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Editors: Christopher Golden & Brian Keene
Introduction: Stephen King
Genres: Horror, Post-Apocalyptic Fiction, Anthology
Publication Date: August 19, 2025
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Pages: 480 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 9781250326116
Star Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes
The End of the World As We Know It: New Tales of Stephen King’s The Stand revisits one of horror’s most iconic apocalyptic landscapes. This the end of the world as we know it book review explores how Golden and Keene curate a chilling collection of short stories from acclaimed horror authors, expanding King’s vision of a world reshaped by plague, power, and survival.
The anthology gathers a roster of contemporary horror and speculative fiction voices who spin new tales set in the universe of The Stand. Stories range from intimate survivor accounts to broader explorations of morality, leadership, and the clash between good and evil in the wake of catastrophe. King himself pens the introduction, grounding the book in the legacy of his original novel.
The stories vary in tone—from lyrical to brutal, satirical to deadly serious—but the editors ensure thematic coherence. Golden and Keene’s curatorial hand gives the book a strong rhythm, alternating between personal tragedy and large-scale apocalypse, echoing King’s balance of the intimate and the epic.
Strengths: Diverse range of voices; faithful expansion of King’s world; compelling mix of styles and tones.
Weaknesses: Uneven story quality; some contributions may feel derivative compared to King’s original power.
On Goodreads, early readers celebrate the anthology’s respect for King’s legacy while noting standout stories by genre heavyweights. Amazon reviews praise the nostalgia factor, though some mention the challenge of living up to The Stand itself.
Publishers Weekly highlighted the book’s ambition in revisiting a classic. Kirkus described it as “a chilling, if uneven, tribute to King’s masterpiece,” while The Guardian emphasized how the anthology reflects contemporary anxieties about pandemics and societal collapse.
Ideal for fans of Stephen King, horror anthology enthusiasts, and readers drawn to post-apocalyptic storytelling. Less suited for those seeking lighthearted or optimistic fiction.
Christopher Golden is a bestselling author and editor with deep roots in horror and fantasy. Brian Keene is an award-winning horror writer known for his apocalyptic fiction. Their combined expertise ensures the anthology both honors and expands King’s world. Stephen King, of course, remains the cornerstone, providing an introduction that situates the book within his enduring legacy.
The End of the World As We Know It is a bold anthology that both honors and reinvents The Stand for a new generation. While not every tale achieves greatness, the collection as a whole deepens King’s universe with chilling relevance. Final Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Explore more at Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and The Guardian Books.
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