In Vermis Veritas: A short-lived rambling that had a point. I had forgotten this by the time I was done reading AYLT. 0/5
Arise: The fiDNR the preface.
In Vermis Veritas: A short-lived rambling that had a point. I had forgotten this by the time I was done reading AYLT. 0/5
Arise: The first story clearly about possession, which was also short-lived and a bit vague. Forgotten this one too. 0/5
Saved: Are you serious? I hadn't known Brite to go for the transparent Biblical references. This ranks among my least favorite. 0/5
King of the Cats: My favorite story from this collection. I've never read a gay fairy tale! 4/5
Self-Made Man: It's zombie time! The skull-drill scene in this made me REALLY queasy, and I've read almost every Stephen King that comes out (the entire collection is not on my Read). 4/5
Pin Money: I wonder if this one is as "predictable" as my long list of experience would allow it. This is literally the only other story in this collection I found tolerable. Why did this man find it necessary to kill his mother? Answering my own question: evil doesn't care for reason. 4/5
America: Characters from another book make a cameo; they probably should not have. 0/5
Entertaining Mr. Orton: The second story about possession. There was a murder-suicide in their apartment, which is why there need be no "second ending". 3/5
Monday's Special: Autobiographical. Somebody was force-fed to death? It reminds me of the movie 7even. 0/5
Vine of the Soul: Transcendent yage-taking turn of the millennium. I'm not sure about this one other than the face that it was nice. 2/5
Mussolini and the Axeman's Jazz: What a groaner! I was really looking forward to this historical fiction, and it's my least favorite. 0/5
Are you Loathsome Tonight?: We already understand plenty about Elvis Presley's last week on this earth. Constant references to a boa constrictor and whatever substance was causing his severe constipation? I don't get it just yet. 0/5
There are things that I don't understand in this collection, which is to be expected with Brite. Granted this involves a lot of her early writing, this isn't the best volume I've ever read. I may not be used to her...she's very visceral. I came to AYLT expecting vignettes branching off of the novel I'd already read, and I was very unpleasantly surprised. I don't expect every story to be a fanciful grown-up fairy tale, or a tale of satisfying, icy revenge. I do however, look forward to her next collection....more
I expected my jaded experience with Stephen King, Poppy Z. Brite and scores of other horror big boys would cause me to think this was cheesy and not sI expected my jaded experience with Stephen King, Poppy Z. Brite and scores of other horror big boys would cause me to think this was cheesy and not scary at all, but I was pleasantly surprised! The short stories are like a preview, making you anticipate reading the real story located at the very end of them. It's sort of like watching previews before the big movie deal, and all the previews are just as good as the film, though a few I liked more than others. Not disappointed I read this book at all! Recommended on the shelf of any ghost or horror fan!
The Coroner: This is a well-done possession drabble (drabbles are really, really tiny, and there's lots of them in this collection). Bad news when the autopsy doctor starts digging into this newly-deceased stiff.
Black Heart: Another take on possession, this time the attempt to reanimate a lost loved one. Words of advice: don't go alone with anyone you don't know very well. Won't spoil this one!
Mr. Stitch: Make sure to keep your secrets. Possession again, but the author does something different with the take every time.
Darkness Immortal: Don't mess with somebody's grave, no possession this time finally.
Golem: Exactly what it says; an excavation adventure goes horribly wrong.
Spiders in the Attic: One of my favorite short stories in this collection! I like the psychological twist at the end.
Brotherhood of Shadows: This has a great plot twist at the end again. This story winds out more slowly and tensely as its a bit longer than the above stories. Maybe you should be careful what you wish for type scenario.
Afraid of the Dark: I actually liked this one the least, but it still somehow managed to pull off the stereotyped story of the dreaded "Hook Man".
Sister Salvation: Fair warning about this story. It is NOT for the squeamish or soft of stomach. The scenes included really made me cringe, despite having read all this stuff tons of times before.
The Pumpkin Patch: One of my favorites of this collection, great plot twist at the end yet again! Asshole kids head out to a haunted house only to realize they may be way over their heads.
The Westgate Phantom: This story again is way longer, and is a great precursor to Darklore Manor but with a haunted hotel. Pretty solid story line, didn't remind me of The Shining's typical stuff at all.
The Doll: Drabble. Five shillings for the possessed toy!
