Reviews
The Best of the Best Horror of the Year: 10 Years of Essential Short Horror Fiction by Ellen Datlow
seanml's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This, like most short story collections, is a mixed bag. However, the best of the BEST horror of 10 years of publishing should skew higher than the average collection, right? All in all I think it does - the concepts are fun, and of course there's a very diverse list of authors with different voices.
Lowland Sea - A spooky concept that throws you right into the middle of it. The prose was just as bleak as the author meant it to me, so your mileage may vary. 7/10.
Wingless Beasts - Love some desert horror; this one takes a turn in the end, but not to the degree I was maybe hoping for. 6.5/10.
The Nimble Men - Even if the execution is not as dazzling as it could have been, the author did a great job setting up the tension. 8/10.
Little America - Very nice and very freaky. 8.5/10.
Black and White Sky - The first standout of the collection to me. It is a strange and ludicrous concept, and yet treated with all the awful gravity of it happening in real life. 9/10.
The Monster Makers - Again, an interesting concept, but one whose execution I found lacking. 7/10.
Chapter Six - A fun and novel lens to look with at the zombie genre. 7.5/10.
In a Cavern, In a Canyon - The very creepiest of the bunch! Well done. 9/10.
Allochthon - I think the author did a great job at putting in writing an eldritch descent into madness beyond the greater scope of human thought. 8/10.
Shepherd's Business - I get it, but I feel there was so much more hiding beneath the surface. Did I just not get it? Am I dumb? 7.5/10.
Down to a Sunless Sea - Spooky-ish sea story. 6.5/10.
The Man from the Peak - This one is freaking bizarre in the weirdest way. It's just some monstrous dude that comes down to chill with some partygoers. At least it's memorable though. 8/10.
In Paris, in the Mouth of Kronos - Again, like the concept, but I thought it focused too much on the buildup, when at the same time it fairly clearly hinted at the big ending the whole time. 7/10.
The Moraine - Classic monster story done very well. Doesn't need to be anything more! 8.5/10.
At the Riding School - This one is weird and plain demented. 7.5/10.
Cargo - Love it, very creepy and borders just enough on real life to make you stare at dark corners. 9/10.
Tender as Teeth - A funny and sad look at the aftermath of a world cured of a zombie apocalypse. Not very scary, but sobering. 7.5/10.
Wild Acre - This is the best one. 9.5/10.
The Callers - It's evil old people. 6.5/10.
This Stagnant Breath of Change - I like the idea, it's alright! If not a little long. 7.5/10.
Grave Goods - I love anything horror with archaeological digs. Very nice. 8.5/10.
The Ballad of Ballard and Sandrine - Some people think it's great, some don't get it. I don't get it. Why did they have to be like 20 years separated in age? 6/10.
Majorlena - It is what it is. 7/10.
The Days of Our Lives - I hate the characters in this one. Lois is (obviously) the worst, but our guy just doesn't let go. 7.5/10.
You Can Stay All Day - Very nice. 8.5/10.
No Matter Which Way We Turned - Cool, not sure I entirely get it, though. 8/10.
Nesters - I liked it! The dustbowl was a fun choice of setting that gave credence to the isolation of the whole story. 8.5/10.
Better You Believe - It's okay! 7.5/10.
I think my main problem with most of the stories is that every author had a great idea. However, in many cases, the stories here might go on for a bit too long, or try to be too clever with their concept. The best ones are explicit in what they want to accomplish, and don't try and trudge the reader along for their big finish. I suppose it reflects more on the taste of Ellen Datlow, the editor who compiled the stories, than the ability of any of these authors. At the very least, I appreciate each author trying out something novel. 8/10.
Lowland Sea - A spooky concept that throws you right into the middle of it. The prose was just as bleak as the author meant it to me, so your mileage may vary. 7/10.
Wingless Beasts - Love some desert horror; this one takes a turn in the end, but not to the degree I was maybe hoping for. 6.5/10.
The Nimble Men - Even if the execution is not as dazzling as it could have been, the author did a great job setting up the tension. 8/10.
Little America - Very nice and very freaky. 8.5/10.
Black and White Sky - The first standout of the collection to me. It is a strange and ludicrous concept, and yet treated with all the awful gravity of it happening in real life. 9/10.
The Monster Makers - Again, an interesting concept, but one whose execution I found lacking. 7/10.
Chapter Six - A fun and novel lens to look with at the zombie genre. 7.5/10.
In a Cavern, In a Canyon - The very creepiest of the bunch! Well done. 9/10.
Allochthon - I think the author did a great job at putting in writing an eldritch descent into madness beyond the greater scope of human thought. 8/10.
Shepherd's Business - I get it, but I feel there was so much more hiding beneath the surface. Did I just not get it? Am I dumb? 7.5/10.
Down to a Sunless Sea - Spooky-ish sea story. 6.5/10.
