Best Horror of the Year Vol 18 Review | Ellen Datlow | Night Shade Books | 27 October 2026 |
- Editor Ellen Datlow
- Publisher Night Shade Books
- Published 27 October 2026
- Pages 400
- Format Paperback
- ISBN 9781621538752
- Series Best Horror of the Year, book 18
- Subgenre Horror anthology
- Reviewed by Mario Guslandi
Ellen Datlow’s annual round-up of the previous year in horror, pairing her survey of what appeared in print with her personal selection of the best short horror stories.
Best Horror of the Year Vol 18 is Ellen Datlow’s latest annual anthology, published by Night Shade Books on 27 October 2026. This Best Horror of the Year Vol 18 review comes from Mario Guslandi, who also wrote the site’s verdict on The Best Horror of the Year Vol 16. Mario calls Datlow arguably the most famous horror editor in the English speaking world. Each volume in the series does two jobs.
It surveys what appeared in print in horror during the previous year, and it gathers her personal selection of the best horror stories from that year. That survey shows readers how many books they have missed and which ones to look for, including work by less known authors. Mario also reviewed her reprint anthology Fears, Tales of Psychological Horror for us, and you can find more in our horror book reviews. Below, he explains why he recommends the new volume and picks out six stories he especially enjoyed, by Benjamin Percy, Robert Shearman, Vanessa Santos, Helen Grant, CR Kiernan and AC Wise. Here is what he made of it.
Datlow’s annual does two jobs. It shows readers how many books they have missed and which ones to look for, including work by lesser known authors, and it gathers her personal selection of the year’s best horror stories. Mario Guslandi cannot recommend it enough, and he singles out six tales that especially pleased him.
— GINGER NUTS OF HORROR
Best Horror of the Year Vol 18 Review: A Guide to the Year in Print
Horror fans are well acquainted with “the venerable queen of horror anthologies” ( quoted from the New York Times), arguably the most famous horror editor in the English speaking world.
As always Datlow in her annual “Best” provides invaluable information about everything related to horror appeared in print during the previous year, making the readers aware of how many books in this area they have missed and which they should look for in order to be up to date with “the best” available fiction, including that penned by less known authors.
Datlow’s Personal Selection of the Year’s Best Stories
In addition, Datlow’s annual anthologies always include a personal selection of the “best” horror stories appeared in print during the previous year.
Obviously I cannot recommend enough horror lovers to secure a copy of Datlow’ latest anthology.
Six Stories Mario Guslandi Especially Enjoyed
In addition,as a humble reviewer, I take ( as always) the opportunity to briefly comment upon the stories that I have especially enjoyed in the present volume.
“ Fear of the Dark” by Benjamin Percy is indeed an excellent,deeply disturbing story suspended between life and death.
“ Dismaying Creatures “ by Robert Shearman is an extremely dark fable where a newly wedded couple spend their honeymoon in a luxurious residence full of weird creatures.
Vanessa Santos contributes “Table Scraps”, a cruel, disconcerting piece revolving around a very peculiar dinner whose main host is absent, yet terribly present.
“60’” by Helen Grant is a tense, engrossing tale describing how two friends decide to climb an abandoned old tower lost in the woods.
CR Kiernan provides “ Pale Rollers” a puzzling, yet atmospheric and disturbing story revolving around a weird artifact.
“ Wolf Moon, Antler Moon” is yet another of AC Wise’s spellbinding dark fables, where the outstanding narrative style is more important than the plot itself.
The Verdict: Is Best Horror of the Year Vol 18 Worth Reading?
4out of 5
The verdict
A strongly recommended guide to the year in horror, with six stories that Mario Guslandi especially enjoyed.
Read it if: you want Datlow’s survey of the horror you missed in print last year, including lesser known authors, plus her selection of the year’s best stories.
Skip it if: you would rather read one long novel than a selection of short stories.
That wraps up this Best Horror of the Year Vol 18 review. Your to-be-read pile has just grown by one anthology and every book Datlow’s survey reminds you that you missed, so take notes before you book a honeymoon in a house full of weird creatures.
Keep reading on Ginger Nuts of Horror
The Best Horror of the Year Vol 16, edited by Ellen Datlow
Fears, Tales of Psychological Horror Edited by Ellen Datlow
Christmas and Other Horrors, Edited by Ellen Datlow
About Ginger Nuts of Horror
Ginger Nuts of Horror is an independent horror review and culture site based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Edited by British Fantasy Award nominee Jim McLeod, it publishes horror book reviews, film reviews, author interviews, features and cover reveals. Ginger Nuts of Horror won Best Inclusive Film & Book Review Platform at the SME News UK Enterprise Awards 2026.
