Come As You Are & Other Short Stories by Steven Ramirez

Genre – Horror Short Stories

Pages – 188

“Come As You Are & Other Short Stories” by Steven Ramirez is a novella and 9 short stories of some of the creepiest gore I’ve read. From demons in a school locker to a lunatic sleepwalking Mother, this book will cover just about all your horror yearning needs. Each story is intense and on the edge of your seat reading. I had a few favorites the title story among them and I was also quite impressed with “A Bone In The Throat” and “Rigino Sings”. I enjoyed them all actually, but those are standouts for me. This is my first read by Steven Ramirez, but with a collection like this I look forward to discovering more of his title. I snagged a copy of this book from NetGalley and for that I am so very grateful. I look forward to getting to know this talented horror writer.

From the back cover: “Ivan’s innocent and unwitting flirtation with the demonic is first-rate supernatural horror. Ramirez’s characters are beautifully defined, particularly Ivan and Hershey, the school janitor, who turns out to be much more than that. His plot is beautifully scripted and the suspense and supernatural dread emanating throughout this story make it impossible to put down until the last page is read.” —Readers’ Favorite

“A chilling YA horror novella. There is no telling what direction this novella is going to swing, as the surprises come quickly. Come As You Are is successful at sending chills down your spine over the course of a fast and enjoyable read.” —Self-Publishing Review

“Out of all the elements I liked about the collection, it is the character display that stood out the most. Ramirez truly is a master at bringing his cast to life, and then binding you to their ordeal. Overall, I think it is a stunning collection many readers will enjoy.” —Horror Palace

Some things are better left alone.

Ivan Stein isn’t sure he can survive seventh grade, let alone middle school. Living in a town known for its poverty and violence, he is regularly bullied along with his best friend, Ollie. But fortunes can change. One day, Ivan finds an old notebook in an abandoned locker at school. Despite a stark warning, he takes the book and unleashes powerful magic he can use to punish his enemies. But demonic forces control the book’s pages—a terrifying evil that will inflict suffering on the good as well as the bad and take his soul as payment.

Come As You Are is supernatural horror reimagined as Young Adult fiction. But don’t be fooled. Its violence will disturb you and its depiction of people living in a gloomy, desolate town without hope will make you cry. Pray that Ivan and his family can survive this dark, perilous journey.

Also in this collection:

“Nailed It”

“Brown the Recluse”

“I’ve Been Better”

“A Bone in the Throat”

“Regino Sings”

“A Proper Revenge Takes Time”

“Something to Hold”

“The Widow and Her Magician”

“Walker”