I am so thankful to Swann and Bedlam, Quinn Hernandez, and Netgalley for granting me advanced access to this galley before publication day. I really enjoyed the dialogue and plot of this book and can’t wait to chat this one up with my friends!

Although I've seldom had the pleasure of finding poems I could unreservedly enjoy, I thought I'd take the chance to read Hernandez's collection, mostly out of curiosity. I'm a horror fan, but I didn't have much hope for it, since I've been often disappointed by the over-the-top-bleakness characterizing modern horror poetry. However, I was pleasantly surprised, if not shocked, to find some employments of words I did not expect, let alone imagined. Poetry in this book is neither straightforward nor typical of the gnre; it certainly does not praise the familiar to bring out the uncanny and the horrific as its opposite; there are several moments of original wordings, verses of great charm and beauty, and, as long as you're a horror fan, you'll find imagery you'll enjoy and some nasty turns of language for which you'll thank the author!

I just recently got into poetry. And I love horror. Combine the two and you get a fabulous collection of poetry. I am so happy to have read this one. Everyone needs to grab this when it releases, it is such a good collection!

#NetGalley #LifeandOtherUnfortunateHorrors

I love reading body horror, and I think that poetry is the best form of describing, living, and reveling in its gore and honesty.

Life and Other Unfortunate Horrors takes all kinds and manners of body horror and packages them into bite-sized prose poems. I like the dark humor, the variety, and breadth of themes covered in this book, and the illustrations fit the vibe.

However, the style of the poetry here isn't for me. It isn't as well-crafted or polished as I hoped. It lacks an air of mystery, a flair that holds cards close to its chest while still maintaining its rawness. I think that these poems work better as spoken word poetry since they're written for the ears: better delivered orally than printed on page.

I liked the premise, but it fell flat for me. I also think that I had my expectations too high, too soon after reading a book with a similar concept but was executed masterfully: Libing Isa by Malayo Pa Ang Umaga (Anino Comics/published in Filipino).

I can’t describe how much I loved this.
This was amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I loved the horror aspect of the poetry.

**Life and Other Unfortunate Horrors** by Quinn Hernandez is a masterful foray into the realm of poetic horror, where the mundane is twisted into a nightmarish tapestry of dread and dark humor. Hernandez, known for their ability to blend macabre themes with lyrical finesse, delivers a collection that is both chilling and eerily comedic.

From the very first page, Hernandez captivates with a unique voice that turns everyday experiences into hauntingly beautiful verses. The collection's strength lies in its ability to unearth the horror hidden in the seemingly ordinary. Each poem serves as a portal to a world where shadows whisper and nightmares manifest in poetic form, transforming the mundane into moments of spine-tingling suspense.

The blend of horror and humor in *Life and Other Unfortunate Horrors* is particularly striking. Hernandez has a remarkable talent for infusing existential dread with a sharp, almost cruel wit. The juxtaposition of grim themes with darkly comedic elements creates a powerful and unsettling atmosphere. It's a reminder that even in the face of our deepest fears, there is an almost absurd humor to be found, offering a grim camaraderie in the inevitability of our mortal fate.

The language and imagery in this collection are hauntingly vivid. Hernandez's ability to craft stanzas that evoke both fear and fascination is nothing short of impressive. The poems are rich with dark, evocative imagery that lingers long after the final line is read. Each piece is meticulously crafted, with rhythms and rhymes that enhance the eerie mood and amplify the unsettling impact.

In *Life and Other Unfortunate Horrors*, Hernandez explores themes of mortality, dread, and the macabre with both depth and originality. The collection is a testament to their skill in turning the ordinary into the extraordinary, creating a poetic experience that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally haunting.

For readers who appreciate poetry that delves into the darker aspects of human experience, **Life and Other Unfortunate Horrors** offers a compelling and chilling journey. It’s a collection that not only entertains but also provokes thought, offering a unique exploration of fear and mortality with a touch of sardonic humor. Hernandez’s ability to find beauty in the macabre and laughter in the darkness makes this collection a standout in the genre of horror poetry.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this In return for an honest review.