The Man from the Peak - This one is freaking bizarre in the weirdest way. It's just some monstrous dude that comes down to chill with some partygoers. At least it's memorable though. 8/10.
In Paris, in the Mouth of Kronos - Again, like the concept, but I thought it focused too much on the buildup, when at the same time it fairly clearly hinted at the big ending the whole time. 7/10.
The Moraine - Classic monster story done very well. Doesn't need to be anything more! 8.5/10.
At the Riding School - This one is weird and plain demented. 7.5/10.
Cargo - Love it, very creepy and borders just enough on real life to make you stare at dark corners. 9/10.
Tender as Teeth - A funny and sad look at the aftermath of a world cured of a zombie apocalypse. Not very scary, but sobering. 7.5/10.
Wild Acre - This is the best one. 9.5/10.
The Callers - It's evil old people. 6.5/10.
This Stagnant Breath of Change - I like the idea, it's alright! If not a little long. 7.5/10.
Grave Goods - I love anything horror with archaeological digs. Very nice. 8.5/10.
The Ballad of Ballard and Sandrine - Some people think it's great, some don't get it. I don't get it. Why did they have to be like 20 years separated in age? 6/10.
Majorlena - It is what it is. 7/10.
The Days of Our Lives - I hate the characters in this one. Lois is (obviously) the worst, but our guy just doesn't let go. 7.5/10.
You Can Stay All Day - Very nice. 8.5/10.
No Matter Which Way We Turned - Cool, not sure I entirely get it, though. 8/10.
Nesters - I liked it! The dustbowl was a fun choice of setting that gave credence to the isolation of the whole story. 8.5/10.
Better You Believe - It's okay! 7.5/10.
I think my main problem with most of the stories is that every author had a great idea. However, in many cases, the stories here might go on for a bit too long, or try to be too clever with their concept. The best ones are explicit in what they want to accomplish, and don't try and trudge the reader along for their big finish. I suppose it reflects more on the taste of Ellen Datlow, the editor who compiled the stories, than the ability of any of these authors. At the very least, I appreciate each author trying out something novel. 8/10.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Cannibalism, Death, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body horror, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Miscarriage, Classism, and Murder
Minor: Rape
the_weirdling's review against another edition
4.0
An anthology book is always a mixed bag- some good, some ok, some outright bad. This one is a collection of “best of” stories from ten years of “best of” books. So, on the whole, the quality of these stories is very high. There’s a little of something for everyone here- monsters, supernatural, psychological, sci-fi and futuristic, period pieces, fantasy. All lovers of horror short fiction will find something that plays to their favorites, and a few things that stretch their boundaries. Good book!
bgergen1's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
2.0
I listened to this book as an audio book and have never listened to a book more boring and atmospheric. It’s about nothing where nothing happens. I imagine if you were reading it quietly and being fully absorbed it might be good as it’s very metaphoric—all of the stories, but as an audiobook in the background, it is horrible. There is absolutely no action and all of the stories are centered around the main character’s inner dialogue and existential crises.
read_late's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A giant compilation of a decade's worth of truly fantastic horror. Highly enjoyable, dark, moody, tense, and creepy.
Editor Ellen Datlow is a mad genius and this is an anthology worth reading.
5 stars. Highly recommend.
Editor Ellen Datlow is a mad genius and this is an anthology worth reading.
5 stars. Highly recommend.
gentlemanjeff's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of the more impressive collections Datlow has put together. Highlights include the shorts Playscape by Diana Peterfreund, My Name is Ellie by Sam Rebelein and the very short This Was Always Going to Happen by the inimitable Stephen Graham Jones. Consolation prizes to The Senior Girls Bayonet Drill Team by Joe R. Lansdale and Nathan Ballingrud for his sprawling vision contained in the length of a novella, The Butcher's Table. This volume contained no fewer misprints than previous editions, maybe even more when you consider the number evident just in the last story, which made the experience slightly less satisfying than it otherwise would have been. There were a few duds, as there always are in horror anthologies, but this is still one of the best horror collections ever assembled. If you, too, are a Best Horror series fan, number 12 is more of what we love.
