Publisher’s Synopsis:
You know them. Those girls that aren’t quite like everyone else. Those girls who stand out in the crowd. Those girls that dare to be different. Those girls are dangerous.
In Strange Girls, twenty-one authors dare to tackle what makes the girls in this collection different. Vampires, selkies, murderous mermaids, succubus, and possessed dolls take center stage in these short stories that are sure to invoke feelings of quiet terror and uneasiness in the reader.
Following the successful debut of Women in Horror anthology with My American Nightmare, Strange Girls is the sophomore effort to showcase these talented women in a genre that is often dominated by the male gaze. Dare to take a walk on the dark side.
Edition:
E-ARC (Net Galley)
My Thoughts:
Ok, so…this is complicated. Since it is an anthology, I decided to do two things – I’m going to tell you my thoughts on the overall selections, so, how they fit together, blah blah, and then I’ll tell you my thoughts on each story separately.
The Collection:
I’m not sure I agree with the tie that binds these stories together. I mean, they’re not all about “strange girls” per se. One is about a normal girl and a disgusting dirt-pig of a man, and one is about a normal girl and a disgusting dirt-pig of a boy. So…does “strange girls” refer to the authors, then? Cuz I honestly have an even bigger problem with that (calling a bunch of grown-ass women ‘girls’ is infantalizing and weird, please don’t do it).
Or was that moniker chosen by a publisher who thinks that girls involved in bad situations are strange? Am I over-analyzing this? Seriously though, that title doesn’t sit well with me based on the inclusion of those two stories I hinted at above. Nothing was strange about those girls, they were just victimized by garbage people.
So, title, not my favorite. Cover – possibly my favorite. It’s beautiful. Honestly, I requested this book on the strength of that cover, and the idea that women in horror need more attention. They are every bit as good at horror writing as men are – and honestly, women write stories that to me (also a woman) feel oftentimes a hell of a lot scarier just based on the fact that we share similar fears which stem from our shared gender/place in society.
The Stories:
24 Hour Diner by Charlotte Platt
An asshole in a diner gets his just desserts. I kinda liked this one.
Sideshow by Jude Reid
My only note: “mmmkay….” Not exactly a glowing review – I didn’t leave any context. Upon further review, this is because a woman is RAAAAPED by her boyfriend, and her response is, “it was nice” when he asked if it was good for her. Another asshole gets his, this time with the backdrop of a cool lady in a carnival sideshow – she is the only thing that saved this from a 1 star rating. She was badass.
The Doll’s House by Alyson Faye
There’s a haunted doll house, which is fun. And some people get dead, which is also pretty fun. This one’s actually fairly good. It reminded me a lot of that episode of Creepshow (Shudder) The House of the Head. Actually, in hindsight, it basically just was that episode with a few minor changes. Which is fine. I mean, there’s only so much you can do with that basic premise in a few pages. Honestly, this was one of the strongest entries in the anthology, in my opinion.
Blood by Claire Hamilton Russell
This one was a huge letdown. I think it needed more – it felt incomplete. Like, the last paragraph was the only part that really felt important to the story. Also, I didn’t feel like at any point we had enough information to infer that it was a horror story. It just felt like the beginnings of a fantasy story.
Self-Portrait With Pears by Rachel Bolton
This was one that I mentioned didn’t feel like the story of a “strange girl.” Rather it’s the story of an entitled ass-hat who thinks that because he likes a girl (maybe she’s strange because she does art and dyes her hair?), that she owes him herself? She’s the She’s All That version of strange?) I will grant the author this: the story is scary in its plausability – Adam is a total violent incel-type, and gives off definite YOU vibes. I like the story well enough, but I don’t think that it fits in this collection very well.
Personal Demons by Angelique Fawns
It has an interesting concept – a succubus and non-binary individual team u and become besties? Sort of? I didn’t love the execution of the story so much – I feel like it needed a little more fleshing out in order for the end to make any kind of real sense. And the dialogue was a little off-putting at times, see: “Oh, I forgot to tell you. I’m a succubus.” Wait…*screeching halt* fucking huh? Not that she’s a succubus, but, like, who would ever say that thing in that way? I think she was going for pithy, but…it felt out of place. It still gets points for being interesting in concept though – and I’m a sucker for a succubus (save me from myselffff).
Friends with Benefits by E.F. Schraeder
This one was a swing and a big miss for me. I still don’t really know what the hell exactly was going on, so in lieu of a synopsis, I will just leave you with my notes:
Sad teen’s mom left/died/who knows she isn’t there. Spells and counter spells. Okay, mom’s dead apparently. She wants to “claim” her daughter – kill her? Why? It makes her more powerful? okkkkkayyy not sure how that’s gonna work. Dad doesn’t want her dead? Wait does he? Everyone’s a witch now? Daughter, friend, boyfriend, dead mom, maybe also dad all want her dead now apparently. I still don’t know wtf dad is trying for. Maybe not her being dead?
