When Earth Fights Back: Nature Triumphs is an excellent collection of eco-horror stories of nature seeking revenge against humans

 

 

Nature Triumphs: A Charity Anthology of Dark Speculative Fiction

Edited by Alison Armstrong and Pixie Bruner

Dark Moon Rising Publications, 2024

Ebook, 327 ppg.

ISBN: 978-1-945987-90-8

Buy link 

 

“Nature finds a way.” This phrase, uttered by a character thinking that more plants possibly bloomed in an area that was not tended to, is one we often say when nature surprises us with its strength and perseverance.

 

But nature has something else up its sleeve, too: Revenge against those who have harmed it, infected it, abused it and polluted it for so long.

 

In fact, these forms of nature acting on their quest for revenge take on anyone and everyone who gets too close to it, all casualties in the war between man and nature. Or, rather, nature and humans.

 

In the anthology Nature Triumphs: A Charity Anthology of Dark Speculative Fiction edited by Alison Armstrong and Pixie Bruner, writers share their stories of eco-horror where polluted, mutated and poisoned forms of nature get the revenge it is so hungry for. From fish in p[olluted ponds to bees that were sprayed with poisons, both nature and creature (such as vines and plants) attack people for the abuse and pollution it has endured for so long. And in fighting this mutated form of nature, the characters think they can win, but little do they realize just how immune to the harmful ways of man nature has become that it is able to rise above any further doses of it.

 

I really enjoyed reading these stories. I read all of them. Some of them are from writers whose work I am familiar with and others are from writers I was happy to meet through their works. All forms of horror are in this book and all kinds of nature horror stories await readers of this anthology.

 

I could not name a single story as a favorite, though here are some I really enjoyed reading:

 

"Swarm of the Immune" by J.C. Macek III

"Deadly Toke" by Kasey Hill

"Kroak" by Megan Guilliams

"Last Call at the Garden of Eden" by Lamont A. Turner

"The Bees" by Mawr Gorshin

"Whale Song" by Elana Gomel

"Throw It Back" by Rebecca Cuthbert

"Boots" by Julie Dron

"A New Mom for the Bee Boy" by Rob Tannahill

"Spines" by J. Rocky Colavito

"Compost" by Kris Nelson

"Yard Work" by Michael Erroll Swaim

 

I also enjoyed reading the poems. These in particular were my favorites:

 

"The Candy-Coloured Apocalypse' by Pixie Bruner

"An Ocean's Lament" by John C. Mannone

"Nothing We Can Do" by Alison Armstrong

"How to Make Witchcraft Honey" and "Ode to the Bees" by Kasey Hill

 

They are all good stories and poems which I know I will enjoy rereading in the future.

 

If you enjoy reading eco horror, want to read stories about nature fighting back against the humans harming it, or want to support a charity (sales of the book are donated to The Nature Conservancy), then grab a copy of Nature Triumphs and you won’t be disappointed.

 

 

 

Five stars

 

 

Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When Neighbors Feud: For the Sake of Brigid weaves a witch's spell of revenge into one of comeuppance and triumph

 

 

For the Sake of Brigid

Nora B. Peevy

Unveiling Nightmares, 2024

Ebook, 54 ppg.

ISBN: 979-8893795394 (Paperback)

Buy link 

 

For the Sake of Brigid is a story of a neighborly spat unlike any other I have ever read. When it comes to two women who have their own particular preference of animals – Norah with her bees and Lydia with her horses – the war is on, with the poor horses being a part of the sacrifice! These feuding neighbors can’t seem to forgive and forget, but since it was the bees and horses that were the unfortunate victims, there is no forgiving or forgetting.

 

And little do they know that the same applies to the goddess, Brigid.

 

I absolutely LOVED how the stories of the Old Ways are woven into this story. They come alive in this story just as they are alive all around us.

 

Another thing I really liked about this story was how positively Norah’s witchcraft practice is portrayed, although there are moments of dark magic practiced. Yes, the part with the blood and chopping off the finger made me squirm, but I was very pleased to see the accuracy, consistency and true-to-lifeness of witchcraft portrayed in this story. There are so many stories out there where witches are portrayed in a negative light, complete with stereotypes and misconceptions. You won’t find any of that here!

 

But the darker side of what happens when you mess with a witch is shown in this story, too. The gore! The horror! This extreme horror story was brutal and relentless. It is not a story for the faint of heart. It is so well-written and well-told. The moral of this story? Don’t fuck with a witch!

 

The ending of this story was VERY satisfying and I really enjoyed reading it. It is a story that will long stay with me and it has certainly given me a new sense of appreciation for bees.

 

Five stars

 

 

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When the Swamp Comes Alive: Ink Vine is a Powerful Eco-Horror Story of Being True to Yourself

 

 

Ink Vine

Elizabeth Broadbent

Undertaker Books, 2024

ISBN: 9798218408091

Buy link

 

 

“Don’t go into the swamp. There’s nothing good in there.”

 

Emerald “Emmy” Joiner has been told this very thing both by her mother and her aunt. But the swamp is her happy place. It’s where she feels safe, accepted and at peace. It’s also where she finds love – and that changes her life!

 

This is just part of the story awaiting readers of the new novella, Ink Vine by Elizabeth Brooadbent. I loved this book so much! It’s not just the beautiful writing that drew me into it but the character Emmy. She has a lot of unhappiness in her life but she is trying so hard to make things better. She works a job that means barely wearing any clothes and dancing on a pole but she has all the self-respect for herself, and more. Even though she has to keep her bisexuality a secret, she is confident of herself and does what she needs to do to survive.

 

There’s also a sort of luring tone in the way the story is told. The voice of the story – Emmy’s voice – just drew this reader in and carried me along. The way she describes her family – even her rat bitchy sister, Diamond – and the small Southern town that she lives in. It’s the kind of voice that tempts me to keep going back for more, just as the swamp itself keeps pulling Emmy back for more. It is just so beautifully written!

 

Another thing I loved about this book is Emmy’s character arc. I wanted to see if she ever gets out of that rat hole she is stuck in. I want to see if she ever finds her voice to fight back against the constant barrage of criticism she keeps receiving from her mother and sister. And I ultimately wanted to see if she is ever able to freely be herself as a bisexual woman who lives life on her own terms. When that huge plot twist came up in the story, I was just blown away. “Who is this person??” I wondered. The New Emmy that emerges later in the story is magnificent, daring and unapologetically living her life as only she can.

 

I also loved the “bonding moment” that Emmy has with her aunt. And how her aunt says, “No good reason for letting go of someone who sees you and loves you anyway.” This above all else is such a strong message for the whole book right here. When you fall in love with someone, the main thing you want is for that person to see you as you are – flaws and all, quirks and all, mistakes and all, sexuality and all – and still accept you all the same. Still give you that same unconditional love that you want to give to them. In essence, love without judgment. You want that acceptance and that kind of unconditional love. For all she does in this story and everything she says, this is Aunt Tallie’s greatest contribution right here. And as I read that part of the story, I was hoping that message would hit home for Emmy.

 

Ink Vine was an amazing story of love, self-acceptance, growth and beauty. It’s the kind of story where a woman who was beat down too many times breaks free of what the world expects from her and shows what she truly is. With beautiful prose and a well-crafted story, Ink Vine stands out as a story that inspires. I have never read anything so beautifully written and told as well as Broadbent does here. She is an amazing writer with a talent for prose that captivates and inspires. I really enjoyed reading this debut work by this author and look forward to reading her future books.

 

 

Five stars

 

 

 

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.