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alicia_loves_books's review
3.75
Enjoyed the variety of stories & had fun imagining myself on all these vacations gone wrong. My favorites were:
Deep in the Heart by Waylon Jordan & Peelings by Kenzie Jennings
Deep in the Heart by Waylon Jordan & Peelings by Kenzie Jennings
peterongcook's review
3.0
Quite an anthology. Horror encompasses a variety of experiences, not just monsters, blood and ghosts. My stand out stories were:
Summers with Annie. Not a typical horror story. I’m not sure it’s a horror story; I guess if you consider Twilight Zone a horror series. More existential horror.
Unkindly Girls. A character study and coming-of-age horror with some great writing. Keep in mind that a hallmark of horror is no happy endings.
Peelings. I totally had a horrible sunburn a couple summers ago, so I felt this one, body horror involving a peeling sunburn, vacation drama and theme park princesses.
The Cucuy of Cancun. This was the funnest story, about an old world Central America cryptid at a modern day Mexican resort.
The Penanggalin. I love seeing modern takes on Asian folklore, this one about a Malay vampire.
Caught a Glimpse. A moody story about a guilt-ridden dad staying in Martha’s Vinyard, his need for distraction from his everyday life becoming something else.
The other one I want to mention is In the Water, which started as a good procedural, had a good story, had good imagery, but was missing something toward the end. I would have loved to workshop this story before it made it to print.
Summers with Annie. Not a typical horror story. I’m not sure it’s a horror story; I guess if you consider Twilight Zone a horror series. More existential horror.
Unkindly Girls. A character study and coming-of-age horror with some great writing. Keep in mind that a hallmark of horror is no happy endings.
Peelings. I totally had a horrible sunburn a couple summers ago, so I felt this one, body horror involving a peeling sunburn, vacation drama and theme park princesses.
The Cucuy of Cancun. This was the funnest story, about an old world Central America cryptid at a modern day Mexican resort.
The Penanggalin. I love seeing modern takes on Asian folklore, this one about a Malay vampire.
Caught a Glimpse. A moody story about a guilt-ridden dad staying in Martha’s Vinyard, his need for distraction from his everyday life becoming something else.
The other one I want to mention is In the Water, which started as a good procedural, had a good story, had good imagery, but was missing something toward the end. I would have loved to workshop this story before it made it to print.
etakloknok's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
luisaveras's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a fun book! Fast to read and well organized, Samantha Kolesnik brings us a nice and diverse selection of horror vacations for us to enjoy! Don't chase strange RVs, don't talk to weird people, don't go into the water, or caves, or conventions, or, or .. just don't!
The anthology contains an amazing introduction by Sadie Hartmann (5/5 for that!) and 14 short stories of vacation hell! I will for sure look into other works from every writer in this. Here is quick comments on them, but don't worry, there are no spoilers!
You’ve Been Saved by S.E. Howard - 5/5
Great introduction piece to get you hooked!
Summers with Annie by Greg Sisco - 4/5
Beautifully written! Fear lingers on.
Expertise by Asher Ellis - 4/5
Ooh! Barracuda!
Unkindly Girls by Hailey Pipez - 4/5
What if the one you "love" the most is unkindly?
Deep in the Heart by Waylon Jordan - 5/5
Fun! Fun! Fun! A teen adventure and one of my favorites for sure!
Peelings by Kenzie Jennings - 3/5
A bit to quick, but fantastic ending!
The Difference Between Crocodiles and Alligators by Malcolm Mills - ?/5
No score to this one cause I legit did not get it. The writing is good, but the narrator is unreliable and the plot too confusing. Frustrating.
The Cucuy of Cancun by V. Castro -4/5
We all need vacations sometimes!
Taylor Family Vacation ’93 by Jeremy Herbert -4/5
A an unexpected gut punch.
The Penanggalan by Scott Cole - 5/5
I googled Penanggalan!!!
Sex with Dolphins by Chad Stroup - 4/5
Heartbreaking and also happy?!? It's weird, I like it!
Caught a Glimpse by Patrick Lacey - 4/5
I wear my sunglasses at night!
In the Water by Mark Wheaton -5/5
Another favorite! The switch in settings building the plot is so good!
Good Time in the Bad Lands by Laura Keating -4/5
Ah! Vacations! Sometimes they are not quite as relaxing...
I found out some of the stories are being made into short movies by GenreBlast Film ! Yes! I am happy I got to reading this one. Nice cover art, new writers to add to the list, fun stories for every kind of horror lover, well putt together. Happy reading! And if you are considering taking a vacation, maybe ... just don't!
The anthology contains an amazing introduction by Sadie Hartmann (5/5 for that!) and 14 short stories of vacation hell! I will for sure look into other works from every writer in this. Here is quick comments on them, but don't worry, there are no spoilers!
You’ve Been Saved by S.E. Howard - 5/5
Great introduction piece to get you hooked!
Summers with Annie by Greg Sisco - 4/5
Beautifully written! Fear lingers on.
Expertise by Asher Ellis - 4/5
Ooh! Barracuda!
Unkindly Girls by Hailey Pipez - 4/5
What if the one you "love" the most is unkindly?
Deep in the Heart by Waylon Jordan - 5/5
Fun! Fun! Fun! A teen adventure and one of my favorites for sure!
