**Book Review: A Collection of Horror Short Stories**

By Stephen King:



\\n  The Reploids - ⭐⭐\\n

Short stories often rely on a shocking ending, but sometimes they lack proper explanations. "The Reploids" is a tale of mistaken identity, and from the start, something feels off. However, the "shock reveal" ending was exactly what I'd guessed while reading, which was quite disappointing. The story was too brief to have a real impact, and although the idea was interesting, there wasn't enough detail to evoke a strong emotional response. It's a rather underwhelming beginning.



\\n  Sneakers - ⭐⭐⭐\\n

This story was an improvement and managed to draw me in more. The mystery of the sneakers was captivating and kept me hooked. But once again, the ending fell flat. I was also confused about Tell's role towards the end. While it's getting better, it's still a bit underwhelming for King's work.



\\n  Dedication - ⭐⭐⭐\\n

Ah, that classic King sexual weirdness rears its head again. There's a touch of black magic in this story, but aside from being disturbingly gross, it wasn't overly horrific. It was just confusing as to what the point was. I understand the concept of hoodoo magic, but why? Sometimes, the bizarreness isn't enough to outweigh the question of why we should care. The twist ending didn't really mean much to me either. It's an interesting and curious read, but ultimately disappointing.



By Dan Simmons:



\\n  Metastasis - ⭐⭐⭐⭐\\n


Now this is some seriously creepy horror! I had no idea what was going on in this story, but the descriptions were absolutely horrifying. The freaky creatures at the center of the story were truly loathsome. I don't think I've read anything by Dan Simmons before, but I really like his writing. His words are well-crafted, and this was a brilliantly unique horror story that felt grounded in reality, adding an extra layer of creepiness. The ending was a bit confusing, but I had an easier time with it than the King stories.



\\n  Vanni Fucci is Alive and Well and Living in Hell - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐\\n


This is the standout story so far! I love the way it builds, with the momentum increasing and the atmosphere thickening. The Dante references are great, and I particularly enjoy how much the story creates from them. The rich religious jerks getting their comeuppance is a satisfying element. The descriptions, the setup, the build, and the grand finale are all excellent. It's just a great story all around.



\\n  Iverson's Pits - ⭐⭐⭐\\n


The writing in this story is excellent, but the story itself falls a bit short. It's the tale of a boy who accompanies a war veteran to the scene of a horror from his past. It's a long and tedious journey until you reach the point, which, when it finally comes, is a good hit but a little too late for me. The descriptive passages that soak you in the miasma of the horror scenes are truly creepy and enjoyable. So while the story didn't quite grab me and was a bit too long, the language used to tell it is a reward in itself.



By George R. R. Martin:



\\n  The Skin Trade - ⭐⭐⭐\\n


This story is more like a novella, which frustrated me a bit due to its length. However, once I got into it, it was a pretty decent werewolf story. It has murder, carnage, and all kinds of messiness, which is my happy place when it comes to horror. But I do often find it bothersome how some male authors focus on sex and make their characters naked for no apparent reason, and Martin is one of the worst offenders. It tends to pull me out of the story because the lack of logic gets to me. Aside from that nitpick and the length, it was actually a pretty good story. It had some classic werewolf tropes but also ventured into unexpected territory that I really enjoyed. The writing is mostly crass, but Martin relies on blunt force shock rather than finesse, so the horror comes from the level of gruesomeness rather than building tension or anticipation. It's a memorable story for sure.



Overall thoughts:


I mostly enjoyed this collection, as it was a highly addictive read. Short stories are always easy to get through, but I think that's also why the longer ones frustrated me a bit. Dan Simmons was the standout author for me. King's stories felt like scraps he'd thrown into the book to boost its sales with his name, and Martin's single story seemed like it would have been better on its own. But this is my first time reading Simmons, and his writing really drew me in. I'll definitely be looking for more of his work in the future. It's a bit of a hodgepodge collection, but it's still fun and addictive.

This particular King story in the collection stands out as it is longer and delves deeper into character building compared to the other two. However, similar to them, it gives the impression of being just the start of something, lacking the full development of a complete and well-conceived tale.

Interestingly, King shows a recurring interest in mysterious, creepy old women. These characters are often ambiguous, leaving the reader to wonder whether they truly have the protagonist's best interests at heart or if there is something more sinister lurking beneath the surface. This story, published in 1989, continues to explore this theme, adding another layer to King's already rich and diverse body of work.

