Reviews:

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"If I could capture this much wonder in real life, I would never let it go - Truthfully, this is a book that comforts me. Magical imagination within and such stories coming to life.. A Scarecrow King dethroned? The Queen of Insects is dragged below! Circus tales and dreams for sleeping toys projected - diamond tears appear, a parasite walks on stilts! There are blood-drinking flowers here. A cat that discovers how to leave the afterlife.. A secret garden for a secret need, carousel horses left behind. A photogenic insect with tragically 2 weeks left of time.. There are eternal glass-trapping spiderwebs and marionettes that wait to scream. An unearthly love, a sewn replacement heart in seams..But there is so much more than that. Questions to consider, "what are these things compared to what we have lost?" A realization in time, "when was it that the present became the past?" And the path-changing plea that only asks "... can I come with you?" These stories can be turned to see new sides, dark tales that can delight on the surface or be peeled to see inside. There are secrets, wishes and hidden numbers buried for repeat readers and dreamers to discover. Ophelia Darkly is such a magical, infinitely talented author who has accomplished so much here - I only hope that you don't 'just' support her, but that you read and cherish and allow yourself to be captivated by the brilliant effort here that she has poured her Heart into. I'll treasure this book throughout my life, always returning to it from time to time ~ Thank you for everything this is."   -T.B.O.A. Sad (author)

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"Herein are about a dozen short stories that are about a dozen different monsters, but although the plot of each one is different, the tone and voice remains strong and consistent throughout. They are presented like fairy tales. Like bedtime stories. There are horror elements to be sure: bugs and creepy circuses and rotting bodies and TONS and TONS of monsters, but there’s something innocent too about the way it’s presented. It’s not going for the jugular; it’s singing you a lullaby. As such, it is A LOT more akin to the Brothers Grimm than…I don’t know…something like Clive Barker. In turns funny, sad, creepy, and gross, the stories in this book should appeal to the weird little kid in us all. Both in premise and execution, this book really delivers what is promised, and more. There’s a lot of talent on display here. And the book was a lot of fun."   - Danger Slater (author)

 

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"I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book. I had read awesome reviews about it, and I love coffee AND monsters, so I figured why not? It was everything I could have hoped for and more! The stories were unique and magical! I would say this would be great for fans of all fairy tales, lore, myths...or for someone who remembers the magic and imagination of being a child! It was truly an awesome surprise and I'm more than glad I purchased it! I will definitely be buying more copies as gifts for people for birthdays/holidays...I feel like this would appeal to many and make a really thoughtful gift for coffee and book lovers alike. Can't wait to see if they come out with a Coffee Monsters 2!!!"   - Jody DK

 

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"As a fan of literary horror, “Coffee Monsters” is the kind of read that acts as a balancing point: you can definitely wrap your mind around the grim and gloom that each tale hides within, and after a few scrapes of casket wood and a few less fingernails, we’ve reached the soil of the burial plot, where more peaceful sentiments lay and the prevalent sense of gothic illusion fills the atmosphere. Darkly’s eminent grasp for the descriptive is on full-show here, and any reader who is an aficionado of being put into the story for enhancement purposes will revel in this book’s entirety. Overall, with all 4 very talented sets of claws working on this fantastic read, I can only suggest this to the highest extent – if you love gothic trances and fantasy-riddled tales of curiosity and providence, then “Coffee Monsters” is the publication to assist you on your way to dreamland, and contains enough monsters to sharply awaken you from it."   - Matt Boiselle (HorrorNews.Net, Scream Magazine)