Enjoyable collection. Appreciated the overview provided at the beginning - they summarize what the stories are about and warn about which ones to skip if you have a sensitive stomach (but you’re already here… so….)

Review originally published at: http://www.lomeraniel.com/audiobookreviews/book-review-years-best-hardcore-horror-volume-2/

I received a copy of this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.

These are twenty one short horror stories from indie authors. They all explore different sides of horror: from psychological to gore, and in some occasions with a mix of science-fiction too, those were my favorites.

I am not usually one to go for short stories, but I was curious about this one. And it was a hell of a listen! Some stories touched me more than others, but on the whole I greatly enjoyed this book. There are great authors at play here, with the capability to evoke very vivd images on the listener. Warning for sensitive listeners: there several stories with very explicit sex scenes, including a couple of snuff stories. Not for the light of heart, but I have to say that to succeed in writing horror, one has to be bold, and these authors are.

I especially enjoyed "The Girl Who Loved Bruce Campbell" by Christa Carmen, "Please Subscribe" by Adam Cesare, "Little Sister, Little Brother" by Sarah L. Johnson, "Miss_Vertebrae" by Eric LaRocca, "Backne" by Tim Miller, and "Implant" by Bryan Smith. Not that the others were not good but these were the ones which resonated most with me. Definitely, this compendium of horror stories has everything for everyone, and it is a must listen for any fan of the genre.

Some of the stories have some notes about how they were conceived. I found this interesting and inspiring, since I am always curious about the creative process in writing a story.

Joe Hempel's narration was perfect for these stories, even though I have to say that I have not yet found a book in which Hempel did not deliver a superb narration. But one can feel that he really enjoys this kind of stories and transmits this to the listener. He impersonated each one of the characters, making them unique, transmitting their emotions and bringing them closer to the listener. I love love Hempel's narrations, with him the good ride is guaranteed.

I enjoyed this anthology as much as the first one. i really love the author's notes at the end of the stories. I listened to the audiobook and loved it. It was hilarious when the male narrator sounded liked prissy chics. He did a great job.
I actually fell asleep listening to this and had a crazy nightmare. That's a bonus! I loved it

Super messed up short stories! Just the way I like them!!!

I would have given this four stars similar to vol 3 that I read last year for having overall more good stories than bad ones but the story “What did you do to the children?” Was so bad it brought the whole book down a star. Contrary to what the author of that fecal smear of a story thinks I am not upset by the extreme lengths that they went to trying to shock their audience nor do I believe it should be banned or censored making them the great martyr for free speech that they ape themselves to be in the author’s note. No I just found the story to be the most desperate and pathetic attempt at an attention grab I’ve seen this side of an ICP album. I feel dumber for having read it. Simply regurgitating swearing and body horror onto a transcript doesn’t make you a horror writer. Suspense, terror, and shining a spotlight on the parts of humanity and the world around us that we don’t want to look at is what makes you a horror writer.