“Creepy, Unsettling, and Gets Under Your Skin”
Sick Girl Screams is a haunting collection of dark fiction written by SJ Townend. It gave off more of a ‘black mirror’ vibe as I was turning through the stories. As I read, I couldn’t believe that this was a debut collection of stories as Townend writes with such feeling that places the reader in that situation. It was definitely one that I’ll have stuck in my mind for the next month and look forward to a debut novel. If this is was she can do with short fiction, I can’t wait for a full length!

"Sick Girl Screams" was a very interesting reading experience. I write this almost two months after starting this collection of short stories (and recently finished) and I want to say that I still think about some of the stories from the beginning (such as "No Place Like Home") even now after so many weeks.
I love how SJ Townend writes body horror. This obsession with the body, mostly the female body, is, I think, central to these short stories. It makes the reader eventually obsess over themes such as domestic violence and other forms of abuse outside the fictional world and (re)open up discussion about these issues in real life. Although most of the scenarios pertain to the fantasy and SF genres, they are deeply rooted in our reality.
As a sort of conclusion, my favorite stories are "No Place Like Home", "Labourers Wanted" and "One Lie for One Soul". Thank you for giving me the opportunity to experience the worlds of SJ Townend!

First of all I want to say that the cover of this collection is fantastic. It gave me slight Junji Ito vibes but was also unique. Second of all I need to say that I firmly believe Brigid’s Gate Press and their collection of authors cannot produce anything bad! Seriously you know you are in for a good, if not horrifying (in the best way) time. This collection by Townend was no different. Each story offers it’s own glimpse into the darker side of what it means to be human.

There are moments of horror, moments of grief and slight moments of strange joy found within these tales and each one leaves a lasting impression on you. At least they did with me. I think this is the first time that after each story I took a small break, not because of the content but rather to think over what I had read. The beautiful and dark imaginary, the wonderful prose, the dark and the light. I personally love dark fiction and horror for this because it offers a way to explore the human condition and human emotions in ways that ‘normal’ fiction just might not. This collection was fantastic and I will definitely be getting a physical copy soon to add to my collection of Brigid’s Gate works, I also intend to find more of Townend to read since I was literally in awe after the first story.

As always thank you to Brigid’s Gate Press and Netgalley for the copy to review. My review is always honest, truthful and freely given.

I enjoyed the variety of stories in this collection. It felt like I was reading an episode of Black Mirror or Love Death + Robots.
While some stories were a bit stomach churning and disturbing, I liked it. If a book can evoke any emotion out of me, regardless which emotion, its a good read. I give it 4 stars as some of the stories was just too confusing to me, no matter how many times I tried to read it, it just wasn't hitting.

Read from October 19th, 2024 to October 29th, 2024. Written on October 29th, 2024.

~4.5~

I'm going to start off by saying what an amazing job the illustrator did with the cover, it is really crazy and cool and hooking to look at. Beautiful work.

Now...

Okay. What can I even say? I mean...what a rollercoaster of emotions. I had massive chills, I genuinely got sick after reading a couple of these short stories, and I am absolutely flabbergasted at everything I read. Haven't read a book like this in a long time. I don't even know how I have half a mind to write this.

Now, do watch out for trigger warnings, you will need them while reading this.

To the author:
Dear SJ Townend, your writing is insane. It is intricate, haunting, beautiful and just frightening. The messages inside each story, bringing reality to otherworldly experiences made each moment so much more intense. I am slack-jawed. I am disturbed. I am moved. Thank you so much.

I'm absolutely a new fan.

(Now excuse me while I go rest for a little big bit and recover from the hangover I got from this.)

Thank you for the massive opportunity to read this book. It has been one hell of a ride, and I am so glad I pulled through every single line.

Signing off.
B.

(Free ARC from NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press, LLC that I chose to review after reading - Cross-posted on Goodreads on October 29th, 2024)

very surreal collection of awesome short stories that range in type but are all really cool, especially the vrish one. tysm for the arc. 4 stars.

