![Orphans of Bliss: Tales of Addiction Horror by [Josh Malerman, S. A. Cosby, Cassandra Khaw, Kealan Patrick Burke, Kathe Koja, Gabino Iglesias, Christa Carmen, Samantha Kolesnik, John FD Taff, Mark Matthews]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51sI6zpaLcL._SY346_.jpg)
After reading Lullabies for Suffering, I couldn’t believe my luck when I received an ARC of Orphans of Bliss from Netgalley and Wicked Run Press. Lullabies was my first foray into Addiction based horror as a niche genre, and I was blown away by how excellently written this entire series is. Mark Matthews has gathered quite the lineup of horror authors for this collection!
Orphans of Bliss is a 10 story collection featuring some of today’s most excellent modern horror authors. There's no need to read the series in chronological order. I believe this series can give much insight into what those with varying addictions have to endure, while giving a bit of a supernatural twist here and there. Here’s a brief, spoiler-free rundown of what awaits you in this gritty trove of truths:
Keenan Patrick Burke starts off the collection with “You Wait For It Like It Waits For You”, which cleverly connects to the worldbuilding of his prior 2 stories in the previous 2 collections, although each story definitely stands alone. I was amazed with the way Burke was able to perfectly mirror the internalized environment that an addict traps themselves in when coping with withdrawal and the struggle of attempts to rehabilitate.
“One last Blast” by S. A. Cosby was able to bring some much needed comic relief with this foray into what can happen when a certain blend of meth with unforeseen side effects starts making its rounds into a small party town. Highly enjoyed this one!
“What We Name Our Dead” by Cassandra Khaw is a much more somber tale of the effects a parent’s addiction has on their adult children, and whether we are willing to heal or continue to hurt in the name of moving on from the trauma of one's past.
“Huddled Masses, Yearning to Breathe Free” by John F.D. Taft is an interesting tale about hoarding, as those who suffer from the disorder are dealing with the very same irrational toolbox of coping skills and rationalizations as any other addict has. I was definitely NOT expecting that ending!
“Through the Looking Glass and Straight to Hell” by Christa Carmen was a creepy look at what the future of rehabilitation could look like if virtual reality VR programs were introduced into facilities. Could knowing what your life could be like with sobriety help or harm you on your way to recovery?
“Holding On” by Gabino Iglesias has some of the most excellent world building I have ever read in a short story. It felt like a whole novel’s worth of environmental, societal, and governmental structures were erected in such a quick manner that by the time I had wrapped my head around how everything in this world worked, the ending slapped me in the face and left me breathless. I really related to the characters in this story, because as an addict in recovery you remember all too well the way that other people, especially those with any sort of authority, will look down upon you as a lesser person for having dealt with addiction (or various other differences in personhood like being neurodivergent, sexuality, mental health, etc). Many different types of people will heavily relate to this horrible little gem of a story.
“Buyer’s Remorse” by Samantha Kolesnik is another mischievous tale featuring what can happen when your appetite for appearances, designer brands, and spoiling your fancy girlfriends is larger than the sum of your own wallet, and the things a special sort of psychopath might do to balance out the two.
"A Solid Black Lighthouse On A Pier In The Cryptic" by Josh Malerman was an absolute treat, not only for fans but for his own fellow writers who may be attempting to seek the muse while also battling addiction. Lori would write the most awe inspiring novel if it weren't for many reasons, least of all her alcoholism, but when Lori pisses off the wrong person at her local bar, she begins to spiral into a nonstop nightmare of booze until hitting her inevitable bottom.
"Singularity" by Katherine Koja was really the only tale of all 10 that I couldn't completely wrap my mind around. Speculative fiction that leaves out quite a few bits of key information. I felt that this brief story highlights the theme that fantasy might be better than reality, and could one even handle actualizing their own?
And last, but definitely not least, "My Soul's Bliss" by Mark Matthews really messed me up. The story follows Peter and his ex Luci- a recovered addict and active addict- as they both attend the funeral of their mutual friend Quinn. The story touches upon the themes of addiction that highlight an emotional connection between addicts who used together, and how difficult it can be in both cases to get clean while you watch the other continue to deteriorate from drug use, as well as to still be in the throes of your addiction while feeling left behind by someone you love as they continue their sobriety journey.
This story will touch both former and active addicts as well as family and friends of an addict. There is so much survivors guilt and resentment involved on both sides, which I have experienced in my own life, watching old friends succumb to their addiction as I got clean, became a mother, and changed my life. You lose many people along the journey, both literally and figuratively, and reading this story made me very emotional.
If you've made it this far, thanks for reading, but what are you waiting for lol?!
Enjoy the series, then check out the prior collections because they're some of the best anthologies I've ever read.
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From the Publisher
“Take my blood and drink it, for my soul’s bliss has killed my body, but has not satisfied itself.”Orphans of Bliss, Tales of Addiction Horror edited by Mark Matthews is a third installment of a three part anthology series. This book contains short stories focused around addiction and the dark places addiction will drag one under. It was… quite the intense read. Although it was difficult to relate to stories such as these since I’ve never experienced addiction to this level, I could still empathize and feel the dread in being trapped in these habits. It’s awful and it left my skin crawling. I don’t know, I just feel kinda depressed now. Like there’s no hope. 😂 Although some stories did end on a hopeful note, which was nice!My top three tales from this anthology are:You Wait For It, Like It Waits For You by Kealan Patrick BurkeThrough the Looking Glass and Straight Into Hell by Christa CarmenBuyer’s Remorse by Samantha Kolesnik (I actually related to this one the most)The last story, My Soul’s Bliss by Mark Matthews, the editor, was also distressing in a good way.If you can handle the triggers that come with addiction horror, I highly suggest this anthology. It’s filled with amazing stories, there wasn’t one I disliked, and it drowns you in goopy, black dread. (Also, this cover is definitely one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen.)
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