Reality Check: An Anthology of Horror Horror Book Review

I was initially drawn to purchase this book due to being a big fan of ‘Reality’ TV.  As it turns out, this book is mostly themed negatively towards such programs.  As with most anthologies, there was good and bad to be had.

Here is my graded breakdown of each story contained within (I also wish the book had been a bit longer than 144 pages), using the A - F grading method.


HIBERATION (by William Bates)

Grade: C+


Decent plot, great ending, but I found the characters a bit one dimensional.


(DAMNED ON) the Farm (by Terry Vinson)

Grade: B-


obviously a send-up of ‘real world’ or ‘road rules’.  Lots of blood and guts and some funny moments, but runs out of steam by the end.


ROYAL WEDDING (by Joni Latham)

Grade - B


Send up of ‘Who wants to marry a millionaire’.  Brisk, easy read with a good ending.


WHO WANTS TO BE EVISCERATED? (by William Lengeman)

Grade - B-


Effective, but far too brief. Like the novel itself, made me wish for more.


El Horror DE LA Realidad - (By Hasan Abood)

Grade - D


Amateurish writing sinks this one. 


MAKE-OVERKILL (by Terry & Kim Vinson)

Grade - B+


Equally horrific and humourous.  Loved the ‘behind the scenes’ look at the life of a ‘b-movie’ starlet. Strong ending.


HOME OF THE BRAVE (by Steven Shrewsbury)

Grade - C


Decent story…weak ending.


BITE OF THE SPIDER (by Nickolaus Pacione)

Grade - B


Unusual prose that was strangely enduring.  Kept me on the edge despite a relatively common theme.


YOU ARE WHO YOU EAT - (by Andrew Fife)

Grade - A+


Easily the best.  I’m a big ‘living dead’ fan and this one covered all the bases…gory, funny, and frightening as hell.

The book is worth a look for this story alone.


Overall, not a bad time waster. 


WD (Dec 2004)