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josephvanburen's review against another edition
4.0
I first read Christa Carmen's story "Red Room" in Unnerving magazine and loved it. This collection was every bit as good as I expected. She does a great job of taking old school horror tropes & even older school gothic conventions, placing them in scary modern settings, then subverting half of them and embracing the rest. The tales that result are refreshing takes on the influences they are rooted in and give nods to. Addiction is a big theme in this book, which is a horror close to my heart. I also really liked the sense of a shared universe with some characters appearing, or at least being mentioned in, more than one story. If you like mess-with-your-head horror that is just as poetic as it is disturbing, read this book.
b3ll3's review against another edition
4.0
Please read the kittens review on instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9m9nbxglBZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9m9nbxglBZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
dustin_frueh7921's review against another edition
5.0
Many thanks of gratitude to the Horror Writers Association's Facebook group, and especially the author, for making this opportunity possible. She provided a PDF file in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.
In just five pages, the tragic realities of an apocalyptic landscape of the most dire imaginable were revealed, in a very well-written and hypnotic manner. Coupled with unexpected and curious word choices, Christa Carmen's poetic prose was dense yet fluid, disturbingly soothing and inexplicably humane. With breakneck pace and wild imagery, all that I found lacking was a little more exposition and character development.
Most likely inspired by the slasher films of the 1970's and 80's, with splashes of The Sixth Sense and 2002's Panic Room, and with insight into the evils of technology, the author took a deceptively simple premise and, spinning it on its top, complicated things further with an unreliable narrator and…flashes of red.
Sinister and twisted, yet in light of its brevity, the ending was very abrupt, almost like Carmen got bored with crafting her tale of newlyweds Luke and Belladonna, and their peculiar relations with her Aunt Louise. Admittedly though, there was a lot taking place beneath the surface, which drove home the point that the author didn't merely abandon it. She crafted it precisely how she envisioned it should be, and what a lovely tale indeed.
If the last story was twisted, this one was compulsively demonic, strange, and disturbing, leaving the reader unsure about what the future held for these characters. Were Belinda's motivations as clear cut as they seemed? Should she be trusted? Was she even telling the truth? You decide.
Clearly inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Carmen's spin on the iconic concept of three separate ghosts (thankfully, hers were a little different,) visiting one unlikely individual was unlike anything the collection had to offer. And aside from the former, I'd never read anything quite like it. In the end, All Souls of Eve was more AND less than what I expected. I liked it, but I wouldn't categorize it as horror. I was anticipating a dark twist at the end. Instead, Carmen gave something else entirely.
Enter: Nicole Price. Eddie Vance. Olive Holton. Spanning fifty-two pages, this quasi slowly burning novella was the longest tale. It was also the strongest, possessing
the most visual stimuli, unpredictability, suspense, tension, and conflicting moods and tone. With morbid fascination, I sat back and watched everything unfold, with a mindfulness of the councilor’s plight (cheering, cringing all the while,) and Nicole's absence. Would her reappearance, or having a stronger presence, have created a stronger story? That's the lingering question, for which I have no answers.
Reminiscent of Stephen King's “Big Driver” and “The Gingerbread Girl,” it became clear that Liquid Handcuffs was none of those things. At least, not entirely. It was a tale all its own, standing tall on its distinctive merits. It's also my favorite work so far.
I liked Priscila Teasdale almost right away. That intrigue soon transcended love, and clashing down near the masterful, completely earned denouement, she gained my respect and sympathy. I empathized with her plight in ways I haven't experienced from a fictional character in a very long time.
Between this one and Liquid Handcuffs, I can't decide which I love more. I suppose my affinity for them is equal, but of course, for different reasons.
Robert Kirkman's cult classic met Bruce Campbell's seminal work, steeped in the ongoing opioid pandemic and plausible scientific research, this offering was intense, particularly from the halfway point to its abrupt end. It was also mysterious, and a lot of fun. Despite going in with zero preconceived notions, something felt a little lacking--be it the cliched subgenre or the personal need for a more substantial scientific theory, I'm not sure, but I was entertained.
As one with an appreciation for unusual names and/or unique spellings, Mikhail instantly resonated. More revealing, though, was Carmen's exquisite attention to the myriad of small details (quickly honing in on all five, possibly six, senses,) which really helped develop Mikhail's place in the world, and her questionable mentality. In the end, I was left wanting more. So much more..
I really wanted to give this a higher rating, but 3.75 was the most I could do. Ordinarily, a short story with more questions than answers would be given less, but it's important to remember just how MUCH Carmen conveyed in a mere two pages.
This was another favorite; a stand-out offering, undoubtedly. The protagonist, Molly Monteith, was likeable and loathsome in equal measure. And perhaps that adjective was too harsh, because I didn't hate her, but some of the choices she made were truly repulsive, particularly in light of the fact that they didn't only affect her, but also her three year old daughter. It was a poignant reminder of the debilitating, all-encompassing, and non-discriminatory nature of addiction.
