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4.0 

Elemental Forces

By Mark Morris & Poppy Z. Brite &
Elemental Forces by Mark Morris & Poppy Z. Brite &  digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

A powerful fifth book in the horror anthology series which Booklist called "Highly recommended for longstanding horror fans and those readers who may not think horror is for them. There is something for everyone in this one."

Elemental Forces is the fifth volume in the non-themed horror series of original stories, showcasing the very best short fiction that the genre has to offer, and edited by Mark Morris. This new anthology contains 20 original horror stories, 16 of which have been commissioned from some of the top names in horror, and 4 selected from the 100s of stories sent to Flame Tree during a short open submissions window. A delicious feast of the familiar and the new, the established and the emerging.

Previous titles in the series, all still in print, are: After Sundown, Beyond the Veil, Close to Midnight and Darkness Beckons.

Contents List:

THE PEELER by Poppy Z. Brite

A HOUSE OF WOE AND MYSTERY by Andy Davidson

THE WRONG ELEMENT by Aaron Dries

JACK-A-LENT by Paul Finch

NOBODY WANTS TO WORK HERE ANYMORE by Christina Henry

THE CALL OF THE DEEP by Laurel Hightower

EIGHT DAYS WEST OF PLETHORA by Verity Holloway

THEY EAT THE REST by Jim Horlock

THE ONLY FACE YOU EVER KNEW by Gwendolyn Kiste

MISTER REAPER by Annie Knox

I MISS YOU TOO MUCH by Sarah Langan

UNMARKED by Tim Lebbon

THE DOPPELGÄNGER BALLET by Will Maclean

THE SCARECROW FESTIVAL by Tim Major

THE PLAGUE by Luigi Musolino

THE DAUGHTERS OF CANAAN by Kurt Newton

THE ENTITY by Nicholas Royle

RED MEAT FLAG by David J. Schow

THE NOTE by Paul Tremblay

A REVIEW OF ‘SLIME TUTORIAL: THE MUSICAL’ by P.C. Verrone

FLAME TREE PRESS is the imprint of long-standing Independent Flame Tree Publishing, dedicated to full-length original fiction in the horror and suspense, science fiction & fantasy, and crime / mystery / thriller categories. The list brings together fantastic new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices. Learn more about Flame Tree Press at www.flametreepress.com and connect on social media @FlameTreePress.

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8 Reviews

4.0
“This review is just for Annie Knox's story, and even though I did read the entire book, I can definitely say Annie's story was in the top 3 which is amazing and I'm so happy about that! This story starts out grim(haha, get it? Mister Reaper? Grim? Okay, sorry). When we meet our main character, she is waking up, but that's the last thing she was expecting to do after what she just attempted. The story progresses, and by the time we get to the end, I actually have hope for our girl and her life... or do I? Either way, Mister Reaper and CrowHead were pretty fun and girl, you definitely better call out of work tomorrow. In the words of Stephanie, See You On The Other Side, F*ckers!”
“Do you want a solid horror collection to keep you company this spooky season? Do you want to be weirded out, scared, emotionally challenged, feel uneasiness creeping you out even after you have finished reading? Elemental Forces has all the short horror stories you need from some of the best writers in the horror genre! I am so amazed by how quickly I’ve read these stories, how they called out to me wanting to be unleashed and poured into my brain, with some of them still lingering there. almost like they were destined to, like there has always been a space for them in my psyche. These stories lay out some of the dreads, or uncertainties I’ve always had in such unique and able voices that I wish I could read them again for the first time. This is a fantastic collection highlighting that, no matter how much progressed or advanced the human race is, at the same time it really isn’t, because here we are, with the same basic fears we always had and that we’ll probably continue to have until we are no more. Thanks to the authors, editor Mark Morris, Flame Tree Press and Random Things Tours for a copy and this is my honest opinion.”
Slightly Smiling Face“This is probably the best collection of stories by multiple authors I’ve read in recent times. I bought it mainly for Billy Martin’s newest story, “The Peeler” (which did not disappoint,) but most of these were really great and diverse in characters and types of horror, ranging from psychological to comedic to whatever you can think of. It’s also filled with established names and a couple emerging ones, so you’re bound to find somebody new to look out for if you sink into it. My personal stand-outs were “Mister Reaper” by Annie Knox (5/5), “The Call of The Deep” by Laurel Hightower (4/5), and “The Only Face You Ever Knew” by Gwendolyn Kiste (5/5).”
“The fifth installment in Mark Morris’s horror anthology series, this collection brings together 20 chilling original stories from some of the genre’s biggest names, along with exciting new voices that are bound to make their mark. Whether you’re a seasoned horror lover or new to the genre, this book has something to offer everyone. From supernatural forces to psychological thrills, Elemental Forces manages to cover a wide spectrum of horror, making it a highly versatile collection. The stories here range from slow, creeping dread to full-blown terror, and it’s this variety that kept me on edge. The best part? Even if you’re not typically a horror fan, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself captivated by at least one (if not several) of these haunting tales. The anthology features stories from acclaimed authors like Christina Henry, Paul Tremblay, and Laurel Hightower, who all bring their own brand of terror to the table. Their contributions are every bit as spine chilling as you’d expect. One of the standout qualities of Elemental Forces is the way each story builds tension in its own unique way. Some rely on atmospheric horror, where the tension creeps up slowly, leaving you with a sense of unease long after you’ve finished reading. Others dive right into the visceral, confronting readers with vivid and often terrifying imagery that’s hard to shake. It’s the kind of book where you’ll find yourself alternating between racing to the next page and needing to take a breather after a particularly intense story. Mark Morris, as always, does a stellar job curating the stories, ensuring that there’s a balance between familiar themes and fresh concepts. You’ll find classic horror elements—like haunted houses and dark forests—juxtaposed with modern fears, creating a satisfying blend that feels both timeless and new. The pacing of the anthology is excellent, with each story flowing naturally into the next, ensuring that you’re never quite sure what horrors await on the following page. For long-time fans of the series, Elemental Forces continues the legacy of previous volumes like After Sundown and Darkness Beckons, but it also stands out in its own right. Whether it’s the eerie psychological depth of Andy Davidson’s contribution or the visceral terror of Aaron Dries, there’s no shortage of talent in this collection. Elemental Forces is a gripping and terrifying collection that showcases the very best of contemporary horror. Whether you’re looking for a quick scare or something that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished reading, this anthology delivers. Perfect for curling up with on a dark, stormy night, but be warned, you might want to keep the lights on. A huge thank you to Random Book Tours and Flame tree for providing me with a copy of this amazing book in exchange for an honest review.”

About Mark Morris

Morris has written and edited over fifty novels, novellas, short story collections and anthologies. His recent work includes the official movie tie-in novelizations of The Great Wall and (co-written with Christopher Golden) The Predator, the Obsidian Heart trilogy (The Wolves of London, The Society of Blood and The Wraiths of War), the anthologies New Fears (winner of the British Fantasy Award for Best Anthology) and New Fears 2 and many more. Mark has won two British Fantasy Awards, and has also been nominated for several Stokers and Shirley Jackson Awards.

Laurel Hightower

Laurel Hightower lives in Lexington, Kentucky, the land of horses and bourbon, with her husband, son, and a rescue Pitbull. She is the author of Whispers in the Dark, Crossroads, and Below, and has more than a dozen short fiction stories in print.

Verity Holloway

Other books by Verity Holloway

Luigi Musolino

P.C. Verrone

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