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Fading Hope
It's the end of the world and we are not feeling fine. What happens when you ask seven of the most notorious writers in apocalyptic fiction to craft stories where a happily ever after doesn't exist? You get Fading Hope. Bleak landscapes, fading faith, the loss of humanity and the struggle to simply make it to the end of the day, are just some of the elements that come together within this boundary-pushing anthology. Dive into a world of hopelessness as rendered by award-winning authors Rebecca Besser, Eli Constant, Morgan Garcia, Thea Gregory, Claire C. Riley, Armand Rosamila, and Jack Wallen.
- GenresHorrorApocalyptic
186 pages, Paperback
Published August 28, 2014
3 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Besser
50 books81 followersRebecca Besser resides in Ohio with her wonderful husband and amazing son. They've come to accept her quirks as normal while she writes anything and everything that makes her inner demons squeal with delight. She's best known for her work in adult horror, but has been published in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for a variety of age groups and genres. She's entirely too cute to be scary in person, so she turns to the page to instill fear into the hearts of the masses. You can join her dark minions by learning more about her on her blog, Facebook page, or Twitter: FB - Author/Editor Rebecca Besser; Twitter - @BeccaBesser
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 14, 2014
COMING SOON...
I am SO excited to bring this book to you!
It has one of my ALL TIME favourite short stories that I've written in it, and I can't wait to hear what you think.
Every story within is bleak, scary, creepy, full of suspense, and with enough horror to make you sleep with the light on for a week.
Good luck.
I am SO excited to bring this book to you!
It has one of my ALL TIME favourite short stories that I've written in it, and I can't wait to hear what you think.
Every story within is bleak, scary, creepy, full of suspense, and with enough horror to make you sleep with the light on for a week.
Good luck.
August 21, 2014
Not all hope is lost, yet...
I love when tales of how life could be after the end of the world are so diverse yet have the same thread running through them, weaving a dark tapestry for the readers to enjoy. It is hard to save oneself from falling into the normal tropes of the end times but somehow the devious minds behind Fading Hope enjoy dancing upon the edges of what you expect and then summarily boot you off into the Abyss. I do wish that "Masters of Horror" or "Fear Itself" would return as these tales would make excellent 1 hour shows!
Rebecca Besser's "When plans fail" gives you insight into how even the best laid plans can go up in smoke with just a simple wrench thrown into the works. Not for the faint of heart!
Eli Constant's "Chick'n soup for the soul" reminds us that even the lucky ones suffer in the end. Needs to be a movie directed by Eli Roth and Quentin Tarantino, so you can not only see what pain is but feel it alongside of the narrator.
Morgan Garcia's "Perishable" makes me hope to be the crazy one sitting in that retirement home when the world ends, hoping that the nurses are just kidding with me.
Thea Gregory's "Radio Silence" unnerved me as I sat reading it the wind up mantle clock in my library stopped ticking and I could not find the key. All at once I was filled with dread and panic as I was sure my life was about to imitate the art I was reading!
Claire C. Riley's "Honey-Bee" kicks you when you are down and made me hug my children during and after reading (and re-reading it) and tugs at even the blackest of heartstrings. Each breath, each moment in the lives of the characters is hauntingly realistic to the point where I had to stop for a moment and remind myself "it's only a story"
Armand Rosamilia carves another headstone into the necropolis that is his immensely popular "Dark Days" series with "Fear of the Dark" (if you have not read it, you are missing out on a lot!) and this is an excellent if not brutal introduction to his deeply disturbing view of the zombie apocalypse.
Jack Wallen's "My own terms" wraps up the tales in the arc with a reminder that being on the inside can be worse than what is on the outside during the end of days.
Overall the book gets a 5.0 of 5.0 in my book!
E.A. Taylor
I love when tales of how life could be after the end of the world are so diverse yet have the same thread running through them, weaving a dark tapestry for the readers to enjoy. It is hard to save oneself from falling into the normal tropes of the end times but somehow the devious minds behind Fading Hope enjoy dancing upon the edges of what you expect and then summarily boot you off into the Abyss. I do wish that "Masters of Horror" or "Fear Itself" would return as these tales would make excellent 1 hour shows!
Rebecca Besser's "When plans fail" gives you insight into how even the best laid plans can go up in smoke with just a simple wrench thrown into the works. Not for the faint of heart!
Eli Constant's "Chick'n soup for the soul" reminds us that even the lucky ones suffer in the end. Needs to be a movie directed by Eli Roth and Quentin Tarantino, so you can not only see what pain is but feel it alongside of the narrator.
Morgan Garcia's "Perishable" makes me hope to be the crazy one sitting in that retirement home when the world ends, hoping that the nurses are just kidding with me.
