A short story collection featuring horror and dark fiction short stories, often with a feminist and woman-focused plot. Some topics are explored in multiple stories (particularly motherhood, grief and mental illness play a repeated role in the collection), but this collection manages to not get repetitive by exploring these same tropes (particularly the loss of a child is a topic that occurs a few times in this anthology) in a variety of settings and with very different approaches to it. The stories are very short, but there are only very few where I was left wishing for more, instead most of them worked really well considering the limited number of pages they had to work with. Similarly, there were no stories that I felt dragged or seemed too long, which is a great feat for an anthology like this.
While I didn’t enjoy every single story, there were only 3 short stories that didn’t work for me at all, some I just found okay, and quite a few I really enjoyed, such as “No Place Like Home”, “Circle”, “Neon Fly”, “I Started With Placental Encapsulation”, “The Cool Kids” and “Hag Stone”.
Most of the horror is of a dreamlike and surreal nature, encapsulating the feelings of dissociation and grief that often leaves us feel dreamlike and surreal ourselves. I also liked that the horror genres explored moved from haunted homes, contemporary feminist, sci-fi, lovely creature features and more. In general, I enjoyed the writing style a lot and even the stories I didn’t enjoy reading weren’t a slog to get through, but they just didn’t connect with me on the level I like my horror to connect with me.
I also adored that the author provided detailed trigger warnings in front of the anthology, allowing me to prepare for the dark topics explored here.
All in all, if you enjoy unconventional horror, feminist horror, dark weird fiction and are able to let yourself be sucked into surreal and strange places while reading, this is a short story collection I can recommend.
Numerically this rounds out to a 3.5 star rating, but I've rounded it up for the fact that there weren't really any stories in here that I absolutely did not enjoy and quite I few I enjoyed a lot.
I’ve also taken notes on all the short stories, writing short descriptions (mostly spoiler free) and including the trigger warnings that the author presented in the book.

