The Sea Was a Fair Master by Calvin Demmer

Demmer arranged these stories perfectly, and tied them with a bow – just the way I like it! If you enjoy classic horror, monsters, the supernatural, I definitely recommend this anthology.

(Without giving anything away) As I mull back on this collection, I am impressed with how I was able to close the book and walk away having been told what felt like a complete tale rather than 12 separate short stories. showing) felt perfected bookended the characters feel whole and real, and the story and atmosphere progresses just as in a full-length novel, with a conclusion that, whether open-ended or not, gives a feeling of closure (which, for a collection with 12 stories, is no small feat). Each story (even the one that didn’t work for me – which was the only one that felt like telling vs. It gave me major “John Dies at the End” vibes with its interweaving of witticism and horror (which is my favorite combo).ĭemmer really masters telling a rounded story in a short amount of pages. My favorite of the anthology was “Thanks Sinning”, which was the perfect length yet I wouldn’t mind seeing as a longer story because of how much it intrigued me. This was my second Demmer anthology after “The Sea Was a Fair Master” (which is amazing, by the way go read it if you haven’t) and this collection did not disappoint. As each main character prepare to enjoy a holiday, they find that what seems to be is not, and what should be fake, is all too real. Summary: “Dark Celebrations” is an anthology collection that delves deep into the classics of horror, the staples of what define the genre. Thank you so much to the author for a copy of this anthology in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: “Dark Celebrations” by Calvin Demmer

The Sea Was a Fair Master by Calvin Demmer