An anthology of YA horror stories, The Gathering Dark is a mix of creepy and dark. Reminiscent of ghost stories told around a campfire, I found myself enjoying some stories and rolling my eyes at others. I liked The Ghost on the Shore by Allison Saft and could see it being turned into a longer novella. There are some tough topics in some of the stories so as with many horror titles, be mindful if you decide to pick up this title. What I did enjoy immensely about The Gathering Dark was the introduction to several authors I was unaware of, allowing me to find works by the authors I liked the best. Finally, I loved the cover art and absolutely want the artwork.

Such a cool selection of spooky stories from very talented Young Adult authors, some familiar and some new to me, which is perfect for the upcoming fall reading season.

I wanted to LOVE this, as I enjoy all the authors here and I wanted to support a diverse anthology. Most of all, I adore folk horror, and was excited to see some YA interpretations of the genre.

Unfortunately, while the stories in this collection were all good... they weren't folk horror. Folk horror as it is commonly defined tends to use a rural setting to explore themes of nature versus man, off-kilter normalcy, religion, ritual, sin and secrets, and the overwhelming atmosphere of landscapes that are still by-and-large natural and untouched by humanity. A few of these had ghosts in them occurring in natural settings, but that's not the same thing! A few of these took place in cities or suburbs which was a strange choice.

So this is consequently difficult for me to rate. It's not what it says it is - folk horror - so what is it? A good selection of creepy stories. If I reviewed this as a scary story collection, I'd give it 4 stars - my favorites were Tori Bovalino's, Allison Saft's and Aden Polydoros's work. But given that this isn't the genre it's proclaiming to be... 3 stars.

My childhood began in Central Illinois adjacent to flat farm lands and the vast thickets of cornfields. I remember the feeling of dread I always got traveling to my uncle's house in the middle of nowhere, each turn looking exactly the same as the last, absolutely sure the cornfields were swallowing the car whole. Nature is old and mysterious and the stories passed down between generations are alive for good reason. Thus, I've always been wary of wide spaces and rural areas. If you're like me in that regard, you'll appreciate this anthology of folk horror short stories, written by a list of authors with an impressive combined resume. Each short story feels distinct and separate from one another - the topics explored are varied, and the locations range from rural Texas, to the shoreline, to the mountains, to what feels like the American midwest. I will say, there are a couple in this grouping that aren't as strong as the rest, but that didn't really bother me too much because the others are so superbly effective. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance reader. I will definitely be rereading this during spooky season!

When I saw many of my favourite authors had come together to create an anthology of folk horror (one of my favourite horror sub genres) excited is an understatement for how I felt. Authors include Hannah Whitten, Tori Bovalino and Allison Saft to name a few.

Unlike many folk horror books which are quite dense, this is far lighter in comparison. With this in mind, the Gathering Dark would be a great place to start if you’d like to dip your toes into folk horror in a non intimidating way.

My personal favourite was IT STAYS WITH YOU by Aden Polydoros which was about the folk legend Bloody Mary. I loved this one. I couldn’t look at mirrors after this without getting a little freaked out and it reminded me of my childhood when it absolutely petrified us to say her name.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book to read and review in advance!

3.75 stars

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Stay - Erica Waters - 3.5 stars
A very creepy start to the anthology, very atmospheric and eerie. I was hooked straight away! I did find it to be a little predictable and confusing, but a great short story nonetheless!

The Tallest Poppy - Chloe Gong - 4 stars
Even creepier! Honestly one of my worst nightmares come to life in this story, it was actually kind of horrible for me to read. Chloe Gong's writing really lends itself to the genre of horror. It was a bit of a confusing end, but very enjoyable and very creepy.

Loved by All, Save One - Tori Bovalino - 4.5 stars
Ooooh, I loved this one! Creepy and very probable, in my eyes. I loved the way the ghost came into the story at the end and the role they played; the whole story was so creepy and definitely not one to read if you are home alone! However, the start of the story was a little predictable.

One-Lane Bridge - Hannah Whitten - 3 stars
I just wasn't all that interested in the plot of this one sadly. The idea of the monster under the bridge is pretty cool, but it's never really brought to fruition. It didn't feel that creepy or horror-esque, and the ending seemed a bit stupid to me.

The Ghost on the Shore - Allison Saft - 3.5 stars
Very beautiful writing, and I love the concept, but sadly I just don't think it was pulled off quite right. I was a bit confused by the story, and I didn't really feel like any of the consuming grief that the MC is meant to be feeling came across.

