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Schlock! Horror!
An anthology of short stories in loving homage to those wonderful gorefest movies and books of the 1980's, that golden age when horror well and truly came kicking, screaming and spraying blood, gore & body parts out from the shadows... It was the decade that brought us everything in the cinema and VHS, from the Italian 'nasties' to Elm Street, The Lost Boys, Hellraiser, The Thing, Day of the Dead, Reanimator, Return of the Living Dead, My Bloody Valentine, Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer, Cannibal Holocaust... and superlative directors such as David Cronenberg, John Waters, Roger Corman and - of course - Clive Barker.
This exemplary 80's themed/inspired tales of terror has been adjudicated and compiled by one Mr Bret McCormick, himself a writer, producer and director of many a schlock classic, including Bio-Tech Warrior, Time Tracers, The Abomination, Ozone: The Attack of the Redneck Mutants and the inimitable Repligator. Todd Sullivan, Timothy C Hobbs, Mark Thomas, Andrew Post, James B. Pepe, Thomas Vaughn, Edward Karpp, Jaap Boekestein, Lisa Alfano, L.C.Holt, John Adam Gosham, Brandon Cracraft, M. Earl Smith, Sarah Cannavo, James Gardner, Bret McCormick, James H Longmore
This exemplary 80's themed/inspired tales of terror has been adjudicated and compiled by one Mr Bret McCormick, himself a writer, producer and director of many a schlock classic, including Bio-Tech Warrior, Time Tracers, The Abomination, Ozone: The Attack of the Redneck Mutants and the inimitable Repligator. Todd Sullivan, Timothy C Hobbs, Mark Thomas, Andrew Post, James B. Pepe, Thomas Vaughn, Edward Karpp, Jaap Boekestein, Lisa Alfano, L.C.Holt, John Adam Gosham, Brandon Cracraft, M. Earl Smith, Sarah Cannavo, James Gardner, Bret McCormick, James H Longmore
534 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 2018
6 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 30, 2024
Schlock! Horror! has an eclectic mix of atmospheric stories that’ll leave you with a heap of nostalgia for classic horror tropes. They range from campy to gorey, thrilling to fantastical, and entertaining all around. While they were all unique in their own ways, the majority of the stories weren’t too horrifying or “scary” for my personal taste. I think there are plenty of stories in here that there’s bound to be one you’ll enjoy. My personal favorite was “The Unholy Feast of the Witch’s Heart.” I wish it would’ve been a little longer. I think there’s something here for everyone and is overall enjoyable.
Thank you Hellbound Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Hellbound Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2024
Sometimes cheesy, always gory, 80s horror holds a special place in my dark little heart. The stories in this anthology pay homage to the books and movies of those glorious days.
There is a bit of Sci-Fi thrown in the mix when a nerd gets a chance to live out his dreams in a computer-generated world, but of course, it soon turns nightmarish.
There is a classic horror feel in a story about a student who attends a free movie screening in exchange for providing feedback, in a creepy theater that he never should have entered.
Witches, ghosts, curses, mutants and even a chainsaw massacre provide hours of shock, disgust, and chills.
If you like your horror on the campy, humorous, and graphic side this is for you.
My thanks to HellBound Books
There is a bit of Sci-Fi thrown in the mix when a nerd gets a chance to live out his dreams in a computer-generated world, but of course, it soon turns nightmarish.
There is a classic horror feel in a story about a student who attends a free movie screening in exchange for providing feedback, in a creepy theater that he never should have entered.
Witches, ghosts, curses, mutants and even a chainsaw massacre provide hours of shock, disgust, and chills.
If you like your horror on the campy, humorous, and graphic side this is for you.
My thanks to HellBound Books
August 4, 2024
This book is made up of many different short stories by a variety of authors. Based on horror tropes of the 1980s. I found each story was unique. I liked the stories of shape shifting tigers, the bizarre dentist, and even a shocking story of a raping vampire that liked them both dead and alive. Some were unsettling, while others had me laughing with the dark humor. The point is that there is something for everybody in this anthology. You can take your time and savor each story when you need a horror fix. I had a good time reading this.
