Listen to Ellen Datlow talk about this book on my podcast This new nautical themed anthology edited by Ellen Datlow really blew me away. It is perfectly executed, diverse, and bold in a way that I have come to expect from her work. It contains 15 all original short stories, all of which are solidly written and engaging. The edition starts with "Deadwater" by Simon Bestwick, which is remarkably well done and really hooks you in. It is the kind of tale that you expect to be in an anthology like th...

Datlow's anthologies are generally better than the average ones, and while I wouldn't call this one of the best, it was still a very solid one. For a change I didn't dislike any of the tales; there were a couple I didn't care for nearly as much as the others, and a couple started off really strong but had total non-endings that gave the impression the authors couldn't figure out how to appropriately end the story so they just didn't, they just left it hanging.It was nice to see three authors I'm...

Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this from Edelweiss for review consideration. If you think that affects my review, you don't know me very well. The Devil and the Deep was an anthology that sounded kind of interesting to me, but I had no true desire to read it. Mostly because I'm still a bit biased against anthologies, even though I've had some pleasant experiences lately. However, when I saw that it was available on Edelweiss  for immediate download, I figured there was no harm in giving it a l...

I mentioned in my last post about Ellen Datlow how I planned to read more collections edited by her, and The Devil and the Deep is the next one I chose. I have always enjoyed stories about the sea and I was excited by the idea of reading horror stories all themed around the ocean. Sadly I didn't quite get what I wanted but I enjoyed this collection nevertheless. As per usual, I'll be going through the stories one by one.Deadwater by Simon Bestwick-This was a great story to start with. A woman's

Not all the stories in the collection were amazing, but some of them really hit the mark:- "Deadwater" - more of a thriller than a sea horror story, but with a fascinating first character- "Fodder's Jig" - an innovative concept, with good characters and a satisfying ending- "What My Mother Left Me" - the story didn't impress me much, but the characters stuck - "Broken Record" - another inventive story, revolving around an interesting concept - "Sister. Dearest Sister, Let Me Show You The Sea" -

More misses than hits inside this one. My review can be read here ----> https://wp.me/p5t5Tf-1r0

I approach themed anthologies with caution. In too many instances, the central idea begins to wear thin after multiple stories with the same approach. However, with Ellen Datlow behind the ship’s wheel as editor, I decided to read this one. I trust her story judgment. It was also the winner of The Bram Stoker 2018 Award for Best Anthology Of The Year. It’s not hard to see why. None of these stories were lukewarm in temperature. Everything met my expectations. Out of fifteen stories ten were abov...

THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP: Horror Stories of the Sea, is a collection of 15 sea-themed stories edited by Ellen Datlow.Most of these stories hit between two and four stars with me, but there were some that I found exceptional or "unique". Personal favorites of mine included:"He Sings of Salt and Wormwood", by Brian Hodge: I honestly don't believe that I've read a story by Brian Hodge that I haven't loved, to some degree. His language evokes the most impressive images and moods, and his tales always

The sea coughed us up, but some day it’s going to reclaim us, and there’s precious little that we can do about it. I have had a fear of deep water since I was a small child, so—as a horror lover who is not easily shaken—nautical horror is one of my favorite subgenres of both stories and film. When I learned that this sea-themed anthology was coming out, I knew I had to get my hands on it, especially after finding out that a few of my favorite anthology authors were featured in it (Seanan McG

A very good collection overall. Some of the more memorable ones include "Fodder's Jig," "The Whaler's Song," "Sister, Dearest Sister, Let Me Show You to the Sea," "Broken Record," "He Sings of Salt and Wormwood," and "Shit Happens." But my favorite was "Haunt" by Siobhan Carrol. Just a tremendous short story.

And this book is already a Kindle deal - it's only $1.99 right now! May be the best $1.99 you spend this year, so grab one now.***********************************This is a wonderful collection. It's not huge - a little over 300 pages - but I read it in one sitting because I had to keep reading. Ellen Datlow is an editorial genius and I can't wait to read another of her collections.4 stars. Read this if you haven't. I highly recommend it. Ocean creepies! Awesome. Very well written and absorbing,

Ellen Datlow is like the late Peter Haining she finds stories by other authors that fit a theme then puts them into a collection this The sea horror collection she has huge amount of collections from Alien sex, Lovecraft, Dolls, (which I have read), Mad Hatters, Vampires, Science fiction, fantasy, well over 90 books. But unlike Haining she also writes stories too.This has Christopher Golden of Buffy fame, Michael Marshall Smith & lot more bit unlike many collections she also at the back with all...

Picked this up from my library so I could read the two stories from Seanan McGuire and Stephen Graham Jones. Both were absolutely fantastic. The sea/water stories aren’t really for me, so I did not get through the other stories…. No full review over here. If you’re a fan of either of those authors though, pick this up sometime—CHILLS.

I did not finish this book. the stories I read were 3 stars at best.

My favorites of the stories include Deadwater by Simon Bestwick Fodder's Jig by Lee ThomasWhat my mother left me by Alyssa WongA moment before breaking by A.C. WiseSister, Dearest Sister, Let me show to you the sea by Seanan McGuireHe Sings of salt and wormwood by Brian HodgeThe rest were various stages of slight dislike/not for me to I enjoyed it. I didn't hate any of the stories. Overall average is 3.37Really did enjoy it over all :)

I'd heard a lot about this anthology before I read it, and was unsurprised to find it on the Stoker ballot. I think it deserves to be there. The stories are diverse in tone, subject, mood and voice. More than one had an ending I didn't see coming at all but which totally made sense when it did, and there are several I would happily read again.

Another great collection from Ellen Datlow - short and satisfying horror set around the theme of the sea. Full review to come.

I am a big fan of sea stories, even though I refuse to go into the ocean after seeing Jaws as a kid. I won't rate each story in the collection because there was only one I wasn't a fan of and a couple I thought were only OK. The rest are amazing, and there are so many varied plots and ideas in this collection. If you're into horror and what lies under the surface, this is a definite anthology to read.

An anthology built around the theme of the ocean? How could I say no to that? Not all of the stories resonated with me, but many did. And the ones that did- resonated deeply. FODDER'S JIG by Lee Thomas. Sea monsters, a gay couple and a gold-digging relative. Every time I thought this tale was nothing special, something special happened. I need to read more Lee Thomas!WHAT MY MOTHER LEFT ME by Alyssa Wong blew me away. Imaginative and bold, I already purchased another story from this author. This...

What My Mother Left Me by Alyssa Wong ★★★★★ “I’m monstrous, beautiful.For the first time in my life, I feel whole.” This was painful but good. I’m still choking back rage filled adrenaline over the levels of betrayal. It’s one of those man vs wild stories that let you see who are the real monsters. Normally selkie stories are of misogyny, ultimate power over your wife. This was modern and brutal. But it ended well so I’ll forgive Alyssa Wong my palpitations.A Moment Before Breaking by A.C. Wise...