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Dates from Hell
We've all had them, those special dates with someone brand new, someone who just might be the yin to our yang, that vital missing piece of our lonely heart.
So goes the eternal gamble, the endless game of romance roulette, in which we earnestly wear our hearts upon our sleeves in the thin hope of discovering our soulmate and lay bare our inner selves to find all-elusive true love.
But, for some, that potential soulmate can very quickly become the Devil in disguise, and, boy howdy, how attractive and inherently deceitful those nefarious facades can be!
Here, we deliver for your delectation twenty-one such tales - read them with caution, and thank all that is heavenly it's not you on these particular Dates from Hell.
So goes the eternal gamble, the endless game of romance roulette, in which we earnestly wear our hearts upon our sleeves in the thin hope of discovering our soulmate and lay bare our inner selves to find all-elusive true love.
But, for some, that potential soulmate can very quickly become the Devil in disguise, and, boy howdy, how attractive and inherently deceitful those nefarious facades can be!
Here, we deliver for your delectation twenty-one such tales - read them with caution, and thank all that is heavenly it's not you on these particular Dates from Hell.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2021
6 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 25, 2021
I think I've been enlightened [or shocked senseless]. DATES FROM HELL is a gore-rich splatterpunk collection starring those whom nobody should ever meet, covering multiple genders, all sorts of orientations, human and not-so [yes, Supernatural; paranormal; and human insanity]. These extraordinary tales have clawed into my brain cells and made themselves comfortably at home, and will be keeping me awake for months, perhaps years.
Caution: 18+ for erotic Horror, obscenity, gore, insanity, taboos, and the gift of years of insomnia.
Caution: 18+ for erotic Horror, obscenity, gore, insanity, taboos, and the gift of years of insomnia.
September 26, 2021
Disclaimer: Hellbound Books provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Before beginning, I feel like the expectation will be for the reviewer to reveal the worst 'date from hell' they've ever been on. However, I've never been on a truly disastrous date. Probably the worst was the time the waiter brought me a meal I hadn't ordered, and, not wanting to make a fuss, I just started eating – only for the waiter to return with my actual order and to try to reclaim the meal for the customer it was actually for. More than a decade on, that memory still makes me red with embarrassment, but it isn't a very entertaining story - unlike many in this volume.
Enough about me, now to the actual book. Dates From Hell is a short story collection from Hellbound Publishing, who specialise in two things: new voices in horror writing, and themed anthologies. The theme of this particular collection, as you've probably guessed, is dates. The focus on up-and-coming writers, combined with the truly short nature of most of these stories, makes this book feel appropriately like a speed-dating event, a brief introduction to an unknown writer that hopefully gives you just enough of an impression of them before you're whisked on to the next table. Just like a speed-dating event, the reader never knows what the next encounter is going to be like – the stories aren't grouped thematically or tonally. To be clear, this is a strength – one of the appeals of a short story collection, at least to me, is the assortment of different ideas and voices, the surprise of turning the page and finding something completely different to what came before, and the structure of Dates From Hell, along with the brevity and volume of stories contained within, certainly gave me that.
The stories themselves are varied enough that not a lot can be said about them in general before we move on to the specifics. Broadly they skew schlockier than I usually read, but good schlock can be great fun. And, while some of the writers here may seem a little less confident than more established voices, they almost all seem to be having fun with the premise and their material, which really comes through and makes the collection more enjoyable for the reader. However, if I can keep stretching the metaphor, not every speed-date is going to lead to a match, and that's equally the case here. Others, though, introduce you to someone you're raring to meet again, and I'll discuss those too. There are a few that just don't really stand out, unfortunately, and of course you can't know if that's just because of the few minutes that person had to showcase themselves – you can only go on your experience. All of this is a self-indulgent way of saying that these stories are a bit of a mixed bag.
Some, such as the opening story, just didn't seem to do much with the premise. Others are victims of the length of these stories – Sergio 'ente per ente' Palumbo's The Lighthouse of Southerness Point begins with an intriguing setup, seeming to be an original spin on the classic horror setup of an isolated lighthouse, but then rushes to the end in a way that feels jarring. Gerardo Serrano R.'s A Tiny Dribble of Blood is effectively written but has a little too much story crammed into the word-count. Quality Meat, by Fulvio Gatti, opens with a great concept – a banking professional who, for both career and family reasons, is obliged to pander to his nerdy boss's fandom obsessions – but the main plot has little to do with that. Then there are the dates which are fun, and you're glad you went, but probably aren't going to lead anywhere further. Out Of Town Strange, Carlton Herzog's story about a mortician on a wild night out with one of his subjects, is a fun whirl, for all its crassness. In zombie-dating tale She Has My Heart, Sonny Zae shows a dedication to the pun that is truly admirable, as well as great inventiveness. Bloody Good Times, Serena Daniels' story of two people both trying to use a dating app for nefarious purposes, feels forced at times but is elevated by the dialogue, and particularly the combination of the two characters' viewpoints juxtaposing what their date is hearing (or reading) with what they actually intend.
