Halloween Horror Anthology Review: Teeth. Long and Sharp by Grace Draven

Teeth, Long and Sharp by Grace Draven, Antioch Grey, Aria M. Jones, Jeffe Kennedy and Mel Sterling


Ecopy courtesy of Grace Draven

Synopsis from Goodreads
A collection of tales sharp and pointed.

IVORIES by Aria M. Jones - Eleanor resents the afternoons sacrificed to piano lessons and a disagreeable teacher who gloats over her failures and humiliations. Today, it’s Mrs. Lundemann’s turn for a sacrifice of a very different nature…

NIGHT TIDE by Grace Draven - Something hunts the surf at night, luring villagers to their deaths with a lullaby of sorrow and the torture of nightmares. Blessed with the gift of water-sight, Zigana Imre senses the presence of an ancient predator possessing a taste for human flesh sweetened by grief. With the help of a child of earth, she will battle a spawn of the sea to protect a loved one and save a man who will one day save a world.

THE NOISE OF FUR by Jeffe Kennedy - The first time, it came at night…

In the forest, a Thing prowls, picking off members of young Raven’s tribe. If they flee their home, they face starvation. If only Raven can answer the question of what kind of fur makes that noise.

VENETRIX by Antioch Grey - A merchant and a poet come to the City, seeking justice for the murder of a relative, and if justice cannot be found, they will have revenge. They collude with vampires, negotiate with mermaids, share ale and meat pies with gargoyles and navigate the prisons, waterways and court system of a city ruled by a Master possessing long life and even longer teeth.

The City will make you a fortune, or it will kill you, but it will always change you.

THE VAMPIRES OF MULBERRY STREET by Aria M. Jones - Living the simple life in small town Indiana, Mrs. H has everything she could possibly ever want: a cozy house, peace and quiet, and a garden that is the envy of Mulberry Street. But when sinister outsiders disrupt the tranquility of her neighborhood, it might be time for her to come out of retirement and take up tools more deadly than pruning shears and a trowel.

VOICE OF THE KNIFE by Mel Sterling - Biologist Charles Napier doesn’t mind getting lost in a Florida swamp—it’s part of a scientist’s job. Logic and training will get him out safely. Except lurking in this swamp, there’s a monster Napier’s science can’t explain...a lonely, exquisite, desperate monster.

Foreword by Ilona Andrews


 Amazon kindle US/UK

8/10

* * *
 IVORIES BY ARIA M. JONES 7.5/10
This as a creepy little short which started promising but ended very abruptly. So abruptly, I couldn't make sense of it.
* * * 
Очень короткая история, очень атмосферная и жутковатая. Однако обрывается она так внезапно, что я ничего не поняла.


NIGHT TIDE BY GRACE DRAVEN 8.5/10
As always I'm in awe of Grace's tidy, full of meaning and untold past, short story. This novella was fully fleshed out, beautiful and melancholic. I am hoping it will lead to a full novel as the characters were delicious.
* * *
Как обычно, я в восторге от авторского стиля Грэйс Дрэйвен. Даже маленькая повесть у неё вышла аккуратной, красивой, меланхоличной и полной умолчанного прошлого. Очень надеюсь, что герои получат продолжение в полноценном романе, так как очень они были вкусными.

THE NOISE OF FUR BY JEFFE KENNEDY 5/10
I don't know why I just can't enjoy Jeffe's writing beyond her first fantasy book, but this story absolutely failed to interest me. I forced myself to skim through it right to the end.
* * *
Я не знаю почему мне не везёт с творчеством Джефф Кеннеди, но так получилось, что мне ничего из её книг не нравится помимо первой фэнтезийной книги. Повесть эта совершенно меня не заинтересовала, и я её быстро пролистала до конца.

VENETRIX BY ANTIOCH GREY 8/10
What a fantastic novella! A beautiful world of imaginary Venice with sharp-toothed mermaids and vampires, treachery, old magic and assassins. Bang on characters! This is another author I'll be on the lookout for, an author who managed to cram so much yumminess in so few words.
* * *
Фантастика просто а не повесть! Красивый мир сказочной Венеции, где в каналах плавают острозубые русалки, а городом правит не менее острозубый Мастер вампир. Эта Венеция или Венетрикс полна старой магии, опасных заговоров и наемных убийц. Характеры шикарные! Беру автора на заметку, ибо талант.

THE VAMPIRES OF MULBERRY STREET BY ARIA M. JONES 8/10
Another great short from this author. I really liked her style. It reminded me of Sunshine by Robin McKinley. There was just something very steadfast and comforting about a little grandma vampire slayer with Romanian roots. I do hope there is more to her story.
* * *
Ещё одна прекрасная повесть от Арии М. Джонс. Мне прям очень нравится ее стиль. Он напомнил мне "Солнышко" от Робин МакКинли. Что-то было очень комфортное и степенное в престарелой охотнице на вампиров. Надеюсь, что эта история получит продолжение.

VOICE OF THE KNIFE BY MEL STERLING 8.5/10
This was by far the creepiest novella in anthology. The swamp with its green-eyed monster was so atmospheric, I could almost smell, hear and taste it. Charles was a great character, and the whole thing was like Tales from The Crypt. *shivers* Awesome ending!
* * *
Это была самая жутковатая повесть сборника. Болото с его зеленоглазым монстром было настолько атмосферным, что мне чуть ли не передавались запахи, звуки и вкусы, окружавшие главного героя. Чарльз конечно был героем в классике жанра ужасов, да и концовка оказалась классной. Рекомендую.

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