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1.37k reviews by:
ericarobyn
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Dead As Soon As Born is a killer collection of Aiden Merchant’s work. There’s a blend of horror and horror adjacent tales, but also tales that are crime and drama based in this short story collection. I had an absolute blast reading this one!
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way. I also purchased a copy.
This collection began with another content warning note that I appreciate seeing SO much. I really like that Aiden adds this note to the beginning of the collection that directs readers to the end of the book if they are looking for a heads up.
I loved the variety here! There are also a few different formats included here, from flash fiction to novelette. I loved that I never knew what to expect when I started a new story.
Per usual, here are my notes on each tale.
Pasture – 4/5
Phew, this tale about reincarnation captured so many emotions; love, frustration, terror, and more!
Phew, this tale about reincarnation captured so many emotions; love, frustration, terror, and more!
Wild Minds – 4/5
Wild Minds by Aiden Merchant is a chilling tale about a man that isolates himself at a cabin to write. But at that cabin, there is something in the woods watching him… I had read this before as a standalone story and really enjoyed it!
Wild Minds by Aiden Merchant is a chilling tale about a man that isolates himself at a cabin to write. But at that cabin, there is something in the woods watching him… I had read this before as a standalone story and really enjoyed it!
The Sinking – 4/5
In this tale, a man is going about his day like nothing is wrong… like he didn’t kill his wife and stuff her in a trunk. But what will he do with the body? This was cool to see the full version after reading the screenplay version in Kill For Them!
In this tale, a man is going about his day like nothing is wrong… like he didn’t kill his wife and stuff her in a trunk. But what will he do with the body? This was cool to see the full version after reading the screenplay version in Kill For Them!
No More – 5/5
Yessssss! This is a short one but one that packs a powerful punch! I love that this woman saw the opportunity and took it, even if it wasn’t perfect.
Yessssss! This is a short one but one that packs a powerful punch! I love that this woman saw the opportunity and took it, even if it wasn’t perfect.
Let’s Rob Your Ex! – 5/5
What a ride this tale was! When Dana is approached by a stranger one day, she learns that this stranger is her ex husbands new fiancée. But something is off here, and it only get more unsettling as time goes on. I did not see that ending coming but I loved where it went!
What a ride this tale was! When Dana is approached by a stranger one day, she learns that this stranger is her ex husbands new fiancée. But something is off here, and it only get more unsettling as time goes on. I did not see that ending coming but I loved where it went!
Above and Below Exitium – 5/5
Holy!! This anxiety-inducing tale of an alien invasion was incredibly terrifying. There are so many elements here that hit on my biggest fears; being separated from loved ones, a bridge collapsing, being stuck under ground, oceans boiling, and so much more. In the authors note, Aiden mentions how the schools reaction was a lot like 9/11, and that’s exactly how I felt when reading it! My experience was very similar. What an all around horrifying tale. I would love to read more here!
Holy!! This anxiety-inducing tale of an alien invasion was incredibly terrifying. There are so many elements here that hit on my biggest fears; being separated from loved ones, a bridge collapsing, being stuck under ground, oceans boiling, and so much more. In the authors note, Aiden mentions how the schools reaction was a lot like 9/11, and that’s exactly how I felt when reading it! My experience was very similar. What an all around horrifying tale. I would love to read more here!
The Human Condition – 4/5
This story begins with a terrible car accident. Moments later, the two drivers realize they are outside of their vehicles, looking at their bodies as emergency crews arrive. This is something that terrifies me so much. There are so many people out there that don’t look at driving a car as a privilege and don’t treat it with respect. That plus the thought of dying in a car accident that wasn’t your fault in any way is so scary to me. While this tale had a lot of heartbreaking elements, there were also a lot of uplifting bits that will make readers smile.
This story begins with a terrible car accident. Moments later, the two drivers realize they are outside of their vehicles, looking at their bodies as emergency crews arrive. This is something that terrifies me so much. There are so many people out there that don’t look at driving a car as a privilege and don’t treat it with respect. That plus the thought of dying in a car accident that wasn’t your fault in any way is so scary to me. While this tale had a lot of heartbreaking elements, there were also a lot of uplifting bits that will make readers smile.
Brokenhearted – 4/5
Oh goodness! This short one is certainly shocking!
Oh goodness! This short one is certainly shocking!
