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Miscreations: Gods, Monstrosities & Other Horrors
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What happens when we make monsters? What happens when we make monsters of ourselves? Grotesque beings lurch from our darkest dreams. Vicious beasts stalk our twisted pasts. Lost souls haunt our deepest regrets. They are the blood on our hands. They are the obsessions in our heads. They are the vengeance in our hearts. They are Miscreations: Gods, Monstrosities & Other Horr
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Kindle Edition, 342 pages
Published
February 18th 2020
by Written Backwards
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Start your review of Miscreations: Gods, Monstrosities & Other Horrors

Originally published on Cemetery Dance
https://www.cemeterydance.com/extras/...
I clearly remember a debate that transpired last summer on social media about anthologies. An author wondered about the future of anthologies because it seemed to him they don’t make any money. Several industry people weighed in with their strong opinions either in support of anthologies or against them (not really opposed to anthologies in general but speaking more about the profitability, or lack thereof).
Watching fr ...more
https://www.cemeterydance.com/extras/...
I clearly remember a debate that transpired last summer on social media about anthologies. An author wondered about the future of anthologies because it seemed to him they don’t make any money. Several industry people weighed in with their strong opinions either in support of anthologies or against them (not really opposed to anthologies in general but speaking more about the profitability, or lack thereof).
Watching fr ...more

Psst, Gentle Reader. Yes, you, the one holding this book, trying to decide whether you'll take it home with you. You're looking for a good, long read, something to crack open as you settle into your favorite chair, a glass at your elbow. But a collection of stories about monsters? Is that likely to help you wind down in the evening, wash away the detritus of another long day at work? You waver: do you like stories about monsters? Not for you, dark scary tales about the boogeymen who haunt our dr
...more

Review to come

This book had me at the Forward by Alama Katsu. And if you don't read forwards? Yeah- you. I'm shaming you.
This anthology was far from one-note, with a wide range of Monstrosities from intimately real to the fantastical. I felt every emotion on the spectrum from favorite authors and authors new to me (that I will definitely be reading more from). I really can't pick favorites. I started to type them out and it ended up being almost half the book. Just read it and find out for yourself! ...more
This anthology was far from one-note, with a wide range of Monstrosities from intimately real to the fantastical. I felt every emotion on the spectrum from favorite authors and authors new to me (that I will definitely be reading more from). I really can't pick favorites. I started to type them out and it ended up being almost half the book. Just read it and find out for yourself! ...more

I had been looking forward to reading this anthology for a long time. And while "Gutted" is still the best Doug Murano anthology I've read, or rather, my favourite that I've read to do, "Miscreations" comes in at a close second. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the work of the editors, Doug Murano and Michael Bailey, in seeing this project to fruition. They worked tirelessly and overcame many obstacles to make this happen so that readers could have this in their hands and to be affec
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My usual rating for a short story collection is ⭐⭐⭐. It seems there are always a few stellar stories, a few clunkers and then the middling rest. An obvious by-product of a work with lots of different authors, really.
But, you guys, THIS COLLECTION. The theme of this horror anthology is the Frankenstein mythos - monsters as our creations, our rescuers, our tormentors and ourselves. I will admit to:
• actually getting the shivers,
• to saying out loud, “oh my god” or “ew” more than once,
• to side-eye ...more
But, you guys, THIS COLLECTION. The theme of this horror anthology is the Frankenstein mythos - monsters as our creations, our rescuers, our tormentors and ourselves. I will admit to:
• actually getting the shivers,
• to saying out loud, “oh my god” or “ew” more than once,
• to side-eye ...more

What a great collection! The writing is generally brilliant with wonderful turns of phrase and glimpses into the beauty of horror.
This collection also introduced me to several new writers that I had not read before and will now seek out their work.
Favorites in this collection:
A Heart Arrythmia Creeping into a Dark Room by Michael Wehunt - a very original story told in a fresh way.
Matryoshka by Joanna Parypinsky - Fantastic take on family and how it makes monsters.
Operations Other Than War by Nad ...more
This collection also introduced me to several new writers that I had not read before and will now seek out their work.
Favorites in this collection:
A Heart Arrythmia Creeping into a Dark Room by Michael Wehunt - a very original story told in a fresh way.
Matryoshka by Joanna Parypinsky - Fantastic take on family and how it makes monsters.
Operations Other Than War by Nad ...more

