Synopsis:
Strangehouse Books, in association with Rooster Republic Press, is proud to present Not All Monsters, a new anthology of horror fiction edited by Bram Stoker Award-winning author Sara Tantlinger.
Women have dealt with monsters throughout countless films, books, media, and certainly in real life. With this anthology, we wanted to give women the chance to take something back to show their skills and storytelling abilities, but to also create striking stories that resonate profoundly with readers: Protagonists who take no shit; women who save themselves; who slay the beast; women who become the monster.
Edition:
Hardcover, Limited Illustrated Edition
Trigger Warnings:
- Rape
My Thoughts:
The anthology opens with editor Sara Tantlinger (I’ve reviewed her work before – see Cradleland of Parasites, To Be Devoured, and my giveaway of Cradleland – which is running for a few more days) explaining how this collection came to be. See, every woman in every story encounters a monster at some point, it seems. But it’s not often they get to slay them – or even better, that they get to be them.
The Stories:
Portrait of a Girl in Red & Yellow – Joanna Roye
What a great start to the anthology this was! It’s a strong tale of body horror, and a girl who finds herself covered in a very strange, patterned rash.
The Miraculous Ones – G.G. Silverman
Conjoined twins are medically separated and go on to lead drastically different lives. I also really enjoyed this one.
Parlor Tricks – Stacey Bell
How do you find someone when they are able to change their appearance at will? I like that this one really drives home that the things we see as monstrous are not inherently evil. I feel like that’s really important to remember.
Wasted – Amy Easton
A group of girls at a party want very much to get closer to the boys. This has a super fun twist that I honestly didn’t see coming.
Black Feathered Phlogiston – K.P. Kulski
A flock of harpies take up residence in Michelle’s attic. What is it they want, exactly? And how far will Michelle have to go to give it to them?
Leather – S.M. Ketcham
A “gentleman” insists the woman working the register goes out with him because he has fixated on her (he doesn’t even bother to learn her name) and decided in his head that she very obviously wants him (of course she doesn’t). I LOVED THIS STORY SO HARD. FUCK THAT GUY.
Inked – E.E. Florence
This is pure tattoo-related body horror. It’s creepy, it’s icky, and it’s actually quite lovely.
The Good Will – Briana McGuckin
A dead woman has to confront the life she lived. This one has got a lesson to impart, so pay attention!
The Problem with Being a Monster – Annie Neugebauer
Another rumination on what makes a monster. This monster doesn’t want to be feared by anyone. It’s such an emotional story – kind of sweet, kind of tragic.
Midnight in the Garden of Life and Death – Kayleigh Barber
This is a story about balance. Miss Mare and Miss Emily share neighboring orchards where the fruits of light and darkness grow.
Pretty Little Vampires – Sam Fleming
A woman buys a kit that is supposed to attract faeries. Because who wouldn’t want that, right? They’re all magical and shit. Well, after reading this story I can 100% tell you: that’s a big ol’ nope from me.
Without a Face – Hailey Piper
Revenge and fencing are a combination I never thought I’d read about, let alone enjoy so much.
The Heart of a Lion – J.H. Moncrieff
The Most Dangerous Game just got even more dangerous. I guess the old version is just a Really Dangerous Game now.
This Can Happen to You – Jessica McHugh
A new mom just wants to see her baby girl smile, but the kid just won’t do it!
A Certain Age – Jennifer Loring
A lonely, middle aged Filipino woman picks up unwary men at her local bar.
The Revenge of Madeline Usher – Joanna Koch
Yes, THAT Madeline Usher. And I am forever grateful for this story. She had a real shit time of it in Edgar Allen Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher. This felt like a much needed redemption story for poor Madeline. That Roderick was such an unbelievable dick.
Antifreeze and Sweet Peas – Angela Sylvaine
A baker has the ability to see murderers for what they are. And she isn’t letting them off the hook once she has identified them.
Cake – J.C. Raye
This is a retelling of Cinderella. Honestly, this was the closest to not hitting with me in the entirety of the anthology. I’m not sure what it was, exactly – it wasn’t a bad story, it just wasn’t my favorite, you know?
And Sweetest in the Gale is Heard – Christa Carmen
This one is REALLY dark. It’s where the trigger warning above came from. Be warned. A woman is captured by a serial murderer.
The Sugar Cane Sea – Juliana Spink Mills
A woman and her son are trying to escape her monstrous, abusive ex. They find solace with an old woman an her odd cat on a sugar cane farm.
Unfettered – Leslie Wibberley
A former dance whose entire reality is controlled by her ruthless husband turns to ancient magic to free herself.
Rating:
Overall, this is an incredibly strong collection of stories. I’m really pleased that I sprung for the special edition hardcover. It’s a beautiful addition to my shelves. It has some truly gorgeous artwork scattered throughout done by Don Noble.
Not All Monsters Edited by Sara Tantlinger Strangehouse Books Published: April 15, 2020 ISBN: 9781946335319 Format: Paperback 288 Pages
OOOH!! That edition sounds amazing!! I love illustrated versions. Mine didn’t have them, but I adored the collection! Glad to see it was a hit for you as well!