Sunday 5 February 2012

URBAN FANTASY REVIEW: City of Hell Chronicles Volume 1 - Various

Release Date: 20/11/11

SYNOPSIS:

Volume 1 is the genesis of the City of Hell mythos. This anthology of stories show how the Ant-headed God ‘The Great Maurr’ ascended to rule the Earth and enslaved the population. These are the chronicles of the last few survivors. Only three cities remain: Moscow, London and Hong Kong. All crumbling, dying versions of their former glory.

With stories by six international female authors, and one male, this first volume combines the Old evil and weirdness of H.P Lovecraft with the all out gory horror of Clive Barker.

Subjects range from madness to murder, and from desperation to primal fear. City of Hell Chronicles Volume 1 will take you on a truly disturbing ride into the grim, terrifying landscape of a near future Earth ruled by an army of giant-ants the size of men, human-centipede hybrids and bizarre mutants.


REVIEW:

This is a title that I read originally as a favour to a friend of mine who is not only a talented writer but one that has her finger on the pulse for the genre. What unfurls in this book is a series of stories set in an apocalyptic world where an insect god seeks to rule. It’s cleverly written, the idea’s as gory as any horror reader could want and when you add a light touch of medical reports it adds a realm of realism to the overall piece that helped take it a little further.

Whilst not every story within worked for me as a reader, the vast majority helped build a world with flesh and blood characters whose emotional involvement helped draw you deeper into the world. Finally add to this some decent prose, short stories that get to the bare bones and when backed by enthusiastic writers from around the world and you really do get something different.

1 comment:

Pat Hollett said...

A very honest and detailed review as always and as expected Gareth. You never fail to provide us with what works or doesn't work for you and that's what counts. Thanks for this. :)