| Title | : | To the Solemn Graves |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | Published October 13, 2023 |
To the Solemn Graves Reviews
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As a writer myself, I found Kim Idynne's To The Solemn Graves to be a compelling anthology that masterfully blends elements of the supernatural with the innate horrors of human nature. The collection of thirteen stories is a testament to Idynne's skill in crafting narratives that are as eerie as they are intriguing. Each story in this collection serves as a mirror reflecting the darker aspects of humanity, intertwined with a touch of the paranormal.
The range of characters and settings in Idynne's stories is impressive. From the family grappling with prejudice and its unexpected roots in their neighbourhood to the unsettling twist in the tale of a man seeking love through a foreign dating service, Idynne showcases a diverse range in her storytelling. Her ability to create a sense of unease and anticipation is simply remarkable. As a reader, I was particularly drawn to the story of a young man and a shaman dealing with a haunting, where the evolving relationship between the protagonist and the spirit adds a layer of complexity to the conventional ghost story.
However, while Idynne's narrative style is engaging, some stories in the collection could have benefited from deeper character development and a more thorough exploration of their psychological aspects. Nonetheless, the book delivers what it promises—scary stories with character. To The Solemn Graves is a strong book, and I'd recommend it to all supernatural and horror fiction readers.
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13 Harrowing and Skin crawling stories.
Kim Idynne writes a horror-fying tales with To the Solemn Graves. I haven't read anything by this author before, and what a hidden gem. I enjoyed it so much, that I have now followed the author and look for more books to read. This author has a grand imagination, and talent for showing the story. The sketches in the book also bring the stories to life, and since I am a big fan of thriller slash horrors, I really liked this collection. Each one had its horror, terror, and downright creepy vibe, and you just didn't want to stop reading it. I had to read this book in parts. To the Solemn Graves, the title of book is also its own story, and it was my favorite of the collection. Seriously, it has the words Solemn and Graves in its title. The author weaves a tangled web of stories, capturing the reader. My favorite line, Our time here is short, but our arts and our hearts are eternal. This author is a great storyteller. Unpredictable stories! And, the artwork on the cover is pretty amazing. To the Solemn Graves is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book, to also write a review. -
The Review
This was a compelling, heartfelt collection of short stories. The author did a fantastic job of finding the balance between the spine-chilling terror of each story and rich character development that brought a more grounded sense of storytelling to the book. Each story's haunting imagery allows the reader to feel transported into the narrative entirely.
The heart of this narrative is in the powerful themes the author explores in this book, as each story elevates far beyond the classic horror genre. Each story reveals the horrors that arise from everyday life, the complex relationships we have with those we love, and the chilling reality of our perceptions of those who are different than us. The social and emotional consequences the author explores help bring the terrifying moments to new levels in the narrative.
The Verdict
Memorable, entertaining, yet emotionally complex, author Kim Idynee’s “To the Solemn Graves” is a must-read horror collection. The twists and turns in the narrative, the terrifying horror moments, and the complex yet engaging character dynamics all brought to mind the intriguing stories told by writer and director Mike Flannigan. -
To the Solemn Graves is a compelling and diverse collection of thirteen spooky short stories.
It reads a little like an adult Scaries Stories to Tell in the Dark, with a quote followed by a haunting illustration at the beginning of each story.
The stories range from chilling to spooky/sweet (if that’s even a thing!). Each story has beautiful prose and a well-crafted plot that kept me guessing until the very last twist.
One thing I particularly loved about the stories was the diversity present in the characters and settings. For instance, the opening story features a muslim family moving into a house in suburbia–where they have to deal with racial microaggressions from their predominantly white neighbours, oh, and the fact that cult members may have been living in their house before they moved in.
My favourite story was “When I’m Dead”, which features an author who writes stories based on his family members. This is one of the shorter stories, and it has a truly chilling twist ending. Other favourites include “Another Black Cat”, “Widow’s Peak”, “The Likeness”, and “Foreign Bride”.
I highly recommend this anthology, especially if you’re looking for bite-sized creepy stories to read before bed this spooky season.
*Thank you to the author for the ebook to review*
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