Who doesn’t like a story about witches?! So many of us grew up hearing tales that had an evil old witch in them. Hags and Witches by Kevin J. Kennedy is a collection that takes this up to a whole new level of darkness.
Let’s dive in!
My Thoughts on Hags and Witches (Classic Monsters Book 5) by Kevin J. Kennedy –
Dark witchy tales at their finest! My goodness, so many of these stories have really tricky content, and each is shocking in its own way.
My favorites from the collection are:
- The Blood Coven by Brian Moreland
- The Salt Mother by Ryan Colley
Their Day Will Come by Gord Rollo –
After a coven holds a ritual, a man awakens from a dream that causes him to rush to get his motorcycle. Racing to where he is being drawn, he meets up with others like him to take care of the witches and their warlock.
This one unfolded in such a fun way! We start with the coven in action before moving to the rush of actions taken, all the while, we’re slowly learn what’s going on.
Pegs by Mark Towse –
Approached by an old woman who tells him he needs to pay, this man is given a choice. Of course, he doesn’t make the right one.
Chilling! My gosh, this man’s poor wife.
The Visit by Richard Clive –
Sent to make sure children were safe in a strange and isolated home, this woman finds much more horror than she could have anticipated.
Wild. Tread lightly here is stories about birth and children are tough for you.
Devil’s Bargains by William F. Gray –
Unable to live with himself after a terrible accident, an uncles goes to a witch and makes a terrible deal.
Classic play on the “sometimes dead is better” trope with so much grief and darkness! Another one to tread lightly with if children passing is a trigger.
Shadows Over Patmos by M.P. Norman –
Sent on a mission, this crew finds that a key piece was missing from the intelligence they were briefed on.
This tale was so intense! The pressure that I felt as a reader was so stressful and it only got worse the more the action was delayed as this crew waited for their moment.
Everything Has Its Price by James Yates –
Returning home after leaving an abusive husband, this woman is shocked to find that her Nan can see straight through her and wants to stop the abuse. But as the title says, everything has its price.
The abuse from this man was so intense. I wanted to rage on this woman’s behalf.
Bon Appétit by Viggy Parr Hampton –
As part of a club that eats rare and exotic things, some of the group are shocked to learn what this dinner’s specialty is. With some hesitation, they dive in.
Phew, content warning for vomit! This was so unsettling and then SO gross I became nauseated.
The Blood Coven by Brian Moreland –
After her coven turns against her, this witch casts a spell. Meanwhile, in town, a local cop has no idea that his quiet night is about to take a terrible turn.
SO INTENSE! I love that we started with the coven and see things dial up before jumping back to follow the cop as he sees what had occurred. There was so much bloodshed here! An absolutely brutal tale!
The Devil Already Licked It by Paul Avery Tindol –
Terrified by an encounter with a strange woman, this boy tells his father everything. When they go to get help in town, they find that others are in the same situation.
So eerie! This poor kid just wanted to help. I felt so bad for him.
The Salt Mother by Ryan Colley –
When a man who thinks he can maneuver through any discussion and situation finds himself in a bind, he puts the pressure on when he should have stepped down. He quickly learns how much of a mistake that was when it’s far too late.
This is such an interesting tale! I absolutely loved the premise and how it all played out. This one is going to stick with me!
There’s Always A Catch by S.E. Howard –
When sisters are placed in an unbelievably nice foster situation, the youngest settles in right away, but the older sister is hesitant. They soon find out who their new foster parent really is.
Ugh, these poor girls!
Baba Yaga by C S Jones –
Thinking they have caught the witch of the woods that killed their men, the remaining men approach a home to tell their tale and seek shelter. Little do they know, they just walked right into more danger.
Oh my gosh, the body horror here is intense!! Only a few days out of the hospital for a lower back injury, one scene here hit a bit too close to home and made me so achy!
My Favorite Passages from Hags and Witches –
The dying wick had its last dance against the puddle of wax, leaving nothing but a thick black trail of smoke in the dark.
— The Devil Already Licked It by Paul Avery Tindol
Some things were as patient as stone. Some things waited, like a tide carving the foot of a cliff. You can stand for a long time, thinking you’re immovable, until suddenly you aren’t.
— The Salt Mother by Ryan Colley
My Final Thoughts on Hags and Witches –
Dive in if you dare! This collection is dark and wicked fun!
Thanks for reading!
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