Set in the same locale as Liquid Handcuffs, the references to Nicole, Olive, and Eddie were a nice touch.
Wow. Wildly imaginative and atmospheric. Unpredictable and frigid. Phantasmagorical to the point of sheer madness (in the literal sense,) and an ill comprehension of reality. This was, however, more than a series of abstract images, senses, and conversations. At its core, it was the story of a young woman, Lauren, attempting a reconciliation. Was it coming-of-age, though? THAT is the question. And does it make a difference?
Creepy and also atmospheric, this was the tale of Harley Quinn, her sister, Zombie-Elsa, and their comrades on All Hallows’ Eve, and the plausible consequences of peer pressure, which can be horrific in of itself.
You're in the doctor's office. Dr. Mendelevitch sits before you, questioning your mental state with what you, Willow, perceive as vague accusations. Imogene won't visit you. The shadow wolf leers in the far corner (or is it closer?) of your peripheral vision. Is that a growl you just heard? A sneer directed in your general direction?
Perhaps closet yet: Amaryllis. Is she here to help, or hinder? Perhaps Dr. Mendelevitch holds the keys to unlocking your secrets. Or maybe you've known all along, and were too afraid to face reality. Or maybe no one knows. Do we ever truly know ourselves? Each other?
5 stars
So although this was a short story collection, many of the entries shared interconnections, such as time, place, even characters, allowing them to function like a very loosely related novel. At its center were recurring themes of mental illness, and perhaps most surprising of all, love; themes of angst and addiction, amongst others.
Christa Carmen's strongest asset was the writing itself. In the hand of another, these would most likely come across as cliched concepts, a mediocre attempt at greatness. And to an extent, some of the concepts were cliche, but they were far from mediocre. Her often lyrical prose was beautiful, and consistently awe-inspiring.
I can easily see myself reading these stories again and again. I'm more curious than ever about her impressive catalogue.
Forward
"But Christa Carmen isn't interested in silence, and her collection...isn't looking to lead you calmly down the aisle. Your path is littered with temptations that test the strength of your mind, heart, and stomach, and over thirteen tales of death and dependency...Carmen has you questioning whether love is real or just another addiction.”
-Jessica McHugh
Thirsty Creatures
In just five pages, the tragic realities of an apocalyptic landscape of the most dire imaginable were revealed, in a very well-written and hypnotic manner. Coupled with unexpected and curious word choices, Christa Carmen's poetic prose was dense yet fluid, disturbingly soothing and inexplicably humane. With breakneck pace and wild imagery, all that I found lacking was a little more exposition and character development.
4 stars
Red Room
Most likely inspired by the slasher films of the 1970's and 80's, with splashes of The Sixth Sense and 2002's Panic Room, and with insight into the evils of technology, the author took a deceptively simple premise and, spinning it on its top, complicated things further with an unreliable narrator and…flashes of red.
Her heart beat like a herd of spooked horses, but amongst the mound of books, the Kindle with its textured purple cover, the dish of rings and earrings, the bookmarks and pens and empty seltzer cans, there was no phone to be found.
5 stars
Something Borrowed, Something Blood-Soaked
Sinister and twisted, yet in light of its brevity, the ending was very abrupt, almost like Carmen got bored with crafting her tale of newlyweds Luke and Belladonna, and their peculiar relations with her Aunt Louise. Admittedly though, there was a lot taking place beneath the surface, which drove home the point that the author didn't merely abandon it. She crafted it precisely how she envisioned it should be, and what a lovely tale indeed.
3 stars
Souls, Dark and Deep
If the last story was twisted, this one was compulsively demonic, strange, and disturbing, leaving the reader unsure about what the future held for these characters. Were Belinda's motivations as clear cut as they seemed? Should she be trusted? Was she even telling the truth? You decide.
4 stars
All Souls of Eve
Clearly inspired by Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Carmen's spin on the iconic concept of three separate ghosts (thankfully, hers were a little different,) visiting one unlikely individual was unlike anything the collection had to offer. And aside from the former, I'd never read anything quite like it. In the end, All Souls of Eve was more AND less than what I expected. I liked it, but I wouldn't categorize it as horror. I was anticipating a dark twist at the end. Instead, Carmen gave something else entirely.
3 stars
Liquid Handcuffs
Enter: Nicole Price. Eddie Vance. Olive Holton. Spanning fifty-two pages, this quasi slowly burning novella was the longest tale. It was also the strongest, possessing
the most visual stimuli, unpredictability, suspense, tension, and conflicting moods and tone. With morbid fascination, I sat back and watched everything unfold, with a mindfulness of the councilor’s plight (cheering, cringing all the while,) and Nicole's absence. Would her reappearance, or having a stronger presence, have created a stronger story? That's the lingering question, for which I have no answers.
