Review | Tainted Love: Women In Horror Anthology

A collection of fourteen horror stories showcasing the moments where love goes wrong in chilling and twisted ways.

When it comes to love, women often find themselves becoming the object of someone’s distorted desires. […] But in this collection we wish to become the masters of our own love stories, twisted as they are.

Tainted Love is a fitting collection to read during Women In Horror Month! Featuring fourteen horror stories written by women, this anthology has a good mix of terrifying, charming, and shocking tales of relationships gone bad. The stories depict different kinds of love – family, siblings, romantic, and friendship. They tackle themes of revenge, justice, betrayal, and grief, and the horror doesn’t always come from places you might expect. I enjoyed reading this book and I thought a few of the stories are real standouts.

My Lady Báthory by Mandy Burkhead is a take on the real-life horror of Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Báthory de Ecsed who reportedly murdered more than 600 young women in the 1600s. This beautifully written tale is seen through the eyes of her victims where they fight not just to survive but to have the freedom to be who they really are. Vanitas by Azzurra Nox and Erica Ruhe is about seduction, power, and secrets with a dash of creature feature. The Prohibition-era setting and the vivid description of life in a speakeasy make the story come alive. Make A (Death) Wish by Melissa Burkley is an entertaining tale from the point of view of a boy who loves Batman. This is a delightful story that takes a surprisingly dark turn. Hunter’s Moon by Marnie Azzarelli sees a woman experiencing strange things in her house as she starts to lose control of her life. The story is dreamy, haunting, and ends on a satisfying note. Sleep by Marie Anderson shows the difficult decision a father must make for his son. This story captures the character’s emotional roller-coaster in a succinct and powerful way.

I did find a couple of stories to be just fine, even a little confusing. There were also a few typos and errors that could have been cleaned up. But overall, I enjoyed this collection. I appreciate the portrayal of gay and trans characters, and I liked how the women are strong and compelling. I also thought the inclusion of a list of trigger warnings is a nice touch, and something more horror books should do.

Tainted Love: Women In Horror is a solid anthology of horror stories and it is out on 16 February!

Thank you to Azzurra Nox for a review copy.

CW: animal deaths, mental illness, cannibalism, rape, physical assault

About the editors: Azzurra Nox and Erica Ruhe

Photo by Mathilda Khoo