First Came Fear

Emerging as the dark side of Romanticism, horror is one of literature’s oldest genres. Its history is so diverse it’s sometimes difficult to define. Are moody stories about ghosts and vampires related to gory tales of beasts and zombies? And what about the more realistic terrors of murderous rogues and diabolical doctors? The emotion of fear unifies the 14 stories in First Came Fear: New Tales of Horror. But fear is legion in its varieties. The authors skillfully navigate terror of all types. M.P. Diederich’s “Dressage for Beginners” and Christopher Calix’s “The Wedding Gift” are fine examples of the ghoulish humor tradition while J.P. Whitmer’s “Loved to Death” will frighten you in a stunningly visceral way. Oliver Ledesma’s “Atabey” and Samantha Pilecki’s “Roser and the Guide to the Inexplicable” impart fear through non-traditional storytelling and Sarah K. Stephens’ “The Factory” shows how effectively, and chillingly, horror can tackle social issues. All the stories are accompanied by Luke Spooner’s dramatic art, which combines Gothic macabre with echoes of classic horror illustration. The entire collection will have you gripping the edge of your seat or biting your fingernails, yet leave you longing for more!