Friday, July 25, 2014

Operation: Ice Bat - edited by Brian Keene - A benefit anthology of top notch horror

4 of 5 Stars

Operation: Ice Bat is something special.  A group of talented writers coming together to help one of their their own.  Each one contributing a story for this anthology with all of the the money made going to the cause.  And at the same time, giving the reader a good time.

Eighteen stories from some of the best writers woking in the horror genre today.

The fun begins with a mining legend from Christopher Golden and "Breathe My Name."  The first thing I realised while reading this piece is it's been too long since I last read Christopher Golden.  A solid start to this strong anthology.

I won't mention every writer and story in this collection, you can easily check out the Table Of Contents online, but I will mention several of the standout tales.

Mandy DeGeit's cringe-worthy, "Inviolable," is truly disturbing, yet extremely effective.

James A. Moore's story, "Emily's Kill," combining Sherlock Holmes and a somewhat Lovecraftian tale, was very entertaining.

I also thoroughly enjoyed, "The Wretched Spawn," by Michael H. Antonio as he takes us from Land Sharks to something even more terrifying.

Not every story is great, but so many of them are.  I know that to say there is something for everyone is cliche, but it's also true.  Brothers fighting over their dead mother's reanimated corpse.  A giant mouth that just wants MORE.  A wonderful story of reaping what one sows. Yeti and a thirty-foot tall, mechanical penguin.  If you thought clowns were scary, wait til you meet Mary SanGiovanni' s mime.

BTW, the award for best title in the anthology goes to Mike Lombardo's "I'm Dreaming of a White Doomsday."

Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Operation: Ice Bat ASAP.  Available now from your favorite e-book retailer.  You'll be doing something nice and you'll get a lot of bang for your buck.

Definitely recommended.

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