Exotic Gothic 5, Volume 1, by the accredited editor of the award nominated and award winning "Exotic Gothic" series Danel Olsen, is a fresh take on the horror/neo-gothic short story collection spectrum! This collection gives a great set of tales by authors from all walks of life, which give their own spin on the horror genre. If you're a fan of Stephen King and novels of pure gloom and despair, then this short story collection is for you! What I personally enjoyed about this collection was the variety of each novel. You won't find a reoccurring theme in any of the short stories. Each story is separately crafted, but has something to offer for a wide variety of reader. I've consistently read every story and have yet to find a story, which doesn't pull or intrigue me. Now over the years, the horror genre has descended down to your average vampire or werewolf dilemma in some form or fashion, but what separates these short stories is the uniqueness tied into each story. Not to give too much away, my favorite short story in the collection was "A Game of Draughts," by Joyce Carol Oates, which explores the changing of realms, and the game of draughts being played in the utmost "brutal" fashion. You may think of it as being "Narnia" meets "The Hunger Games!" The story is rich with a bit of humor, alongside your typical fashion of violence. This collection of short stories is a must for all horror genre fanatics such as myself. It's recommended for more adults, and around the ages of 18 and older, because of some of the violent and complex portrayals. However, it is well made, with great commentary from every author at the end, and gives a variety from different countries and locales of the world, even basing the story on the locale it's under. If you want a great collection of neo-gothic short stories, then this collection is highly recommended, but not for the weary of heart!