Just coming from Subterranean makes it worth the price and time. They offer the best of the best when it comes to Anthologies of Dark Fantasy.
I have read the previous two volumes and was not disappointed with this one. There were authors I knew and liked and a few I had no idea who they were or if their style was for me.
I need not have been concerned, all were worth the read and I enjoyed every story in this volume. I recommend this if you are a lover of Dark Fantasy or Subterranean Press.
I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest, unbiased review, thanks to Subterranean Press and @Netgalley

Anthologies are excellent for giving readers a break between series or introducing us to new to us authors. Each volume typically has a "theme" this one is dark fantasy. Every reader has their own definition of dark and fantasy and these authors hit mine on the nose. 10 stories, 10 authors already known in their genre for excellence mean this book packs a lot of atmosphere and tense situations into a small number of pages. The authors have flexed their writing skills to give us the full story experience with a quickly told story, no room for build up or back story here, just a quick punch to the psyche. A great book for any reader, give yourself a treat and see what's in store in the tales of dark fantasy.

<I>Thanks to NetGalley for giving me a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.</i>

This anthology gets a solid three stars from me because, for one reason or another, every story in it was simply average. Each of the stories managed to fall into either: Category A) generic story with okay writing or B) great story idea with so-so execution/writing. There was a decent amount of variety, despite the fact that the three most similar stories were pilled on top of each other. While there did not seem to be a cohesive idea of what "dark" is, you could argue that the anthology does a good job of providing many different definitions of the term. However, you could also argue that some of these stories are not really dark at all - just supernatural, or sad, or violent.

"Final Course" was easily my favorite of the stories, I just wish it hadn't wrapped up so quickly. The ending felt as if the author had suddenly realized he was out of time. If he had had time to make it a full novella, it would have been five stars.

I would recommend this anthology if it has authors you already like or you have liked previous installments of the series. Otherwise, there are stronger collections out there.

"Tales of darkness and inexplicable happenings have always been with us - and always will. In its contemporary form, this sort of story is not only alive and well, but flourishing, and it continues to speak to us in a variety of voices. Subterranean: Tales of Dark Fantasy 3 is the latest installment in an acclaimed anthology series, and it brings together ten voices - some familiar, some less so - that are at once distinctive, compelling, and irresistible. The volume opens with award-winning novelist Kat Howar's “An Ordinary Progression of Hearts,” an elegant meditation on the fragility of the human heart; and closes with acclaimed newcomer P. Djèlí Clark's “Skin Magic,” a stunning account of sorcery and dark magic set in an unnamed third world country. Elsewhere in the anthology, Caitlin R. Kíernan (“Cherry Street Tango, Sweat Box Waltz”) offers a piece of near-future noir in which a “blackstrap” (a hired assassin) contemplates the failure of her latest murderous assignment. “At the Threshold of Your Bedchamber on the Fifth Night” by Sarah Gailey is the tale of a courtship that leads to a most unusual consummation. In “Final Course,” a rare short story by rising star C.J. Tudor, the reunion of old school friends takes a savage and unexpected turn. In addition to these and other stellar tales by the likes of Bentley Little, Richard Kadrey, Stephen Gallagher and Ian R. MacLeod, Tales of Dark Fantasy 3 contains Robert R. McCammon's “Death Comes for the Rich Man,” a rare novella set in Colonial America and featuring McCammon's popular “problem solver,” Matthew Corbett."

I am here for literally any book Subterranean Press puts out!

I really liked the mix of stories in this collection. Once I started reading it I was sucked into each story and completely ignored everything until I finished the book.

Ahoy there me mateys!  I received this short story collection eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  So here be me honest musings . . .

The cover drew me in and three things convinced me to read this book:

1. I love dark fantasy;
2. It is a Subterranean Press book and they do great work; and
3. This collection has 10 stories.  I have only read 4 of the authors' other works but the P. Djèlí Clark story cliched it.

Out of the 10 stories I loved 5 of them, 3 were just okay, and I didn't like 2.  I will try to give ye an idea of the bare bones and thoughts on the stories:

"Orderly Progression of Hearts" (Kat Howard)- This story was written in second person and didn't work for me at all.  Ugh.  Apparently me heart turned to stone then other things.  Not a good start to this anthology.

