Mind the Mirrors: Compilation of Short Horror Stories

by Amanda Leanne

Dreams are but our brains reflecting what they have seen, experienced, and imagined. These images can be distorted, reversed, warped, and deformed into something terrifying. Delve into stories born from nightmares and contorted into journeys dark and fearsome, the corrupt dreams of a darkened mind.

Genres: Horror, Anthologies, Fiction

180 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 8, 2023

About the author

Amanda Leanne began reading at a very young age and has been writing since grade school. She is a prolific reader, book collector, and writer with an interest in all aspects of art including sewing, painting, sculpting, jewelry design, soapmaking, and various other hobbies. After spending nearly a decade working on her degrees in forensic sciences, abnormal behavioral science, and neurological psychology with the prospect of joining the FBI ViCAP unit, Amanda's health took a turn for the worse. Daily struggles with her medical issues hasn't stopped her from pursuing her childhood aspirations to become an author. She currently lives with her spouse (Kris), her son, and their menagerie in the mountains of Northern Alabama. Leanne writes non-fiction books as well as fictional novels. Her non-fiction books delve into topics such as medical conditions, true crime, lifestyles, and crafting. Her fictional stories delve into mystery, thrillers, eerie tales, science fiction, and paranormal worlds.

Reviews

[Kassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind the Mirrors is a collection of short stories based on the author's nightmares. Initially, I wasn’t expecting much since I got this for free during a Stuff Your Kindle event, but I was blown away! I enjoyed these creepy stories and this author deserves to be known.

[Chuck Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent collection of short horror stories by an author I had not read before. Each story dealt with topics that many of us most likely have dreamed about, wondered about, or feared before (either as children or adults). They were all very creative and even the stories that were short, packed a good wallop!

I especially loved "Adventures in the Dark" which explored themes of "good Christian folk" who are actually nasty people to hide behind their faith yet still judge others and commit bad acts and what happens to these people, "She Can Help" which dealt with the trauma of domestic abuse and our attackers getting their come-upings, "Hungover", which plays on the well-worn vampire trope but in a very well-done manner, and "It Was Always the Children" which played out like an Invasion of the Body Snatchers movie.

A very well-done collection of stories for sure!

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this book 4.5⭐️ only because some stories were a bit confusing and felt unfinished, but in the end, I really enjoyed this spooky book. Some stories even made me feel uneasy🫢🫣

[Shahna (VanquishingVolumes) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I snagged this short story collection during a stuff your Kindle horror day, and WOW what a find! Extremely well written bite sized horror stories that make the reader instantly be sucked in and on the edge of their seat. The way each narrative voice is uniquely different, and yet it’s all the same author, is impressive to say the least.

[Jenny H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind the Mirrors is a collection of short stories based on the author's nightmares. Initially, I wasn’t expecting much since I got this for free during a Stuff Your Kindle event, but I was blown away! I enjoyed these creepy stories and this author deserves to be known. These stories are excellent. They remind me of Twilight Zone. The commonplace becomes surreal as images are warped in time and space, and the story/nightmare settings are contemporary. This is the first book I've read from the author but I am definitely a fan!

[Haley Charbonneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, the stories were very engaging and the perfect amount of unsettling. These stories definitely got me thinking and I always enjoy that about a book. Definitely a good read if you’re into thrillers and suspense!

[Abbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the stories were really interesting however the majority I didn’t find scary or spooky unfortunately.

[Becky BEHRENS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Stories

Usually, I don't like short stories because they don't have time to really develop. Most of the time I'm disappointed with the ending. But these stories are excellent. They remind me of Twilight Zone.

[Rhonda Ofstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

collections of stories

Interesting kind of short stories. Couple of creepy stories. Easy to read. I enjoyed it I liked couple of stories but rest are good

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has lots of great stories in it! There were some misses for me, but overall it was a good time.

[Lyndsey Gollogly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Collection of short stories. All these stories were well written and left something with you each time. The one that sticks with me the most is the first one Ramblings of Death it really stuck in my head for a few days. Really good read.

[Jessica Milne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't for me, but it did have one short story that really got me! Nothing against the author, I just took a chance with a different genre and wasn't feeling it.

[Tammy N Bauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read!

I'm new to Amanda's fiction but I am definitely a fan! Fresh stories and twists wouldn't let me put it down!

[Gab · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, it felt a little Black Mirror to me. Some of the stories had a little bit of an unsettling vibe to them. Some of them pulled on actual real life fears, like death, missing loved ones, and the idea that this might all just be a simulation.

Some of the ones I really enjoyed were Within Me, Spatial Dimensions, and An App for That. Each touched on interesting themes and topics and were written very well.

While I enjoyed myself with some of the stories, most were not for me. It was a very easy read, however I don’t know if I would call this horror…

[Khaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind the Mirrors is a chilling and masterfully crafted collection of short horror stories. Each tale takes you deep into the twisted corners of the mind, where nightmares come alive and fear lingers long after the page is turned. Amanda Leanne’s vivid imagination and skillful storytelling make every story uniquely unsettling, yet impossible to put down. Perfect for horror enthusiasts who love dark, psychological suspense, this compilation is a haunting journey that will stay with you. Highly recommended!

[* serena * · Rating 3 out of 5]

i kept reading these short stories as a buffer in between books i would finish. i finished it finally today and it was fine, but wasn’t frightening or even unsettling. i read a review just now that described it as YA which is what I would describe it as as well. it’s not bad, but not horror.

[Rachella · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me

Unfortunately, I didn't click with this collection. Nothing felt scary or spooky to me. Though the stories were readable, my focus really waned. There were also a few stories that I felt were underdeveloped and didn't give a why, just here's the situation.

[kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up to 4⭐️

Definitely one of the better short story collections I've read. The final one, and namesake for the collection, is a perfect and timely ending.

The editing is a bit poor, I'd guess as least one typo for every other atory.

[Roxane Jensen-Hall · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was ok….. not my favorite composition of short stories but it was readable.

[Reading With My Cats · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not very spooky, seemed more YA horror. I enjoyed some stories but most were just ok.

[Katie McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

These were so good!

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book but it wasn't scary at all.

[Kelly Abdul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty boring and not at all scary

[Kailyn Hill · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5


Unfortunately none of the stories really did much for me. Majority of the time, I felt my attention lacking and feeling underwhelmed.🥲