knock against it, of course; it's given me some new things to read and return to it, and I am very excited to do so.
I cannot overstate how hard this collection goes. Every story absolutely oozed with love. I know what I am getting my mother for Christmas (no one tell her).
I really loved this collection. Like, REALLY loved this collection. If you like horror, especially if you like classic horror (either movies or literature), this is definitely for you. Every story does something unique or interesting with the source material. The stories also benefit from the diversity of their authors; I especially appreciated the queer elements. I really love adaptations because I like to see what elements authors tease out or change or interpret, and all the authors did just a fantastic job.
That said, an encyclopedic knowledge of the source material isn't needed to enjoy the collection. For some, all I had was passing knowledge picked up through cultural osmosis. For example, I have never seen "The Blob" (I know, I know) yet "Da Noise, Da Funk, Da Blob" was one of my favorites. It makes me want to watch the movie at some point and then re-read the story, to see the choices made.
Of course, in some instances, I do wish I had been familiar with the source material first. For example, "The Invisible Man: The Fire This Time." I only have a passing knowledge of "The Invisible Man" and next to none about "The Fire Next Time" (both now on my to-read list). I still really loved the story, but I feel I couldn't appreciate it fully. That's not a knock against it, of course; it's given me some new things to read and return to it, and I am very excited to do so.
I cannot overstate how hard this collection goes. Every story absolutely oozed with love. I know what I am getting my mother for Christmas (no one tell her).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Body horror
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