Today I’m bringing you something just in time for Halloween. I’m moving away from my usual Romance novels and bringing you a critically acclaimed horror anthology focusing on evolution, genetics and the potential for monstrous outcomes. It’s a truly stunning work that is good enough to spook even the most hardened adults (and certainly scary enough for the kids). Enjoy this Halloween, pick it up on Amazon here.
Take a quick look at the description:
Evolution isn’t something that happened on Earth a long time ago. It’s happening all around us, today – right here, right now. Our world is in perpetual turmoil, in a state of constant change. The famous naturalist Charles Darwin was well aware of this fact, suffering from horrible nightmares of evolution going haywire, harboring fears that some day man might not be the superior species on this planet anymore. He would carry these fears with him to his deathbed.
With the dawn of the new millennium upon us, Dr. Ian Darwin – the great- great- grandson of Charles – suffers from those same dark obsessions and has been secretly carrying on Charles work, scanning the globe for tell-tale signs that their family’s worst fears are starting to come true.
Unnatural Selection brings together the strange tales he has accumulated in his ongoing search. This unique anthology is unlike anything you’ve ever read before. No vampires, no werewolves, no witches, goblins, or ghouls. Absolutely nothing that has been read before. Completely brand new monsters, cloning nightmares, newly evolved bugs, scientific labratory accidents, and other freaky never-before-heard-of atrocities.
A stunning collection of evolutionary horror by some of the best award winning writers in the dark fiction business. Contributors include Steve Savile, Terry Sheils, Edo van Belkom, Robert J. Sawyer, John Passarella, Butch Miller, J. F. Gonzalez, Sephera Giron, John Shirley, Richard Wright, Nancy Kilpatrick, Mort Castle, Brett A. Savory, Michael Laimo, Brian Lumley, and Brian A. Hopkins.
The world has seen enough tradition horror collections, filled with re-hashed traditional monsters. Evolution – It’s time for a change.
2001 EPPIE FINALIST in the Anthology Category
2001 DREAM REALM FINALIST in the Anthology Category
7 out of 10 from The Eternal Night!
This anthology presents 17 short tales of different evolutions. It covers the spectrum from horror stories (some of which are really quite creepy) through to Frankenstein-like stories of human interference with nature. And it manages to include this range without it seeming unfocused or choppy in feel… The prize for ickiness has to go to Michael Laimo with his story “Summer Fling.” This tale is truly the one most likely to make you wince and feel a little uneasy. Congratulations to him for that. Rounding off the set is a story from Brian A. Hopkins. In Mr. Hopkins’ tale an American man discovers how low a man can get after the death of his five-year-old son. Recovering from a period of drug-induced haze in Calcutta he travels north into the Himalayas far from the tourist trail. It is this last story that is perhaps the best in the book, bringing out a genuine feeling of despair in the actions of the lead character. The quality of the stories contained in this anthology is high. High enough to allay any fears that may have been felt about the wide range of styles contained herein. And although I may have mentioned my favourites above, there is not a bad story in this book.
— Steve Mazey, The Eternal Night
**** 4 Stars from Inscriptions Magazine!
Great, almost perfect, entertaining…
The energy Rollo introduces in his own opening story is on a level the collection sustains from first to last. That frenetic pace is what makes the book so much fun, that and the sensationalistic plots found within these stories. The collection works best in stories that exult in lots of squishy, painful action and detail, stories that would translate easily to the screen, à la “Creep Show.” “All Heaven in a Rage” by John Passarella, for example, packs science-gone-wrong, interoffice politics, romance, redemption and a wonderful ending into just a few pages.
Other high points include “Gator” by Robert J. Sawyer (one of the only stories with anything remotely resembling a happy ending), “Carcinogenesis” by Richard Wright, and “Summer Fling” by Michael Laimo. Within these stories, the collection explores three different strands of evolution-gone-wrong fiction. “Gator” represents the concept of the unknown creature evolving underneath our radar, while “Carcinogenesis” explores a mad scientist’s horrifying exploits.
“Summer Fling” combines environmental revenge with a “Tales From the Crypt”-like morality, where the person who means to do a “Bad Thing” will end up punished in a “Bad Way.” Laimo’s delight in graphic, visual detail strengthens this piece’s impact, and his last sentence is almost embarrassingly enjoyable.
UNNATURAL SELECTION also features a few elegantly poignant pieces, such as “Iron Jaws” by Edo van Belkom and “Hotties” by Mort Castle, which are by no means less energetic or brutal than the pieces that surround them. On the whole, UNNATURAL SELECTION is a strongly enjoyable collection, and a well-produced e-book.
— Audrey Snowden, Inscriptions Magazine
Recommended by WordWeaving!
This book is like Jaws, Jurassic Park, and Godzilla all rolled into one – and then some… Among the more notable works in UNNATURAL SELECTION are the introductory story by editor Gord Rollo; “The Sweet Caress of Mother Nature” (John Shirley), which makes good use of humor; “Hotties” (Mort Castle), which stands apart for its literary quality; and “Cyber Prometheus” (Sephera Giron), a unique reworking of Frankenstein.
UNNATURAL SELECTION is a wild ride with many moments of suspense and intrigue. Bloodthirsty readers won’t find a Stephen King yarn anywhere that offers more carnage (weak-stomached readers beware!). This wide-ranging examination of “survival of the fittest gone bad” will please many fans of biological and supernatural horror.
— David McGoy, WordWeaving Reviews
I can’t help noticing that Y2K’s best anthologies have been electronically published…Add Gord Rollo’s UNNATURAL SELECTION to this elite list.
Rollo’s inspiration comes not from the works of a late horror master, but from Charles Darwin’s controversial theories of evolution and natural selection. Evolution is an ongoing process. That which doesn’t evolve becomes extinct. Survival belongs to the fittest. Man has certainly evolved technologically, but spiritual growth seems to have stalled long ago. We had our shot at being the top of the food chain, but we blew it. Now Mother Earth is looking for a new dominant species. Rollo and sixteen other authors present their visions of what might replace us….
The strength of Rollo’s concept has brought out the best in these authors, whether established or new. Never before have so many creatures rampaged across the pages of one book. Whatever form of life you’re phobic about, you’ll find something in here to make your skin crawl. It’s as fun as a “big bug” movie marathon, but with more intellectual and philosophical depth.
— Garrett Peck, The Hellnotes Book Review
How do you normally transport your books? Transporting books requires proper planning. It’s important to consider the weight of the books and the material they are made of before moving them anywhere. Fortunately, you can avoid all the hassle and bustle of transporting books with your choice of the shuttle.
Very late on a foggy night, Cori Latham returns home and accosts a burglar in her home. Much to her chagrin, the burglar turns out to be one of Enterprise’s finest, Lieutenant Tucker Malloy. But even more shocking is the realization that she and this man share a past.