Technically I would give 3.5 starts if I could. There were a lot of good stories in here and some I didn't like as much and it took a second to get used to the writing style, which was different from many other things I read (not in a bad way). One thing I really enjoyed about the author was their ability to bring to life the true feelings of things such as depression, abuse, society's view on beauty, gaslighting, etc... into a truly horrifying tale. The extremism in some of these stories is meant to be shocking and make us think "this could never happen" or "that was a bit much" because we restrain ourselves from getting that far (most of the time). These stories capture the true feelings, not the true actions. Some I think would be great turned into a much longer tale and I look forward to anything that this author might publish in the future.

Sick Girl Screams was an entertaining collection of short stories in the theme of dark fiction and horror. Touching on extremely tough subjects such as grief, childhood trauma, abuse and the intensities of feminine nature and life. I have to admit that I haven't read anything like this before and in the world of short stories and a collection of them this one really stood out for how unique and dark it was however, at times I struggled to follow some stories because of how out there they were. I enjoyed the focus on the struggles and pains of life as a woman and its dark and intense take on the subject that right now is extremely important. Stand outs for me included Step Inside and Black metal in a White room.

I found this to be perfect for spooky season and the decision to take serious big topics and add elements of horror, science fiction and supernatural elements for example was bold, creative and made for a fun unique read. I would recommend this to those who are fans of the genres I previously mentioned and also those who lean towards women's fiction and would like to explore more intense subjects in a unique manner. While this is a collection of short stories you will never feel as though you read two reads similar in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for providing a copy to review. All opinions are my own.


Sick girl screams is an impressive debut collection of horror/dark fiction short stories. It explores a variety of topics ranging from grief, femininity, abuse and childhood trauma.


Not every story necessarily worked for me but I believe every story was worth reading in it's own right. I was immediately drawn in by the cover and stayed for the stories that kept me engaged. If I wasn't deliberately taking my time with this book I think I would have flown through this in a few hours it was captivating. Even with the stories I did not rate so highly it did not feel like a chore to get to the next story.


Cannot wait to read more from this author.


💀 Step Inside - 5✨

💀 No Placement Like Home - 4✨

💀 We Still Don't Use The Garage - 2✨

💀 Circle - 5✨

💀 A piece missing - 3.5✨

💀 Neon Fly - 3✨

💀 It started with placental encapsulation - 4✨

💀 The dangers of ill-prepared shellfish - 2✨

💀 Juliet, Juliet - 4.5✨

💀 The beauty parlour - 3.5✨

💀 Sick Girl - 2.5✨

💀 The cool kids - 4✨

💀 Cosmic Spin Class on Deck 112 - 3✨

💀 Labourers wanted - 4.5✨

💀 All the parts of a mermaid I can recall - 2.5✨

💀 Every cloud - 4✨

💀 I pull my blanket up tight beneath my chin - 4.5✨

💀 One lie for one soul - 5✨

💀 Black metal in a white room - 4✨

💀 In his memory - 3✨

💀 Hag stone - 3.5✨

💀 Christingle service - 3✨

💀 How to read a woman - 4✨


Average: 3.65/5 - rounded up to 4/5

First off the cover of this is absolutely gorgeous and drew me in. There are over 20 stories in this short stack and they will all leave you wanting to read more. The stories all differ from each other and they range from horror down to science fiction but not like anything i have read before. I highly recommend this short collection to others! I am ready for more from this author!

I'd give this book 3 stars, mostly for the metaphors and the visuals. First of all, I have no trouble admitting that the collection is extremely well-done: the writing is exemplary, the themes wide-ranging, the ideas often original and interesting. And yet I had great trouble actually finishing the stories: I found myself unable to relate to any of the characters, and I could not get rid of my suspicions that the author was trying too hard to avoid moralizing, and failing - I sensed (perhaps wrongly) a feministic didactic tone palpably at work throughout the collection. I persevered, I did finish the book. I did not like the endings, nor did I find any favorites. I felt I was lost in a mirrorhouse, always looking at versions of the same thing dressed differently.

