Wonderful collection of stories.

I've long been a fan of King, his works always have a unique charm that attracts me deeply. However, I had never read short fiction by Simmons before. And Martin, he is truly one of the kings of short horror/dark fantasy. It took me far too long to discover his talent.

Metastasis was the most powerful story in the collection, and it is my favorite. The plot is full of twists and turns, and the description is so vivid that it makes people feel as if they are on the scene. Skin Trade was a close second. Although it is not as impactful as Metastasis in terms of the story, it has high entertainment value.

Sneakers was probably my favorite of King's. It is more of a classic ghost story, which makes people feel a sense of terror and mystery.

The collection is well curated, but unfortunately, the editing missed a lot of errors/typos. This is a bit of a pity, but it does not affect my overall impression of the collection.

The only reason this collection gets a 3-star rating is because of George Martin’s short story ‘The Skin Trade’.

‘Metastasis’ presents a mildly interesting concept, yet its implementation is lackluster. It fails to truly engage the reader and falls short of expectations.

The remaining short stories by Simmons and King, unfortunately, are not even worth the time spent reading them. They lack the depth, creativity, and excitement that one would hope to find in a collection of this nature.

Overall, while ‘The Skin Trade’ salvages the collection to some extent, the other stories do little to enhance its value. It is a disappointment for fans of these renowned authors and those seeking engaging and thought-provoking short fiction.

Perhaps with more careful selection and better execution, this collection could have received a higher rating. As it stands, however, it is a mediocre offering that fails to live up to its potential.

Surprisingly, I actually found the last story to be the best, and it was by George R.R. Martin. This is despite the fact that I have previously stopped reading "The Lords of Winterfell" by him several times.

On the other hand, it was as expected that the stories by Dan Simmons would not appeal to me as much.

I have always had a bit of a love-hate relationship with George R.R. Martin's works. While some of his stories can be quite complex and hard to follow at times, there are also those that really draw me in. The last story I read of his had a unique charm and a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.

As for Dan Simmons, his writing style just doesn't seem to click with me. His stories often feel a bit too slow-paced and lacking in excitement. However, I understand that everyone has different tastes when it comes to literature, and there are many people who really enjoy his works.

Overall, I am still on the hunt for that perfect story that will truly blow me away. But for now, I will continue to explore the works of different authors and see what else is out there.

Während Stephen Kings Beiträge zu dieser Anthologie stark schwächeln, überzeugten Dan Simmons und George R.R. Martin.

Simmons' Geschichte Metastasis ist nahezu perfekter Horror. Es lässt Bilder vor dem geistigen Auge entstehen, die nicht mehr verschwinden wollen. Man wird von der Geschichte völlig in seinen Bann gezogen. Vani Fucci lebt in der Hölle dagegen ist eine schneidende Satire auf Religion. Sie nimmt die religiösen Konzepte und stellt sie auf den Kopf, was zu einer sehr interessanten und durchdachten Geschichte führt. Seine Novelle Iversons Gruben hat zwar einige Längen, schafft es aber wieder mit sehr eindrucksvollen Visualisierungen aufzuwarten. Man kann sich die Szenerien sehr gut vorstellen und wird dadurch in die Geschichte hineingezogen.

George R.R. Martins Novelle Maskerade (Ein wesentlich schlechterer Titel als "The Skin Trade" wohlgemerkt) ist die perfekte Mischung von Noir und Werwölfen. Es ist eine spannende Geschichte, die man nicht aus der Hand legen will. Letztendlich wohl die Edgar Wallace-Geschichte, die ich mir schon immer gewünscht habe. Sie hat alles, was man von einer guten Mystery-Geschichte erwartet: Spannung, interessante Charaktere und eine überraschende Wendung am Ende.

This is a compilation that features horror shorts and longs penned by renowned authors such as Stephen King, Dan Simmons, and George R.R. Martin.

The majority of the works within this collection are quite excellent. However, one long story titled "Iverson's Pits" by Dan Simmons almost spoilt the overall experience for me. It was extremely long and rather dull, lacking the engaging elements that one would expect from a horror story.

Among King's contributions, "Sneakers" stands out as a really good piece. It manages to create an atmosphere of unease and suspense that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

Simmons also has another good story in the collection, namely "Metastasis". This story has its own unique charm and manages to deliver some truly terrifying moments.

Martin's sole offering, "The Skin Trade", is really good as well. It ties off the collection nicely, leaving the reader with a sense of satisfaction and a lingering feeling of horror. Overall, despite the one dud, this collection is definitely worth checking out for fans of horror literature.

