The Scary Book of Valentine's Day Lore
50 Terrifying Valentine's Day Tales from Around the World
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Roses are red, violets are blue, in this book of fear, Valentine's haunts anew. Dare to discover the true lore of Valentine's Day, where love and terror intertwine in the most unexpected ways. Beneath the red roses, heart-shaped chocolates, and declarations of love lies a shadowy history of Valentine's Day that few are brave enough to explore. In a journey that spans from ancient Roman festivals to medieval legends, this book uncovers the sinister roots of this holiday--from tales of forbidden love to spectral visitations and mysterious rituals. Lurking within these eerie pages, you'll uncover: Ancient Origins: Learn how the bloody festivities of Lupercalia evolved into the Valentine's Day we know today, complete with sacrifices, omens, and pagan rites. Dark Legends: Explore the tragic romances that have been immortalized in lore. Heartfelt Horror: Venture into the dark side of love, where passion leads to madness and gruesome deaths. Modern Mysteries: Read about unexplained phenomena, disappearances, and chilling crimes committed in the name of love. Accompanied by haunting illustrations that bring these macabre stories to life, The Scary Book of Valentine's Day Lore will forever change the way you view this holiday. Forget about Cupid and candy hearts and fall head over heels into a nightmare this February 14th.
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Sappy romance is a big “no” for me. I like my so-called “love stories” dark and complex and, if possible, tragic. Think of Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre and Jamaica's Inn and whatnot. Needless to say, Valentine's Day is utter BS. However, this little book here is a true treasury of love gone bad.
From myths and legends, historical facts, urban legends and strange customs of intimacy and marriage, Tim Rayborn has you covered. From Orpheus and Eurydice, Irish and Osiris, Zeus' lovers and Hera's revenge, these are myths of rage and lost and immortality.
From Berlioz's obsession to Mary East's secret, from Catherine Howard to Narcissus, you will find stories you weren't aware of even if you had read hundreds of books. I guarantee you that.
This is a book that will narrate the possible origins of Valentine's Day and scare you with Japanese mutilated ghosts and unsolved crimes.
Whether you are a lover of the paranormal or you tend to connect with darkness in your romance, this book deserves a place in your bookcase.
Also, it goes without saying that countries which have forbidden the celebrations of Valentine's Day are either Muslim, populated by terrorists aka.beasts in “humanitarian need” or regimes of eastern origins (Pakistan, Afghanistan and the rest...) But keep calling them civilized, sure...
Many thanks to Cider Mill Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.