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The Dread Penny Society #0
The Dread Penny Society: The Complete Penny Dreadful Collection
This beautiful, cloth-covered hardcover collector’s anthology compiles all the penny dreadful short stories from Sarah M. Eden’s five-book Victorian romance series. Included in this edition are three new, never-before-released stories.
Each short story is written in the style of the Victorian fiction that became so popular during that time period. From ghost stories to adventures to mysteries, Sarah weaves these gothic tales among her romantic storylines, making it the perfect way to celebrate the Dread Penny Society series.
Each short story is written in the style of the Victorian fiction that became so popular during that time period. From ghost stories to adventures to mysteries, Sarah weaves these gothic tales among her romantic storylines, making it the perfect way to celebrate the Dread Penny Society series.
400 pages, Hardcover
Published September 5, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
May 20, 2023
This deserves all the pennies! So glad this collection exists, and, if you are a fan of the Dread Penny Society series, a must-have, must-read! I mean, just getting an actual story written by our stoic sweetie Stone is worth reading this! SO good.
Much like the impression I got starting out the series, one can tell the author had all the fun writing it, and these penny dreadful stories account for so much of that fun. Of course these could be enjoyed on their own as amazing Victorian short stories, but for me, a great part of the enjoyment is appreciating the character authors’ distinctive writing voices, and, most of all, how the stories share themes and dynamics with the main Dread Penny Society storylines. So, I would recommend reading them as part of the series first and then hoarding this collection just for fun, once you have that context.
Not complaining but, most of these a little too creepy Gothic and heart-pounding for a wimp like me, it was interesting to read the new additional three stories consecutively without being interspersed and getting to jump right in after each cliffhanger installment ending.
Nobody asked but, Mr. King still reigns as my favorite penny dreadful author. No surprise there, since those always have sweet romance with suspenseful high stakes and some supernatural elements. Love them all, but standouts for me from the author monarch are The Bachelor and the Bride and The Queen and the Knave. The additional story we get here, The Governess and the Fugitive, is just as good. Special mention to beyond charming Higglebottom’s School for the Dead. Really, I’d be saving up my pennies and sneaking into a Dickensian alley to escape with all of these stories.
A fun add-on for fervent fans of this series!
Thank you to Netgalley and the generous souls at Shadown Mountain for an ARC.
Much like the impression I got starting out the series, one can tell the author had all the fun writing it, and these penny dreadful stories account for so much of that fun. Of course these could be enjoyed on their own as amazing Victorian short stories, but for me, a great part of the enjoyment is appreciating the character authors’ distinctive writing voices, and, most of all, how the stories share themes and dynamics with the main Dread Penny Society storylines. So, I would recommend reading them as part of the series first and then hoarding this collection just for fun, once you have that context.
Not complaining but, most of these a little too creepy Gothic and heart-pounding for a wimp like me, it was interesting to read the new additional three stories consecutively without being interspersed and getting to jump right in after each cliffhanger installment ending.
Nobody asked but, Mr. King still reigns as my favorite penny dreadful author. No surprise there, since those always have sweet romance with suspenseful high stakes and some supernatural elements. Love them all, but standouts for me from the author monarch are The Bachelor and the Bride and The Queen and the Knave. The additional story we get here, The Governess and the Fugitive, is just as good. Special mention to beyond charming Higglebottom’s School for the Dead. Really, I’d be saving up my pennies and sneaking into a Dickensian alley to escape with all of these stories.
A fun add-on for fervent fans of this series!
Thank you to Netgalley and the generous souls at Shadown Mountain for an ARC.
September 5, 2023
This is a great collection. I enjoyed these stories in the Dread Penny Society series, but it's fun to have them in this collection and being able to read them in their entirety. Mr. King's stories are my favorite. I am amazed how Ms. Eden can write all these stories in different voices/genres.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest review.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest review.
September 5, 2023
This book cover is gorgeous! I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy. I've seen the author showing a video of it and all of the special touches that were made to it and it just looks so pretty!
I love that all of the Penny Dreadful stories from Sarah M. Eden's Dread Penny Society series are now all in one book! How fun is that! And bonus...3 new Penny Dreadfuls for us fans!
