A cemetery full of the restless dead. A town so wicked it has already burned twice, with the breath of the third fire looming. A rural, isolated bridge with a terrifying monster waiting for the completion of its summoning ritual. A lake that allows the drowned to return, though they have been changed by the claws of death. These are the shadowed, liminal spaces where the curses and monsters lurk, refusing to be forgotten.
The Gathering Dark: An Anthology of Folk Horror edited by Tori Bovalino is a collection of short stories that delve into the eerie and unsettling world of folk horror. The anthology features contributions from a variety of authors, each bringing their unique voice and style to tales that are rooted in the themes of folklore, superstition, and the dark, often terrifying, power of nature.
Folk horror as a genre typically explores the intersection of the natural world with the supernatural, focusing on isolated communities, ancient rituals, and the sense that something old and malevolent lurks just beneath the surface of everyday life. In The Gathering Dark, these elements are explored through a range of stories that are atmospheric, chilling, and deeply tied to the cultural and natural landscapes from which they spring.
The stories in this anthology might include cursed lands, sinister forests, haunted villages, and ancient deities, all woven together to create a sense of unease and dread. The book is perfect for readers who enjoy horror that is subtle, character-driven, and deeply rooted in the traditions of folk tales and legends.
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