Thea Gregory's "Radio Silence" unnerved me as I sat reading it the wind up mantle clock in my library stopped ticking and I could not find the key. All at once I was filled with dread and panic as I was sure my life was about to imitate the art I was reading!
Claire C. Riley's "Honey-Bee" kicks you when you are down and made me hug my children during and after reading (and re-reading it) and tugs at even the blackest of heartstrings. Each breath, each moment in the lives of the characters is hauntingly realistic to the point where I had to stop for a moment and remind myself "it's only a story"
Armand Rosamilia carves another headstone into the necropolis that is his immensely popular "Dark Days" series with "Fear of the Dark" (if you have not read it, you are missing out on a lot!) and this is an excellent if not brutal introduction to his deeply disturbing view of the zombie apocalypse.
Jack Wallen's "My own terms" wraps up the tales in the arc with a reminder that being on the inside can be worse than what is on the outside during the end of days.
Overall the book gets a 5.0 of 5.0 in my book!
E.A. Taylor
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2014
What makes this anthology great is that it's written by experienced horror authors. They take the unknown and the fear and the overall 'fading hope' aspect and take it to a whole 'nother level. They don't hold back when it comes to taking the reader on a horror-ific ride down the path of a bleak future. Must read!
August 22, 2014
Fading Hope
I was asked to review Fading Hope by a couple of the Authors who contributed to the book. I was told it was a dark book, as the title implies, all about the last of Fading Hope. I am the kind of girl who likes to have a little hope left. I like a little bit of a happy ending, but I am also realistic from my own life experiences, and I know how life can gut punch you right when you think you are winning. Fairy tales these ain’t.
When Plans Fail by Rebecca Besser is about how you think you can plan for your survival. Usually when the worst happens, it happens at the worst time as well. Guess you can’t plan these things. If you thought you were completely ready to survive the end of the world, and when it happens, your significant other is overseas, you are alone and caring for a weeks old child, do you think you are going to be making the best of choices? What happens when you know that you can no longer care for your child? What do you do then? I cringed reading this, I literally stopped to take a few breaths and thought to myself, there was nothing else. I think out of all of the stories in this book, this is the one that will haunt me a little, not because it is gruesome, but because it was what had to be.
Chick’n Soup for the Soul by Eli Constant is about an invasion force coming to take over the planet. A force whom we never see the face of, only the strange capes that they wear. When taking over the planet, it seems they take all the humans and imprison them, only removing them from the general population when they show either of two characteristics, weakness or strength. What happens to them after that is a mystery only finishing the story will reveal. This was a different direction I had not seen coming in this work. I was surprised by the ending, and quite horrified that no matter what, you would not be winning this war any time soon.
Perishable by Morgan Garcia is about a woman trying to stay alive after the zombie apocalypse to hopefully reunite with her husband who was trying to make his way back to her when the world went to hell. She has managed to keep some of her family close, even getting a retirement home secured up so the residents would be safe, but all she wants is to see her husband again. Luckily she still has her cell phone, and for some strange reason, the cell towers have come back up to find she received a message he sent her a month ago. Will she see him again? Did he survive the journey? Can you trust that little bit of hope the Author just threw your way?
Radio Silence by Thea Gregory is another zombie apocalypse story, not for the weak of heart. Normally we see the apocalypse from the perspective of the young, or at least the younger. Not someone who is going to be losing not only a spouse, but children and possibly grandchildren when it all comes down to it. I think that is what makes this a new perspective to this story. To survive all of that, to have those demons running around in your brain, and then realize you need to leave the safety you have managed to eke out, and try to save one more person. The worst part of the apocalypse is that eventually the true nature of people will come out. Sometimes the people you thought you could trust the most, are the ones you should have trusted the least.
Honey-Bee by Claire C. Riley is an apocalypse story of a slightly different sort. Monsters who are unable to stand the sunlight are extinguishing the human race. We find one woman and a child whom she found as the only people alive in the area. Safety only comes with light, and the food is running out in their sanctuary on the cliff under the streetlight. They must forage further than they have ever gone before. When they find a beautiful house, stocked with food and clothing, secure in so many ways, this means they have found safety right? Right?
Dying Days: Fear of the Dark by Armand Rosamilia is about a young man who has never been able to shake his fear of the dark. When the apocalypse comes and you still have a fear of the dark, it just makes it that much worse. I would think it is bad when you have to live in a world that has turned upside down, but when someone decides to torture you with one of your worst fears right in the middle of that, well, I am not so sure I could keep my sanity. Guess what, there really are monsters in the dark, and they really are going to kill you.
