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Dark Celebrations #1-12
Dark Celebrations
Each year, people all over the world celebrate special festivals and days, shining light on what they wish to remember and revere. But sometimes, inhabitants of the dark arrive with the desire to disturb proceedings. Dark Celebrations is a collection of short stories... and the holidays will never be the same.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 11, 2020
21 people are currently reading
4361 people want to read
About the author
Calvin Demmer
84 books499 followersCalvin Demmer is a South African author of horror, dark fantasy, science fiction, and crime. His books include the flash fiction collection The Sea Was a Fair Master and the short story collections Dark Celebrations, Her Heart Beats for Ancient Beasts, Through the Ravenous Night We Ride, Duel the Darkness for Nightmare Rule, and The Town That Feared Dusk. When not writing, he is intrigued by that which goes bump in the night and the sciences of our universe.
You can find him online at calvindemmer.com or sign up for his newsletter to stay up to date with his latest projects.
You can find him online at calvindemmer.com or sign up for his newsletter to stay up to date with his latest projects.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
January 10, 2021
Great cover and one of the best story collections I read in a long time. Those 12 stories are a real fest of dark celebrations. Most of the stories start quite harmless but soon turn into nameless horror. You don't want to see Halloween end as described by the author (even if you're dressed up as Grim Reaper) or you don't want to go on a vampire hunt on Labour Day in an abandoned warehouse. The Happy Dark New Year is also something we don't necessarily expect or a Dying Valentine... hats off to the author for this remarkable set of stories. I would really recommend reading them in this anthology. I'm glad I came about Calvin Demmer on my reading journey. Great stories, nasty twists, horror at its best. Highly recommended!
March 28, 2023
**4.5-stars**
Dark Celebrations includes 12-short stories from one of my favorite Horror authors, Calvin Demmer.
Each of the dozen tales is centered around a particular celebration, or holiday, from around the world. I felt that was such a creative way to structure a collection.
This book has something for everyone. Moving through, I couldn't help but think this was a pure monster mash at its finest!
You have everything in here: zombies and vampires and mummies...
No matter what your favorite creature feature, you will find something to sink your teeth into.
Demmer's writing is hella dark and quirky. The way he can set a tone and pack a punch within such a short number of pages just continues to astound me.
And, good news, after you pick up this stellar collection, you can then dive into The Sea Was a Fair Master, my favorite collection of 2018.
Basically, you have a lot of good reading ahead of you!
Thank you so much to the author, Calvin Demmer, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review. If you know me, you know this has in no way swayed my review.
Demmer is fire. That's all there is too it. I look forward to picking up anything he writes!
Dark Celebrations includes 12-short stories from one of my favorite Horror authors, Calvin Demmer.
Each of the dozen tales is centered around a particular celebration, or holiday, from around the world. I felt that was such a creative way to structure a collection.
This book has something for everyone. Moving through, I couldn't help but think this was a pure monster mash at its finest!
You have everything in here: zombies and vampires and mummies...
No matter what your favorite creature feature, you will find something to sink your teeth into.
Demmer's writing is hella dark and quirky. The way he can set a tone and pack a punch within such a short number of pages just continues to astound me.
And, good news, after you pick up this stellar collection, you can then dive into The Sea Was a Fair Master, my favorite collection of 2018.
Basically, you have a lot of good reading ahead of you!
Thank you so much to the author, Calvin Demmer, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review. If you know me, you know this has in no way swayed my review.
Demmer is fire. That's all there is too it. I look forward to picking up anything he writes!
April 28, 2020
Having been totally knocked out by Demmer's THE SEA WAS A FAIR MASTER, (it was my favorite collection of 2019), I jumped at the chance to read his latest, DARK CELEBRATIONS. I don't regret it for an instant!
In this volume, which tells tales of celebrations and/or holidays from around the world, I found
a wide variety on offer, and most of them worked well for me. My favorites were:
THREE DEAD MEN captivated me because it went nowhere near where I thought it was going. Think Kill Bill with mummies. That's right...mummies!
SPRING OUTBREAK was another tale that ran in the opposite direction from my preconceived notions. Picture spring break with zombies. That's right...zombies!
PROM SCREAMS had me thinking the main character was a real jerk and that he should just own up to what happened. I also found myself thinking about Charlene ,(Charlie), McGee and what could have happened to her later in life. (If you don't know who she is, look her up!) This story lead to so many different thoughts, I have to leave it there. I DUG THIS ONE A LOT!
UNIDENTIFIED FATHERLY OBJECT had cool ties to the earlier stories and that I enjoyed. It was a bit out there, (I WANT TO BELIEVE), just as the title suggests.
INDEPENDENCE DENIED: I was captivated because of its Lovecraftian feel. In the times we're in now, I wouldn't be surprised at all if natural disasters started to surge. It seems like that would be a perfect fit for the apocalyptic-feeling with which COVID19 has blanketed us. At the same time, this tale was entertaining enough to make me forget about that for a while and I'm thankful to Mr. Demmer for the brief escape.
The only reservation I had with this collection is that the first few stories didn't pique my interest as much as the later ones did. That could be because, admittedly, my expectations were high. It all worked out though, as for me, the stories got better and better until the phenomenal last act of INDEPENDENCE DENIED.
Once again Calvin Demmer wows us with a set of tales that are thoughtful, dark, sometimes funny, sometimes gory, and sometimes homages to H.P. himself. Once again, I found myself enthralled, most especially in the later stories, and I was happy to turn myself over to be thoroughly entertained.
Recommended!
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/2Y5kOvK
*Thank you to Calvin Demmer for the paperback in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
In this volume, which tells tales of celebrations and/or holidays from around the world, I found
a wide variety on offer, and most of them worked well for me. My favorites were:
THREE DEAD MEN captivated me because it went nowhere near where I thought it was going. Think Kill Bill with mummies. That's right...mummies!
SPRING OUTBREAK was another tale that ran in the opposite direction from my preconceived notions. Picture spring break with zombies. That's right...zombies!
PROM SCREAMS had me thinking the main character was a real jerk and that he should just own up to what happened. I also found myself thinking about Charlene ,(Charlie), McGee and what could have happened to her later in life. (If you don't know who she is, look her up!) This story lead to so many different thoughts, I have to leave it there. I DUG THIS ONE A LOT!
UNIDENTIFIED FATHERLY OBJECT had cool ties to the earlier stories and that I enjoyed. It was a bit out there, (I WANT TO BELIEVE), just as the title suggests.
INDEPENDENCE DENIED: I was captivated because of its Lovecraftian feel. In the times we're in now, I wouldn't be surprised at all if natural disasters started to surge. It seems like that would be a perfect fit for the apocalyptic-feeling with which COVID19 has blanketed us. At the same time, this tale was entertaining enough to make me forget about that for a while and I'm thankful to Mr. Demmer for the brief escape.
The only reservation I had with this collection is that the first few stories didn't pique my interest as much as the later ones did. That could be because, admittedly, my expectations were high. It all worked out though, as for me, the stories got better and better until the phenomenal last act of INDEPENDENCE DENIED.
Once again Calvin Demmer wows us with a set of tales that are thoughtful, dark, sometimes funny, sometimes gory, and sometimes homages to H.P. himself. Once again, I found myself enthralled, most especially in the later stories, and I was happy to turn myself over to be thoroughly entertained.
Recommended!
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/2Y5kOvK
*Thank you to Calvin Demmer for the paperback in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
March 20, 2020
This collection takes normal holidays and turns them upside down in macabre ways. Beginning with the Hungry Ghost Festival in China and ending with an apocalyptic tsunami of events, each story takes a grim turn into the supernatural realm. A Halloween encounter with a hungry shape-shifter and a devilish rendezvous on Thanksgiving lead two innocents into unexpected confrontations. A young girl wields her uncle's katana against unbelievable forces before the major holidays begin. New Year's will never be the same for a young man whose girlfriend is invincibly drawn to the water. Valentine's Day is a big red surprise for a compromised lover, while Spring Break is more like spring outbreak for a young vacationer. A fiery date agrees to accompany a jilted teen to the prom … if they can make it there alive. Father's Day comes to a head in a painful way for a father and son, and a dark god rises to accommodate a compromised world.
These stories leave few stones unturned, and are guaranteed to please those who like their horror with a reddish tinge of grim humor.
3.5 ghoulish stars
These stories leave few stones unturned, and are guaranteed to please those who like their horror with a reddish tinge of grim humor.
3.5 ghoulish stars
November 25, 2021
Dark Celebrations by Calvin Demmer is a collection of holiday horror where every story brings something new and unsettling to the table.
I had previously read some of Calvin’s works in other collections, so I already couldn’t wait to dive into this one. But then when I learned it was holiday horror?! My FAVORITE!
As I had guessed, this collection crushes it.
There was an awesome array of dark creatures here! There are ghosts, vampires, werewolves, mummies, mermaids, witches, zombies, ghosts, fire-women, aliens, sea demons, and more!
