Blood from the Air

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.

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.

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.

'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 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.

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.

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 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!

Each story was dynamic and the characters were all unique. I found myself physically cringing at some of the descriptions, which for me, makes for a great horror novel. Some stories didn't have a writing style that was super easy to get into thus making it a little slow but I am glad I pushed through and kept on reading! I found myself even staying up late to read just another story.

A unsettling and intense series of horror stories ! Perfect for spooky season !

Thank you NetGalley for the arc

It took me a bit to really get pulled into this book. I've read one other novel by Gemma Files that was just like this, too. I will admit, that I enjoyed this one quite a bit once it got going. Great writing, of course!!

Thank you #NetGalley #BloodfromtheAir

Little Ease – 4 Stars – I really enjoyed the first one. The descriptions of the people and the area where the story takes place were spooky enough to hook me. I’ll give you about $24.37 for a full-length novel based on this short story.

The Harrow – 3 Stars – This one was good, but I felt like I just needed a little more. Of what? I don’t know exactly but a little more of something.

Every Angel – 4 Stars – Took me a minute to get into the story, but once it got extra weird, I was in. Poor, old Bob.

Fin de Siecle – 4 Stars – Sensing a theme here with all the angels. This one was the right amount of creepy with some cool art content thrown in, and I would watch this movie once it hit Netflix.

Grave Goods – 5 Stars – Excellent excellent. I love some indigenous mythology stories. I was in for the archaeology content, but the story and the suspense kept me interested. I would give my left arm for a full novel.

Twilight State – 4 Stars – I had to read this twice to really understand it, and that’s totally fine with me. You gotta be a great writer to pull off a twist like that in a story this short.

Some Kind of Light Shines from Your Face – 5 Stars – When it comes to books, Greek friggin mythology is my favorite thing in the world. This was a fantastic Medusa-based story. I love a good gorgon.

In Hell, An Eye – 5 Stars – Please, this story was riveting. I was absolutely captivated. It’s always a treat when angels aren’t like… ANGELS.

What You See (When the Lights Are Out) – 5 Stars – Definitely my favorite so far. The scariest part of this whole story is that it could easily be someone’s reality.

Every Hole in the Earth We Will Claim as Our Own – 2 Stars – Interesting but not nearly as gripping as the others. I didn’t love the way the story was told from a third-party, and I think that’s where it lost me. I actually had to go back in the book to look because I could barely remember what the story was about at the time of writing this.

Carmagnole – 3 Stars – Vive la revolution! The story is fine, but I don’t feel like it did its job. I wasn’t invested, but that could just be me. I liked the historical aspects of women working and fighting for better wages and treatment, but the rest of the plot fell a little flat.

Caligarism – 3 Stars – Ummmm, what? I think my brain works a little too literally to be able to grasp what was happening here. It was a cool read though.

Hairwork – 4 Stars – Marceline was a baddie. I enjoyed the historical, genealogical aspects of this story, and I loved the “revenge from beyond the grave.” Another one that would have me paying for a novel or a movie.

Lagan – 3 Stars – I liked the atmosphere of this story with the mucky ship and the grimy crew. The climax was interesting, and the end was odd but satisfying. Not bad.

Ghost Pressure – 4 Stars – Extra short story that got the job done quickly. I thoroughly enjoyed the travelling nightmare wife.

Coffle — 5 Stars — Desert zombies helping slaves escape to freedom in exchange for a child. This one had me on the edge of my seat, so to speak. Engaging, twisty, suspenseful, creepy. Fantastic.

Overall, a superb collection of stories that will keep you immersed. Bravo.

Shout-out to Grimscribe Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed Experimental Film by Gemma Files and was excited to read some of her shorter fiction.

Not every story hit for me, but the ones that did were excellent. I love her writing style. It’s almost like a fever dream and I’m never quite sure where the story will take me.

Due to being an ARC, the formatting was a bit off and I wasn’t able to determine story names. You’ll find tales of folk horror, monsters, rebellion, therapy gone wrong, and horrific pest control.

Would recommend to those who love novella length horror and a unique writing style.

I am a huge fan of Gemma Files’ short fiction. This is no different. Highlights for me are Grave Goods, Coffle and Little Ease. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced e-book.!

I haven't finished this ARC from NetGalley yet, but I will. It's taking me longer because every story is so engrossing that I don't want to get too much at once. This is weird horror done right. When I read about bugs, for instance, I find myself checking to see if something is crawling up my leg. I would recommend this and anything else by this author, who I have enjoyed before.

Files’s novel Experimental Film is one of my favorite books of the last few years, so I was intrigued when I saw that she had a new collection of short stories out. And that cover—what a stunner!

I’m pleased to say that you CAN judge a book by its cover, and this is a wonderful collection. The diversity of the stories is breathtaking, from the characters, the writing voice, the cultural settings, and genre. Cosmic horror, weird fiction, folk horror, post-apocalyptic— whatever you like, it’s all here.

The stories themselves focus on the entities that live on the fringes of our reality, especially angels in all their beautiful, terrible, unknowable glory. Files is a hell of a writer; she paints nightmarish images in wonderfully poetic descriptive language. I often found myself longing to see these monsters onscreen. Even on the page, the creature “designs” pop.

Some standout tales for me include “Little Ease” (which literally haunted my dreams the night after I read it—if that’s not a good endorsement), “Grave Goods” (sent me down the world’s creepiest Wikipedia rabbit hole), “Some Kind of Light Shines from Your Face,” “Lagan,” and “Coffle.”

Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC

I received an ARC from NetGalley

An eerie and grotesque collection of short stories tying together the divine and filth. I had to take my time going through these stories as each one prompted me to stop reading and just soak it all in even for the few I didn't like as much. Files' prose hooked me immediately. A masterclass in writing gross horror that is as beautiful as it is gut-clenching. I will be picking up more books by this author.

This collection of stories was good. I liked the different mix of horror from story to story. I enjoyed there also being poems throughout the book as well. If you enjoy cosmic and body horror give this collection of stories a try!

I hope this is fair to review, because I only managed to get through the first story.

The first story scared me so bad I haven't been able to pick the collection back up! 😂😂😂 For a horror fan, this is a GOOD thing. It just happened to hit a deep fear of mine right on the nail. Now I don't know what else Gemma Files is capable of making me think about.

It was also a tremendously well-written story with a rich protagonist. Richer than usually seen in short fiction.

I saw this collection was nominated for a Bram Stoker, and I wish her all the best!! I will absolutely be reading more from her when I work up the guts.