Most of the stories in this collection range from great to terrific. There were, however, a few that were rather lackluster. If those particular stories were simply omitted, this would easily be a 5-star collection. In fact, I was very tempted to give this book a perfect rating, especially considering how it ends on such a high note. But as it stands, those mediocre stories bring my overall assessment down a notch.

Let me now share my reactions to each story in ascending order of how much I enjoyed them, starting with the least engaging ones.

"Pin" - The best I can say about this one is that it was blessedly short. It's a brief character sketch, a stream-of-consciousness ramble of a rather deranged individual. It feels like the kind of thing an author might jot down to get a sense of a character they're creating, but not something that would typically be included in a finished novel. I was glad to move on from this one.

"I Scream Man" - I forgot about this story almost immediately after finishing it. I don't remember anything other than the play on words in the title, and I have no inclination to skim through it again to remind myself for the purposes of this review.

"Chico" - Similar to "Pin", this story is mostly told from the perspective of a particularly loathsome individual. The less time spent in his company, the better. Fortunately, it was also short.

"Yellachile's Cage" - This is a prison drama with an interesting underlying premise. However, I'm not generally a huge fan of prison dramas, so that may have influenced my perception a bit. There just wasn't enough here to truly endear me to the story.

I'm grouping "Doom City" and "Something Passed By" together because they are quite similar, and I had the same reaction to both. They are both post-apocalyptic tales with premises that could have been developed much further. I felt that they would have been better if they were longer works. As they are, they seem more like writing exercise warm-ups that McCammon quickly threw together in an hour to get his creative juices flowing for his great post-apocalyptic epic, "Swan Song".

"Nightcrawlers" - I find myself in a bit of a purgatory with this story, not quite sure if I liked it or not. I guess it will remain in this ambiguous state. But I can understand why this story might resonate with others. It deals with some heavy themes of PTSD, which could be either cathartic or triggering for those who have experienced it.

Now that we've gotten through the less exciting stories, let's move on to the good stuff!

"The Red House" - Along with "Nightcrawlers", this may be the most allegorical work Robert McCammon has ever written. Although I thought the symbolism was a bit heavy-handed at times, I still found it very enjoyable. It's a story about some extremely happy people who manage to really irritate a miserable person, not intentionally, but just by being their happy selves. I don't know why, but I seem to have a soft spot for stories about happy people.

"Yellowjacket Summer" and "He'll Come Knocking at Your Door" - These are both delightfully nasty little horror stories, but in the fun way that is characteristic of the best horror. I actually felt my spine shiver at several points while reading these. They both have some really strange and vivid imagery throughout that was just a lot of fun. This is exactly what I look for in a horror story. Great entertainment!

And speaking of fun horror, "Makeup" takes it up a notch on the fun scale. It has a really cool premise, and I wouldn't have minded if it was another fifty pages longer. It's a fantastic Halloween story.

"Blue World" - This is the main attraction in this collection. It's the longest and most fully developed of all the stories. It feels like it's exactly the right length, and it accomplishes in about 150 pages what other books take 400 pages to do. The premise has the makings of an erotic thriller, but I ultimately found it to be much sweeter, while still maintaining a nice balance between not being too saccharine and not being too lurid (this is just my subjective opinion, of course, and other readers may have different views). It was also plenty suspenseful, and I was truly invested in the two central characters. I really enjoyed spending time with them.

"Night Calls the Green Falcon" - This story covers a lot of the same ground as "Blue World", but while "Blue World" is a more thoughtful story that focuses on relationships, "Night Calls the Green Falcon" is a true roller coaster ride. I loved every single second of it. And the ending had such an emotional impact that it actually made me cry. It's a story of redemption, and a story about using imagination as a weapon against evil, which is something I've always found incredibly compelling. This is the story that will keep bringing me back to this collection again and again.

Wow.

I'm not even sure where to begin with this review. I don't want to spoil anything, yet there's so much I could say. First and foremost, this collection gets a 4.8/5 rating. If "Night Shift" didn't exist, this would be my absolute favorite short story collection ever. The material in here is all top-notch. It涵盖了horror, drama, cosmic horror, old school monster horror, with hints of Boys Life and even a touch of Shawshank Redemption for good measure. I highly recommend this to fans of good stories, regardless of what genre is your preference.

Some stories that deserve a special mention are Yellowjacket Summer, Doom City, Night Crawlers, Yells Chile's Cage, Something Passed By (one of my personal favorites - this is some truly excellent cosmic horror), The Red House, and of course, the novella Blue World. Pin was probably my least favorite, although it was still excellent and only 5 pages long. It gives you a peek into the mind of a kind of lunatic that I'm not sure I want to have a peek into! It's a disturbingly uncomfortable story.