Read more here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-...
I had previously read some of Calvin’s works in other collections, so I already couldn’t wait to dive into this one. But then when I learned it was holiday horror?! My FAVORITE!
As I had guessed, this collection crushes it.
There was an awesome array of dark creatures here! There are ghosts, vampires, werewolves, mummies, mermaids, witches, zombies, ghosts, fire-women, aliens, sea demons, and more!
Read more here: https://www.ericarobynreads.com/book-...
March 5, 2020
Calvin Demmer has taken some of the special days and celebrations we all know and love, (mostly) and turned them inside out by inviting his own special guests who are even worse than dear Aunt Bessie who insists on making every event a nightmare.
Prepare to “celebrate” those things that go bump in the night, as Mr. Demmer’s DARK CELEBRATIONS cleverly give us tiny bites to digest, one story at a time, one creature at a time. Trust me, your view of holidays, parties, and special days will never be the same!
Quirky, dark and original, these short stories are entertaining, easy to read and something to think about after reading. Calvin Demmer knows how to darken our doorsteps with entertaining, and kind of creepy reading without scaring the devil out of us! Maybe you’ll even remember one of them on a dark and stormy night…when you are all alone...and there is a knock at the door...
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Calvin Demmer! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publication Date: March 13, 2020
Publisher: Calvin Demmer
Genre: Horror short story collection
Print Length: 401 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Prepare to “celebrate” those things that go bump in the night, as Mr. Demmer’s DARK CELEBRATIONS cleverly give us tiny bites to digest, one story at a time, one creature at a time. Trust me, your view of holidays, parties, and special days will never be the same!
Quirky, dark and original, these short stories are entertaining, easy to read and something to think about after reading. Calvin Demmer knows how to darken our doorsteps with entertaining, and kind of creepy reading without scaring the devil out of us! Maybe you’ll even remember one of them on a dark and stormy night…when you are all alone...and there is a knock at the door...
I received a complimentary ARC edition from Calvin Demmer! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Publication Date: March 13, 2020
Publisher: Calvin Demmer
Genre: Horror short story collection
Print Length: 401 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com
March 13, 2020
Wow! I’m a huge fan of Mr. Demmer’s, his stories do not disappoint and this collection of stories is another celebration of horror. There is just about everything in here, monsters, vampires, werewolves, mummies! ( That was a surprise! ) aliens, and demons and much more! My favorite story was the last one as I’m all about apocalyptic tales and for a short story? Awesome!! The voices are crystal clear, you care about the characters which in a short story collection is rare in my experience and nothing less then a 4 to 5 star across the board. I can not recommend this book more, please grab a copy and settle in for some amazing writing. I can’t wait for more from Calvin! Enjoy!
March 2, 2024
“Nothing but a void of despair presented itself, and still the people rejoiced.
No, these weren't ordinary celebra-tions.
They were dark celebrations.”
I delved into this book having only read Demmer's work in Double Barrel Horror, with his short stories Highway Hunger / Motel Madness. That was a great segue into this collection, and if you liked those stories, you'll enjoy just about all of these, too. This was an overall pretty solid collection of shorts, I had a problem with a couple of the shorts not working for me, but the ones that do show the horrific brilliance of the twisted and talented mind of Calvin Demmer. Dying Valentine I think was my favorite of the bunch, the ending hit me so hard I had to stop and just take it in for a moment before even considering starting the next short.
HUNGRY GHOSTS
This one was a very middle of the road story for me. I like the imagery of the ghosts, but I didn’t really feel a connection or care for the main characters, and what I find with horror short stories in particular are the real world implications after the story ends. In this case, one of the protagonists isn’t returning to their home country in the end, and their significant other has to explain to everyone how they were taken by ghosts? It didn’t end with a nice bow, wrapping everything up, and I find that would be the case with a lot of horror short stories. 2/5.
LABOR DAY HUNT
Well, that was certainly depressing to say the least. A product of circumstance and desperation, I felt for Jared and him wanting nothing but to help his widowed aunt. The whole story was a trip and I truly had no idea where the next page was going to lead, and I adore this story for that. From the moment Tim opens that duffel bag to the time Jared makes an escape, I has hooked and had to know what came next. 5/5.
TRICK OR DEATH
And with that, we’re back to following a protagonist whose actions and motivation are completely nonsensical and infuriating to say the least. No part of me ever felt remorse or sadness for Barry, and in the end honestly, I was glad that he did learn his lesson. And yet again, I know this is a short story, but what happens afterwards? Is Rose just going to forget that Barry existed, or is she going to put up missing posters? Too many loose ends still linger in the air, on top of the fact I detested Barry as a character. 1/5.
THANKS SINNING
A very up for interpretation kind of story, this one had great character development with Deshawn, but I wasn’t fully bought into Lucy and her demonic powers. The fact it was tied in with plants was odd, the imagery was different, for sure, but I’m not sure if for the better. More middle of the road than bad. 3/5.
THREE DEAD MEN
That was so heartwarming and impactful in its story and message. While mummies usually aren’t the scariest of monsters to use, they were perfectly utilized in the context of the story in relation the Uncle Takumo. This story was so good and I can only hope that the same intimacy and care is put into the stories to come. 5/5.
HAPPY DARK YEAR
Another very solid story with a great twist and a great conclusion that I didn’t honestly expect. I loved the characteristics of the sisters and the mother matching to where you know exactly who is who based on their appearance and manner. It was fun to hate Cody in this one because, yeah he was in the wrong, but contextually his manner made sense, too. Solid story and great horror. 4/5.
DYING VALENTINE
Another perfect story that kept my mind racing with every sentence and breath held in anticipation for what was coming next. This one was so good in every single way, great characters, great twists, and a tragically dark ending that will stick with me for some time to come. 5/5.
SPRING OUTBREAK
That was another story I will have a hard time forgetting. It was so memorable, so tense, so exciting to read, and I didn’t know what was going to come next with each page I turned. This felt like a fun little short inside the world of Dead Island, except not horrible and way better than anything in those games. 5/5.
SHE WILL RISE
While a very intimate, very powerful story, this one hit a little too close to home for me and my anxiety was spiked a little too high for my own enjoyment. This might be the most effective story in this collection, and for that I give it credit, but making Ralph so much of an asshole was nerve wracking to say the least. Luna was such a great character and I enjoyed her own personal growth throughout. 4/5.
PROM SCREAMS
Such a great setup for a story and such a gutting feeling the ending left me with. I just felt bad for William, and I really did empathize with him and wanted everything to work out for him. Fay was a very fun and interesting character to follow, I never knew what to expect next from her. 4/5.
UNIDENTIFIED FATHERLY OBJECT
I’m a bit conflicted on how to feel about this one personally. I felt like it was a rather intriguing alien conspiracy story that turned almost somber and became something else entirely after that. The core mystery of Fred, wanting to uncover the truth about his father’s death was really interesting, but once it was answered, and the other mystery came to light, I didn’t really care about that one as much. I did very much enjoy the connection to the other stories, and the set up for the next story, too. 3/5.
INDEPENDENCE DENIED
This one was a really good return to form, and a great Cthulhu story that I was not expecting, but blew me away nonetheless. As an interpretation of one of the most iconic figures in all of horror, it did check off every aspect I would want to see in a story featuring the Eldritch God: a crazy cult following his every wish, natural disasters of biblical proportion, and a main character, who is beyond clueless it doesn’t know what is going on even on the final page. This was a really good modern cosmic horror story, and still fits really well with the others. 4/5.
LEPRECHAUN LUCK
This was a confusing one, and I think it was good. Honestly, the confusing description of the geography of this story made me more confused than anything. I think in the end, it was creepy enough with the isolation of our main character, and the twist ending was pretty great, but the flow of movement throughout the woods really confused me. 3/5.
No, these weren't ordinary celebra-tions.
They were dark celebrations.”
I delved into this book having only read Demmer's work in Double Barrel Horror, with his short stories Highway Hunger / Motel Madness. That was a great segue into this collection, and if you liked those stories, you'll enjoy just about all of these, too. This was an overall pretty solid collection of shorts, I had a problem with a couple of the shorts not working for me, but the ones that do show the horrific brilliance of the twisted and talented mind of Calvin Demmer. Dying Valentine I think was my favorite of the bunch, the ending hit me so hard I had to stop and just take it in for a moment before even considering starting the next short.
HUNGRY GHOSTS
This one was a very middle of the road story for me. I like the imagery of the ghosts, but I didn’t really feel a connection or care for the main characters, and what I find with horror short stories in particular are the real world implications after the story ends. In this case, one of the protagonists isn’t returning to their home country in the end, and their significant other has to explain to everyone how they were taken by ghosts? It didn’t end with a nice bow, wrapping everything up, and I find that would be the case with a lot of horror short stories. 2/5.
