megs_bookrack ((struggling to catch up))’s Reviews > The White Guy Dies First: 13 Scary Stories of Fear and Power > Status Update

Story #13: The Road to Hell by Terry J. Benton-walker. Wow! Way to end the collection with a banger, OMG! Buzzwords: Southern Gothic, Queer, haunted house, sense of place, unique perspective.

Story #12: Hell is Other Demons by Karen Strong. I don't know who this author is, but I definitely want more from them! Buzzwords: Demons, possession, religion, Queer.

Story #12: Wasps by Mark Oshiro. This was interesting. It went by so quickly. I am not 100% sure I gradped what was going on with the horror elements, but it could just be that I'm tired. Buzzwords: Latinx MC, gentrification, generational story/responsibility/lore.

Story #10: Break Through Our Skin by Naseem Jamnia. This was great, brought the anthropology/archeology lover in my to life!! Buzzwords: Iranian-American MC, non-binary MC, Persian culture, archeology, gender identity, ancient entity.

Story #9: Heaven by Adiba Jaigirdar. This one was very different. While this type of story isn't necessarily my cup of tea, I appreciate the author's creativity and I def understand the horror of it. Buzzwords: Futuristic, post-apocalyptic, Eco-Horror, creature feature, isolation.

Story #8: Everything's Coming Up Roses by Tiffany D. Jackson. Jackson is one of my very favorite authors, so I was actually looking forward to this story the most and it didn't disappoint. Jackson succeeded in getting me into yhe mind of this MC and left me unsettled. Buzzwords: Mixed media, obsession, disturbing behavior, hiding in plain sight.

Story #6: Docile Girls by Chloe Gong. Loved this one!! Buzzwords: Asian-American MC, High School drama, Teen Scream, Slasher, Revenge Thriller.

Story #5: The Protege by Lamar Giles. Oooo, that was very sinister! I've never read from Giles before. I do have a copy of their latest, Ruin Road , so will definitely get to that soon! Buzzwords: Absent parents/kids fend for themselves, sibling relationship (brothers), magician ((the showman kind, not the magic school kind)), Secret Society.

4th story: Best Served Cold by H.E. Edgmon. This one was really good as well. Cringe-worthy for sure if you put yourself in the MC's shoes. Buzzwords: Indigenous MC, LGBTQIA+, Body Horror, <spoiler>cannibals</spoiler>.

3rd story: The Golden Dragon by Kendare Blake. I really enjoyed this one as well! I also like how the first three stories have kept the pace high and the punchy-narrative style coming. Buzzwords: Korean-American MC, sibling relationship (sisters), rich kids behaving badly, revenge ghost.