The Best Horror of the Year, Volume Eight

By: Ellen Datlow - editor

Narrated by: Cassandra Livingston, Bernard Setaro Clark

For over three decades, Ellen Datlow has been at the center of horror. Bringing you the most frightening and terrifying stories, Datlow always has her finger on the pulse of what horror listeners crave. Now, with the eighth volume of the series, Datlow is back again to bring you the stories that will keep you up at night.

Encompassed in the audio of The Best Horror of the Year have been such illustrious writers as: Neil Gaiman; Kelley Armstrong; Stephen King; Linda Nagata; Laird Barron; Margo Lanagan; and many others.

With each passing year, science, technology, and the march of time shine light into the craggy corners of the universe, making the fears of an earlier generation seem quaint. But this light creates its own shadows. The Best Horror of the Year chronicles these shifting shadows. It is a catalog of terror, fear, and unpleasantness as articulated by today's most challenging and exciting writers.

©2016 Ellen Datlow; 2016 by Night Shade Books, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

It is free - 1 hour of nothing but statistics up front

Some good stories in this anthology. Keep in mind that it is free. However the first hour of the book is the reading of the winners of various horror/SciFi/fantasy awards for a particular year like a grocery list. Had I paid for this or used a credit I’d be furious, but I didn’t.

Stories with out end’s

Just when you think the story is about to get to the point it suddenly ends.I found this boring

Bernard S Clark alone makes this anthology awesome!

Let me start with the fact that Ellen Datlow is one of the most influential and respected editors in the genre; ie. horror, cosmic horror, dark fantasy; etcetera. Her anthologies continue to evolve as does the authors Ellen pays favors to creative prowess becomes more fine tuned and entertaining to read or listen too- especially with Cassandra Livingston and Bernard Setaro Clark narrating! It’s a simple and obvious recipe that we would think any editor would gratefully follow; however, we know that is as fiction as the spine chilling, suspenseful, (at times barbed with humor) and always tethered to Ellen Datlows commitment to excellence by following the recipe.

It is really cool to see how the selected authors have improved, changed, remain “steady as she goes” and of course, (not without constant digging) the new talent that Ellen’s anthologies have brought to light; even making them relevant launching them into new success.

Not every story is going to “THRILL”. that is asking way too much of any anthology, period! For me, anthologies are about appreciating the writers direction or misdirection; and sound well thought out storytelling while attempting to surmise if the author achieved THEIR desired result- not necessarily just mine. Of course, yes I want to be entertained and want to be held in suspense; truly anxious; in fear chilled to the core is really awesome- AND REALLY RARE these days! The desensitization factor should play deep into everything we read before beating up the writer and pooping all over their manuscript!??? Be fair and you will then thoroughly enjoy this eighth volume of fourteen “Best Horror of The Year”!

Read the First One

I have now read Volume 1 and 8. After how amazing Volume 1 was, I was quite disappointed by this Volume.

Ellen Datlow is a legend in the horror genre

I don't think the editor Ellen Datlow gets the credit she deserves from most readers of these annual collections. 75% of the stories range from good great to straight some of the most wonderful horror I've ever read(this is referring to almost every new collection she releases.

Where’s the horror

Almost a third of the stories should not be considered horror let alone the best horror.

Far from horror

With the title you expect a certain quality. Theres not a single story in this book I would consider horror. Some stories were good but ended right at that point your interested. Most of the stories are dry and require a thesaurus to understand. Extremely disappointed I wasted money on this book.

I can't sleep

Best horror in a long time. lights are on tonight. I blame all of you but especially Neil ......

Am I the only one who knows about proper mechanics?

It’s great to have a flashy plot in an amazing world and witty dialogue, but it seems like every writer I encounter has forgotten the basics. It seems like nobody knows that “none“ is singular four they don’t know how to use the subjunctive tense, or they don’t know the difference between envy and jealousy. I could go on and on; I found all of these errors in the stories and these are supposed to be the best stories of the year? And the editor is one of the most acclaimed writers and editors in the industry?! If you, the reader, aren’t worried about the basic building blocks of a story, and you’re just looking for a getaway, and you like the horror genre, then you’ll love the stories. For the discerning reader or perhaps the OCD reader, the stories might get on your nerves like they got on mine. I wish these writers and editors would write properly rather than writing down to the masses. I understand vernacular when it’s dialogue, but there’s no excuse for these mistakes during exposition. Anyway the stories were good if you can skip the numerous usage errors. Seems like that’s the same review I leave for all of these books. I guess I’ll have to write myself to show everyone how it’s done LOL

Stellar!!!

Ellen Datlow pulled together an amazing group of stories. Fast-paced, full of wonderfully horrific little moments, and every one beautifully narrated... this anthology is a keeper! Five stars. A must-read for any horror or suspense fan!!!