I cannot recommend this collection enough. As always, McCammon delivers.

I didn't read every single story in this collection. To be honest, it was simply impossible for me to do so.

I did manage to read a significant portion of them, but unfortunately, there wasn't anything within these pages that truly compelled me to devour every single one.

Among the stories I read, "Night Calls the Green Falcon" was rather good. It had an interesting premise and managed to hold my attention throughout.

The title story, which was a novella called "Blue World," had a very promising start. It hooked me right from the beginning and made me eager to see where the story would lead.

However, as I reached the end, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dissatisfaction. The conclusion didn't quite live up to the expectations that had been set earlier in the story.

Overall, while there were some亮点 in this collection, it didn't quite manage to capture my full attention and leave a lasting impression.

3.5/5. Overall, this is a rather good collection of short stories.

Most of the stories are engaging and well-written, with interesting characters and plotlines. However, there is one story, Pin, that is quite bizarre and stands out in a strange way.

The title story, Blue World, has a very different tone compared to the rest of the book. It is also much longer than the other stories. While some readers may find it captivating, I was rather indifferent to it.

In fact, it was this story that made me round down my rating rather than up. Despite this, the other stories in the collection are strong enough to make it a worthwhile read for fans of short fiction.

Overall, I would recommend this book to those who enjoy exploring different styles and themes within the short story genre.

I read this book shortly after reading Baal. Second Chance, and I was rather disappointed. Sadly, not all the stories were that great, and for me, most of them were not entirely satisfactory.

However, I still believe that the author is a good writer as there are some decent stories here.

"Yellowjacket Summer" - This story is about a boy who has the power to talk to yellowjackets (bees or hornets?). Although it started a bit slowly, the ending was quite good.

"Makeup" - A thief steals makeup from an old horror movie actor and gets much more than he expected. It's not the best story out there.

"Doom City" - This is a post-apocalyptic and spooky tale. It's one of the best in the anthology. I hope this story is in the same vein as Swan Song.

"Nightcrawlers" - It's a story about the life of a Vietnam Vet as his nightmares come to hunt him. This story was later included in that mythical series of The Twilight Zone.

"Pin" - It's not the best story, but it provides a good portrayal of an insane person. I hope I never meet anyone like this.

"Yellachile's Cage" - It's about a prisoner and a canary. That's about it. I didn't enjoy it much.

"I Scream Man" - Another post-apocalyptic tale about what is real and what isn't. It shows lucidity in a crazy person and a game of scrabble that isn't what it seems. It seems that his best stories are post-apocalyptic, which makes me want to read Swan Song.

"He'll Come Knocking at Your Door" - You live in a perfect neighborhood, but you have to pay for it sometimes with the things you love. I think I've read this story somewhere else before. It reminds me of The Association by Bentley Little.

"Chico" - I didn't enjoy it and couldn't finish it. It's about an abused child by his stepfather.

"Night Calls the Green Falcon" - It's not a very good tale. I didn't finish it. If you want, you can give it a try as it's available online on Robert McCammon's website.

"The Red House" - Another story I didn't finish. It's a self-discovery tale that I really didn't understand or try to understand.

"Something Passed By" - This tale should have been made into The Twilight Zone if it wasn't already. I think it had the potential to be a good story. It's a simple story that makes you think about what is normal and what isn't, depending on who you are and where you belong.

"Blue World" (Novella) - This was the longest tale, but in my opinion, it wasn't that good. It depicts the story of a priest who sniffs cocaine and a porn star (and her stalker). I didn't enjoy it and didn't finish it.

As you can see, there are all kinds of stories in this collection - horror, post-apocalyptic, self-discovery, psychological thriller, and more. In the end, some stories were good, while others were not. If I were to advise you, I would say to check out his webpage as there are a few short stories available there. http://www.robertmccammon.com/

I give 5 stars for the short stories and 3 stars for the novella.

There is indeed some quintessential McCammon here. His unique writing style and the ability to create engaging and vivid stories are on full display.

The short stories are concise yet powerful, leaving a lasting impression on the reader. Each one is like a little gem, shining with its own charm and mystery.

The novella, on the other hand, is a bit longer and allows for more in-depth character development and a more complex plot. While it may not have the same immediate impact as the short stories, it is still a worthy read.

Any fan of McCammon's work will surely love these stories. They are a testament to his talent and creativity as a writer. Whether you are a long-time fan or new to his work, these stories are sure to satisfy.

