This month I am teaming up with Apex to help promote some of their back catalog. When I heard about their plan for a month-long event, I reached out to them and am thrilled to be taking part. Today is the first of three Apex-related posts. Hope you enjoy them!
AUTHOR: Edited by Eugene Johnson & Jason Sizemore
PUBLISHER: Apex Publications
PUBLISHING DATE: October 2012
FROM GOODREADS: Almost Heaven....
Or is it? The culture of the Appalachians is steeped with folktales, legends, and deep-rooted religion. There is much to love in the beauty of the rolling hills and friendly rural families, but something malicious hides just beneath the surface. Something dreadful. Something hungry... Can the people of the region stand up against the hordes of the Dead?
Appalachian Undead takes a look at the dark side of Appalachia, where the undead walk, driven by old magic and their hunger for us. Can Appalachia stand against and army that never tires and is always hungry? With new intriguing tales of the undead, by some of the best names in horror, including Jonathan Maberry, Gary A. Braunbeck, Tim Lebbon, Elizabeth Massie, Lucy Snyder, Bev Vincent, Tim Waggoner, John Skipp and many more.
Or is it? The culture of the Appalachians is steeped with folktales, legends, and deep-rooted religion. There is much to love in the beauty of the rolling hills and friendly rural families, but something malicious hides just beneath the surface. Something dreadful. Something hungry... Can the people of the region stand up against the hordes of the Dead?
Appalachian Undead takes a look at the dark side of Appalachia, where the undead walk, driven by old magic and their hunger for us. Can Appalachia stand against and army that never tires and is always hungry? With new intriguing tales of the undead, by some of the best names in horror, including Jonathan Maberry, Gary A. Braunbeck, Tim Lebbon, Elizabeth Massie, Lucy Snyder, Bev Vincent, Tim Waggoner, John Skipp and many more.
MY THOUGHTS: First things first - look at that cover. I think it's absolutely gorgeous which is why I even enlarged it. I even think the little hound dog with his glowing red eyes looks awesome. I knew immediately this was one of the titles I wanted to review because I live in the Appalachian area. Also the forward from the editors talked about actual places in WV which I recognized which always fun.
"Appalachian Undead" is a collection of zombie tales. Some offer a traditional take on them while others are more unique. I recognized some authors featured such as Jonathan Maberry and Tim Waggoner, and found some which are quickly becoming favorites of mine such as Bev Vincent and Elizabeth Massie. I also have to have to give props to this book for featuring so many female horror authors.
Below I'll include a list of at the tales included but let me point out a few faves. "When Granny Comes Marchin' Home Again" is a wonderful story about Granny Mustard, whom I also got to meet in "Desper Hollow" which I am reviewing next week. It was great to see how the whole thing started and it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. "Black Friday" is a perfect story about that infamous shopping day and only goes to strengthen my belief that I should stay home. And "Calling Death" takes old mining folklore a step further and infuses it was a healthy dose of scares and thrills. Finally I have to mention "Repent, Jessie Shimmer!" All I have to say is zombie crocodile. Also the MC is so snarky that I am sure I'll be picking up the author's series which focuses more on this wonderful character I just met.
Here is the entire content:
- When Granny Comes Marchin' Home Again - Elizabeth Massie
- Calling Death - Jonathan Maberry
- Hide and Seek - Tim Waggoner
- Twilight of the Zombie Game Preserve... - S. Clayton Rhodes
- Being in Shadow - Maurice Broaddus
- Sitting up with the Dead- Bev Vincent
- The Girl and the Guardian - Simon McCaffery
- Repent, Jessie Shimmer! -Lucy Snyder
- Almost Heaven -Michael Paul Gonzalez
- On Stagger - G. Cameron Fuller
- We Take Care of Our Own - John Everson
- Sleeper - Tim Lebbon
- Reckless - Eliot Parker
- Company's Coming - Ronald Kelly
- Black Friday - Karin Fuller
- Spoiled - Paul Moore
- Miranda Jo's Girl - Steve Rasnic Tem
- Times Is Tough in Musky Holler - John Skipp & Dori Miller
- Long Days to Come - K. Allen Wood
- Hell's Hollow - Michael West
- Brother Hollis Gives His Final Sermon from a Rickety Make-Shift Pulpit in the Remains of a Smokehouse that now Serves as His Church - Gary A. Braunbeck
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves short story collections, zombies, or good old Appalachian folklore and history. You'll most definitely find some new faves!
RATING: 4 PAWS
Also, Apex is offering 25% off everything in the Apex store all month long with discount code SEPTEMBER. Check them out HERE.
Glad you enjoyed this, I don't tend to read short story collections though, I find them more difficult to get through which is just odd really when you think about it.
ReplyDeleteLynn :D
You know Lynn, I'm the same way. I love the idea of them and actually have collected quite a few, but then it does take me longer to get through them. I also find them more difficult to review.
DeleteGlad you loved this, I thought it was such a unique idea for a horror anthology and I also found new authors to love😁
ReplyDeleteIt was and living in WV, it was fun to see some familiar locations mentioned.
DeleteThis sounds like one for me. And I do love that cover!
ReplyDeleteIt so cool right?
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ReplyDeleteThis sounds really fun and I love that cover. Great review
Anne - Books of My Heart
Thanks Anne. Always excited when I see you visiting The Farm.
DeleteI don't read a lot of short story collections, but the stories in this one do sound like fun.
ReplyDeleteThey are a lot of fun. As always, there were a few misses but on the whole, very enjoyable.
DeleteNot huge on anthologies though I will admit the zombie crocodile has me curious...lol.
ReplyDeleteHe was cool! Deadly but cool.
DeleteI might pick this up if I see it on sale. I use short stories to get me out of reading slumps, so I like to have some anthologies on hand in different genres, so I can pick according to my reading mood. 📚
ReplyDeleteI have a love/hate history. I love to collect them but usually hate reading them. It's not the tales per se, but the books seem to drag for me.
Deleteh a collection of zombie short stories maybe here is where I should start if I want to get into Zombies :) and yes! THAT COVER! <3<3<3
ReplyDeleteI would recommend it.
DeleteThat COVER!! I need to check this out!
ReplyDeleteSo great right?
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