Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of The Gathering Dark.

This collection gives a wide variety to ghost stories and lore. IIt might not be scary enough for major horror genre readers, but there are unique stories in here that are entertaining. I think people like myself, who like mild amounts of scares, will enjoy this collection.

Each story offers something different, some heroes, anti-heroes, villains and victims. There are some stories ending on more positive notes with others ending in terror. What they all have is a daunting edge that keeps you wanting to turn the page. I particularly enjoyed “Stay,” by Erica Waters and “The Ghost on the Shore,” by Allison Saft. The endings were some
of my favorites, offering some sort of conclusion while leaving an ending open enough that you could imagine plenty of different ways it could go. The most terrifying story for me was “Loved by All, Save One” by Tori Bovalino. I think it’s because the terror comes from not the one you’d expect.

Overall, it’s a good collection that I really enjoyed. It also had some nice representation sprinkled in there, like a couple of mentions of sapphic characters, gay characters, a bi character, and Indian and asian characters. Although the focus was horror, so those aspects were not delved into heavily, they were enough to add to who the characters are as people.

My one issue would be in “It Stays with You” by Aden Polydoros. There is a lime where the main character mentions he wishes another character could “grow onto him like cancer.” It just felt a little bit in poor taste. I don’t know much about Aden Polydoros or if cancer is something that has impacted his life and therefore his writing, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt, but it just didn’t feel entirely right with me.

Other than that, I think this is a beautiful collection of stories, which is an odd thing to say about horror stories, but it’s true. They all seem to have deeper meanings and messaging in them which really stood out. It makes them more personable and relatable.

TW: medical issues, graveyards, mention of abuse, orphaned kids, grief, depression, overdose, death, mention of car crash, ghosts, assault, mention of illnesses, mention of racism, mention of decapitation, murder, mention of blood, gore, mention of cheating, bullying, mention of fat shaming, drowning, missing child, hint at rape, arson, neglect, alcoholism, mention of homophobia, cancer, burns, suicidal thoughts, brain aneurysm, child abuse, child molestation.

Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this one 🙌.

The Gathering Dark comes out tomorrow, September 6th!

This was a dark anthology full of folklore, and as with most anthologies, some stories worked for me and some didn’t. I loved the overall theme of the book tho! The darker the better 😁. These are the stories that I personally enjoyed:

Ｓｔａｙ by 𝗘𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀- a haunting ghost story hard to escape. I loved the ending

Ｔｈｅ Ｇｈｏｓｔ ｏｎ ｔｈｅ Ｓｈｏｒｅ by 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐭- I love Allison’s writing and this one did not disappoint! The lake setting was beautiful and you could feel the grief dripping from the pages

Ｉｔ Ｓｔａｙｓ Ｗｉｔｈ Ｙｏｕ by 𝗔𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘀- I think this one was the most unsettling for me. Bloody Mary was a game I would play on sleepovers as a young girl and it definitely was the root of a nightmare or two

Ｐｅｔｒｉｆｉｅｄ by 𝗢𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗱𝗵𝗮- I love the setting of this story and I’ve always loved when trees can come to life, evil or not.

The Gathering Dark, Edited by Tori Bovalino 🕯

I was excited and slightly apprehensive to receive this ARC via NetGalley as it is certainly out of my comfort zone.

The Gathering Dark was the perfect selection of stories to kick-off my autumnal reading.

Stay and It Stays With You were my favourites but each of the stories has spine chilling moments that made them memorable.

Definitely on the darker side these stories are not for the faint-hearted but if you have the nerve you will be thrilled by this anthology.

I really loved this creepy and horrific compilation of short stories! They are perfect for autumn and halloween, and explored such a wide range of topics and phenomenon. I especially enjoyed the short story by Chloe Gong and Allison Saft, and how they created detailed characters, intrigue and mystery in such a short piece where it is difficult to have the room for such depth. I always really enjoy books of short stories and this was no exception — I am sure that it will become a favourite among those who love the nonsensical, dark and whimsical.

This was my most anticipated anthology of the year, and it met all my expectations. I was spooked and intrigued and found a lot of new authors I want to try out. I will say this worked for me, but might not work for others. I really liked a lot of these stories because of the tone and setting, not necessarily the plot or characters. Still, I think Hannah Whitten and Alison Saft's stories have broad appeal. Erica Waters's story was exactly what I expect from her at this point, and will definitely please fans of her work. Olivia Chadha has a new fan in me. I was only really let down by a few stories. I think Aden Polydoros's story is full of some of the most triggering content I've ever read, and readers should be warned. Courtney Gould's story was okay but never fully drew me in. Shakira Toussaint's story was a refreshing but disturbing and slightly confusing story of real-life horror and colonialism and is so different from the rest of the book. Despite some of these not working for me, this was overall a win. Here are my ratings for each story:

Stay by Erica Waters: 5/5 stars

The Tallest Poppy by Chloe Gong: 3.5/5 stars

Loved by All, Save One by Tori Bovalino: 4/5 stars

One-Lane Bridge by Hannah Whitten; 5/5 stars

Ghost on the Shore by Alison Saft: 3.5/5 stars

Petrified by Olivia Chadha: 5/5 stars

Third Burn by Courtney Gould: 3.5/5 stars

It Stays with You by Aden Polydoros: 2/5 stars

Truth or Dare by Alex Brown: 3/5 stars

The Burning One by Shakira Toussaint: 3/5 stars

Overall, I loved this. I think my horror-loving students will too, but I will be providing trigger warnings. It's a great book for spooky season, and the fall vibes are present in many of the stories. Read this if you like angry girls, vengeful spirits, and a good old-fashioned urban legend.

Just in time for spooky season! Some of these stories worked better for me than others (I particularly liked Alison Saft's and Aden Polydoros's stories). This is definitely a good entry point for folk horror, so I'll be handing this to my younger horror fans.

First, a warm thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this title.

After the abysmal and disappointing anthologies I've read so far this year, I was a little hesitant to read this one, to be honest. You can only be burned so many times on "spooky horror anthology" before you become jaded.

But this was, immediately, a stand-out compared to the rest. I really enjoyed and relished each story. I never felt like any were too short or too long or too detached or too reach-y, which was really a breath of fresh air.

Of course, there were certain short-stories I enjoyed over others for one reason or another, but nothing really dragged down the rest, and I didn't flat-out refuse to read any of these tales.

Love to see some LGBTQ representation in horror where it isn't just "kill the gays" tropes, so that was a breath of fresh air. And even though this was really centered around teens, I didn't find it as eye-rolly as I have some other teen horror stories.

I loved the play on who is the victim and who is the monster in many of these stories, and the writing itself was always enjoyable.

Thank you to this anthology for restoring my faith in the genre again.

This was a terrific collection of stories. Anthologies are great because it could be one author that makes you interested in picking it up (Allison Saft, for me) and then it introduces you to new authors to check out after. As someone who hasn't read much (or any) folk horror, this was the perfect introduction as the stories really ran the gamut.

Stand out stories for me were: Aden Polydoros, Hannah Whitten, and Tori Bovalino!

This is the kind of collection perfect for these fall months and I like its more contemporary take on Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark! Excited to pick up future and past books by all these authors

A GATHERING DARK is a folk horror anthology featuring thirteen stories that are all suspenseful, creepy, and dare I say a little cozy. I’ll explain.

This collection of stories felt incredibly reminiscent of all the urban legends and ghost stories I grew up obsessively reading about once I discovered the internet - lady of the lake, hitchhiking ghosts, Bloody Mary, and more. That familiar feeling of not being able to look away even though you were nervous to know what happened next. But it also felt so modern. A large part of this due to how unique and chilling each tale was and the liberties taken with beloved legends and archetypes.
I believe it was really clever to weave together urban legends and folk horror because they go hand in hand. The stories featured in this anthology all have elements of folk horror we’ve come to expect- the isolation, rural towns, corruption of religion, the importance and power of nature, while also including more modern approaches of topics like female rage and toxic families.

A GATHERING DARK is a really solid anthology with an amazing group of writers. Perfect for a rainy, autumn evening.
And like all urban legends please heed their warnings….

The Gathering Dark is that lingering sense of dread spooling on your skin, the pit formed in your stomach by dread and the whisper of something beyond your comprehension in the shadows.

This folk horror anthology offers thirteen distinctive stories, with unique voices and characters. They are all rooted in some sense, be that to a community, isolated setting or character. This review will break down each story, giving you a sense of the terror uniting them all.

Stay by Erica Waters proves once more why Waters is so damn good at these stories bogged down in myth and mystery and a little sprinkle of magic. This story really digs into toxic family enmeshment, particularly the idea of familial duty. Ghosts are the embodiment of our past refracting into our present. Waters emphasises this in the honouring of ancestry and family, but also indicating how this can perpetuate a toxic cycle.

Similarly, The Tallest Poppy by Chloe Gong is a classically unnerving horror story. It is no surprise that yet again I adored Gong’s style—it was mysterious, lyrical and tinged with danger. I felt utterly wrapped up within the story. It was wonderfully Gothic, brimming with a cursed house, mysterious illnesses and dolls that I’m not sure I can ever forget.

