A wonderful collection of classic folklore horror perfect for those who prefer the subtlety of eerie tales opposed to modern horror.

You can almost picture each short story being told besides a fire on a halloween night!

I like my horror reading to feature the dreadful & weird rather than the splattery & gross, and this collection hit the spot! Wells collects stories from a variety of well-known and lesser-known authors, that play on fears of the ancient, the unknown, and the uncanny. We get plenty of dark woods, forbidding moors, ancient ruins, and half-forgotten lore. Wells’s illustration at the start of each story add nicely to the atmosphere…though one or two are a little spoiler-y.

The stories are arranged in chronological order of publication, starting in the late 19th century. It’s interesting to see the progression in length and complexity with the first couple feeling like little more than the author sketching an idea that could later be turned into an actual story. A few were atmospheric enough that an unexpected noise in the room made me jump, and most possessed a nice sense of creeping dread and “something out there…”

If you’re looking for horror that will shock you or keep you awake all night, you should look elsewhere. If you like folklore with a side of creepiness, this is perfect.

**Review of *Tales Accursed***

*Tales Accursed* is a beautifully curated collection that serves as a testament to the enduring power of folk horror, showcasing sixteen supernatural stories that chill the spine and ignite the imagination. Selected by artist Richard Wells, each tale is complemented by his striking lino-print illustrations, which enhance the eerie atmosphere and draw readers deeper into the haunting landscapes of the narratives.

The anthology features contributions from revered masters of the genre, including Shirley Jackson and M. R. James, alongside lesser-known yet equally compelling voices like E. F. Benson and William Croft Dickinson. This blend of established and surprising authors creates a rich tapestry of stories that range from the subtly unnerving to the outright terrifying. The selection exemplifies the versatility of folk horror, with each piece uniquely tapping into ancient fears and the natural world's ominous beauty.

Wells’s illustrations are nothing short of mesmerizing. Each print captures the essence of the stories, bringing to life the ghostly apparitions, eerie settings, and sinister creatures that lurk within the pages. The visuals add an additional layer of immersion, allowing readers to experience the chilling atmosphere more vividly.

The themes woven throughout the collection evoke a deep sense of nostalgia for the forgotten myths and legends of our ancestors. Readers will find themselves transported to moonlit nights where apparitions drift through orchards, or to secluded beaches where hooded figures conspire in the shadows. The stories resonate with a timeless quality, reminding us that the natural world still holds its secrets and dangers.

The pacing of the anthology is well-balanced, alternating between tales that invoke a sense of creeping dread and those that offer a more overt horror. This variation keeps readers engaged while allowing moments of reflection on the nature of fear itself. Whether it’s the unsettling stillness of a fir-wood devoid of life or the ominous whispers of sea-witches, each tale invites contemplation on the relationship between humanity and the primal forces of nature.

In conclusion, *Tales Accursed* is a gloriously creepy collection that masterfully encapsulates the essence of folk horror. With its impressive roster of authors, stunning illustrations, and a range of chilling narratives, it is sure to delight fans of the genre and newcomers alike. This anthology is not just a read; it’s an experience—one that will leave you glancing over your shoulder and listening for the slightest rustle in the trees long after you’ve turned the last page. Perfect for cozying up with on a dark night, this collection is a must-have for anyone drawn to the supernatural and the sinister.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Unbound for this ARC!!

I love all folk horror tales and this collection was another great book for me!!!

I loved the tales in here and the collection itself was brilliant!!!

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

Richard Wells takes enthusiasts of "ancient horrors" and "sinister shadows" on a journey through time, from the reaches of late 19th century Ireland with Joseph Thomas Sheridan Le Fanu to late 20th century Devon and Cornwall with a posthumous publishing from Shirley Jackson, in Tales Accursed. This anthology is perfect for the gothic aficionado who's ready to soak up a cauldron of horrifying classics in all of their original pomp, syntax, and style. Our collective social fears, in my opinion, are best laid bare by what we choose to scare ourselves with, and this collection is a perfect rippling window into the past - creepy children in creepier woods, black magic and slow-falling leaves, and seaside witchery to turn the likes of even the most devout of men haunt these pages.

I can only imagine what a late autumn gem a hardcover copy of this would be on a collector's shelf. The lino prints that accompany each entry are beautifully stylized, and they make for very effective transitions between each piece as the reader moves forward in time through this chronologically-ordered collection of supernatural folk horror tales.

Ideally unwholesome piffle to be reading at twelve o'clock at night, if I do say so myself! Note: best read after dark, or in the presence of thundering rain clouds and flapping winds.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Unbound for this ARC and the chance to provide my thoughts!

Let’s dive into this bountiful read with beautiful illustrations. Tales Accursed is a collection of short folk horror stories varying from small inserts of a couple pages, to tales that could very well be their own novellas. This novel has been a long read for me as an ARC. I took my time for almost a month to savor each story and let myself get engulfed in each tale.

It was such a good read! Every story was carefully curated with varying ranges of horror, from a slight peek into the unknown, to feeling claustrophobic and being watched like some of the characters in this book. It was such a delight and just in time for the fall, which for me is the perfect time to cuddle up with a good folk horror book.

