"A Head Full of Ghosts" from Paul Tremblay blew me away, so I was more than eager to read this collection of short stories and flash fiction.

As with any collection, there were both good and less good stories. The title story, almost a novella, was *chef's kiss* perfection. The return of Merry was excellent and the introduction of new characters (to me) made me hit purchase on "The Cabin At the End of the World."

This is a good intro to Tremblay, but I would recommend his other works first as there is crossover. Perfect start to the fall reading season.

The Beast You Are is a collection of stories from masterful author Paul Tremblay. These stories seem to detail snippets of life that invoke feelings of being haunted, despair, and that's just the first couple! All I can say is that if you haven't read anything by Paul Tremblay you are 100% missing out on a spectacular (and sometimes mystifying) experience.

What follows are some of my real time thoughts about each story as I finished them!

Haunted House Tour: 1 Per Person
- What an absolutely haunting story to open this collection with! I think this story and what it made me feel encapsulates why I fell in love with Paul Tremblay as an author. The setting is a classic horror story and I wasn't sure exactly how this was going to end, but I raced to find out!
Mean Time
- Fans of The Chalk Man by CJ Tudor will love this short but fun story!
I Know You're There
- I wasn't sure exactly what I was getting into with this story, but I felt it was both creepy and sweet. It's so dark, but also grief ridden. I liked it!
The Postal Zone: The Possession Edition
- Oh my god. A foray back into the world of A Head Full of Ghosts. It was everything that I could have ever wanted. It still doesn't necessarily give us any concrete answers (but the perhaps some breaking of a certain wall (hint hint). Although the answers are there, the dread and suspense was there just like the day I read that book. I loved this!!!
Red Eyes
- This is absolutely probably going to be one of my favorite stories in this collection. I'm calling it now. This has some similar haunting connections like the story before it and in my eyes (pun intended) it reveals some more inner workings of the mind that otherwise remained lost to us!
The Blog at the End of the World
- Okay this one has me puzzled a little bit. BUT - much like any story told in such a unique way I really liked it. These blog posts aren't going to give you any sort of final answer to things - but in that classic Tremblay way - maybe, just maybe, you'll decide for yourself what you want to believe.
Then: A Pitch
- This was such a fun exercise in actually envisioning and seeing something fun from Tremblay!
House of Windows
- Milton is SUCH a name for a tiny lap dog.
- This story reads almost like a reverse House of Leaves. Maybe that's a little literal, but it felt true to my experience reading this story. Following an ever expanding house that seems to be overtaking a city, investigative journalism has never felt more harrowing!
The Last Conversation
- Remember when I mentioned that I always feel haunted by Paul Tremblay's writing, well let me reiterate. How does this human have such an ability to make me feel all of emotions. I felt like I couldn't breathe at times during this story. It's deliciously heartbreaking and this one will stick with me for quite some time.
- What a magical story that pulled me in so deeply all with a shift to the second person.
- Perfect story for fans of claustrophobic horror adventures.
- Perfect for fans or Caitlin Starling and The Darkness Between Us
Mostly Size
- Well - I guess I'm not meant to understand all of the stories, but I have two different opinions of what this story could symbolize or be.
The Large Man
- This was a fun and futuristic/dystopian adventure. This story felt ageless, but in a Clockwork Orange kind of way I guess! And I enjoyed the nice twist ending!
The Dead Thing
- Oh this was a twisty fun story and I can't tell you anything else about this because it deserves to be read without any impressions. 5 star story!
Howard Sturgis [...]
- Okay this was definitely something different (in my opinion) than what I would expect from Tremblay. This was almost humorous how confused I was for the majority of this story and then the ending still gave me the devious energy I wanted!
The Party
- What's a party among coworkers at the end of the world. Or is it? That seems to be exactly what I'm going to be wondering for the next year when I think about this story!
The Beast You Are
- Paul Tremblay is a massive creative genius when it comes to unique story-telling. Did I expect to discover the last story in this collection is told in verse like Beowulf or the Canterbury Tales - no, I didn't expect it, but I loved this creative choice
- This story also has Easter eggs that hint back to another famous story that Tremblay writes!