LABOR DAY HUNT
Well, that was certainly depressing to say the least. A product of circumstance and desperation, I felt for Jared and him wanting nothing but to help his widowed aunt. The whole story was a trip and I truly had no idea where the next page was going to lead, and I adore this story for that. From the moment Tim opens that duffel bag to the time Jared makes an escape, I has hooked and had to know what came next. 5/5.
TRICK OR DEATH
And with that, we’re back to following a protagonist whose actions and motivation are completely nonsensical and infuriating to say the least. No part of me ever felt remorse or sadness for Barry, and in the end honestly, I was glad that he did learn his lesson. And yet again, I know this is a short story, but what happens afterwards? Is Rose just going to forget that Barry existed, or is she going to put up missing posters? Too many loose ends still linger in the air, on top of the fact I detested Barry as a character. 1/5.
THANKS SINNING
A very up for interpretation kind of story, this one had great character development with Deshawn, but I wasn’t fully bought into Lucy and her demonic powers. The fact it was tied in with plants was odd, the imagery was different, for sure, but I’m not sure if for the better. More middle of the road than bad. 3/5.
THREE DEAD MEN
That was so heartwarming and impactful in its story and message. While mummies usually aren’t the scariest of monsters to use, they were perfectly utilized in the context of the story in relation the Uncle Takumo. This story was so good and I can only hope that the same intimacy and care is put into the stories to come. 5/5.
HAPPY DARK YEAR
Another very solid story with a great twist and a great conclusion that I didn’t honestly expect. I loved the characteristics of the sisters and the mother matching to where you know exactly who is who based on their appearance and manner. It was fun to hate Cody in this one because, yeah he was in the wrong, but contextually his manner made sense, too. Solid story and great horror. 4/5.
DYING VALENTINE
Another perfect story that kept my mind racing with every sentence and breath held in anticipation for what was coming next. This one was so good in every single way, great characters, great twists, and a tragically dark ending that will stick with me for some time to come. 5/5.
SPRING OUTBREAK
That was another story I will have a hard time forgetting. It was so memorable, so tense, so exciting to read, and I didn’t know what was going to come next with each page I turned. This felt like a fun little short inside the world of Dead Island, except not horrible and way better than anything in those games. 5/5.
SHE WILL RISE
While a very intimate, very powerful story, this one hit a little too close to home for me and my anxiety was spiked a little too high for my own enjoyment. This might be the most effective story in this collection, and for that I give it credit, but making Ralph so much of an asshole was nerve wracking to say the least. Luna was such a great character and I enjoyed her own personal growth throughout. 4/5.
PROM SCREAMS
Such a great setup for a story and such a gutting feeling the ending left me with. I just felt bad for William, and I really did empathize with him and wanted everything to work out for him. Fay was a very fun and interesting character to follow, I never knew what to expect next from her. 4/5.
UNIDENTIFIED FATHERLY OBJECT
I’m a bit conflicted on how to feel about this one personally. I felt like it was a rather intriguing alien conspiracy story that turned almost somber and became something else entirely after that. The core mystery of Fred, wanting to uncover the truth about his father’s death was really interesting, but once it was answered, and the other mystery came to light, I didn’t really care about that one as much. I did very much enjoy the connection to the other stories, and the set up for the next story, too. 3/5.
INDEPENDENCE DENIED
This one was a really good return to form, and a great Cthulhu story that I was not expecting, but blew me away nonetheless. As an interpretation of one of the most iconic figures in all of horror, it did check off every aspect I would want to see in a story featuring the Eldritch God: a crazy cult following his every wish, natural disasters of biblical proportion, and a main character, who is beyond clueless it doesn’t know what is going on even on the final page. This was a really good modern cosmic horror story, and still fits really well with the others. 4/5.
LEPRECHAUN LUCK
This was a confusing one, and I think it was good. Honestly, the confusing description of the geography of this story made me more confused than anything. I think in the end, it was creepy enough with the isolation of our main character, and the twist ending was pretty great, but the flow of movement throughout the woods really confused me. 3/5.
March 11, 2020
** Edited as review is now live on Kendall Reviews! **
Is there really anyone out there who hasn’t yet read ‘The Sea Was a Fair Master’? Released in June, 2018, ‘The Sea…’ is a masterclass in flash fiction/short storytelling and as I said back then, really cemented Demmer’s status as the one to watch and one of the best short story writers out there.
Fast forward and Demmer returns with ‘Dark Celebrations.’ To be upfront, I will say that I had the honour of sharing a table of contents with Demmer in the ‘Horror Collection: Silver Edition’ just this past January and I’m still stunned to think that it actually happened, especially after reading this collection.
What I liked: I actually received the digital review copy yesterday and decided I’d read the first story before diving back into my other reads. Bad move on my part. I ended up reading the entire collection and each story was outstanding. If I had to pick two to really rave over, it would actually be the final two. ‘Unidentified Fatherly Object’ ticked all of my Area 51/UFO/Secret Government place boxes and the fact that it even alluded to all of the previous stories on a discovered bulletin board made me smile immensely. The final story ‘Independence Denied’ started out with an amazing storyline of earthquakes and tsunami’s as well as a Go-Pro on a Great White Shark, before suddenly blessing us with the gift of an old great one. Demmer is such a great writer when it comes to getting you involved quickly before turning on the fan and throwing everything at it.
What I didn’t like: There were a couple of stories that I enjoyed but didn’t love, but that was just my experience. As I typically say in reviews for collections/anthologies, the stories that weren’t my favourite will often be the favourites of others. That’s the beauty of each collection speaking to each reader’s experiences.
Why you should buy this: Did you not see who the author is? C-A-L-V-I-N D-E-M-M-E-R. Add a ‘freaking’ between first name and last name for added emphasis. The stories hum and crack with energy and you know full well something is going to happen. The opening story ‘Hungry Ghosts’ is a prime example of how the story will start in one direction before quickly taking a new route without even turning on a signal light. ‘Happy Dark Year’ gave us another reason to fear the water and ‘Thanks Sinning’ made sure that we were rightly distracted from what the real danger was.
Demmer is a must-read for me and this collection once again delivers the goods. Here’s hoping we see more from Calvin sooner than later!
Is there really anyone out there who hasn’t yet read ‘The Sea Was a Fair Master’? Released in June, 2018, ‘The Sea…’ is a masterclass in flash fiction/short storytelling and as I said back then, really cemented Demmer’s status as the one to watch and one of the best short story writers out there.
Fast forward and Demmer returns with ‘Dark Celebrations.’ To be upfront, I will say that I had the honour of sharing a table of contents with Demmer in the ‘Horror Collection: Silver Edition’ just this past January and I’m still stunned to think that it actually happened, especially after reading this collection.
What I liked: I actually received the digital review copy yesterday and decided I’d read the first story before diving back into my other reads. Bad move on my part. I ended up reading the entire collection and each story was outstanding. If I had to pick two to really rave over, it would actually be the final two. ‘Unidentified Fatherly Object’ ticked all of my Area 51/UFO/Secret Government place boxes and the fact that it even alluded to all of the previous stories on a discovered bulletin board made me smile immensely. The final story ‘Independence Denied’ started out with an amazing storyline of earthquakes and tsunami’s as well as a Go-Pro on a Great White Shark, before suddenly blessing us with the gift of an old great one. Demmer is such a great writer when it comes to getting you involved quickly before turning on the fan and throwing everything at it.
What I didn’t like: There were a couple of stories that I enjoyed but didn’t love, but that was just my experience. As I typically say in reviews for collections/anthologies, the stories that weren’t my favourite will often be the favourites of others. That’s the beauty of each collection speaking to each reader’s experiences.
Why you should buy this: Did you not see who the author is? C-A-L-V-I-N D-E-M-M-E-R. Add a ‘freaking’ between first name and last name for added emphasis. The stories hum and crack with energy and you know full well something is going to happen. The opening story ‘Hungry Ghosts’ is a prime example of how the story will start in one direction before quickly taking a new route without even turning on a signal light. ‘Happy Dark Year’ gave us another reason to fear the water and ‘Thanks Sinning’ made sure that we were rightly distracted from what the real danger was.
Demmer is a must-read for me and this collection once again delivers the goods. Here’s hoping we see more from Calvin sooner than later!
May 8, 2020
DARK CELEBRATIONS is a collection of twelve tales by author Calvin Demmer. I have previously read his flash fiction in THE SEA WAS A FAIR MASTER, and some of his other stories--all of which I loved. One of his strengths is the ability to impart a large amount of information into a shorter length. When I read one of his tales, I feel as if I really "understand" the characters and their motivations--no matter how many, or few, pages are there. He utilizes his language to perfection.
In this book, we are shown monsters from all different areas and folklore--each with Demmer's original spin.
Personal favorites of mine included:
--"Three Dead Men": An unexpected tale of unlikely assassins. ". . . Maiko knew her attacker's heart beat only for her . . ."
--"She Will Rise": The bond between twins extends even beyond death.