When reading the books of the series I had a hard time not turning ahead to read all of the Penny Dreadfuls straight through and not having to wait for the next installment. Lol! But I was good and waited. Mostly because I knew they correlated with the main story and what was happening so I wanted to have it all revealed in due time. And I loved that it felt kind of like what it felt like when reading Penny Dreadfuls back in the Victorian Era. They had to wait for each installment to be printed, so in a very small sense we got to feel what that was like. Lol. Very small sense of course!
But now we can sit and read our favorites, all at once or one installment at a time if you're wanting to be authentic. Pick your favorite Dread Penny Author and read just theirs. Or read the whole collection at once. However you prefer, but I hope you enjoy them just like I do!
Content: Clean. Each story has different elements to them. Most have a gothic feel, others have some paranormal aspects to them.
I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
I love that all of the Penny Dreadful stories from Sarah M. Eden's Dread Penny Society series are now all in one book! How fun is that! And bonus...3 new Penny Dreadfuls for us fans!
When reading the books of the series I had a hard time not turning ahead to read all of the Penny Dreadfuls straight through and not having to wait for the next installment. Lol! But I was good and waited. Mostly because I knew they correlated with the main story and what was happening so I wanted to have it all revealed in due time. And I loved that it felt kind of like what it felt like when reading Penny Dreadfuls back in the Victorian Era. They had to wait for each installment to be printed, so in a very small sense we got to feel what that was like. Lol. Very small sense of course!
But now we can sit and read our favorites, all at once or one installment at a time if you're wanting to be authentic. Pick your favorite Dread Penny Author and read just theirs. Or read the whole collection at once. However you prefer, but I hope you enjoy them just like I do!
Content: Clean. Each story has different elements to them. Most have a gothic feel, others have some paranormal aspects to them.
I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
May 30, 2023
A fantastic collection of stories. I loved it from the first page to the end. It's an absolute masterpiece, having put these stories in one together. I adore the stories and reading this was a great time.
September 6, 2023
Eerie, romantic, captivating, magical, suspenseful! At long last, the fantastic 10 Penny Dreadfuls previously interspersed throughout the Dread Penny Society series are all together in one compilation along with three exciting new ones. Whether you’re new to the series or a diehard fan, this collector’s edition is a must have & available in a beautiful cloth-bound hardback that’s definitely worth adding to your bookshelf.
The charmingly gothic short stories are truly amazing. Though they’re all written by the talented Sarah M. Eden, they each have the distinct voice of the Dread Penny Society member who wrote them & a different feel. Some are more romantic, others are more humorous, & then there are the more spooky ones, but not too spooky. Each has a mysterious/paranormal aspect characteristic of the Penny Dreadfuls from the Victorian era. At lease one story from each of the books parallels the main story it was included in. My favorites are those written by Mr. King, especially The Lady and the Highwayman, The Gentleman and the Thief, & The Queen and the Knave.
The three new Dreadfuls are a great addition to the anthology. The Governess and the Fugitive by Mr. King is the spooky story of a governess who has a unique pupil. She & her new found love are forced to battle wicked faeries from the faerie realm. On a Sea of Glass is the first book we’ve had from Stone! It’s an eerie sea faring tale where sailors battle an unusual sea monster. The last story is Terminus by Brogan. It’s one bizarre train ride with a mysterious conductor where nothing is as it seems.
I loved being able to read the stories all at once instead of broken up into installments as they were in the Dread Penny Society books. Not to say I didn’t enjoy the creative way they were included in the books, but the stories flow so much better when you get to read the full story at once. These deliciously gothic tales are perfect amount of fun spooky without being too graphic or gory.
Highly recommend to gothic romance fans! It’s a must have for those who love the Dread Penny Society series. I received an advanced complimentary ebook from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.
The charmingly gothic short stories are truly amazing. Though they’re all written by the talented Sarah M. Eden, they each have the distinct voice of the Dread Penny Society member who wrote them & a different feel. Some are more romantic, others are more humorous, & then there are the more spooky ones, but not too spooky. Each has a mysterious/paranormal aspect characteristic of the Penny Dreadfuls from the Victorian era. At lease one story from each of the books parallels the main story it was included in. My favorites are those written by Mr. King, especially The Lady and the Highwayman, The Gentleman and the Thief, & The Queen and the Knave.
