Inanimate Things
"Inanimate Things: Volume One" is a horror anthology edited and contributed to by Stephen Rhoades, an emerging voice in the horror genre. Published in 2024 by Burial Books LLC, this collection brings together a variety of short stories from multiple authors, all centered around a chilling premise: everyday inanimate objects that take on sinister, often deadly, qualities. Rhoades, born in 1977 and hailing from what he describes as "the darkest parts of Alabama," not only curated this anthology but also contributed his own story, "The Ocean at Night," to the mix. The book features tales of terror involving objects like zombie pirates, living toys, medical equipment, and mannequins—items that seem harmless until they reveal their malevolent nature.
The anthology has been praised for its creativity and diversity, offering a spectrum of horror that ranges from the absurd to the deeply unsettling. Rhoades’ own contribution, "The Ocean at Night," stands out for its psychosexual undertones and a nostalgic yet haunting conclusion, which some readers have hailed as a perfect capstone to the collection. Other notable stories include "The Detective" by Jason Fischer, lauded for its vivid imagery, and "To Kill a Clown" by Victor Aldritch, which taps into primal fears of clowns with a "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" vibe. The collection also features works by authors like Chelsea Pumpkins, Justin Hunter, and M.J. McClymont, each bringing their unique flavor to the theme.
While the anthology has garnered positive feedback for its imaginative scope and engaging storytelling, some critiques point out that not all stories perfectly align with the central theme of inanimate objects as the source of horror. For instance, "The Year of the Cruise" by Alan Bax, with its Lovecraftian weirdness, leaves some ambiguity about which object drives the terror. Despite this, the consensus among horror fans is that "Inanimate Things: Volume One" is a "delightfully batshit" and "well-crafted" collection, ideal for those who enjoy short, sharp shocks of the macabre.
Rhoades, whose debut novel "The California Butcher" (a psychological thriller) also released in 2024, showcases his versatility and passion for horror in this project. Living with his wife and family in Alabama, he’s already planning further releases, including "Inanimate Things: Volume Two" in 2025, signaling that this anthology is just the beginning of a broader exploration into the eerie potential of the objects around us. For horror lovers, this book offers a fresh, twisted take on the everyday, proving that even the most mundane things can harbor dark secrets.
You can buy Inanimate Things by Stephen Rhoades with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3XJhG6L
The anthology has been praised for its creativity and diversity, offering a spectrum of horror that ranges from the absurd to the deeply unsettling. Rhoades’ own contribution, "The Ocean at Night," stands out for its psychosexual undertones and a nostalgic yet haunting conclusion, which some readers have hailed as a perfect capstone to the collection. Other notable stories include "The Detective" by Jason Fischer, lauded for its vivid imagery, and "To Kill a Clown" by Victor Aldritch, which taps into primal fears of clowns with a "Killer Klowns from Outer Space" vibe. The collection also features works by authors like Chelsea Pumpkins, Justin Hunter, and M.J. McClymont, each bringing their unique flavor to the theme.
While the anthology has garnered positive feedback for its imaginative scope and engaging storytelling, some critiques point out that not all stories perfectly align with the central theme of inanimate objects as the source of horror. For instance, "The Year of the Cruise" by Alan Bax, with its Lovecraftian weirdness, leaves some ambiguity about which object drives the terror. Despite this, the consensus among horror fans is that "Inanimate Things: Volume One" is a "delightfully batshit" and "well-crafted" collection, ideal for those who enjoy short, sharp shocks of the macabre.
Rhoades, whose debut novel "The California Butcher" (a psychological thriller) also released in 2024, showcases his versatility and passion for horror in this project. Living with his wife and family in Alabama, he’s already planning further releases, including "Inanimate Things: Volume Two" in 2025, signaling that this anthology is just the beginning of a broader exploration into the eerie potential of the objects around us. For horror lovers, this book offers a fresh, twisted take on the everyday, proving that even the most mundane things can harbor dark secrets.
You can buy Inanimate Things by Stephen Rhoades with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3XJhG6L
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