Overall, while it may not be a fully realized masterpiece, it still offers enough intrigue and character development to keep readers engaged and eager to see where the story might have gone had it been further developed.

The Stephen King stories were just okay. They had their moments, but they didn't really blow me away.

On the other hand, the Dan Simmons stories were all very good indeed. Simmons has a real talent for creating engaging and atmospheric tales that keep you on the edge of your seat.

But it was The Skin Trade that really stood out for me. It reminded me of how good George R. R. Martin was before he got bogged down with dragons and a million other projects. This really excellent and original werewolf novella is well worth seeking out. It's a unique take on the werewolf genre, with complex characters and a gripping plot.

And if you liked The Skin Trade, you should also check out Fevre Dream, which was written a few years earlier. It's another great example of Martin's early work and is definitely worth a read.

I thoroughly enjoyed the King stories.

The last Winters story, in my opinion, was the best among them. However, the real standout for me was Martin's skin trade.

In a remarkably short period of time, he does an excellent job of establishing the world in a believable manner. I also truly relished the Noir feel that pervaded the story.

There was a nice sting in the tail as well. Although it was rather difficult to enjoy a finish like that, it added an element of surprise and complexity to the narrative.

Overall, these stories provided an engaging and entertaining reading experience, with each author bringing their own unique style and perspective to the table.

Racconti piuttosto inutili, buoni giusto da leggere in treno. These stories are not really of great significance, but they are just good enough to be read on a train.

Quelli di Simmons e Martin sicuramente migliori di quelli di King. The ones by Simmons and Martin are surely better than those of King.

Perhaps Simmons and Martin have a unique way of weaving their tales, making them more engaging and interesting compared to King's works. Maybe their writing styles are more suited to the taste of some readers.

However, it's important to note that everyone has their own preferences when it comes to literature. What one person may consider as the best, another may not.

Nonetheless, these stories can still provide some entertainment and a brief escape from the daily routine while on a train journey.

Some truly great stories have come my way recently.

They have left me in awe and have piqued my curiosity to explore more of the works of Dan Simmons.

His writing seems to have a certain magic that draws the reader in and keeps them hooked from beginning to end.

I have heard so many good things about his novels and short stories, and I can't wait to dive deeper into his literary world.

From what I have read so far, his characters are well-developed and his plots are full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

I am confident that as I read more of his work, I will discover even more gems and be completely captivated by his storytelling abilities.

So, it's definitely time for me to pick up some more Dan Simmons books and embark on new literary adventures.

I've had this book sitting on my shelf for quite some time. Finally, I decided it was high time to read it as I am striving to get through my To Be Read (TBR) pile.

I am one of Stephen King's Constant Readers. Without a doubt, I will always purchase and read any book that contains a story penned by him. And this particular book was no different. It features two stories, Sneakers and Dedication. Both of them offer a touch of the supernatural and are extremely engrossing.

I had never heard of Dan Simmons before and was completely unfamiliar with his writing. Personally, his style didn't quite resonate with me. I didn't feel that his writing flowed smoothly. The sentence layout seemed a bit jerky, and the way he described things just didn't sit well with me. I felt that better words could have been chosen. Among the three writers in this book, I regarded Simmons as the mediocre one. His contribution knocked that star off, making it a 4-star read instead of a 5-star. Others might appreciate his style, but to me, it felt rather amateurish. I did manage to read all of Metastasis, and it was an okay story. It wasn't any odder than some of the stories King writes. However, it fell short in terms of delivery for me. So, I promptly moved on to GRR Martin's story, Skin Trade.

I have only read The Hedge Knight by GGR Martin, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. (It is included in Legends, a collection of short stories by Robert Silverberg.) I was also an avid watcher of Game of Thrones. (I have yet to start reading the novels - they are patiently waiting in my TBR pile.) So, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a story from him that was not set in the world of kingdoms and ruling families but something more modern, albeit with a supernatural twist involving werewolves. It was brilliant, dark, and captivating. I relished every single second of reading it.

For lovers of King and Martin, this book is an absolute must-have.

A while ago, I randomly picked up an anthology at the library.

Unfortunately, the majority of the stories within it aren't very good.

The Reploids catches my interest mainly because it is an uncollected King story.

And The Skin Trade, which combines the mystery genre with werewolves, is somewhat entertaining.

However, I don't recall any of the Simmons stories at all.

