Aghast

Name: Aghast
Price: 14.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9789197972543

✍️ Gemma Files

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$14.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A bi-annual journal of dark fantasy and horror short fiction published by Kraken Press.

This volume compiles short works from multiple authors into a single issue. It includes narrative stories and one tabletop role playing game entry. The contributors range from Gemma Files to Brennen Reece. Each piece offers a distinct perspective on horror themes. The structure alternates between traditional fiction and interactive game formats. This variety provides a different reading experience than standard anthologies. The content focuses on dark fantasy elements without relying on lengthy exposition. Readers get a mix of supernatural and psychological horror scenarios. The issue acts as a snapshot of current trends in the genre.

Key Themes

dark fantasy horror short fiction tabletop role playing game

Literary Context

Published by Kraken Press in 2016, this bi-annual journal represents a specific point in time for dark fiction. It reflects the ongoing tradition of collecting short horror stories into thematic issues. The format highlights the diversity within the genre by including both prose and game-based content.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Tim Waggoner · Jeff Strand · Michael Wehunt · Brennen Reece

🗡️

Dark Fantasy

🏛 Kraken Press 📅 2016 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9789197972543

📝 Description: Aghast

Aghast is a bi-annual journal dedicated to dark fantasy and horror short fiction. Published by Kraken Press in October 2016, this collection features stories described as dark fiction with teeth. The volume brings together contributions from established writers in the genre, including Gemma Files, Leo Norman, Esther Saxey, Jamie Killen, Michael Wehunt, Aaron Polson, Craig D. B. Patton, Megan Arkenberg, Tim Waggoner, Jeff Strand, and Brennen Reece. The table of contents reveals a diverse range of narratives. Gemma Files opens the issue with Night-Bird, followed by Leo Norman’s Sticks and Bones. Readers will encounter Esther Saxey’s A Marvelous Neutrality and Jamie Killen’s Plague Mother. The collection continues with Michael Wehunt’s Greener Pastures and Aaron Polson’s Haves and Have Nots. Further entries include Craig D. B. Patton’s Appearances, Megan Arkenberg’s Rockport Boys, and Tim Waggoner’s Cleaning Up. Jeff Strand contributes Deformed Son, while Brennen Reece provides Rust & Flame, which is noted as a tabletop role playing game. This book suits readers who enjoy concise, unsettling tales across various horror subgenres. It appeals to those interested in the structural variety of short fiction, from narrative prose to game mechanics. It may not suit readers seeking long-form novels or non-fiction analysis. The inclusion of a role-playing game segment offers a distinct format within the standard literary collection.

💎 Our verdict on Aghast

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Aghast succeeds as a vibrant snapshot of the dark fantasy genre, offering a refreshing departure from conventional anthology structures. The inclusion of Brennen Reece’s tabletop role-playing game entry alongside traditional fiction creates a dynamic reading experience that highlights the versatility of horror storytelling. The collection avoids lengthy exposition, instead delivering concise, teeth-bearing narratives that pack an immediate punch. It is best suited for readers who enjoy varied formats and psychological or supernatural scares in bite-sized portions. While not ideal for those seeking non-fiction analysis or novel-length plots, it effectively captures current trends through its diverse cast of established genre writers.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a compact yet potent dose of horror will find this collection highly rewarding. It appeals specifically to those who appreciate structural variety within the short fiction format, offering a unique blend of traditional narrative prose and interactive tabletop role-playing game entries. The book is ideal for enthusiasts of dark fantasy who enjoy concise, unsettling tales without the commitment of long-form novels. By including contributors like Gemma Files and Brennen Reece, it provides a mix of supernatural and psychological horror scenarios. This volume suits anyone looking for a distinct reading experience that diverges from standard anthologies, delivering immediate impact through diverse perspectives on horror themes.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Aghast succeeds as a vibrant snapshot of the dark fantasy genre, offering a refreshing departure from conventional anthology structures. The inclusion of Brennen Reece’s tabletop role-playing game entry alongside traditional fiction creates a dynamic reading experience that highlights the versatility of horror storytelling. The collection avoids lengthy exposition, instead delivering concise, teeth-bearing narratives that pack an immediate punch. It is best suited for readers who enjoy varied formats and psychological or supernatural scares in bite-sized portions. While not ideal for those seeking non-fiction analysis or novel-length plots, it effectively captures current trends through its diverse cast of established genre writers.