As reviewed by Keith Rawson for LitReactor.com

The Verdict:

Not to repeat myself (or, more accurately, repeat Ellen Datlow), but over the last decade, horror has seen a major resurgence. You know, not that there weren’t some truly amazing writers working their asses off back in the day, but the sheer mass of creativity coming out of the genre has been impressive to say the least. And I imagine putting together an anthology representing the whole of this rush of diverse talent and ingenuity would be next to impossible to assemble. But, yet, Datlow manages to do so.

Within the 400 some odd pages of this rather intimidating, albeit highly readable, tome, resides virtually every kind of scare the human brain can imagine. From post-apocalyptic visions (Such as Langan’s “The Shallows”) to near stream of consciousness gems such as Gemma Files surreal “Spectral Evidence”. Now don’t get me wrong, like most anthologies, there are a few clunkers in the bunch, but overall it’s a solid read with stories by both the new and old guard alike.

For horror fans, Nightmares: A New Decade of Modern Horror, is a must own anthology. Simply put, you need this on your shelf. But for non-horror fans who have been thinking about dipping their toes into the genre, this is a perfect place to start kicking the tires.

This is an anthology of outstanding modern horror and weird stories that are in other anthologies, I'm glad to have this feast of stories in one volume. It features some of the best authors in horror. It has somethhing for everyone to enjoy. The stories are chilling, and unsettling. The editor has done an outstanding anthology I think due to the variety and quality of the stories. If you don't read this, you will have truly missed a fantastic read!

Firstly, I like to say, that I love this cover...But that is all that is good about this book. I hated the content of it. The stories were boring, flat and some of them just plain absurd. I really tried to like it, but it was impossible. Finally, I just gave up and put this book down at about 50% of it.
Such a disappointment.....

I have read a lot of Datlow collections over the years. This one didn’t stand out, which isn’t necessarily a criticism. There was a lot more apocalyptic horror than I remember from similar collections but I didn’t go back and check—I may be paying more attention to end-of-the-world narratives than before. Represented authors include: Gene Wolfe, Brian Hodge, Lisa Tuttle, Gemma Files (epistolary horror, where you’re supposed to put together the pieces); Margo Lanagan, Caitlin R. Kiernan (genderswapped SPN where they’re serial killers instead of monster hunters), and Richard Kadrey. Standouts for me were Anna Taborska’s Little Pig, which doesn’t require any supernatural beasties when human decisions can be terrible enough, and Garth Nix’s Shay Corstam Worsted, which might be one of the apocalyptic stories—the ending is ambiguous.

I guess this averages out to 3.5? I'm too tired to do the math so a 3 it is.

Holy crap this book took half my life to read. It says it was only 432 pages long but I Do NOT Believe It. There are sooo many stories. Too many stories. No one needs to read this many stories about nightmarish scenarios all in a row. I’ve always felt these Datlow collections were overstuffed and steered clear of them for years but this one got me with its tantalizing cover. The next time I shelve one of these tomes someone please knock some sense into me and point me to this review.

I was going to review each story in exquisite detail and even took notes but there’s no need to take up half of your life with all of that and besides my fingers would likely fall off and I kind of need them. I’ll just stick to better describing the loves and the hates and throw a few words at the meh in the middle.



Ok, here we go.

Shallaballah by Mark Samuels, 1.5 Stars: Why the editor decided to start this collection off with what I consider one of the worst stories in the collection is beyond me. Perhaps it’s just me and my atrocious taste but if I had my way this story wouldn’t be here. Guess that’s why I’m not an editor.

An asshole actor destroys his face in a car accident, shady Doctor steps in to repair the damage at a super creepy clinic and bad things happen.I didn't care about any of it because the MC was a dick. It was also vague and confusing near the end and I was left screaming, “Why and WTF did I just read?” Clearly you can skip this one if you want to or read it and tell me what a dummy I am.

Sob In the Silence by Gene Wolfe, 3 Stars: A dastardly man gets what’s coming to him. Brief but disturbing.

Our Turn Too Will One Day Come by Brian Hodge, 3.5 Stars: I love me some dark family secrets and this has a grisly one. Word of advice. When someone calls you at 2am and tells you to bring the shovel, hang up and go back to sleep.

Dead Sea fruit by Kaaron Warren, 4 Stars: A story about a dentist, anorexia and a creepy ass monster called The Ashmouth Man. One smootch from him and you will never want to eat again. Who wouldn’t want a kiss from that?! Just kidding. I enjoyed this. It was strange and unique and the ending was quite perfect.

