SFF

Dark Duets: All-New Tales of Horror and Dark Fantasy

by Christopher Golden
Harper Voyager. Jan. 2014. 432p. ed. by . ISBN 9780062240286. pap. $16.99; ebk. ISBN 9780062240293. HORROR
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The premise for this unusual anthology is, unsurprisingly, twofold. The selections are all dark fantasy or horror (most trending more towards horror), and they are collaborations between authors who have never before written together. The tales generally succeed, with some real standouts, including Charlaine Harris and Rachel Caine's piece that pits a mother's love against a demonic force and a fable by David Liss and Robert Jackson Bennett about an ex-con offered a deal with the devil. There's a very weird and creepy story for those distrustful of cat ladies and another for those who think their GPS might be possessed. Less successful is the only tale written by a trio, the slight "Misters Before Sisters" by Sarah Rees Brennan, Cassandra Clare, and Holly Black.
VERDICT Collected anthologies such as this can be a great way to expose readers to new writers, giving them a taste of the style of authors famous in the horror genre as well as offering them dark turns from well-known authors from other genres. This work proves that even those new to collaboration can make beautiful music together.
Reviewed by Megan McArdle , Jan 01, 2014
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