Connect with us
'New Fears: New Horror Stories by Masters of the Genre' review

31 Days of Halloween

‘New Fears: New Horror Stories by Masters of the Genre’ review

“New Fears” is everything you want from a horror anthology.

Welcome to another installment of 31 Days of Halloween! This is our chance to set the mood for the spookiest and scariest month of the year as we focus our attention on horror and Halloween fun. For the month of October we’ll be sharing various pieces of underappreciated scary books, comics, movies, and television to help keep you terrified and entertained all the way up to Halloween.


[amazon_link asins=’1785655523′ template=’AiPTProductAd’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’54ae1233-b357-11e7-87e4-cde85f755f24′]

It’s almost the witching season, so what better way to get in the mood for All Hallow’s Eve than a good scare? Maybe even more than one? From the publisher:

FEAR COMES IN MANY FORMS

The horror genre’s greatest living practitioners drag our darkest fears kicking and screaming into the light in this collection of nineteen brand-new stories. Numinous, surreal and gut wrenching, New Fears is a vibrant collection showcasing the very best fiction modern horror has to offer.

I love anthologies, particularly horror ones, and I’ve reviewed a few this year. New Fears stands out as perhaps the creepiest of the bunch. There aren’t any werewolves, vampires, or any kind of monsters, really. Although there doesn’t seem to be a common thread or theme to the lot, all the stories go about bringing the horror through suspense and the unknown, much like a Lovecraft tale. For those who read horror for the blood, guts and sex that seems to be a staple of the genre, you’ll have to look elsewhere. These stories are more akin to the frights found in The Shining or The Amityville Horror, as they introduce odd occurrences or add a sinister note to mundane real world people and situations, rather than have a slathering mutants peeking through windows and stabbing people in their beds.

The lineup of authors, the majority of which are from the UK, were mostly known to me, though I did find a few standout newcomers. Ramsey Campbell’s tale, “Speaking Still” features a man receiving calls from an ex-loved one (and I do mean “ex”). Stephen Gallagher’s “Shepherd’s Business” sees a doctor taking over the rounds on a Scottish island, and discovering the tight-knit community is anything but routine. The “Abduction Door” by Christopher Golden is tightly written and plays with the long lasting effects a child’s fear can have, especially when what they’re scared of might be true.

[amazon_link asins=’1785655523′ template=’BottomAdAIPT’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’6118ef08-b357-11e7-8c80-4dcf40f12345′]

A standout, for me, has to be the ultra-creepy “Dollies,” written by Kathryn Ptacek. It’s one of the shorter stories, but leaves a hell of an impact with the final page. A young girl tells her parents her doll has contracted small pox and dies. When the parents replace the doll, the girl says that, it too, has caught small pox and the pattern continues throughout the rest of the story. It’s a perfect example of an author showing that “horror” doesn’t have to come with claws and fangs, it just has to linger with the reader after the story is over.

Is It Good?

“New Fears” is everything you want from a horror anthology. It plays to the strengths of the truncated format by giving you just enough of each tale to make you turn on some extra lights without over-explaining the situations. If you like stories that give you the same feeling you had as a kid, hurrying up the basement stairs, without looking back, you’ll have a great time with the book.

'New Fears: New Horror Stories by Masters of the Genre' review
New Fears: New Horror Stories by Masters of the Genre
Is it good?
An original collection of chilling short stories, that’s haunting and eerie, without relying on shock value and carnage.
Great editing and talented authors
All the stories are very original and the ones that make hint of familiarity find a way to turn the premise into something new
If you’re more into Hellraiser-type gore and horror, you might want to give this one a pass.
9
Great
Buy Now

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt' Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt'

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in ‘Blood Hunt’

Comic Books

X-Men Monday #241 - Steve Foxe Talks 'X-Men '97,' 'Dead X-Men,' and 'X-Men: Blood Hunt - Psylocke' X-Men Monday #241 - Steve Foxe Talks 'X-Men '97,' 'Dead X-Men,' and 'X-Men: Blood Hunt - Psylocke'

X-Men Monday #241 – Steve Foxe Talks ‘X-Men ’97,’ ‘Dead X-Men,’ and ‘X-Men: Blood Hunt – Psylocke’

Comic Books

Films to check out at SXSW Films to check out at SXSW

Films to check out at SXSW

Movies

WWE Raw preview, full card: March 4, 2024 WWE Raw preview, full card: March 4, 2024

WWE Raw preview, full card: March 4, 2024

Pro Wrestling

Connect
Newsletter Signup