Let it be known that 2019 was the year I fell in love with horror anthologies and began hoarding them on my shelves. In 2020, have no plans to slow my roll when it comes to this type of book—each time I open an anthology I’m not quite sure what I’m going to get, and I enjoy the anticipation. I love not only the fact that it means new stories from some of my favorites, but I also tend to discover new authors in the process. Before I can finish the book, I’m often so enamored with a new-to-me aut
...more

Read on my Kindle. 3.5 stars, rounding up.
There were some knockout stories in here, as well as a few I really didn't enjoy. As I read more anthologies, I am coming to realize that this is the norm, and I'm ok with that.
The overarching theme in this anthology was monsters, and the authors featured interpreted this theme in many different ideas. There was everything from actual monsters, such as werewolves and Frankenstein, and abstract concepts of monsters as well, such as heart disease, war, and ...more
There were some knockout stories in here, as well as a few I really didn't enjoy. As I read more anthologies, I am coming to realize that this is the norm, and I'm ok with that.
The overarching theme in this anthology was monsters, and the authors featured interpreted this theme in many different ideas. There was everything from actual monsters, such as werewolves and Frankenstein, and abstract concepts of monsters as well, such as heart disease, war, and ...more

Review is in the June 2020 issue of Library Journal
https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detai...
Three Words That Describe This Book: popular authors, range of "scares," monster-human connection
Draft Review:
Anthology: Miscreations: Gods, Monstrosities, & Other Horrors. Edited by Doug Murano and Michael Bailey Forward by Alma Katsu
Humans have long been fascinated by monsters. As Katsu comments in this stellar antholoy’s introduction about the relationship between monsters and humans, “We are inseparabl ...more
https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detai...
Three Words That Describe This Book: popular authors, range of "scares," monster-human connection
Draft Review:
Anthology: Miscreations: Gods, Monstrosities, & Other Horrors. Edited by Doug Murano and Michael Bailey Forward by Alma Katsu
Humans have long been fascinated by monsters. As Katsu comments in this stellar antholoy’s introduction about the relationship between monsters and humans, “We are inseparabl ...more

3.5 stars rounded up!
Mr. Doug Murano chose a wide array of perspectives and styles to include in his weird/horror anthology, MISCREATIONS. Loved the overarching theme of monsters. (Anyone remember The X-Files' Monster-of-the-Week episodes?)
Sometimes one can grow tired of themed anthologies after too many duds. To me, this anthology doesn't have a dud. Sure, there were some that didn't agree with my tastes, but none of them totally turned me off at all. I believe this was helped by some format va ...more
Mr. Doug Murano chose a wide array of perspectives and styles to include in his weird/horror anthology, MISCREATIONS. Loved the overarching theme of monsters. (Anyone remember The X-Files' Monster-of-the-Week episodes?)
Sometimes one can grow tired of themed anthologies after too many duds. To me, this anthology doesn't have a dud. Sure, there were some that didn't agree with my tastes, but none of them totally turned me off at all. I believe this was helped by some format va ...more

Great collection! I picked it up for the Barron, Malerman, and Campbell tales, but stuck around for the rest because they proved well-curated.
First off, Laird Barron is the man. He got me into "weird" horror and sent me down a rabbit hole with no end in sight. And with this new story, Ode To Joad The Toad, he's once again reaching newer, weirder heights. This tale felt like a glorious mix of Robert E. Howard and Jeff Vandermeer, but with the trademark snark only Barron can bring. I know many cr ...more
First off, Laird Barron is the man. He got me into "weird" horror and sent me down a rabbit hole with no end in sight. And with this new story, Ode To Joad The Toad, he's once again reaching newer, weirder heights. This tale felt like a glorious mix of Robert E. Howard and Jeff Vandermeer, but with the trademark snark only Barron can bring. I know many cr ...more