--"Hungry Ghosts": Not the ideal time to travel abroad . . . ". . . they realized they arrived during the Hungry Ghost Festival, or Zhong Yuan Jie, as the locals called it . . ."
--"Unidentified Fatherly Object": A unique take on the concept of "things out there". This is where the stories felt as if they were somehow coming together into something . . . larger.
With the exception of the opening tale, a couple of the earlier ones didn't quite captivate me as well as the later ones. However, as a whole, this collection come together very well by the end. In my opinion, a worthy addition to any horror enthusiast's shelves.
Recommended.
January 1, 2026
Fantastic!
November 25, 2020
Calvin Demmer is back with another solid collection of stories with DARK CELEBRATIONS. There are 12 stories within and each one is centered around a different holiday/celebration. It is a unique format of storytelling and one that makes these stories even have greater re-readability! Many horror tropes you know will be examined and retold through Demmer's creative mind and you definitely need to see some of these twists firsthand! No story in this collection is too long or too short - they are perfect bites of horror and definitely easy to devour.
4 stars to this great collection and my favorites within are TRICK OR DEATH and PROM SCREAMS. This is the 2nd collection of stories I have read by Demmer and I will definitely be picking up anything from here on - I definitely recommend this one as well as THE SEA WAS A FAIR MASTER from 2018.
4 stars to this great collection and my favorites within are TRICK OR DEATH and PROM SCREAMS. This is the 2nd collection of stories I have read by Demmer and I will definitely be picking up anything from here on - I definitely recommend this one as well as THE SEA WAS A FAIR MASTER from 2018.
September 13, 2020
My review of this author's collection of short stories will be available in an upcoming issue of SCREAM Magazine. As you can see, there is a holiday theme here so it's my recommendation that if you are a horror genre buff like me, you're going to want this book solely based on the idea that you can read the appropriate story on any given holiday--because seasonal horror is delicious. Review soon!
HUNGRY GHOSTS
LABOR DAY HUNT
TRICK OR DEATH
THANKS SINNING
THREE DEAD MEN
HAPPY DARK YEAR
DYING VALENTINE
SPRING OUTBREAK
SHE WILL RISE
UNIDENTIFIED FATHERLY OBJECT
INDEPENDENCE DENIED
HUNGRY GHOSTS
LABOR DAY HUNT
TRICK OR DEATH
THANKS SINNING
THREE DEAD MEN
HAPPY DARK YEAR
DYING VALENTINE
SPRING OUTBREAK
SHE WILL RISE
UNIDENTIFIED FATHERLY OBJECT
INDEPENDENCE DENIED
October 29, 2019
Another strong horror short-story collection by Calvin Demmer. The level of creepiness is high to the point of yikes or ugh! But what I loved the most is how all these shorts tie together toward the end. And what an end it is.
September 17, 2020
Every single story in this book, just made me go...wow
March 13, 2020
Mr. Demmer has used just about every holiday and other important dates in this dark collection of short stories and used them as the background for these entertaining stories! He brings us ghosts, vampires, werewolves, devils, witches, my favorite, mummies, along with other horrific and classic creatures!
I enjoyed everyone of these tales but Three Dead Men and Spring Outbreak struck my horror chords! The end wraps up the whole collection in Independence Denied! This is a great read using classic horror themes and there’s something for everyone here!
I enjoyed everyone of these tales but Three Dead Men and Spring Outbreak struck my horror chords! The end wraps up the whole collection in Independence Denied! This is a great read using classic horror themes and there’s something for everyone here!
April 21, 2020
Calvin Demmer weaves a collection of deliciously wicked short stories centered around everyone’s favorite times of year. Witches, vampires, werewolves, ghosts and mummies are just some of the many monsters gracing the pages of this engaging and frightful collection. There is truly something for every horror fan.
The collection contains twelve stories with a common connection of holiday horror and young adult protagonists. Most of the heros in the story are in their late teens, early twenties and completely unprepared to encounter terrors waiting for them. While some stories contain more guts and gore than others, they all build tension from the first paragraph to the last.
My favorite story was story four entitled “Thanks Sinning.” This is based around the Thanksgiving holiday. DeShawn WIlliams sits at a bar contemplating his new life path. He finds himself caring for his mother and younger sister while his father fights in Iraq. Meanwhile, a fight breaks out over a mysterious and beautiful woman, who later sits nexts to DeShawn and propositions him with sex. Flash forward, and they are in a cabin, getting it on, and she stops to ask, “Want to play a game?”
DeShawn knows better than to get mixed up with this unpredictable woman, but he’s persuaded to go along with it. Big mistake. Things unravel quickly, and DeShawn realizes that evil comes in all forms. I won’t spoil anything, but I think people will have different interpretations of the ending, which makes the story even more fun.
I also enjoyed the first story “Hungry Ghosts” which follows Lara Adams as she participates in the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival. It starts with a set of rules for surviving the festival, and all horror lovers know that if a story sets rules, they’re going to be broken. For Laura, the price is deadly.
All the stories display solid plots and stellar character development. I sat down to read just one or two stories and ended up finish the whole book. It’s a quick and frightful read. Please, give it a try!
The collection contains twelve stories with a common connection of holiday horror and young adult protagonists. Most of the heros in the story are in their late teens, early twenties and completely unprepared to encounter terrors waiting for them. While some stories contain more guts and gore than others, they all build tension from the first paragraph to the last.
My favorite story was story four entitled “Thanks Sinning.” This is based around the Thanksgiving holiday. DeShawn WIlliams sits at a bar contemplating his new life path. He finds himself caring for his mother and younger sister while his father fights in Iraq. Meanwhile, a fight breaks out over a mysterious and beautiful woman, who later sits nexts to DeShawn and propositions him with sex. Flash forward, and they are in a cabin, getting it on, and she stops to ask, “Want to play a game?”
DeShawn knows better than to get mixed up with this unpredictable woman, but he’s persuaded to go along with it. Big mistake. Things unravel quickly, and DeShawn realizes that evil comes in all forms. I won’t spoil anything, but I think people will have different interpretations of the ending, which makes the story even more fun.
I also enjoyed the first story “Hungry Ghosts” which follows Lara Adams as she participates in the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival. It starts with a set of rules for surviving the festival, and all horror lovers know that if a story sets rules, they’re going to be broken. For Laura, the price is deadly.
All the stories display solid plots and stellar character development. I sat down to read just one or two stories and ended up finish the whole book. It’s a quick and frightful read. Please, give it a try!
March 25, 2020
Calvin Demmer immediately became one of my favorite writers when I read his debut collection ‘The Sea Was A Fair Master’. Many people can agree with me when I say it is excellent. Calvin knows how to pack such a punch in what seems as little words as possible. So it may be hard to believe, but I am here to tell you that Mr. Demmers follow up collection ‘Dark Celebrations’ is a force even better than TSWAFM.
I would honestly love to sit here and type out critiques of my favorite stories for you but to be honest, and this may even sound a bit cliche, I truly loved them all in there own way. Each of the twelve stories you will read will have something you will relate to or be horrified of, possibly both.
I also really enjoyed that each story takes place on some type of holiday, and they also all focus on a type of horror monster. Wether it’s ghost, werewolves, vampires, aliens, or the end of the world. There is something here for every horror fan. One thing is for sure, you will not be disappointed. I’ve waiting for this follow up collection for as long as I can remember. Calvin did give us some appetizers with stories like ‘Faster’ and ‘The Town That Feared Dusk’ to hold us over. Which were fantastic stories themselves that bridged us to ‘Dark Celebrations’ and the wait was certainly worth it.
Each story ramps up on the tension and you get a feeling that something many not be right in this world. The last two stories do a great job at tying the collection together, which I loved. I encourage you guys to read this collection as soon as you possibly can. Demmer improves upon his previous outings to give us something special. Now, the only bad thing is, we have to wait for the next one.
I would honestly love to sit here and type out critiques of my favorite stories for you but to be honest, and this may even sound a bit cliche, I truly loved them all in there own way. Each of the twelve stories you will read will have something you will relate to or be horrified of, possibly both.
I also really enjoyed that each story takes place on some type of holiday, and they also all focus on a type of horror monster. Wether it’s ghost, werewolves, vampires, aliens, or the end of the world. There is something here for every horror fan. One thing is for sure, you will not be disappointed. I’ve waiting for this follow up collection for as long as I can remember. Calvin did give us some appetizers with stories like ‘Faster’ and ‘The Town That Feared Dusk’ to hold us over. Which were fantastic stories themselves that bridged us to ‘Dark Celebrations’ and the wait was certainly worth it.
Each story ramps up on the tension and you get a feeling that something many not be right in this world. The last two stories do a great job at tying the collection together, which I loved. I encourage you guys to read this collection as soon as you possibly can. Demmer improves upon his previous outings to give us something special. Now, the only bad thing is, we have to wait for the next one.