Petrified - Olivia Chadha - 4 stars
A little confusing; this was one of the shorter stories, but I think this would be sooo cool as a full length novel - a forest that devours those who have wronged others? Vengeance-reaping main characters? Loved that! It was so cool but we do miss out on quite a lot of useful detail that could have really fleshed out the story, even a bit more would have added to the atmosphere.

Third Burn - Courtney Gould - 4 stars
Very intriguing. I really enjoyed the way the story was told, and the reasonings behind it all. However, it did just feel like it was missing out on something (but I can't really put my finger on what that is, so that's not entirely helpful of me!) I really wanted to see where it would lead!

It Stays With You - Aden Polydoros - 4.5 stars
I really liked this! It was creepy, but not too much, there's an abandoned amusement park, a weird presence haunting these 3 kids. I liked how it was kind of an allegory for defeating the demons from your past.

Truth or Dare - Alex Brown - 3 stars
I don't really understand why this one was in here...? I don't think this can really be classed as horror. It was basically a lot of walking and internal monologue, but nothing horror about it really, in my opinion anyway. It was more about choosing yourself after spending a long time putting another person before yourself.

The Burning One - Shakira Toussaint - 3.5 stars
A very cool concept. I loved seeing the story from the perspective of the "monster", but there were some things that weren't explained and left me feeling quite confused.

Overall, a very enjoyable collection of short horror stories, perfect for reading around Halloween time, and I think there's one for everyone in here!

Folk horror is a murky subgenre to pin down, and it does have a lot of potential overlap with creature features. Still, a couple of the stories in this missed some opportunities to really lean into the folkloric aspect. A monster is always great, but with folk horror, I want to feel like the monster represents something about the world which formed it. The quote about folk horror that sticks with me is that, in how it picks at our fears, it asks - what if the old ways were right? I don't think you've established the whole framework if all you have is an urban legend, a great folk horror story unpacks why that legend persists even in the modern day.

Overall very atmospheric, and if you're looking for a primer on general folk horror tropes, this will cover your bases.

“A safety pin and a Walmart candle, beer-silly and scared. Apparently, it was no sophisticated business, summoning devils.” Hannah Whitten, One -Lane Bridge


Thank you NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy. The opinions here are entirely my own.

First off this is a nice anthology of short stories, as with all collections some parts will resonate more with readers than others. I have already noticed several other reviewer’s favorites were not mine. Though I think all will agree that the first story Stay by Erica Waters is a prime example of good storytelling and the tone you can expect from this book. So if you are unsure give the first story a read and go from there. My other favorite stories in this anthology were One Lane Bridge by Hannah Whitten and Truth or Dare by Alex Brown. There is certainly variety in these stories from ghost stories to the lurking monster in the woods, and all have that American Gothic feel.

I have to say a pet peeve of mine that occurred frequently in half these stories, is having minors sneaking liquor and beer from their parents. I think its supposed to add “realism” but I feel like its an overdone trope. The misguided and misunderstood teens are of course the ones to get into trouble and see the weird paranormal stuff, because a well-behaved average teen couldn’t possibly have an adventure? This happens a lot in horror and I find it annoying and unnecessary. It's either punish the sinner or only troubled outcasts are special enough to pierce the veil.. I’m tired of this negative stereotype, and don't think it is something that should be so prominent that its practically endorsed. Not that these stories aren’t good, but it irked me to see that used as a crutch for character building. I would like to see authors and publishers a little more socially responsible with such things. I also found most of the characters less relatable because of it. End Rant. (I did make notes in my following thoughts, just to showcase how often it occurred).

Stay: Paints the perfect picture of a small town, where they have family cemeteries and the memories of dead loved ones hang heavy in the air. I could practically feel the old country roads, with the Spanish moss swaying from the trees. Loved the imagery in this story.

The Tallest Poppy: Well written with vivid imagery, however the plot didn’t hit with me. Babysitter in an old house with creepy dolls should be a win, but I just didn’t feel the emotional drive. However it seems to be a hit with others so maybe I just wasn’t in the right headspace to appreciate it.

Loved by All, Save One: A traditional horror story, but where the ghost can be the hero. (Peach Schnapps snuck to them by a relative)

One-Lane Bridge: A fantastic story written by Hannah Whitten, who is apparently excellent at crafting stories about monsters in the woods. (Stealing from parents mini fridge and drinking beer in the backyard)

The Ghost on the Shore: A beautiful if depressing story about love, loss, and overcoming grief.