These stories are everything and more that readers expect from Paul Tremblay. They give all the haunting feelings, the questionable and discussable endings, and they can be ambiguous. But for Tremblay fans this isn't new and we love it! (Yes, I've found myself being a massive fan of Tremblay (especially after The Pallbearers Club - literally so good))
But there is more than just the expected. There is the return to familiar characters from Tremblay other popular works. There is a sense of connectedness where I didn't expect to see. There is so much to experience with this series and I know that readers are going to love and connect with these stories.

Go read this book!

Paul Tremblay never ceases to upend my expectations and surprise me. So I definitely got excited when I saw he had this collection of short stories. In typical Tremblay fashion, these stories are so unique and full of twists on things you think you may already know. He has a way of examining a situation or trope and making it totally his own. He experiments with styles, formats, and themes, and he never shies away from layering on the eerie, creepy factors. His stories make you pause and think, "Okay... but... did... that just... happen?" And you slowly look around and as the story lingers you become more and more affected by it. Masterful storytelling and always makes me think!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. This is the first time I've been approved for a book having already read and reviewed it, so below is my previously posted review.

Let’s cut to the chase, the story about anthropomorphic animals written in loose free verse will not be for everyone. HOWEVER, I ATE it up. I could’ve read a 600 page book written in that format with those characters. I was sucked into the writing immediately and when the story ended my jaw dropped. And that’s after the surplus of fantastic short stories that preceded it. One of the most memorable horror short story collections I’ve read. These stories will live with me. I’m also a Paul Tremblay stan so who knows if you can even trust my un-objective words.

This is a good collection of horror short stories. Paul Tremblay does a good job of telling a story with increasing dread, and does it again here. The novella at the end, "The Beast You Are" is a great story, but I didn't enjoy reading it in the free verse style. Overall, good collection.

I've been a huge fan of Paul Tremblay since reading first A HEAD FULL OF GHOSTS, then the even more exceptional DISAPPEARANCE AT DEVIL'S ROCK. [CABIN AT THE END OF THE WORLD I found too unsettling to be entertaining.] A similar process occurred for me with THE BEAST YOU ARE. I adored some of the stories: for example, ICE COLD LEMONADE 25 cents HAUNTED HOUSE TOUR 1 PER PERSON [even the title is neat-o) was superbly scary! So was THE POSTAL ZONE: POSSESSION EDITION 🥶 But others, such as THE LAST CONVERSATION, unfortunately just left me cold. It seemed a prevailing inconstency: some super-good, others just weren't. Disappointing as I entered in with high expectations. 😕

I am so thankful to William Morrow and Paul Tremblay for sending me and advanced reader copy of The Beast You Are before this baby hits shelves on July 11, 2023. I am always game for a collection of short stories and novellas, especially when they are within the horror genre. Paul Tremblay was definitely able to captivate my ick-factor with these stories that dabble in the paranormal, being terminally ill, and even cast out by your parental unit and left to parent your broken brother. Yep that's a mouth-full.

As with all short story collections, some stories are really good and some are okay. One or two I didn't care for at all.

Horror is a fairly new genre for me. I have always loved Stephen King, then came Grady Hendrix, Riley Sager, and now the wonderful Paul Tremblay. This book gave me chills throughout.

I'm a big fan of Tremblay, but unfortunately this collection didn't work for me. The stories didn't seem cohesive in any way (theme, style, pacing, subject matter), but rather like they were just thrown together to make a collection. Some were entertaining, but for the most part it was a bit of a slog to get through. I did like that we got more about Head Full of Ghosts. While I wouldn't recommend this collection, and didn't really enjoy it, I do admire that Tremblay continues to write outside of the box rather than just what would typically be commercially successful. I will still read anything he writes! (2.5 stars, rounded up).

