The Best Horror of the Year Volume 13

The Best Horror of the Year Volume 13 is Ellen Datlow's curated collection of twenty-two horror stories published in 2020. The anthology features both established authors and emerging voices in the horror genre. The stories range from supernatural terror to psychological suspense, incorporating elements of folklore, cosmic horror, and contemporary fears. Settings vary from isolated rural locations to urban environments, with narratives that span different time periods and cultural contexts. The collection showcases horror in its various forms - from quiet, atmospheric pieces to more visceral tales of violence and dread. Authors explore themes of isolation, grief, and human nature through the lens of horror fiction. These stories reflect broader societal anxieties and personal fears, examining how horror can emerge from both extraordinary circumstances and everyday life. The anthology demonstrates the genre's capacity to address contemporary issues while maintaining its fundamental power to unsettle and disturb.

Readers note this anthology contains fewer traditional horror stories compared to previous volumes, with more experimental and literary pieces. Several reviews mention the collection feels uneven, with standout stories mixed among less impactful ones. Readers praised: - "Enough" by Joyce Carol Oates - "The Nag" by Ramsey Campbell - "Cleaver, Meat, and Block" by Maria Haskins - Stephen Graham Jones's blend of horror and dark humor Common criticisms: - Too many pandemic-themed stories - Several stories lack clear endings or resolutions - Some pieces read more like literary fiction than horror Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (182 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Multiple reviewers noted the anthology works better for readers who enjoy subtle, psychological horror rather than traditional scares. As one Amazon reviewer wrote: "The horror here is more existential than visceral - which may disappoint those seeking traditional monsters and gore."

The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror by Paula Guran This anthology collects dark fantasy and horror stories published in 2021 from both established masters and emerging voices in the genre.

Dark Stars: New Tales of Darkest Horror by John F.D. Taff The collection presents twelve original horror stories from contemporary authors who explore modern fears and primal terrors.

Wounds: Six Stories from the Border of Hell by Nathan Ballingrud Six interconnected tales merge supernatural horror with noir sensibilities to create narratives about transformation and cosmic dread.

The Valancourt Book of World Horror Stories by James D. Jenkins and Ryan Cagle This compilation brings together horror fiction from 21 countries that has never been translated to English before.

The New Dead: A Zombie Anthology by Christopher Golden The collection presents zombie tales that examine undeath through different cultural lenses and storytelling approaches.

🔖 Editor Ellen Datlow has been curating "Year's Best Horror" anthologies for over three decades, making her one of horror fiction's most respected voices 🏆 The collection includes Stephen Graham Jones's "Wait for Night," which won the 2021 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in Short Fiction 📚 Many stories in Volume 13 reflect anxieties of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the stories were written during 2020's global lockdowns ✍️ The anthology features 25 stories from both established horror authors and emerging voices in the genre, carefully selected from over a thousand published works 🌟 Datlow's meticulous selection process includes reading every major horror publication, anthology, and collection published during the year, plus countless online magazines and stories