Closet Dreams by Lisa Tuttle, 5 Stars: Well, this was disturbing and I am not easily disturbed. It bothered me after I finished it. It’s scary, nightmarish, heartbreaking and it’ll haunt you.

Spectral Evidence by Gemma Files, DNF: I just could not go on with this one because of the format and all of the footnotes. I felt like I was reading for a school assignment and would be tested. I wanted nightmares not brain hurt when I picked up this collection.

Hushabye by Simon Bestwick, 3 Stars: This wasn’t what I’d consider horror and it leaves you hanging in the wind at the end. I hate when that happens.

Very Low-Flying Aircraft by Nicholas Royle, 2 Stars: The foreshadowing here was about as gentle as a baseball bat to the skull. It’s a story about a cocky dumbass of a pilot who puts his loins ahead of human life. Meh.

The Goosle by Margo Lanagan, 5 Stars: This is one of my favorites. It’s a fairy tale retelling that balances sarcastic humor with painfully dark undertones.

The Clay Party by Steve Duffy, 4.5 Stars: This is a gripping tale about a group of misguided settlers attempting to take a short cut instead of sticking to the trail. Nothing good comes of it, as you can imagine. This is another that ends perfectly.

Strappado by Laird Barron, 4.5 Stars: Two party-goers are invited to a super secretive art show and very bad things happen. This story was weird and twisty and will possibly give you nightmares.

Lonegan’s Luck by Stephen Graham Jones, 3 Stars: Back in the Wild West a super sleazy snake oil salesmen sets out to do what he does but things go awry. As I read through my notes I have no recollection of the story so 3 stars it is.

Mr. Pigsny by Reggie Oliver, 4 Stars: This story about death, art and a weird little man was creepy as hell.

At Night, When the Demons Come by Ray Cluley, 4.5 Stars: An apocalypse has happened and now demons hunt the remaining humans but it’s the women who have the most to fear. This was most definitely nightmare inducing and one of the better tales in the collection.

Was She Wicked? Was She Good? By Mary Rickert, 4 Stars: What's a parent to do when they discover their little cherub has a cruel streak and enjoys harming small creatures? This is the dilemma posed to the couple in this chilling story. The author paints some terrible images and even though I don’t think I entirely followed all of it, I did enjoy it. It needed to be longer, if you ask me.

The Shallows by John Langan, 2 Stars: I honestly don’t know WTF this one was all about. It was the sad story of a dying woman, a dying world and a lonely dog and a man recounting three different stories. My mind, oh how it hurts. There were whispers of cosmic things but that wasn’t enough to save this for me.

Little Pig by Anna Taborska, 4.5 Stars: Holy dogs and demon cats, was this one ever disturbing. Imagine you’re a woman, all alone with a small son and an infant to worry after and you are on the run. Now imagine there are starving wolves nipping at your heels. Now imagine the worst. This is one I won’t ever forget.

Omphalos by Livia Llewellyn, 1 Star:I despised this story about a family trip to hell. I don’t despise much, my tolerance for the awful is pretty damn high, but this one? This one was HORRIBLE with fifty exclamation marks. Don’t get me wrong, the writing was fine. I’m not talking about the writing. I’m talking about the content. Descriptive incest between a daddy and his daughter happens and I do not care if that is a spoiler. The people need to know. It was over the top and should’ve come with some kind of flashing trigger alert warning. But not only that (as if that wasn’t bad enough) it ended in one of those weirdly confusing, vague ways that left me squinting my eyes and wishing I hadn’t read it at all.

I don't know about you but I need a break right now.



Ahhh, that's better.

How We Escaped Our Certain Fate by Dan Chaon, 3 Stars: This is zombie tale that features a world where zombies are more of a pest than a threat. It’s laden with loss but aren't they all? There wasn’t much of anything new here but it was decently told.

That Tiny Flutter of the Heart I Used to Call Love Robert Shearman, 3 Stars: A messed up story of skewed childhoods, weirdly twisted love and strange customs that include sacrificing dolls. Love requires sacrifice, after all . . .

Interstate Love Song (Murder Ballad No. 8) by Caitlín R. Kiernan, 4 Stars: We meet two serial killing twins, who just so happen to also be lovers (twin-cest!) just as their road trip of death and destruction comes to a bloody end. I have to admit their romance was a little sexy but they were grown-ups so don’t be judging me.