Night Terrors by Angela Sylvaine
After surgery, a girl finds out that nothing in her life is what it seems. Sci-fi horror for the win. One of my other favorites in this book.
The Girl Who Never Stopped Bleeding by Sam Lauren
Weird religious undertones about menstruation being like, an actual danger to the living things around poor Barb. It all felt little too shamey for me – definite menstrual tent vibes.
Leda and the Fly by Marnie Azzarelli
Leda has severe depression, which is only alleviated when she has a bizarre run-in with a fly on the wall. Turns out she’s got some violent thoughts, and this isn’t the first time this has happened. This one’s weird, but pretty fun.
Jenny’s Bobo by Hillary Lyon
A bullied high school girl uses her parent’s…pet…to get revenge on some mean girls.
Extinguishing Fireflies by Rebecca Rowland
I liked this one a lot. I don’t want to spoil it, but it’s a good one. There’s some mayhem, murder, and fireflies! Oh, and an unexpected ending.
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck how am I not done yettttttttttttttttttttttttt
The Eyes of the Dead by Danielle R. Bailey
Ok, I straight up hated this one. And not because of it’s content – it does warn straightaway that it “Contains scenes of violence and rape.” I hated it because it was just fucking mean for the sake of being mean. There was no redemption, no lesson. It was just cruel. And there was no “strange girl” either. It was a normal girl thrust into a really shitty situation. It was the short story equivalent of a rape-revenge film, but without the revenge. It was just a girl being brutally raped, murdered, and then violated way past the point of death while her trapped soul continues to have to endure it.
My Mirror Wife by Ash Tudor
Dammit, this one didn’t really connect for me either. I mean, it was okay, but… I didn’t really connect with it.
This isn’t going very well, is it?
Patterns of Faerytales by Azzurra Nox
Ok, this one was actually really good. Again, definitely one of my favorites. A woman discovers a secret about herself, and forces her husband to make a choice – join her or die. I only knocked off a star because of a weird bit of writing that I won’t share because it spoils a major plot point – but I guarantee you’ll notice it – it sticks out like a sore thumb.
Campfire Tales: The Bloody Rings by Emma Johnson-Rivardy
Another good one! We’re on a roll! This one is really folkloric in feel, and I dig it a lot. Grab your kitchen knives, y’all (that’s only going to make sense once you read it, but I promise you, it’s worth it).
Cracked by Regan Moore
Uggggghhhhhh, cuuuuurseddd dollllllllll.
Angel of Death by Phoebe Jane Johnson
I honestly have no real opinion on this one. It was a story. I guess it felt a little unsteady in it’s execution, but the story itself was ok.
Her Garden Grows by Maxine Kollar
Again, I’ve got little of use to impart, so I leave you my notes:
Woman turns murderous, her cat is weird, she likes to garden.
Revival by Madison Estes
Another one that doesn’t really feature a “strange girl” but rather centers on a man and his strangeness. At least it was an okay story, if not one I would have included in a “strange girls” anthology.
A Song Only She Can Hear by Wondra Vanian
This was a pretty good one, although I felt like it would have benefited greatly from being just a bit longer.
Tribal Influence by Erica Ruhe
I’m not sure why this one finished out the book. It was okay, but definitely not the strongest entry here. With that being said, it was a pretty good story about a strange little girl plucked from her parents at the US/Mexico border and subjected to government testing.
Overall Rating:
I just averaged everything to come up with this one. Drumroll, please!
It was actually 2.7, but barely. Honestly, my thoughts on this book were just too damned all over the place for me to rate it higher.
Anyway, if it sounds your speed, it comes out tomorrow!
Strange Girls: Women in Horror Anthology Stories selected by: Azzurra Nox Twisted Wing Productions Horror, Teens & YA (I highly disagree w/Teens & YA, FTR) ISBN: 4470993568802 Expected Publication: February 18, 2020 E-book, Paperback 272 Pages Azzurra Nox on Instagram Strange Girls on Goodreads theinkblotters.com
Hi Angie Thank you for reading and reviewing Strange Girls and your great review of my story, The Doll’s House, which I really appreciate. Though I watch a lot of horror films/shows I’ve never watched Creepshow but it’s funny it reminded you of that episode, there are I guess only so many story ideas floating around and now I want to check out that episode! Aly
You should. It’s so good!