[REVIEW] Ahh! That’s What I Call Horror! An Anthology of ‘90s Horror

Ahh! That’s What I Call Horror! An Anthology of ‘90s Horror

Edited by Chelsea Pumpkins

Art by J. L. Kiefer

Cover by Cassie Daley

(Please check the end of this review to see each story’s specific Content Warnings)

What first drew my attention to this book was its stunning cover (by the wonderful artist Cassie Daley) and then when I saw all the stories were set in the 90s, there was no way I could resist. The anthology consists of 14 short stories, all of them featuring another gorgeous illustration (by J. L. Kiefer and P. L. McMillan), and, although a few of them weren’t to my taste, they were all well-written and had a nice flow. I had only one issue with this collection, which was that in some tales it felt like the authors were simply trying to fit as many 90s references as possible and didn’t develop the plot and the characters all that much. 

This is both for horror fans and for the ones that are nostalgic (or interested in) the decade of cassettes, sitcoms, dial-up internet, and Blockbuster, also known as the 90s’. If like me, you’re both, then this is the anthology you’ve been dreaming of and it will not let you down. As per my regular practice when reviewing short stories anthologies, I’ll only go into more detail about the ones I’ve loved the most. In the case Ahh! That’s What I Call Horror!, there were four stories I fell head over heels in love with and that made me stalk their authors in a desperate search for more of their works. Here they are:

The Harvest Queen by Bridget D. Brave

This was one of the quickest reads in the collection, one of the most fun to read, and it did one of my favorite things: have the town itself as one of the main characters. I desperately want to know more about Sojourner’s Rest and its foundation, how the town grew and evolved through the decades. I’d honestly read a whole novel focusing on that.

Who in the World is The Hat Man by Chelsea Pumpkins

This story was not at all what I expected it to be and it touched on certain aspects of childhood trauma I related to. It lured me in with the creepypasta element and the narration in the second person, two of my favorite things, and then it punched me right in the feelings. Pumpkins managed to perfectly blend plot, character, and 90s references together, not neglecting one in favor of the others. This was one of the saddest stories and I cannot stress this enough: please check the content warnings before reading it.

Caution: Chocking Hazard by Mathew Wend

If you’re a fan of comedy horror and/or if you’ve ever been harassed by a Karen, this is a must-read for you. Think Die Hard meets Child’s Play, set in the toy section of a department store during the Christmas shopping season, which is already a hellish place even without the murderous toys. It’s a funny and dynamic story with some of the most iconic ’90s toys that you won’t be able to put down.

Return to Gray Springs: Blockbuster Blues by P. L. McMillan

I recently read McMillan’s novella Sisters of the Crimson Vine and rated it five stars, so my expectations were sky-high. Once again, she proved herself to be a phenomenal author, surpassing all my expectations and writing my favorite story in this anthology. This one is actually a sequel to Stephens’ The Grunge (another tale in the anthology) and it answered a lot of the questions I had after the first part. It featured great setting descriptions and wonderful character building, plus a Blockbuster with a secret basement, a creepy cult, Lovecraftian creatures, and cursed tapes. What more could you ask for?

About a Girl by J. V. Gachs

This was another one that surprised me. It’s not every day that you read a possession story that leaves you warm and fuzzy inside once you finish it. If you enjoyed Hendrix’s My Best Friend’s Exorcism, chances are you’ll love this, it gave me the same overall aesthetic and had a similar lighthearted approach to the subject. 

Content Warnings (As listed in the book): 

Madame Crystal by S. E. Denton: domestic terrorism

The Harvest Queen by Bridget D. Brave: cannibalism, cults, coercion, child abuse

Who in the World is The Hat Man by Chelsea Pumpkins: implied abuse, bullying

Between the Barbie and the Deep-Blue Ranger by Christopher O’Halloran: child death, vomit

The Grunge by Caleb Stephens: gore, body horror, bullying, homophobia, overdose, alcoholism/addiction

Nona’s First and Last Album Drop by Edith Lockwood: implied grooming, implied child sexual abuse, gore

The One with the Mysterious Package by C. B. Jones: sex, violence 

Caution: Chocking Hazard by Mathew Wend: gore, vomit

Return to Gray Springs: Blockbuster Blues by P. L. McMillan: alcoholism/addiction

Alive and Living (Pilot) by Carson Winter: parricide

The End of the Horror Story by Patrick Barb: body horror, animal death, implied sexual violence

The Final Away Game by J. W. Donley: homophobia, gore, bullying

About a Girl by J. V. Gachs: implied abuse, body horror, Christianity 

Threshold by Damien B. Raphael: alcohol and drug consumption, body horror