This is a Gemma Files work, so you'll get only good things from me! Her 'Blood from the Air' is a fascinating read, full of atmosphere and mystery, written elegantly and vividly. Paranormal phenomena are given a rather personal and dense treatment, though never uninteresting or boring. There are unusual stylistic choices aplenty, a thematic diversity ranging from history and myth, folklore and superstitions, to the grotesque and the visceral. Trying to summarize the stories is virtually impossible: they are far better appreciated if directly experienced, as short (some not so short) experiments or snapshots of language under the aspect of body horror, cosmic weirdness or even dark poetry. 400 pages of ambitious writing, savage imagery, and obscure destiny. A joy to read as always!

Blood from the Air has been called a challenging short story collection and it is at that.
Short stories are a strain on the term as these stories are not particularly short. They also tend towards the dry and slow burn side of things with lots of exposition and exploration of the mental side of the main character, the setting, and their relationships before getting to anything particularly scary (sometimes the scary part doesn't hit till the last page).
This is definitely not an easy ready or one that you can pick up and put down as you like.

A startlingly fresh batch of short stories from a master of weird and eerie fiction. These stories transgress lines of bodies, species and decency, while retaining a cleverness and emotional core which elevates them beyond simple shock and horror.

This was an interesting and challenging short story collection. I didn't like it as much as Files' novel, Experimental Film, but I loved that one a whole lot, so that is nothing against this one. My favorite stories were the Ghost Pressure and the Harrow.

This is a dense collection of ethereal stories, that somehow manage to weigh on you while refusing to admit to form or shape. I found myself entranced by every story, and know some of them will stay with me, yet. Longer than many short stories but not quite novellas, it was a pleasure to take time with each of these stories, which are diverse yet circle around some repeated ideas. What I found in these stories was a fascination with history, both personal and mythical, and more important the way those two easily and messily collapse on one another in search of identity and meaning. There is a strong understanding of the body, of how it exists in a lineage or tradition beyond the boundaries of its skin, and how that is explored and exploited by spirituality and the occult, by folklore and superstition, by those less concerned with temporality or mortality. The language is almost always lush and mystic, a real joy to fall into. The imagery can be grotesque but also gentle, visceral but crafted not to shock and awe but reveal. Across the board Files was able to weave humanity and relatable characters, with depth and interest, into these short stories. Writing styles were fluid across the stories, some more experimental than others, but they all felt confident, and most importantly every story did what a good short horror story is meant to do. They hook you in, invest you in the characters, and then pull the rug out from under you, leaving wanting just a little bit more but still feeling satisfied. It wouldn’t be right to classify these stories into the genre of eldritch horror, but they have that feeling, of stakes far more dreadful and expansive than what mere language can capture, and they really settle deep into your bones as you found yourself lost in the mazes they weave.

These stories take a little bit of time, if you just want something that you can chow down in a few minutes and then forget about this collection might not be what you’re looking for. That said, I devoured this collection in a few days… and a big part of me thinks that isn’t the best way to consume it. Instead, taking it slower, letting each story linger longer, would have been more apropos, and I look forward to savoring many of them again. Across the almost 400 pages are a good number of diverse characters and viewpoints, though nothing ever feels forced or exploitative, and I really enjoyed the breadth of non-intrusive inclusivity. These stories are dark, and sometimes mean, but always told with a poetic ambition that respects its characters, even when bad things have to happen to them. If you like your horror dark, mysterious, and lush, with heavy doses of spiritual horror but flavored with body and psychological horror throughout, then this collection definitely deserves your attention.

I want to thank the author, the publishers Grimscribe Press and BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a nice collection of horror stories. Some were quite scary and had me making physical reactions to them - which I love! A lot of them had character development and a resolved plot or open-ended ending for the reader compared to other shorter stories I have read.

Some of the stories were a bit hard to follow as the writing was a bit confusing, but overall the collection was the perfect way to kick-off the upcoming fall season.

Amazing chilling collection of short stories. Consistant writing style and plot in each story. Of course I love some better than others but that all goes with our own taste.

I went into this with no expectations or previous reading of Gemma Files work.
Some of these stories really stuck with me, either by the way they were written, the downright creepiness of them or the horror aspect.
I enjoyed some more than others, some were a bit harder to get into but that's just my opinion.
Really enjoyed reading this 😊

'Blood from the Air' by Gemma Files

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 stars)

'Blood from the Air' by Gemma Files is a haunting and atmospheric journey that seamlessly blends elements of horror and mystery, captivating readers with its enigmatic allure. The author's writing style exhibits a remarkable finesse, immersing the audience in a world where the line between the supernatural and the mundane becomes increasingly blurred.

Files' ability to create a foreboding atmosphere is truly commendable. From the eerie landscapes to the eerie occurrences, the book oozes an unsettling sense of dread that keeps the pages turning. The author's command over descriptive language allows readers to visualize the haunting scenes vividly, heightening the overall reading experience.

For fans of 'The Magnus Archives,' 'Blood from the Air' offers a similar sense of otherworldly intrigue and an exploration of the unexplained. The book delves into paranormal phenomena with a level of depth and nuance that will surely appeal to enthusiasts of supernatural mysteries. Files takes risks in her storytelling, weaving intricate threads of the unknown together, which will resonate with readers seeking a unique and thought-provoking narrative.

Nevertheless, 'Blood from the Air' showcases Gemma Files as a skilled wordsmith, evoking a sense of unease and curiosity in equal measure. Her ability to interweave horror and mystery elements elevates the reading experience, making this novel a compelling choice for fans of the genre, especially those intrigued by enigmatic podcasts like 'The Magnus Archives.'

This book managed to go from okay, to really good, to weird, to downright creepy and I was absolutely here for it. I didn't think any one part was better than the others. It felt pretty consistent all the way through. Some of the descriptions and things that happened definitely won't be leaving my mind. I'd recommend this to anyone whose looking for something weird yet somehow oddly charming to read. This book, in my opinion, is most definitely not for everyone. But I'm sure it will find a diehard audience and be well recieved.

As with the other things I habe read from Gemma Files this collection does not disappoint. As always some of the stories are definitely better than others but that should always be expected. Excited for this to get an official release and waiting for the next full novel.

Blood from the Air review
I want to start by thanking you for the ability to read an arc of your work.

I want to start by saying that this book had me hooked by the end of the first chapter. I immediately was able to invite myself into this book. I can 100% say this book. is like no other I have ever read (which makes it that much more exciting to read). Gemma in my opinion has claimed their rightful spot as an amazing Horror author. The ability that I was engaged and disgusted but also felt for every single one of her characters is a talent many can't pull off. This horror is definitely worth the read and is incredibly binge worthy. I cannot wait to pick up another Gemma Files book.

Rating- 4/5 stars.