Book Review: Hope Screams Eternal
By Elizabeth Suggs
Hope Screams Eternal is a collection featuring over two dozen horror, sci-fi, and fantasy short stories, flash fiction, and poems. This anthology was edited and published by the hosts of the Unsettling Reads Podcast: H Dair Brown and Robin Knabel. Be sure to check out Robin’s guest post: Hope Screams Eternal: An Unsettling Reads Anthology on the Collective Tales Publishing blog.
There are tons of tales that you’re sure to find something you really enjoy. I didn’t love every story, but those that I did love, I went back and reread—they were that good. I also love the art in the book. These, sometimes haunting, pictures showcase various stories and poems, and the book as a whole. While made up of three different genres, they all seem to merge and fold nicely with each other.
We start with “Hope Comes to Exhilaration” by Ellen Hall, a horror story and a unique take on the transgender experience, written by a trans author.
My favorite story was hands-down “When the Rabbit Screams” by A.C. Grant. This was hilarious and engaging about a resurrection gone wrong. Definitely worth checking out, and I enjoyed the writing.
Another of my favorites I’ll mention is Jonathan Reddoch’s three poems. “Hope Screams Internal,” “Hope Screams Nocturnal,” and “Hoppy Screams Eternal.” I enjoyed the clever rhyming scheme on these and the great imagery. My favorite was “Hope Screams Internal,” about eternal suffering amidst ceaseless hope.
The final story I’ll mention is “The Cure Eternal,” which begs the age-old question: What would you do if you have your wishes granted? This was very captivating.
Check out my favorite quotes:
Their skin fused together with a loud guttural crunch like a beast gnawing on human bones. - “The Eternal Mr. Trembly”
He worried a ghoul had crept in, for ghouls were always women. - “Hope Comes to Exhilaration”
There are some things worse than being hungry. - “The Flames of Hope” by Zenni Abdon
Angels answer not prayers from hell. - “Hope Screams Internal” by Jonathan Reddoch
My weakened frame will succumb perforce to its ghastly touch, its sanguine adjuncts, it’s gruesome expressions. - “The Cure Eternal” by A. Bratton
Check out this collection; you’ll definitely find something to love.
Elizabeth Suggs is the owner and founder of Editing Mee and co-owner of Collective Tales Publishing. When she’s not writing or editing, she loves to dive deep into books (the weirder, the better!), and she loves to take random long walks to unplanned destinations. Check out her recently released book Collective Darkness with eleven other authors. Buy your copy here: www.CollectiveDarkness.com