The three new Dreadfuls are a great addition to the anthology. The Governess and the Fugitive by Mr. King is the spooky story of a governess who has a unique pupil. She & her new found love are forced to battle wicked faeries from the faerie realm. On a Sea of Glass is the first book we’ve had from Stone! It’s an eerie sea faring tale where sailors battle an unusual sea monster. The last story is Terminus by Brogan. It’s one bizarre train ride with a mysterious conductor where nothing is as it seems.
I loved being able to read the stories all at once instead of broken up into installments as they were in the Dread Penny Society books. Not to say I didn’t enjoy the creative way they were included in the books, but the stories flow so much better when you get to read the full story at once. These deliciously gothic tales are perfect amount of fun spooky without being too graphic or gory.
Highly recommend to gothic romance fans! It’s a must have for those who love the Dread Penny Society series. I received an advanced complimentary ebook from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.
June 9, 2023
I didn't read the previously published stories. Personally, I find most of these penny dreadfuls a little too creepy for me. I have to read them during the daytime so I don't have bad dreams. I loved Mr. King's "The Lady and the Highwayman" but even Mr. King has gotten a little dark. I honestly can't believe no one figured out who Mr. King is because they do have an air of "silver fork" to them and are always a romance. The first new Mr. King story is a fairy tale about a young, new queen about to celebrate her coronation. She feels unsure of herself and a wicked sorceress takes advantage of Eleanor's feelings and vulnerability to cast a spell that would create chaos in the kingdom. With Eleanor turned into a Pine Marten, she must rely on her only friend, a young guard, to help her. Can they figure out how to break the spell in time and save the kingdom? I normally don't like fairy tales but this one was pretty standard, in the vein of Sleeping Beauty. I enjoyed the sweet romance as the characters got to know one another.
Mr. King's second story comes late in the book and involves a governess and mysterious doings at a creepy manor. This one was not my thing. It was really creepy and dark. I am used to Disney fairies and not evil faeries that steal children and take over the mortal realm. The romance happens way too quickly for my taste.
My favorite story in the collection is by Chauncey Finnegan! Who knew he wrote penny dreadfuls? His isn't do dreadful. It's a short story, a mystery and a lot of fun. I liked the eccentric elderly protagonists and the mystery was fun to guess what happened. I always love it when a dog plays a large role. I'd read this series for sure!
There's also one new story by my favorite rogue, Brogan Donnelly but it wasn't as charming as he is.
Stone's story is the last one in the book and is a seafaring tale. It was a little dark but not unfamiliar to those of us raised by the sea and familiar with maritime legends. I felt that the resolution was a little lacking though.
The design of this book is absolutely gorgeous! The printed version must be incredible and a true collectors item.
Mr. King's second story comes late in the book and involves a governess and mysterious doings at a creepy manor. This one was not my thing. It was really creepy and dark. I am used to Disney fairies and not evil faeries that steal children and take over the mortal realm. The romance happens way too quickly for my taste.
My favorite story in the collection is by Chauncey Finnegan! Who knew he wrote penny dreadfuls? His isn't do dreadful. It's a short story, a mystery and a lot of fun. I liked the eccentric elderly protagonists and the mystery was fun to guess what happened. I always love it when a dog plays a large role. I'd read this series for sure!
There's also one new story by my favorite rogue, Brogan Donnelly but it wasn't as charming as he is.
Stone's story is the last one in the book and is a seafaring tale. It was a little dark but not unfamiliar to those of us raised by the sea and familiar with maritime legends. I felt that the resolution was a little lacking though.
The design of this book is absolutely gorgeous! The printed version must be incredible and a true collectors item.
September 21, 2023
Finally. If you've read the Dread Penny Society series, you'll know what a treat each book is with a story within a story unfolding. I was beyond thrilled to see this set come to life in a whole collection--with THREE added bonus stories.
I loved the very start of the book, where Sarah M. Eden talks about writing these and a little background on what they are. I hadn't ever heard of Penny Dreadfuls before reading this series and I love how each one has a hint of mystery, fantasy, gothic, and/or love. They're such a treat to read and it was fun to enjoy a complete story here and there.