Reminiscent of Stephen King's “Big Driver” and “The Gingerbread Girl,” it became clear that Liquid Handcuffs was none of those things. At least, not entirely. It was a tale all its own, standing tall on its distinctive merits. It's also my favorite work so far.
4 stars
Lady of The Flies
I liked Priscila Teasdale almost right away. That intrigue soon transcended love, and clashing down near the masterful, completely earned denouement, she gained my respect and sympathy. I empathized with her plight in ways I haven't experienced from a fictional character in a very long time.
They left me. They left me without a second thought, and all I'd wanted was a thing to call my own. My own dog. A livelihood. A fulfilling relationship with a co-worker. A friend.
Between this one and Liquid Handcuffs, I can't decide which I love more. I suppose my affinity for them is equal, but of course, for different reasons.
5 stars
The Girl Who Loved Bruce Campbell
Robert Kirkman's cult classic met Bruce Campbell's seminal work, steeped in the ongoing opioid pandemic and plausible scientific research, this offering was intense, particularly from the halfway point to its abrupt end. It was also mysterious, and a lot of fun. Despite going in with zero preconceived notions, something felt a little lacking--be it the cliched subgenre or the personal need for a more substantial scientific theory, I'm not sure, but I was entertained.
3.5 stars
A Fairy Plant In Grief
As one with an appreciation for unusual names and/or unique spellings, Mikhail instantly resonated. More revealing, though, was Carmen's exquisite attention to the myriad of small details (quickly honing in on all five, possibly six, senses,) which really helped develop Mikhail's place in the world, and her questionable mentality. In the end, I was left wanting more. So much more..
I really wanted to give this a higher rating, but 3.75 was the most I could do. Ordinarily, a short story with more questions than answers would be given less, but it's important to remember just how MUCH Carmen conveyed in a mere two pages.
Wolves At The Door And Bears In The Forest
This was another favorite; a stand-out offering, undoubtedly. The protagonist, Molly Monteith, was likeable and loathsome in equal measure. And perhaps that adjective was too harsh, because I didn't hate her, but some of the choices she made were truly repulsive, particularly in light of the fact that they didn't only affect her, but also her three year old daughter. It was a poignant reminder of the debilitating, all-encompassing, and non-discriminatory nature of addiction.
Set in the same locale as Liquid Handcuffs, the references to Nicole, Olive, and Eddie were a nice touch.
5 stars
This Our Angry Train
Wow. Wildly imaginative and atmospheric. Unpredictable and frigid. Phantasmagorical to the point of sheer madness (in the literal sense,) and an ill comprehension of reality. This was, however, more than a series of abstract images, senses, and conversations. At its core, it was the story of a young woman, Lauren, attempting a reconciliation. Was it coming-of-age, though? THAT is the question. And does it make a difference?
5 stars
The One Who Answers The Door
Creepy and also atmospheric, this was the tale of Harley Quinn, her sister, Zombie-Elsa, and their comrades on All Hallows’ Eve, and the plausible consequences of peer pressure, which can be horrific in of itself.
3 stars
Flowers From Amaryllis
You're in the doctor's office. Dr. Mendelevitch sits before you, questioning your mental state with what you, Willow, perceive as vague accusations. Imogene won't visit you. The shadow wolf leers in the far corner (or is it closer?) of your peripheral vision. Is that a growl you just heard? A sneer directed in your general direction?
Perhaps closet yet: Amaryllis. Is she here to help, or hinder? Perhaps Dr. Mendelevitch holds the keys to unlocking your secrets. Or maybe you've known all along, and were too afraid to face reality. Or maybe no one knows. Do we ever truly know ourselves? Each other?
It is easier this way, easier to subject your body to the repertoire of tortures it requires. Food is scarce and instruments of pain abound in the absence of everything else.
5 stars
So although this was a short story collection, many of the entries shared interconnections, such as time, place, even characters, allowing them to function like a very loosely related novel. At its center were recurring themes of mental illness, and perhaps most surprising of all, love; themes of angst and addiction, amongst others.
Christa Carmen's strongest asset was the writing itself. In the hand of another, these would most likely come across as cliched concepts, a mediocre attempt at greatness. And to an extent, some of the concepts were cliche, but they were far from mediocre. Her often lyrical prose was beautiful, and consistently awe-inspiring.
I can easily see myself reading these stories again and again. I'm more curious than ever about her impressive catalogue.
”Christa Carmen is undoubtedly one of horror's most exciting and distinctive new voices, and her debut collection absolutely proves why. From hardcore to heart-wrenching, these tales run the gamut, with each one of them taking hold of you and not letting go. Something Borrowed, Something Blood-Soaked is one incredibly wild ride. Hold on tight.”
