Cabaret of Dread: a Horror Compendium [Kindle Edition]

I must admit I have taken my time to read and review this book. In fact Iv'e read it several times. Each finely crafted story is a delight to be savored, not rushed. Lily Childs has a wonderful knack of getting under the skin of things with her disturbing creations.

Extreme horror for adults only.Oh yes, and then some. This is a collection of dark gems that deserves to be on the reading lists of horror fans everywhere.

Confession: Lily and I are both members of the same writers' message board. Please do not think I have given this book four stars because Lily and I know each other (albeit via a message board). I paid for the download and have given it four stars because it deserves them.

So why four stars when all the other reviewers to date have given five? Mainly because of the flash fiction. Quite often I found it left me wanting more, by which I mean I was left asking questions: What is the back story that led to this? What is the motivation? What were the consequences? Please note that this is not a criticism of Lily: I take part in the message board's monthly flash fiction competition and I am sure that other readers feel the same about my work. It can be awfully difficult to give the reader everything they want in a small number of words. I would definitely make an exception for "Shoes of Ice" which was a superb story that bears comparison with the longer pieces in this compilation.

I preferred the longer stories, where Lily had enough words to put flesh on the bones of her characters (and then rip it off in the most gruesome ways imaginable!). Most noteworthy to me was the closing story, "The Infanta Tryptych". Just like the flash fiction, this left me wanting more, but this time in a good way! If Lily ever feels like expanding this story into a novel I would definitely be interested in buying it.

This is an enjoyable book and I look forward to reading the two novels of Lily's that are also on my Kindle.

If Poppy Z Brite married Clive Barker (unlikely I know) and produced offspring (no, it wouldn't be called Ronnie), this collection of short stories would resemble the child. Lily Childs gives us a fearsome and frothy collection of tales, binding demons, ghosts, serial killers and murderous playthings together with a ligature steeped in prosaic gore. Anyone with a taste for the dark stuff will gorge themselves senseless on this macabre vintage of horror. Definitely one for the watching.

One of the best collections of Lily Childs work so far. Some brilliant new material including "Staring at the pink" that is an incredible work of art, packed with suprises. What does it for me is that Lily Childs is such a versatile writer, just when you think you know her work she will startle and surprise you and keep you guessing all over again with some brilliantly original stories. Take the opportunity to look inside to see what I mean. I personally can't wait for volume 2.

BOOK REVIEW - LILY CHILDS: CABARET OF DREAD
By Veronica Marie Lewis-Shaw

(Reviewer's note - (If anyone is wondering why there is not an Amazon Verified Purchase label on my Kindle reviews, it is because I have to make my purchases on the US Amazon - I can't make Kindle purchases on Amazon UK. You may be assured however, that I will never review a book or product that I have not purchased and used/read myself. Thank you.)

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Have I said before that Lily's writing is breathtaking, dark, delicious, grippingly horrific, gutsy, brilliant, compelling, driving, visceral, lusty, erotic and...oh, back `round to breathtaking, are we?

Horror mistress Lily Childs brings us a stunning collection of contemporary and neo-period horror, with a tantalizing dash of crime fiction, in Cabaret of Dread, Volume I - demons, murderers, ghosts, wraiths, psychopaths and piteously lost souls abound in the pages of Cabaret, bringing their horrifying agendas to fruition.

From the moment I first saw the cover art for Cabaret of Dread, I knew that I was in for a literary treat I would not soon forget. I believe I even mentioned to Lily that I was off to the market to buy another night light in preparation for her latest masterpiece.

When one hears the word `cabaret', they think of fun... joyous abandon... loosening of one's inhibitions... glee and good cheer, right? Life is a cabaret, as the saying goes.

In Cabaret of Dread, the first tome of Lily's vast collection of penned horror and urban fantasy, the word cabaret in the title is a bit of a misnomer as the only joyous abandon in these pages is that of the lustful and horrifyingly visceral cravings and desires of beings, some considerably less than human, lost in their wanton frenzies....

Lily's vibrant, violent and oft `dripping' narrative style fires the imagination, taking one to those dark places where her characters dwell and satisfy their hungers, surrendering to their dark `masters', be they another being entirely or just another facet of an already tortured soul clawing and clutching for a peace that eludes.

