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If I Die Before I Wake: Tales of Nightmare Creatures (The Better Off Dead Series Volume 4)

 

Title: If I Die Before I Wake: Tales of Nightmare Creatures (The Better Off Dead Series Volume 4)
Published: February 8, 2021 by Sinister Smile Press

Thank you to The Team at Sinister Smile Press for providing a copy for review.

This anthology was published February 8, 2021.

Overall Thoughts

This was a fantastic short story anthology. The best anthology I have read so far in my life. Each story was very well written. I was impressed with how the authors could pull me in with only about 20 pages to do so. Different interesting creatures throughout made this a great reading experience. This is creature horror at its best. I would recommend checking out this anthology and all the others in the Better Off Dead Series.

Thoughts on Individual Stories (Note: All these stories were very high quality. I designated the stories that resonated the most with me 5 stars.)

Forward by Jeff Strand managed to be hilarious and creepy. It had me cackling out loud. 5 stars

A More Than Canine Hunger by Scotty Milder: 5 stars, Beautiful, atmospheric story of a snowy day in Colorado. Wonderful character development of a young boy thinking about his family.

The Alarabi by Elena Gomel-5 stars, Very unique premise unlike anything I have read. This was a beautifully written story that created quite a creepy image in the mind.

Scarecrow by Hannah O’Doom- 4.5 stars, This was a really impressive story with great character development of the main character, a teen girl who is bullied.

Ismini and Blood of the Bullman- 4.5 stars Brutal battle involving a seemingly unbeatable creature. The introduction of a second creature brought the story to a whole different level.

Invader by Bridgett Nelson- 5 stars, Spurned high school senior gets revenge. Loved the beautiful Northwest USA island setting.

Seven Years Bad Luck by Brian Asman- 4.5 stars, Cute new romance comes with some deadly baggage attached. This story actually made mirrors scary.

The Growth by Sandra Stephens-5 stars, A gruesome story of killer nature. I was so invested in the characters. This story was bleak, emotional, and full of body horror.

The Kelpie of Loch Ness by Henry Herz- 4.5 stars, Movie crew filming in Scottland encounter many kinds of creatures.

The House on the Hill by R.E. Sargent- 5 stars, Alternating chapters between a man who is dealing with the loss of his wife and really awesome scenes from a creature’s perspective.

Caecillica by Red Lagoe- 5 stars, Complicated characters, dark revelations, and a creepy story too. Fantastic!

Magic Shadows by Frank Beghin-5 stars, This was a really sad and scary story that could be triggering to some. It blew me away though! A stuffed animal protects a young girl after her family cannot.

Jack of Spades by Kevin M. Folliard- 4.5 stars, This was a coming of age story with a dangerous game. It includes a very unique creature.

The Mortality of Morris Meridian by Steven Pajak- 5 stars, A wonderful story about a man who befriends a very likable creature during World War 2.

The Black Regent by Matthew R. Davis- 4.5 stars, This creepy tale made me nostalgic for video stores and old theaters.

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