The Black Girl Survives in This One

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i wanted so much more horror from this than i got. i've read some really great short horror and some really great ya horror so idk this one fell flat but it did. the concepts were cool but execution was lackluster.

About half of the collection was pretty good, the other half just didn't really come across as memorable or impactful to me, that being said I'm not in the age range to be the target audience for this collection.

My favorite stories were:
Welcome back to the cosmos – Space horror will always hold a special place in my heart.
The brides of devils bayou – The one with the strongest characterization in my opinion.
TMI – The most interesting/unusual premise.
Black pride – Charming but I would have liked more horror.
Queeniums for Greenium – Fat girl resisting a “wellness” cult, you know I was going to be down with that one!
The skittering thing – Interesting imagery, would have liked a little more character building.

3.5 rounded up.

Overall: 4.2 ⭐️    Individual Story Ratings: 

• Harvesters: 5💫
• Welcome Back to the Cosmos: 4.5 ⭐️
• Ghost Light: 5 💫 
• The Brides of the Devil's Bayou: 4 ⭐️
• TMI: 3 ⭐️
• Black Pride: 3 ⭐️
• The Screamers: 3.5 ⭐️
• Queeniums for Greenium!: 5 ⭐️ 
• Inheritance: 4 ⭐️
• Black Girl Nature Group: 5 ⭐️⭐️
• Cemetery Dance Party: 2.5 ⭐️
• The Skittering Thing: 5 💫 
• The Black Strings: 4.5  ⭐️ 
• Local Color: 4 ⭐️
• Foxhunt: 5 ⭐️

Thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for the alc!

An engaging collection of horror featuring Black girls. Some stories were definitely stronger than others, but there was a good variety. Would definitely recommend.

Oh my goodness! This was so good. I think I love short story collections. A haunted theater, creepy swamps, dangerous portals, MLMs that are like cults, violent forests and people in them, and cemeteries! So many settings that I love.
I wanted more from “Local Color” by Eden Royce. There is so much more that could be told about Veronne and her grandpa.
The one that held my heart was “Black Strings” by Vincent Tirado. It had the heart that I expect in his work. He knows how to make me care about the characters.
My favorite story is “Black Pride” by Justina Ireland. It has stuck with me! I can't stop thinking about that one, but what else do I expect from the excellence that is Justina Ireland.
My favorite character is Flex in “Foxhunt” by Charlotte Nicole Davis. I could read so many more pages and stories with her!
If you like horror, creepy settings, or surprise twists, you have to pick this one up!