This may be one of the most bizarre collection of short stories I have ever read. I’ve heard a lot about this author but I am pretty sure this is my first and I think it was probably a weird place to start. I found a couple of the stories to be excellent and a couple to be misses for me but overall I thought they were good. I thought the last “story” was too long and the free verse format got old after a while, it was more than half the book in length. My favorite story is The Last Conversation. It would make a great episode of Black Mirror and was good and had a disturbing twist with the ending that was perfect for a story like this. I also really liked House of Windows, but I thought it could have been longer and maybe even a novella. Overall this was interesting and I will read more by this author. Overall I gave this one 3.5 stars which I rounded up because I liked the overall vibe of the book.

"The Beast You Are" is a captivating collection of short stories that showcases Paul Tremblay's exceptional writing skills and boundless creativity. As with any anthology, some stories shine brighter than others, but Tremblay's ability to craft tension, evoke creepiness, and breathe life into vivid characters is evident throughout.

The book is labeled as horror, but it offers a blend of horror and science fiction, resulting in a unique and intriguing reading experience. Tremblay's storytelling is psychological, experimental, and emotionally charged, leaving readers feeling unsettled in the best possible way.

One of the highlights of Tremblay's writing is his mastery in crafting inconclusive endings, a signature element that adds depth and intrigue to the stories. While some may prefer a more conclusive approach, these open-ended conclusions immerse readers in thought-provoking contemplation.

Though the stories may not feel entirely cohesive as a whole collection, each tale stands on its own, delivering a distinct and memorable experience. Tremblay's familiarity with his craft shines through, and his passion for storytelling is evident in every word.

Fans of Tremblay's novels will find much to appreciate in this collection. Even if not every story resonates deeply, the inherent quality of his writing ensures that there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Furthermore, readers who have previously explored Tremblay's work, particularly "A Head Full of Ghosts," will find connections and references that add an extra layer of depth to their experience.

In conclusion, "The Beast You Are" is a must-read for fans of Paul Tremblay and those who appreciate thought-provoking and occasionally eerie tales. Whether you are new to his short stories or a seasoned fan, this collection is an excellent addition to your reading list. Prepare to be taken on a journey through the mind of a master storyteller, as he weaves stories that will both captivate and haunt you long after you turn the last page.

⭐️⭐️.5

𝘼 𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙥𝙞𝙚𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙨𝙮𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙪𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚, 𝙖 𝙛𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙛𝙮𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙮.

I have not read anything by this author before this book, but I have heard many people say his books won’t be for everyone… and I can see why now.

I decided to pick this one up since it was a collection of short stories - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗔𝗿𝗲 being the main novella/story. Paul Tremblay has such an interesting way of writing stories.

I honestly feel like these stories were all over the place - some of them did freak me out and kept me engaged with them… but others just felt strange reading.

I don’t know if it was the author’s way of sharing these stories or if I was just genuinely confused most of the time, but I had to go back so often and reread certain stories. I just kept losing myself.

Some stories were definitely better than others. I did enjoy 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗴 𝗔𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 which took a route with COVID-19. 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄𝘀 was one I had to go back a few times to reread, but I actually ended up really loving that one.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 was my absolute favorite out of all the stories. If I was to recommend one, it would hands down be this one. It gave off Shirley Jackson vibes and I was creeped out at times. I was engaged with this one the whole time and I wish it was longer.

However, most of the stories just felt super strange and off-putting. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺: 𝗔 𝗣𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 was one of the shortest stories, but it was so confusing and made no sense. 𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝘆𝗲𝘀 also had so much potential in the beginning, but I didn’t like the way it was told.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗔𝗿𝗲 is the novella this collection ends off with… and honestly, what a disappointment. I felt so underwhelmed as I thought it would’ve been my favorite. There are three different “Ages” and I honestly didn’t care for any of them.

I definitely was not the intended reader of these stories. I do want to pick something else up by this author, but unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me.

