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Book Review: Seize the Night: New Tales of Vampiric Terror edited by Christopher Golden

Seize the Night: New Tales of Vampiric Terror edited by Christopher Golden

544 pages

Gallery Books 2015

ISBN-10: 1476783098

ISBN-13: 978-1476783093

 

When this reviewer first heard of a vampire anthology, expectations were tempered, to say the least. Vampires haven’t had teeth in years, so why would this collection be any different? Two words– Christopher Golden. In the anthologies Golden has edited, he has chosen fresh material with strong writing that overcomes the tired tropes of the horror genre. Previous themed anthologies he has edited, such as Monsters’ Corner, The New Dead, and 21st Century Dead have broken the confines of the expected, and Seize the Night bucks the trend of unimaginative stories about toothless, romantic,vampires. Golden challenged the writers within the pages to put their fangs to the sharpening stone and bite down into some serious flesh.

They responded.

What burns between the covers is a reason to care about the creatures of the night once again, a feat not easy to accomplish.  Nearly all of the tales here work here in establishing a sense of dread and fear, .Highlights include “Something Lost, Something Gained”, in which Seanan McGuire spins an eerie tale about a young girl in a storm. Her writing is swift and smooth. Kelley Armstrong’s “We Are All Monsters Here” envelops the reader in a claustrophobic event that puts the frights in human form. Leigh Perry’s “Direct Report” is a fascinating, chilling tale of a woman who awakens to a new personal world full of pain and despair, until she makes a discovery that turns the tables. Gary Braunbecks “Papercuts” is outstanding; it has to be the most unusual vampire tale in years, and it succeeds on all levels. Set in a bookstore, this is an imaginative story with very effective characterization. Finally, Rio Youers has a pair of stories that end the anthology in style, In all, Seize the Night has achieved the vision Golden imagined. Here’s to hoping that more writers will be inspired to put fear and dread back into the vampire genre, like those who accepted the challenge put forth here. Recommended for adult readers of vampire horror.

Reviewed by David Simms

 

Posted on January 7, 2016 by , Reply

Check Out These Kindle Deals!

 

Two great anthologies are on sale right now for $1.99 over at Amazon.com:

 
 

Lovecraft’s Monsters edited by Ellen Datlow, with stories by Neil Gaiman, Joe R. Lansdale, Caitlin Kiernan, and more

and

 

The End of the World: Stories of the Apocalypse collects classic stories of the apocalypse from as far back as the 1940s, and includes stories from Lester del Rey, Arthur C. Clarke, Orson Scott Card, George R.R. Martin, Norman Spinrad, Nancy Kress, and others. Also, it contains one of my favorite short stories by Neil Gaiman, “We Can Get Them For You Wholesale”.

 

I don’t think you can go wrong with either of these.

 
 

If you want a trio of story collections about the end of everything, you might also check out the recently released Expiration Date, edited by Nancy Kilpatrick. Enjoy your apocalypse!

Posted on June 10, 2015 by , Reply

Magazine Review: Black Static Magazine, Issues 44 & 45

  

 Black Static Magazine: Issues 44 & 45.

TTA Press: January and February, 2015.

Available: Print, Kindle edition

Very few magazines are worth the price of subscription– ever.  Black Static is a rare exception. In my opinion, Black Static is the best international magazine of dark fiction out there.  TTA Press has consistently produced a fine, slick, quality, digest-sized product,with plenty of visual appeal, on a regular publication schedule.  Editor Andy Cox ensures that each issue of Black Static is packed with top-notch material. Black Static is a perfect choice for readers who prefer fine fiction, reviews, and columns.

Issue #44 is one of my favorite issues to date. From cover to cover, it is 96 pages of great darkness. Stephen Volk’s opening column, “How To Stay Insane, Pt. 2”, is excellent, and his insights about writing horror resonate long after reading. In her column, Lynda E. Rucker tackles the World Fantasy Award and how horror fits into the argument. Both Volk and Rucker have consistently penned strong columns, frequently about the writing and business of horror, both bringing their own unique slant to the genre. Peter Tennant and Tony Lee continue to cover books and movies in detailed fashion with keen eyes for novelty and innovation.  Tennant typically spotlights authors or publishers. This time he spotlights Tim Waggoner, with an insightful interview. Of course, there are also a plethora of reviews of DVDs and fiction. Strong novellas by Simon Avery and Tyler Keevil are followed by short stories by Priya Sharma, E. Catherine Tobler, and Jackson Kuhl.

#45 is just as impressive. Volk discusses the selling of souls and other commodities and Rucker covers the topic of the female body and horror. Tennant focuses on the talented Helen Marshall. Issue #45 also contains short stories by S.P. Miskowski, Laura Mauro, Stephen Hargadon, Emily Cataneo, Andrew Hook, Cate Gardner, Danny Rhodes, and the always mesmerizing Steve Rasnic Tem.  The countless reviews seem to expand with each issue, and while many skewer the films and shows, the honesty behind the opinions rings true.

Once again, the task is simple: pick up a subscription to this fine magazine or if you’re across the pond, get yourself to the store grab a copy.  Not many things are worth the money these days and few are guaranteed to entertain consistently, but this is one that fulfills without fault every time.

Highly recommended magazine for any fans of the genre.

Reviewed by Dave Simms (Note: Dave Simms also reviews for Cemetery Dance magazine.)

 

Posted on April 26, 2015 by , Reply
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