--Gwendolyn Kiste
keary's review against another edition
5.0
Great fun. Some excellent horror stories and some that really make you think.
Recommended.
Recommended.
howlinglibraries's review against another edition
3.0
I always love a good horror collection, and when I was offered this one, it felt implied that the stories were not only spooky, but also feminist in nature, which immediately hooked my interest. I will say that there are a lot of feminist notes to the tales, as well as subversion of some tropes here and there, though it wasn’t enough to make this anthology a complete winner for me.
There are definitely a few gems in the collection, such as:
• Red Room, in which a woman tries to warn her boyfriend about the terrifying, bloody photos that keep mysteriously appearing on her phone—but nobody ever listens to the women, do they?
• All Souls of Eve, a Halloween retelling of Ebenezer Scrooge’s tale—except this time, the ghosts are dead ex-boyfriends, and they’re just as toxic in the afterlife as they were when Eve dated them.
• Lady of the Flies, a story full of secondhand awkwardness and cringe-inducing grossness, albeit dimmed slightly by a lackluster back story.
Unfortunately, the other ten stories in the collection were mostly 3-star reads for me.
The most bothersome aspect for me is how heavily it relied on repetition of drug-related narratives. I know that the synopsis mentions substance abuse as one of the themes, but I think nearly half of the stories featured drug usage and/or characters with addictions. While I have no problem reading about addiction, it reached the point of repetition.
On one hand, many of the tales had serious potential; I think Christa Carmen shows definite potential as a writer, and I’d love to see where she goes with it, but the vagueness of most of the characters’ motives frustrated me, and on a more personal “pet peeve” note, the over-usage of similes in descriptive text kept jarring me out of the story, especially when there were multiple in a paragraph. All in all, though, I still enjoyed myself quite a bit while reading!
All in all, if you’re looking for a unique and feminist collection of indie horror, go ahead and give this one a try. I’m definitely willing to check out more of this author’s work in the future, because I think she has potential to go far, but this collection just didn’t quite "wow" me.
Thank you so much to the publicist for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Content warnings for violence, death, abduction, slut-shaming, abuse, suicide, alcoholism, addiction, drug usage, animal death, torture, mutilation, sexual assault, and self-harm.
You can find this review and more on my blog, or you can follow me on twitter, bookstagram, or facebook!
There are definitely a few gems in the collection, such as:
• Red Room, in which a woman tries to warn her boyfriend about the terrifying, bloody photos that keep mysteriously appearing on her phone—but nobody ever listens to the women, do they?
• All Souls of Eve, a Halloween retelling of Ebenezer Scrooge’s tale—except this time, the ghosts are dead ex-boyfriends, and they’re just as toxic in the afterlife as they were when Eve dated them.
• Lady of the Flies, a story full of secondhand awkwardness and cringe-inducing grossness, albeit dimmed slightly by a lackluster back story.
Unfortunately, the other ten stories in the collection were mostly 3-star reads for me.
The most bothersome aspect for me is how heavily it relied on repetition of drug-related narratives. I know that the synopsis mentions substance abuse as one of the themes, but I think nearly half of the stories featured drug usage and/or characters with addictions. While I have no problem reading about addiction, it reached the point of repetition.
On one hand, many of the tales had serious potential; I think Christa Carmen shows definite potential as a writer, and I’d love to see where she goes with it, but the vagueness of most of the characters’ motives frustrated me, and on a more personal “pet peeve” note, the over-usage of similes in descriptive text kept jarring me out of the story, especially when there were multiple in a paragraph. All in all, though, I still enjoyed myself quite a bit while reading!
All in all, if you’re looking for a unique and feminist collection of indie horror, go ahead and give this one a try. I’m definitely willing to check out more of this author’s work in the future, because I think she has potential to go far, but this collection just didn’t quite "wow" me.
Thank you so much to the publicist for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Content warnings for violence, death, abduction, slut-shaming, abuse, suicide, alcoholism, addiction, drug usage, animal death, torture, mutilation, sexual assault, and self-harm.
You can find this review and more on my blog, or you can follow me on twitter, bookstagram, or facebook!
dogearedbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a little bummed I didn't love it. I really liked some stories but others I didn't care for. I would recommend it to anyone who likes horror and short story collection.
Popsugar challange: A book with more then 20 letters in the title.
Popsugar challange: A book with more then 20 letters in the title.
coffeeandcuentos's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Christa Carmen and Unnerving for the free copy in exchange for an honest review!
Ok, this cover is awesome. I love it. And why am I so hard on short stories? I need to stop because this collection was AWESOME. I loved the variety of horror. I think my favorite story was Liquid Handcuffs. It was so raw and gritty. Red Room was awesome too. So gruesome!! And to round out my top 3 I'm going with All Souls of Eve. It packed a lot of emotion.
