 “Way back in the mists of early 2020, we began to hear reports of a DEADLY VIRUS that originated in China. This new virus soon ripped its path through the world, like an INVADING HORDE killing without prejudice until it finally found its way to our door. This book is inspired by our experiences of GLOBAL LOCKDOWN, isolation and how we might navigate the new, post-covid world. Is this the beginning of the end, or just the end of the beginning? When Matty-Bob asked if I wanted to take a look at this anthology, my mouth said ‘yes’ but my mind screamed ‘OH GOD NOOOOO NO KAYLEIGH WHY WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOOOOOOOOO’. That is, in no way, a reflection of how I feel about Burdizzo, Matty-Bob, Em, or any of the writers featured. It’s just that I’ve barely left the house since March. Like the majority of you, I have found this year… challenging. For some reason, now more than ever before, I am so sick of seeing/reading/hearing about the pandemic, lockdown, etc. Just the other night, I was watching TV and even seeing someone in a mask on an advert had the power to ruin my entire night by sending me into an anxiety spiral, because I just don’t want to think about any of this anymore. Reviewing a themed anthology about the very thing I’m desperately trying to escape from just seemed like an absolute nightmare, but apparently I’m a people-pleaser because I agreed to do it anyway. And do you know what? I’m really glad I did. For one thing, I got a real laugh out of the cover and the title. This made me feel better about entering into the book itself, since the spirit in which the anthology was compiled seemed to have an air of “tongue-in-cheek” about it. It’s a mix of almost 30 short stories and poems and there’s real variety in the pages. I often find with themed anthologies that the stories can get a bit samey. This includes anthologies that I have contributed stories to. Oh, the times I’ve been convinced that I’ve found an original way to use a theme, only to find when I receive my contributor copy that I had the same genius basic idea as everyone else…. It’s difficult to keep a theme fresh when more than 20 people are using it as a base, is what I’m saying. Corona-nation St doesn’t suffer from this problem as everyone somehow managed to find a different aspect of the theme to draw from. I read the book in one sitting and found despair, loneliness, paranoia, anger, and all manner of other glorious emotions from which one can draw real horror. As I went from story/poem to story/poem, I found myself nodding along in understanding. Instead of struggling with being reminded of all that is currently wrong, I found the reading experience cathartic. No matter which writer I was reading, or the kind of tale they were telling, I found that there was a deep sincerity between the lines, a purging of anxieties that was not only relatable, but also comforting. I felt connected to each and every writer in this anthology in a way I never have when reading a collection before, and I can’t imagine I will again. The subject matter is grim, but the feeling of solidarity and group empathy really did a lot to raise my spirits. Besides all of that, which I had to talk about because I think it’s a very special and unique aspect to this book, I really enjoyed the stories. There wasn’t a single one that I didn’t like, and rating-wise I’d say they range from 3.5 to 5 out of 5 stars. It’s taken me days to decide which ones to make special mention of, but my three favourites are as follows: Everything Blue by Dani Brown. I loved this. Oh the horror, the anxiety, the paranoia! Dani accomplished a hell of a lot in a very short space of time with this story. I got the same feeling from this as I got from Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper. I really can’t give it higher praise than that – TYW is one of my favourite horror shorts and I’ve never read anything else that even comes close to filling me with the precise sort of dread and claustrophobia it elicits. Until now, obviously. Dani knocked this story out of the park. Dead Meat by James Jobling. Holy ‘Rec vibes’ Batman! Oh man, do I love me a good quarantine story, and this was a beast of one. It seems like, you know, your sort of average concept, but James trickles these hints and details out so expertly you don’t even realise you’re picking up on all that is awry in this tale. He masterfully unfolds what’s happening, distracting you with seemingly unimportant details, and then hits you in the face with pure depravity. It was so satisfying to read. It’s bloody brilliant is what it is. I really really love this one. Housebound by John Prytherch. Dude. My man. John, if you’re reading this, then visualise me in Wayne’s World fashion, bowing. I’m not worthy! This story would be at home in any anthology – it’s effing great. The fact that it’s in this particular anthology gives it context that elevates it from merely brilliant to ‘holy shit balls, this is genius’. This story is about inner conflict, inner turmoil, fear of others, fear of being a danger to others, fear of an outside threat that is somehow also inside, isolation, detachment – honestly, it captures all of this so effectively, and it does it in an unexpected way. This story is something really special under the concept of the anthology as a whole, and is a real pleasure to read. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. Overall, Corona-nation St is thoroughly enjoyable and definitely worth buying. It somehow gives you the feeling of having a pandemic support network whilst simultaneously (and ironically) taking your mind off the real world for a bit. Viewing these particular stresses through the lens of fiction was a welcome change, and it was a pleasure to read these stories. 4/4.5 stars. Bye. Reviewed by K. M. Edwards  Way back in the distant mists of February 2020, we began to hear reports of a deadly virus that originated in China. But this new virus soon ripped its path through the world, like an invading hoarde, killing without prejudice until it finally found its way to our door. This book is inspired by our experiences of the UK lockdown, and how we might navigate the new, post-covid world. Is this the beginning of the end, or just the end of the beginning? Join us for a trip down Corona-Nation Street, with stories and poetry that are horrifying, haunting, hilarious, horny, heartfelt and hopeful. All proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the NHS.   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