Out At Sea – 5/5
Gosh I love this one! I mean, a terrifying tale set at sea with creatures that come out at night? I’m so in for stories like this! I had previously read this one, but it was wicked fun to return to it! It’s definitely one of my favorite sea related horror stories!
Gosh I love this one! I mean, a terrifying tale set at sea with creatures that come out at night? I’m so in for stories like this! I had previously read this one, but it was wicked fun to return to it! It’s definitely one of my favorite sea related horror stories!
Stubby Legs – 4/5
Oh my gosh! I was so thinking this one was going to be a lighter tale, but it was too good to be true. This got dark very quickly! What a good dog this woman has… other than the initial running off of course. The tunnels were so interesting but also terrifying.
Oh my gosh! I was so thinking this one was going to be a lighter tale, but it was too good to be true. This got dark very quickly! What a good dog this woman has… other than the initial running off of course. The tunnels were so interesting but also terrifying.
Hiding – 5/5
This is a flash fiction piece about a a girl that is clearly in a terrifying situation. This one gave me goosebumps!
This is a flash fiction piece about a a girl that is clearly in a terrifying situation. This one gave me goosebumps!
Palinoia – 5/5
This brutal tale is about a guy that goes to visit his girlfriend but learns that she hasn’t been faithful. When things go sideways, he’s given another chance, but what will he do differently next time? Love the Bring Me the Horizon references!
This brutal tale is about a guy that goes to visit his girlfriend but learns that she hasn’t been faithful. When things go sideways, he’s given another chance, but what will he do differently next time? Love the Bring Me the Horizon references!
Time Wavers – 5/5
What a heartwarming tale! I love Gina and Abe so much.
What a heartwarming tale! I love Gina and Abe so much.
Vermillion – 5/5
I love horror shorts like this that have both a real world terror and a terrifying creature. The read world bit was absolutely heartbreaking.
I love horror shorts like this that have both a real world terror and a terrifying creature. The read world bit was absolutely heartbreaking.
Voxwrecker – 5/5
I love the format of this one! It’s written in a set of recordings from two characters that share the machine in an apocalyptic world where many people have lost their minds after being infected with something. I would happily read more from this storyline, but it’s super impacted as is!
I love the format of this one! It’s written in a set of recordings from two characters that share the machine in an apocalyptic world where many people have lost their minds after being infected with something. I would happily read more from this storyline, but it’s super impacted as is!
Crossing Red – 5/5
This tale beings with an audio recording of a statement made to a detective by a woman that knew a man named Matthew Hart that was wanted for murder. We then jump back to see Matthews downfall and what happened next. I loved that we got updated news stories and tweets throughout the tale! This was such a fun crime tale! It was filled with suspense and lots of little twists that just made the story more suspenseful!
This tale beings with an audio recording of a statement made to a detective by a woman that knew a man named Matthew Hart that was wanted for murder. We then jump back to see Matthews downfall and what happened next. I loved that we got updated news stories and tweets throughout the tale! This was such a fun crime tale! It was filled with suspense and lots of little twists that just made the story more suspenseful!
My Final Thoughts:
This is such a fun collection! This truly has something for everyone, so I highly recommend it to everyone! If you’re a horror fan, there are plenty of stories in here for you. If you’re just starting to get into horror, this is a great starting point as it covers a wide range of horror among other genre elements!
Content Warnings
The author provides a full breakdown of potential trigger warnings in each story in the back of the book.
dark
tense
Kill For Them by Aiden Merchant is an intense collection of tales of varying length that will make your skin crawl as the terrors settle in!
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way. I also purchased a copy.
First things first, I have to point out how neat it is that the author included a note at the beginning to let the reader know that there is a section at the back of the book that highlights all the potential trigger warnings! I would love to see more of this from other authors.
These stories were all super captivating! I really enjoyed that their length varied and that I never knew what would happen next! I personally found each story to be horrific in their own ways.
First things first, I have to point out how neat it is that the author included a note at the beginning to let the reader know that there is a section at the back of the book that highlights all the potential trigger warnings! I would love to see more of this from other authors.
These stories were all super captivating! I really enjoyed that their length varied and that I never knew what would happen next! I personally found each story to be horrific in their own ways.
