marcushawke's review
5.0
Oh me oh my, where to begin with this one? First of all I’ve never reviewed a collection or anthology before, which presents the challenge of painting not one but many stories with a single stroke. That said, each one shares the commonality of the author’s signature style. I know Benavidez styles himself as a proprietor of purple prose, but it is so much more than that. It’s a delicious medley, a marriage if you will, of red and blue. I so admire his ability to dash each moment across the page in his richly, filthy, poetic way like a series of cuts you’re so glad you got.
Now I will say that at times the plot of certain stories is on the lighter side, but that’s ok. These are far more sensory feasts and character studies than traditional narratives and I only mention it so that anyone planning to read this can know that going in. Also, you will not leave every one of these stories feeling good; not even in the wickedly delicious sense horror affords us.
The concept of a happy ending is utterly vacant in “In The City” and then returns—in the colloquial sense—for a quickie in “Dead and Lovin’ It.” “Tourniquet” was one of the most authentically morose depictions of the pangs and rigors of addiction I’ve ever read. “Enchanted (Freud Wept)” was a surprise because it turned out to be the origin story of a fledgling serial killer. “His Heart On My Sleeve” had one of the most unique concepts I’ve ever seen as a man is body-swapped while having his portrait painted, and “Ethereal Queen” resurrected the Countess Bathory.
To pin the sole label of “horror” on WHEN ANGELS FAIL: AS THE SHADOWS GROW would be limiting. There’s lots to this and I was surprised, impressed, and inspired by all of it. There are definite notes of Barker and Palanhniuk with its dark, bold, sometimes erotic, often transgressional subject matter and the whole book reads like pages out of someone’s diary. It’s like having the darkest, most secret corners of your brain—corners you thought you were alone in—licked by naughty kittens. It disturbed and excited me at the same time and all I can say is bravo.
Now I will say that at times the plot of certain stories is on the lighter side, but that’s ok. These are far more sensory feasts and character studies than traditional narratives and I only mention it so that anyone planning to read this can know that going in. Also, you will not leave every one of these stories feeling good; not even in the wickedly delicious sense horror affords us.
The concept of a happy ending is utterly vacant in “In The City” and then returns—in the colloquial sense—for a quickie in “Dead and Lovin’ It.” “Tourniquet” was one of the most authentically morose depictions of the pangs and rigors of addiction I’ve ever read. “Enchanted (Freud Wept)” was a surprise because it turned out to be the origin story of a fledgling serial killer. “His Heart On My Sleeve” had one of the most unique concepts I’ve ever seen as a man is body-swapped while having his portrait painted, and “Ethereal Queen” resurrected the Countess Bathory.
To pin the sole label of “horror” on WHEN ANGELS FAIL: AS THE SHADOWS GROW would be limiting. There’s lots to this and I was surprised, impressed, and inspired by all of it. There are definite notes of Barker and Palanhniuk with its dark, bold, sometimes erotic, often transgressional subject matter and the whole book reads like pages out of someone’s diary. It’s like having the darkest, most secret corners of your brain—corners you thought you were alone in—licked by naughty kittens. It disturbed and excited me at the same time and all I can say is bravo.
enchantressreads's review
5.0
Reading a book from a friend of yours is something special. Seeing Michael’s personality shine through was such a treat. He does it so well, too. His writing flows so naturally, it’s like he doesn’t even have to try. It’s poetic and descriptive, yet you’re not scratching your head trying to figure out what he’s trying to say. The stories are emotional and raw, coming from Michael’s own life experiences. I was lucky enough to get some behind the scenes on some of the stories, and I think every single author should do this!
Some of my favorite stories: Knee High in the River Styx, His Heart on His Sleeve, Dead and Lovin’ It, Everyday Ghosts, and my favorite Ethereal Queen.
Keep your eye on Michael. He’s going places.
Some of my favorite stories: Knee High in the River Styx, His Heart on His Sleeve, Dead and Lovin’ It, Everyday Ghosts, and my favorite Ethereal Queen.
Keep your eye on Michael. He’s going places.
sabrinav625's review
4.0
This is going to be a hard one to review. The thing about short stories, particularly the poetic ones so delicately woven into As The Shadows Grow, is that they have different meanings to everyone. The stories within this book were utterly raw, a true reveal of emotion and pain. Like peeling back the skin and revealing the heart underneath.
Many of the stories I could not wholly understand the emotions, though I understood what was being said within them. But each one, I could feel, meant something to Benavidez.
These stories felt dreamlike, or perhaps more fittingly, nightmarelike. It shows the grey of the world, the ugliness of the world, but also peppered in is the goodness.
The way the book wrapped up was very well done, tying it together with a neat bow.
My favourites were "Devil's in the Eye of the Beholder" and "Ethereal Queen".
Many of the stories I could not wholly understand the emotions, though I understood what was being said within them. But each one, I could feel, meant something to Benavidez.
These stories felt dreamlike, or perhaps more fittingly, nightmarelike. It shows the grey of the world, the ugliness of the world, but also peppered in is the goodness.
The way the book wrapped up was very well done, tying it together with a neat bow.
My favourites were "Devil's in the Eye of the Beholder" and "Ethereal Queen".
booklovingcatmom's review
dark
sad
medium-paced
Benavidez is such a talented writer! I appreciate the skill in the craft of writing even though I failed to connect to the stories, personally.
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