This is one set that defines putting the icing on the cake of a series!
Content: mild moments of peril; mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
I loved the very start of the book, where Sarah M. Eden talks about writing these and a little background on what they are. I hadn't ever heard of Penny Dreadfuls before reading this series and I love how each one has a hint of mystery, fantasy, gothic, and/or love. They're such a treat to read and it was fun to enjoy a complete story here and there.
This is one set that defines putting the icing on the cake of a series!
Content: mild moments of peril; mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
July 26, 2023
I loved these stories as they appeared in the Dread Penny novels, and it was great fun to reread them. I really liked the new additions as well.
*Review copy courtesy of Shadow Mountain. Opinions are my own.*
*Review copy courtesy of Shadow Mountain. Opinions are my own.*
August 25, 2023
Until now, the only way you've been able to read Sarah M Eden's Penny Dreadfuls is to read them chapter by chapter in each of the Dread Penny Society books. I love that they have made a book of them, even including 3 brand new Penny Dreadfuls!
One thing that was really interesting to me as I read this collection was the way the author included the history of the Penny Dreadful. I find things like that fascinating.
I love that the styles of these are all different. They almost seem as though they are written by different authors, not just one single author.
I am so excited for you to all read this collection!
I was sent an e-copy of The Dread Penny Society as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
One thing that was really interesting to me as I read this collection was the way the author included the history of the Penny Dreadful. I find things like that fascinating.
I love that the styles of these are all different. They almost seem as though they are written by different authors, not just one single author.
I am so excited for you to all read this collection!
I was sent an e-copy of The Dread Penny Society as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
September 5, 2023
This collection is an answer to a wish many of us who've read the Dread Penny Society series have wished for! We now have all the penny dreadfuls that are interspersed in the five book Dread Penny Society series in one book! But wait! There's more! Not only do you get the 10 penny dreadfuls that are in the DPS series, you get 3 NEW stories!!
There are many styles to the stories and they seem to be written by several authors, but they're all written by the talented Sarah M. Eden. I don't know how she does it but I'm here for all of it. This is a fantastic collection and it's nice to be able to read these short stories in one sitting instead of chapter by chapter.
I received an ebook by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
There are many styles to the stories and they seem to be written by several authors, but they're all written by the talented Sarah M. Eden. I don't know how she does it but I'm here for all of it. This is a fantastic collection and it's nice to be able to read these short stories in one sitting instead of chapter by chapter.
I received an ebook by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
November 22, 2023
A penny for your thoughts? This is such a great collection! If you loved the Dread Penny Society Series then you will love this collection of all 10 Dread Penny novels plus 3 more only available to read in this book including a story by Stone 😍 Of course Mr King’s stories are my favorite… I am just amazed that Sarah Eden can write all of these stories in such different & distinct voices of the Dread Penny Society authors. I loved being able to read the stories all at once instead of broken up into installments as they were in the Dread Penny Society books. Not to say I didn't enjoy the creative way they were included in the books, but the stories flow so much better when you get to read the full story at once. These deliciously gothic tales are perfect amount of fun & spooky without being too graphic or gory…. eerie, romantic, captivating, magical & suspenseful! Highly recommend to gothic romance fans & a must have for those who love the Dread Penny Society series!
May 22, 2023
I literally cannot get enough of Sarah M. Eden's works. I first read the first book in this series and immediately downloaded and read all the others, so when I saw this collection with the last book that I haven't read I knew I had to ask for it. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me this copy.
I have loved all the stories within this series. The characters feel so real and realistic for the time period they are in. One of the things I liked the most was the stories within the stories. It made both the world and the characters wider and bigger than the main story within each book.
The characters in each story feel genuinely well developed and written, and I enjoyed every minute! I can''t wait to read more of Sarah's work!
I have loved all the stories within this series. The characters feel so real and realistic for the time period they are in. One of the things I liked the most was the stories within the stories. It made both the world and the characters wider and bigger than the main story within each book.
The characters in each story feel genuinely well developed and written, and I enjoyed every minute! I can''t wait to read more of Sarah's work!
August 15, 2023
Such a great collection of stories!
I enjoyed rereading the ones from the previous novels. The new additions were such entertaining stories, especially the one by Mr. King.
