Deathrealm: Spirits: A Horror Anthology
Stephen Mark Rainey, ed.
Shortwave Media (October 17, 2023)
Reviewed by Carson Buckingham
When reading an anthology, there are always hits and there are always misses, as taste among readership varies. The trick is to have more hits than misses, and for me, this anthology is definitely in that category. There is something for everyone here; so whether you enjoy splatter, suspense, or paranormal, you can’t go wrong with Stephen Mark Rainey’s Deathrealm: Spirits. This would be a wonderful Christmas gift for any horror aficionados on your list.
Most of the authors within I have heard of and read before, but there were a few I hadn’t and I was pleasantly surprised. I will be looking into other work of theirs, which is the beauty of a well-put-together anthology—you run into old friends and you meet some new ones.
Here are my favorites:
“DYING RIVER” by Bridgett Nelson—a child contracts a deadly disease, and his mother is worried sick—but not for the reason you might suspect. Nice twist at the end.
“TO FEAR AND TO RAGE” by Timothy G. Huguenin—a horrific contagious disease hits a small town. I had to remind myself to breathe reading this one.
“A SHADOW SLOWLY SHIFTING” by Heather Daughrity—An abusive husband, a beaten-down wife, and a precursive shadow. Masterfully done.
“I WAS GOING TO TELL YOU TONIGHT” by David Niall Wilson—A fascinating story involving insects and human DNA. I’ve never read anything like this. It was a great idea that I wish I’d thought of.
