Everything’s Annoying: A Collection of Dark Fiction & Horror by J.C. Michael is an excellent collection of horror stories that will deliver quite the punch to fans of the genre!
I have read work from J.C. Michael in various collections put together by Kevin J Kennedy as well as their partnered novella, You Only Get One Shot. When he reached out to see if I would be interested in reading a solo collection of re-released tales and two brand new ones, I said yes and dove in as soon as I could!
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
Let’s dive in!
My Thoughts on Everything’s Annoying: A Collection of Dark Fiction & Horror by J.C. Michael
From this collection, I had a bunch of favorites! Some of these include Everything’s Annoying, There Was A Girl, Choices, The Fisherman, Away Wi’ ‘Em, and The Nasty Old Troll.
If I had to choose a favorite, I would go with Choices. This is a tale that is going to haunt me for a long time to come. Thinking about this plot gives me the chills!
Per usual, here are my notes on each story. If you don’t want even the slightest of spoilers, I recommend skipping this section.
Everything’s Annoying – Five Stars
When a man that is annoyed by everything suddenly has a dark wish granted that he had made one day, his world is peaceful for the first time. Until of course, a new annoyance arises.
The negativity of the character had me chuckling but also agreed with him on quite a few points! This was a fun tale with splashes of violence!
There Was A Girl – Five Stars
When a man awakens in a box, unable to remember what happened at first, he panics. But he soon starts to realize something is off and even more alarming than being stuck in a box.
The opening scene of this one is absolutely terrifying! It’s one from my nightmares. I loved that the deeper into the story we go, the more information we get.
Ascalon – Four Stars
When an attack hits a busy hospital, terror sinks its teeth into the region. As police begin searching for answers, they’re soon to find out that this attack goes deep into a dark movement.
The initial attack in this tale was horrific. To attack a hospital, of all places, is just terrible… but the wings they chose specifically made me tear up at the thought. What an unsettling idea filled with such devious and intense plotting!
Daddy – Four Stars
In this tale a man struggles with reality and drug induced falsities.
With a title like that and the first opening paragraph, I was very worried about where this one was going to go. It didn’t take the path I was fearful of, but boy was it brutal and dark!
When Death Walks The Field Of Battle – Four Stars
When a grocer is sent to battle, he feels wildly out of place. On watch, he spots a figure advancing and calls their leader in to look. The leader wants this man to shoot the figure approaching, but he doesn’t want to be a killer…
What an intense tale! I felt so bad for this man. And that ending is heartbreaking when you find out what this man was carrying in his book.
Choices – Five Stars
In this tale a man is faced with various situations in which he needs to choose option one or option two. At first he thinks it’s a bit of a joke, but he soon realizes that things are serious.
What a creepy idea! How many of us have had intrusive thoughts that were quite nasty that we wished to take back? And what if those thoughts actually happened? Terrifying!
The Fisherman – Five Stars
Something is going on with this man’s son… It’s not drugs or alcohol, it’s church. As that doesn’t sit right with this man, he decides to go see what this church is up to.
Such a terrifying tale of molding impressionable minds for a cause “for the greater good.”
Away Wi’ ‘Em – Five Stars
While getting a drink at a bar, Alfie is approached by a man and told a wild story. The man swears it is true, but Alfie just can’t believe him.
I love tales organized as a tale told over a few beers! This tale was very spooky! If only Alfie had listened!
Nineham’s Arrogance – Three Stars
When three men stumble across a naked man, hovering over another man who has been ripped open, it’s very unclear what is going on. While the man dresses, he tells his tale.
What a twisted tale of time travel and the quest to make things right!
The Nasty Old Troll – Five Stars
When an internet fight while playing an RPG gets personal, things get out of hand!
My goodness the blend of reality and the game here was excellent. I loved not knowing exactly what was going on until the point where it’s made clear. Brutal!
Scarab – Four Stars
When a man is presented with the opportunity to move up in the company, he’s ready to jump at the task. But what exactly is going on here?
What a twisted tale!! This one left me guessing. What a tale to end with!
My Final Thoughts on Everything’s Annoying: A Collection of Dark Fiction & Horror
I had so much fun reading these chilling and horrific tales! I will definitely be retuning to this collection time and time again to revisit them.
If you enjoy horror short stories, make sure to pick this one up! J.C. Michael has a fantastic writing style that sucks you into each story before delivering the blows of terror.
Snag a copy using my Amazon Affiliate link or inquire at your local indie:
Related Reading:
Check out my notes on other short stories by J.C. Michael in the following collections organized by Kevin J. Kennedy!
- 100 Word Horrors Part 2
- 100 Word Horrors: Part 3
- 100 Word Horrors: Book 4
- The Best of Indie Horror
- Carnival of Horror
- Collected Christmas Horror Shorts
- Collected Christmas Horror Shorts 2
- Collected Easter Horror Shorts
- Halloween Horror Shorts: Trick ‘r Treat
- The Horror Collection: Yellow Edition
- The Horror Collection: Pumpkin Edition
- Made In Britain
OMG — the description about waking up in a box almost did me in. I may have to skip that story — but many of the others wound amazing!
<3 It's SO terrifying to think about!
I think I’m going to have to try this. Thanks for introducing me!
<3 Enjoy!!