Midian Unmade: Tales of Clive Barker’s Nightbreed
Co-edited with Joseph Nassise.
An all-original horror anthology set in the world of Clive Barker’s cult film masterpiece, Nightbreed, and including stories by Seanan McGuire, Amber Benson, Karl Alexander, Nancy Holder, and more!
Clive Barker’s Nightbreed has been controversial since the moment it was released in a version edited by the studio and roundly condemned by Barker, who wrote and directed the film. A virtually instant cult film, Nightbreed—based on Barker’s novella, Cabal—was nominated for three Saturn Awards and won several prizes at European film festival.
The impact of Nightbreed goes beyond the screen; along with Cabal and Barker’s seminal The Books of Blood, it has inspired many horror writers, some of whom have gathered in this tribute anthology.
Midian Unmade tells the stories of the Nightbreed after the fall of their city, Midian. Driven from their homes, their friends and family members slain before their eyes, the monsters become a mostly-hidden diaspora. Some are hunted; others, hunters. Some seek refuge. Others want revenge.
Contributors to Midian Unmade include: Karl Alexander, author of the classic novel Time After Time; actor, writer, and director Amber Benson (Tara Maclay on Buffy the Vampire Slayer); New York Times bestselling author Nancy Holder; Hugo and John W. Campbell Award-winner Seanan McGuire; Bram Stoker Award winner Weston Ochse, David J. Schow, winner of the World Fantasy Award, writer of the screenplay for The Crow; New York Times bestselling writer Stephen Woodworth; and many more–23 stories in all.
With an introduction by Clive Barker, this is an outstanding collection of original horror short stories in a dazzling variety of styles.
Reviews
“The juxtapositions of monstrous humans and humanized monsters will register with fans of thought-provoking horror.”Publishers Weekly
“[MIDIAN UNMADE] is so wonderfully and captivatingly written […] The stories contained therein are so intoxicating, so lovingly written, and so all-encompassing that they leave you aching for more when you reach the final page.”
“With so much imagination and love for the mythology on display, MIDIAN UNMADE is recommended reading for those who love creatures of the night. It’s also proof that every monster has its day.”Rue Morgue Magazine
“With its diverse collection of monsters and their equally diverse outlook on their new world after the fall of their sanctuary at Midian, MIDIAN UNMADE is a wonderful companion piece to Cabal and Nightbreed, and a must-read for any fan of either. The stories are well-placed within the anthology (they definitely could not have made a better choice for the closing story) and all of them offer a unique take on the mysterious world of the Nightbreed, and the heartbreak and despair that can be felt by anyone, including monsters.”
"The anthology’s stories are harmonious with the theme, [which] permits [the writers] to exhibit their uniqueness of style and expression. This admirable collection is indeed a balance of unity and individuality."
"The editors have done a thoughtful job ordering the tales to create a directional thread to the collection. It was this added level of cohesion that, for me, makes this collection of fantasy/horror/sci-fi short stories superior to many of the others I have read…The writers of the tales are, on the whole, quite talented."
"Never less than entertaining, MIDIAN UNMADE is definitely an anthology that fans of Barker and the Nightbreed will enjoy. Well worth reading."