Step Inside: A short story following the dangers of getting too absorbed in a story, when you are supposed to be doing other things. Scary, with an interesting narrator’s voice. tw suggested child abuse, suggested violence, child neglect
*FAV* No Place Like Home: A woman feels a pull urging her to return to her childhood home. But stepping inside that place will bring back dangers from her past. Really fun and tense and I enjoyed the exploration of a severely dysfunctional family portrayed here and the way it still influenced the daughter’s life even after both her parents had died. Also, it was incredibly heartbreaking in its portrayal of eating disorders and grief. And the end! Incredibly dark and really well written. tw eating disorders, vomiting, past child abuse, miscarriage, death, gore, blood
We Still Don’t use the Garage: A really interesting story told from the perspective of a formerly homeless man who has finally managed to find a home. I enjoyed the dialect chosen for this piece of work, definitely made it more interesting to read. tw death, alcoholism, homelessness
*FAV* Circle: A family struggling with the mother’s mental illness (bipolar), as she tries to cope with her ups and downs, protect her son and somehow also make art in between, but one evening, everything gets too much and she fails in the one thing she never wanted to fail in. Dark and sad and lyrical. Mental illness as a familial curse is always a lovely trope that I enjoy. tw suicide attempt, mental health (bipolar), blood, grief
A Piece Missing: A haunted woman is looking for a baby in a house that seems to have slipped out of time (or has only she slipped away?). Written in a wonderfully delirious way, this story is Weird with a capital W, incredibly strange and intriguing. Definitely not for every reader, but I enjoyed its feverish horror. tw suggested child murder, gore, death, postnatal depression, grief, existentialism
*FAV* Neon Fly: An apocalyptic eco-horror, where microplastic and the genetically engineered flies created to destroy plastic have taken over the world and a mother tries to escape to Mars with her daughter, gorey and gross and heartbreaking, tw gore, murder, death, blood
*FAV* It Started with Placental Encapsulation: A woman grieving for her mother and overworked by taking care of her baby turns to strange foods for comfort, heartbreaking, but really interesting! tw gore, blood, suggested domestic abuse, misogyny, death, violence, grief
The Dangers of Ill-Prepared Shellfish: A dark retelling of Venus and Mars’ story, centered around Venus trapped in the house Mars took her too after she stepped onto the shores, very dark and with a satisfying ending, tw domestic violence, gore, suggested rape, body horror, death, gaslighting, blood, forced marriage
Juliet, Juliet: A woman sinking ever deeper into her drug addiction after her girlfriend left her starts seeing a woman, who looks just like her, heavily focused on the deep dark drag of depression and drug addiction, this weaves a heartbreaking tale (and obviously the names Rommy and Juliet also work ;)) tw drug abuse, addiction, gore, death, blood, maggots, depression, grief, suicide
The Beauty Parlour: A world where due to mass-extinction the few rich survivors have decided to make the most of their limited time on Earth and go all in with weird body mods turning themselves into different kinds of animals, very hunger games-esque? I think I would have enjoyed this one more if it had just been focused on the body mods and the reasons for it and not so much the massive inequality of this failing planet, tw body mutilation, murder, gore, assault
Sick Girl: A weird short story about a young woman spending her free time in the hospital, trying to stay under everybody’s radar, not really developed enough for me, tw self-harm, gore, drug abuse, addiction, hypochondria, blood
*FAV* The Cool Kids: A man in his late thirties finds himself hosting a party for his old high school classmates and after being handed some drugs and some cajoling from his old classmates finds himself stripping down all the way, intriguing with a lovely body horror angle, I liked it! tw gore, murder, bullying, blood, self-mutilation
Cosmic Spin Class on Deck 112: A woman deep in depression after a big loss finds herself compelled to try out a new alien drug combined with sport therapy, which is supposed to help her recover. Very trippy, but heartbreaking and a good sci-fi horror, tw loss of a child, gore, depression, grief, existentialism
Labourers Wanted: A mother of two young children desperate for an escape from her increasingly violent home life finds a new place of employment. Her fragile peace threatens to be shattered when her husband follows her to work one morning. Satisfying end, but I would have enjoyed a bit more world building here. tw domestic violence, gore, mutilation, assault, suggested rape, misogyny, body horror, gaslighting, blood, eyes
All the Parts of a Mermaid that I Can Recall: A sailor wakes up in a hospital, desperate to get back to the mermaid he kidnapped. But why won’t they let him leave and why is there such an ugly tattoo on his arm? An interesting interweave of technology, misogyny and delusions. tw body horror, mutilation, misogyny, domestic violence, blood, gore
Every Cloud: This story follows a woman with the power to make it rain when she bleeds, starting with her in school and ending after a tragic loss. Intriguing concept and very heartbreaking. tw blood, self-harm, depression, miscarriage, existentialism, body horror, death
I Pull My Blanket Up Beneath my Chin: A child terrified of the dark. Unfortunately, this story didn’t work for me at all. A story from the perspective of a child needs to be very carefully constructed for a reader to fully immerse themselves in their horror and unfortunately this was just not the case here for me. tw suggested child abuse, gore, religion
One Lie for One Soul: A horrifying pregnancy horror based on Mary and Joseph, punishment for the lie they told. Fine? Maybe more interesting if you are interested in horror twists on Christian mythology (which I am not particularly). Cool body horror though. tw religion, blasphemy, murder, gore, blood, miscarriage, death
Black Metal in a White Room: A sci fi horror of a gruesome type of alien body snatchers this story follows a man haunted by invisible beings that provide housing and internet in exchange for blood donations. But their demands increase! Nice body horror and very trippy, I enjoyed this one. tw body horror, blood, gore, mutilation, eyes, tooth/mouth horror, surgical horror
In His Memory: A terrifying computer simulated world where people, who aren’t interesting enough, get turned back into random strings of code and the scramble of a couple trying to become interesting, very heartbreaking, tw dementia, grief, suggested violence against an animal, murder, body horror, death, existentialism
*FAV* Hag Stone: A story about a young man cleaning out his grandma’s old cabin in the woods and ignoring his mother’s and all other warnings that come his way. Gruesome and great body horror in the end. tw eyes, blood, gore, body horror, loss, death
Christingle Service: A young girl growing up under the oppressive religious beliefs of her mother and the fact that her mom blames her for the death of her twin during birth. Really dark and messy, I liked it. tw depression, drug abuse, suggested child abuse, loss of a child, miscarriage, religion, blasphemy, death, suggested suicide
How to Read a Woman: A serial killer on his search for his newest victim picks up the wrong girl on a night out. Interesting body horror. tw misogyny, eyes, body horror, death, suggested sexual assault, stalking, death