This is an incredibly great story about the enchanting world of magic.

A maid comes to a decision that the father of her son should be a writer hailing from the very same area of the country where she began her journey.

In her pursuit, she visits a witch. The witch, with her mysterious powers, makes it feasible to turn the man into the true father of her son.

This is precisely the story of that remarkable spell.

It unfolds like a captivating tale, filled with elements of mystery, determination, and the wonder of magic.

As the story progresses, one can't help but be intrigued by the events that follow and the impact this spell has on the lives of those involved.

It's a story that showcases the power of belief and the lengths one will go to achieve what they truly desire.

Whether it's the maid's unwavering resolve or the witch's magical prowess, every aspect of this story adds to its allure and makes it a truly engaging read.

¡Mucha tela chico! What a vast expanse of fabric! Gathering the stories of these three enormous authors is truly an undertaking of great magnitude. Their works are like precious gems, each with its own unique sparkle and charm. It's impossible to simply summarize or encapsulate their genius in a few words. One can only stand in awe and admiration of the literary masterpieces they have created. The richness and depth of their narratives, the complexity of their characters, and the beauty of their language all combine to make their works a source of无尽的 inspiration and delight. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to explore and experience their stories, and I look forward to many more wonderful literary adventures in the future.

I'm not really a fan of books with multiple authors.

However, this particular one was actually quite decent.

It's common to find that in anthologies or books with multiple contributors, some stories stand out more than others.

This was no exception.

There were a few stories that really caught my attention and held my interest from start to finish.

Their plots were engaging, the characters well-developed, and the writing styles unique.

On the other hand, there were also some stories that I found a bit lacking.

Maybe the plot was too predictable, or the characters didn't feel as real.

But overall, considering the number of authors involved, I think this book did a good job of presenting a diverse range of stories.

It was an enjoyable read, and I would recommend it to others who are looking for something different.

Metastasis is a truly terrifying concept.

Vanni Fucci, the character in the story, is alive and well, but living in a hellish existence.

Iverson's Pits were also excellent, offering a unique and spine-tingling horror experience.

Both Metastasis and Iverson's were grotesque and filled with true horror that made my spine tingle.

Iverson's was not only inventive but also thrilling, keeping me on the edge of my seat and hardly able to put it down.

Vanni Fucci, on the other hand, was one of the most brilliant and hilarious horror stories I have ever read.

It is highly recommended to read it after going through Dante's 'Inferno' as it adds an extra layer of depth and understanding to the story.

Overall, these horror stories are a must-read for any fan of the genre, offering a combination of terror, excitement, and humor that is sure to satisfy.

Martin's story was the best for me.

However, it seems that it lacks a better ending. There is no real conclusion, which is a bit disappointing.

Also, the story isn't exactly the most creative one in the world. It has some good elements, but it could have been more original and unique.

Maybe with a different ending and some more creative twists, it would have been an even better story.

Overall, I still enjoyed reading Martin's story, but it has the potential to be improved.

I look forward to seeing what he comes up with in the future.

The King stories are real page turners, captivating readers from the very first page.

And the George R.R. Martin story is also quite decent, with its own charm and appeal.

However, it must be noted that they are all very male-oriented, perhaps lacking in a more diverse perspective.

Moreover, none of them has aged particularly well over time.

As for the Dan Simmons stuff, it can be skipped altogether.

He makes a great effort to go deep and explore profound themes, but unfortunately, his stories end up being just adolescent gore.

Although the gore is well-researched, it still remains just that - gore, lacking the depth and substance that could have made them truly outstanding.

Overall, while there are some enjoyable aspects to these works, they also have their limitations.

I firmly believe that Metastasis and Vanni Fucci are the absolute gems within this compilation. These short stories are truly outstanding and deserve a full 5-star rating.

You simply have to read these. I repeat, you must read these. They have a certain charm and allure that draw you in and keep you hooked from start to finish.

Although Iverson's Pits had a slightly rough beginning, it still managed to be an okay story. I would rate it at 3.75 stars.

All three of Steven King's short stories have their own unique qualities. They either present strange and unusual scenarios, are extremely weird, or are just plain amusing. Each one has the ability to keep you reading with bated breath. I would give them all a solid 3 stars.

The Skin Trade also had its moments of excitement and kept me engaged throughout. However, in the end, it didn't quite manage to impress me as much as I had hoped. Therefore, I would rate it at 3 stars as well.

Overall, this compilation offers a diverse range of short stories that are sure to appeal to a wide variety of readers.