March 9, 2020
I really liked the length if these stories. I could read a whole story and go do something else, then come back to a whole new story. Luv the way Demmer gives these traditional holidays a dark twist. The storues have paranormal beings, but there is nothing normal about them either! I have to say my favorite story was the one with the mermaid sisters, some twisted "romance" in that.😅
This is a really great book for anyone who likes horror, but especially so for ones on the go. RECOMMENDED
This is a really great book for anyone who likes horror, but especially so for ones on the go. RECOMMENDED
March 16, 2020
Dark Celebrations is a collection of 12 dark horror tales from Calvin Demmer, the author of The Sea is a Fair Master which has become a classic! It was a joy to read all these great tales again which have been re-released in one collection!
It's so hard to pick out favourites in this collection but I'd say Hungry Ghosts and Unidentified Fatherly Object were my faves!
Hungry Ghosts
Ten Tips For Surviving The Hungry Ghost Festival.
1.Do not interfere with any offerings. If done by accident, immediately apologise aloud
2.Do not open an umbrella indoors as ti may invite ghosts.
3.Do not marry, start a new business,or move home during ghost month.
4. Do not wander after midnight.
5.Chopsticks placed upright are a direct invitation for ghosts to partake in your meal.
6.Do not sleep facing a mirror or reflective surface. This may guide ghosts to you.
7.Do not pat anyone's shoulder or forehead. It brings them bad luck and puts them at risk of being possessed.
8. Do not swim. Drowned evil ghosts seek victims for their rebirth.
9. Do not take photos,selfies or videos. Ghosts may appear.
10. Do not turn around if a voice calls you from behind.
Lara and Ray have just reach their hotel in China, their first holiday abroad. The trip of a lifetime and beyond! They have arrived during the Hungry Ghost Festival. The streets are adorned with lights and offerings to the dead who are both loved and revered. Upon reading the ten tips for survival Lara realises that Ray has already broken the first rule.
In this action packed tale which takes you on a creepy and gruesome path Lara and her boyfriend, Ray, have gone on a once in a lifetime holiday to China. It's make or break. But instead of feeling madly in love she feels empty, wanting more than what Ray can give. After one argument too many Lara decides to take a walk into the wilderness at dusk. She's determined to enjoy herself and make the best of things.
Secretly she is trying to make up her mind over whether they should stay together, she's looking for a way out and if she carries on, up that path she might find it. A cool little tale that warns of not taking local traditions seriously and how you should never act on impulse!
Labor Day Hunt
In this short tale Jared Rogers is already in trouble and has no idea of the downward spiral he's about to get himself into when he accepts the offer of two hundred dollars for just two hours work. That's a lot of money to anyone but to him it's a lifeline.
Orphaned when he was just twelve after his parents died in a car crash Jared was raised by his doting and loyal aunt and uncle, helping run their electrical hardware shop which is dying a slow death. After the tragic passing of his uncle he realises his aunt is on the verge of bankruptcy and answers the ad as a way of providing her with some means for survival.
And he too has dreams of his own, despite graduating from university he has never made it out of the small dead end town he grew up in and the chance to earn a bit of money to help him escape is too tempting...
In search of cash plucky Jared arranges to meet the mysterious Tim Lewis who put out the ad in an abandoned warehouse where he is doomed to find himself in the company of the Silverfields Nightlight Society- what could possibly go wrong?
Trick or Death
Barry Steiner s a young man who is desperate for popularity and will do anything to increase the number of subscribers on his youtube channel. He thinks he's come up with a brilliant idea; pranking. Except the joke is on him, he's blind to everything that goes on around him with devastating consequences.He has everything he wants in life, he just has to look past his nose, but sometimes these realisations come much too late.
A great little tale that blends humour with terror, full of tension and foreboding doom and of course there's a nice little twist at the end.
Thanks Sinning
"It all started with a glass shattering..."
Deshawn Williams sits in a dingy bar contemplating how his life took a wrong turn. The only source of excitement in his life was watching a heated exchange take place between a barmaid and customer.
The barmaid accused of being a homewrecker looks like trouble, one to be avoided but when she approaches Deshawn stuck in hs quiet life he is powerless to resist the danger that surrounds her. He's supposed to be going home to his mum for dinner for Thanks Giving. She takes him away and promises him a night of passion if he can do one thing for her.
But what she asks of him goes against everything he believes in. He takes a second look at her and realise she's not all she seems but can he show her that sin doesn't always win.
I really enjoyed reading this great little tale, highly original and a great ending. Did Deshawn conquer evil? Or has he just set it free. I loved the little touches in this tale such as the name of the bar maid!
Three Dead Men
A young woman, Maiko Hayashi is left puzzled by the sudden disappearance of her beloved uncle, a highly respected professor who's dedicated his life to collecting strange and wonderful artefacts.
Despite it being Christmas Eve she is feeling alone and rather lost. She feels like she has no place in the world. Despite going off to college she is lonely finding it hard to make even friends, finding a boyfriend seems impossibly hard. Often she comes round to visit her uncle as a means to escape from her parents resentment and bitter disappointment in her. She wonders if she had been born a boy they might have felt differently towards her.
However when she arrives at her uncle's house on the very edge of town, all is dark and there is no sign of him. On closer inspection Maiko finds his car parked in the garage and inside someone has recently been bring lavender incense. She decides to go looking for him in his secret shed down at the bottom of the garden.
Unfortunately Maiko finds not just her uncle in terrible danger, but her too. Can Maiko, a mere girl, in her parents eyes rise to the challenge of saving herself and her uncle?
Despite the horror and gore this is a sweet uplifting story about female empowerment and how we all have the power to take control of our lives.
Happy Dark Year
Cody Wheeler has had one stressful year and wants nothing more than to relax, forget about his problems, meet up with his buddies for a beer or two. He can't wait to wave out the old year and welcome in the new.
However all his problems seem to be following him, such as his long term girlfriend Kendall Simpson, things haven't been right lately, he just can't put his finger on where it's all going wrong. He tries his best to be the perfect boyfriend but everything he does winds her up. He's beginning to question whether she's worth all the effort and against his better judgement after one argument too many he decides to leave her at the roadside and go to the party alone...
This tale by Calvin Demmer is a great dark story guaranteed to counter-act the sweetness of the festive season for all you horror fans out there. In this, Calvin Demmer takes something very old and makes it new for the 21st century.
Dying Valentine
It's Valentine's Night and this is a n extra special one for Daniel, he's meeting Julia's parents for the first time tonight and he's anxious for it to go well. He's been seeing his girlfriend for six months but he really loves her and wants to be accepted into the family fold.
However he forgets the roses and chocolates in his haste to get there on time and decides he must return to his house for them. He can not arrive empty handed even if he arrives late.
But then in his panic he revs up his speed and knocks over a mysterious young woman with long black hair in a deathly pale dress. She puts him in an impossible situation in which he has no choice but to help her, even at his own cost as he's a nice guy. Long live the nice guys!
All Daniel wants to do is to get round to his girlfriend's house and enjoy this special night with the woman he loves.
Spring Outbreak
Gwen has her whole life ahead of her, she's done brilliantly in her first year at college yet all she can think about is her most recent heartbreak. Her friend Haley suggests getting away for Spring Break and takes her off on an extraordinary adventure to Mexico. Even her parents reluctantly agree it is a good idea.
Yet Gwen is still finding it hard to forget and move on and look forwards to the next chapter in her life. Haley drags her to the beach for a sun-blessed day but that's when her problems really start.
After a nap she wakes up only to find her friend disappeared.
I really enjoyed this tale. I really felt I was inside Gwen's head and the characterisation was really good. There was a lot of depth despite it being a short story. There was a lot of twists and turns which really keep hold of you throughout.
She Will Rise
In this tale we are introduced to Luna Mendes who has returned home for Easter to care for her sick mother.
Luna is tortured with loneliness, death has not been a stranger to her but she is determined to make the best of things by living her life by Isabella's five tips for a kick-ass life.
She soon diverts attention form her own suffering to that of her mother, Selma whilst trying to avoid her alcoholic step-father who is beyond useless. She soon suspects that he is keeping secrets and as she follows Isabella's five tips she gets to the truth with horrifying consequences.
Can Luna save not just her mother, but herself? Will she ever find out the fifth and final tip for everlasting happiness?
A surprisingly touching tale not often found in horror, I really like I had gone on a emotional journey with Luna and I really felt myself rooting for her.
Prom Screams
In Prom Screams we follow the tale of William Carson who has recently been dumped and heartbroken by his girlfriend just days before the biggest night of his life - Prom Night. He wants to prove to his ex love and all his best friends that he's not the loser they all think him to be and what better way than to hire a beautiful girl to hang on his arms and he waves good-bye to adolescence and hello to the rest of his life.
Except that the beautiful girl he's hired isn't available, he starts to panic he's paid a lot of money and has so much to prove not just to his peers but to himself. Instead he is given Fay a girl so unimaginably beautiful and enchanting.