Loved by All, Save One by Tori Bovalino was a fantastic ghost story about unsolved murders, memory and legacy. Bovalino knows how to handle tension, with it constantly ramping up. This is underlined with the unexpected plot shift, which was great fun. It questions the narrative surrounding victims of violent crimes, namely why do we only remember the violent end rather than the life that came before?

One-Lane Bridge by Hannah Whitten is a fiercely insightful story about anger, fracturing friendships and growing up. It is mired in blood and sacrifices, calling to that deep pit of anger that lurks inside us all. Whitten introduces an intriguing examination of the validity of that anger and how it can be abused by others. Following on, The Ghost on the Shore by Alison Saft was a stunning sapphic story about love, loss and grief. I thought it enclosed really quite beautiful sentiments about these topics in a creative way. One of my standouts of the anthology was Petrified by Olivia Chadha. I loved the way the protection of the land and nature forms a key part of the narrative here. It is such an impactful and genuinely chilling story that reflects the monstrosity of mankind. Third Burn by Courtney Gould has a similar reflection, with a focus on female anger and the patriarchy’s reaction to women it cannot control. I loved the way Gould intersected the past and present, to really demonstrate this legacy of women moving beyond the control of their town/society.

It Stays With You by Aden Polydoros does not hang around, getting straight into deadly territory. I adored this fresh take on the Bloody Mary myth, with a pinch of Pennywise mixed in for good measure. Polydoros deftly explores facing trauma and defeating your monsters, while emphatically emphasising how recovery is a journey with highs and pitfalls. Alex Brown continues that raw vulnerability in Truth or Dare. This story is so about a toxic and manipulative relationship, with elements of narrative ambiguity and distrust. The ending continues this, with nothing being truly explained and plenty left open for discussion. Finally, we conclude with The Burning One by Shakira Toussaint. What a firecracker of a story for the anthology to end on. This is an incredibly strong story, with an unconventional writing style that really pulls you into the narrative.

The Gathering Dark is an incredibly strong anthology, with every story adding another layer of fear and intensely atmospheric writing. This is a must-add for every horror lover’s shelf.

I had such high hopes for this one, but I felt let down by most of the stories. Also, for a book pitching itself as folk horror, most of the stories didn't really feel like folk horror? That honestly was probably what disappointed me the most.

The two most standout titles for me were Petrified and The Tallest Poppy - and these felt like true folk horror - so no wonder why. Also super similar vibes.

That being said, I would pick up most of these stories if they were turned into full-length features.

it's been gloomy all day, september is right around the corner, it's the season for spooky reads. when this was announced I was absolutely delighted because four of the authors included are four who I adore.
the collections were unnerving, and at multiple points I was nervous as hell - for the most part, I loved each of the stories, but as always with anthologies (I never learn) I am always aching for more. my favourite handsdown was one-lane bridge (hannah whitten, you never miss), i would have loved more from the ghost on the shore (this is not a bad thing, i just mean that i really enjoyed it).
the prose was stunning, i'm a sucker for descriptive writing.

thank you netgalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Holy shit this I experience fear while reading this. I absolutely loved it!
I am not usually a horror reader but a lot of these author's being included, I simply had to read this. I seldomly read anthologies where every single story is a hit but I cannot think of a single story that didn't have my heart racing and my hands sweating. The writing and the suspense and the action was incredible and makes this the perfect book to read leading up to Halloween. I cannot recommend enough!

I've been excited for this anthology ever since it was announced. I'm a huge fan of Tori Bovalino and so I was so excited. Plus this contributor list is truly full of my favorites. I love how anthologies provide you opportunities to read your favorites and discover new ones. While this one is like 99%favorites already, I did love the spark of discovery. The Gathering Dark is full of haunted spaces, shadowy corners, and suspense.

I tend to struggle with anthologies in general, but this wasn't the case for me. When I saw it was a Folk Horror anthology with some of my all time favorite authors included in it, I absolutely had to read it and I did not walk away disappointed. THE GATHERING DARK brings together diverse writers and writing styles to bring to life short stories that will leave you feeling creeped out and unnerved at points. This is the kind of book that had me jonesing for Fall. I wanted to curl up next to a campfire and read in the cool night. That's the aesthetic of this book. It really is something when so many authors can craft different stories that manage to read coherently with one another. Each story has its own voice and sense of place, and brings a sense of folklore to the settings and characters of these books that are so unique. I really loved Hannah Whitten's and Tori Bovalino's stories, but all of the stories were really really great and unique. If you're looking for a good way to usher in your fall reading, or you are looking for bite-sized stories without committing to a whole book or series, this anthology is a good one for you!

As a long-time lover of horror, I enjoyed this anthology series. I would purchase this for my library.

