Created as an homage to the 1980 classic horror anthology, Dark Forces, edited by Kirby McCauley, this collection contains 12 original novelettes showcasing today’s top horror talent. Dark Stars features all-new stories from award-winning authors and up-and-coming voices like Stephen Graham Jones, Priya Sharma, Usman T. Malik, Caroline Kepnes, and Alma Katsu, with seasoned author John F.D. Taff at the helm. An afterword from original Dark Forces contributor Ramsey Campbell is a poignant finale to this bone-chilling collection.
Within these pages you’ll find tales of dead men walking, an insidious secret summer fling, an island harboring unspeakable power, and a dark hallway that beckons. You’ll encounter terrible monsters—both human and supernatural—and be forever changed. The stories in Dark Stars run the gamut from traditional to modern, from dark fantasy to neo-noir, from explorations of beloved horror tropes to the unknown—possibly unknowable—threats.
It’s all in here because it’s all out there, now, in horror.
I was so excited to see this anthology – I’m a fan of several of the featured authors. Having their short stories bundled together was such a treat.
As with any collection, I liked some of these stories better than others. My favorites included the following: All the Things He Called Memories by Stephen Graham Jones. This is a horror story set during Covid when a couple are quarantined together. It has a creepy, slow madness that gradually seeps into your bones.
The Familiar’s Assistant by Alma Katsu – I’m always a vampire fan, but this was more about the new familiar (as it’s adequately titled) and his relationship with the current familiar. Let’s just say he has aspirations.
Mrs. Addison’s Nest by Josh Malerman – The line between dreams, reality, and the past are blurred as four friends try to determine the difference. I enjoyed the nod to Christopher Nolan’s Memento.
I admit some of the stories I didn’t get. They were confusing or ended abruptly, and I shrugged and moved on to the next one. Maybe they were just over my head.
This is an eclectic mix of horror and thriller authors that is sure to appeal to fans of those genres. I settled in with some favorites as well as discovered some new ones.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Books and Such 
This sounds awesome. Yeah, in an anthology there will always be a story or two that doesn’t click with me, but that’s the nature of anthologies.
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Exactly, Priscilla – not every story will click with every reader, but I sure enjoyed discovering some new authors.
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I think most anthologies have a mix of stories you love, others that are usually so-so, and then a clunker or two. Overall, it sounds like this book presented a good reading experience.
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It really was, Mae. Having this many horror and thriller authors in one book was like an early Christmas present. I loved the variety.
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I love the cover. I like that anthologies let me experience a variety of authors. There are always some I like more than others, too. I think it’s just the nature of the beast, Teri. Thanks for sharing.
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I agree, Staci. And I’ve never read an anthology that didn’t leave me with a new list of authors to follow.
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Anthologies never end up being all that I except them to be. Always a mixed bag. Excellent review, Teri!
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Yep – they usually run around 70/30 or 60/40 for me, Tessa, but I always discover new authors.
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I”m glad you enjoyed some of the stories, Teri!
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I really did, Wendy. I enjoyed settling in with so many creepy stories – always a treat for me.
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I enjoy the occasional anthology. I think it’s human nature to put them in order of enjoyment.
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No argument there, Craig. I’m reading another anthology right now that’s going about the same – some I’m scratching my head, but others are very enjoyable.
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Always interested in learning about new horror collections. Thanks for the heads up on this one! 🙂
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You’re welcome, Sue! I think you could definitely appreciate this one. All kinds of good shivers.
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