And for those like me who can't get enough of Sarah M. Eden's books, this is totally for you!
* I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion.*
I enjoyed rereading the ones from the previous novels. The new additions were such entertaining stories, especially the one by Mr. King.
And for those like me who can't get enough of Sarah M. Eden's books, this is totally for you!
* I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion.*
September 6, 2023
I love having all the Penny dreadfuls together! It was always fun to read them throughout the Dread Penny Society books.
I love the distinct voice each penny dreadful has. They stay true to their “author” and their character quirks. These stories are the mark of a skilled writer. They are fun, witty, imaginative, and a delight!
I love the distinct voice each penny dreadful has. They stay true to their “author” and their character quirks. These stories are the mark of a skilled writer. They are fun, witty, imaginative, and a delight!
September 14, 2023
Oops! I went out of town and forgot I had scheduled this book review. These were really fun, even if most of them aren't genres I normally read. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2023/09/1...
May 7, 2023
A great collection of stories!
This book is one I was hoping would come into existence. If you have read or heard about Sarah Eden’s Dread Penny Series you probably know that tucked inside each novel there are extra stories inserted throughout the book just as the Penny Dreadfuls were originally published in England, a chapter at a time. If you’ve read any of this series, and I highly recommend you do, you’ve seen these stories and perhaps you have wished to see them compiled as complete, connected stories. This book is that compilation and it is such fun! Not only do you get the original Penny Dreadfuls by Sarah, you also get three new stories. These stories allow the reader to experience Sarah’s ability to write as a different and distinct person in the form of different Penny Dreadful authors. This book is sure to please Sarah’s fans. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.
This book is one I was hoping would come into existence. If you have read or heard about Sarah Eden’s Dread Penny Series you probably know that tucked inside each novel there are extra stories inserted throughout the book just as the Penny Dreadfuls were originally published in England, a chapter at a time. If you’ve read any of this series, and I highly recommend you do, you’ve seen these stories and perhaps you have wished to see them compiled as complete, connected stories. This book is that compilation and it is such fun! Not only do you get the original Penny Dreadfuls by Sarah, you also get three new stories. These stories allow the reader to experience Sarah’s ability to write as a different and distinct person in the form of different Penny Dreadful authors. This book is sure to please Sarah’s fans. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.
September 13, 2023
The Dread Penny Society Victorian Romance series has been such a fun series to read. Not only do you have nice romances but also a lot of angst and suspense. I have loved the Dread Penny stories that have been in all of the books. They were interspersed between the chapters of the book. I really loved all of them in this brand-new collection. You can read the whole Penny Dreadful story without any interruptions. Even though I had read most of them, it felt very different to read the whole story consecutively.
What's really exciting about this collection is that there are three new Penny Dreadful stories included. I loved these stories too. It amazes me how different each of the stories are. Each story is "written" by different Dread Penny Society members in the novel. It's hard to remember that truly they are all written by Sarah M. Eden because they all have such a different voice. The stories range from mysteries, epic adventures, fairytale-esque, and ghost stories. There is something for every reader.
If you've been a fan of and have all of the five novels in this series, you must purchase this wonderful collection of The Penny Dreadful stories.
What's really exciting about this collection is that there are three new Penny Dreadful stories included. I loved these stories too. It amazes me how different each of the stories are. Each story is "written" by different Dread Penny Society members in the novel. It's hard to remember that truly they are all written by Sarah M. Eden because they all have such a different voice. The stories range from mysteries, epic adventures, fairytale-esque, and ghost stories. There is something for every reader.
If you've been a fan of and have all of the five novels in this series, you must purchase this wonderful collection of The Penny Dreadful stories.
September 6, 2023
I'd never heard of the Dread Penny stories before so I was coming in with no idea what I was going to read. The first stories were a little scarier than I usually read. So I often only read this book during the day to prevent nightmares.
But although I am still reading, I have come to love this way of writing. These are highly creative short stories with substance.
I think this would be a wonderful complication to own in print, as the cover and contents are extraordinary.
Kudos to Sarah M. Eden on a unique and diverse collection.
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own
But although I am still reading, I have come to love this way of writing. These are highly creative short stories with substance.
