There are certainly many things in the world I would enjoy but do not even know to ask for, for my imagination hasn't yet stretched that far. This book contains one: New Orleans rent boys performing Bacchanalian rituals to Lovecraftian Elder Gods. Now I want all of it, so much more of it than this book provided, the idea is set in me now and I can't stop thinking of it. Nothing recommends a book better than a reader who can't stop thinking about it, extrapolating from it.

In general I'm not a horror fan, I don't dislike it, I just am very picky about it. I prefer my horror subtle. I want to make me shiver and ask questions and imagine things I've never thought of. This book really provided for me. There was only one story that stretched to too gross/too creepy for me and it involved spidery things and frankly I should have known better as soon as they appeared but the rest of the book was sublime, ranging from just a hint of "oh this is weird" to "whoa WTF is going on here!?"

Several of the stories shared characters and a strange post-apocalyptic universe where vast swathes of cities are quarantined because magic has surfaced and too much darkness and unknown resides there now. Of course outcasts flock to these dead zones producing several stories that are lovely fairy tales in their own right.

Themes of isolation, loneliness and seeking community fill this book, with as many happy endings as there are terrifying horrors. Berman's writing is both spare and lyrical where it needs to be, leading to the sense that each of these is a timeless fairytale being played out against an unexpected backdrop. The dead zone in cities act as the fairyland under the hill, the magic users like fairies themselves. Each other story has a hero to root for and a chance to wistfully hope for a happy ending. Very much enjoyed everything about this book. Went and bought two more by Berman right away, can't wait to get to them. ( )

http://www.sfreader.com/read_review.asp?ID=204 ( )