Shay Corsham Worsted, 3.5 Stars: This was a weird one about a deadly lizard man masquerading as an old man. It left me with a crapload of questions but I kind of liked it.

The Atlas of Hell Nathan Ballingrud, 4 Stars: This was an interesting story about a rare book seller, a mob man and their journey to find The Atlas of Hell! The Atlas of Hell will lead you to objects brought back from Hell itsownself, objects fools are willing to pay big money to own. Who wouldn’t want to own that?!

Ambitious Boys Like You by Richard Kadrey, 4.5 Stars: Two thieves hit up the wrong house. Instead of a weak old man, they find dolls and booby traps and a whole lot of pain. This story was inventive, dark and creepy as hell and a great way to finally end this collection.

Hopefully I got them all but I can’t guarantee it and I am all typed out so this is all there is. There are some nightmarish stories here mixed in with a bunch of meh and I would recommend it with the caveat that you should not attempt to read it straight through. Read something else in-between these stories, split it up, you’ll thank me later. There is too much darkness to be taken in alone here and you may lose your will to read and to keep your eyes open.

Ellen Datlow is a figurehead of modern horror editing, so of course I had to pick up a collection with her name at the front. I thought that this collection was a little oddly paced, with some of the stories really soaring and some falling incredibly flat.

Nightmares by Ellen Datlow is a horror read.
n these twenty-four chilling tales, you will find iconic authors—including Richard Kadrey, Garth Nix, Caitlín R. Kiernan, Margo Lanagan, and Gene Wolfe—reminding us that evil will simply not go away. Two inexperienced thieves discover a residence that makes Home Alone seem like a playground romp. Concerned parents struggle with morality while their cruel child courts fairy revenge. The Ash Mouth Man might be just a legend to girls who wish to waste away—but is he worth just one kiss?
Very good read with good characters. I liked some stories more than others. 4*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.

Something for every horror reader. (3 stars)

Anthologies are notorious for earning 3-star ratings with few exceptions and NIGHTMARES: A NEW DECADE OF MODERN HORROR is no different.

I'm admittedly only a casual horror reader, partaking once in a blue moon to break free from genre over-saturation. When I do step into the horror shelves I tend to enjoy tales with supernatural and paranormal elements, tales of mental illness both real and imagined, and the kind of chillers that keep you up at night because they make your mind fill in the blanks so much you're creeping yourself out. There were enough of those here to sate my desires and for that I was able to give it the 3-star rating. Unfortunately, there were a few stories peppered in that involved pedophilia and incest, elements that I find repugnant on a visceral level. I don't mind some gore or even some well plotted violence but I simply cannot read about sexual violence against children without becoming physically ill. If the same bothers you please proceed with caution.

Overall, some were quite enjoyable, a few were awful, and several were forgettable. For me the standout was "Closet Dreams", a kidnapping tale that left me breathless. I also found "Was She Wicked? Was She Good?" exceptionally creepy.

I applied for this book only to read more Kiernan and Barron, but the whole of the anthology is outstanding. 5/5

Love the book! Very creative and enjoyed the twists and turns.

I'm a huge fan of short story collections these days. I've gotten more into writing my own short fiction lately so I always love reading stories that I can reflect on for inspiration. I am especially a huge fan of the creepy ones.

With the short story collection, Nightmares edited by Ellen Datlow, you have a strong collection of short stories that will disturb you long after they are over. It contains twenty four stories and each one unique and disturbing in it's own way. One in particular called, "The Clay Party," I read during my commute home that left me with a queasy stomach that reminded me a bit of the "Donner Party" with an extremely morbid and weird twist.

Another story, "Dead Sea Fruit" stayed with me. It's a story about a man who turned young men and women's tongues into something that left a horrible ash taste that rendered them unable to eat. The relationship between him and new dentist becomes curious when he refuses to kiss her.

As with all short story collections, some I couldn't connect with and others I found much too gruesome for me to really enjoy. But this is a fantastic collection of short stories that I think is worthy of your reading throughout this dreary cold January. Isn't it a fantastic way to get through this endless winter?

So, Friday the 13th is just next week so if you want to creep yourself out next weekend, I highly recommend purchasing this collection of short stories. It'll definitely stay with you long after it's over (and those are my favorite kind of books!).