A fantastic anthology collection. If you know me, you know anthologies and I don't always get along. This one was great though
Favorites include:
Operations Other Than War by Nadia Bulking
One Last Transformation by Josh Malerman
Imperfect Clay by Lisa Morton
Spectral Evidence by Victor LaValle (but can we get a whole book out of this one!?)
My Knowing Glance by Lucy A Snyder
Paper Doll Hyperplane by RB Payne
Resurrection Points by Usman T Malik
The Making of Asylum Ophelia by Mercedes M Yardley ...more
Favorites include:
Operations Other Than War by Nadia Bulking
One Last Transformation by Josh Malerman
Imperfect Clay by Lisa Morton
Spectral Evidence by Victor LaValle (but can we get a whole book out of this one!?)
My Knowing Glance by Lucy A Snyder
Paper Doll Hyperplane by RB Payne
Resurrection Points by Usman T Malik
The Making of Asylum Ophelia by Mercedes M Yardley ...more

A solid anthology with many interesting and unsettling stories that play with the themes of creation and creator. Favorites were "Matryoshka," "Butcher's Blend," "One Last Transformation," "Ode to Joad the Toad," and "Frankenstein's Daughter."
...more

Jan 22, 2020
Richard Leis
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
horror,
short-stories
So this is what today's pro-level horror looks like.
Miscreations: Gods, Monstrosities & Other Horrors is one of the best anthologies I have ever read, made extra special with the inclusion of beautifully crafted dark poems by Linda D. Addison, Christina Sng, and Stephanie M. Wytovich. Of Addison's poem "One Day of Inside/Out," I thought at the end that I kinda want this to happen, even if I for some reason turn out to be one of those "living things with useless hands and feet, / writhing [...]". ...more
Miscreations: Gods, Monstrosities & Other Horrors is one of the best anthologies I have ever read, made extra special with the inclusion of beautifully crafted dark poems by Linda D. Addison, Christina Sng, and Stephanie M. Wytovich. Of Addison's poem "One Day of Inside/Out," I thought at the end that I kinda want this to happen, even if I for some reason turn out to be one of those "living things with useless hands and feet, / writhing [...]". ...more

3.5 out of 5
So....here’s the thing about my relationship with Anthologies. I always go into them with high expectations, and I really want to like them. I end up falling in love with some of the stories, but the majority of them will fall flat for me. Thus, I have not yet found an Anthology that really “dazzled” me.
Let me begin by saying that the writing in every single story blew me away, regardless of how I felt about the story overall. We have some truly talented, legendary writers in this b ...more
So....here’s the thing about my relationship with Anthologies. I always go into them with high expectations, and I really want to like them. I end up falling in love with some of the stories, but the majority of them will fall flat for me. Thus, I have not yet found an Anthology that really “dazzled” me.
Let me begin by saying that the writing in every single story blew me away, regardless of how I felt about the story overall. We have some truly talented, legendary writers in this b ...more

This was an excellent anthology. I didn't skip a single story, and I was amazed by the diversity of the narratives, considering how narrow the theme is. If you like horror, this is the antho for you!
...more

Not a bad anthology. With a total of 19 short stories and 4 poems, this book held a remarkable collection of narrative derived from the concept of miscreations through science, magic and the supernatural. It made me realize that, aside from Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, I had very little in the way of this particular sub-genre, so this was definitely a welcome addition to my horror library.
It's not completely out of the realm of possibility to find collections like this to have lots of mediocr ...more
It's not completely out of the realm of possibility to find collections like this to have lots of mediocr ...more

Many talented voices are featured in this collection, each with their unique interpretation of a "monster." A nice blend of horror and Weird Lit. Would be a good first read for someone who is dipping their toes into either genre.
...more

I'm a huge fan of short fiction. This is a curated collection of stories by authors I look up to.
I took my time with this anthology, reading a story or two a night. There's a lot of original storytelling and a variety of styles. It did not disappoint.
One of my favorites was Last Transformation by Malerman. What a fantastic and fresh take on a werewolf story. ...more
I took my time with this anthology, reading a story or two a night. There's a lot of original storytelling and a variety of styles. It did not disappoint.
One of my favorites was Last Transformation by Malerman. What a fantastic and fresh take on a werewolf story. ...more