"Cherry Street Tango, Sweatbox Waltz" (Caitlín R. Kiernan) - This story is about an assassin's gig gone wrong and the interrogation is going through.  It took a moment to get settled into the style but I started to like it before it abruptly ended.  Teaser tale that just wasn't long enough to be completely satisfying.

"Estate Sale" (Bentley Little) - A woman goes to a neighborhood estate sale only to get confused when she recognizes some of the items being sold.  Light and kind of silly but fun.

"Twisted Hazel" (Stephen Gallagher) - I rather enjoyed this ghost story.  It is very poignant and had a semisweet ending.  I thought the atmosphere was nicely done.

"Death Comes for the Rich Man" (Robert McCammon) - A rich man hires a problem-solver to delay Death so he can speak with his estranged daughter one last time.  The hired man has an usual night.  I enjoyed this story even though I feel like I have already read a version of this tale before.

"At the Threshold of Your Bedchamber on the Fifth Night" (Sarah Gailey) - This certainly is the best story of the collection so far.  A suitor comes to win a challenge - receive the hand of the beautiful princess if they can remain awake for five whole days and nights. And of course there is a twist.  Lovely.

"Final Course" (C.J. Tudor) - This was first story that actually felt like dark fantasy.  I loved it.  It's the end of the world where darkness and monsters reign.  Five old college friends gather at a manor in the country with hopes of survival.  Then of course one goes missing.  I love this author's work.

"Lamagica" (Ian R. MacLeod) - I liked the setting of this world and the characters and the quest for the missing brother.  I did think that the story was too long and didn't love the ending.  The first half was stronger than the second and I ended up not really liking it overall.

"Razor Pig" (Richard Kadrey) - Creepy dark carnival and a missing daughter.  I wasn't expecting how this worked out but I rather liked it.  Gruesome.

"Skin Magic" (P. Djèlí Clark) - A fantastic story but what an abrupt ending!  Please make this into a full length novel.

I be very grateful to have a chance to read these stories and am glad I pushed through the beginning.  While I didn't love every story, I do have a few new favourites.  Arrrr!

So lastly . . .

Thank you Subterranean Press!

First of all, I think the book is misnamed. When I think fantasy, I think of dragons, magic, goblins, elves, and wizards. There was one story that had magic. Supernatural, sure, but not a fantasy.
No harm done because this was a great read. No story is much over thirty pages so it is easy to squeeze in some reading.
My three 5 star stories were Estate Sale by Bentley Little, Final Course by C. J. Tudor and Death comes for the Rich Man by Robert McCammon which is a Matthew Corbett short story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for a copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review

I am a firm believer that Subterranean Press puts out some of the best anthologies, ever. They have a knack for selecting the best editors and authors in the business, and when they put a collection together they do it right. Tales of Dark Fantasy 3 is no exception. All the stories are wonderful, but my absolute favorites from this collection were by Sarah Gailey and Robert McCammon. I read this book very quickly because I was enthralled the entire time. Highly recommended!

The only complaint is that there were some formatting issues with the Kindle edition that made it difficult to read in spots. I think the conversion from PDF to Kindle format went awry.

My thanks to Subterranean Press.
I am just one of those arseholes who are too excited when the Sub releases new stuff. 😍😘😘😍
In truth, I absolutely hated the first 3 stories. After that? Well honestly it still had a few odd moments. I do love shorties! The best in this series was all scattered about. I do hate that! Still, I thought the beginning stunk! After the first 3 this shit rocked and rolled! To varying degrees. Want a rundown on each story? Yeah, right! Better look to another review! I didn't even take notes in high -school!
Truth is that it's Subterranean Press. I always find their stuff is hit or miss. Luckily, for me it's more hit, and less miss! I've followed these publisher's for as long as I've had my Kindle. 2013. All those years, yet here I am!

Review Copy

Once again Subterranean hits the shelves with an anthology that will keep you reading when you know you should stop. Actually when my eyes started blurring, I figured that it was best for me to rest. Most anthologies are hit or miss. Tales of Dark Fantasy 3 is much more of a hit than a miss. With stories by Bentley Little, Caitlin Kiernan and Robert McCammon William Schafer brought some heavy hitters in to play. Those were good stories all. But my favorite tale was by Sarah Gailey. I hung on every word. Wonderfully written and surprising as well.

You're going to want to add this to your must buy list. I gave it 4 stars and hope you enjoy it also.