A dark tale that screams with the desperation of heartbreak and youth. I really enjoyed this little tale, it kept me guessing til the end and I'll never look at redheads in the same way again!
But he must treat her well in the manner she is accustomed to and she must be returned by midnight. Will this be a night to remember and cherish forever? Will he be able to get her back in time?
Unidentified Fatherly Object
In Unidentified Fatherly Object we meet Fred Garcia a young man in the throes of bereavement but what he needs most are answers. His father passed away in mysterious circumstances, an accident at work in a top secret military bunker.
His aunt and uncle tell him to leave it alone, to accept what has happened and move on with his life, surely that's what his father would have wanted for him?
But Fred just can't let things lie, he has to know, he has suspicions that just won't go away. One night he decides to go out into the desert and see for himself the strictly prohibited area in which his father died. Will he find his answers? Will he be able to handle the truth?
Another great story from Calvin Demmer. I don't want to give too much away but the ending is particularly gruesome. Calvin has a unique ability to make his readers squirm with dread. I'm so happy I'm not one of his characters! There's a some very clever references to his past tales included within which I thought was a great touch.
Independence Denied
We're introduced to Brad Marshall, just another regular guy looking forward to celebrating Independence Day.
But suddenly all hell breaks loose, there's multiple reports of earthquakes, tsunami's striking all four corners of the world. Brad Marshall just wants to bury his head in the sand than watch of the devastating news reports. Instead he focuses on work, on helping his boss, Professor Masterson studying shark behaviour, but that doesn't help matters.
He uncovers a vital piece of information which sheds light on recent events. How can he use it? Who can he trust?
It's so hard to pick out favourites in this collection but I'd say Hungry Ghosts and Unidentified Fatherly Object were my faves!
Hungry Ghosts
Ten Tips For Surviving The Hungry Ghost Festival.
1.Do not interfere with any offerings. If done by accident, immediately apologise aloud
2.Do not open an umbrella indoors as ti may invite ghosts.
3.Do not marry, start a new business,or move home during ghost month.
4. Do not wander after midnight.
5.Chopsticks placed upright are a direct invitation for ghosts to partake in your meal.
6.Do not sleep facing a mirror or reflective surface. This may guide ghosts to you.
7.Do not pat anyone's shoulder or forehead. It brings them bad luck and puts them at risk of being possessed.
8. Do not swim. Drowned evil ghosts seek victims for their rebirth.
9. Do not take photos,selfies or videos. Ghosts may appear.
10. Do not turn around if a voice calls you from behind.
Lara and Ray have just reach their hotel in China, their first holiday abroad. The trip of a lifetime and beyond! They have arrived during the Hungry Ghost Festival. The streets are adorned with lights and offerings to the dead who are both loved and revered. Upon reading the ten tips for survival Lara realises that Ray has already broken the first rule.
In this action packed tale which takes you on a creepy and gruesome path Lara and her boyfriend, Ray, have gone on a once in a lifetime holiday to China. It's make or break. But instead of feeling madly in love she feels empty, wanting more than what Ray can give. After one argument too many Lara decides to take a walk into the wilderness at dusk. She's determined to enjoy herself and make the best of things.
Secretly she is trying to make up her mind over whether they should stay together, she's looking for a way out and if she carries on, up that path she might find it. A cool little tale that warns of not taking local traditions seriously and how you should never act on impulse!
Labor Day Hunt
In this short tale Jared Rogers is already in trouble and has no idea of the downward spiral he's about to get himself into when he accepts the offer of two hundred dollars for just two hours work. That's a lot of money to anyone but to him it's a lifeline.
Orphaned when he was just twelve after his parents died in a car crash Jared was raised by his doting and loyal aunt and uncle, helping run their electrical hardware shop which is dying a slow death. After the tragic passing of his uncle he realises his aunt is on the verge of bankruptcy and answers the ad as a way of providing her with some means for survival.
And he too has dreams of his own, despite graduating from university he has never made it out of the small dead end town he grew up in and the chance to earn a bit of money to help him escape is too tempting...
In search of cash plucky Jared arranges to meet the mysterious Tim Lewis who put out the ad in an abandoned warehouse where he is doomed to find himself in the company of the Silverfields Nightlight Society- what could possibly go wrong?
Trick or Death
Barry Steiner s a young man who is desperate for popularity and will do anything to increase the number of subscribers on his youtube channel. He thinks he's come up with a brilliant idea; pranking. Except the joke is on him, he's blind to everything that goes on around him with devastating consequences.He has everything he wants in life, he just has to look past his nose, but sometimes these realisations come much too late.
A great little tale that blends humour with terror, full of tension and foreboding doom and of course there's a nice little twist at the end.
Thanks Sinning
"It all started with a glass shattering..."
Deshawn Williams sits in a dingy bar contemplating how his life took a wrong turn. The only source of excitement in his life was watching a heated exchange take place between a barmaid and customer.
The barmaid accused of being a homewrecker looks like trouble, one to be avoided but when she approaches Deshawn stuck in hs quiet life he is powerless to resist the danger that surrounds her. He's supposed to be going home to his mum for dinner for Thanks Giving. She takes him away and promises him a night of passion if he can do one thing for her.
But what she asks of him goes against everything he believes in. He takes a second look at her and realise she's not all she seems but can he show her that sin doesn't always win.
I really enjoyed reading this great little tale, highly original and a great ending. Did Deshawn conquer evil? Or has he just set it free. I loved the little touches in this tale such as the name of the bar maid!
Three Dead Men
A young woman, Maiko Hayashi is left puzzled by the sudden disappearance of her beloved uncle, a highly respected professor who's dedicated his life to collecting strange and wonderful artefacts.
Despite it being Christmas Eve she is feeling alone and rather lost. She feels like she has no place in the world. Despite going off to college she is lonely finding it hard to make even friends, finding a boyfriend seems impossibly hard. Often she comes round to visit her uncle as a means to escape from her parents resentment and bitter disappointment in her. She wonders if she had been born a boy they might have felt differently towards her.
However when she arrives at her uncle's house on the very edge of town, all is dark and there is no sign of him. On closer inspection Maiko finds his car parked in the garage and inside someone has recently been bring lavender incense. She decides to go looking for him in his secret shed down at the bottom of the garden.
Unfortunately Maiko finds not just her uncle in terrible danger, but her too. Can Maiko, a mere girl, in her parents eyes rise to the challenge of saving herself and her uncle?
Despite the horror and gore this is a sweet uplifting story about female empowerment and how we all have the power to take control of our lives.
Happy Dark Year
Cody Wheeler has had one stressful year and wants nothing more than to relax, forget about his problems, meet up with his buddies for a beer or two. He can't wait to wave out the old year and welcome in the new.
However all his problems seem to be following him, such as his long term girlfriend Kendall Simpson, things haven't been right lately, he just can't put his finger on where it's all going wrong. He tries his best to be the perfect boyfriend but everything he does winds her up. He's beginning to question whether she's worth all the effort and against his better judgement after one argument too many he decides to leave her at the roadside and go to the party alone...
This tale by Calvin Demmer is a great dark story guaranteed to counter-act the sweetness of the festive season for all you horror fans out there. In this, Calvin Demmer takes something very old and makes it new for the 21st century.
Dying Valentine
It's Valentine's Night and this is a n extra special one for Daniel, he's meeting Julia's parents for the first time tonight and he's anxious for it to go well. He's been seeing his girlfriend for six months but he really loves her and wants to be accepted into the family fold.
However he forgets the roses and chocolates in his haste to get there on time and decides he must return to his house for them. He can not arrive empty handed even if he arrives late.
But then in his panic he revs up his speed and knocks over a mysterious young woman with long black hair in a deathly pale dress. She puts him in an impossible situation in which he has no choice but to help her, even at his own cost as he's a nice guy. Long live the nice guys!
All Daniel wants to do is to get round to his girlfriend's house and enjoy this special night with the woman he loves.
Spring Outbreak
Gwen has her whole life ahead of her, she's done brilliantly in her first year at college yet all she can think about is her most recent heartbreak. Her friend Haley suggests getting away for Spring Break and takes her off on an extraordinary adventure to Mexico. Even her parents reluctantly agree it is a good idea.
Yet Gwen is still finding it hard to forget and move on and look forwards to the next chapter in her life. Haley drags her to the beach for a sun-blessed day but that's when her problems really start.
After a nap she wakes up only to find her friend disappeared.
I really enjoyed this tale. I really felt I was inside Gwen's head and the characterisation was really good. There was a lot of depth despite it being a short story. There was a lot of twists and turns which really keep hold of you throughout.
She Will Rise
In this tale we are introduced to Luna Mendes who has returned home for Easter to care for her sick mother.
Luna is tortured with loneliness, death has not been a stranger to her but she is determined to make the best of things by living her life by Isabella's five tips for a kick-ass life.