Thank you so much NetGalley and William Morrow for the review eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I’m a big fan of short story collections, but as with all collections, there are stories I enjoyed, and stories I didn’t enjoy.

Some of my favorites in this collection were:
-I Know You’re There
-The Blog at the End of the World
-House of Windows
-The Last Conversation
-The Beast You Are

A few of the stories in this collection are related to his novels, which I also enjoyed. If you haven’t had the chance to read A Head Full of Ghosts, I recommend it as it’ll increase your enjoyment level.

A lot of these stories were really creative, and I enjoyed seeing how Tremblay constructed these stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the chance to read this advanced review copy.

CW: death, grief, pandemic, murder, animal death, body horror, entomophobia, addiction, child abuse, blood, gore, child death

Paul Tremblay is a brilliant writer. The Beast You Are is a haunting, dark, and unnerving collection of short stories that kept me in suspense. Memorable tales that will have you scare in the dark.

I don’t know if Paul Tremblay is for me, there’s nothing wrong with his writing I’m just never fully captivated. With this short story collection, the pacing is what’s a miss for me. A lot of the stories were a struggle to get through.

Three stars because I like it! Typically, short stories are not my go to when choosing a read. However, with that being said, there are some exceptions to that self-imposed rule of mine: Stephen King, Joe Hill, Josh Malerman, and now, Paul Tremblay. I requested this book because I am tackling the Goodreads list of 2023's best horror. What I enjoyed most about The Beast You Are, is that the stories were different enough from one another that the entire book didn't feel repetitive. I also enjoyed returning characters! Overall, this was a book I enjoyed.

The Beast You Are is a series of 15 short stories, some being more scifii and others more horror. All of the stories encounter some version of a monster. Reading through these stories reminded me of the collection Scary Stories You Tell in the Dark or the tv series The Twilight Zone.
There were some stories (The Beast You Are and The Last Conversation ) that I really enjoyed reading. I couldn't get enough and I had so much fun seeing how the stories unfolded.
But then there were other stories that felt like they just ended. They left me confused and with so many questions. Then there were stories that just made me feel unsettled and uncomfortable; they were too weird and creepy.
Finally I found stories that I wish I had more information about before reading them. There are stories relating to characters from A Head Full of Ghosts. Personally I wish I knew more about these characters. There was also a story written for Shirley Jackson. I haven't read much from that author, and I was confused with the ending.
Needless to say, I really like some stories and I also really didn't like others.

DNF @41%- The most enjoyable story in this book, in my opinion, was the first one. I found that one pretty immersive and creepy. I just didn’t enjoy any of the others much and was finding it a slog to try to get through.

A Head Full of Ghosts is one of my favorite horror books and it’s so cool to see some callbacks to that book in these stories! 🎉 I would say Tremblay’s horror leans more psychological or speculative which is right up my alley. With short stories, I’m often left thinking “okay, but what next?” and I won’t say this book is free of those moments. I think it’s so incredibly difficult to wrap up a super short story in a satisfying way.

That being said, I loved some of these stories and the concepts behind them.

💫 “I Know You’re There” was my absolute favorite. It was an emotionally impactful story about the horrors of grief

💫 “The Last Conversation” was so experimental and interesting. It’s about a person who wakes up and cannot see. There are tests being run on the person and their only communication is with one person through an intercom system. The unnamed person and the reader have to piece together the rest.

💫 “The Blog at the End of the World” is a pandemic horror about the fear and tension during a pandemic. I’d say this is Tremblay’s take on a COVID-19 type of situation. Watching things fall apart, watching people die, not being able to reach your loved ones, etc. I also liked the style of this one. It’s super accessible.

Unfortunately, I didn’t love the titular novella. It seemed to drag on and having it right at the end of the book soured my final takeaway slightly. Still an overall solid collection of short stories that I think fans of Tremblay’s prior work will enjoy. There’s definitely something here for everyone! 📚

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review. 🖤