Every piece in this collection is brilliantly done... a rich tapestry of words that conjure dark and bloody, melancholy (sometimes poignant), horrific images and a maelstrom of emotions... and in my case, leave one scrambling for the night light. I intend no slight toward any of these exquisitely crafted slices of horror in remarking here on only a handful of the tales that seem to flow effortlessly from Lily's pen.

Right from the very first, our senses are alit with the bloodily gruesome and visceral imagery presented in "Dressing-Up Box". The ballerina here bears no resemblance at all to my pink and grey tutu-ed adolescence... or that of my pre-pubescent classmates from my days of ballet. I wonder what Madame would say to this?

"If I take my eye out and put it in a pickle jar whilst I mould a pair of sockets, I'll only be able to see at an angle."

Now, there is a tasty little morsel, isn't it? Ooohh.... Gave me a right little shiver!

And, as Lily says... "The dance begins."

"Cold September Call" leaves a chill... and one wondering what could possibly have transpired to warrant such a fate for a young girl.

In "Smiling Cyrus" there's a line that tears at my heart -

"'Cyrus isn't coming back.' She's practiced the line until it no longer shakes in her mouth."

From "Hidden Beast", this little `gem' put me off the evening's meal; Tina's usually wonderful Liver and Portobello in red wine reduction -

"Drawing the lobe to his lips Mifkin began to chew, tasting the blood before it cooled and congealed."

"Carpaccio" is both funny and horrifying in its murderous matter-of-factness. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale!

"In Adoration" will leave the squeamish running from the room.... "ha-ha... soft basta..." Oops! I have to be careful here.... Amazon doesn't like sweary words.

I must say that "In Adoration" is one of my favorites. I probably should not take such rapacious delight in the demonic seduction of the holy and [self] righteous (it's okay, though... I confessed when I next went to church), but hey... it's fiction!

Right, Lily? Right....? Lily......?

Besides, with lines like this, how can one not enjoy the tale -?

"Orgasm plays between her legs in satisfaction at being such a good Samaritan."

"Staring At The Pink" - this one was especially chilling... sleep was a long time coming after reading Lily's tale of the clash between corporeal and spirit world and what happens when a person's spirit breaks upon the death of the corporeal being; the `dark half' biding its time, then returning with a sinister need... a soul that is not hers to own.

There is a line - "Pink Nana dies, for the second time, in the safety of my arms."

Well, I may have let my imagination get the best of me... as I said; sleep would not come for a long time.

"The Infanta Triptych" is the closing tale in this collection... and the crown jewel out of these forty-three dark and wickedly delicious tales. Vampire horror at its very best!

At times shockingly raw, to the point of catching one's heart in their throat... often melancholy... Lily's prose is filled with a power and determination that truly will leave one breathless... that is, if they have a beating heart inside their chest.

Not for the faint of heart... there is nothing mundane, mediocre, ordinary or trifling... Cabaret of Dread more than delivers on the promise the name Lily Childs brings to aficionados of horror and dark urban fantasy. Whether it is one of the delicious little slices of flash fiction or a mini-novelette piece, Lily's writing will leave your senses both shaken and stirred!

I had only one complaint whilst reading Cabaret of Dread... but my complaint is directed at the weather, not Lily. The weather gods did not see fit to bring me a little thunder and lightning... Cabaret is a book that begs to be on a dark and stormy night!

I'm almost afraid to ask Lily what she has in store for us in Volume II... not that her answer would keep me away. This girl does like to scare herself!

And now I must go and replace the lamp in my night light... it is flickering rather alarmingly.

I raise my glass to you, Lily... Saude!

Veronica Marie Lewis-Shaw
Silverdale, Washington
Cannon Beach, Oregon
19 May 2012 Read more ›

Films have their own rating, books are graded by age, YA and adult, but no one has yet introduced a grading for horror, as in
dark
bit darker
gory dark
Lily Childs.
Be warned, this writer drags you to the edge of gore and when you think you can't tale any more, she tips you in.
Brilliantly crafted tales, long and short, glimpses into dark holes and dark beings you don't want to think exist and probably do, are all hidden behind that seemingly innocuous lady on the cover inviting you in, can you resist?
I doubt it.