The House Where Death Lives

It's always a bit difficult to rate a short story anthology as they're different stories with different characters (usually) written by different authors. But essentially, yes, I'll give the anthology an overall 4 stars – because I did like most of the stories a lot. I've only read from two authors here – Tori Bovalino (loved her other book) and Rosiee Thor (dnfed that book so not actually read?). I like anthologies because they introduce you to new authors, which I always like.

I was confused as I thought it would be connected stories. It's said to be in the same house so I guess I thought that meant they'd all be in the same – as in physically – house. That wasn't the case as they were all vastly different – so different that it did feel like 16 different houses instead of supposedly the same house. Apparently there were some links between the stories – like let's say the same mirror from the 2nd story was in the 3rd story? I did not pick up on that at all. I think if it had all been in the actual same house – but just different years, families, alternative universes – I would've really enjoyed this.

As you'll see when reading my separate thoughts – I just wanted more. I know they're short stories, but I would've liked most of the stories to have gone on for longer. I found most of the endings to be abrupt so I would've liked the authors to be able to wrap everything up easily.

Good Morning, Georgia – Courtney Gould. 3⭐ Good start. Reminded me of a good horror movie. Thought it was going another way and then I thought of the movie.

Vanishing Point – Traci Chee. 3.5⭐. Started out really good and then the ending was a bit weird? I did like it for the most part of the story.

Cradle and All – Kay Costales. 4⭐. Sad but written really well.

After Midnight – Liz Hull. 3.5⭐. It was going so well and then the ending just... ended so abruptly.

The Grey Library – Nova Ren Suma. 3⭐. It was very confusing – which is fine, but it was difficult for me to like it.

The Phantom's Waltz – Rosiee Thor 2⭐. This had potential and I could see it but we didn't get it and I'm sad.

Mirror, Mirror – Nora Elghazzawi. 4.5⭐. Spooky and good!

Smartmonster – Sandra Proudman 1⭐. This made no sense and I wasn't a fan of the characters.

Let's Play a Game – Shelly Page. 3.5⭐. Another one of “really cool and then fizzled out”

What Lies in Silence – Justine Pucella Winans 3.5⭐. I liked it and then it got too confusing for me.

me i'm not – g. haron davis. 1.5⭐. Could've been better.

Like Mother – Gina Chen. 5⭐. LOVED this one throughout. Knew early on it would be a 5 star read for me. I need to read more of Chen's books.

In Deep – C. L. McCollum. 2⭐. Listen, they said the house would be the main feature and most of this happened in/around a pond. That may have affected my rating but I felt like this could've been better.

Bloom – Tori Bovalino. 5⭐. After reading My Throat an Open Grave I think I'll give anything Bovalino 5 stars.
The Shoe – Alex Brown. 4.5⭐. Very creepy! Really liked this one.

A Helping Hand – Linsey Miller. 5⭐. Always up for this creepy type of story.