“Creepy, Unsettling, and Gets Under Your Skin”
Sick Girl Screams is a haunting collection of dark fiction written by SJ Townend. It gave off more of a ‘black mirror’ vibe as I was turning through the stories. As I read, I couldn’t believe that this was a debut collection of stories as Townend writes with such feeling that places the reader in that situation. It was definitely one that I’ll have stuck in my mind for the next month and look forward to a debut novel. If this is was she can do with short fiction, I can’t wait for a full length!

"Sick Girl Screams" was a very interesting reading experience. I write this almost two months after starting this collection of short stories (and recently finished) and I want to say that I still think about some of the stories from the beginning (such as "No Place Like Home") even now after so many weeks.
I love how SJ Townend writes body horror. This obsession with the body, mostly the female body, is, I think, central to these short stories. It makes the reader eventually obsess over themes such as domestic violence and other forms of abuse outside the fictional world and (re)open up discussion about these issues in real life. Although most of the scenarios pertain to the fantasy and SF genres, they are deeply rooted in our reality.
As a sort of conclusion, my favorite stories are "No Place Like Home", "Labourers Wanted" and "One Lie for One Soul". Thank you for giving me the opportunity to experience the worlds of SJ Townend!

First of all I want to say that the cover of this collection is fantastic. It gave me slight Junji Ito vibes but was also unique. Second of all I need to say that I firmly believe Brigid’s Gate Press and their collection of authors cannot produce anything bad! Seriously you know you are in for a good, if not horrifying (in the best way) time. This collection by Townend was no different. Each story offers it’s own glimpse into the darker side of what it means to be human.

There are moments of horror, moments of grief and slight moments of strange joy found within these tales and each one leaves a lasting impression on you. At least they did with me. I think this is the first time that after each story I took a small break, not because of the content but rather to think over what I had read. The beautiful and dark imaginary, the wonderful prose, the dark and the light. I personally love dark fiction and horror for this because it offers a way to explore the human condition and human emotions in ways that ‘normal’ fiction just might not. This collection was fantastic and I will definitely be getting a physical copy soon to add to my collection of Brigid’s Gate works, I also intend to find more of Townend to read since I was literally in awe after the first story.

As always thank you to Brigid’s Gate Press and Netgalley for the copy to review. My review is always honest, truthful and freely given.

I enjoyed the variety of stories in this collection. It felt like I was reading an episode of Black Mirror or Love Death + Robots.
While some stories were a bit stomach churning and disturbing, I liked it. If a book can evoke any emotion out of me, regardless which emotion, its a good read. I give it 4 stars as some of the stories was just too confusing to me, no matter how many times I tried to read it, it just wasn't hitting.

Read from October 19th, 2024 to October 29th, 2024. Written on October 29th, 2024.

~4.5~

I'm going to start off by saying what an amazing job the illustrator did with the cover, it is really crazy and cool and hooking to look at. Beautiful work.

Now...

Okay. What can I even say? I mean...what a rollercoaster of emotions. I had massive chills, I genuinely got sick after reading a couple of these short stories, and I am absolutely flabbergasted at everything I read. Haven't read a book like this in a long time. I don't even know how I have half a mind to write this.

Now, do watch out for trigger warnings, you will need them while reading this.

To the author:
Dear SJ Townend, your writing is insane. It is intricate, haunting, beautiful and just frightening. The messages inside each story, bringing reality to otherworldly experiences made each moment so much more intense. I am slack-jawed. I am disturbed. I am moved. Thank you so much.

I'm absolutely a new fan.

