Customer Reviews

Borderlands 2 (Borderlands Series , No 2) (v. 2)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read all four of the Borderlands collection and will say beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is not only the scariest stuff out there, but also cutting-edge fiction at its finest.

The stories presented in each collection are intelligent, extremely well-written, and creepy to the extreme. Those who enjoy the standard psychopathic killer yarn will not find what they're looking for here. Instead they'll find a type of horror that takes a time-honored genre and breathes new life into it. Simply outstanding.

I first read this when I was 16. At that time I was blown away, particularly by "Androgyny". Now I am 30, and I read it with much wiser eyes.

This is a well-written anthology of stories that are a bit macabre and alternative, but without using traditional horror plots. Many stories contained very little of the supernatural and most take place in a modern setting. I found myself able to read them without being disappointed as the majority of them held my interest. One of the best dark fantasy anthologies I've read over 20 years, but many of the stories could have done better by making the characters more sympathetic and detailing what was at stake for them. It was hard to get emotionally involved, even in well-written stories.

I did not find it scary, or particularly disturbing, to be honest I found most of the stories quite mild and not particularly gripping on an emotional or instinctive level. I don't find miscarriage/abortion, healing from rape/incest/abuse, or going to transgender orgies very out of the ordinary. Certainly in and of themselves, these are not horrific, but the stuff of regular fiction. The other reviewers must lead very sheltered lives.

I would more properly give this book 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up. Considering how poorly written most horror is, this one rises its head above the mess.

It's been ten years and a million stories since I read these books, and I can promise you that you will not find a better horror anthology out there. Books 1-3 changed my life, literally. The stories are so well written, it's almost magical. Book 4 is not quite as good overall, but there are still some great stories.

If you love short horror, pick these up. Don't bother with #5 that just came out. Get the originals.

Joe R. Landsdale, the master, does it again. It takes brilliance to know brilliance. These people can write. Some of these stories actually made me physically uncomfortable. Try to get it if you can.

The "Borderlands" Series is the best dark fiction writing I have ever read. Really skirts the edges and pulls no punches but without the traditional horror cliches. Nothing goes bump in the night but after reading these stories a simple bump won't even phase you anymore.