chuckstafer's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
Overall, this was a pretty good anthology. A good mix of great stories, good ones, and a few duds (and one real stinker). Here's my rating of each story (because I decided to keep track for some reason):
Lowland Sea - 4
Wingless Beasts - 5
The Nimble Men - 3
Little America - 3
Black and White Sky - 1
The Monster Makers - 2
Chapter Six - 2
In a Cavern, In A Canyon - 1
Allochton - 1
Shepherd's Business - 3
Down to a Sunless Sea - 5
The Man From the Peak - 5
In Paris, In the Mouth of Kronos - 4
The Moraine - 4
At the Riding School - 3
Cargo - 4
Tender as Teeth - 5
Wild Acre - 4
The Callers - 3
This Stagnant Breath of Change - 4
Grave Goods - Did Not Finish (1)
The Ballad of Ballard and Sandrine - 2
Majoriena - 2
The Days of Our Lives - 2
You Can Stay All Day - 4
No Matter Which Way We Turned - 4
Nesters - 3
Better You Believe - 2
Average Rating: 3.071 Stars
Lowland Sea - 4
Wingless Beasts - 5
The Nimble Men - 3
Little America - 3
Black and White Sky - 1
The Monster Makers - 2
Chapter Six - 2
In a Cavern, In A Canyon - 1
Allochton - 1
Shepherd's Business - 3
Down to a Sunless Sea - 5
The Man From the Peak - 5
In Paris, In the Mouth of Kronos - 4
The Moraine - 4
At the Riding School - 3
Cargo - 4
Tender as Teeth - 5
Wild Acre - 4
The Callers - 3
This Stagnant Breath of Change - 4
Grave Goods - Did Not Finish (1)
The Ballad of Ballard and Sandrine - 2
Majoriena - 2
The Days of Our Lives - 2
You Can Stay All Day - 4
No Matter Which Way We Turned - 4
Nesters - 3
Better You Believe - 2
Average Rating: 3.071 Stars
anthers's review against another edition
3.0
This book, like most anthology collections, has the typical analysis of recently published horror novels, story collections, and other works related to the genre at the beginning. I enjoy skimming them for new things to read. The stories themselves were somewhat underwhelming for a collection that's supposed to be the best of the best. Having read many of the prior collections, I was surprised at the inclusion of some stories at the seeming expense of others. My favorites were the solid "Better You Believe" by Carole Johnstone, "Allochthon" by Livia Llewellyn, "Black and White Sky" by Tanith Lee, and "The Moraine" by Simon Bestwick. Solid 3 stars for the entire anthology.
Individual Story Ratings:
Lowland Sea by Suzy McKee Charnas - 2
Wingless Beasts by Lucy Taylor - 3.5
The Nimble Men by Glen Hirshberg - 3
Little America by Dan Chaon-3
Black and White Sky by Tanith Lee-5
Monster Makers by Steve Rasnic Tem-3.5
Chapter Six by Stephen Graham Jones-2.5
In a Cavern, in a Canyon by Laird Barron-4
Allochton by Livia Llewellyn-5
Shepherd’s Business by Stephen Gallagher-4
Down to a Sunless Sea by Neil Gaiman-4
The Man from the Peak by Adam Golaski-2.5
In Paris-in the Mouth of Kronos by John Langan-3
The Moraine by Simon Bestwick-5
At the Riding School by Cody Goodfellow-2
Cargo by Michael E. Lewis-4
Tender as Teeth by Stephanie Crawford and Duane Swierczynski-3
Wild Acre by Nathan Ballingrud-3
The Callers by Ramsey Campbell-3
This Stagnant Breath of Change by Brian Hodge-3
Grave Goods by Gemma Files-3.5
The Ballad of Ballard and Sandrine by Peter Straub-2.5
Majorlena by Jane Jakeman-2
The Days of our Lives by Adam L. G. Nevill-3
You Can Stay All Day by Mira Grant -3
No Matter Which Way We Turned by Brian Evanson-3.5
Nesters by Siobhan Carroll-4.5
Better You Believe by Carole Johnstone-5
Individual Story Ratings:
Lowland Sea by Suzy McKee Charnas - 2
Wingless Beasts by Lucy Taylor - 3.5
The Nimble Men by Glen Hirshberg - 3
Little America by Dan Chaon-3
Black and White Sky by Tanith Lee-5
Monster Makers by Steve Rasnic Tem-3.5
Chapter Six by Stephen Graham Jones-2.5
In a Cavern, in a Canyon by Laird Barron-4
Allochton by Livia Llewellyn-5
Shepherd’s Business by Stephen Gallagher-4
Down to a Sunless Sea by Neil Gaiman-4
The Man from the Peak by Adam Golaski-2.5
In Paris-in the Mouth of Kronos by John Langan-3
The Moraine by Simon Bestwick-5
At the Riding School by Cody Goodfellow-2
Cargo by Michael E. Lewis-4
Tender as Teeth by Stephanie Crawford and Duane Swierczynski-3
Wild Acre by Nathan Ballingrud-3
The Callers by Ramsey Campbell-3
This Stagnant Breath of Change by Brian Hodge-3
Grave Goods by Gemma Files-3.5
The Ballad of Ballard and Sandrine by Peter Straub-2.5
Majorlena by Jane Jakeman-2
The Days of our Lives by Adam L. G. Nevill-3
You Can Stay All Day by Mira Grant -3
No Matter Which Way We Turned by Brian Evanson-3.5
Nesters by Siobhan Carroll-4.5
Better You Believe by Carole Johnstone-5
misterkyle1901's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
tricapra's review against another edition
4.0
Just in time for Halloween, I'm eternally grateful for the long list of Novel recommendations she included at the beginning. I love Ellen datlow.