Ok, this cover is awesome. I love it. And why am I so hard on short stories? I need to stop because this collection was AWESOME. I loved the variety of horror. I think my favorite story was Liquid Handcuffs. It was so raw and gritty. Red Room was awesome too. So gruesome!! And to round out my top 3 I'm going with All Souls of Eve. It packed a lot of emotion.
cammies0401's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 if we’re being generous. Two standouts for me were “red room” and “liquid handcuffs” the rest weren’t very good.
thomaswjoyce's review against another edition
5.0
In “Thirsty Creatures” we see the world through the eyes of a young girl. And it is a thirsty world, as something has suddenly contaminated the water supply and anyone who drinks it suffers a horrible death. Soon the girl must venture out into a dangerous and unpredictable world with only a horse and stuffed toy for company. Carmen does an excellent job of conveying the experiences of her young protagonist, the horror of the situation palpable through her wonderful prose. The way she describes the world and the emotions of the girl is brilliant. A strong opening to the collection.
While Marci and Caleb flick through photos on Marci’s phone of their friends’ wedding celebrations the night before, they come across one of the eponymous “Red Room”. It shows a scene that wouldn’t be out of place in an extreme horror movie; the floors and walls covered in blood, a bathtub full of gore, and two men in masks examining a dismembered corpse. While they eventually explain away the photo with an excuse, the horror returns a week later when another photo appears, seemingly showing a scene from just prior to the first. The tension is really ramped up in this story. It is longer than the first, but you’ll be breathless by the time you reach the end. The scenes of gore are handled just as well as the pacing of the story, making for a well-rounded tale.
The title story, “Something Borrowed, Something Blood-Soaked”, is about newlyweds Bella and Luke just married and attending a Halloween ball at the famous Stanley Hotel. But there is more to this happy couple than meets the eye, especially where Aunt Louise, Bella’s only living relative, is concerned. She never approved of Luke, and perhaps there was good reason for it. It’s a beautifully written piece of flash fiction with strong characters and so much conveyed in so few words.
“Souls, Dark and Deep” sees last minute babysitter, Belinda, called upon to care for sisters Annie and Abigail while their parents go out for a meal. At least, that’s their story. But Belinda has a different version of events to share with the girls once they are alone, one that puts their parents in a very different light. How does Belinda know these things? And why should the girls believe her? Although the story is very dark and the imagery employed by the author quite disturbing, the young characters are very well developed and given great emotional depth.
“All Souls of Eve” takes place on Halloween, the night before Eve and Jack’s wedding. But all is not well in their relationship. The tension between Eve’s sister, Cara, and Jack is clear to see, as is the tension between the couple when the question of Eve giving up her job to become a full-time graphic designer rears it’s head again. During the fallout, after Jack leaves to spend the night with his groomsmen, Eve is visited by three spirits, all ex-boyfriends, all giving her insight into herself based on reflecting on their past relationships. The character development is especially good in this story as Eve discovers so much about herself, and it is an interesting and original take on the traditional ghost story.
In “Liquid Handcuffs”, Olive Holton is a counsellor in a facility for addiction and we meet her in a typical session with patient Nicole, where they discuss many things, including Nicole’s violent ex, fellow patient Eddie. It becomes clear that Olive has had a run-in with Eddie in the recent past and this proves to be the catalyst for the horror that befalls the counsellor. What follows is what would be a terrifying and tortuous drawn-out experience for anyone. And, indeed, it proves for Olive. But she has a secret so horrifying even Eddie can’t top it. This tale of true-life horror is as disturbing as any in the collection, and it has a great ending that flips everything on its head.
Often, when a young woman keeps to herself, rumours begin to circulate. This is the case in “Lady of the Flies” where Priscila Teasdale has to put up with constant teasing about her home and what really happened to her poor dogs. But she thinks all of this is about to change when she receives an invite to a Halloween party from one of the other seasonal workers at the farm where she is in charge of the maze. Then she overhears some of the other workers talking about her behind her back and everything changes, but not for the better. The character development is what makes this story stand out, as well as Carmen’s descriptions. But it is bloody, too, and a great all-around story.
With a title like “The Girl Who Loved Bruce Campbell”, you may suspect that the most famous chin in B-movies plays an integral part. And you’d be correct. Kartya and Kit are a young couple in love with each other, and gory horror, specifically anything starring Bruce Campbell. When Kit leaves for nightshift, terror comes knocking in the form of three drug addicts who injected more than just heroin. As Kartya is forced to defend herself from her attackers, her actions are very reminiscent of her movie hero, dispatching her enemies with similar bloody means and possibly throwing in the occasional Ash Williams one-liner. It is a love-letter to Campbell, but it’s also great fun and entertaining as hell.