I absolutely adored this compilation of short stories.

There wasn't anything overly terrifying or gruesome about them. However, the stories were delightfully creepy and highly enjoyable.

The writing was truly excellent, with each story crafted in a way that kept me engaged from start to finish.

This collection is a part of the books that I'm reading together with my dad and aunt.

It has become a wonderful bonding experience for us as we discuss and share our thoughts on each story.

The diverse range of themes and settings in the stories adds to the overall charm and makes it a truly captivating read.

I would highly recommend this collection to anyone who enjoys a good creepy story that is well-written and engaging.

It's the perfect read for a cozy night in or a quiet afternoon.

I can't wait to see what other great stories this collection has in store for us.

Johnny James was sitting on the front porch, sipping from a glass of gasoline in the December heat, when the doomscreamer came.

This collection is a treasure trove, consisting of 12 short stories and a novella. I thoroughly enjoyed every single one of them, but there are a few that truly stood out for me.

"Yellowjacket Summer" takes us to a creepy rural town that has been overrun by yellowjackets. The atmosphere is palpable, and you can almost feel the sting of those insects.

In "Makeup", a small-time thief makes a fateful decision to steal a makeup case. Little does he know that he will uncover the secret of a dead horror star, leading to a series of spine-tingling events.

"Doom City" presents a man who wakes up one morning to find a skeleton in his bed, where his wife had been the night before. The mystery and horror that unfold are enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.

"Night Calls the Green Falcon" follows a has-been serial hero who dons his old costume and embarks on a dangerous mission to hunt down a serial killer. The story is filled with action and adventure, as well as a touch of nostalgia.

"Something Passed By" transports us to a post-apocalyptic world. Brace yourself for a journey into a desolate and terrifying landscape, where survival is the only goal.

Finally, the titular novella, "Blue World", is simply magnificent. It tells the story of a priest who becomes obsessed with a porn star, only to realize that they are both being stalked by a serial killer. The complex characters and intricate plot make this one of the best stories I've ever read.

This collection is a must-read for any fan of horror and mystery. It will keep you entertained and scared from start to finish.

This is a great collection of short stories!

Doom City, with its thrilling plot and vivid descriptions, really captured my attention. He'll Come Knocking at Your Door had an element of mystery that kept me on the edge of my seat. Night Calls The Green Falcon was also a standout, with its unique characters and engaging storyline. The Red House was another excellent story, full of twists and turns. Something Passed By was equally captivating, leaving me with a sense of unease.

However, I wasn't a huge fan of the title story, Blue World. It was by far the longest story in the collection, and I found it a bit拖沓. That being said, the other stories more than made up for it, and I would still highly recommend this collection to anyone who enjoys short stories. Overall, I would rate this collection 4.5 stars.

I can't wait to see what else this author has in store for us!

I didn't technically finish this one.

The shorter stories within it were quite good. They managed to capture my attention and hold it with their unique plots and engaging writing styles.

However, Blue World, which was the novella at the end, just didn't do anything for me. I found myself losing interest very quickly.

In fact, I ended up scanning the last 50 or so pages just to see if there was anything that would suddenly make it more appealing. But unfortunately, there wasn't.

I'm actually kind of surprised by this reaction as I typically prefer longer stories to shorter ones. I usually enjoy getting lost in a more detailed and expansive narrative.

But in this case, the shorter stories seemed to be the highlights, while the novella fell flat for me. It just goes to show that sometimes, even with my preferences, a story can still disappoint.

This piece of writing may not possess the same level of sophistication as his later works, nor does it feature the clever metaphors that he would later become known for.

However, does that really matter? The fact remains that this man has an innate ability to spin a tale that can captivate an audience.

His words have a charm and a simplicity that draw the reader in, making them eager to follow the story wherever it may lead.

It is this raw talent for storytelling that makes his work值得关注, even in its earlier, less polished forms.

Whether it's a simple anecdote or a more elaborate narrative, he has the gift of making the ordinary seem extraordinary and the extraordinary seem believable.

And for that, we should be grateful.

I didn't figure out how any of it would end!

It was a mystery that loomed over my mind constantly. Every situation, every event seemed to be leading to an unknown conclusion. I found myself constantly second-guessing and wondering what the final outcome could possibly be.

Would it be a happy ending? Or would it be filled with disappointment and heartbreak? I had no way of knowing. The uncertainty was both thrilling and terrifying at the same time.

I tried to analyze every detail, every clue, but still, the answer eluded me. It was like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces.

But despite the confusion and the lack of clarity, I knew that I had to keep going. I had to see where this journey would take me, no matter what the end result might be.