Very Superstitious: Myths, Legends, and Tales of Superstition

by Various Authors

Horror Short Story Anthology

Book Description

The stories are based on urban legends, myths, tribal tales and superstitions from around the world. A charity anthology to benefit SPCA International with stories by Shannon Delany, Jackie Morse Kessler, Stephanie Kuehnert, Jennifer Knight, Marianne Mancusi, Michelle E. Reed, Dianne Salerni and Pab Sungenis.

MY THOUGHTS: 3.5 OUT OF 5 FLEURS DE LIS

Very Superstitious: Myths, Legends and Tales of Superstition by Georgia McBride
This is a collection of short stories that some well known indie authors got together and published fr charity (the SPCA). Authors include Mari Mancusi, Jackie Morse Kessler, and Shannon Delany, among others.

There are eight stories included: “The Rescue”, “Thirst”, “Chupacabra”, “The Road Home”, “Gift of the Were-Magi”, “Midhalla”, “Bloody Mary”, and “The Silverfoot Heretic.” The stories widely varied in main theme, but all had a supernatural element.

My favorite tale of the collection is “Bloody Mary” by Dianne K. Salemi. I am assumin it takes place is the late 19th century, but no date was explicitly given. In this story, a girl named Mary Louise entertains her 2 friends and her cousin newly arrived from Jamaica, by playing a game of Bloody Mary. Mary Louise’s cousin sees something most unexpected in the mirror, and the consequences will be dire and lead to a curse for one of the girls. This story stayed with me even after I read it.

I also enjoyed “Chupacabra” by Jennifer Knight. It is a supernatural story told from two points of view–the creature, who uncontrollably murders people, and the girl who’s hunting him. This does turn into a bit of a romance, but it wasn’t cliched. I wondered what’s going to happen to the couple next, as the ending was kind of a cliffhanger.

There are other stories her, about wandering ghosts, vengeful gods, and more. But these are the two that caught my attention most. I thought this was a great anthology to get me into the Halloween mood, and I love that it’s for charity!

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