And then, of course, there are those dates when you can really see something special. For all my issues above, this collection certainly has those special moments too. They Wrapped His Bones by Marco Angelo is the standout of the collection, combining eloquent evocation of grief with disturbing imagery to create a tale that will linger in your mind. Alexandria Baker's The Tart is a deliciously poisonous story of a less-than-friendly rivalry that's a joy to read. Wears Her Heart On A Rope, by Eddie Generous and Theresa Braun, is weird, unsettling, and painfully effective. One story that uses its length to great effect is Wayne Faust's 'What Are The Odds', which deftly conjures the brief yet shocking intrusion of the grisly and disturbing into everyday life, the title reflecting the way in which both the protagonist and the audience are left wondering about one night's events long after they happened. I've tried not to discuss each and every one of the stories – as mentioned, I love the fun of discovery that comes with a short story collection – but hopefully this gives a good overview.
There is, however, another thing I feel I have to mention. Given the subject matter, it may not be a surprise that some of these stories discuss sexual violence and violence against women, but the reader should know to be prepared for that subject matter. In particular, the story The Mean Girl by Michael J. Moore is a revenge story that to me, at least, came off as exploitative rather than empowering. I understand that horror is supposed to cause discomfort but I didn't particularly enjoy it. Conversely, A Greenthorn Bride Comes Home by Anna Haddad deals with a broadly similar situation – a woman alone with a man starting to wonder if she's safe – in a much more sensitive and compelling way.
When the tables are being cleared away and I'm considering my matches, I'd definitely say I have enough to make the night (and the potential embarrassment) well worth it. With such a scattershot approach, any reader is going to find something that makes them groan or want to count down the seconds until switching chairs, but I'd be surprised if you didn't find some gems here too. Certainly I hope to see more from Angelo, Baker, Generous & Braun, and Faust soon. If you find yourself waiting for the buzzer to go, don't worry - there are plenty more fish in the sea, and the next date could very well be the start of something special.
Before beginning, I feel like the expectation will be for the reviewer to reveal the worst 'date from hell' they've ever been on. However, I've never been on a truly disastrous date. Probably the worst was the time the waiter brought me a meal I hadn't ordered, and, not wanting to make a fuss, I just started eating – only for the waiter to return with my actual order and to try to reclaim the meal for the customer it was actually for. More than a decade on, that memory still makes me red with embarrassment, but it isn't a very entertaining story - unlike many in this volume.
Enough about me, now to the actual book. Dates From Hell is a short story collection from Hellbound Publishing, who specialise in two things: new voices in horror writing, and themed anthologies. The theme of this particular collection, as you've probably guessed, is dates. The focus on up-and-coming writers, combined with the truly short nature of most of these stories, makes this book feel appropriately like a speed-dating event, a brief introduction to an unknown writer that hopefully gives you just enough of an impression of them before you're whisked on to the next table. Just like a speed-dating event, the reader never knows what the next encounter is going to be like – the stories aren't grouped thematically or tonally. To be clear, this is a strength – one of the appeals of a short story collection, at least to me, is the assortment of different ideas and voices, the surprise of turning the page and finding something completely different to what came before, and the structure of Dates From Hell, along with the brevity and volume of stories contained within, certainly gave me that.
The stories themselves are varied enough that not a lot can be said about them in general before we move on to the specifics. Broadly they skew schlockier than I usually read, but good schlock can be great fun. And, while some of the writers here may seem a little less confident than more established voices, they almost all seem to be having fun with the premise and their material, which really comes through and makes the collection more enjoyable for the reader. However, if I can keep stretching the metaphor, not every speed-date is going to lead to a match, and that's equally the case here. Others, though, introduce you to someone you're raring to meet again, and I'll discuss those too. There are a few that just don't really stand out, unfortunately, and of course you can't know if that's just because of the few minutes that person had to showcase themselves – you can only go on your experience. All of this is a self-indulgent way of saying that these stories are a bit of a mixed bag.
Some, such as the opening story, just didn't seem to do much with the premise. Others are victims of the length of these stories – Sergio 'ente per ente' Palumbo's The Lighthouse of Southerness Point begins with an intriguing setup, seeming to be an original spin on the classic horror setup of an isolated lighthouse, but then rushes to the end in a way that feels jarring. Gerardo Serrano R.'s A Tiny Dribble of Blood is effectively written but has a little too much story crammed into the word-count. Quality Meat, by Fulvio Gatti, opens with a great concept – a banking professional who, for both career and family reasons, is obliged to pander to his nerdy boss's fandom obsessions – but the main plot has little to do with that. Then there are the dates which are fun, and you're glad you went, but probably aren't going to lead anywhere further. Out Of Town Strange, Carlton Herzog's story about a mortician on a wild night out with one of his subjects, is a fun whirl, for all its crassness. In zombie-dating tale She Has My Heart, Sonny Zae shows a dedication to the pun that is truly admirable, as well as great inventiveness. Bloody Good Times, Serena Daniels' story of two people both trying to use a dating app for nefarious purposes, feels forced at times but is elevated by the dialogue, and particularly the combination of the two characters' viewpoints juxtaposing what their date is hearing (or reading) with what they actually intend.