Peelings by Kenzie Jennings - 3/5
A bit to quick, but fantastic ending!
The Difference Between Crocodiles and Alligators by Malcolm Mills - ?/5
No score to this one cause I legit did not get it. The writing is good, but the narrator is unreliable and the plot too confusing. Frustrating.
The Cucuy of Cancun by V. Castro -4/5
We all need vacations sometimes!
Taylor Family Vacation ’93 by Jeremy Herbert -4/5
A an unexpected gut punch.
The Penanggalan by Scott Cole - 5/5
I googled Penanggalan!!!
Sex with Dolphins by Chad Stroup - 4/5
Heartbreaking and also happy?!? It's weird, I like it!
Caught a Glimpse by Patrick Lacey - 4/5
I wear my sunglasses at night!
In the Water by Mark Wheaton -5/5
Another favorite! The switch in settings building the plot is so good!
Good Time in the Bad Lands by Laura Keating -4/5
Ah! Vacations! Sometimes they are not quite as relaxing...
I found out some of the stories are being made into short movies by GenreBlast Film ! Yes! I am happy I got to reading this one. Nice cover art, new writers to add to the list, fun stories for every kind of horror lover, well putt together. Happy reading! And if you are considering taking a vacation, maybe ... just don't!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gore, and Misogyny
Minor: Animal death, Child death, and Death
words_on_paper_official's review
4.0
It’s always so hard to rate an anthology however this was a Great collection of short stories dealing with horrors while on vacation. Close encounters while driving cross country, to the caves beneath the earth. To the happiest place on earth, to the shores of Thailand. This collection has something for everyone.
So here’s a quick rating of each story.
1. You’ve been saved - by S.E. Howard 4⭐️’s
2. Summers with Annie-by Greg Sisco 4⭐️’s
3. Expertise- by Asher Ellis 4⭐️’s
4. Unkindly girls-by Hailey Piper 3.5⭐️’s
5. Deep in the Heart -by Waylon Jordan 4.5 ⭐️’s
6. Peelings -by Kenzie Jennings. 3.5 ⭐️’s
7. The difference between crocodiles and alligators -by Malcolm Mills 3.5 ⭐️’s
8. The CuCuy of Cancun -by V. Castro 4.5⭐️’s
9. Taylor Family Vacation 93’ -by Jeremy Herbert 3.5⭐️’s
10. The Penanggalan -by Scott Cole 4⭐️’s
11. Sex with Dolphins -by Chad Stroup 4⭐️’s
12. Caught a Glimpse -by Patrick Lacey 4⭐️’s
13. In the Water -by Mark Wheaton 3.5⭐️’s
14. Good times in the Bad Lands -by Laura Keating 3.5⭐️’s
So here’s a quick rating of each story.
1. You’ve been saved - by S.E. Howard 4⭐️’s
2. Summers with Annie-by Greg Sisco 4⭐️’s
3. Expertise- by Asher Ellis 4⭐️’s
4. Unkindly girls-by Hailey Piper 3.5⭐️’s
5. Deep in the Heart -by Waylon Jordan 4.5 ⭐️’s
6. Peelings -by Kenzie Jennings. 3.5 ⭐️’s
7. The difference between crocodiles and alligators -by Malcolm Mills 3.5 ⭐️’s
8. The CuCuy of Cancun -by V. Castro 4.5⭐️’s
9. Taylor Family Vacation 93’ -by Jeremy Herbert 3.5⭐️’s
10. The Penanggalan -by Scott Cole 4⭐️’s
11. Sex with Dolphins -by Chad Stroup 4⭐️’s
12. Caught a Glimpse -by Patrick Lacey 4⭐️’s
13. In the Water -by Mark Wheaton 3.5⭐️’s
14. Good times in the Bad Lands -by Laura Keating 3.5⭐️’s
nat1577's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this series of short stories overall! Some were definitely better than others, and there were a few weaker entries, but overall I thought this was a really strong collection. My favourite story was "Summers with Annie" which I thought was really eery and creepy throughout and had me guessing the whole way through.
Individual ratings:
1. You’ve Been Saved - 3/5
2. Summers with Annie – 5/5
3. Expertise – 4/5
4. Unkindly Girls – 4/5
5. Deep in the Heart – 4/5
6. Peelings – 4/5
7. The Difference Between Crocodiles and Alligators – 2/5
8. The Cucuy of Cancun – 4/5
9. Taylor Family Vacation ’93 – 4/5
10. The Penanggalan – 3/5
11. Sex with Dolphins – 4/5
12. Caught a Glimpse – 4/5
13. In the Water – 3/5
14. Good Time in the Bad Lands – 3/5
I would definitely recommend this collection! I had a great time reading this.
Individual ratings:
1. You’ve Been Saved - 3/5
2. Summers with Annie – 5/5
3. Expertise – 4/5
4. Unkindly Girls – 4/5
5. Deep in the Heart – 4/5
6. Peelings – 4/5
7. The Difference Between Crocodiles and Alligators – 2/5
8. The Cucuy of Cancun – 4/5
9. Taylor Family Vacation ’93 – 4/5
10. The Penanggalan – 3/5
11. Sex with Dolphins – 4/5
12. Caught a Glimpse – 4/5
13. In the Water – 3/5
14. Good Time in the Bad Lands – 3/5
I would definitely recommend this collection! I had a great time reading this.