My Own Terms by Jack Wallen is about a man waking up to find himself imprisoned in some sort of mad experimental facility. The only way he is told what he is to do is through the videotaped instructions given after he awakens, and the cryptic messages from his cellmate. Die or live, live or die, and to live, you must make the other die. That is the only way to get out. The little spin to make sure they actually accomplish what is wished of them, if they do not do what they are told, they will be injected with the virus that is currently wiping out the human race. How do you win against these odds?
Has your hope faded enough yet, mine sure did. In the end though, I actually found some solace in building a little more of the story in my own mind where maybe things worked out. Like I said, I am a Hope kind of girl. Read this if you dare, it is dark, but it is worth the read, even if it is just to make your own life seem that much brighter.
I was asked to review Fading Hope by a couple of the Authors who contributed to the book. I was told it was a dark book, as the title implies, all about the last of Fading Hope. I am the kind of girl who likes to have a little hope left. I like a little bit of a happy ending, but I am also realistic from my own life experiences, and I know how life can gut punch you right when you think you are winning. Fairy tales these ain’t.
When Plans Fail by Rebecca Besser is about how you think you can plan for your survival. Usually when the worst happens, it happens at the worst time as well. Guess you can’t plan these things. If you thought you were completely ready to survive the end of the world, and when it happens, your significant other is overseas, you are alone and caring for a weeks old child, do you think you are going to be making the best of choices? What happens when you know that you can no longer care for your child? What do you do then? I cringed reading this, I literally stopped to take a few breaths and thought to myself, there was nothing else. I think out of all of the stories in this book, this is the one that will haunt me a little, not because it is gruesome, but because it was what had to be.
Chick’n Soup for the Soul by Eli Constant is about an invasion force coming to take over the planet. A force whom we never see the face of, only the strange capes that they wear. When taking over the planet, it seems they take all the humans and imprison them, only removing them from the general population when they show either of two characteristics, weakness or strength. What happens to them after that is a mystery only finishing the story will reveal. This was a different direction I had not seen coming in this work. I was surprised by the ending, and quite horrified that no matter what, you would not be winning this war any time soon.
Perishable by Morgan Garcia is about a woman trying to stay alive after the zombie apocalypse to hopefully reunite with her husband who was trying to make his way back to her when the world went to hell. She has managed to keep some of her family close, even getting a retirement home secured up so the residents would be safe, but all she wants is to see her husband again. Luckily she still has her cell phone, and for some strange reason, the cell towers have come back up to find she received a message he sent her a month ago. Will she see him again? Did he survive the journey? Can you trust that little bit of hope the Author just threw your way?
Radio Silence by Thea Gregory is another zombie apocalypse story, not for the weak of heart. Normally we see the apocalypse from the perspective of the young, or at least the younger. Not someone who is going to be losing not only a spouse, but children and possibly grandchildren when it all comes down to it. I think that is what makes this a new perspective to this story. To survive all of that, to have those demons running around in your brain, and then realize you need to leave the safety you have managed to eke out, and try to save one more person. The worst part of the apocalypse is that eventually the true nature of people will come out. Sometimes the people you thought you could trust the most, are the ones you should have trusted the least.
Honey-Bee by Claire C. Riley is an apocalypse story of a slightly different sort. Monsters who are unable to stand the sunlight are extinguishing the human race. We find one woman and a child whom she found as the only people alive in the area. Safety only comes with light, and the food is running out in their sanctuary on the cliff under the streetlight. They must forage further than they have ever gone before. When they find a beautiful house, stocked with food and clothing, secure in so many ways, this means they have found safety right? Right?
Dying Days: Fear of the Dark by Armand Rosamilia is about a young man who has never been able to shake his fear of the dark. When the apocalypse comes and you still have a fear of the dark, it just makes it that much worse. I would think it is bad when you have to live in a world that has turned upside down, but when someone decides to torture you with one of your worst fears right in the middle of that, well, I am not so sure I could keep my sanity. Guess what, there really are monsters in the dark, and they really are going to kill you.
My Own Terms by Jack Wallen is about a man waking up to find himself imprisoned in some sort of mad experimental facility. The only way he is told what he is to do is through the videotaped instructions given after he awakens, and the cryptic messages from his cellmate. Die or live, live or die, and to live, you must make the other die. That is the only way to get out. The little spin to make sure they actually accomplish what is wished of them, if they do not do what they are told, they will be injected with the virus that is currently wiping out the human race. How do you win against these odds?
Has your hope faded enough yet, mine sure did. In the end though, I actually found some solace in building a little more of the story in my own mind where maybe things worked out. Like I said, I am a Hope kind of girl. Read this if you dare, it is dark, but it is worth the read, even if it is just to make your own life seem that much brighter.