Petrified: Eerily creepy, a great short story about a small town and the kids who live there. Ending was satisfying, and what you want from a local legend. (Passing around a flask while driving)

Third Burn: While not a bad story, compared to the other creepier stories in this collection I found this one to be a little underwhelming. Though I like the ties back to witchcraft. (Finishing off moms left over beer cans)

It Stays With you: An interesting take on Bloody Marry. I think I would rather run into the original Bloody Marry as opposed to what this author cooked up. No thank you. Reminded me of "It Follows" and "It." (Sorbet flavored Smirnoff, beer, and weed brownie)

Truth or Dare: Damn, this one hit home. Great story telling, I liked the narrative style, like I am being told a story at a campfire. I have been in this girl’s shoes, lose the boy or lose some of your self-respect. I also really like that the narrator acknowledges to the reader that she is intentionally ignoring the voice in the tunnels, for fear of giving it power, while at the same time taking advantage of its intentions. Like what a great power dynamic. Good job Alex Brown! My only issue is the first line of the story “I’m only telling you this so you don’t make the same mistake I did”. What mistake? Seemed intentional to me, unless the boy was the mistake, in which case, carry on!

The Burning One: Certainly the most unique story in this collection, with the time period, place, and the the use of linguistics. I wish things in the story had gotten scary sooner, because I could be all about what happened at the end.

This anthology of short stories starts off strong and stayed that way throughout the entire collection. I mean look at that list of authors, how could you go wrong. While I definitely liked some stories more, I can't say I hated any of them. They were all enjoyable in their own way. Almost every story had an on page LGBTQ+ character, and I love to see that rep even in horror!

A great anthology to pick up for the spooky season, especially for readers who enjoy elements of urban legends, small town stories, and paranormal horror.

This is my first time reading an anthology of folk horror and I can say that I was definitely not disappointed. I mean just look at the authors. I enjoyed each of the stories though it’s hard to rate them all in one as each of them were incredibly different. I especially enjoyed ‘It Stays With You’ and thought that each of the characters were well developed to say that they didn’t the book didn’t only focus on them. This applies to all of the stories. Each of them were unique and kept me wanting more. Definitely check the trigger warnings before reading but I would definitely recommend!

I liked the variety of stories within this novel, Hannah Whitten's short story was especially compelling.

This anthology was nothing like I expected. Really disappointing to say the least.

First and foremost I need to address something, this anthology is titled a folk horror anthology, and I might not be an expert on the genre, but I did watch a couple of movies and read a couple of books/stories of this genre and this anthology, sadly, had none of it. Most of these stories were urban myths/legends and this trope got boring very quickly, simply because ALL of the stories were the same. A weird legend about a house in a town, a weird legend about a bridge in a town, a story of a burning of the church town, a story about the former owners of the house in the 1800´s, you get the gist. It was repetitive, lacked originality, and also is the wrong type of marketing/description to call this folk horror. There was ONE story that had folk horror vibes (even if just a little). There wasn't a single pastoral, idyllic setting type of community, featured in this anthology, the atmosphere and heavy focus on nature/seasons or even use of nature as a type of horror weren´t also there, and not even some cult/religion thing was featured as well. To sum up: in my humble opinion, this is not an anthology of folk horror. In fact, is barely a horror anthology. These stories were not horrific. They were not scary at all. There is a heavy focus on a young adult audience here, but I´ve read ya books that were scarier than this one, so that´s no excuse. Again my point is simple, these stories are the suspense, barely chilling, kind of type. So this whole thing just felt like a huge miss to me. I was expecting a totally different thing and what was delivered was... bad.

On another note, many of the stories in this anthology suffered from something I particularly hate when reading short stories, which is that when I read I feel the story was rushed and underdeveloped and unfortunately many of the stories here were like that, most of these stories were very short indeed and I feel like that was a bad choice in terms of pacing and development of the stories.

OVERALL RATING: 2.5 stars
Now to the breakdown of each short story:

Stay - 3 stars
Interesting way to approach the subject, but just too short. If it was a bit longer it could have been great.

The Tallest Poppy - 4 stars
Really liked the weirdness and eeriness of this one. The ending was a bit confusing and I felt like there was some connection point missing, but if not for that it would have been perfect.

Loved By All, Save One - 2 stars
This was a bit creepy. But it just didn´t work for me. Hated the premise and the execution.

One-Lane Bridge - 1 star
This was the worst of all. Confusing. The writing was all over the place, the plot was incredibly predictable and the ending was disappointing.

The Ghost on the Shore - 2 stars
This one tried to be something and... failed. The ending left me very mad lol, I really feel like this whole story was not thought through.

Petrified - 3 stars
This is the only story that felt like folk horror to me. Though the writing was incredibly messy and confusing, towards the end you can start to make sense of things. This was also the shortest story, so I feel like if it were longer and more polished it really could have been great.

Third Burn - 2 stars
This was one was a massive yawn. Middle towards the end there was a bunch of info-dump that was supposed to make things "make sense" but that just felt like sloppy writing.

