Terrors Within, the first Parasitorium anthology, weighs in at 277 pages. Fifteen stories, by 15 authors of varying ages and experience. There are 7 stories ranging from 20-26 pages, seven stories at 12-18 pages, and a single story consisting of 7 pages. Parasites are the theme of this anthology. The word parasite tends to make most of us shudder in revulsion. A parasite is an entity that, quite simply, feeds off of another entity. Sometimes there are advantages to this type of relationship, usually for the parasite, but occasionally for the host as well. This antholgoy also takes into consideration emotional and mental parasitism as well. Explore the your fear of the word 'parasite'. But along the way, don't forget, fear is different for everyone. Some fear the razor blade, others the handle. Stuffed bunnies hold un-named horrors for a few of us. Fears can usually be rationalized, but not always. Fears can sometimes be explained, but not every time. In Just 'Til I Need Glasses, by Richard A. Bamberg, a man learns how to bend luck to his advantage, without a full understanding of how it works, or the consequences that may result from its misuse. In Together Forever, by Garrett Peck, a man's wish for eternal love goes awry. In Worm, by Anthony Cain, a pot smoking, pizza loving loser accidentally ingests an alien spore and gets a makeover. The stories are diverse and interesting and just the right length for those of us with short attentions spans. And while you read these stories, and feel the fear they attempt to generate within you, you just might have to wonder whether your feelings are feeding something, nurishing it, helping it to grow, until...? Well, maybe you should sleep on it. I enjoyed Terrors Within, hopefully you will too.

The Parasitorium: Terrors Within
Edited by Del Stone, Jr.
Published by Cyber-Pulp
294 pgs
Diana Bennett Reviewer

A parasite. It is not a pleasant thought. They come in many varieties, but I can’t think of one that would please me to come in contact with. As a child growing up in Florida, I remember being warned of getting ringworm from playing in the warm summer puddles. I always found it a particularly disturbing concept. The thought of a living thing taking up residence in my body produced some interesting childhood nightmares. In The Parasitorium: Terrors Within, Edited by Del Stone, Jr. those fears are explored and exploited to their fullest.

The stories in this anthology go far beyond simple ringworm; they focus on the extreme of both physical and psychic parasites. These tales are far more haunting than any of my childhood nightmares ever were. Del Stone Jr has collected some of the best, fresh new horror writers and together under his expert guidance they have created a collection that will forever change the way readers think about what a parasite is.

The styles and voices are as unique as the tales, which are nothing short of haunting. Readers are in for a rare treat when they hold in their hands The Parasitorium: Terrors Within, edited by Del Stone, Jr., for unlike many anthologies, each and every story is chock full of excellent dark prose.

Brave the dark tales from these very talented writers and I can guarantee you will heed the warning of your mother and stay out of the puddles.