I think this would be a wonderful complication to own in print, as the cover and contents are extraordinary.
Kudos to Sarah M. Eden on a unique and diverse collection.
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own
August 2, 2024
first of all, the cover is VERY BEAUTIFUL 🥺 (i’ve always loved Sarah M. Eden’s books covers)
now, i’ve loved these short stories in Dread Penny Society Series. especially the ones which were written by Mr King.
this collection has 13 stories. 10 from the books in the series and 3 new. i loved all by Mr. King. Elizabeth sure has a talent for writing 🌷 and from the other ones, i loved 'Posie and Pro' the most 🕵️♀️.
thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the free copy.
now, i’ve loved these short stories in Dread Penny Society Series. especially the ones which were written by Mr King.
this collection has 13 stories. 10 from the books in the series and 3 new. i loved all by Mr. King. Elizabeth sure has a talent for writing 🌷 and from the other ones, i loved 'Posie and Pro' the most 🕵️♀️.
thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the free copy.
August 6, 2023
Although I haven’t read the Dread Penny Society series, I was intrigued by the concept of an anthology written in the style of Victorian penny dreadfuls (and that cover is stunning!). I was really impressed by the way that Sarah M. Eden wrote the stories as if they were written by different authors, and I found that they each had a distinctive voice. The collection is varied, spanning from gothic romance tales to light comedic stories and just about everything in between. There’s definitely something in here for everyone. Contrary to many other reviewers, I wasn’t a huge fan of the Mr King stories (although I did really enjoy The Governess and The Fugitive), as I preferred the creepier stories with a smaller focus on romance. My favourites were undoubtedly Terminus and The Dead Zoo as they truly captured the eerie suspense typical of gothic short stories. I also really liked the writing style of The Vampire’s Tower as it felt like a perfect mix of the picaresque and the paranormal. The illustrations are also stunning, and I’m sure the cloth-bound hardcover copy will be gorgeous! This book has definitely convinced me to read the rest of the series as well. I would definitely recommend this to any fans of gothic and historical tales!
With thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for providing an ARC.
With thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for providing an ARC.
August 16, 2023
I think it's so cool that these stories are gathered together--and I was especially excited that one of the three new stories is by Stone--he's one of my favorite characters. I'd love to have seen him get his own book, but since that didn't happen, this is the next best thing. The penny dreadfuls are so fun to read, both for the parallels to the main books and for the insights into the "author's" of each's personality. I think the fact that Sarah Eden could give each author a distinctive style and voice in an excellent illustration of her amazing writing skills! I thoroughly enjoyed each story and each character. So well done!
I read an e-ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I read an e-ARC provided by the publisher. All opinions are my own.
September 8, 2023
The Dread Penny Society series of books is my favorite series from Sarah Eden and I have read pretty much every book of hers, so this book is the icing on the cake for this beloved series. Having each of the dread pennies in one book is awesome. I loved rereading them and the three new stories were perfect. I loved revisiting stories I enjoyed so much (Dead Zoo to name one) and Pru and Posie are still my favorites. Ever.
Thank you to the publisher for the Netgalley approval. I bought a copy to treasure and admire on my personal bookshelf.
Thank you to the publisher for the Netgalley approval. I bought a copy to treasure and admire on my personal bookshelf.
September 6, 2023
I could literally take forever talking about this, but in interest of time, I will restrain myself. There are 3 main reasons why I desperately enjoy this collection:
1) My background. I studied Victorian Literature. I made a reel about this. When I say that this captures the style and feel of actual penny dreadfuls, I know where of I speak. These have the added benefits of modern story arcs and standardized spelling, which is a MAJOR plus.
2) This collection. First of all, it is GORGEOUS. Every book lover wants to have a book like this. For the stories themselves, in a novel, every single element that gets published has to have a purpose. The fact that these stories serve a tangible purpose in the novels that they are originally housed, but also work as individual, standalone stories is incredible and shows Ms. Eden’s prowess as an author.
This is only proven further by the stories themselves. This does not feel like a collection of stories written by one author. Ms. Eden has managed to write in the persona of each of the writers, coming across vastly different in voice and genre. By my count, there are 7 authors and 9 genres represented, each of them clear and true to the genre. That is a wide range for any one author to write, but to write them through the lens of a historical character is what makes this collection transcend into legendary territory.
