tcgarback's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
⭐️ ⭐️
Critical Score: D+
Personal Score: C+
Reading Experience: 📘📘📘(3/5)
Poorly written, with plot holes and obvious typos everywhere, this feels like a pitiful collection at first glance. But there are a few standouts, and they stand out because Walker is moderately skilled at creeping us out. I just wish she exercised this skill more.
I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone unless they’re famished for creepy stories in the creepypasta realm—I wouldn’t classify these as creepypastas stylistically, and that’s the main reason I didn’t have more fun, as I can overlook mechanical and craft issues but need to be unsettled if I’m to walk away happy.
My ranking of the stories:
“Paradise Pine” A-. Scared the crap out of me, which is surprising because it relies on familiar ingredients.
“The Lost Town of Deepwood, Pennsylvania, Part One” A-. Super similar to Borrasca, but that’s more of a compliment than an insult. Cozy, creepy fun with an unsettling and somehow emotional ending.
“The Creek” B+. Depressing. A sad, terrible thing.
“Gin and Toxic” B+. An entertaining turn away from horror with an ending that leaves something wanting.
“The Glen” B. Meh until the twist that caught me off-guard.
“The Disappearance of Emily Morgan” B-. Pretty run-of-the-mill, but I look back on it fondly.
“Betsy the Doll” B-. It was nice to see the doll trope taken in a different direction, although this one is unscary and underwhelming in hindsight.
“June 10th, 1999” B-. A slightly goofy twist that leaves plot holes Walker could have easily dodged, but creeped me out at first.
“Death at 423 Steerborn Street” C+. Painfully predictable from the get-go, otherwise would have made for a nasty little tale.
“The Lost Town of Deepwood, Pennsylvania, Part Two” C+. Way too long and not scary like Part One, this kills the established story arc in the same way Borrasca’s Part 5 did. But I was mildly invested, nonetheless.
“The Afterlife Experiment” C. Super (and knowingly) unoriginal and STILL manages to be embarrassingly predictable. Despite all that, it’s still a fun, cozy read.
“Who Killed Jacob Bennett?” C-. Inoffensive because of how short it is, but overall too bland and predictable to stick with me; I had to keep flipping back to remember what this was about.
Critical Score: D+
Personal Score: C+
Reading Experience: 📘📘📘(3/5)
Poorly written, with plot holes and obvious typos everywhere, this feels like a pitiful collection at first glance. But there are a few standouts, and they stand out because Walker is moderately skilled at creeping us out. I just wish she exercised this skill more.
I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone unless they’re famished for creepy stories in the creepypasta realm—I wouldn’t classify these as creepypastas stylistically, and that’s the main reason I didn’t have more fun, as I can overlook mechanical and craft issues but need to be unsettled if I’m to walk away happy.
My ranking of the stories:
“Paradise Pine” A-. Scared the crap out of me, which is surprising because it relies on familiar ingredients.
“The Lost Town of Deepwood, Pennsylvania, Part One” A-. Super similar to Borrasca, but that’s more of a compliment than an insult. Cozy, creepy fun with an unsettling and somehow emotional ending.
“The Creek” B+. Depressing. A sad, terrible thing.
“Gin and Toxic” B+. An entertaining turn away from horror with an ending that leaves something wanting.
“The Glen” B. Meh until the twist that caught me off-guard.
“The Disappearance of Emily Morgan” B-. Pretty run-of-the-mill, but I look back on it fondly.
“Betsy the Doll” B-. It was nice to see the doll trope taken in a different direction, although this one is unscary and underwhelming in hindsight.
“June 10th, 1999” B-. A slightly goofy twist that leaves plot holes Walker could have easily dodged, but creeped me out at first.
“Death at 423 Steerborn Street” C+. Painfully predictable from the get-go, otherwise would have made for a nasty little tale.
“The Lost Town of Deepwood, Pennsylvania, Part Two” C+. Way too long and not scary like Part One, this kills the established story arc in the same way Borrasca’s Part 5 did. But I was mildly invested, nonetheless.
“The Afterlife Experiment” C. Super (and knowingly) unoriginal and STILL manages to be embarrassingly predictable. Despite all that, it’s still a fun, cozy read.
“Who Killed Jacob Bennett?” C-. Inoffensive because of how short it is, but overall too bland and predictable to stick with me; I had to keep flipping back to remember what this was about.
tigerlilys's review
3.0
rereading these stories a few years after i first read them. i think i probably enjoyed it more the first time and the writing could be better but the stories are so unique and interesting that those shortcomings can mostly be overlooked.
igetcarriedawayy's review
4.0
Looking for a story that makes you go, “did I actually just read that?” These books are for you. I was hooked on these little short stories and must say Borassca is probably one of my favorite tales I have read, truly captivating and creepy.
“I’ve always felt a little lost in life, like I never received complete instructions on who I'm supposed to be.”
“I’ve always felt a little lost in life, like I never received complete instructions on who I'm supposed to be.”
mothergoosereads's review
4.0
Looking for a story that makes you go, “did I actually just read that?” These books are for you. I was hooked on these little short stories and must say Borassca is probably one of my favorite tales I have read, truly captivating and creepy.
“I’ve always felt a little lost in life, like I never received complete instructions on who I'm supposed to be.”
“I’ve always felt a little lost in life, like I never received complete instructions on who I'm supposed to be.”
alizaydqahtanis's review
3.0
rereading these stories a few years after i first read them. i think i probably enjoyed it more the first time and the writing could be better but the stories are so unique and interesting that those shortcomings can mostly be overlooked.
jimbob_luke's review
5.0
I've had this in my tbr pile for awhile now and decided to give it a shot. Boy, am I glad I did. This collection of tales has a twist in almost every story, and each one surprised me. If, like me, you enjoy reading Creepypastas and/or Nosleep, then this is for you. Perfect seasonal read with Halloween on the way.
branchzz's review
5.0
5/5 ⭐️
Loved every single story in this collection. One of my favorite writers of short stories!
Loved every single story in this collection. One of my favorite writers of short stories!
stephaniecommerer's review
5.0
Reading CK Walkers stores always fills me with abundant joy. I have heard many of these before but it was nice for the refresher on them. It’s a true talent to make a reader feel so many emotions with so few pages. To twist a story in five or six pages and make you feel horror in a way that most 300+ page horror novels cannot, is truly her greatest weapon. She is to this day, one of my favorite authors.
bibliophilecrocodile's review
4.0
Definitely recommend reading if you want to read a collection of creepy or disturbing stories (or true tales, I have no idea, and I don't want to know)..Most of these were actually quite good..adding C K Walker to the list of authors I'd like to read more books from
saif_omrii's review
3.0
(Re-read)
This book, like every other book, does have it's short-comings, but the gems that are inside more than redeem it! Although I might be biased because I've always been a fan of Walker's work. Infact, I started to get invested in the horror genre (I think I was 15 at the time) because of her. So I definitely recommend this!
I also recommend the novel Borrasca for everyone reading this!
This book, like every other book, does have it's short-comings, but the gems that are inside more than redeem it! Although I might be biased because I've always been a fan of Walker's work. Infact, I started to get invested in the horror genre (I think I was 15 at the time) because of her. So I definitely recommend this!
I also recommend the novel Borrasca for everyone reading this!