by Ellen Datlow
First published 2011
This anthology brings together brief tales that examine how the living encounter the dead and undead. The collection features contributions from Neil Gaiman, Melissa Marr, Cassandra Clare, Holly Black, and Garth Nix, among other notable authors. Each story explores different aspects of mortality and what lies beyond death. The tales vary in their approach to supernatural encounters, some focusing on vampires, others on ghosts or zombies. The authors craft scenarios where characters must navigate relationships and conflicts that span the boundary between life and death. These compact narratives deliver quick but impactful explorations of fear, desire, and the unknown that awaits after death.
Genres: short-stories, fantasy, horror, supernatural
Vibes: dark, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: mortality, supernatural
452 pages · Paperback · HarperCollins
Content warnings: death