(Now excuse me while I go rest for a little big bit and recover from the hangover I got from this.)

Thank you for the massive opportunity to read this book. It has been one hell of a ride, and I am so glad I pulled through every single line.

Signing off.
B.

(Free ARC from NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press, LLC that I chose to review after reading - Cross-posted on Goodreads on October 29th, 2024)

very surreal collection of awesome short stories that range in type but are all really cool, especially the vrish one. tysm for the arc. 4 stars.

Technically I would give 3.5 starts if I could. There were a lot of good stories in here and some I didn't like as much and it took a second to get used to the writing style, which was different from many other things I read (not in a bad way). One thing I really enjoyed about the author was their ability to bring to life the true feelings of things such as depression, abuse, society's view on beauty, gaslighting, etc... into a truly horrifying tale. The extremism in some of these stories is meant to be shocking and make us think "this could never happen" or "that was a bit much" because we restrain ourselves from getting that far (most of the time). These stories capture the true feelings, not the true actions. Some I think would be great turned into a much longer tale and I look forward to anything that this author might publish in the future.

Sick Girl Screams was an entertaining collection of short stories in the theme of dark fiction and horror. Touching on extremely tough subjects such as grief, childhood trauma, abuse and the intensities of feminine nature and life. I have to admit that I haven't read anything like this before and in the world of short stories and a collection of them this one really stood out for how unique and dark it was however, at times I struggled to follow some stories because of how out there they were. I enjoyed the focus on the struggles and pains of life as a woman and its dark and intense take on the subject that right now is extremely important. Stand outs for me included Step Inside and Black metal in a White room.

I found this to be perfect for spooky season and the decision to take serious big topics and add elements of horror, science fiction and supernatural elements for example was bold, creative and made for a fun unique read. I would recommend this to those who are fans of the genres I previously mentioned and also those who lean towards women's fiction and would like to explore more intense subjects in a unique manner. While this is a collection of short stories you will never feel as though you read two reads similar in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for providing a copy to review. All opinions are my own.


Sick girl screams is an impressive debut collection of horror/dark fiction short stories. It explores a variety of topics ranging from grief, femininity, abuse and childhood trauma.


Not every story necessarily worked for me but I believe every story was worth reading in it's own right. I was immediately drawn in by the cover and stayed for the stories that kept me engaged. If I wasn't deliberately taking my time with this book I think I would have flown through this in a few hours it was captivating. Even with the stories I did not rate so highly it did not feel like a chore to get to the next story.


Cannot wait to read more from this author.


💀 Step Inside - 5✨

💀 No Placement Like Home - 4✨

💀 We Still Don't Use The Garage - 2✨

💀 Circle - 5✨

💀 A piece missing - 3.5✨

💀 Neon Fly - 3✨

💀 It started with placental encapsulation - 4✨

💀 The dangers of ill-prepared shellfish - 2✨

💀 Juliet, Juliet - 4.5✨

💀 The beauty parlour - 3.5✨

💀 Sick Girl - 2.5✨

💀 The cool kids - 4✨

💀 Cosmic Spin Class on Deck 112 - 3✨

💀 Labourers wanted - 4.5✨

💀 All the parts of a mermaid I can recall - 2.5✨

💀 Every cloud - 4✨

💀 I pull my blanket up tight beneath my chin - 4.5✨

💀 One lie for one soul - 5✨

💀 Black metal in a white room - 4✨

💀 In his memory - 3✨

💀 Hag stone - 3.5✨

💀 Christingle service - 3✨

💀 How to read a woman - 4✨


Average: 3.65/5 - rounded up to 4/5

First off the cover of this is absolutely gorgeous and drew me in. There are over 20 stories in this short stack and they will all leave you wanting to read more. The stories all differ from each other and they range from horror down to science fiction but not like anything i have read before. I highly recommend this short collection to others! I am ready for more from this author!

