Unseaming by Mike Allen

First, I won this book in a Goodreads First Reads giveaway for free. You will see it featured in a upcoming September Book Haul. Second, I am so very sorry about the lack of reviews but I have not had the time to read. The very few chances I did have to read I snuck in Unseaming and I am quite happy that I did. As usual, what I liked is the first few paragraphs below. What I wasn't too thrilled about is going to be all in the second to last paragraph. I hope you enjoy.

Unseaming is a collection of dark fantasy and horror stories by Mike Allen. I love my share of anything scary, especially with the month of October creeping upon us. Quite a few of these stories left me wanting more. The collection is broken into three parts. In Part One The Button Bin was my favorite, the term "wearing someone" can be taken quite literal, all with the help of the button bin. At first I said I wanted that bin. Humpty was another one I like from part one. I think almost everyone can say they remember that one certain toy from their childhood. That one that sort of freaked you out. Imagine it coming to life, and well, becoming your worst nightmare all over again. There are three other stories in part one that are also hair raising.

Right away in Part Two The Hikers Tale seeing a ghost could be the least of your worries. With a opening to the spirit world wide open and something incredibly not human coming out I would rather see the ghost. Stone Flowers did not go where I was expecting it to go and I am very happy with that. A slightly more bitter than sweet story, a loved one makes a sacrifice and continues to do so throughout their lives together. Once I finished, I really wanted a full length novel from it. In Part Three, we get a sequel to The Button Bin. Remember how I said I wanted the bin? Well after reading The Quiltmaker, I no longer want that bin. I don't know why but I was disturbed and very fascinated all at once.

There were two stories that I couldn't particularly grasp, The Lead Between the Panes and Gutter. While Let There Be Darkness wasn't my favorite. Quite honestly it just didn't interest me like the rest, each other story had me ooo'ing at some point. I did read this story twice before I moved on and both times my opinion wasn't changed. Is this a deal breaker for me on the book? Absolutely not. I'm sure that with the first two if I read them again I will most likely understand and love them like the rest of Allen's stories.

There are a total (in my copy which is an ARC) of 14 short stories. I did not go one by one this time because this post would have been crazy long. I completely recommend this to anyone who likes horror books. This is the first that I am reading anything by Mike Allen and I am hooked. I enjoyed this book thoroughly, and will have no problem rereading it later. As for younger kids reading this, I would say it would be up to their guardian to decide if they can read it or not.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Page Count: 221 pages (paperback)

Price: $15.95

Next Book: Love is Murder or my September Book Haul

Thank you so much for reading!
~Jade