25 ratings (3.80 avg)
24 reviews

HalcyonFields

Add friend

https://halcyonfields.blogspot.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/halcyonfields

HalcyonFields’s Bookshelves

to-read‎ (2)
currently-reading‎ (5)

read‎ (24)
did-not-finish‎ (2)

2026‎ (19)
review-copies‎ (16)

arcs‎ (10)
leisure‎ (3)

Stats | More…

HalcyonFields is Currently Reading

HalcyonFields is currently reading

Airabeth: The Sacred Seven Series: Book 1

by Jojo Bee (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Jun 17, 2026 06:43PM

HalcyonFields rated a book it was amazing

Something's Gotta Kill You

by Greg Sisco (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

HalcyonFields said: " "Something’s Gotta Kill You" by Greg Sisco is an anthology of 18 “dark tales”. I must say, I’ve never heard “directly” of someone being trapped in a car in a lake before. Just in entertainment. The author introduction sets the tone of the anthology.

T "Something’s Gotta Kill You" by Greg Sisco is an anthology of 18 “dark tales”. I must say, I’ve never heard “directly” of someone being trapped in a car in a lake before. Just in entertainment. The author introduction sets the tone of the anthology.

The stories range in subgenres, with horror being dominant in different shades. It feels like each story comes from a writing prompt and far corners of the imagination, reminding me of the show “Freaky Stories”. Sometimes, you just don’t see something coming. At the end, the Author’s Notes go over the motivation behind each story. But I found it much more satisfying to guess at what Sisco tries to get it. Happy I got the scary part about A.I. right. He and I have many overlapping thoughts.

Due to the nature of the short stories, there isn’t much anchoring in most of them, so as a reader, I had to get on top of the worldbuilding immediately. A few spend more time on it and a hit and miss for me. First person POV is used to bring the reader closer to the character, which is always effective in short stories. The opening story, a low stakes story yet freaky one, narrated by an older version of the character, sets the tone for what’s to come.

To return to atmosphere like “Freaky Stories”, it truly feels like it. I can’t expect what I’m going to read next because the world differs so much despite the dark themes. It’s also prevalent that Sisco likes a certain character archetype, however, the plot matter more than the characters do.

Some worlds fascinated me, whereas some lost me. “End of the Fight“ comes across as too busy. Once I learned the history though, it makes sense, but not one I’d return to. On the other end of the spectrum, I love “The Morbs”, “On Borrowed Time”, and “Bloodlust Boulevard”. Different voices, different approaches, similar theme. “Everyone’s a Critic” made me giggle and nod, and among the ridiculous is “Attack of the Fuckin’ Hippo”. Obvious and so entertaining. The last story, “Letters from Humanity” is the perfect story to end the anthology. Those bittersweet feelings and thoughts hit deep and still stand as a slightly unexpected ending.

In consideration of range and creativity, I give “Something’s Gotta Kill You” 5 stars. The book cover on both the ARC copy and published land well, with the latter preferred. Something to be mindful of though, as racialized readers, is the ignorance from character perspective, even if minimal. If that’s not something you want to read, best to avoid “Attack of the Fuckin’ Hippo” and “End of the Fight”.

Despite the interiority in those stories, the anthology is a great read. It’s the first I’ve reviewed and glad I picked it up.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ...more "

Jun 18, 2026 10:18PM · see review