Review of Howls from the Dark Ages. This ain't Camelot.

 

Eyeballs on the branches!

This anthology sent me down all kinds of Medieval rabbit holes. Most books don't make me trot off to do research, but Howls from the Dark Ages had me looking up everything from fashion to musical instruments. To me, a book that makes you want to know more is a good thing.

Although the stories were nice in their gory ways, some of them didn't feel too Medievally,, almost like they could have been set anytime, anywhere, but hey, this is a Dark Age anthology so let's throw in men in tights.

Speaking of tights, that's what Errol Flynn wore in The Techicolor Adventures of Robin Hood. What the guys wore way back yonder were hosen, two separate pieces tied to baggie underpants called braies. So yeah, their underwear did show between the pair of hose, but what the hey. They had good ventilation. Later, the codpiece was invented because too often the men's privates were public. Anyway, a story or two had men wearing tights, but they wouldn't have been tights as we know them. 

And, the only musical instruments mentioned were trumpets. No! The Dark Ages had such good instruments even if they made you want to cover your ears and scream. The sackbut, the bombard, the racket. Yes, we got the word racket (as in "stop making that racket) from this loud instrument.. The stories would feel more Medievally if things peculiar to that time were mentioned.

A few stories were set in other continents besides Europe. Asia and the Anasazi in southwest North America were featured. Of course, the so-called Dark Ages weren't dark for China and the Americas. China was flourishing and the Anasazi were remarkably healthy compared to their European counterparts. 

Enough of my being too picky. I had some favorites that did feel 900 years old.. My favorite was The Final Book of St. Foy's Miracles by ME Bronstein.  The patron saint of thieves! What's not to like?  Another standout was Schizzare by Bridget D. Brave. Purple mushrooms!  I also enjoyed The Fourth Scene by Brian Evenson. Very imaginative.

Shout out to the fantastic artwork and amusing cover, all done by varying artists, but all very cool.

If you're a medievalist you might be disappointed at the numbers of real horrors of the Dark Ages that were left out., but they are still interesting and scary stories. Thanks to Netgalley and the Howl Society for allowing me to read and review a copy of Howls from the Dark Ages.