“A Fairy Plant in Grief” is a very short and very touching story, very much different in tone from the previous story, but equally well written. Mikhail recounts memories of her sister from their childhood while she walks through a cemetery, clutching flowers. But the story isn’t as clear-cut as we are led to believe, and the finale is both touching and unnerving. Again, Carmen proves her skill as an adept storyteller in the short form.
“Wolves at the Door and Bears in the Forest” is another story that revolves around the real-life horror of drug addiction. Single mother Molly is struggling to take care of herself and her daughter Audrey, trying to make the most of what they have in the face of insurmountable odds, and a ruthless landlord. After a disastrous visit to her methadone clinic and a visit from the Division of Children, Youth, and Families, Molly hits rock bottom. She decides to take a walk in the forest, searching for a mysterious staircase. This is a gut-wrenching tale, all too imaginable in a world where so often those in trouble slip through the cracks of an uncaring bureaucracy. The characters feel very real, as does the horror facing Molly. Heart-breaking, and beautifully delivered.
“This Our Angry Train” returns the reader to more supernatural territory in the form of a train carriage-based ghost story. Despite her desire for a quiet trip reading her book, lone passenger Lauren is intrigued by the conductor’s strange tale about the history of the locomotive, not to mention his strange demeanour. Even after he eventually leaves her alone, she cannot stop thinking about the story, and about her own traumatic incident on a train several years before. The tension builds and builds, like a train out of control, hurtling towards oblivion. But is it all in Lauren’s head? And how much does it have to do with what happened seven years ago? This story drips with dread and Carmen does a brilliant job of relaying Lauren’s thoughts and increasingly unstable mental state to the reader. Gripping.
The penultimate story, “The One Who Answers the Door”, is another short tale set on Halloween, this one featuring the age-old ritual of trick or treat. A group of girls, featuring sisters “Zombie-Elsa” and “Harley Quinn” meet up to knock on some doors. But they have one particular address in mind, thanks to a dare from a group of boys. But who will be the one to answer the door? At first glance it feels like a run-of-the-mill trick or treat story, but by the end the reader will be surprised by the direction. Carmen’s misdirection works well and provides a good ending to a good story.
“Flowers from Amaryllis” is told from a second-person point of view, the “you” of the story finding herself in a hospital with bandages covering her wrists. A story of heartbreak and grief unfolds throughout her meetings with a counsellor and her inner dialogue. Also, she is stalked by a presence she refers to as the “shadow wolf”, that may be a real supernatural entity that longs to see her miserable, or it may be an allegory for depression. Whatever it is, she still cannot escape it in the hospital, and there is very little hope for survival. But sometimes all we need is hope, and love. This is another touching story, with both real and supernatural horror elements, but mostly just very strong characters and great storytelling.
As far as debut collections go, this offers so much and delivers it all. Each story is told in its own style, whether the horror is supernatural or emotional or psychological or hardcore or based in real life or any combination of these, Carmen handles it with the assured touch of a seasoned storyteller. Exceptional, considering the stories featured were all published within the past couple of years. If she can continue to write short stories like these, as well as translate this skill to the longer form for her future work (the exciting word on the ’net is she is currently working on a novel, Coming Down Fast), Christa Carmen deserves every success that is surely coming her way. Certainly one to watch in the future.
While Marci and Caleb flick through photos on Marci’s phone of their friends’ wedding celebrations the night before, they come across one of the eponymous “Red Room”. It shows a scene that wouldn’t be out of place in an extreme horror movie; the floors and walls covered in blood, a bathtub full of gore, and two men in masks examining a dismembered corpse. While they eventually explain away the photo with an excuse, the horror returns a week later when another photo appears, seemingly showing a scene from just prior to the first. The tension is really ramped up in this story. It is longer than the first, but you’ll be breathless by the time you reach the end. The scenes of gore are handled just as well as the pacing of the story, making for a well-rounded tale.
The title story, “Something Borrowed, Something Blood-Soaked”, is about newlyweds Bella and Luke just married and attending a Halloween ball at the famous Stanley Hotel. But there is more to this happy couple than meets the eye, especially where Aunt Louise, Bella’s only living relative, is concerned. She never approved of Luke, and perhaps there was good reason for it. It’s a beautifully written piece of flash fiction with strong characters and so much conveyed in so few words.
“Souls, Dark and Deep” sees last minute babysitter, Belinda, called upon to care for sisters Annie and Abigail while their parents go out for a meal. At least, that’s their story. But Belinda has a different version of events to share with the girls once they are alone, one that puts their parents in a very different light. How does Belinda know these things? And why should the girls believe her? Although the story is very dark and the imagery employed by the author quite disturbing, the young characters are very well developed and given great emotional depth.
