Haunted Legends

by Ellen Datlow
Haunted Legends cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Anthologies (Multi-author)
Technical
  • ID: 2149
  • Added: 2025-10-12
  • Updated: 2025-10-12
  • ISBN: 9781429948777
  • Publisher: Macmillan
  • Published: 2010-09-14
  • Reviews: 3

Winner of the 2010 Bram Stoker Award for Best Anthology, Haunted Legends is a darkly thrilling collection of twenty new ghost stories. Each tale is a unique retelling of an urban legend, blending traditional ghost story elements with fresh, innovative twists. The anthology features contributions from multiple award-winning authors, including Jeffrey Ford, Ramsey Campbell, and Caitlin Kiernan, among others. Edited by renowned figures in the horror genre, Ellen Datlow and Nick Mamatas, these stories are designed to make readers shiver with fear and keep the lights on at night. The stories in Haunted Legends are not just scary; they are also delightful visions that showcase the diversity and creativity of global urban legends. From eerie encounters to supernatural mysteries, this collection offers a range of chilling experiences that will captivate horror readers. The book is sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) at the publisher's request, ensuring a seamless reading experience.

Reviews
Reddit - r/horrorlit · 2025-10-12
consistently worth reading 4.25

Datlow's anthologies are consistently worth reading, with a particular mention of her ability to curate collections that resonate with readers. The reviewer highlights the unique themes and high quality of the stories.

This reviewer consistently enjoys Datlow's anthologies, noting that they are always worth reading. They mention that Datlow has a knack for curating collections that resonate with readers, offering a mix of unique themes and high-quality stories. The reviewer's favorite, 'The Devil and The Deep,' is highlighted for its ocean horror theme, but they also appreciate the variety and creativity found in 'Haunted Legends.' The enthusiasm for Datlow's work is clear, making this anthology a recommended read for horror fans.

Quick quotes

    Her anthologies are consistently worth reading.

    Because ocean horror is something I can't resist, The Devil and The Deep is one of my favorites.

    Each and every story in her collections offers something unique and captivating.

Audible · 2025-10-12
amazing 4.50

The reimagined legends in this anthology are highly praised for their creativity and the performance is noted as outstanding. The collection is seen as a great addition to Datlow's body of work.

This reviewer loves the reimagined legends in the anthology, finding them creative and engaging. They particularly highlight the performance, which they describe as amazing, enhancing the overall listening experience. The collection is seen as a great addition to Datlow's work, with stories that are both unique and captivating. The reviewer's enthusiasm for the anthology is evident, making it a strong recommendation for fans of horror and supernatural fiction.

Quick quotes

    Loved it. Great reimagined legends!

    Always love the collections edited by Datlow and the performance was amazing.

    The stories are both unique and captivating.

SFFWorld · 2010-09-21
engaging 4.00

The anthology effectively blends traditional ghost stories with unique retellings, offering a mix of chilling and engaging narratives. The transition from ghost stories to other supernatural tales in the second half provides a refreshing variety.

This reviewer appreciates how the anthology starts with classic ghost stories and then shifts to other supernatural themes in the second half. They find the variety refreshing and note that the stories are well-chosen, each bringing something unique to the table. The collection is seen as a strong addition to the horror genre, with stories that are both chilling and thought-provoking. While some stories might not resonate as strongly as others, the overall quality and diversity make it a worthwhile read.

Quick quotes

    Although Haunted Legends mixes things up a bit, for the most part the first half of the book contains ghost stories and the second half contains other supernatural tales.

    The stories are well-chosen, each bringing something unique to the table.

    The collection is a strong addition to the horror genre, with stories that are both chilling and thought-provoking.

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