She soon diverts attention form her own suffering to that of her mother, Selma whilst trying to avoid her alcoholic step-father who is beyond useless. She soon suspects that he is keeping secrets and as she follows Isabella's five tips she gets to the truth with horrifying consequences.
Can Luna save not just her mother, but herself? Will she ever find out the fifth and final tip for everlasting happiness?
A surprisingly touching tale not often found in horror, I really like I had gone on a emotional journey with Luna and I really felt myself rooting for her.
Prom Screams
In Prom Screams we follow the tale of William Carson who has recently been dumped and heartbroken by his girlfriend just days before the biggest night of his life - Prom Night. He wants to prove to his ex love and all his best friends that he's not the loser they all think him to be and what better way than to hire a beautiful girl to hang on his arms and he waves good-bye to adolescence and hello to the rest of his life.
Except that the beautiful girl he's hired isn't available, he starts to panic he's paid a lot of money and has so much to prove not just to his peers but to himself. Instead he is given Fay a girl so unimaginably beautiful and enchanting.
A dark tale that screams with the desperation of heartbreak and youth. I really enjoyed this little tale, it kept me guessing til the end and I'll never look at redheads in the same way again!
But he must treat her well in the manner she is accustomed to and she must be returned by midnight. Will this be a night to remember and cherish forever? Will he be able to get her back in time?
Unidentified Fatherly Object
In Unidentified Fatherly Object we meet Fred Garcia a young man in the throes of bereavement but what he needs most are answers. His father passed away in mysterious circumstances, an accident at work in a top secret military bunker.
His aunt and uncle tell him to leave it alone, to accept what has happened and move on with his life, surely that's what his father would have wanted for him?
But Fred just can't let things lie, he has to know, he has suspicions that just won't go away. One night he decides to go out into the desert and see for himself the strictly prohibited area in which his father died. Will he find his answers? Will he be able to handle the truth?
Another great story from Calvin Demmer. I don't want to give too much away but the ending is particularly gruesome. Calvin has a unique ability to make his readers squirm with dread. I'm so happy I'm not one of his characters! There's a some very clever references to his past tales included within which I thought was a great touch.
Independence Denied
We're introduced to Brad Marshall, just another regular guy looking forward to celebrating Independence Day.
But suddenly all hell breaks loose, there's multiple reports of earthquakes, tsunami's striking all four corners of the world. Brad Marshall just wants to bury his head in the sand than watch of the devastating news reports. Instead he focuses on work, on helping his boss, Professor Masterson studying shark behaviour, but that doesn't help matters.
He uncovers a vital piece of information which sheds light on recent events. How can he use it? Who can he trust?
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March 21, 2020Okay, so here's the deal. I'm going to start by telling you that Dark Celebrations by Calvin Demmer is excellent, and should be added to your shelf/kindle. I fully anticipate that it will be on my year-end list for collections/anthologies. The problem is I can't exactly tell you why. I can share some of my favorite offerings with you, but telling you the biggest reason I love this book would spoil a reading experience that I'm glad I got to have without knowing it was coming.
Vague, I know, sorry. If you really want to know, I've seen that spoiler in a few other reviews, but I'll say it again, you'll enjoy it much more discovering it on your own.
A collection/anthology gets brownie points from me if it feels, to the reader, like the order of stories was carefully curated. For the most part, Demmer knocks this out of the park, especially toward the end, but I felt like Hungry Ghosts, while a fine story, would have been better somewhere in the middle.
Labor Day Hunt was excellent and could have made for a strong opener. The realization in this story hit me about a split second before it hit the main character, something that usually works better in movies, but is pulled off nicely here.
Three Dead Men is a terrific example of how to write tension. It features a kick-ass female lead and mummies. We could always use more mummies in horror fiction.
Spring Outbreak starts off slow but builds to a versus situation that I'm not sure I've seen before. Some well done popcorn entertainment here.
Prom Screams was an absolute favorite in Dark Celebrations. The character Fay was written in a hilariously nonchalant manner, and makes the events within the story more fun for it.
Unidentified Fatherly Object and Independence Denied are the perfect (I didn't want to use that word, but dammit, Calvin Demmer leaves me no choice) pair to wrap this collection up. We're left with aliens and Lovecraft horror to take us home.
The theme of celebrations/holidays makes for an interesting backdrop to a collection of stories that stand on their own. Even better than that is the variety on display here - werewolves, ghosts, mummies, mermaids, Cthulhu, vampires, aliens, demons, dumb teenage boys, and the list goes on. Treat yourself to Dark Celebrations.
I was given a e-copy by the author for review consideration.
March 16, 2020
Dark Celebrations
By Calvin Demmer
Genre - Fiction/Horror/Short Story/Anthology
Pages - 401
Publication Information - Planet X Publications, March 11, 2020
IBSN-10: 1732683980 IBSN-13: 978-1732683983 ASIN: B085BDGVN8
Format - Digital (ARC)
Reviewed by: William C. Bitner, Jr., https://booksinmylibraryblog.wordpres...
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
‘Dark Celebrations’ by Calvin Demmer reintroduces us to some of the more familiar horror creatures and scenarios with a very special twist. After reading this book you will look at those special holidays, celebrations and traditions with a new set of eyes (who’s eyes you will be looking through however is yet to be determined). Contained within the pages are 12 extraordinary, horrific, well conceptualized, dark and shadowy tales. Each story will take you on an entirely different, but equally fascinating peregrination. All-in-all, if you are a fan of horror, this is a collection you will want to have as it will satiate all your horror desideratum.
From the back cover: Each year, people all over the world celebrate special festivals and days, shining light on what they wish to remember and revere. But sometimes, inhabitants of the dark arrive with the desire to disturb proceedings. Dark Celebrations is a collection of twelve short stories... and the holidays will never be the same.
About the Author: Calvin Demmer is the author of The Sea Was a Fair Master and Dark Celebrations. When not writing, he is intrigued by that which goes bump in the night and the sciences of our universe.
By Calvin Demmer
Genre - Fiction/Horror/Short Story/Anthology
Pages - 401
Publication Information - Planet X Publications, March 11, 2020
IBSN-10: 1732683980 IBSN-13: 978-1732683983 ASIN: B085BDGVN8
Format - Digital (ARC)
Reviewed by: William C. Bitner, Jr., https://booksinmylibraryblog.wordpres...
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
‘Dark Celebrations’ by Calvin Demmer reintroduces us to some of the more familiar horror creatures and scenarios with a very special twist. After reading this book you will look at those special holidays, celebrations and traditions with a new set of eyes (who’s eyes you will be looking through however is yet to be determined). Contained within the pages are 12 extraordinary, horrific, well conceptualized, dark and shadowy tales. Each story will take you on an entirely different, but equally fascinating peregrination. All-in-all, if you are a fan of horror, this is a collection you will want to have as it will satiate all your horror desideratum.
From the back cover: Each year, people all over the world celebrate special festivals and days, shining light on what they wish to remember and revere. But sometimes, inhabitants of the dark arrive with the desire to disturb proceedings. Dark Celebrations is a collection of twelve short stories... and the holidays will never be the same.
About the Author: Calvin Demmer is the author of The Sea Was a Fair Master and Dark Celebrations. When not writing, he is intrigued by that which goes bump in the night and the sciences of our universe.
August 8, 2020
This story collection revisits some classic horror tropes that Calvin Demmer has put his mark on and made his own. There are zombies, vampires, mummies and ghosts along with other creatures. The stories are interconnected and each one has a twisted ending. In the opening story, Hungry Ghosts, Lara Adams and her boyfriend Ray Jimenez are on vacation in China and visit a small village that is having an unusual festival. The receptionist at their hotel gives Lara a card entitled Ten Tips for Surviving the Hungry Ghost Festival. Of course, Lara and Ray ignore these tips and have to deal with unforeseen consequences. I also enjoyed Three Dead Men which features a katana and mummies. The last two stories, Unidentified Fatherly Object and Independence Denied, tie everything together in the best way. Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of his book, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
March 15, 2022
This is a pretty good collection of 12 short horror stories based on holidays or celebrations. My only complaint would be that several of the stories could have used another 10 pages or so just to smooth out the endings a bit, make them less abrupt. Overall, I liked them.
March 20, 2020
I have a love-hate relationship with short stories. I much prefer tomes, but I’m always willing to give short stories a read. Horror short stories in particular. After enjoying Calvin Demmer’s The Sea Was a Fair Master, a collection of flash fiction, I was eager to give more of the author’s work a try.
Dark Celebrations starts with Hungry Ghosts, a creepy little story that takes place during the Hungry Ghost Festival. It has a rather campfire feel to it – a bit of drama between the characters, a spooky atmosphere, and things that suddenly go bump in the night – and makes for a great start to the book. I happily devoured this four-star story.