I also love that each tale has an authors note at the end to explain little tid-bits like if the story is related to another tale, what the writing process was like, or what sparked the story idea.
Per usual, here are my quick notes on each tale-
Complete Sacrifice – 4/5
Oh my gosh, what a terrifying short to kick this collection off! This poor man is forced to do the unthinkable in order to save his children from the Corner Master. And man, would I love to know more about the Corner Master!
Oh my gosh, what a terrifying short to kick this collection off! This poor man is forced to do the unthinkable in order to save his children from the Corner Master. And man, would I love to know more about the Corner Master!
Degenerate – 4/5
Phew, what an intense tale. I love that this one makes you question what was real and what was in this man’s head. The scene on the train really spooked me.
Phew, what an intense tale. I love that this one makes you question what was real and what was in this man’s head. The scene on the train really spooked me.
Misplaced – 4/5
Yikes! In this short, we jump into a scene where the main character is running for her life. She’s in a world where everything had stopped, people disappeared, machines stopped working, and the beast is on the hunt. This one certainly had my heart pumping while reading!
Yikes! In this short, we jump into a scene where the main character is running for her life. She’s in a world where everything had stopped, people disappeared, machines stopped working, and the beast is on the hunt. This one certainly had my heart pumping while reading!
Killing Two Birds With One Stone – 4/5
When this story began, we mainly centered around a drugged up guy who was sent on an assignment to end the competition that had dropped by and announced his presence in their town. Soon, a character named Gina beings to pop in and out. I LOVE Gina! I can’t wait to see more of her!
When this story began, we mainly centered around a drugged up guy who was sent on an assignment to end the competition that had dropped by and announced his presence in their town. Soon, a character named Gina beings to pop in and out. I LOVE Gina! I can’t wait to see more of her!
Broken Bottles – 5/5
What a slow but interesting burn this one was! Phew, that ending! What a guy Horace is.
What a slow but interesting burn this one was! Phew, that ending! What a guy Horace is.
Squirming Disease – 5/5
I had read this one before as a stand-alone. It’s brutal and it will certainly make your skin crawl!! Check out my full review here.
I had read this one before as a stand-alone. It’s brutal and it will certainly make your skin crawl!! Check out my full review here.
Nightmare – 5/5
Short and absolutely horrifying to think about!
Short and absolutely horrifying to think about!
The Other Side – 5/5
When a man finds a creek in the woods, he’s suddenly inspired and has to write after the visit! But that creek seems to draw him back. Soon, he’s heading there daily, but at what cost? This was so eerie! I loved the image of the creek that Aiden sets in readers minds!
When a man finds a creek in the woods, he’s suddenly inspired and has to write after the visit! But that creek seems to draw him back. Soon, he’s heading there daily, but at what cost? This was so eerie! I loved the image of the creek that Aiden sets in readers minds!
Prisoner – 5/5
I this story, a man is on a mission to arrest a woman with powers. When the taken down doesn’t exactly go as planned, it leaves our main character questions what’s going on. I loved this one! This is one of those tales that’s just perfect as is, but I could also see it as a series of shorts or a longer novel.
I this story, a man is on a mission to arrest a woman with powers. When the taken down doesn’t exactly go as planned, it leaves our main character questions what’s going on. I loved this one! This is one of those tales that’s just perfect as is, but I could also see it as a series of shorts or a longer novel.
Reputation – 4/5
Yikes!! I’d like to think if I had a break in I’d just call for help, but it seems like this guy may have been better off running.
The Man Inside My Head - 4/5
In this story we see a client talking to his psychiatrist. We soon learn that the client sees a man named Richard. While the psych thinks Richard is dangerous, the client has other thoughts and actually likes when Richard helps him. But what exactly is going on here, and where does the danger lie? This story was heartbreaking and terrifying all wrapped into one!
Yikes!! I’d like to think if I had a break in I’d just call for help, but it seems like this guy may have been better off running.
The Man Inside My Head - 4/5
In this story we see a client talking to his psychiatrist. We soon learn that the client sees a man named Richard. While the psych thinks Richard is dangerous, the client has other thoughts and actually likes when Richard helps him. But what exactly is going on here, and where does the danger lie? This story was heartbreaking and terrifying all wrapped into one!
Chased – 5/5
I LOVE this drabble! The thought of being chased is creepy enough! With just 100 words to work with, this one definitely got the terror across to the reader.