It Stays With You - 3 stars
I almost gave this one a four-star, if not for the ending. It was so rushed and didn´t make any sense. The whole pacing and development of this were really good, and with very movie-like descriptions that I could see in my head and also creepy vibes as well. If this one was featured in a different theme of an anthology like classic urban legends or something 80´s themed it would have made SO much more sense.

Truth or Dare - 4 stars
I´m giving this one a four because the writing is SO good. I adored it. The concept of the story is also really clever and sort of unsettling and I really enjoyed it. Again, nothing folk horror to see here but the use of gaslighting and an abusive type of relationship did echo some folk horror works for me.

The Burning One - 4 stars
Incredibly original. Weird writing that takes a while to get acclimated to, but also that works wonders for the whole concept of the story. This was creepy, monstrous, and very satisfying to read. Another one that had very movie-like feels and very strong imagery descriptions. I liked it.

I honestly forgot how much I loved folk horror until I read The Gathering Dark. I grew up in a small-ish town with its own *unexplained happenings* and was also obsessed (like every other 10 year old in the early/mid 2000s) with Scary Stories to Read in the Dark and the Midnight Library books. I was drawn to this book firstly because of the amazing group of authors in this collection and absolutely none of them disappointed. Right out of the gate, Stay by Erica Waters is a downright terrifying way to begin this collection, with each story after bringing its own brand of terror.

The Gathering Dark is an anthology that I will absolutely be revisiting later this year when I'm in need of some creepy/Halloween vibes.

*Trigger Warnings*
Blood, Gore, Sexual Assault, Ghosts

I loved all the stories in this anthology, all of them are brilliantly dark. They remind me of my favourite chinese ghost story style zhiguai, chinese true tales of the paranormal, as all of the characters fall into these horrific situations. I loved the writing for each story as it perfectly fit the story they were telling but all the stories worked so well together.

Like any anthology, this collection of folk horror-esque stories was fairly hit or miss. The stand-outs for me were LOVED BY ALL, SAVE ONE (Tori Bovalino), IT STAYS WITH YOU (Aden Polydoros), and THE BURNING ONE (Shakira Toussaint).

I can't help but feel like this anthology would have been stronger if it had been compiled or organized a little differently - some of the stories seemed to blend together, with multiple starting out with small town, mostly white American friend groups drinking at night and exchanging campfire horror stories. Overall, however, this collection was enjoyable and genuinely spooky in a summery kind of way - a nice deviation from the typical autumnal gothic collections that dominate YA horror.

The Gathering Dark was an anthology of horror stories that gave off Scary Stories To Tell in The Dark vibes! I really enjoyed some of the stories and some of them were super unique! I think horror fans are going to love this gathering of horror stories. I also liked the variety of stories and the different elements that made the stories "horror".

Thank you NetGalley, Page Street Kids, and the authors for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! This is a spooky collection of stories by some of the best current YA authors. I really enjoyed most of them and there was only one that I didn’t like, which is a bit rare for me with anthologies. Despite how short these stories are, they each covered a lot and set the scene really well. I highly recommend this one!

The Gathering Dark is an excellent YA anthology of folk horror written by some of the best YA authors today. The stories are spooky and filled with atmosphere. I couldn't get enough! The Tallest Poppy, Stay, and One-Lane Bridge were my favorites. Highly recommended!!

The best read to get pumped for spooky season! All of these stories felt so unique and creepy in their own distinct ways, and were all the perfect 'can't put down' length. Standouts for me were Allison Saft's THE GHOST ON THE SHORE and Alex Brown's TRUTH OR DARE - both of these stories will be sticking with me for quite awhile! My only regret is I wish I could've read this when it was swelteringly hot outside.

Do you remember the show: Are You Afraid of the Dark? That was on Nickelodeon in the 90’s, if you enjoyed that show then you will really like this book. This is The Gathering Dark the book is edited by Tori Bovalino but features stories from her and nine other authors in this creepy young adult horror anthology. This book gives you the feeling of being around a campfire at night with your friends and you want to scare the group so you begin to tell urban legends. The story of Bloody Mary, The Lady in the Lake, witches, etc. This book just gave me that sense of nostalgia and I wanted to be eating s’mores while reading this.

With ten different stories there was bound to be really high points and some that did not hit the mark. My favorite story was by Chole Gong titled The Tallest Poppy. Poppy was a classic nanny story where the nanny comes to live with the family and the house and the kids don’t seem quite right. I also really enjoyed Loved By All, Save One by Tori Bovalino and It Stays With You by Aden Polydoros. Overall giving this one 4 stars as the average of all ten stories was a 3.8.