I want to thank HellBound Books for a copy of the e-book to experience horror of the 1980s. This review is voluntary and the opinions are my own.
I want to thank HellBound Books for a copy of the e-book to experience horror of the 1980s. This review is voluntary and the opinions are my own.
July 10, 2024
This was quite the eclectic anthology! The stories were all unique in their own way. The one that really stood out to me was “The Return of Mister Shovel.” An indie horror film director is offering a showing of his latest film in exchange for feedback. However, this theatre is vacant and only one person has come for the showing. Money is offered for this person to stay but something sinister is awaiting around the corner…
I also enjoyed “The Last VCR Made in Hell.” A cursed VCR that feeds on its victims?! What horror lover wouldn’t want to read this?
This anthology was very different from others I’ve read. Overall, I liked a few of the stories but didn’t enjoy them all. There was a lot of fantasy elements involved that made it a tough read for me for some stories in the collection.
Thank you, HellBound Books for this digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
I also enjoyed “The Last VCR Made in Hell.” A cursed VCR that feeds on its victims?! What horror lover wouldn’t want to read this?
This anthology was very different from others I’ve read. Overall, I liked a few of the stories but didn’t enjoy them all. There was a lot of fantasy elements involved that made it a tough read for me for some stories in the collection.
Thank you, HellBound Books for this digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
October 23, 2024
I picked this book up over and over, sneaking in a story wheneve I could. An eclectic mix of gorey, cheese, crazy and tame, this book is a fun nod to the 80s horror my old lady heart loves. I loved each story in its own way! If you're a fan of this genre, I highly recommend this book!
July 6, 2024
Schlock! Horror! is a vibrant homage to the splatter-filled horror of the 1980s. This anthology is a collection of short stories that celebrate the era's unique blend of gore, terror, and dark humor. The stories in this anthology capture the essence of '80s horror. The tales are filled with gruesome details and stomach-churning scenes that pay tribute to the decade's most notorious horror tropes.
This anthology of short stories is really a blast from the past. The nostalgia in these stories is great. I did have a few that I loved –
The Return of Mister Shovel by Andrew Post – I would love to get paid to watch a horror movie, but to be in an empty theatre for a recruitment film ….no way! This short story was so much fun and terrifying.
Subterranean Reptile Blues by Thomas Vaughn – A detective chasing down a killer in the sewers…it had a mothman vibe to it. The gore in this one was awesome.
The Last VCR Made in Hell by James Gardner – A cursed VCR who feeded on victims from the 80’s on. LOVE this story and the call backs to all the horror movies.
What I found so surprising with these novels, is that they were all so different and so much fun. You can expect a nostalgic journey through blood-soaked narratives and chilling scenarios, all expertly crafted to evoke the terror and excitement of vintage horror cinema. Whether you're a fan of the genre or new to the world of '80s horror, Schlock-Horror offers a thrilling ride
This anthology of short stories is really a blast from the past. The nostalgia in these stories is great. I did have a few that I loved –
The Return of Mister Shovel by Andrew Post – I would love to get paid to watch a horror movie, but to be in an empty theatre for a recruitment film ….no way! This short story was so much fun and terrifying.
Subterranean Reptile Blues by Thomas Vaughn – A detective chasing down a killer in the sewers…it had a mothman vibe to it. The gore in this one was awesome.
The Last VCR Made in Hell by James Gardner – A cursed VCR who feeded on victims from the 80’s on. LOVE this story and the call backs to all the horror movies.
What I found so surprising with these novels, is that they were all so different and so much fun. You can expect a nostalgic journey through blood-soaked narratives and chilling scenarios, all expertly crafted to evoke the terror and excitement of vintage horror cinema. Whether you're a fan of the genre or new to the world of '80s horror, Schlock-Horror offers a thrilling ride
November 22, 2024
Schlock (adj.) cheap or trashy
And that's exactly what we got here. Wonderfully cheap, trashy horror 🥰🥰
Contained here are 17 stories that bring all the nostalgic vibes of classic 1980s B horror movies and mass market paperback horror. What a treat!
