Review of "Paramnesia" from Grendel Press
- Megan Diedericks
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Paramnesia from Grendel Press is THE horror anthology to read if you want stories that are going to stick with you and leave you wondering long after you've read them!
My thoughts on each story:
• Rogue Taxidermy – Dustin Reade
I'm absolutely in love, and in awe of how macabre this is. Not so much taxidermy as a hobby, but the way it—and Martha's love for it—is described. The author perfectly captured dread and death with this story, and I found the ending perfect!
• Real Estate – Gordon Grice
At no point in time did I have any clue where this was going, and I LOVED every second of it. So many secrets right in your face that don't hit you until they do!
• I Am Monster – Christopher Beck
Reading at the end of this that it was inspired by the author's mother and 90% real life—definitely hit hard. I love how honest it is in terms of mental health decline, and how you can see it happen in the writing (the dates meshing together, and the way the words get less and less coherent). This piece is going to stick with me—honesty, and vulnerability, and all.
• Running In Circles – David Lee Zweifler
CHILLS! Another story that doesn't hit you until it does. I love the narration—how it's seemingly confusing until you get to the end and REALIZE. I also really loved the main character's comical inner monologue of: "This is my first apocalypse." (same lol)
• End Bed – Paul Melhuish
AMAZING! This is definitely a favourite of mine. I love the uncertainty and constant feeling of dread that follows you throughout. I also enjoyed the narrator's descriptions of Death—so haunting!
• Mol of the Plague – M.W. Irving
C H I L L S. This is the perfect blend of horrific and gothic. I could imagine this story as a play itself (or even a movie). Couldn't get enough of this story! (Mol couldn't get enough either...)
• A Little Game of Hide-n’-go-seek – Thomas Stewart
A classic tried and true trope: little kids are CREEPY. I love that this has a heart-warming ending, but it definitely kept me on the edge of my seat throughout!
• Hark, Now I Hear Them – Brandon Ebinger
I love a good siren story as much as the next person, and this is not only good, but incredible!
• A Nook Obscure – Thomas Bales
I adore dark academia-type setting! But more than anything, I enjoyed the lessons/perspective on grief, and guilt in grief. I also definitely related to the main character's anxiety.
• THIS SHOULD BE THE PLACE – Stuart Freyer
This story is a bit of a (pardon my language) mind-fuck (it's not the only one that is, if I'm being honest!) It leaves you wondering after you finish it! The ending makes me imagine a question mark after the title...
• House of Reverie – Susan L. Lin
OBSESSED! This killed as a short story, and for some reason, the only way I can encapsulate my feelings for it is to say it would also kill as an episode of American Horror Stories.
• Changeling – Christopher Yusko
This piece felt so real to me, like I was diving into someone's diary. This story is truthfully eerie, and though hopeful at the end—it just makes the questions and darkness more prominent for me. (Also, the mention of the game: "What Time Is It, Mr. Wolf?" took me back in time!)
• Dr. Marcus – Terence Waeland
This one absolutely WRECKED me! I knew there was going to be a catch, reading about blossoming love, and when it happened... and kept happening... I think I'm entitled to compensation for emotional distress (which is to say I loved this story!)
• Without You – Clarence Carter
This story is incredibly immersive, and I love how boxed in it made me feel too! The ending... my jaw was on the floor. Holy shit.
It's obvious I found something to love (or be scared of) in every story inside of Paramnesia! And not only was the writing incredible, but so was the story art. They perfectly accompany each story, and are a pleasure to look at. The artist, Dany Rivera, did an incredible job!