While I absolutely love this book, I could see other people might be bored with the way the book is written, its antiquity form of narration style might not keep some readers hooked, but this specifically is my cup of tea. Some of the stories were a little flat, and others were a 5/5 for me, overall I would give this between a 3.5-4 stars if you ask depending on the story. I want to thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This collection curated by Richard Wells features 16 classic supernatural tales, forwarded by beautiful illustrations of each story. I really like the Foreword as well by Sinéad Gleeson. Although the stories were entertaining, I felt as if they started off slow. This may be nice to some readers though because it builds the tension, however it is not my personal style.

A very fun anthology of folk horror! Feels especially fun and themed for Fall time, my favorite story was probably Country-side! If you want a mixture of stories to stay in and read, I recommend picking this one up.

A collection of 16 different folk horror, short stories. The stories are paired with wood cutting illustrations that are inspired from the different stories.

The stories are in chronological order ranging from the early 1900s to more modern day. It was cool to see the differences in how people wrote through the years. And there are some notable authors such as Shirley Jackson.
I definitely enjoyed the later stories more as they were a little easier for me to read.

I wouldn’t recommend just anyone picking this up to read around a camp fire since it is a little bit more of a niche book, but perfect for anyone who loves older stories or wants to dive into folk horror.

A enjoyable read and perfect for fall/spooky time.

A Folk Horror book so full that’ll definitely be loved by those who enjoy this genre!

The format was a little off putting but I know book wise it’ll be fine!

The stories were great! Some I knew of and some not. Written fabulously! The illustrations are brilliant! Definitely makes the book come alive!

This anthology was a perfect pick for the upcoming fall season. Some of the stories were slow for me, but overall I enjoyed reading the collection. The standout for me was the pictures included with each story. I found they helped get into the mindset of whatever story I was about to read next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

i love anthologies and i love horror anthologies even more! this was the perfect read going into spooky season

Accursed Tales is a decent anthology of generally older Folk Horror stories - with a few from the last hundred years. Most of the stories were new to me, and whilst there could be a wee bit of repetition in themes I’d say I enjoyed nearly all of them.

Ancient lights by Algernon Blackwood and Celui-La by Eleanor Scott were standouts.

In addition to the string selection of stories, the new artworks by Richard Wells to illustrate each story are the main reason to buy a physical copy of the book - it will look fantastic.

Interesting collection but not the easier to read. All very gothic with some leaving the answers for you to think about.

Some great reads in this anthology, I think this would make a great gift for someone who really digs folk horror. My personal favourite was Morag-of-the-Cave, which is a story I had not previously even heard of, but I know I'll remember it. That's actually a point for most of these stories - most of them I had never encountered before. +1 star expressly for the illustrations - I did a little reverse search and saw that they are available as prints! If they weren't shipping from the UK I would consider a couple for my rotating gallery wall.

One thing that is likely just a personal issue, I much prefer anthologies where the stories are all relatively comparable in length. This book had stories as long as 50 pages and as short as 6. Most of the stories also blended together a bit - I would have preferred a more varied approach for the regions they came from (seemed pretty heavy on Celtic folk) as well as the time period - a good chunk felt very dated in their writing style, which is fine for one or two stories, but any more feels tedious.

A lovely anthology. They’re a great way to feel out authors or stories that you aren’t sure you’re going to like. This one definitely did not disappoint. This is in the top 3 anthologies that I’ve read. I definitely recommend it!

A really interesting collection of old stories, all sharing the subject of folk horror, which is a topic I had rarely found before but am extremely passioned about. The illustrations coming with them are amazing, and give them an additional depth that made me enjoy them even more.
Some were a little slow for my taste, but overall it was a great read!

This anthology offers the perfect transition into the Halloween season, blending twisted and atmospheric folk horror with the charm of a dark storybook. Spanning the course of the past 150 years, it provides a comprehensive overview of folk horror, showcasing how these eerie tales have evolved over time. The chronological layout gives readers a clear view of the genre's progression across decades.

As with any anthology, some stories stand out more than others, but I continue to be captivated by the complexity of folk tales and the deeper truths that lie within. While the repetitive plot points and themes in some of the earlier stories may feel monotonous to certain readers, the overlapping motifs of disbelief and the uncanny give the collection a haunting unity. Despite its occasional slow moments, this anthology is a fascinating exploration of folk horror’s rich and eerie legacy.

Thank you Netgalley for this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Tales Accursed: A Folk Horror Anthology is a collection of 16 tales told in chronological order, from Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu's "The White Cat of Drumgunniol," published in 1870, to Shirley Jackson's "The Man in the Woods," published in 2014, 49 years after the author's death.  Each tale is accompanied by wonderful lino-print illustrations by editor Richard Wells.  

This anthology is a good overview of the course of folk horror tales over the past 150 years or so, and the layout from earliest to latest really allows the reader to see how these stories have progressed over the decades.  But I would caution that this is probably a collection only for the true fan of this particular sub genre, as the dryness and often uniformly repetitive plot points and themes of some of the stories, especially the earlier tales, may make this collection a bore for some readers.  Those that really love their traditional folk horror tales, however, will find it worthwhile.  I personally prefer more contemporary folk horror, and some of these stories were already familiar to me.

While none of the stories in this collection were quite five stars for me, a few elevated themselves among the rest, including "Ancient Lights," by Algernon Blackwood, "Morag-of-the-Cave," by Margery Lawrence, and, of course, "The Man in the Woods," by Shirley Jackson.

My thanks to NetGalley and Unbound for a digital advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.  Tales Accursed: A Folk Horror Anthology will be released on October 3, 2024.  I would also note that a lot of these stories are set in October, so folk horror fans may enjoy this as a spooky season read.