Dark Worlds We Wander by Kristin Kirby is a collection of fourteen short stories and one novella that all center around the theme of survival in one way or another. From post-apocalyptic scenes to things like something odd in a dryer and something that’s up with some tattoos, each tale will have readers on the edge of their seats!
Let’s dive in!
My Thoughts on Dark Worlds We Wander by Kristin Kirby –
I had the chance to read one of Kristin’s short stories in Negative Space 2: A Return to Survival Horror edited by Aric Sundquist and oh my, has that story stuck with me. When Kristin reached out to tell me she had a short story collection out, I was SO excited! Now that I’m FINALLY seeming to get into the swing of things with my reading again after becoming a mom, I was so happy to finally dive in!
Per usual, here are my notes on each tale!
Imprints –
Nervous to get her first tattoo, this character powers through and is delighted with the result. But then one day, she notices something strange.
Oh my gosh. The focus on a first timer with little spurts from the friend with loads of tattoos was so fun. This was wild!
Tumble –
Going to check out a noise coming from the dryer turns into a terrifying situation!
The tension in this short tale, oh my gosh. AND THAT ENDING!
Being From Another World –
This one starts out so eerie, but oh my gosh, when I realized what was happening… I love this one so much!
Meat –
Living in a wasteland, the remaining people have agreed upon a tough way to stay alive.
This was my second time encountering this tale and it was just as unsettling as my first read!
Lost Classics of the ‘90s –
Still dealing with the sudden disappearance of her best friend, this woman is shocked when he suddenly appears again. But with his return brings the return of other things.
This one could have gone so much more into the horror side of things, but I absolutely loved the lighter horror and fun that was mixed in!
Sojourn –
A lovely short tale of life and death!
Fly –
The odds are stacked against him, but even so, this man must travel to try to find a prison or die trying.
Such a brutal tale of trying to keep hope alive when there’s such a tiny glimmer keeping you going. My gosh, I wanted to know more about this character!
Fallen –
A short tale of sacrifice and love with terrifying things happening around the two characters.
The NYX Effect –
When a nightmare competition breaks out between the members of a writing group, things start to take a dark turn that ends up breaking the group up. But when things start to mellow back out, the real horror kicks in.
I had such a blast reading this one! The setup and how we got to know each character was lovely. I was so sad, then excited to see what would happen, but then it all turned to terror! What a ride!
The Editor –
Oh my gosh, this was so unnerving! That last paragraph made me so sad!
Bitty –
What a tale of sisterly love! But oof, this was so sad too.
Digestible –
A food blogger writes about a hit new alien meat that tastes different to everyone!
Gosh, the writing was on the wall here, but that last blast of information!! Phew!
Blunder –
Going to a trailer to get payment one way or another, this man finds himself caught in a sticky web.
Oh, I was so hoping for a dark end for this guy… What a horrible man.
Rabbit –
While on his walks, a man finds himself looking forward to seeing a rabbit. The few moments he spends with it helps him smile in an otherwise terrifying time.
Oh my god, this is pure nightmare fuel set in the background of a lighter and lovely tale. My anxiety went through the roof reading this one!
Maze –
After the fallout, a woman is sent on one more job with three targets. Leaving her son with a neighbor, she successfully takes care of two before a wrench is thrown in the works. Now her whole life has been upended again as she’s forced to power through and save her son and the community.
This novella was INTENSE. Having a two-year-old, this terrified me so much more than it normally would have. Ugh, people in power are terrifying.
My Favorite Passages from Dark Worlds We Wander –
A pale, swollen hand slapped against the dryer window, fingernails jagged, crusted, dirty, then grabbed the side of the drum. Then rolling clothes blocked her view.
— Tumble
Goodbye was a concept. It only became real in the absence of something. Of someone.
— Fallen
My Final Thoughts on Dark Worlds We Wander –
Horror fans, you need this one immediately! The way that Kristin captured me at the start of each tale was incredible. I loved every single one of these stories!
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