A review by anthers
The Best of the Best Horror of the Year: Ten Years of Essential Short Horror Fiction by Suzy McKee Charnas, Nathan Ballingrud, Brian Evenson, Livia Llewellyn, Lucy Taylor, Mira Grant, Ellen Datlow, Simon Bestwick, Stephen Graham Jones, Peter Straub, Steve Rasnic Tem, Carole Johnstone, Gemma Files, Stephanie Crawford, Siobhan Carroll, Brian Hodge, Ramsey Campbell, Adam Golaski, Cody Goodfellow, Laird Barron, Tanith Lee, Glen Hirshberg, Jane Jakeman, Dan Chaon, Duane Swierczynski, John Langan, Neil Gaiman, E. Michael Lewis
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