Labor Day Hunt was another enjoyable quick read, with a different feel to it. Whereas Hungry Ghosts started Dark Celebrations with a creepy little vibe, Labor Day Hunt was more action-filled. Although I enjoyed this one, I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as I enjoyed Hungry Ghosts. It was a fun little vampire novel, but it didn’t blow mind my in the way some vampire stories do. A fun three-star rating.
Trick Or Death was another fun read, offering another different kind of tale. I thought I knew where this story was going to go, then we were given something else instead. I was hooked throughout, adored the way things developed, and was left more than satisfied with the way things played out. Another four-star rating.
Thanks Sinning once again offered something different, making it clear each story in this collection is going to grip you in a different way. With Thanks Sinning, the story is one that is filled with questions and doubts, leaving you with ideas as you watch how things develop throughout. Although I enjoyed it, it’s not my favourite in the collection. An enjoyable three-star rating.
Three Dead Men gripped me from the start, pulling me in and ensuring my attention did not slip. Things happened quickly with this one, and I really enjoyed the way things came together. At the same time, I wanted more from the ending. It was a nice ending, but I had hoped things would be a bit more explosive. A fun three-star rating.
Happy Dark Year was a story that took the known and made it into the unknown. I could easily imagine this as part of a much larger story, but I also enjoyed it as a short tale. It sucked me right in, and I happily devoured it. Even when you know where things are starting to head with this one, the grip it has on you does not loosen. Another four-star rating.
Dying Valentine was another story that had me hooked from the start. The start of this one had me expecting one thing, meaning I was pleasantly surprised when I was given another. Everything moves rapidly, ensuring each new detail hits you hard. Another four-star rating.
Spring Outbreak was a story that combined more elements than I expected. I confess, I worked things out – including how it would end – very quickly, but the way things played out kept me hooked throughout. Although not quite a full rating, I was happy to round this one up. A rounded up four-star rating.
She Will Rise was a story that packed plenty into the tale. There were a lot of details with this one, ensuring you were happy to keep turning the pages, leaving you with crossed fingers about how things would play out. Although I enjoyed the way things came together, I had been hoping for a wee bit more. A three-star rating.
Prom Screams was a story that gave me something completely unexpected. I went in with ideas of what this one would give me, and all those ideas were quickly shattered. This was the best kind of surprise, making it one of my favourites in Dark Celebrations. A solid four-star rating.
Unidentified Fatherly Object starts to bring these collections together. We get another tale that is entirely unique, but nods are made to some of the prior stories. It leaves you desperate to see how things will come together in the last story, ensuring you’ll be ready to dive into the final story. A three-star rating.
Independence Denied is the final story in Dark Celebrations and it’s a great end to the collection. It brings things together in a great way, providing something much larger and very dramatic to end the tales. It keeps you hooked, ensuring you’re satisfied with the way things conclude. A four-star rating.
All in all, Dark Celebrations was a great collection of short stories. I enjoyed some more than others, but such is always the case with collections. With each story taking less than fifteen minutes to read, this made for a great reading experience and has assured me I will be back for more Calvin Demmer in the future.
Dark Celebrations starts with Hungry Ghosts, a creepy little story that takes place during the Hungry Ghost Festival. It has a rather campfire feel to it – a bit of drama between the characters, a spooky atmosphere, and things that suddenly go bump in the night – and makes for a great start to the book. I happily devoured this four-star story.
Labor Day Hunt was another enjoyable quick read, with a different feel to it. Whereas Hungry Ghosts started Dark Celebrations with a creepy little vibe, Labor Day Hunt was more action-filled. Although I enjoyed this one, I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as I enjoyed Hungry Ghosts. It was a fun little vampire novel, but it didn’t blow mind my in the way some vampire stories do. A fun three-star rating.
Trick Or Death was another fun read, offering another different kind of tale. I thought I knew where this story was going to go, then we were given something else instead. I was hooked throughout, adored the way things developed, and was left more than satisfied with the way things played out. Another four-star rating.
Thanks Sinning once again offered something different, making it clear each story in this collection is going to grip you in a different way. With Thanks Sinning, the story is one that is filled with questions and doubts, leaving you with ideas as you watch how things develop throughout. Although I enjoyed it, it’s not my favourite in the collection. An enjoyable three-star rating.
Three Dead Men gripped me from the start, pulling me in and ensuring my attention did not slip. Things happened quickly with this one, and I really enjoyed the way things came together. At the same time, I wanted more from the ending. It was a nice ending, but I had hoped things would be a bit more explosive. A fun three-star rating.
Happy Dark Year was a story that took the known and made it into the unknown. I could easily imagine this as part of a much larger story, but I also enjoyed it as a short tale. It sucked me right in, and I happily devoured it. Even when you know where things are starting to head with this one, the grip it has on you does not loosen. Another four-star rating.
Dying Valentine was another story that had me hooked from the start. The start of this one had me expecting one thing, meaning I was pleasantly surprised when I was given another. Everything moves rapidly, ensuring each new detail hits you hard. Another four-star rating.
Spring Outbreak was a story that combined more elements than I expected. I confess, I worked things out – including how it would end – very quickly, but the way things played out kept me hooked throughout. Although not quite a full rating, I was happy to round this one up. A rounded up four-star rating.
She Will Rise was a story that packed plenty into the tale. There were a lot of details with this one, ensuring you were happy to keep turning the pages, leaving you with crossed fingers about how things would play out. Although I enjoyed the way things came together, I had been hoping for a wee bit more. A three-star rating.
Prom Screams was a story that gave me something completely unexpected. I went in with ideas of what this one would give me, and all those ideas were quickly shattered. This was the best kind of surprise, making it one of my favourites in Dark Celebrations. A solid four-star rating.
Unidentified Fatherly Object starts to bring these collections together. We get another tale that is entirely unique, but nods are made to some of the prior stories. It leaves you desperate to see how things will come together in the last story, ensuring you’ll be ready to dive into the final story. A three-star rating.
Independence Denied is the final story in Dark Celebrations and it’s a great end to the collection. It brings things together in a great way, providing something much larger and very dramatic to end the tales. It keeps you hooked, ensuring you’re satisfied with the way things conclude. A four-star rating.
All in all, Dark Celebrations was a great collection of short stories. I enjoyed some more than others, but such is always the case with collections. With each story taking less than fifteen minutes to read, this made for a great reading experience and has assured me I will be back for more Calvin Demmer in the future.
March 13, 2020
Another great collection of stories from Demmer. This time he took beloved holidays and traditions and twisted them into pulse racing nightmares. I couldn’t stop turning the pages to the next story and the ones that followed.
September 10, 2020
Book was super enjoyable and the twelve stories each represent a holiday that never goes quite as expected. It has a sufficient amount of gore without going over the top. A recommended read.
October 29, 2021
Dark Celebrations
12 historias de terror, acomodadas alrededor de festividades distintas, algunas directamente, otras solo por ocurrir en la fecha.
Las que más me gustaron
Thanksinning, muy buena, un tanto loca, me gusto.
Three dead men, acción a tope, katanas. Lo que si, la festividad-fecha es solo coincidencia.
Dying Valentine, terror en San Valentin, y así, muy bueno.
Spring Outbreak, zombies en Cancun, que divertido
Prom Screams, me gusto la idea de Faye, algo corta.
El ultimo cuento
12 historias de terror, acomodadas alrededor de festividades distintas, algunas directamente, otras solo por ocurrir en la fecha.
Las que más me gustaron
Thanksinning, muy buena, un tanto loca, me gusto.
Three dead men, acción a tope, katanas. Lo que si, la festividad-fecha es solo coincidencia.
Dying Valentine, terror en San Valentin, y así, muy bueno.
Spring Outbreak, zombies en Cancun, que divertido
Prom Screams, me gusto la idea de Faye, algo corta.
El ultimo cuento
November 21, 2020
For a quite a long time I haven't read any short stories. I really have to be in the mood for them. This book, I'm happy to say, has reminded me of why short stories can be great! Another huge plus is the scare factor! I really, really enjoyed Dark Celebrations.
May 11, 2020
Dark Celebrations is not my first foray into Calvin Demmer’s world and I look forward to going wherever he wants to take me in this collection of stories.
I was going to review each story separately, but with Covid -19 around and being cooped up for six weeks now, I find my motivation running a bit empty. So…
I enjoyed all the stories and spending time in the world of horror and the supernatural. Calvin Demmer is skilled at crafting tales that give me the creepy crawlies,making me glad that it is fiction.
Wantta party? The door is open. Come on in. But, lock the doors and turn on the lights.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Dark Celebrations by Calvin Demmer.
See more at fundinmental
I was going to review each story separately, but with Covid -19 around and being cooped up for six weeks now, I find my motivation running a bit empty. So…
I enjoyed all the stories and spending time in the world of horror and the supernatural. Calvin Demmer is skilled at crafting tales that give me the creepy crawlies,making me glad that it is fiction.
Wantta party? The door is open. Come on in. But, lock the doors and turn on the lights.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Dark Celebrations by Calvin Demmer.
See more at fundinmental
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews