The Philippine Online Chronicles

All Hallow’s Eve is creeping up and in the spirit of tradition, here are some recommendations when it comes to leisure reading. There’s an argument that horror is difficult to sustain in the novel-length format so I present to you some short story collections, anthologies, comics, and short fiction that might pique your interest.

Short Story Collections/Anthologies:

Waking the Dead and Other Horror Stories by Yvette Tan (Anvil Publishing Inc.) - Yvette Tan has gained some notoriety for her fiction, winning not just Palanca Awards but getting citations in the Honorable Mentions of The Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror as well. Waking the Dead and Other Horror Stories compiles her earlier work, including the ones that have won awards. From tiyanaks to ghosts to dragons, Tan is one of our more prolific writers who’s unabashedly a big fan of the horror genre.

News of the Shaman by Karl R. de Mesa (Visprint, Inc./Flipside Digital Content Company Inc.) - The novella format is scarcer than either novels and short stories, yet here is News of the Shaman, a book that compiles four of Karl R. de Mesa’s horrific novellas. This isn’t de Mesa’s first collection (you can check out Damaged People: Tales of the Gothic-Punk) and it’s evident in the writing, especially when his influences and experiences come to the fore. If you’re looking for something lengthy and moody, this might be what you’re looking for.

The Lost Language by Marianne Villanueva (Anvil Publishing Inc.) - While I wouldn’t label Marianne Villanueva’s short fiction as outright horror, it’s weird enough to induce this sense of uneasiness that’s the hallmark of potent fiction, horrific or otherwise. The Lost Language is Villanueva’s third short story collection and a sense of loss is a recurring theme in many of her stories.

Demons of the New Year edited by Karl R. de Mesa and Joseph Nacino (Estranghero Press) - Short fiction lives on in the Internet and this online anthology showcases some of our most promising writers like Marguerite Alcazaren de Leon and Eliza Victoria. It’s not yet the New Year, but the theme of demons--metaphorical or otherwise--delivers a haunting experience.

Trese: Last Seen After Midnight by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo (Visprint, Inc.) - Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo delivers their very own version of localized urban fantasy. There are four stand-alone issues in this comic and Baldisimo’s art is better than ever, making great use of black on white and white on black. Tan maintains his fusion of the fantastical and the mysterious, delivering both a trick and a treat.

Fiction Online:

The previous books too long--or too expensive--for you? Try these short stories circulating around the Internet:

“Seek Ye Whore” (pg. 110) by Yvette Tan - Aside from the pun of our mysterious Siquijor, Tan provides a visceral look of a different kind of mail order bride.

“Isa” by Marianne Villanueva - There is this mysterious island... it’s not the Stepford Wives but it’s similarly bizarre.

“Frozen Delight” by Marguerite Acazaren de Leon - If you’re looking for a different kind of murder mystery, here’s one that’s both funny and chilling (no pun intended).

“Kaming Mga Seroks” by David Hontiveros - Here’s a science fictional dystopian story that’s a reflection of our times.

"The Hunger Houses" by Raymond G. Falgui - *cough* inspired by Lovecraft *cough*

Book covers used here for purposes of review. Copyright for the images is believed to belong to the graphic artist or book distributor.