by Joshua Skye:
“Twisted Realities: Of Myth and Monstrosity” is a collection of twelve nightmarish stories bound by legend and entwined with terror. Edited by author Kate Monroe (“The Falcon’s Chase”), this anthology contains imaginative work from Lisamarie Lamb (“Mother’s Helper”), Julianne Snow (“Days With The Undead: Book One”), Joseph Pinto (“Flowers for Evelene”) and more.
Several of the stories were written in a style resembling that of old world masters such as Eager Allen Poe and the indomitable H.P. Lovecraft. More often than not, it seemed forced and gimmicky which, unfortunately, hindered enjoyment. It’s a bold move, one I commend, but it has the potential to be off-putting for readers with more contemporary tastes. Several instances of awkward phrasing and plot inconsistencies are distracting. And there are a couple of stories that are painfully derivative.
That being stated, most of the tales contained herein are quite good. Among the frightful feast are warped stories of ghoulish hunger, demonic therapy sessions, cursed antiquities, lustful rendezvous with otherworldly beings, and fateful oceanic encounters. As with any anthology, there are stand-outs.
Thomas James Brown’s “It Lives in Us” opens the anthology with a jarring start. Imagine an episode of “Hammer’s House of Horrors,” and you’ll understand the tone of this piece. It’s dark, disturbing, and lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished reading it. I found myself unable to stop thinking about it and reread it several times, savoring the nuances. The descriptions of the monsters are nightmarish, fresh, and fiendishly fun.
The opening scene of Kate Monroe’s “Voices” was very intriguing. It suggested a grand and terrifying aftermath but then slipped effortlessly into a fear more personal in nature. I liked the juxtaposition of the tale, contrasting the potential global repercussions of the opening scene with the just as sinister and perhaps more profoundly disturbing implications of the story’s subsequent segment. It was sinister and seedy, a morbid sexual escapade, assertively and deftly written.
“A Fair Price” by Alexa Muir was a fast-paced fantasy tinged with horrific elements. A childless couple moves to the countryside and is set upon by impish trickery. The preternatural imagery was unique and adequately lurid. I imagine a fine novella could be conjured from this nicely told yarn.
Without a doubt my favorite of the collection is “Drakul” by K. Trap Jones, a cleverly woven satyr’s anecdote. “Mosaic” by Jonathan Templar and “Reemergence” by Nina
D’archangela are fine mythological explorations as well. The anthology concludes with Julianne Snow’s “The Plight of Phaylen Ponsford,” a character-driven cautionary tale.
“Twisted Realities: Of Myth and Monstrosity” has an impressive pedigree of new and seasoned talent. K. Trap Jones is a member of the Florida Writers Association. Amber Keller is a member of the Horror Writers Association. There are award-winners, scholars, mothers, fathers, photographers, and even ‘riding crop’ enthusiasts! This is an exciting and fascinating gathering of storytellers.
Despite a few uncomfortable moments (grammatical errors, the aforementioned awkward phrasing and plot holes, and banality) along the way, the book is, for the most part, enjoyable. The gems outweigh the disappointments, and the majority of the stories are fun and inspired. Overall, I would recommend it, but with caution.
DarkMedia contributor Joshua Skye’s short stories have appeared in anthologies from STARbooks Press, Knightwatch Press, Sirens Call Publications, Rainstorm Press, JMS Books and periodicals such as Blood and Lullabies. He is the author of “The Singing Wind,” “Bareback: A Werewolf’s Tale,” “Midnight Rainbows,” the forthcoming “The Grigori,” and “The Angels of Autumn.” You can find him on his website.
Twisted Realities: Of Myth and Monstrosity can be found on Amazon.com.
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