December 1, 2014
I never realized how much I craved a happy ending - or at least a semi-happy ending - in stories until I read Fading Hope. The bleak outlooks and dire situations, where there is no correct path, no right choice to be made, made me realize that I'm satisfied with my mundane life with its potentially happy ending.
When Plans Fail – As a mother, this story hit too close to home. I tried to put myself in Rachel's situation—or at least a similar one. She is the mother of a young child desperately trying to survive a zombie apocalypse. I can't say I understand her decision, but I've never been in that situation before either.
Chick'n Soup for the Soul – Eli Constant’s “Chick’n Soup for the Soul” is a trip into a terrifying prison for humans that began when a pod of alien creatures landed on Earth. What a miserable life our narrator endures and I admit I wouldn’t last nearly as long. The creatures in this story are truly frightening, maybe because their hooded capes hide their bodies and faces, sending my imagination into overdrive. In the end, I didn’t find the “small morsel of optimism” that Eli suggested may be present, only hopelessness and a grim ending for humankind.
Perishable – Maybe I’ve read too many zombie novels in my time, but this short didn’t seem hopeless in the beginning. Suzanne is a kick-ass heroine who can take care of not only herself, but her aging mother as well. Yes, she’s stuck in a zombie apocalypse with her military husband on the other side of the world, but she’s surviving and doing a damn good job at it, too. This heartbreaking story didn’t go the way I expected, and I’m left with unanswered questions that I can’t disclose without also revealing spoilers. I suppose Morgan Garcia decided this ending would make the story that much more painful and depressing, which is fitting for this anthology.
Radio Silence – Nothing can make an already hopeless zombie apocalypse worse than when the Army begins exterminating civilians. Then throw in humans willing to do anything—and I mean anything—to survive makes “Radio Silence” a chilling and grim story indeed.
Honey-Bee – Don’t let Claire C Riley’s title for this short fool you. It’s not a cutesy tale at all. Quite the opposite. As a mother, I can relate to the narrator’s relationship to her little Honey-Bee, Lilly. She desperately protects them both from vampire-like creatures of the night, that honestly scared me. I sincerely hope Claire plans another story-line with these creatures, because I was thoroughly smitten with the creatures gorging on the human race, threatening our extinction.
Dying Days: Fear of the Dark – In "Dying Days: Fear of the Dark" Armand did something that simultaneously thrills and frightens me: make me cringe when all the lights are turned off at night. I love how he took a plain 'ole zombie apocalypse and threw in a demented, sick human to make it exponentially more terrifying. Derek, the young man who is imprisoned by the man he refers to as Sock Man, is in a no-win situation. He is impossibly trapped between a world of flesh-eating zombies and a sadistic tormentor. I’ll be on the lookout for more of this storyline in a future Rosamilla publication.
My Own Terms – I think Jack accomplished what he set out to do: write a bleak story. When I read that last sentence, I turned off my ereader with a shake of my head, incredibly thankful that I am not David, the poor soul in this story. I was surprised by the revelation in the end, and I love when an author throws an unexpected twist into a story. "My Own Terms" is well written and paced just right.
If you are a fan of post-apocalypse stories, you will enjoy this anthology.
I received this eARC for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
When Plans Fail – As a mother, this story hit too close to home. I tried to put myself in Rachel's situation—or at least a similar one. She is the mother of a young child desperately trying to survive a zombie apocalypse. I can't say I understand her decision, but I've never been in that situation before either.
Chick'n Soup for the Soul – Eli Constant’s “Chick’n Soup for the Soul” is a trip into a terrifying prison for humans that began when a pod of alien creatures landed on Earth. What a miserable life our narrator endures and I admit I wouldn’t last nearly as long. The creatures in this story are truly frightening, maybe because their hooded capes hide their bodies and faces, sending my imagination into overdrive. In the end, I didn’t find the “small morsel of optimism” that Eli suggested may be present, only hopelessness and a grim ending for humankind.
Perishable – Maybe I’ve read too many zombie novels in my time, but this short didn’t seem hopeless in the beginning. Suzanne is a kick-ass heroine who can take care of not only herself, but her aging mother as well. Yes, she’s stuck in a zombie apocalypse with her military husband on the other side of the world, but she’s surviving and doing a damn good job at it, too. This heartbreaking story didn’t go the way I expected, and I’m left with unanswered questions that I can’t disclose without also revealing spoilers. I suppose Morgan Garcia decided this ending would make the story that much more painful and depressing, which is fitting for this anthology.
Radio Silence – Nothing can make an already hopeless zombie apocalypse worse than when the Army begins exterminating civilians. Then throw in humans willing to do anything—and I mean anything—to survive makes “Radio Silence” a chilling and grim story indeed.
