Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-copy.

This was not what I expected. In a bad way. I am thoroughly disappointed. Notice the title: "Under the Sea." Nobody goes under the sea! None of the stories dive under the water! Everything takes place on land! I wanted actual pirates and mermaids and sea creatures. What I got was each story basically 95% set-up and then 5% disappointment in the lackluster tales. It wasn't spooky. It wasn't magical. It was boring.

Under the Sea: A Short Story Anthology, Vol. 1

I have always loved anthologies. I think it’s a great way to be introduced to new authors and really see the ability of a writer. They only have a few pages to grab you, build the characters and tell a complete story. This series of horror short stories are all based around the ocean. As usual, some are better than others, but it is a solid collection. 3.5/5 rounded to 4/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Wraith House.

Under the Sea is such a fun and unique collection of short stories. It explores all kinds of tales, from the legend of the Flying Dutchman to cryptology-inspired mysteries. A lot of these stories were completely new to me, and I really enjoyed that.

The book features three different writers, each with their own style, so every story has a slightly different vibe. Even with the variety, everything came together well, and nothing felt out of place. I was hooked, wondering how things would turn out for the characters in each story.

My personal favorites were Camp Shadow Lake and They Always Come Back. Both had twists that surprised me and made me think. They also felt really relatable in their own creepy way.

Most of the stories lean toward horror or mystery, but it’s not overwhelming. It’s more about the dark, eerie vibes, and a lot of the endings caught me off guard in a good way. A few of the conclusions felt a little rushed, and there were moments when I wanted more detail. Even so, the writers did a great job creating an atmosphere and giving just enough character and world-building to pull me in.

If you enjoy horror or darker mysteries, or if you’re looking for an easy, engaging read, I’d recommend this one. It’s perfect for a summer trip or whenever you’re in the mood for something a little spooky but not too intense.


Thanks for allowing me to read in advance!
3.75 Stars on StoryGraph, rounded to 4 Stars on NetGalley

I absolutely love reading anthologies, and horror is the perfect genre for it. Under the Sea delivered exactly what I was hoping for—chilling, imaginative stories that is easy, breezy to read. It’s the kind of book that’s easy to dip into while traveling or over a weekend.

What I especially enjoyed was discovering so many new author voices. That’s one of the best things about anthologies—you never know when you’ll stumble upon a new favorite. Every story brought something different to the table, and the overall collection felt fresh and entertaining.

Highly recommended if you’re into horror and want something fun, creepy, and easy to take on the go!

Excellent little collection of sea based horror. Great authors, with incredible voices and unique characters. Will definitely read more from these authors. 5 stars

Anthologies are one of my favorite ways to find new authors and try different genres. Authors must grab readers' attention, build the story and provide a killer....pun intended....ending all in fewer pages than many chapters of a novel. Authors are provided a topic, this one being "Under the Sea," but they can use the theme in any way that fits into their story. As always, some stories are better than others, but they all are winners. I keep anthologies handy for those times I have a short period to read. I also gift them often and recommend them to everyone I know.