Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror Reviews

Book Review: The Best Horror of the Year: Volume Three

By Sandy Amazeen Aug 30, 2011, 0:55 GMT

What frightens us? What unnerves us? What causes that delicious shiver of fear to travel the lengths of our spines? It seems the answer changes every year. Every year the bar is raised; the screw, tightened. Ellen Datlow knows what scares us; the nineteen stories included in this anthology were chosen from magazines, webzines, anthologies, literary journals, and single author collections to represent the best horror of the year.

What frightens us? What unnerves us? What causes that delicious shiver of fear to travel the lengths of our spines? It seems the answer changes every year. Every year the bar is raised; the screw, tightened. Ellen Datlow knows what scares us; the nineteen stories included in this anthology were chosen from magazines, webzines, anthologies, literary journals, and single author collections to represent the best horror of the year. ...more

Filled with zombies, werewolves and assorted end of the world scenarios, Nightshade’s Volume Three horror collection features everything readers would expect along with some interesting surprises and twists. With “The Revel” and “City of the Dog,” John Lagan wrote what might be considered the two best stories of the anthology. Brian Hodge’s “Just Outside Our Windows, Deep Inside Our Walls” is an unusual sort of horror story about a boy, isolated from the world by his terrified parents, who befriends the new girl next door with unexpected results. With its simplistic prose, “When the Zombies Win” by Karina Sumner-Smith is an equally different kind of horror. “The Folding Man” by Joe Lansdale is sufficiently creepy to entertain although readers could be pardoned for taking exception to the overall rushed feeling.

Stronger then the previous two collections, there is plenty to like about this anthology celebrating all things that go bump in the night (and sometimes the day.) There are only a couple stories that fall flat, the rest are top notch, keep-you-awake-at-night or thought provoking reads making this one of the best horror collections currently available.

 



COMMENT

blog comments powered by Disqus

Latest Headlines in Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror

Older Talkback

Follow Us

Follow M&C on Pinterest

Search

Custom Search

The Best Horror of the Year Volume 3

What frightens us? What unnerves us? What causes that delicious shiver of fear to travel the lengths of our spines? It seems the answer changes every year. Every year the ...more

  • US Release: 1969-12-31
  • UK Release:

Also Check Out

Julianne Hough voted best summer body

Julianne Hough voted best summer body
Julianne Hough has beaten stars including Gwen Stefani and Kate Hudson to take the top spot in Women's Health's magazine's third annual list of the hottest celebrity beach bodies. ... more

John Travolta's Bahamas hideaway

John Travoltas Bahamas hideaway
John Travolta is reportedly hiding out in the Bahamas following a string of allegations that he molested male masseurs. ... more

Lady Gaga takes in 'ladyboys' performance

Lady Gaga takes in ladyboys performance
Lady Gaga went to see Thailand's famous 'ladyboys' perform in Bangkok today (25.05.12). ... more

Beyonce Knowles nervous about comeback performance

Beyonce Knowles nervous about comeback performance
Beyonce Knowles is nervous about returning to the stage tonight (25.05.12) for the first time since having a baby. ... more

Reese Witherspoon's pregnancy is going 'great'

Reese Witherspoons pregnancy is going great
Pregnant Reese Witherspoon says she feels 'great' despite undertaking the long flight to the Cannes Film Festival in France from her home in California. ... more

Robert Pattinson refused to bare all for movie

Robert Pattinson refused to bare all for movie
Robert Pattinson refused to bare all for his new movie, telling director David Cronenberg it 'wouldn't happen'. ... more

Kristen Stewart's naked first day on set

Kristen Stewarts naked first day on set
Kristen Stewart spent her first day on the set of 'On The Road' naked but is surprised by how comfortable she was with the sex scenes. ... more

Anna Kendrick's nightclub lie

Anna Kendricks nightclub lie
'Twilight Saga' star Anna Kendrick used to pretend she was best friends with actress Ashley Olsen' to get into Los Angeles nightclubs. ... more

Janet Jackson wants Paris to enjoy childhood

Janet Jackson wants Paris to enjoy childhood
Janet Jackson doesn't want her niece Paris to begin her career now because she wants the 14 year old to enjoy her teen years. ... more

Nicole Kidman sent sexy texts to director

Nicole Kidman sent sexy texts to director
Nicole Kidman landed her role in 'Paperboy' after sending 'provocative' text messages to director Lee Daniels. ... more