I only have the one gripe. I didn't enjoy the first story very much, it was very long and by the end of the book I felt like it didn't really fit with everything else. I actually think it would be better suited as an independent novella, just my opinion though.
I enjoyed all the stories in this book, some had me down right laughing at the absurdities mixed in with the horror while others scratched that niche itch that only schlocky horror can't satisfy.
I really enjoy when horror isn't taken too seriously and the authors take strides to add humor into the dark themes.
This is a book that I have been recommending to some of my movie buff friends, and will continue to recommend to people who enjoy dark humor and gore and all the fun bits that come with schlock!
Thank you again to Hellbound Books LLC for gifting me the opportunity to read and enjoy these works! ❤️
4.5/5 👻
And that's exactly what we got here. Wonderfully cheap, trashy horror 🥰🥰
Contained here are 17 stories that bring all the nostalgic vibes of classic 1980s B horror movies and mass market paperback horror. What a treat!
I only have the one gripe. I didn't enjoy the first story very much, it was very long and by the end of the book I felt like it didn't really fit with everything else. I actually think it would be better suited as an independent novella, just my opinion though.
I enjoyed all the stories in this book, some had me down right laughing at the absurdities mixed in with the horror while others scratched that niche itch that only schlocky horror can't satisfy.
I really enjoy when horror isn't taken too seriously and the authors take strides to add humor into the dark themes.
This is a book that I have been recommending to some of my movie buff friends, and will continue to recommend to people who enjoy dark humor and gore and all the fun bits that come with schlock!
Thank you again to Hellbound Books LLC for gifting me the opportunity to read and enjoy these works! ❤️
4.5/5 👻
September 23, 2024
Schlock-horror was more of a slog than schlock. The stories were... alright. I want to be scared by a story, I want to speculate on whatever thing is causing terror. The stories in this collection were alright but I wouldn't call anybody them full-on horror. I definitely wouldn't call them schlock with an exclamation point. I understand that opinions differ but there wasn't any sort of cheesy yet frightening monster or serial killer with some disturbing obsession with sex-starved teenagers.
I do thank Hellbound Books for giving me a free copy to review but, if I'm being fair, it took me way too long to get through to be entertaining.
I do thank Hellbound Books for giving me a free copy to review but, if I'm being fair, it took me way too long to get through to be entertaining.
July 23, 2024
"Schlock! Horror!" is an eclectic collection of novellas inspired by 80s horror. I didn't find the stories scary, but they were entertaining. Each story was wildly different from the last. I liked the cryptid type stories best. In this anthology, you'll find gore, uncanny happenings, people running the wrong way into danger, and more. If you like campy horror, give this anthology a try.
Thank you to the publisher for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher for a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
July 29, 2024
3 🌟
Thanks for the opportunity to read this.
This is a book with 17 short stories and has something for everyone. The stories are varied, and each story is different.
My favourite story was the return of mister shovel.
All in all, a good read.
Thanks for the opportunity to read this.
This is a book with 17 short stories and has something for everyone. The stories are varied, and each story is different.
My favourite story was the return of mister shovel.
All in all, a good read.
July 31, 2024
Schlock! Horror! has something for everyone. I definitely enjoyed and savored this compilation.
All are great but for me the stand out stories for me started with Mr. Shovel and didn't let go until the final page.
The stories are varied, ranging from dark fantasy to pure campy horror.
For fans of anthology series this would definitely satisfy and entertain.
All are great but for me the stand out stories for me started with Mr. Shovel and didn't let go until the final page.
The stories are varied, ranging from dark fantasy to pure campy horror.
For fans of anthology series this would definitely satisfy and entertain.
September 10, 2024
Welcome to an anthology that pays tribute to the golden age of horror! This fun read was multifaceted featuring everything from ancient shapeshifters to slashers running around in Trump masks. The TOC lined up in this collection is truly a talented bunch of authors that all have distinct voices and stories that stand out creatively. Buckle up because this one is uniquely unhinged.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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