This horror anthology is absolutely fantastic. Despite being given the same brief, every writer takes it in such a different and fascinating direction. My Highlights are Josh Malerman 'One Last Transformation', Brian Hodge 'Butcher's Blend' and 'The making of Asylum Ophelia' by Mercedes.M.Yardley. Head to my Booktube channel to hear my break down and review of each story!
https://youtu.be/k0rPcDgtBgg ...more
https://youtu.be/k0rPcDgtBgg ...more

I am seriously falling out of love with anthologies. I deeply love short stories but the fact that an anthology always is a mixed bag cannot out weight it's positives anymore for me, the reading experience of trudging from good to bad to okay and all around again is not what I want in a reading experience anymore. In the future I am going to be even more selective if/ when choosing one and I rather stick with single author collections, those I love to pieces. The additional draw-back of "Miscrea
...more

I'm...bewitched, bothered, and bewildered.
Okay, really just a bit confused. Reading through all these stories--including re-reading a couple of underperformers to be sure I'd gotten all I could out of them--I would consider them averaging out to about 3.5 stars.
But the book's a solid four stars.
As they have been selected, presented (the understated, primitive artwork is a plus), and sequenced, this read adds up to quite an engaging experience. The effects of some stories developed an intriguin ...more
Okay, really just a bit confused. Reading through all these stories--including re-reading a couple of underperformers to be sure I'd gotten all I could out of them--I would consider them averaging out to about 3.5 stars.
But the book's a solid four stars.
As they have been selected, presented (the understated, primitive artwork is a plus), and sequenced, this read adds up to quite an engaging experience. The effects of some stories developed an intriguin ...more

I finished reading MISCREATIONS, an anthology of short horror fiction. It's on sale on Kindle for less than $4 so if you're looking for something cheap and fun to read, go forth.
My favorite stories in the book are Joanna Parypinski's MATRYOSHKA, which explores the complicated relationship between an infertile woman and her mother; Nadia Bulki's OPERATIONS OTHER THAN WAR, which looks at the cultural horror that would follow if a non-US country suddenly found themselves with a giant robot to prote ...more
My favorite stories in the book are Joanna Parypinski's MATRYOSHKA, which explores the complicated relationship between an infertile woman and her mother; Nadia Bulki's OPERATIONS OTHER THAN WAR, which looks at the cultural horror that would follow if a non-US country suddenly found themselves with a giant robot to prote ...more

Whether Man or Monster is irrelevant...
...What matters are the gods that create them. Sometimes the god is a monster and sometimes the god is a man (or woman). It is often times difficult to tell the difference. Lots of preening, cutting, contemplating, and mutating in these stories. A quasi-religious dystopia where thought crimes are punished by amputation; a futuristic world war that leaves the victors psychologically scarred, a werewolf struggling to resist what comes natural to him, an emoti ...more
...What matters are the gods that create them. Sometimes the god is a monster and sometimes the god is a man (or woman). It is often times difficult to tell the difference. Lots of preening, cutting, contemplating, and mutating in these stories. A quasi-religious dystopia where thought crimes are punished by amputation; a futuristic world war that leaves the victors psychologically scarred, a werewolf struggling to resist what comes natural to him, an emoti ...more

Another great horror anthology. I usually choose books and anthologies to read because of the authors, but on occasion, I make my choice based upon the editors. Doug Murano and Michael Bailey have not dissapoint me in the past, and they have delivered yet again. The theme is broad enough that it allows stories while mostly in the horror genre have elements that range from haunting to the truly horrific. While there a a couple of stories that did not strike me, there is not a weak tale in the bun
...more

I received a digital copy for review early. I wanted to wait till it was out to post a review. This is an awesome book. A really great forward from Alma Katsu. This book explores the idea of being a monster. Some of the stories are actually really good either mentally or a bit more judicial in nature. I felt though that a few of the stories were a bit lacking and so I didn’t feel like it’s a star studded book. Do check this book out! Pick it up even if your not a big monster fan!
@AaronFurq over ...more
@AaronFurq over ...more
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