The Gathering Dark is the perfect way to start off October! While some of the short stories didn't grab me but most of them did. I love the fact that each story is by a different author yet they were so cohesive in tone & atmosphere. I read this collection very quickly. It's a great book to get you out of a book slump. My favorite short stories were: Loved by all, Save One, One Lane Bridge, Petrified, Third Burn, It Stays with you, & The Burning One.
TW: gore, body horror, violence, murder, grief, graphic dead bodies

A solidly enjoyable and varied collection of folk horror tales. Some were purely fantastical, some horrifying, and some magical but all had their roots in reality.

Stay by Erica Waters - 4/5 stars
A lyrically penned and emotionally harrowing short story, with a supernatural twist. I was very invested in the sinister occurrences, remained surprised by the twists, and happy at the ending.

The Tallest Poppy by Chloe Gong - 3.5/5 stars
Gloomy and isolated houses with dark and sinister reputations are one of my favourite literary tropes. Here, the potential for paranormal occurrences was high but the unreliability of the protagonist led me to question everything the reader was exposed to. I loved this eerie tale but the ambiguous ending did not work for me personally as I prefer more concrete conclusions.

Loved By All, Save One by Tori Bovalino - 3/5 stars
A snowy night, an isolated setting with a creepy history, and three bored teens looking for a distraction. This was set up like many haunted tales I have read before, which I did not mind as they are tropes I enjoy, but the storyline traversed fresh territories and delivered the unexpected. I wish a little more had been packaged into the later half but this was solidly enjoyable, regardless.

One Love Bridge by Hannah Whitten- 2/5 stars
A haunting legend and bored teenagers is the classic spooky story foundations but I found I wanted more from this story which I felt I'd experienced in many different formats many times before.

The Ghost on the Shore by Allison Saft - 2/5 stars
A girl drives far from home to a legendary lake in the hope of commuting with hmthe spirit of her best friends, who was taken there. I liked the premise but nothing felt delivered beyond it.

Petrified by Olivia Chadha 3/5 stars
I liked the focus on nature and the wooded setting, but the story felt a little too short for me to garner much of a connection to the characters. I can definitely say I didn't anticipate the contents though.

Third Burn by Courtney Gould - 3/5 stars
An intriguing insight to a town with a dark past and a history that soars so brightly it illuminates the present. The story ended abruptly yet with enough closure but air would have liked to spend more time with these characters.

It Stays with You by Aden Polydoros - 4/5 stars
This managed to be both emotionally charged and horrifying at the same time. Fears, both real and those conjured by imagination, permeate throughout this and the protagonist's reveal made me long for extended time with the brave and beautiful soul she quickly proved herself to be.


Truth or Dare by Alex Brown - 4/5 stars
I slated other stories in this collection for their ambiguity and yet that's all that was presented here and adored it. It felt surreal and metaphorical and like the reader was entirely in control of the true meaning in the piece.


Winter Has Come by Shakira Toussaint - 4/5 stars
This was probably the most unique and fantastical addition to the collection and I really loved the quietly eerie tone and unique nature of the premise.

What an amazing anthology full of atmospheric folklore horror stories. Below are my ratings- check any warnings for subject matter.

Stay- Erica Waters 4.5⭐️
I really enjoyed this, it was predicable but the writing was just phenomenal.

The Tallest Poppy- Chloe Gong 5⭐️
This was unnerving and also my favorite. The ending was just “chefs kiss”

Loved By All, Save One- Tori Bovalino 3.5⭐️
Another well written ghost story.

One Lane Bridge- Hannah Witten 5⭐️
Wow this one had my heart pounding. I’m partial to stories about creepy bridges since I grew up in an area with one, but the writing and story of this one, is just fantastic. Tied with my favorite.

The Ghost on the Shore- Allison Saft 3.5⭐️
Retelling of the lady in the lake. I like the ending where everything comes together and you just feel sadness.

Petrified- Olivia Chadha 5⭐️
Yes yes yes to all of this. Creepy forest reclaiming it’s own? Yes!

Third Burn- Courtney Gould 5⭐️
Witches and fire. It’s relatable if you’ve grown up in an area that essentially rejects you.

It Stays With You- Aden Polydoros 4⭐️
This was a creepily, unnerving take on a folklore most of us probably remember. Incredible story telling from the author.

Truth or Dare- Alex Brown 3.5⭐️
Very quick story. I like the way this was told; has me wishing the narrator good luck with life.

The Burning One- Shakira Toussaint 3⭐️
I struggled with this one a bit, the writing style was unique but also difficult to understand. That ending though was great.

Like all anthologies, theres hits and theres misses. Sadly for me most of these were misses, but I did enjoy a couple. A lot of these were very stereotypical, featuring Manic Pixie Dream girls, and were painfully predicable. Sadly I feel like alot of these lacked creativity and didn’t intrigue me