The images throughout this collection of poems centralize around body horror and gore, with a couple of psychological offerings. For example, the final poem questions the innocence of childhood by naming instances of casual cruelty that children commonly carry out. The blood, teeth, and flesh in these poems will certainly set the stage for the Halloween season or delight any horror fan. I personally enjoyed “Punctuation as a Blood Sport” as an English teacher. The use of the grammar and figurative language terms as literal acts of violence was creative. The poem about “Final Girls” structured as a multiple choice quiz was also interesting to consider, implying that these characters are doomed no matter which choice they might make. I believe that the “Twin” images will stick with me for a while, too—that perfect tooth reminded me of the popular Fuggler keychains kids are collecting right now. I believe that I’ll think of that poem whenever I see one.

As the introduction noted, this 13th collection holds a special place in the realm of horror and superstition. The editors and judges selected poetry ripe with traditional horror images and fresh, interesting writing techniques, which resulted in a collection that will have something to amuse anyone interested in horror stories or poetry.

i haven't read much horror poetry, but this was a lot of fun!

i liked some parts more than others, but that’s normal for poetry anthologies (and most anthologies). honestly, it’s one of the best parts of reading them: every poem is a new style to explore, a new author you might end up loving.

a few poems really vibed w me in either a spooky or insightful way (Grinding, A Subtle Ghost, Pandora Looks into a Mirror, The Ocean Which Drowns), and i’ll def be checking out more from those poets. as a whole, i loved the variety in tone, topic, and especially format. some rhymed and some didn’t, some were short and some were long, some structured and some abstract, and the order kept similar pieces from bunching up, so it read really seamlessly from start to finish. it’s also just fun to read horror, gore, and uncomfortable themes in poetry, since poetry so often isn’t that. a great pick for horror readers who want to dip a toe into verse (or poetry readers who want something with more teeth!).

thanks to NetGalley and Raw Dog Screaming Press for the opportunity to read and review this anthology.

3.5, rounded up

As with any collection, some pieces stood out as tremendous works while others fell closer to mediocrity. This collection focuses on various themes and showcases writers I've never read elsewhere. It's perfect for those seeking new voices or those wishing to dip their toes into horror poetry.

My favorite pieces were "A Subtle Ghost", "Sky Burial", and "The Ocean Which Drowns".

I love horror that gets under my skin, and this collection was a great reminder that horror doesn't need an entire novel to leave you feeling unsettled. Sometimes a few carefully chosen words can create an image or feeling that sticks with you long after you've finished reading.

What I enjoyed about this collection was the variety. There are different voices, different styles, and different ways of exploring the darker side of things. Some poems lean into the creepy and unsettling, while others explore more visceral horrors. I liked being able to move from one poem to the next without knowing what kind of darkness I was going to encounter.

As a horror reader, I appreciate collections like this because they introduce me to writers I might not have discovered otherwise. Not every poem will hit every reader the same way, but that's part of the experience with an anthology. Different poems stay with you for different reasons, whether it's the imagery, the atmosphere, or the uncomfortable feelings they bring to the surface.

If you're a horror fan who enjoys exploring the genre beyond traditional novels, this is worth checking out. It's a collection to take your time with, let the words sink in, and appreciate how many different ways horror can find its way into your head.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I love reading poetry and pushing myself to try new sub-genres. Horror is not something I typically read - although I'm Australian and people generally fear our wildlife, I think it's fair to say the true horrors are people. The work in this book was a showcase of this, and it landed in such a profound way for me. I genuinely will be thinking of this collection for weeks later. I particularly loved 'A Subtle Ghost', and felt like it was reminiscent of current times for women across the world. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to read this early, and it has opened the door to a new genre for me to enjoy and consume. I am eternally grateful for your craft. Thank you.