The Legend of Darklore Manor: Finally! I read the whole thing in one day while playing the Darklore Manor album tracks over and over again. I'm so glad I did, because it works, and yet there's parts that narrate the novella and match up. This could work as its own novel, but I'm glad I read the other stuff too. It makes me wish there was a virtual tour or something of this house, because its description is so dilapidated and beautiful. Really happy I read this collection!...more
The Empty Chambers by Neil Gaiman: The first piece in this collection is a poem, and it is a must. One of the five reasons I bought this book. A ghostThe Empty Chambers by Neil Gaiman: The first piece in this collection is a poem, and it is a must. One of the five reasons I bought this book. A ghost story. 4/5
The Company You Keep by Steve Resnic Tem: This is a kind of a predictable episode of someone's insanity and gradual suicide. You can almost hear the violins as he remarks on his lack of a social life. 2/5
Under the Needle by Lea Silhol: This kind of story has been done before, but the writing is what gives it its staying power. Partner breaks up with you? Hit the demonic intervention hotline! 3/5
Expanding Your Capabilities Using Frame/Shift(TM) Mode by David J. Schow: An original plot, with a twist. What if with the touch of a button and the adjustment of a few settings, a person could see an actor on TV naked? What if you push the button again, and the actor's skin disappears? How far would you go? 3/5
Cat and the Cold Prince by Freda Warrington: This plot has been done before, but again, the writing stands out with a nice wrap-up ending. Lovers of science fiction and furries will enjoy this little story, although I'm really not into that community. 3/5
Faces in Revolving Souls by Caitlin R. Kiernan: The dark side of the science fiction and furries theory we just delved into last time. Great plot twist at the end that makes the reader think twice about the main character. 3/5
Lighten Up by Jack Ketchum: The second reason I bought this collection. Ketchum's writing is always as tight as clockwork, although this is far from my favorite. The point of this story is nicotine addiction: it will make you happy if you do smoke, and completely unnerved if you don't. 3/5
Pit Boy by Elizabeth Massie: Oh, my God. This is by far the stupidest, cruelest story in this collection. If it had some sense of style I might have understood the violence, but it only succeeds in finishing up completely disgusting. The birth flashback was the worst: I WAS BORRRRRRRRN ON THE BACKSIIIIIIDE OF A SHITHEAP IN TEXAAAAAAAS! 1/5
The Country of the Blind by Melanie Tem: Absolutely disgusting in some scenes, I don't understand why everyone has to have their eyes gouged out. If there were a few pages of strong reasoning and argument, then I would get the message. The scene with the dog really pisses me off. 1/5
Ruby Tuesday by Kathe Koja: Finally a story I can relate to, but why is this here? This is a YA story about a girl dealing with her mother dying of cancer. Unable to cope with reality, she creates a fantasy world of her own movie. 4/5
Running Beneath the Skin by Brett Alexander Savory: A well-thought out tragedy of science fiction. Two men with superhero-like powers believe they will live forever, despite social ostracizing. But is there a true death...? 4/5
Grim Peeper by Katherine Ramsland: Third reason I bought this collection. A story of whatever turns you on better be legal. The first gets off on voyeurism of corpses, the other gets off on watching the corpse-oglers unobserved, her sexual undercurrent to infiltrate and blow the lid off their little party. 4/5
Craving by Yvonne Navarro: Here we go again with turning people on. This time a couple gets off on witnessing horrific accidents and tragedies, but when there's not enough naturally happening of course, they start creating them. 4/5
Violent Angel by Thomas S. Roche: An assassination attempt goes wrong. Although this has been done before, this keeps the reader interested and has a nice plot twist. Disgusting at times. 3/5
...And the Damage Done by Michael Marano: Fourth reason I bought this collection. A tragedy shaped by the habits we have and the choices we make, in the wake of the death of an artist. Very poetic and well-written, though vague in some parts and not my favorite. 3/5
Pop Star in the Ugly Bar by Bentley Little: Death by snu-snu, and just basically disgusting. 1/5
Miss Singularity by John Shirley: Oh, my God. It was so hard to get through the first half of this story. I cannot STAND depressed teenage bullshit. That aside, the ending scene was interesting. Thank God an LSD trip come to life basically saved the day. 1/5
The Working Slob's Prayer by Poppy Z. Brite: Fifth and final reason I decided to buy this collection. Why is this story here? Basically this is about people in the LGBT community, working to fulfill their dream of running a restaurant. All that really does happen is a false alarm of a food critics alert. 4/5 Very well written.
If I Should Wake Before I Die by Brian Hodge: Theories on whether or not fetuses have dream-memory or experience REM sleep are examined in this story. In a world where nearly all women are miscarrying, one woman writes a letter to her soon-to-be-born. 4/5
Honing Sebastian by Elizabeth Engstrom: Mind-control and being a cog in the machine of a huge complex system are examined. What if the God you worship behind the curtain is nothing but a sham who's using you? Do you resist or comply? 4/5
The Shadows, Kith and Kin by Joe R. Landsale: The Charles Whitman murders are reexamined and adapted, with a supernatural twist. I didn't see anything really special about this that made it stand out. 2/5...more
This volume is pretty good. I didn't like the ineffectual way Kai was handled, and knew it would have DIRE consequences. He set their school on fire! This volume is pretty good. I didn't like the ineffectual way Kai was handled, and knew it would have DIRE consequences. He set their school on fire! I wish Sei hadn't buckled like that. Also, Miki is starting to get on my last nerve, although there must be a reason she's so overly-dependent and clingy....more
(Saw the movie) Feminist text that's FAR more understandable the way I experienced it, with a famous woman giving the entire speech.(Saw the movie) Feminist text that's FAR more understandable the way I experienced it, with a famous woman giving the entire speech....more
Pros: I got all excited and read this in a flash before I could get to Five Down's two prequels. BOOK NUMBER FOUR IS GREAT! I'm so excited for Chess aPros: I got all excited and read this in a flash before I could get to Five Down's two prequels. BOOK NUMBER FOUR IS GREAT! I'm so excited for Chess and Terrible's adventures! Somebody is sacrificing seemingly totally random people in Downside, but why? The power sacrificing humans awards a witch comes with a terrible price: Haunted Week could happen ALL over again! Slobag the drug lord is a suspect; can Chess Putnam stop the murders in time?
Cons: I'm really concerned with Chess. The series really doesn't divulge overdosing on drugs, although I know she's moving towards that thin red line rapidly. Why is Terrible not as concerned as he should be with her addiction? I don't really see Chess seeing a therapist or getting help, so this really has me worried she could die. Will she ever heal from her psychological scarring? Last but not least, she REALLY comes down on herself and has no personal feelings of self-worth, which is paradoxically juxtaposed by how well she does her job at the Church (both that and the drugs should realistically screw her up far worse)....more
This book is both disturbing and extremely puzzling. I learned to despise the adults early on, but came to hate the childrens' innate passivity, naiveThis book is both disturbing and extremely puzzling. I learned to despise the adults early on, but came to hate the childrens' innate passivity, naive belief and weakness....more
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