3) The stories themselves. It is very, VERY hard to pick favorites, but mine were The Dead Zoo and The Queen and the Knave. I can’t talk about The Queen and the Knave, so let me tell you about The Dead Zoo. Spoilers for The Merchant and the Rogue (Novel) in the next paragraph.
It’s the Polar Bear. I, a (then) 29 year old woman, had to convince myself that a polar bear was not stalking around my basement apartment in the middle of Idaho. The imagery in the story, plus the suspense and the lasting impact was absolutely stellar.
In short: a well deserved 5/5 Stars.
1) My background. I studied Victorian Literature. I made a reel about this. When I say that this captures the style and feel of actual penny dreadfuls, I know where of I speak. These have the added benefits of modern story arcs and standardized spelling, which is a MAJOR plus.
2) This collection. First of all, it is GORGEOUS. Every book lover wants to have a book like this. For the stories themselves, in a novel, every single element that gets published has to have a purpose. The fact that these stories serve a tangible purpose in the novels that they are originally housed, but also work as individual, standalone stories is incredible and shows Ms. Eden’s prowess as an author.
This is only proven further by the stories themselves. This does not feel like a collection of stories written by one author. Ms. Eden has managed to write in the persona of each of the writers, coming across vastly different in voice and genre. By my count, there are 7 authors and 9 genres represented, each of them clear and true to the genre. That is a wide range for any one author to write, but to write them through the lens of a historical character is what makes this collection transcend into legendary territory.
3) The stories themselves. It is very, VERY hard to pick favorites, but mine were The Dead Zoo and The Queen and the Knave. I can’t talk about The Queen and the Knave, so let me tell you about The Dead Zoo. Spoilers for The Merchant and the Rogue (Novel) in the next paragraph.
It’s the Polar Bear. I, a (then) 29 year old woman, had to convince myself that a polar bear was not stalking around my basement apartment in the middle of Idaho. The imagery in the story, plus the suspense and the lasting impact was absolutely stellar.
In short: a well deserved 5/5 Stars.
December 31, 2023
After enjoying the Dread Penny Society novels for so many years, what a pleasure it is to have all of the penny dreadful stories from those - and a few bonus tales - collected in one volume. One of the things I appreciate most about the stories is the variety of genre and Eden's ability to tell each with the distinct voice and style of the various author characters. One would never mistake Mr. King's work for Stone's or Brogan's. This a great book for light reading - and would make a great gift for Dread Penny fans or young readers who enjoy a little gothic atmosphere.
My thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
My thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2024
These are just all the penny dreadful stories that are told in broken up pieces through the rest of the series, but being able to read them all at once with no breaks was awesome! They’re a fun bunch of stories.
September 4, 2023
I fell on love with the cover and loved this penny-dreadful stories tha I found well written and entertaining.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
December 18, 2023
A fun set of stories. These wouldn’t be my usual go tos so this collection was an interesting change of pace.
July 9, 2023
This is a great add to Sarah Eden’s Dread Penny Society. The short stories were all fun and enjoyable to read. I have enjoyed learning more about the Victorian Era through all of her stories. The amount of research she must have done to write these and the other books is amazing. I would highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for an ARC copy for my honest opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for an ARC copy for my honest opinion.
December 21, 2023
This is a fun collection of short stories. I think many of them would be fun for a family to read aloud as the stories would appeal to all ages.
July 28, 2023
I loved the Dread Penny society and was excited to see all the "penny dreadfuls" combined in one book!
Some of the stories were more interesting than other but overall they were very entertaining. Some of the stories read like fairytales & others like horror stories.
My favorite was The Lady and the Highwayman man, personally and the one about orphans. They read more like historical fiction and had humor.
I can't wait to see this in print! Thank you Netgalley for a chance to read this ARC!
Some of the stories were more interesting than other but overall they were very entertaining. Some of the stories read like fairytales & others like horror stories.
My favorite was The Lady and the Highwayman man, personally and the one about orphans. They read more like historical fiction and had humor.
I can't wait to see this in print! Thank you Netgalley for a chance to read this ARC!
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