Friday, September 27, 2013

Friday, September 27, 2013 - , , 2 comments

Halloween: Magic, Mystery, and the Macabre


Rating: 4 Stars
Version: eBook
Compiled by: Paula Guran (authors listed below)

I received this publication from NetGalley with the condition of an honest review. So here it is:

GoodReads:
The farther we've gotten from the magic and mystery of the past, the more we've come to love Halloween - the one time each year when the mundane is overturned in favor of the bizarre, the "other side" is closest, and everyone can become anyone (or anything) they wish... and sometimes what they don't. Introducing nineteen original stories from mistresses and masters of the dark celebrate the most fantastic, enchanting, spooky, and supernatural of holidays.

Review:
“Halloween: Magic, Mystery, and the Macabre” was a delight to read! The stories are all very creative, and when combined, capture the spirit of Halloween perfectly – pun intended. This is something I would definitely recommend to those who love Halloween (such as myself), enjoy spooky short stories, or are in need of a Halloween pick-me-up.

One thing I really liked was the opening introduction, because it helped lay the framework for which the stories are founded upon. The introduction includes, but is not limited to, a brief history of Halloween and a brief summary of the stories contained within. For those who have not yet read Paula Guran’s earlier compilation entitled “Halloween”, you are in luck. This story is a stand-alone compilation and needs nothing other than a love of Halloween to enjoy it.  Of course, a love of Halloween is not necessary, but it sure helps!

Here is a list of titles contained within this compilation. Bare in mind, these won’t really do you much good, but they will give you a hint about the subject matter.

1.      “Black Dog” by Laird Barron
2.     “From Dust” by Laura Bickle
3.     “Angelic” by Jay Caselberg
4.     “Pumpkin Head Escapes” by Lawrence Connolly
5.     “All Hallows in the High Hills” by Brenda Cooper
6.     “We, the Fortunate Bereaved” by Brian Hodge
7.     “Thirteen” by Stephen Graham Jones
8.     “Whilst the Night Rejoices Profound and Still” by CaitlĂ­n R. Kiernan
9.     “Trick or Treat” by Nancy Kilpatrick
10.   “Long Way Home: A Pine Deep Story” by Jonathan Maberry
11.   “The Mummy’s Kiss” by Norman Partridge
12.  “All Souls Day” by Barbara Roden
13.   “And When You Called Us We Came To You” by John Shirley
14.  “The Halloween Men” by Maria V. Snyder
15.   “Lesser Fires” by Steve Rasnic Tem & Melanie Tem
16.  “Unternehmen Werwolf” by Carrie Vaughn
17.   “For the Removal of Unwanted Guests” by A.C. Wise
18.   “Quadruple Whammy” by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro


“May the Magic of Halloween always be a part of your lives.”
-Paula Guran



2 comments :

I shouldn't have bought this one, since by TBR list is way too long already, but I just had to since I love Halloween!

I know the feeling, but I have a solution for you! Since this book is a compilation of short stories, you can read them intermittently as Halloween approaches!! Let me know what you think of the book.

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