“All Souls of Eve” takes place on Halloween, the night before Eve and Jack’s wedding. But all is not well in their relationship. The tension between Eve’s sister, Cara, and Jack is clear to see, as is the tension between the couple when the question of Eve giving up her job to become a full-time graphic designer rears it’s head again. During the fallout, after Jack leaves to spend the night with his groomsmen, Eve is visited by three spirits, all ex-boyfriends, all giving her insight into herself based on reflecting on their past relationships. The character development is especially good in this story as Eve discovers so much about herself, and it is an interesting and original take on the traditional ghost story.
In “Liquid Handcuffs”, Olive Holton is a counsellor in a facility for addiction and we meet her in a typical session with patient Nicole, where they discuss many things, including Nicole’s violent ex, fellow patient Eddie. It becomes clear that Olive has had a run-in with Eddie in the recent past and this proves to be the catalyst for the horror that befalls the counsellor. What follows is what would be a terrifying and tortuous drawn-out experience for anyone. And, indeed, it proves for Olive. But she has a secret so horrifying even Eddie can’t top it. This tale of true-life horror is as disturbing as any in the collection, and it has a great ending that flips everything on its head.
Often, when a young woman keeps to herself, rumours begin to circulate. This is the case in “Lady of the Flies” where Priscila Teasdale has to put up with constant teasing about her home and what really happened to her poor dogs. But she thinks all of this is about to change when she receives an invite to a Halloween party from one of the other seasonal workers at the farm where she is in charge of the maze. Then she overhears some of the other workers talking about her behind her back and everything changes, but not for the better. The character development is what makes this story stand out, as well as Carmen’s descriptions. But it is bloody, too, and a great all-around story.
With a title like “The Girl Who Loved Bruce Campbell”, you may suspect that the most famous chin in B-movies plays an integral part. And you’d be correct. Kartya and Kit are a young couple in love with each other, and gory horror, specifically anything starring Bruce Campbell. When Kit leaves for nightshift, terror comes knocking in the form of three drug addicts who injected more than just heroin. As Kartya is forced to defend herself from her attackers, her actions are very reminiscent of her movie hero, dispatching her enemies with similar bloody means and possibly throwing in the occasional Ash Williams one-liner. It is a love-letter to Campbell, but it’s also great fun and entertaining as hell.
“A Fairy Plant in Grief” is a very short and very touching story, very much different in tone from the previous story, but equally well written. Mikhail recounts memories of her sister from their childhood while she walks through a cemetery, clutching flowers. But the story isn’t as clear-cut as we are led to believe, and the finale is both touching and unnerving. Again, Carmen proves her skill as an adept storyteller in the short form.
“Wolves at the Door and Bears in the Forest” is another story that revolves around the real-life horror of drug addiction. Single mother Molly is struggling to take care of herself and her daughter Audrey, trying to make the most of what they have in the face of insurmountable odds, and a ruthless landlord. After a disastrous visit to her methadone clinic and a visit from the Division of Children, Youth, and Families, Molly hits rock bottom. She decides to take a walk in the forest, searching for a mysterious staircase. This is a gut-wrenching tale, all too imaginable in a world where so often those in trouble slip through the cracks of an uncaring bureaucracy. The characters feel very real, as does the horror facing Molly. Heart-breaking, and beautifully delivered.
“This Our Angry Train” returns the reader to more supernatural territory in the form of a train carriage-based ghost story. Despite her desire for a quiet trip reading her book, lone passenger Lauren is intrigued by the conductor’s strange tale about the history of the locomotive, not to mention his strange demeanour. Even after he eventually leaves her alone, she cannot stop thinking about the story, and about her own traumatic incident on a train several years before. The tension builds and builds, like a train out of control, hurtling towards oblivion. But is it all in Lauren’s head? And how much does it have to do with what happened seven years ago? This story drips with dread and Carmen does a brilliant job of relaying Lauren’s thoughts and increasingly unstable mental state to the reader. Gripping.
The penultimate story, “The One Who Answers the Door”, is another short tale set on Halloween, this one featuring the age-old ritual of trick or treat. A group of girls, featuring sisters “Zombie-Elsa” and “Harley Quinn” meet up to knock on some doors. But they have one particular address in mind, thanks to a dare from a group of boys. But who will be the one to answer the door? At first glance it feels like a run-of-the-mill trick or treat story, but by the end the reader will be surprised by the direction. Carmen’s misdirection works well and provides a good ending to a good story.
“Flowers from Amaryllis” is told from a second-person point of view, the “you” of the story finding herself in a hospital with bandages covering her wrists. A story of heartbreak and grief unfolds throughout her meetings with a counsellor and her inner dialogue. Also, she is stalked by a presence she refers to as the “shadow wolf”, that may be a real supernatural entity that longs to see her miserable, or it may be an allegory for depression. Whatever it is, she still cannot escape it in the hospital, and there is very little hope for survival. But sometimes all we need is hope, and love. This is another touching story, with both real and supernatural horror elements, but mostly just very strong characters and great storytelling.