And then, of course, there are those dates when you can really see something special. For all my issues above, this collection certainly has those special moments too. They Wrapped His Bones by Marco Angelo is the standout of the collection, combining eloquent evocation of grief with disturbing imagery to create a tale that will linger in your mind. Alexandria Baker's The Tart is a deliciously poisonous story of a less-than-friendly rivalry that's a joy to read. Wears Her Heart On A Rope, by Eddie Generous and Theresa Braun, is weird, unsettling, and painfully effective. One story that uses its length to great effect is Wayne Faust's 'What Are The Odds', which deftly conjures the brief yet shocking intrusion of the grisly and disturbing into everyday life, the title reflecting the way in which both the protagonist and the audience are left wondering about one night's events long after they happened. I've tried not to discuss each and every one of the stories – as mentioned, I love the fun of discovery that comes with a short story collection – but hopefully this gives a good overview.
There is, however, another thing I feel I have to mention. Given the subject matter, it may not be a surprise that some of these stories discuss sexual violence and violence against women, but the reader should know to be prepared for that subject matter. In particular, the story The Mean Girl by Michael J. Moore is a revenge story that to me, at least, came off as exploitative rather than empowering. I understand that horror is supposed to cause discomfort but I didn't particularly enjoy it. Conversely, A Greenthorn Bride Comes Home by Anna Haddad deals with a broadly similar situation – a woman alone with a man starting to wonder if she's safe – in a much more sensitive and compelling way.
When the tables are being cleared away and I'm considering my matches, I'd definitely say I have enough to make the night (and the potential embarrassment) well worth it. With such a scattershot approach, any reader is going to find something that makes them groan or want to count down the seconds until switching chairs, but I'd be surprised if you didn't find some gems here too. Certainly I hope to see more from Angelo, Baker, Generous & Braun, and Faust soon. If you find yourself waiting for the buzzer to go, don't worry - there are plenty more fish in the sea, and the next date could very well be the start of something special.
October 7, 2021
Worthv read
Some moments in Dates From Hell are incredibly well crafted. Others evoke internal discussions on the nature of humanity. Some are witty and fun. Others blindsided me with right hooks. Still others are bone-chilling descents into madness. I loved each and every moment, and could ask for nothing more from a short story compilation. Well done!
Some moments in Dates From Hell are incredibly well crafted. Others evoke internal discussions on the nature of humanity. Some are witty and fun. Others blindsided me with right hooks. Still others are bone-chilling descents into madness. I loved each and every moment, and could ask for nothing more from a short story compilation. Well done!
February 21, 2022
Make a date with this anthology… just watch out for jealousy, unrequited love, fanaticism, and blue goats. Full review: http://theakersquarterly.blogspot.com...
November 15, 2021
I enjoyed this anthology for two reasons. First, as a reader, I found it contains well written, entertaining, and imaginative stories curated by a deft hand. Notable examples are The Mean Girl, Wears Her Heart on a Rope, and the Monster That Resides With. Second, as an aging moralist, I found the stories relatable because they speak to our common worst fears. They reiterate the need to be cautious about letting anyone into our lives who sends up even the tiniest red flag. In my sixty-five years, I have learned the hard way that just because someone is nice at first doesn't mean they are worth my time. More importantly, in this let’s hop in the sack and get attached at the hip culture, loneliness is nothing more than a lack of direction. An outside fix for an inside job never works. And consider that divorce rates in this country are 50%. If you strapped on a parachute, and right before you jumped, the jumpmaster said, "By the way, the chutes only open half the time” would you still be eager to jump? When you're my age, you can offer homiletic wisdom like the above too.
August 3, 2022
🎃👻 Book #17 for #Halloween2021 🎃👻
" Dates From Hell" Compiled and Edited by Theresa Scott-Matthews
It's happened to all of us at least once; that date from hell we can't seem to forget. In this anthology you'll meet several individuals who were simply searching for their soul mate but instead received much more than they bargained for. Read these stories with caution and thank the heavens above that these stories don't star you in these nefarious dates from hell.
I received this anthology of hellish dates from @xtinamarie4031 in exchange for an honest review. While this anthology wasn't my favorite, I still enjoyed several of the stories included inside such as "Teenage Wasteland" by Victory Witherkeigh, "Quality Meat" by Fulvio Gatti, and "What Are the Odds?" by Wayne Faust. Overall, 3 🌟 with a total badass cover . Thanks so much @xtinamarie4031 for my copy! 💛
" Dates From Hell" Compiled and Edited by Theresa Scott-Matthews
It's happened to all of us at least once; that date from hell we can't seem to forget. In this anthology you'll meet several individuals who were simply searching for their soul mate but instead received much more than they bargained for. Read these stories with caution and thank the heavens above that these stories don't star you in these nefarious dates from hell.
I received this anthology of hellish dates from @xtinamarie4031 in exchange for an honest review. While this anthology wasn't my favorite, I still enjoyed several of the stories included inside such as "Teenage Wasteland" by Victory Witherkeigh, "Quality Meat" by Fulvio Gatti, and "What Are the Odds?" by Wayne Faust. Overall, 3 🌟 with a total badass cover . Thanks so much @xtinamarie4031 for my copy! 💛
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews