I will never look at snails the same way again. –Thank You Chris Priestly for adding another neurosis, and Thank You Carl V. for the book recommendation.

I am not one who boasts a fearlessness when opening a book of scary stories meant for children. I’ve learned my lesson, but I didn’t think Priestly’s Tales of Terror from the Black Ship was going to get me, especially after the mysterious Thackeray’s first tale. Sticking with the read I was eventually rewarded by becoming both grossed out and properly horrified. It is my fondest wish that after reading this book, you will feel the same.

Tales of Terror from the Black Ship is a collection of scary stories set at sea, or involving the sea-faring. The stories are woven into a narrative involving a boy, Ethan, and his younger sister, Cathy, who are left ailing and alone at the family Inn while their father is fetching medicine for them. A stranger comes and due to the fierceness of the storm outside, they feel obliged to let him stay until it passes. Thackeray is a suspicious figure, but he keeps the morbid children entertained with stories of the macabre (their favorite). Between tales, the interactions between characters create a growing sense of unease. It doesn’t help either that the stories themselves become increasingly scary. And after Thackeray has finished his last tale for the evening, there is yet one more tale of terror to be finished, it had been drawing itself out.

The tale I found the most delicious in sensation? The Scrimshaw Imp. The Monkey had me laughing in that hysterical way; nice, and terrifying. Nature and The Boy in the Boat had wonderfully grotesque moments and lingering unease. I did appreciate the overall story, though I admit there were times I felt the Tales and tales went on a bit long; which is likely due to my impatience or those anxiety-induced moments of “oh dear, there’s more!?” Oh, but the ending is nicely done, Priestly’s devisements work.

The addition of David Roberts’ illustrations are delectable. They are wonderfully Edward Gorey-esque. Each tale is given an illustration incorporating a title, a more seamless way to mind how the tales are all part of a greater story. And you’ll be looking forward (with some trepidation) to the full page illustration that comes with each story. They capture the mood and are always worth lingering upon.

Tales of Terror from the Black Ship is the second in a series of Tales of Terror by Chris Priestly. Unfortunately, the Library here only had this one. I am assured that the first book Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror is brilliant (and likely better). I’ll be looking forward to the others. If you are curious about them, check out Carl V.’s reviews for Uncle Montague’s Tales of Terror and Tales of Terror from the Tunnel’s Mouth. You’re sure to be persuaded to try one of these volumes, if not all—even if that means adding a new fear of something.


L @ omphaloskepsis
http://contemplatrix.wordpress.com/2011/10/11/tales-of-terror-from-the-black-ship/

moral of the story denizci olmamaliyiz

Quite disappointed to be honest. It wasnt half as good as Uncle Montague. The stories weren't scary but were good nonetheless. Thats a shame.

Easily a 5 star read. Like the previous novel in the series, this one is a bunch of stories within a story, that all weave together at the end with a sinister twist. It wasn't until the end that was I able to put those pieces together, and a few pages later, my thoughts were confirmed. That made it no less eerie. Especially for a middle grade novel. These tales of terror are indeed disturbing. One in particular that involved flesh-eating snails stands out as most disturbing, but also, therefore, as my favorite. I really liked how everything came together at the end. I will say, I was not expecting this story to follow NEW characters, rather than Uncle Montague and Edgar. But I think that worked, and I liked how the author still found a way to connect this book to the last one through Uncle Montague. The fact that all the stories took place largely at sea, on ships, made for an interesting setting. I rather like books like that, so I was pretty pleased. My copy had a bonus story at the end, and I feel it alluded to the final novel in the trilogy, which makes me excited to read that as well. All in all, a lovely, albeit disturbing, book.

If you're about to skip this book because it's meant for kids - don't. Its stories are quite simple, granted, but one could hardly call them naive and evade being laughed at.

At the same time, I wouldn't call any of them in any way scary - except, maybe, the one about the monkey and the one about the settlers' journey, but 'sligtly unnerving' and 'not quite predictable' would be the better terms.

But it's worth reading for the simple fact that Chris Priestley is an amazing storyteller in all the ways that matter. Twelve times in a row he manages to quickly and smoothly draw you in, to intrigue, to create a certain mood, to entertain, to surprise (even when you're expecting to be surprised) and all that without once seeming shallow and without imposing some cheap boring moral on you. I've read it a while ago, but I'm still applauding inside. Or is it the heartbeat?

Also, I liked the lazily photoshopped version of the cover better :P

Omg soo gooood

Second book in the tales if terror series . I found it very scary and a page turner till the end

Fabulously chilling and macabre!

After reading Uncle Montagues Tales of Terror, I quickly found this in a local library to read ASAP. Just like the first book, this didn't disappoint. The style of both books is exactly the type of thing I like to read.