Customer Reviews

Splatterpunks II: Over the Edge

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3 star:		(2)
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Paul M. Sammon (ed.), Splatterpunks II: Over the Edge (Tor, 1995)

The first Splatterpunks anthology was, for me, one of those life-changing books that points a person in an entirely new direction; given that, I have no idea why it took me twelve years to pick up the second in the series. But I did, finally, and once again Paul Sammon has collected a bunch of truly nasty pieces of work. Not quite as nasty now, in the age of Charlee Jacob and her ilk, as they likely were in 1995, but they still pack quite a punch.

As with most anthologies, there's some variance in quality, but not as much as one might expect from a book this thick. The best of the bunch, by my count, is Wayne Allen Sallee's novella "For You, the Living," an account of a Chicago whose population has, in the majority, been turned into sex-crazed zombies. (Shades of David Cronenberg are always a welcome addition to the bookshelves of Goat Central) Other highlights can be found from the names you recognize already: Clive Barker's "Scape-goats" is wonderfully, unmistakably Barker; Kathe Koja's "Impermanent Mercies" is typical of the brilliant stuff she turns out; Steve Rasnic Tem's "Boxer" is, in Sammon's words, "just so weird". It should also be noted that this volume contains the first published work of Christa Faust (Hoodtown), and a fine little piece it is. The book is also shot through with nonfiction pieces, which I found kind of surprising; Jim and Debbie Goad's interview with the late Anton LaVey is the best of the bunch, just as interesting as any of the fiction to be found here. Good stuff, all this, with a slip now and again, but that shouldn't stop you from checking this one out. *** ½

This book outshines the original. It is as full of viscera and violence as the first, but contains even more thoughtful stories, perhaps there is something to be said for the female point of view. Not every story will resonate with the reader, but for a short story collection most stories will have been well worth your time and will stick with you.

This book is the second of the best horror compilations I've ever read. I've had copies of them since 2000, and wear them out every time. I recommend this and Splatterpunks I to any fan of extreme horror short stories!Queer Fear 2: Gay Horror FictionBorderlands 1 (Borderlands No 1) (v. 1)Borderlands 3 (Borderlands Series , No 3) (v. 3)Borderlands 2 (Borderlands Series , No 2) (v. 2)

Stories in this collection were of generally good quality and enjoyable to read. However, this collection definitely lost the over the top, right on the brink, edgy feel of the first Splatterpunks collection. Sure it has its share of necrophilia, gratuitous gore, usw.; but, it just didn't do it for me. It's worth the read if you can pick it up cheap, but don't expect it to live up to the first collection.

If your into horror, blood, death , and your a twisted person, then this is the book for you! All of the stories are written in different views and perspectives, but all of them rotate around the same source: GRUESOME BLOODY HORROR!!! If your easily upset by gruesome things then DO NOT buy this book. But, if ya like this stuff then this IS the boo

Jim Goad interviews Anton LaVey, story by Debbie Goad, am I dreaming -- buy it, not necessarily from Amazon