Review of "To the Grave and Back: A Collection of Supernatural Tales" by Stephanie Scissom
- Megan Diedericks
- Mar 28
- 1 min read
[Some typos and minor consistency issues, but not to the extent that it took away from the book as a whole.]
I went in expecting horror more than anything else, but surprisingly, the tales that hooked me the most were the ones about finding (or rekindling old) love.
The most common theme in To the Grave and Back is, in my opinion, rediscovering what was lost. I found it particularly cool how the stories had common imagery and names (maybe even a reference or two to previous stories đź‘€) to also tie them all together!
Scissom also does a wonderful job at leaving clues—clues which didn't fully click until I got to the ending of a story.
Here's a list of my favorites and some quick thoughts:
• Mumurations
Beautiful prose-like storytelling despite how dark it is.
• The Reckoning
I really enjoyed the familial aspect.
• Graffiti
Heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once.
• Bad Pennys
Two of my favorite characters in the book.
• Here We Are Now
The moral grayness really hit me, and I also loved the father-daughter bond.
• Devil is a Gambler
Had no idea where it was going at any point, I almost want more!
• The Hand of Fate
Such an epic story about love and folktale creatures. I also wouldn't say no to more of these characters!
Honorable Mentions: "Sentenced," "Intervention," "Leslie," "SR-399," "STOP-115" and its continuation "The Last Train," and the final story, "Something in the Orange."
This collection of supernatural tales is absurdly creative! You'll definitely find something to like, or be afraid of, from rockstars to the Devil himself!