As far as debut collections go, this offers so much and delivers it all. Each story is told in its own style, whether the horror is supernatural or emotional or psychological or hardcore or based in real life or any combination of these, Carmen handles it with the assured touch of a seasoned storyteller. Exceptional, considering the stories featured were all published within the past couple of years. If she can continue to write short stories like these, as well as translate this skill to the longer form for her future work (the exciting word on the ’net is she is currently working on a novel, Coming Down Fast), Christa Carmen deserves every success that is surely coming her way. Certainly one to watch in the future.
motherhorror's review against another edition
4.0
I need to remember to choose the right edition (format) when I start doing my updates for a book--I didn't read the Kindle edition but I can't change that now or I'll lose all my updates and progress. I read a physical copy sent to me by Unnerving Publishing in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars!
As much as I read horror, you'd think I go to bed terrified every night, but I don't. It's not that the books I read aren't scary, they are--I just think that my house feels safe, I have my husband beside me and books don't penetrate the visuals in my mind the way that movies do.
That being said, a couple of the stories in this collection got through. One in particular I'm sure gave me a nightmare. But the nightmare (after analyzing it the next day) was a combination of the book cover and the story inside titled RED ROOM.
Christa Carmen went places with that particular piece that seriously got under my skin and stayed there. It unsettled me. I went to bed with frightening images in mind that later generated a nightmare! Success Christa! (ha)
Another story that stood out was SOULS DARK AND DEEP--not a traditional babysitter at all, Christa toyed with a growing sense of "something's not right here" until you arrive at a startling scene involving one of *my* personal favorites...creepy dolls! Whoooo! That one was pretty dark.
And then, almost as if she wanted to show off her versatility for us, Christa switched gears with ALL SOULS OF EVE and I really enjoyed the tone of that story--a modern, Halloween twist on the classic Dickens tale, A CHRISTMAS CAROL. I thought it was really clever and engaging. I was wowed by the author's ability to write in a variety of styles by this point in the collection.
LIQUID HANDCUFFS was another standout because it gave me a new fear--I don't want to spoil it at all but as someone who has never fooled around or experimented with any illicit drugs, the idea Carmen brings to the table is a very terrifying one and it really freaked me out.
Lastly, LADY OF THE FLIES was so cool because I 100% understood the meaning of the title and the way it connected to the story (LORD OF THE FLIES is one of my favorite, classic books). I also imagined the actress that played, Brienne of Tarth on the GOT shows, Gwendolyn Christie as the main character Pris-killa.
Anyhoo, I realized I've shared almost every single story in the collection and that wasn't my intention so I'll just say, I enjoyed this very, very much. There were only a few that didn't resonate with me, the rest were all my favorite flavors.
I would definitely add it to any October TBR or for solid horror fans, your everyday library...hahaha...you need it. This author is one to watch.
4.5 stars!
As much as I read horror, you'd think I go to bed terrified every night, but I don't. It's not that the books I read aren't scary, they are--I just think that my house feels safe, I have my husband beside me and books don't penetrate the visuals in my mind the way that movies do.
That being said, a couple of the stories in this collection got through. One in particular I'm sure gave me a nightmare. But the nightmare (after analyzing it the next day) was a combination of the book cover and the story inside titled RED ROOM.
Christa Carmen went places with that particular piece that seriously got under my skin and stayed there. It unsettled me. I went to bed with frightening images in mind that later generated a nightmare! Success Christa! (ha)
Another story that stood out was SOULS DARK AND DEEP--not a traditional babysitter at all, Christa toyed with a growing sense of "something's not right here" until you arrive at a startling scene involving one of *my* personal favorites...creepy dolls! Whoooo! That one was pretty dark.
And then, almost as if she wanted to show off her versatility for us, Christa switched gears with ALL SOULS OF EVE and I really enjoyed the tone of that story--a modern, Halloween twist on the classic Dickens tale, A CHRISTMAS CAROL. I thought it was really clever and engaging. I was wowed by the author's ability to write in a variety of styles by this point in the collection.
LIQUID HANDCUFFS was another standout because it gave me a new fear--I don't want to spoil it at all but as someone who has never fooled around or experimented with any illicit drugs, the idea Carmen brings to the table is a very terrifying one and it really freaked me out.
Lastly, LADY OF THE FLIES was so cool because I 100% understood the meaning of the title and the way it connected to the story (LORD OF THE FLIES is one of my favorite, classic books). I also imagined the actress that played, Brienne of Tarth on the GOT shows, Gwendolyn Christie as the main character Pris-killa.
Anyhoo, I realized I've shared almost every single story in the collection and that wasn't my intention so I'll just say, I enjoyed this very, very much. There were only a few that didn't resonate with me, the rest were all my favorite flavors.
I would definitely add it to any October TBR or for solid horror fans, your everyday library...hahaha...you need it. This author is one to watch.