The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy & Horror 2015 edited by Paula Guran, part 2
The End Of The End Of Everything
A too long ridiculously pretentious over-sexualised tale about the end.
Fragments From The Notes Of A Dead Mycologist
From Jeff VanderMeer comes this incoherent mess.
A Wish From A Bone
By Gemma Files. Cryptoarchaeology leads a team to a forgotten temple where ‘Evil Dead’ like events take place. This was excellent.
Best Lines:
“Since to name them was, inevitably, to invite their attention.”
“Given how Hynde described ‘em, what sort of people would worship the seven, you think?”
“Say on.”
Mothers, Lock Up our Daughters Because They Are Terrifying
Stupid teenagers play at magic. Dull.
Children of The Fang
Grandpa is not a nice old man and neither is what he keeps locked in a freezer in the basement. Good.
Best Lines:
“That I can expect a visit from your friend in the freezer?”
Sleep Walking Now And Then
A ridiculous and too long tale about a play.
Combustion Hour
I have no idea what this was about, but it’s okay.
Resurrection Points
A bizarre tale.
The Nursery Corner
There are creepy goings on at an old folk’s home. Good.
Water in Springtime
A creepy tale of becoming and discovery.
Running Shoes
A silly tale of sweatshop horror.
And The Carnival Leaves Town
A terrible tale of an evil carnival and post-realist wish fulfilment. Or something.
Who Is Your Executioner?
I’m aghast at how dumb this tale of a living dead girl is.
Death And The Girl From Pi Delta Zeta
A good funny tale of how a sorority girl fell in love with death.
The Floating Girls: A Documentary
A tale of how girls disappear and hints as to why. Very good.
Mr Hill’s Death
What is a tragedy? Good.
Madam Damnable’s Sewing Circle
An okay steampunk fantasy.
Only Unity Saves The Damned
There’s no getting out of this small town. Good.
Kur-A-Len
A man gets a job in a necropolis where the dead don’t lie still. This was dark and good apart from the bad sex scenes.
Best Lines:
“Where they went was never known.”
“Gods did not usually keep quiet about their presence.”
“That heinous ruined place.”