Honey-Bee – Don’t let Claire C Riley’s title for this short fool you. It’s not a cutesy tale at all. Quite the opposite. As a mother, I can relate to the narrator’s relationship to her little Honey-Bee, Lilly. She desperately protects them both from vampire-like creatures of the night, that honestly scared me. I sincerely hope Claire plans another story-line with these creatures, because I was thoroughly smitten with the creatures gorging on the human race, threatening our extinction.
Dying Days: Fear of the Dark – In "Dying Days: Fear of the Dark" Armand did something that simultaneously thrills and frightens me: make me cringe when all the lights are turned off at night. I love how he took a plain 'ole zombie apocalypse and threw in a demented, sick human to make it exponentially more terrifying. Derek, the young man who is imprisoned by the man he refers to as Sock Man, is in a no-win situation. He is impossibly trapped between a world of flesh-eating zombies and a sadistic tormentor. I’ll be on the lookout for more of this storyline in a future Rosamilla publication.
My Own Terms – I think Jack accomplished what he set out to do: write a bleak story. When I read that last sentence, I turned off my ereader with a shake of my head, incredibly thankful that I am not David, the poor soul in this story. I was surprised by the revelation in the end, and I love when an author throws an unexpected twist into a story. "My Own Terms" is well written and paced just right.
If you are a fan of post-apocalypse stories, you will enjoy this anthology.
I received this eARC for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
August 26, 2014
I was given an e copy of Fading Hope in return for a review.
The stories are all bound by one thing, there are no perfect endings or happily ever afters. It’s grim, dark and often truly disturbing. All these stories show the different elements of how human kind would react in the face of theses horrendously dark situations. Some will fight to protect, some will fight to survive, others will make the decisions which are heart breaking and some will ignite that dark side that lays dormant in most of us and evolve into bigger monsters than the once that have to be faced.
Overall I enjoyed nearly all the stories, they were well written and in a short amount of time you felt engaged with the characters within these stories and wanted to see how things would pan out. (Even the darker ones).
If you’re into the apocalypse, zombies, aliens and the darker side of human nature then you will love this book and each individual story within it.
I would highly recommend this book and would hope some of the authors involved would consider building on their short stories and extending them, as they are that good.
Hope doesn't die… It fades.
August 17, 2014
Fading Hope
This is definitely a five star. You will be introduced to 7 of the most intriguing authors out there today.
I tend not to download the short stories, due to wanting a more in-depth story line. So on a whim, as I usually do, I jumped into this opportunity with both feet not knowing anything about it.
No spoilers here just kudos.
To my surprise it was captivating and heart wrenching. I was clenching my teeth and scrounging my face more than a few times during the reads. I loved all the stories, devastating as they may be. This is the perfect book for when you are riding the metro and need something to pass the time that does not involve looking at the array of questionable peeps around you. As well as having those few moments of down time that you need to fill with some desperation and gore.
A standing ovation to Rebecca Besser, Eli Constant, Morgan Garcia, Thea Gregory, Claire C. Riley, Armand Rosamila, and Jack Wallen.
I have read Riley, Rosamila and Wallen before and am always waiting for more from them. I was pleasantly surprised to read of Besser, Constant, Garcia and Gregory. I will be looking for more of their works.
This book is the perfect intro to these amazing authors.
This is definitely a five star. You will be introduced to 7 of the most intriguing authors out there today.
I tend not to download the short stories, due to wanting a more in-depth story line. So on a whim, as I usually do, I jumped into this opportunity with both feet not knowing anything about it.
No spoilers here just kudos.
To my surprise it was captivating and heart wrenching. I was clenching my teeth and scrounging my face more than a few times during the reads. I loved all the stories, devastating as they may be. This is the perfect book for when you are riding the metro and need something to pass the time that does not involve looking at the array of questionable peeps around you. As well as having those few moments of down time that you need to fill with some desperation and gore.
A standing ovation to Rebecca Besser, Eli Constant, Morgan Garcia, Thea Gregory, Claire C. Riley, Armand Rosamila, and Jack Wallen.
I have read Riley, Rosamila and Wallen before and am always waiting for more from them. I was pleasantly surprised to read of Besser, Constant, Garcia and Gregory. I will be looking for more of their works.
This book is the perfect intro to these amazing authors.
August 21, 2014
I received an ARC to give an honest review.
I do not believe I have read anything before from these authors and let me say that I enjoyed all of their stories that were told in this book.
The first story really got me as I started this book as I was rocking my little girl to sleep for the night. When I finished reading the first story I put the book down and just held my little girl closer to me no joke! I don't think a story has ever done that to me before.