I'd give this book 3 stars, mostly for the metaphors and the visuals. First of all, I have no trouble admitting that the collection is extremely well-done: the writing is exemplary, the themes wide-ranging, the ideas often original and interesting. And yet I had great trouble actually finishing the stories: I found myself unable to relate to any of the characters, and I could not get rid of my suspicions that the author was trying too hard to avoid moralizing, and failing - I sensed (perhaps wrongly) a feministic didactic tone palpably at work throughout the collection. I persevered, I did finish the book. I did not like the endings, nor did I find any favorites. I felt I was lost in a mirrorhouse, always looking at versions of the same thing dressed differently.

This was a super fun read, particularly for the spooky season. The selection is great, some are so brilliantly bonkers and some are less so. I think for the most part, the majority of the stories I absolutely loved with a few I didn't love so much. They're so well written, and give just enough detail for a short story. Thoroughly enjoyed this anthology!

Thank you for the advanced reader copy! I did enjoy some of the stories in this book. The book lost me a little bit during the more fantastical stories such as the ones dealing with AI and aliens. Overall, I gave the book 3 stars.

Sick Girl Screams by S.J. Townsend is a poignant collection of short stories that explores the nuances of illness and the strength of the human spirit. Each tale is skillfully crafted, offering a unique perspective that resonates with raw emotion and honesty. Townsend's ability to blend vulnerability with hope makes this collection a compelling read that lingers long after the last page.

This was different. The cover really drew me in. Wasn't really a fan of the plot and how the book was summarized overall.

Although I typically don't gravitate towards short stories, I found myself drawn in by the concept. As a fan of short story collections, this one really resonated with me. Each story, from the initial piece that played on my parental fears to the strange tale of eating disorders, had me hooked from the start. While some stories may have impacted me more deeply than others, as is common with a compilation, I found the one personifying depression particularly well-written. Even though it may not stick with me as much as some of the later stories in the book, I devoured the entire collection in just a few days and am eager to read more from this author in the future. If you're seeking a collection that delivers quick doses of chilling horror, this one is definitely worth checking out.

*Sick Girl Screams* by SJ Townend is an impressive debut collection of dark fiction that tackles themes like grief, childhood ghosts, and femininity. Townend's writing is emotional and immersive, drawing readers into a haunting world where sorrow meets the supernatural.

The collection features a mix of reprints and original stories, all connected by grief. Townend skillfully explores societal pressures on women while weaving chilling narratives. The concept of haunted children symbolizes lost innocence and unresolved trauma.

Each story has its own unique style, keeping the reading experience engaging. From eerie encounters to deep reflections on life and death, the tales provoke thought about complex issues. Townend’s vivid imagery makes the stories resonate on a deeper level.

Overall, *Sick Girl Screams* invites readers to confront uncomfortable truths about grief and identity. It’s a captivating exploration of darkness that will resonate with fans of dark fiction, leaving them eager for more from Townend.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.

This collection blew me away. I can hardly believe it is a debut, as the writing is so solid. The ideas and concepts are very unique twists on some familiar tropes. There should be something for everyone in here - sci fi horror, supernatural, mundane. There are some heavy triggers here, so be aware. Easy 5 stars

Step Inside ⭐⭐⭐
No Place Like Home ⭐⭐⭐.25
We Still Don't Use the Garage ⭐⭐⭐.5
Circle ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
A Piece Missing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Neon Fly ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
It Started With Placental Encapsulation ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Dangers of Ill-Prepared Shellfish ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Juliet, Juliet ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Beauty Parlor ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Sick Girl ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Cool Kids ⭐⭐⭐
Cosmic Spin Class on Deck 112 ⭐⭐⭐
Labourers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
All the Parts of a Mermaid that I Can Recall ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Every Cloud ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
I Pull My Blanket Up Tight Beneath My Chin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
One Lie For One Soul ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
Black Metal in a White Room ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
In His Memory ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hag Stone ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Christingle Service ⭐⭐⭐⭐
How to Read a Woman ⭐⭐⭐⭐

WOW! I was shocked at how fantastic this short story collection was. Every single story is a stand out for me. The writing style and vocabulary used is truly phenomenal. The stories get inside of your brain in all the weird and twisted ways and really make you think. These stories are terrifying in their truths.