mindysbookjourney's review
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Murder, and Drug use
lindsayb09's review
I was really enjoying these stories but my Kindle Unlimited subscription expired and it wasn't worth paying for another month just to finish it up. If I re-sub at some point I'll probably come back and finish it.
itcamefromthepage's review
4.0
Fantastic Short Story Collection with a mixture of thirlls, chills, and some legitimately heartwarming moments.
schadenfreudian's review
2.0
Book graciously provided by Mr. Lawson in exchange for an honest review
So being a Michigander who lives near Detroit, the concept of Devil's Night is a familiar one. When offered a horror anthology based upon this chaotic night, I jumped at the chance. So... What happened?
As another reviewer mentioned, in certain stories Devil's Night played almost no part. While I can only point out one story that absolutely did not work, I was left feeling disappointed. However, my expectations were my own and not the author's fault.
If you can divorce the stories from the theme of Devil's Night, they are completely serviceable and a fun time. While this wasn't for me (as my rating shows), this would be an absolutely enjoyable experience for someone looking to dip a little deeper into the horror genre.
So being a Michigander who lives near Detroit, the concept of Devil's Night is a familiar one. When offered a horror anthology based upon this chaotic night, I jumped at the chance. So... What happened?
As another reviewer mentioned, in certain stories Devil's Night played almost no part. While I can only point out one story that absolutely did not work, I was left feeling disappointed. However, my expectations were my own and not the author's fault.
If you can divorce the stories from the theme of Devil's Night, they are completely serviceable and a fun time. While this wasn't for me (as my rating shows), this would be an absolutely enjoyable experience for someone looking to dip a little deeper into the horror genre.
raincorbyn's review
5.0
I had no idea Detroit had so much folklore attached to its troubled history and present, and these horror stories show is that monsters may exist, but they have to sneak into this world through cracks and seams we open. Lawson builds a whole world by only showing us enough - every story is gruesome, original, and relentless, but they add up to this bleak, detached panorama with roars and screams audible. Everyone’s monster story is different, but on Devil’s Night, we’re all together in being screwed.
Narrator Raquel Beattie is talented and has a great voice, but was IMO miscast here. Most of the main characters are poor, haunted tough guys, often doing terrible things just to survive literally or emotionally, while Beattie sounds very poised, smooth, and femme - you know, the audiobook voice. I’d listen to her again in a hurry but here I thought it added a level of distance and thus an additional viewpoint on the characters, when the book’s non-judgmental flatness about these “bad” people was key to its success.
StoryOrigin provided me with a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for this honest review.
Narrator Raquel Beattie is talented and has a great voice, but was IMO miscast here. Most of the main characters are poor, haunted tough guys, often doing terrible things just to survive literally or emotionally, while Beattie sounds very poised, smooth, and femme - you know, the audiobook voice. I’d listen to her again in a hurry but here I thought it added a level of distance and thus an additional viewpoint on the characters, when the book’s non-judgmental flatness about these “bad” people was key to its success.
StoryOrigin provided me with a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for this honest review.
mjtucker's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
monakabbani's review
4.0
“My father told me that back in Iraq the anger and the hate seeped into everything. He used to say it was something in the soil - something that infected the wisest man down to the lowliest vermin. He came here to escape all that, but I think this city is the same.”
Welcome to Devil’s Night in the Hell that is Detroit, Michigan. An anthology of urban horror stories that will rot you to your core. This book is vivid. It’s beautifully put together, tediously taken care of in design, and horrifyingly chaotic. This is one of those books I will be keeping on my shelf because the presentation is just so hellishly impressive and because it’ll feel like I have a piece of Motor City eternally burning within the pages on my bookshelf.
As I said, this book is vivid. Horrific. Gory. My one personal negative is that the gore has no rhyme nor reason besides giving you nightmares but that was clearly the intention. To scare this hell out of you. So it’s not really a negative at all. What I like is that the stories all intertwine, not in a codependent manner but in a way that encapsulates you in the realm of Detroit on this day, referencing characters and events from other stories in the new to make it all truly one universe of destruction.
My top three:
D20
A Night of Art and Excess
The Work of the Devil
I’d also like to note that if you do decide to pick up this book, beware that there are sensitive topics regarding domestic and sexual violence that may be triggering for some.
Welcome to Devil’s Night in the Hell that is Detroit, Michigan. An anthology of urban horror stories that will rot you to your core. This book is vivid. It’s beautifully put together, tediously taken care of in design, and horrifyingly chaotic. This is one of those books I will be keeping on my shelf because the presentation is just so hellishly impressive and because it’ll feel like I have a piece of Motor City eternally burning within the pages on my bookshelf.
As I said, this book is vivid. Horrific. Gory. My one personal negative is that the gore has no rhyme nor reason besides giving you nightmares but that was clearly the intention. To scare this hell out of you. So it’s not really a negative at all. What I like is that the stories all intertwine, not in a codependent manner but in a way that encapsulates you in the realm of Detroit on this day, referencing characters and events from other stories in the new to make it all truly one universe of destruction.
My top three:
D20
A Night of Art and Excess
The Work of the Devil
I’d also like to note that if you do decide to pick up this book, beware that there are sensitive topics regarding domestic and sexual violence that may be triggering for some.
blatdriver's review
4.0
I really liked this book, The edition that I read has full-page art to go with some of the stories, and the art is excellent and adds a feel of the stories.
