Exotic Gothic 5, Vol. 2, edited by the author of the award winning and award nominated series "Exotic Gothic," Danel Olson, provides a great collection of short stories for any reader looking for uniquely entertaining works of fiction. It is for fans of both older and newer horror novels. Like it's predecessor, it contains a wide array of short stories from authors from all walks of life. The cover also gives off a dark beauty, which is unspeakable and gets you in the mood before turning the pages of despair! Being an owner of both Volume 1 and Volume 2, both give out unique and wonderfully intertwining stories, however Volume 2, on a personal note, felt darker and for lack of a better phrase, "messed up." This to me was what made Volume 2 so wonderful, because I enjoy a story filled with torture, darkness, and bloody gore! You'll run into stories like "Xibalba" and "The Sweet Virgin Meat," which share the trait of gore and violence, alongside the horror you'll find in any Stephen King novel. What also separates this one from the first volume is the graphic novel in the middle of the book "El Nahual." This graphic novel really explores the themes of folklore amongst an ancient being known as the Nahual, and is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel, with grotesque figures and a spine-tingling storyline. Being a fan of graphic novels, this for me was a real treat and was very wonderfully well done. Especially recommended for the people who find interest in mythological beings, or even fans of Big Foot! This collection of short stories is recommended for ages 18 and older, due to it's graphic nature, and language. It's a must have for fans of the horror/neo-gothic genre, and is sure to intrigue all readers. Each short story is very detail-oriented, and you will only feel disappointed when you finally finish, and wish to relive the horrors of the stories all over again!