I love to read anthologies and especially horror anthologies. But this one was a miss for me. Maybe it was the topics chosen for the gore. I am not sure but it just didn't hit for me. I still highly recommend these kinds of books because it opens you up to authors you might not ever read otherwise.

This felt like a nice sample platter of horror stories. I enjoyed being able to read the stories quickly and in one sitting but some of them were just too short. I felt like some ended just as the story was getting rolling and that fell short for me. As much as I enjoy quick stories, sometimes I dislike how underdeveloped they are. With all that being said, this gave me a nice fix of spookiness. There’s a little bit of everything in here for people who like different types of horror like supernatural, comedic, gore, and psychological. An easy way to figure out what type of horror stories you enjoy the most.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sterling and stone for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Infinite pieces volume 1 is an anthology of 12 short horror stories by 12 different authors gathered by Sean Platt into one anthology.

Whatever your tastes in horror you will likely find something you enjoy in this book. There is a range from zombies and gore to more eerie and spooky stories. As expected with an anthology some stories are better than others.

Unfortunately, for me I found the strongest story in this to be the opening story. Zombie run by Jason Krumbine. Which was immediately followed by the weakest story in the anthology. I think the order of the stories could have been moved around and planned a bit better. It made the rest of the anthology feel like a disappointment as whilst I enjoyed some of the stories it never reached the height of the opener. The titular story 'The devils punchbowl' for example felt just fine.

As stated if you're a horror fan there will be something for you to enjoy in here. Most of the stories just weren't for me.

Some high and some lows! Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Infinite Pieces: Volume One is a darkly imaginative horror anthology from the talented storytellers at Sterling & Stone. Featuring 12 unsettling tales from authors like Sean Platt, David Wright, Sawyer Black, and Ebony Graves, the collection offers a diverse array of horrors ranging from psychological suspense to supernatural terror. Each story explores unique and chilling concepts that will haunt readers long after the final page.

Content Overview

This anthology showcases an impressive variety of horror subgenres. From the time-looped terror of Zombie Run by Jason Krumbine to the sinister satire of suburban life in The Z.O.A. by Kim M. Watt, the stories blend fear with creativity in unexpected ways. Highlights include:
• Zombie Run: A relentless and heart-wrenching tale of love and loss set in a world overrun by zombies, with a time-loop twist that keeps tension high.
• Judgment House: Ebony Graves delivers a brutal, thought-provoking story of religious fanaticism and comeuppance, with a haunted house setting that will chill you to the bone.
• The Z.O.A.: A darkly comedic take on a zombie apocalypse where the true horror is bureaucracy and suburban pettiness.

The anthology also delves into psychological horror and existential dread, with each story exploring fear in a fresh, engaging way.

Strengths

The standout feature of Infinite Pieces is its versatility. Whether you’re a fan of visceral gore, supernatural hauntings, or dark humor, there’s something in this collection to terrify and delight you. The stories are tightly written and often subvert expectations, keeping readers guessing and off balance.

The authors excel at creating atmospheric settings and relatable characters. Whether trapped in a looping apocalypse or navigating the terror of a morally skewed haunted house, the protagonists feel real, making their fear all the more palpable.

Additionally, the blend of established names like Sean Platt and rising stars like Ebony Graves adds a refreshing mix of voices to the anthology.

Themes

The stories in Infinite Pieces frequently explore themes of survival, morality, and the fragility of human relationships under extreme stress. There’s also a subtle commentary on societal constructs, from religion to neighborhood associations, revealing the horror lurking in familiar places.

Critique

While the anthology is strong overall, some stories may resonate more than others depending on the reader’s taste in horror. A few entries lean heavily on familiar tropes without fully reinventing them, which might feel predictable for seasoned horror fans. Additionally, the brevity of some tales leaves certain ideas underexplored.

Conclusion

Infinite Pieces: Volume One is a captivating horror anthology that delivers a wide spectrum of frights, from the deeply disturbing to the darkly funny. The stories’ variety and inventive premises ensure there’s something for every type of horror fan. Sterling & Stone has crafted a collection that’s sure to linger in readers’ minds—and perhaps their nightmares. Perfect for fans of Creepshow or The Twilight Zone, this anthology proves that the scariest stories are the ones that stay with you.

LWhat an absolutely stunning horror anthology!

Normally I avoid anthologies of short stories because quite often I’m either left wanting more from the story, or it’s so rushed that it’s unrealistic.

This was not the case at all! This is a collection of unique, and very well rounded horror stories of all different horror subgenres, that just gave and gave the entire way through. There were a couple of clear standouts for me, (The Devil’s Punchbowl and The Z.O.A were absolutely phenomenal and I wouldn’t definitely read a full size novel of them both!) but not once did I feel the need to skip one or give any of them a lower rating because they were all so action packed!!

I will absolutely be checking out several of these authors for more work, I need more!!! The writing was fantastic, the themes were fantastic, and honestly for horror lovers there is something to fit every vibe in this one.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this anthology!

3.5 stars. Simply put, some stories were just better than others. A solid half were captivating that had me on my toes the entire way through while the other half almost seemed a bit …juvenile. Like two anthologies mixed together.

If you’re drawn to the shadows and crave stories that keep you on the edge of your seat, These stories are a must-read. This collection of eerie tales delivers a satisfyingly chilling experience that lingers long after the final page.

Each story in this anthology brings its own flavor of horror, whether it’s psychological unease, supernatural terror, or grim reality. One of the strengths of the anthology is the diversity of voices and styles. Some stories build dread slowly, letting tension coil until you’re white-knuckling the book. Others throw you headfirst into heart-stopping action. And then there are those few tales that burrow into your mind, unsettling you with their dark ambiguity.

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

This was a strong start to the Infinite Pieces series, it had that element that I was looking for in a collection of horror stories. The overall feel worked with everything that I wanted and each story worked well overall. Each story has that element that I was looking for and worked as a horror element. I’m excited to read more in this anthology as this was a strong start.

Wow! I really loved everything about this book. Such a cool storyline, the characters are so captivating, the plot is immaculate... loved loved loved!

This is a compilation of creepy short stories that grab your attention, leave you spooked, and roll into the next creepy tale. Each was fairly short, so can be read in spurts, or all read in an entire sitting. I really liked the eeriness of these tales, and some of them lingered with me afterwards for days. I really enjoyed these tales when I only had time for a quick read, but still felt like I got a whole story. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc copy in exchange for my honest review!

I really loved this book, I have always loved reading horror books. I totally recommend this book to ayone who loves a good scary book to read around Halloween or just any time of the year.

This book is full of great zombie themed short stories! I thought the HOA one was hilarious when comparing to past HOA issues that I've had personally. Great read for anyone who likes zombie horror.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

WOW!!! What a great book!! This one had me hooked from page 1! This was a first for me from this author and I will not be my last? I am a huge fan of horrors!! This one was a win for me! Lived there horror stories!!!

Gripping hunting stories.
I wanted to have all the lights on and have company.
Highly recommend for the horror addicts.

Not quite the book of chilling horror stories it promises to be. Mostly consists of the usual archetypes (zombies, blood, Satanic rituals) and fair bit of gore - may, however, appeal to fans of the slasher genre.