This was a super fun read, particularly for the spooky season. The selection is great, some are so brilliantly bonkers and some are less so. I think for the most part, the majority of the stories I absolutely loved with a few I didn't love so much. They're so well written, and give just enough detail for a short story. Thoroughly enjoyed this anthology!

Thank you for the advanced reader copy! I did enjoy some of the stories in this book. The book lost me a little bit during the more fantastical stories such as the ones dealing with AI and aliens. Overall, I gave the book 3 stars.

Sick Girl Screams by S.J. Townsend is a poignant collection of short stories that explores the nuances of illness and the strength of the human spirit. Each tale is skillfully crafted, offering a unique perspective that resonates with raw emotion and honesty. Townsend's ability to blend vulnerability with hope makes this collection a compelling read that lingers long after the last page.

This was different. The cover really drew me in. Wasn't really a fan of the plot and how the book was summarized overall.

Although I typically don't gravitate towards short stories, I found myself drawn in by the concept. As a fan of short story collections, this one really resonated with me. Each story, from the initial piece that played on my parental fears to the strange tale of eating disorders, had me hooked from the start. While some stories may have impacted me more deeply than others, as is common with a compilation, I found the one personifying depression particularly well-written. Even though it may not stick with me as much as some of the later stories in the book, I devoured the entire collection in just a few days and am eager to read more from this author in the future. If you're seeking a collection that delivers quick doses of chilling horror, this one is definitely worth checking out.

*Sick Girl Screams* by SJ Townend is an impressive debut collection of dark fiction that tackles themes like grief, childhood ghosts, and femininity. Townend's writing is emotional and immersive, drawing readers into a haunting world where sorrow meets the supernatural.

The collection features a mix of reprints and original stories, all connected by grief. Townend skillfully explores societal pressures on women while weaving chilling narratives. The concept of haunted children symbolizes lost innocence and unresolved trauma.

Each story has its own unique style, keeping the reading experience engaging. From eerie encounters to deep reflections on life and death, the tales provoke thought about complex issues. Townend’s vivid imagery makes the stories resonate on a deeper level.

Overall, *Sick Girl Screams* invites readers to confront uncomfortable truths about grief and identity. It’s a captivating exploration of darkness that will resonate with fans of dark fiction, leaving them eager for more from Townend.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.

This collection blew me away. I can hardly believe it is a debut, as the writing is so solid. The ideas and concepts are very unique twists on some familiar tropes. There should be something for everyone in here - sci fi horror, supernatural, mundane. There are some heavy triggers here, so be aware. Easy 5 stars

Step Inside ⭐⭐⭐
No Place Like Home ⭐⭐⭐.25
We Still Don't Use the Garage ⭐⭐⭐.5
Circle ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
A Piece Missing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Neon Fly ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
It Started With Placental Encapsulation ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Dangers of Ill-Prepared Shellfish ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Juliet, Juliet ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Beauty Parlor ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Sick Girl ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Cool Kids ⭐⭐⭐
Cosmic Spin Class on Deck 112 ⭐⭐⭐
Labourers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
All the Parts of a Mermaid that I Can Recall ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Every Cloud ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
I Pull My Blanket Up Tight Beneath My Chin ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
One Lie For One Soul ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
Black Metal in a White Room ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
In His Memory ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hag Stone ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Christingle Service ⭐⭐⭐⭐
How to Read a Woman ⭐⭐⭐⭐

WOW! I was shocked at how fantastic this short story collection was. Every single story is a stand out for me. The writing style and vocabulary used is truly phenomenal. The stories get inside of your brain in all the weird and twisted ways and really make you think. These stories are terrifying in their truths.

This was a solid collection of short stories. I haven’t read from this author before would definitely be interested in checking out more of their work. I enjoyed the differing levels of horror presented in each story. This would be a great October read leading up to Halloween.