I LOVE this drabble! The thought of being chased is creepy enough! With just 100 words to work with, this one definitely got the terror across to the reader.
Pray – 5/5
When two girls get in a wreck on their way to visit their parents, one girl leaves the vehicle but doesn’t come back. They both soon learn that that they need to fear more than just the dark and the cold in the woods. This story is terrifying and brutal!! I would love to see more stories related to this one.
When two girls get in a wreck on their way to visit their parents, one girl leaves the vehicle but doesn’t come back. They both soon learn that that they need to fear more than just the dark and the cold in the woods. This story is terrifying and brutal!! I would love to see more stories related to this one.
Twitch – 5/5
This story centers around a man that has been locked in a bright room to be monitored and tested. Over time, he learns why he was locked up. But by then, he’s got another idea. I loved that this is in the same world as Prisoner! The call for reading material from Michael Crichton made me giggle. I love seeing my favorite authors mentioned in stories!
This story centers around a man that has been locked in a bright room to be monitored and tested. Over time, he learns why he was locked up. But by then, he’s got another idea. I loved that this is in the same world as Prisoner! The call for reading material from Michael Crichton made me giggle. I love seeing my favorite authors mentioned in stories!
Crimson Road: Faces – 4/5
When a young man begins a road trip to see the US and try to get inspired to find his own calling, he meets up with a strange girl that wants to tag along. It seems to good to be true at first, and he’s about to learn that his passenger is hiding many secrets. Phew this one spooked me. I never had any idea what was going to happen next, but I dreaded what we were about to find out.
When a young man begins a road trip to see the US and try to get inspired to find his own calling, he meets up with a strange girl that wants to tag along. It seems to good to be true at first, and he’s about to learn that his passenger is hiding many secrets. Phew this one spooked me. I never had any idea what was going to happen next, but I dreaded what we were about to find out.
The Sinking – A Screenplay – 5/5
Phew, I don’t know why these two were fighting, but I’m already siding with Carol. Walter sure seems to be a horrible person. I loved the path this took! Man, the first scene at the wharf was wicked creepy!! I loved the camera work, especially in the scene talking about how Carole is in his head. And that ending!!
Phew, I don’t know why these two were fighting, but I’m already siding with Carol. Walter sure seems to be a horrible person. I loved the path this took! Man, the first scene at the wharf was wicked creepy!! I loved the camera work, especially in the scene talking about how Carole is in his head. And that ending!!
My Final Thoughts:
Like a dummy, I read this out of order. I should have read Dead As Soon As Born first, but here we are. I loved each of these tales and I really enjoyed learning how many of these tales are related to one another and how they tie into stories from the other short story collection. I cannot wait to dive into that one next!
If you enjoy horror shorts, you gotta give this one a read!
Content Warnings
There is a full page of content warnings at the end of the book for the readers to review.
dark
tense
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
In Darkness, Shadows Breathe by Catherine Cavendish is a very unsettling story set in a hospital with a doorway that only appears to certain women, and a tunnel that leads to the place of nightmares.
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
In part one, In Darkness, our main character is a woman named Carol who leads a quiet and lonely life. Only a couple days after moving in to her temporary rental, odd things being to occur. Soon, we realize that Carole is flashing between the current time and the nineteenth century. Things only got more and more bizarre from there! When Carol finally confided in a neighbor, that’s when we finally started to get some answers, but was it already too late?
In part one, In Darkness, our main character is a woman named Carol who leads a quiet and lonely life. Only a couple days after moving in to her temporary rental, odd things being to occur. Soon, we realize that Carole is flashing between the current time and the nineteenth century. Things only got more and more bizarre from there! When Carol finally confided in a neighbor, that’s when we finally started to get some answers, but was it already too late?
In part two, Shadows Breathe, our main character is a woman named Vanessa, or Nessa, who has learned that her cancer has spread and that she needs major surgery. As she is recovering from the surgery, she begins to have what she thinks are hallucinations due to her pain medicine. Over time, it becomes clear that she’s not just dreaming these things up. Someone is after her, but can she get away?
My goodness were these two halves of the book perfectly organized! I loved that they were both a bit similar when it came to a few elements and that there was some overlap, but for the most part, they each took their own path!
