A review by nicobellfiction
Burnt Fur by Ken MacGregor
3.0
Where do I even begin? I say this with lots of love. These stories are MESSED UP! What in the world did I just read? So. Much. Grossness.
Okay, let me back up. First, I was very excited to be approached to review this collection. I mean, just look at the back cover. It promises a unique brand of horror that I don’t have a lot of experience in. Well, it delivered in the most disgusting and distributing way. This absolutely will not be everyone’s cup of terror. The stories cover pretty much every trigger warning imaginable and some I’m sure where created just for this anthology. (Gang raped by killer bees is a common trigger warning, right?) So if you’re prone to queasy stomachs, or prefer your horror subtle, you’ll probably want to skip this one.
BUT if you proudly wave your horror freak flag and want a trip through the wonderful world of bizzaro country, buckle up and allow me to wet your appetite.
The collect starts relatively tame with a “The Moon in Her Eyes” by Sarah Hans. ( Please keep in mind the word “relative.”) This is one of the few more serious pieces and far less disturbing than what follows. Enter “Mallard’s Maze” by Joseph Sale. “Did you know: Female mallards have phantom vaginas so only
the most dexterous, or freakish, males can impregnate them” (20). This is just one little nugget of knowledge that gets sprinkled over this twisted tale as the protagonist finds herself being hunted by a killer. I can’t…I don’t even…Honestly, I’m not even sure what to say without giving away the climax. This is the story that really sets the tone for the rest of the book. You’ll find plenty of furry action, plenty of penetration, plenty of blood and bodily fluids, and plenty of images that will burrow into your brain and never leave. Seriously, the bee rape scene in “A Concubine for the Hive” by Rue K. Poe (I should note that the woman enjoys it, but that doesn’t make it any less vomit inducing) will forever be buzzing in my brain. “Five Nights With Teddy” by Thurston Howl equally left behind a sour flavor with a bear man thrusting his member upon a man wolf, and “6 Dicks” by Rachel Lee Weist…well, I mean…who wouldn’t desire to wear a suit made of dick skin?
When it comes to explicit sex or violence, I always ask, “Is it necessary?” If not, it runs the risk of being stuck into the story for shock value only. I’m not sure the explicit nature of these stories added to the plot or characters. They’re shocking, for sure, but they were a little too over-the-top for me.
Look, this collection is W-I-L-D. It’s also well structured with incredible writers who hold nothing back. Overall, I don’t think I’ll dip my toe back into this particular horror brand anytime soon. I found it all a bit too disturbing for my taste, but the characters are well developed, the plots and tone of each story are crafted with care and precision, and it’s clear these writers are all incredibly talented.
Okay, let me back up. First, I was very excited to be approached to review this collection. I mean, just look at the back cover. It promises a unique brand of horror that I don’t have a lot of experience in. Well, it delivered in the most disgusting and distributing way. This absolutely will not be everyone’s cup of terror. The stories cover pretty much every trigger warning imaginable and some I’m sure where created just for this anthology. (Gang raped by killer bees is a common trigger warning, right?) So if you’re prone to queasy stomachs, or prefer your horror subtle, you’ll probably want to skip this one.
BUT if you proudly wave your horror freak flag and want a trip through the wonderful world of bizzaro country, buckle up and allow me to wet your appetite.
The collect starts relatively tame with a “The Moon in Her Eyes” by Sarah Hans. ( Please keep in mind the word “relative.”) This is one of the few more serious pieces and far less disturbing than what follows. Enter “Mallard’s Maze” by Joseph Sale. “Did you know: Female mallards have phantom vaginas so only
the most dexterous, or freakish, males can impregnate them” (20). This is just one little nugget of knowledge that gets sprinkled over this twisted tale as the protagonist finds herself being hunted by a killer. I can’t…I don’t even…Honestly, I’m not even sure what to say without giving away the climax. This is the story that really sets the tone for the rest of the book. You’ll find plenty of furry action, plenty of penetration, plenty of blood and bodily fluids, and plenty of images that will burrow into your brain and never leave. Seriously, the bee rape scene in “A Concubine for the Hive” by Rue K. Poe (I should note that the woman enjoys it, but that doesn’t make it any less vomit inducing) will forever be buzzing in my brain. “Five Nights With Teddy” by Thurston Howl equally left behind a sour flavor with a bear man thrusting his member upon a man wolf, and “6 Dicks” by Rachel Lee Weist…well, I mean…who wouldn’t desire to wear a suit made of dick skin?
When it comes to explicit sex or violence, I always ask, “Is it necessary?” If not, it runs the risk of being stuck into the story for shock value only. I’m not sure the explicit nature of these stories added to the plot or characters. They’re shocking, for sure, but they were a little too over-the-top for me.
Look, this collection is W-I-L-D. It’s also well structured with incredible writers who hold nothing back. Overall, I don’t think I’ll dip my toe back into this particular horror brand anytime soon. I found it all a bit too disturbing for my taste, but the characters are well developed, the plots and tone of each story are crafted with care and precision, and it’s clear these writers are all incredibly talented.