Each story had me cringing and going OMG what can happen next. I am normally not a big fan of short stories being as they are too short and I feel as though there could have been more within the story. With this, I was not disappointed. With each story being told you get the ending and you feel satisfied or at least I know I did. I have to say the last story I literally cringed and went the whole ewww, ewww, ewww that is gross and I enjoyed that. It is hard to find a author or a book that has you feeling that way in the middle of a story and it freaking ROCKED.
Each story by each author has a taste of either zombies, the end of the world, or what humans will do to other humans. This book is not for the faint of heart far far from it.
This is one book I highly recommend to all of my friends who like a touch of horror, mixed with the ending of the world. But if you are scared of the dark I would keep the lights on for this.
If I could give this book more than a 5 rating I sure enough would. I will be looking to read more stories from these authors.
I do not believe I have read anything before from these authors and let me say that I enjoyed all of their stories that were told in this book.
The first story really got me as I started this book as I was rocking my little girl to sleep for the night. When I finished reading the first story I put the book down and just held my little girl closer to me no joke! I don't think a story has ever done that to me before.
Each story had me cringing and going OMG what can happen next. I am normally not a big fan of short stories being as they are too short and I feel as though there could have been more within the story. With this, I was not disappointed. With each story being told you get the ending and you feel satisfied or at least I know I did. I have to say the last story I literally cringed and went the whole ewww, ewww, ewww that is gross and I enjoyed that. It is hard to find a author or a book that has you feeling that way in the middle of a story and it freaking ROCKED.
Each story by each author has a taste of either zombies, the end of the world, or what humans will do to other humans. This book is not for the faint of heart far far from it.
This is one book I highly recommend to all of my friends who like a touch of horror, mixed with the ending of the world. But if you are scared of the dark I would keep the lights on for this.
If I could give this book more than a 5 rating I sure enough would. I will be looking to read more stories from these authors.
August 28, 2014
Hope floats? Not in this collection of short stories from Eli Constant, Morgan Garcia, Thea Gregory, Claire C. Riley, Armand Rosamilia, and Jack Wallen. It sinks like the Titanic hugging an iceberg!
It’s not entirely doom and gloom if you’re of the right frame of mind though because despite the horrifying fates that befall these poor characters there’s a couple of rays of hope that manage to shine through if you look hard enough.
Excellent stories that if you haven’t read anything from these authors are sure you have you running to pick up more from them!
It’s not entirely doom and gloom if you’re of the right frame of mind though because despite the horrifying fates that befall these poor characters there’s a couple of rays of hope that manage to shine through if you look hard enough.
Excellent stories that if you haven’t read anything from these authors are sure you have you running to pick up more from them!
October 27, 2014
4.5 stars, but worthy of rounding up.
Let me start by saying, if you are a fan of the horror, thriller, suspense genre, but want the horrific tales you enjoy to end with a "happily ever after' then Fading Hope is not the anthology for you. Within the pages of this book you will find seven very different stories, but they all have one common theme....there is no hope. Not even a glimmer, well maybe a teeny tiny glimmer in one story, but not anything I'd bet money on becoming more then an idea. This is definitely not a book to read as a feel good pick me up.
That being said, I really enjoyed Fading Hope. I have long said that, while I enjoy a happy ending, I am a firm believer in not everything works out as planned and if my favorite character must die, then, at least, let them die well. This almost exactly what I got as I read through each of the seven stories.
As many of my readers know, I am not one to break down every single story in an anthology or collection for a couple of reasons. 1) There can simply be too many to list and I do not want to single out any one author, as I feel it would be unfair to the others. 2) Stories in anthologies/collections tend to be short and by discussion them too much you can inadvertently give away spoilers and I absolutely never want to do that.
Anyway, within the pages of Fading Hope , we have, as previously stated seven stories that are nearly complete devoid of hope. Quite a few of the stories are set in a zombie infested world, an alien invasion, some vampire-like creatures, and some simply sick and twisted individuals choosing to live out their psychosis within the new apocalyptic world. Each story has a unique take on the theme of hopelessness and with it a certain dread and foreboding that I rather came to enjoy. Would I want to read tales like this all day every day? Not at all, but once in a while a bite of reality needs to be given. People need to remember that while life is worth fighting for and hope is a feeling that one must hold onto, things do happen and the good guy doesn't always win.
Let me start by saying, if you are a fan of the horror, thriller, suspense genre, but want the horrific tales you enjoy to end with a "happily ever after' then Fading Hope is not the anthology for you. Within the pages of this book you will find seven very different stories, but they all have one common theme....there is no hope. Not even a glimmer, well maybe a teeny tiny glimmer in one story, but not anything I'd bet money on becoming more then an idea. This is definitely not a book to read as a feel good pick me up.