This was really messed up, maybe to a degree more than it should have been. Don’t get me wrong I love shock value and morbid themes but some of this rubbed me the wrong way. Poetry is art and painting actual serial killers in that light often from the murders POV was gross.

Other than that the poetry was mediocre, not bad but the author needs to work on their rhyming it came off as a sinister Dr. Seuss book.

Overall, I did like the art it reminded me of antique illustrations but the author needs and psych evaluation.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

This poem collection has a lot of potential. Most of the poems fall under that eerie horror short-story like narrative. Imagine if a story is super condensed into a poem. But, there were more than enough poems that felt unfinished, tacked on, or didn't make any sense (issues with imagery). I'm probably not the ideal audience for this collection, and I truly think many people will enjoy this collection if they want a different way to enjoy horror. This collection did make me curious to read the author's short stories. The poetry was an overall enjoyable and out of my usual comfort zone read.

Twisted, messed up and disturbing. I loved it! Such a good collection of short stories. Thanks NetGallery!

4⭐️ for this imaginatively written, clever little book of different styles of poetry. Many stand out, but I found that I enjoyed 10 psychopaths the most. There is horror, but there is also the odd touch of comedy. Several pieces forced me to do a sharp intake of breath. Wonderful stuff.

The art for some of the poems is really good but the poems themselves are written as if the author is some kind of edgy high schooler trying to be cool by making the most "screwed up" thing they can think of.

Interesting book of poems and writings of horror complete with a section of Psychopaths (think serial killers). I would have loved more drawings but otherwise enjoyable if not a little morbid. If your into horror poetry, you'll enjoy this one.

Thank You NetGalley and Swann + Bedlam for this arc in exchange for review.

This was my first time reading horror poetry, and it was a great introduction to the genre. While some poems were hit or miss, I understand that this can vary based on the reader's taste. I appreciated the wide variety of horror themes and styles. Despite being poetry, each poem was unique in its own way. Thank you, NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

An unusual poetry collection, and completely fun. Poems cover a wide range of horror subjects and themes - some tongue-in-cheek, and others are utterly chilling. Not all the poems feel as honed or strong as others, but this may be simply due to such a wide variety of topics and styles. A bold project, to say the least! I wish more poets challenged themselves to create concept collections like this

‘...a poetic journey into the dark abyss, where humor slices through the existential dread like razor wire. As life spirals downward into the abyss, these verses provoke an uneasy chuckle, offering a grim camaraderie for the inevitable moment when Death arrives to collect you...’

A little witty, largely disturbing, Life and Other Unfortunate Horrors certainly held my attention.

Thanks to NetGalley and Swann + Bedlam for this arc in exchange for review.

Pub date: 12.1.24.

This collection of poetry is unique to say the least. It features a variety of topics and digs deep inside the horror genre, ensuring that everyone can find at least one poem they enjoy. It is structurally sound, but the accompanying images get distracting, and while there is a lot of variety, most of the poetry feels a little more surface level than i would have liked, leaving a bit more to be desired.

What an interesting take on horror. The poetry in this books looks at the depravity of humanity and the darkness of the soul.

5⭐️

I can’t describe how much I enjoyed this collection of poetry. Although it speaks of completely different topics it’s heavily seasoned with horror, and I loved it! I recommend this for anybody who enjoys horror/splatter books and would love to dip their toes in some high-quality, though-provoking, witty poetry.

Also I’d like to mention that illustrations in this book are incredible!

Thank you to the author, publisher, editor, illustrator and NetGalley for letting me be an ARC reader of Life and Other Unfortunate Horrors!

#LifeandOtherUnfortunateHorrors #NetGalley

Thank you for giving me this arc!

This is so creepy and morbid.

Interesting take on poetry. The writing leaves you questioning what you’ve read and felt very disturbed.

By far, one of the most intriguing uses of poetry that I have read this year. Ideal for readers who want to see something different in verse and for those who enjoy the horrific and suspenseful.