Moreover, I have read the other two King stories in other places, and neither of them is among my favorite works of his.

Considering that The Reploids isn't an exceptionally good story, this leaves only one story that is worthy of note.

Regrettably, this is simply not enough to salvage the entire anthology.

It seems that this anthology is rather disappointing overall, with only a few glimmers of potential.

Perhaps it was a misstep in my random selection process.

Nevertheless, it serves as a reminder that not every anthology will be a gem.

I will have to be more discerning in my future library choices.

The statement "Worth it for Martins story alone" holds a great deal of significance. It implies that there is something about Martin's story that makes it extremely valuable and worthy of attention. Perhaps Martin's story is one of triumph over adversity, a tale of courage and determination in the face of challenges. It could be a story that inspires others to persevere in their own lives, to believe that they too can overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Or maybe Martin's story is simply a unique and fascinating one, full of interesting details and experiences that draw the listener in and keep them engaged. Whatever the case may be, it is clear that Martin's story has the power to make a lasting impact on those who hear it. It is a story that is worth sharing and remembering, a story that has the potential to change lives for the better.

Love the different styles of language the three writers use.

In "The Reploids", both characters are rightfully determined, angry, and confused. Their emotions are palpable, as if they are right there in front of us. The language used to describe their state of mind adds depth and authenticity to the story.

In "Dedication", the conversation/storytelling could be real. It feels like we are eavesdropping on a genuine conversation between two people. The details and the flow of the dialogue make it engaging and easy to follow.

In "Metastasis", there is a hero fighting what only he can see. The language creates a sense of mystery and intrigue, making us wonder what exactly this hero is up against. It also builds tension and keeps us on the edge of our seats.

I love re-reading "Vanni Fucci..." for poking fun at tele-evangelism and the anger/rage. The satirical tone and the humorous language make it a delight to read.

"Iverson's Pits" is a great telling of history. The vivid descriptions and the accurate portrayal of the events bring the past to life.

"The Skin Trade", I can feel how imposing the location and era are. The language used to describe the setting creates a vivid image in our minds, making us feel as if we are actually there.

Each of these stories has its own unique charm, and I can't get enough of them.

Colección de cuentos no publicados en Brasil. Tres cuentos de King, tres de Dan Simmons (que ya es uno de mis autores favoritos) y un cuento galardonado de Martin.

Los King son todos medio boca, débiles en comparación con los mejores de su obra. Son más bien ordinarios y no logran sorprender o emocionar como sus trabajos más destacados.

En cambio, los tres Simmons son fantásticos. Demuestran la maestría y la imaginación que caracterizan a este autor. Son historias llenas de misterio, suspenso y personajes complejos.

En el país, la única obra publicada del autor fue el libro "El Terror" (mi mejor lectura de 2017). Esta obra dejó una huella profunda en mí y me hizo querer conocer más de su trabajo.

La historia de Martin, ganador de World Fantasy 1989 Awards, es considerada por muchos como una de las mejores historias de hombres lobo jamás escrita. Tiene un enfoque muy original y logra captar la atención del lector desde el primer momento.

Esta historia fue publicada en Brasil en RRetrospectiva da Obra. Si los cuentos de King estuvieran al mismo nivel, este libro tendría cinco estrellas. Pero aún así, es una colección interesante y vale la pena leerla.

While 'Dark Visions' was by no means a classic collection of macabre fiction, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed Simmons' 'Iverson's Pits'. And, oh my goodness, Nelly! George R.R. Martin's 'Skin Trade' is quite something else!

'Iverson's Pits' by Dan Simmons is a truly haunting piece. The description of the protagonist's gruesome transformation is both vivid and disturbing. We can almost feel the heat drying out the lips, the jaws opening wider in a silent, mirthless laugh as the ligaments decay or are devoured by small predators. The hatching of the eggs and the frenzied cleansing by the maggots, the body turning towards the dark soil as the process accelerates, and the mouth opening wide to swallow the waiting earth - it's all painted in such a vivid and visceral way that it sends shivers down our spines. The image of the stalks of grass growing where the tongue had been and the flower finding rich soil in the humid sepulcher of the skull, with its shoot curling upward through the gap that once held the eye, is both grotesque and strangely beautiful.

Overall, 'Iverson's Pits' is a masterful work of horror that showcases Simmons' talent for creating disturbing and unforgettable images. It's a must-read for fans of the macabre.