Fully Booked, with Briana Morgan: What One Wouldn’t Do

The Wicked Library Returns with Season 11 this Sunday!

Today, we’re looking at another story collection, this one an anthology compiled by Scott J. Moses. By now, I’m sure you understand how much I adore collections. This book was one of my most anticipated releases for the year, so I’m thrilled to get to cover it in this week’s column. What One Wouldn’t Do was originally slated for release on October 5, 2021. However, it dropped a few days early on September 27—not that I minded!

5/5
Editor & Author, Scott J. Moses

Like I mentioned, I was more than a little eager to get my hands on this one. The anthology’s editor, Scott J. Moses, was kind enough to send me a copy in exchange for a review.

Before I share my thoughts, here’s the Goodreads summary:

What One Wouldn’t Do for…what?

Power? Safety? Love? Revenge?

Here’s to the lengths one might go to for everything.

With dark fiction from J.A.W. McCarthy, Avra Margariti, Marisca Pichette, Stephanie Ellis, Christina Wilder, Donna Lynch, Katie Young, Scott J. Moses, Angela Sylvaine, tom reed, Cheri Kamei, Shane Douglas Keene, J.V. Gachs, Tim McGregor, Emma E. Murray, Nick Younker, Jennifer Crow, Joanna Koch, Lex Vranick, Laurel Hightower, Eric Raglin, Eric LaRocca, Daniel Barnett, Bob Johnson, Simone le Roux, Hailey Piper, Bryson Richard, Jena Brown, and Christi Nogle.

Each piece in this anthology contains plenty of substance regardless of its size. I was also pleasantly surprised to find some poetry in this collection. Such a break in form might have been jarring were it not for the anthology’s unifying theme. Overall, I felt like everything fit well together, and the anthology flowed well from one piece to the next. Despite the diverse range of authors, the stories complement each other and contribute to the theme in unique and interesting ways.

Some of my personal favorite authors are featured here, including Laurel Hightower, Eric LaRocca, Eric Raglin, Hailey Piper, and Scott J. Moses. Laurel Hightower’s introduction not only provides insight of the work to come, but also sets the high standard of quality that continues through the rest of the book. It’s difficult for me to choose a favorite piece in this anthology, but some contenders include “The Thread That Dreams Are Made Of,” “Silver Dollar Eyes,” “They Don’t Eat Teeth,” and “All the Misery That Waits for Us at the End of the Day.” Honestly, though, I enjoyed every entry in this anthology.

And stories notwithstanding, it’s worth getting a paperback just for that cover. Isn’t it beautiful? Although I received a free ebook copy, I’m planning to purchase the paperback and take lots of pretty pictures of it.

What One Wouldn’t Do receives five stars from me. You can purchase the book in paperback and ebook form on Amazon. You can also add the book on Goodreads here. Follow the editor, Scott J. Moses, on Instagram and Twitter. You should also check out his collection Hunger Pangs if you haven’t already! It is excellent. I’ll see you all next week for another Fully Booked!

Which book should I review next?

P.S.: My own book, an adult vampire novella called Mouth Full of Ashes, releases on October 4. You can preorder it here! Thanks so much for your support.

briana

Briana Morgan (she/her) is a horror author and playwright of books such as THE TRICKER-TREATER AND OTHER STORIES, UNBOXED, and BLOOD AND WATER. She is also a proud member of the Horror Writers Association. Briana lives with her partner and two cats in Atlanta, GA.

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