Sunday, October 26, 2014

Monstrous Affections An Anthology of Beastly Tales by Kelly Link and Gavin J. Grant

Here's a very special collection of horror/science fiction/fantasy tales that will keep you reading.  There are 15 stories and it'd be great to read on Halloween night.  No matter who comes to the door, you'll probably be scared!

Candlewick Press and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It has been published, so you can find a copy at your local bookstore now.

This is a mix and match batch of stories that are each unique.  As you go from one to another, you have no idea what to expect.  They're a bit like the stories you used to tell as a kid during late nights in a sleep over.  It worked even better if you were in a tent.  You might not get a lot of sleep after reading the stories but that was the point, wasn't it?

You have kraken, vampires, harpies, demons, aliens, and spirits all in one book.  I enjoyed the story about the Maori.  My favorite was a story done by Holly Black.  No big surprise there, I really like her books.

The best story in the book for me was Ten Rules for Being an Intergalactic Smuggler (The Successful Kind) by Holly Black.  A teen has stowed away on her uncle's spaceship.  She's pretty sure he's a smuggler, but she doesn't care.  She wants to be his partner.  Life gets real interesting when pirates board the ship and kill her uncle.  Desperate, she lets his cargo loose.  There is no time to consider the consequences even when she discovers she's set free an alien killer.  This eight legged alien also serves tea.  It's an amazing story!

If you want some short scares, this is the book for you.  If you're looking for new horror, that's here, too.  There's even a short story or two about gay or unusual relationships, just so you know.  All were done with good taste.  Give it a try.  It's a book you won't forget quickly.

No comments:

Drag and Rex Forever Friends by Susan Lubner

Meet Drag and Rex, the sweet, silly best friends who find joy and adventure in the simplest places in this charming and cheery modern Frog a...