That being said, I really enjoyed Fading Hope. I have long said that, while I enjoy a happy ending, I am a firm believer in not everything works out as planned and if my favorite character must die, then, at least, let them die well. This almost exactly what I got as I read through each of the seven stories.
As many of my readers know, I am not one to break down every single story in an anthology or collection for a couple of reasons. 1) There can simply be too many to list and I do not want to single out any one author, as I feel it would be unfair to the others. 2) Stories in anthologies/collections tend to be short and by discussion them too much you can inadvertently give away spoilers and I absolutely never want to do that.
Anyway, within the pages of Fading Hope , we have, as previously stated seven stories that are nearly complete devoid of hope. Quite a few of the stories are set in a zombie infested world, an alien invasion, some vampire-like creatures, and some simply sick and twisted individuals choosing to live out their psychosis within the new apocalyptic world. Each story has a unique take on the theme of hopelessness and with it a certain dread and foreboding that I rather came to enjoy. Would I want to read tales like this all day every day? Not at all, but once in a while a bite of reality needs to be given. People need to remember that while life is worth fighting for and hope is a feeling that one must hold onto, things do happen and the good guy doesn't always win.
August 29, 2014
I was given an Arc copy of this book by one of the authors in exchange for my honest review. Let me first say that,"Fading Hope", is my first Anthology that I have gotten to read. At first, I was not too sure how I would like it. When I start a book I like to read just one style, and one story. But as i sank my teeth into this baby, i quickly realized that THIS was different, that THIS book was a little slice of horrifyingly, awesome HELL.
These stories quickly throw you into a whirl-wind of post apocalyptic hells. Being a human being, you always root for the "Happily ever afters" you're use to reading, or watching on TV. BUT the name of this book holds true to it's name, "Fading Hope" These stories grip onto your heart, only to throw them on the ground and stomp all hope you may have had out.
I love that with each story you pass, your heart drops just a little bit more. I had actually only have ever read books from one author in this book, but I really enjoyed getting to know the other authors that filled these pages. I loved getting a little snippet of their different writing styles, and story telling abilities!
I will say this. This book is not for the faint of heart, it is not for someone looking for fairy-tell endings, rainbows and butterflys and beautiful purple unicorns. This book is for the ones that can look at a horrible situation and realize that not all stories have happy endings. This book is for people who realize that bad things really do happen to good people. This book is for people who see an opportunity or situation that could be saved by some sort of hope, but also can appreciate the hollow feeling you get in the pit of your stomach, the horrifyingly no way out, trapped, "Fading Hope" feeling that takes you by the hair and slams you into the ground. I would recommend this beaut to anybody who can appreciate, no happy endings!
These stories quickly throw you into a whirl-wind of post apocalyptic hells. Being a human being, you always root for the "Happily ever afters" you're use to reading, or watching on TV. BUT the name of this book holds true to it's name, "Fading Hope" These stories grip onto your heart, only to throw them on the ground and stomp all hope you may have had out.
I love that with each story you pass, your heart drops just a little bit more. I had actually only have ever read books from one author in this book, but I really enjoyed getting to know the other authors that filled these pages. I loved getting a little snippet of their different writing styles, and story telling abilities!
I will say this. This book is not for the faint of heart, it is not for someone looking for fairy-tell endings, rainbows and butterflys and beautiful purple unicorns. This book is for the ones that can look at a horrible situation and realize that not all stories have happy endings. This book is for people who realize that bad things really do happen to good people. This book is for people who see an opportunity or situation that could be saved by some sort of hope, but also can appreciate the hollow feeling you get in the pit of your stomach, the horrifyingly no way out, trapped, "Fading Hope" feeling that takes you by the hair and slams you into the ground. I would recommend this beaut to anybody who can appreciate, no happy endings!
September 2, 2014
Fading Hope is collection of short post apocalyptic horror stories, that I would recommend to mature readers due to strong Language and violence. If you like your post apocalyptic stories to have some fluff and a happy ending, Fading Hope may not be for you. I’m not by any means saying you shouldn't read it, because you totally should, just be warned these authors hold nothing back in this book. Rebecca, Eli , Morgan, Thea, Claire, Armand, and Jack take this book to a place where most authors, I think are afraid to go. The darker side of the apocalypse, that most authors just hint at, these authors punch you in the gut with it. I loved Fading Hope, and truth be told I don’t much care for anthologies. I think short stories can be a tease, but I made an exception for this one. I am so glad I did, and would love to see these authors team up again. I loved Fading Hope so much, I bought a print copy as well. Fading Hope is most definitely a 5 star read, bound to hit #1.