This collection of short stories is set on the eve of Halloween in Detroit, Michigan known as “Devil’s Night”, and incorporates real, local urban legends such as The Hobo Pig Lady and Nain Rouge.
As I am from Australia, I have not familiarly with the legends, but you don't need to to enjoy the stories, it has a 'The Crow' feel to it.
This collection of short stories is set on the eve of Halloween in Detroit, Michigan known as “Devil’s Night”, and incorporates real, local urban legends such as The Hobo Pig Lady and Nain Rouge.
As I am from Australia, I have not familiarly with the legends, but you don't need to to enjoy the stories, it has a 'The Crow' feel to it.
brandi_the_bibliophile's review
5.0
I knew nothing of the tradition of Devil's Night or the folklore of the Nain Rouge or the Hobo Pig Lady, so I was instantly intrigued by the concept of this story. I was hooked by the end of the prologue Lawson wove to capture the mood of the book and knew I wouldn't go to sleep until I finished reading the whole book that night.
The stories were scary, original, and fit together seamlessly for this book. Some were full of heart (D20) and some were truly heartbreaking (Through Hell for One Kiss). Even when I thought I could guess the ending of the story, I was thrown for a loop. To have this many stories take place all over one city in one night, takes a masterful grasp of story telling, and Curtis Lawson has it.
The stories were scary, original, and fit together seamlessly for this book. Some were full of heart (D20) and some were truly heartbreaking (Through Hell for One Kiss). Even when I thought I could guess the ending of the story, I was thrown for a loop. To have this many stories take place all over one city in one night, takes a masterful grasp of story telling, and Curtis Lawson has it.
charshorrorcorner's review
5.0
Detroit has been a source of income for me, almost all of my adult life. I work with cars every day and I've only owned American cars my whole life, (except for that one time when I bought a Renault, and WOW was that a mistake!) In this collection, Curtis Lawson treats us to different views of the Motor City, from many different walks of life. I found it odd that an author who resides in one of the most historic, (and some believe haunted), towns in Massachusetts, wanted to write about the haunting myths, and legends surrounding Detroit and Michigan, in general, but here we are! (Turns out Salem has nothing on Detroit, nothing at all.)
Many of these tales involved legends I've never heard of, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment at all. Among my favorites were:
TRASH FIRE STORIES involves a group of kids telling tales by a trash can fire, while one of them spray paints his version of the Nain Rouge on a wall. Turns out Nain Rouge is a nasty little hobgoblin that shows up when something bad is about to happen.
D20 is a tale about two brothers trying to take their mind off the horror that is their daily life because their mom is an addict.
NO ONE LEAVES THE BUTCHER SHOP was my second favorite story in this collection. The Pig Lady is one hell of a butcher, or so I gathered.
THROUGH HELL FOR ONE KISS was my favorite tale. It captivated me and then it crushed me. Just...crushed me.
A NIGHT OF ART AND EXCESS. Who doesn't like a penthouse masquerade party?
THE WORK OF THE DEVIL. Here is a tale where everything is leaning one way, but then...it's not.
THE GRAVEYARD OF CHARLES ROBERT SWEDE. Every once in a great while, people get what's coming to them. Swede got his.
THIS CITY NEEDS JESUS. I generally love stories like this one, where I'm not quite sure who the REAL bad guy is. I know who the bad guy is supposed to be, but...is he really?
AN ANGEL IN AMBER LEAVES. A young woman goes from being a bartender to being a body, found by the caretaker.
THE EXORCISM OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN. Murder or exorcism? You decide!
I've been a fan of Curtis Lawson for many years now and each time I read something from him, I marvel at his skill. He has the ability to pick me up and then drop me off in the scariest of places, only to have me claw my way out and ask for more. Thank you, Mr. Lawson-may I have another?
Highly recommended!
Available from: Weirdhousepress.com
*The author provided an e-copy of this book, in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*
Many of these tales involved legends I've never heard of, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment at all. Among my favorites were:
TRASH FIRE STORIES involves a group of kids telling tales by a trash can fire, while one of them spray paints his version of the Nain Rouge on a wall. Turns out Nain Rouge is a nasty little hobgoblin that shows up when something bad is about to happen.
D20 is a tale about two brothers trying to take their mind off the horror that is their daily life because their mom is an addict.
NO ONE LEAVES THE BUTCHER SHOP was my second favorite story in this collection. The Pig Lady is one hell of a butcher, or so I gathered.
THROUGH HELL FOR ONE KISS was my favorite tale. It captivated me and then it crushed me. Just...crushed me.
A NIGHT OF ART AND EXCESS. Who doesn't like a penthouse masquerade party?
THE WORK OF THE DEVIL. Here is a tale where everything is leaning one way, but then...it's not.
THE GRAVEYARD OF CHARLES ROBERT SWEDE. Every once in a great while, people get what's coming to them. Swede got his.
THIS CITY NEEDS JESUS. I generally love stories like this one, where I'm not quite sure who the REAL bad guy is. I know who the bad guy is supposed to be, but...is he really?
AN ANGEL IN AMBER LEAVES. A young woman goes from being a bartender to being a body, found by the caretaker.
THE EXORCISM OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN. Murder or exorcism? You decide!
I've been a fan of Curtis Lawson for many years now and each time I read something from him, I marvel at his skill. He has the ability to pick me up and then drop me off in the scariest of places, only to have me claw my way out and ask for more. Thank you, Mr. Lawson-may I have another?
Highly recommended!
Available from: Weirdhousepress.com
*The author provided an e-copy of this book, in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*