Both of the women we center around in these stories were absolutely incredible. I really felt for them immediately after meeting them. They are definitely the type of characters that I felt protective of and kept wishing everything would work our and that they would be okay.
The two main settings within the hospital were such polar opposites that it made the flashes between the two even more unsettling. One seemed to be bright, clean, and friendly, while the other was dark, filthy, and brutal. Each time the characters found themselves in the darker place, I was equally anxious and intrigued to see what was going to happen. Then when they were back in the light, I just wanted them to get answers from the nurses that seem to know more than they were letting on!
Catherine Cavendish’s writing style is just so lovely. I really enjoyed that each part of this novel were slow burning in the beginning, but once the spark caught in each, the flames quickly took over and that made it very difficult to put the book down.
My Favorite Passages:
In the daylight, her nocturnal experiences paled and became unimportant, a product of a befuddled brain. That’s all it was.
The dream had been so real. She shuddered at the memory and recalled the acrid stench of ammonia. Surely you weren’t supposed to be able to smell anything in a dream?
Despite the horror around me, I felt strangely calm. Then I heard a scratching sound. Someone turning the key in the lock. The door creaked as it was pushed open.
It is strange how tenuous your hold on reality can become when you’re desperate.
My Final Thoughts:
This novel was so unsettling. I’m not a fan of hospitals to begin with, so I was already on edge while reading. But let me tell you, if I’m in a hospital anytime soon and I hear the words “you’re next,” I’ll likely pee my pants.
If you enjoy gothic horror with a supernatural element and strong female characters, this is a must read for you!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Minor: Vomit
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Survivors by Jane Harper is a stormy tale, both literally and emotionally.
I adore Jane Harper’s work, but tread lightly here if you have a loved one with dementia or have dealt with unfair blame from parents.
In the prologue, we get a very quick glimpse into something that happened. When we dive into chapter one, it’s not clear whether that was a scene from the past, or if it’s where the story is going to end up. I though that element set the tone of the mystery wonderfully!
In the prologue, we get a very quick glimpse into something that happened. When we dive into chapter one, it’s not clear whether that was a scene from the past, or if it’s where the story is going to end up. I though that element set the tone of the mystery wonderfully!
Throughout the book, we get glimpses back into the past that gives us more information about a really awful storm that had hit, and the deaths that occurred during that time.
Our main character, Kieran, is back in his hometown with his girlfriend and infant child, helping his mother pack up her home as she is moving into an apartment while his father will be going to a care home because his is struggling with his dementia. But of course, while he went away from home, the guilt he feels when he’s back in town comes on very strong.
I loved the small town vibes, especially one with a huge summer tourist community as that hits home for me. But of course, with small towns, you also have the negative side affects of living in a small population…
While reading, I couldn’t wait to see how everything was going to play out. My heart broke for many of these characters that were all dealing with various struggles.
I will admit that this mystery was a bit predictable at times for me, however, I did not see the overall reveal coming!
My Favorite Passages:
Even as he said the words, a memory Kieran had almost forgotten tumbled off a dusty shelf in his mind.
He’d been carrying this weight for so many years, he couldn’t imagine what it might feel like to be able to set it down.
My Final Thoughts:
The Survivors is another really twisted mystery filled with amazing characters from Jane Harper! I highly recommend checking this out!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Dementia, Grief
Worth reading but I found it to be pretty boring. There was one chapter at the end that I read very quickly because I couldn't wait to see how things turned out...and then the book was over. Maybe I just needed to read the other books in the series first?
I really liked this book. It was very easy to follow the story line and there were certainly a few "Oh My Gosh" moments that made me want to immediately discuss the book with others. The author of this book does a VERY good job with making you side with one character over the other. And just when you think you've gotten the characters all figured out, you soon realize that you've started taking different sides with each chapter you read. I absolutely hated both of the main characters-major props to the author for that! As for the ending, I saw it coming so I was kind of bummed but I liked the ending overall because I felt that it totally left you hanging and guessing at what happened next!
A very strange story line. Worth reading, but I certainly wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
Not nearly as good as the first book of this series. I was pretty bummed that I found myself bored for the majority of the story. I would say that it is worth reading if you liked the first book, I just hope the next book is much better.
I really like the characters that were developed in this book. I did struggle to stay interested and felt that the story dragged a bit though.