October 6, 2014
This is a very dark anthology with an apt title. Well written!
October 14, 2014
great book of stories highly recommend this read
February 19, 2015
I’m not going to summarize or give a review of each individual story because they were all great stories and I liked each of them for the same reasons. They are all written well, have interesting and creative storylines, and really live up to the title of Fading Hope. Each chapter is another dark story of the apocalypse.
Fading Hope is a great dark book. When I say it’s a great book, I don’t mean it’s great in a happily ever after type of way, but in a “daaaaaaamn! did that just happen?” kind of way.
Holy crap on a cracker was Fading Hope depressing! I say that in the best possible way. Personally, I don’t mind a book full of darkness and despair, and to me, that’s exactly what this is. It was a bit like the movie “Frozen” that my daughter loves so much, where every time you turn around thinking something is going to work out the way it should, something else happens. The big difference for me is that while I really disliked Frozen, I really enjoyed Fading Hope.
The title gives you a perfect impression of what to expect. I don’t feel like I was let down by any of the authors and I liked every story contained within these pages of bleakness.
The stories themselves are great. I liked the tone each was written in and they all had characters I could relate to and situations I could imagine in my nightmares. I enjoyed every depressing moment as sick as that sounds. These authors were able to bring out a degree of feeling for me. I was able to feel what the characters went through, and I can’t always say that happens in the books I read. The things the characters dealt with in each story were horrific and very suited for a book of the Horror genre.
I recommend Fading Hope to any reader who likes horror and doesn’t mind if not every character gets their “happy ever after”.
Fading Hope is a great dark book. When I say it’s a great book, I don’t mean it’s great in a happily ever after type of way, but in a “daaaaaaamn! did that just happen?” kind of way.
Holy crap on a cracker was Fading Hope depressing! I say that in the best possible way. Personally, I don’t mind a book full of darkness and despair, and to me, that’s exactly what this is. It was a bit like the movie “Frozen” that my daughter loves so much, where every time you turn around thinking something is going to work out the way it should, something else happens. The big difference for me is that while I really disliked Frozen, I really enjoyed Fading Hope.
The title gives you a perfect impression of what to expect. I don’t feel like I was let down by any of the authors and I liked every story contained within these pages of bleakness.
The stories themselves are great. I liked the tone each was written in and they all had characters I could relate to and situations I could imagine in my nightmares. I enjoyed every depressing moment as sick as that sounds. These authors were able to bring out a degree of feeling for me. I was able to feel what the characters went through, and I can’t always say that happens in the books I read. The things the characters dealt with in each story were horrific and very suited for a book of the Horror genre.
I recommend Fading Hope to any reader who likes horror and doesn’t mind if not every character gets their “happy ever after”.
August 28, 2014
Honey-Bee.
In the "About Claire Riley"
"She writes characters that are realistic, and kills them without mercy." <---Love and Hate this lol.
Just finished "Honey-Bee" and I absolutely loved it. Really looking forward to getting my hands on the whole book.
In the couple of chapters we were given I became attached to the characters. And isn't that the goal of the author to be able to capture you, draw you in, make you fall for the characters? Well Claire did just that and more. I need to know what happens next to see if they get another day or if the "sickness" proves to be too much.
One of my favorite quotes.
"I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, as if God had shone His light upon that particular field. In the middle of a world filled with so much loss.." So so incredibly fantastic.
In the "About Claire Riley"
"She writes characters that are realistic, and kills them without mercy." <---Love and Hate this lol.
Just finished "Honey-Bee" and I absolutely loved it. Really looking forward to getting my hands on the whole book.
In the couple of chapters we were given I became attached to the characters. And isn't that the goal of the author to be able to capture you, draw you in, make you fall for the characters? Well Claire did just that and more. I need to know what happens next to see if they get another day or if the "sickness" proves to be too much.
One of my favorite quotes.
"I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, as if God had shone His light upon that particular field. In the middle of a world filled with so much loss.." So so incredibly fantastic.
December 29, 2014
I loved Eli Constant & Claire C Riley short story ♡
Thank you Eli for making me freak out bout aliens lol Oh how I loved X-Files but not aliens. The ending was gross! Ewww! lol Brilliant writing Eli!
Claire I loved Honey-Bee! The ending was about hope & survival ♡ I wanted to read more bout their story! Another brilliant read!
Thank you Eli for making me freak out bout aliens lol Oh how I loved X-Files but not aliens. The ending was gross! Ewww! lol Brilliant writing Eli!
Claire I loved Honey-Bee! The ending was about hope & survival ♡ I wanted to read more bout their story! Another brilliant read!
July 27, 2016
Sad stories but it was a good quick read
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