Review: Horror - as it should be
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 07 11, 2011
`Ashes' is a collection of 6 tales of horror packed with thrills and chills accompanied by a fantastic essay exploring horror as it is perceived within the film and publishing industries. Written by Jonathan Maberry, this introduction spoke of the slow distillation of the genre by which slasher and thriller films/stories taint/dilute the brand and served as the perfect entree to the pure horror stories penned by Scott Nicholson. `Ashes' kicks off with `Homecoming' a spooky and heartfelt ghost story where a farmer's son (along with other sprits) returns from the dead for one conversation. The next, `Haunted' - surreal and suspenseful, full of dread and awkward wonder in which the inhabitants of a once burnt out home are haunted by the people who fell victim to the flames. `The Christening' tells the short tale of abandoned mother to be in isolation both in geographically and emotionally who is haunted by an unusual spirit on a farm - so well defined and atmospheric that I could smell the drew on the cool grass amongst the farm backdrop. `She Climbs a Winding Stair' is a ghost story (see the reoccurring theme here?) of a beauty lost at seas who comes ashore seeking souls to accompany her in the murky ocean depths. Set amongst a ghost story isolated on an inhibited island, this was by far the best story in the collection. Rounding out the collection `Must See to Appreciate' is real-estate horror which throws in a moment of horror before an abrupt end, and `Three Dollar Corpse' which, much like `...Winding Stair' is a favourite of the collection set in a civil war prison camp where inmates make a living by burying the dead and scavenging their possessions. All in all a very solid collection sure to entertain and scare the reader just enough to keep things interesting - 3.5 stars.