Three Children in a Marianas Trench-Coat

Earlier, I was discussing the rule that one shouldn't criticise a solution unless one was prepared to offer an alternative. As I am not the only Lovecraftian in my circle, the discussion swept over whether Yog-Sothothery was an exception, which reminded me of some strange realisations I had as a younger man about the casting … Continue reading Three Children in a Marianas Trench-Coat

Stump and Corpse Meet the Vampire Bride by Ken Preston

Preston grounds the speculative and fantastical in utterly realistic portrayals of human behaviour, creating horror that blends the fear of otherness with a visceral sense of plausibility. This collection features six short stories in a variety of horror sub-genres. ‘Stump and Corpse Meet the Vampire Bride’: When Alderton’s wife was killed in a vampire attack, … Continue reading Stump and Corpse Meet the Vampire Bride by Ken Preston

From the Ashes by Baileigh Higgins

Higgins continues her portrayal of how groups of emergency service workers might act during a zombie apocalypse with a classic “packs of zombies breach the compound” narrative. Note: while the author is blessed with a spiffing surname we are unrelated by blood or marriage. This novel is the fifth in Higgins’ Heroes of the Apocalypse … Continue reading From the Ashes by Baileigh Higgins

Rayna the Dragonslayer by Cynthia Vespia

Vespia balances adherence to fantasy tropes with fresh details, creating an engaging tale of warriors and dragons that is neither slavish homage nor exercise in moral relativism. Cursed before she was even born and orphaned by dragonfire, Rayna devoted her life to slaying dragons until it seemed there were none left. However, when an elite … Continue reading Rayna the Dragonslayer by Cynthia Vespia

His Black Tongue by Mitchell Lüthi

Lüthi tells four tales of very different people facing threats in very different worlds that are united by a sense of how fragile humanity’s control is in the face of a vast universe. This collection contains two novellas and two short stories, spread across genres but united by a sense of dread. His Black Tongue: … Continue reading His Black Tongue by Mitchell Lüthi

Savage Headhunters by J. Manfred Weichsel

Recreating both the format and the blatantly racist stereotypes of 1940’s horror-adventure comics, Weichsel satirises conservative and liberal US extremes alike, offering a world where holding the US to be morally superior and becoming offended on behalf of minorities are equally ridiculous. This is the third volume in Weichsel’s Tales to Make You Vomit series. … Continue reading Savage Headhunters by J. Manfred Weichsel