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FEMALE DRIVEN HORROR
Like all Chaosium Fiction Anthologies, Sisterhood: Dark Tales and Secret Histories is full of strange fiction to help build worlds for your Call of Cthulhu campaign. The stories in this particular anthology revolve around the theme of Sisterhood and the power that women can wield. Many of the stories involve cults, betrayal, historical research, mysticism, blood sacrifice, and tearing down power structures. The creativity of the authors seems to be boundless as no two are the same.
THE STORIES
There are sixteen different stories told from a woman’s point of view and the theme is Sisterhood as per the title. They range from modern day to ancient history in the range of cultures. Each has a different perspective on roles for women in society, past and present. Only a handful of the stories pull from Lovecraft as a source material, but that does not diminish the work by any means.
Many of the stories have a unique perspective, and style of writing. Some of them are told through diary entries, through correspondence, some first person, some third and one story is even told in second person. Each tale has a unique voice and message. Not all are filled with violence and blood, though some of my favourites are.
Each story has a well-crafted world in which you can sink your teeth into. Different cults, religions, and secret societies, run by and for women, sometimes not in the best interest of those outside. Visceral descriptions and emotional depth contained within each of these stories. Even if you don’t identify as a woman, you will find value within these pages.
WHAT I LIKED
I love the different cultures and faiths being represented here. Stories ranging from various places in America, to France, Spain, Indonesia, Lithuania, Wales and Ireland. There is vengeance, and horror, betrayal and sacrifice stamped on every page.
The cover art of Sisterhood: Dark Tales and Secret histories, is delightfully simple and draws the eye. The style reminds me of old-fashioned woodcuts, things you would see in old grimoires.
WHAT I DISLIKED
There was not as much Cthulhu mythos as I expected there would be in this kind of book. I half expected more references drawn from the old weird fiction stories.
OVERALL
Sisterhood: Dark Tales and Secret Histories is a book I would recommend to anyone trying to design a matriarchal cult for their Call of Cthulhu campaign. There is so much to pull from, so many different deities and monsters to slip casually into your games. I will say this is not for the faint of heart, there is a lot of gore and violence in this book. If you do like that sort of thing, as I do, you will enjoy every moment of this book.