The Best Horror of the Year Volume Seven

The Best Horror of the Year Volume Seven, edited by Ellen Datlow, is a collection of twenty-two short horror stories published in 2015. The anthology features works from both established horror authors and emerging voices in the genre. Each story in the collection represents horror fiction published during the year 2014, selected and curated by Datlow from magazines, anthologies, and online publications. The collection includes diverse narrative styles and horror sub-genres, from supernatural tales to psychological terror. The stories range from brief, sharp pieces to longer works approaching novella length, providing varied reading experiences. Authors featured include Gemma Files, Genevieve Valentine, and Nathan Ballingrud, among others. This volume continues Datlow's examination of contemporary horror's capacity to unsettle through both subtle dread and overt terror. The collection reflects ongoing evolution in horror fiction while maintaining connections to genre traditions.

Readers found this anthology uneven in quality compared to previous volumes in the series. Many noted a slower pace and fewer memorable stories. Readers praised: - "The Dogs Home" by Alison Littlewood for its creeping dread - "Shay Corsham Worsted" by Garth Nix for unique world-building - "This is Not for You" by Gemma Files for its atmospheric tension Common criticisms: - Too many quiet, psychological stories versus visceral horror - Several stories felt incomplete or anticlimactic - Opening stories failed to grab attention Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (489 ratings) Amazon: 3.9/5 (31 ratings) Multiple reviewers noted that while Datlow maintains high editorial standards, this volume lacks the impact of earlier collections. Reader James Hansen wrote on Goodreads: "Only about 4-5 standout stories in this one. The rest blend together without leaving much impression."

The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror by Paula Guran A collection of horror and dark fantasy stories selected from the year's publications across multiple subgenres and styles.

Nightmare Magazine, Year One by John Joseph Adams Twenty-four horror stories from both established masters and emerging voices showcase the breadth of contemporary horror fiction.

The New Black: A Neo-Noir Anthology by Richard Thomas An anthology that blends crime fiction with horror elements through stories of psychological terror and supernatural menace.

Black Wings of Cthulhu by S. T. Joshi A collection of modern Lovecraftian horror stories that expand upon cosmic horror themes and mythologies.

Dark Forces: New Stories of Suspense and Supernatural Horror by Kirby McCauley A compilation of horror stories from multiple authors that combines supernatural elements with psychological suspense.

🔮 Editor Ellen Datlow has been curating and editing horror anthologies for over 30 years, winning multiple World Fantasy, Hugo, and Bram Stoker awards. 🌙 The collection includes "The Dogs Home," by Alison Littlewood, which was nominated for a British Fantasy Award. 📖 This volume features 22 carefully selected stories from both established horror authors and emerging voices in the genre. 🏆 Several stories in this collection were originally published in limited-edition books and small-press magazines, making them difficult to find elsewhere. 🖋️ The anthology includes work from Gemma Files, whose story "The Emperor's Old Bones" previously won the International Horror Guild Award.