THE GATHERING DARK

A collection of deliciously strange horror stories with an impressive scope.

From the allure of urban legends to the haunting reimagining of youthful games like Truth or Dare, these tales possess the vibe of a shadowy slumber party destined to keep you up all night. With pieces by 10 authors, including familiar names like Erica Waters, Chloe Gong, Courtney Gould, and editor Bovalino, this compact volume contains varied themes and styles. A young woman in New Zealand is filled with foreboding after taking a position as a live-in nanny in a remote seaside house in Gong’s “The Tallest Poppy.” A teenager learns of a fiery curse on her Oregon farming town that dates back to a history of witchcraft in Gould’s “Third Burn.” The arrangement of the stories successfully negotiates shifts in tone and provides a strong, cohesive reading experience. Several stories draw upon traditional subject matter; overall, they take surprising turns and offer vividly fresh spins on even the most classic of frightful motifs. Strong gothic tendencies emerge in these accessible, well-crafted, and atmospheric tales. Ominous, moody, and fiercely original, this anthology provides a delightful introduction to horror and an irresistible diversion for existing genre fans. Strong female protagonists are well represented along with diversity in race, national origin, and sexual orientation.

Perfectly creepy.