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A review by aaronj21
Beyond the Bounds of Infinity by Stephanie Pearre, Vaughn A. Jackson
3.0
While it’s always a treat to read a collection of horror stories, it’s a particular pleasure to read an anthology of “weird fiction” or cosmic horror. I’m surprised more collections like this don’t exist given the increase in interest in cosmic horror recently but hopefully this delightful assortment is a sign of things to come.
This offering was as chilling in its delivery as it was broad in scope; from unknowable entities that live in radio static, to cursed linguistics, to massive eldritch deer guardians, this collection has it all. While there were no slouches in this anthology by any means, a few titles stood out to me as exceptionally good and I’ll briefly mention them here.
In “You Have Joined the Livestream” some unscrupulous ghost hunters go up against forces far beyond their understanding, all while their online audience watches on. This story had a fascinating conceit and a gratifying, spine-chilling pay off. The characterization was spot on and in a brief span of time the story manages to pack quite a punch. Easily one of my favorites in this book, this story reminded me of what it felt like to be a kid and read a new Goosebumps book. I mean that in the best possible way.
The story “24 Points” had my attention even before I started since it was written by S.A. Cosby, a phenomenal author whose book “Razorblade Tears” was as close to perfect as any novel is likely to get. Cosby’s foray into short fiction did not disappoint either. The tale follows a young boy with his father and uncle as they hunt bucks in the Virginia woods only to have the tables turned on them and become prey themselves. This story was a masterclass in brevity and how to artfully dole out exposition when dealing with cosmic horrors that are, by definition, beyond human comprehension. Despite its relative simplicity, this story was profoundly upsetting in the best possible way.
Finally, the last story in this anthology “Beggars Can’t Be Choosers” was one of my favorites for the sheer brilliance of its basic plot. I won’t spoil the tale by giving away that set up here but suffice to say it’s one of the most original, most terrifying ideas I’ve come across in recent memory. I didn’t realize what was happening until the end but when I did I was shocked and oddly satisfied. It was a brilliant story and a great choice to end on.
“Beyond the Bounds of Infinity” offered a great selection of new and refreshing takes on the cosmic horror genre. The stories in this collection show why this specific type of horror is so enduring and powerful. I’d recommend this title to anyone who likes horror in general by especially fans of Lovecraftian horror and weird fiction. A book like this is necessary, both to reinvent the genre for a new generation of readers and to show that cosmic horror can and is moving on from the more unsavory aspects of some of its founding authors (looking at you H.P.).
This offering was as chilling in its delivery as it was broad in scope; from unknowable entities that live in radio static, to cursed linguistics, to massive eldritch deer guardians, this collection has it all. While there were no slouches in this anthology by any means, a few titles stood out to me as exceptionally good and I’ll briefly mention them here.
In “You Have Joined the Livestream” some unscrupulous ghost hunters go up against forces far beyond their understanding, all while their online audience watches on. This story had a fascinating conceit and a gratifying, spine-chilling pay off. The characterization was spot on and in a brief span of time the story manages to pack quite a punch. Easily one of my favorites in this book, this story reminded me of what it felt like to be a kid and read a new Goosebumps book. I mean that in the best possible way.
The story “24 Points” had my attention even before I started since it was written by S.A. Cosby, a phenomenal author whose book “Razorblade Tears” was as close to perfect as any novel is likely to get. Cosby’s foray into short fiction did not disappoint either. The tale follows a young boy with his father and uncle as they hunt bucks in the Virginia woods only to have the tables turned on them and become prey themselves. This story was a masterclass in brevity and how to artfully dole out exposition when dealing with cosmic horrors that are, by definition, beyond human comprehension. Despite its relative simplicity, this story was profoundly upsetting in the best possible way.
Finally, the last story in this anthology “Beggars Can’t Be Choosers” was one of my favorites for the sheer brilliance of its basic plot. I won’t spoil the tale by giving away that set up here but suffice to say it’s one of the most original, most terrifying ideas I’ve come across in recent memory. I didn’t realize what was happening until the end but when I did I was shocked and oddly satisfied. It was a brilliant story and a great choice to end on.
“Beyond the Bounds of Infinity” offered a great selection of new and refreshing takes on the cosmic horror genre. The stories in this collection show why this specific type of horror is so enduring and powerful. I’d recommend this title to anyone who likes horror in general by especially fans of Lovecraftian horror and weird fiction. A book like this is necessary, both to reinvent the genre for a new generation of readers and to show that cosmic horror can and is moving on from the more unsavory aspects of some of its founding authors (looking at you H.P.).