The Beings That Haunt by Z.I. Rhodes is a collection of short stories and poems focussing on multiple perspectives such as life, death & trauma…
Let’s dive in ..
“When was she ever?” Their relationship had not lasted long. Rebounds seldom do.
Angry that he had done it again, he put his mind back in the moment. Several days ago,
he had received an unusual call, even more unusual than someone still calling.”
Book Review: The Beings That Haunt
So, let me be very clear, from starting The Beings That Haunt is not the kind of book you speed through. You might need to re read a few lines, think about it and then move forward.
Coming to the content, it is a mixed collection—short stories, tiny prose pieces, and even a poem—mostly having the idea of memory, guilt power etc.
Each part is separate, but since we are reading it together, they feel like pieces of the same uneasy universe. You will see frogs who remember every cruelty done to them, gods as children etc. etc.
There’s no single plot as such. The book isn’t interested in neat endings. It’s interested in aftermath. What happens after the damage is done? After the choice is made? After everyone pretends things are “fine”?
The ideas.
This book is packed with them. Big, uncomfortable, thought-provoking ideas. Even the shortest stories has something, not as filler.
Dark, yes—but more thoughtful than shocking. It’s eerie in a quiet, creeping way. A lil unsettling but that’s okay.
This isn’t a super character-driven book. Few of the stories is more of the idea than people, which might not work for everyone.
“No sound existed in the void, but the release provided a momentary reprieve.”
Storyline: The book is a mix of short stories, tiny reflective pieces, and even poems. We will briefly see, what’s all the story point towards..
You cannot find twist in each story and in my opinion they are not meant to be. Some of them end with a quiet realization. It is straight up facing the truth, which is in turn more difficult than watching a simple horror scene unfold.
- Frogs Never Forget– Storyline is focussed on frogs have the memory of every human cruelty—and they’re done forgiving.
- Presentations– It has got gods as child in school explaining their plans for creation. (suffering??)
- Mausoleum – It’s about a man who remembers his past lives discovers that immortality comes with rules.
- The Guardian– This story is about a god will watch over humanity without interference.
- Once More– Story is about a quiet conversation taking place in a flight.
- Gum– It’s a metaphor for thoughts that refuse to let go.
- Queue– Everyone is waiting—what they’re waiting if they forgot?
- Goals– What you will do when the finish line keeps moving further away?
- Sunbathing– Story is about stillness and vulnerability collide beneath a calm surface.
- Tired Eye– It’s all about exhaustion:(
- An Uninvolved Patron– An artist realizes his success may belong to someone who never truly leaves.
- Unique-Being different sounds appealing—until you’re alone because of it.
- Reformation– Fixing broken timelines means choosing efficiency over morality.
- Block– A childhood act of violence resurfaces, refusing to stay buried.
- Through the Edge– A predatory voice tempts the vulnerable with escape disguised as comfort. (Poem)
- Vows / Jitters– Commitment trembles in the moment before everything changes.
- Reels– A story ends without answers, proving closure is never guaranteed.
Similar Read: You Killed Me First by John Marrs
| Genre | Fiction/ Collection of short stories and poem |
| Number of Pages | 266 pages |
| My Rating | 4.0⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Release Date | 11 December 2025 |
What I Loved
The prose is controlled and confident. It doesn’t try too hard, and that works in its favor. When the book gets poetic, it feels natural. Even the poem are more or less creepy.
If you lean a bit philosophical, a little dark, and quietly unsettling, this one is worth your time.
Quotes:
“If time mattered here, he would have claimed it was dragging.“
Final Verdict?
The Beings That Haunt feels like a collection written for readers who like to think, question, and sit with discomfort.
Definitely not a “one-sitting, light reading” kind of book.
Who should read it:
- Readers who enjoy short story collections rather than long, linear novels
- Those who like quiet, unsettling dark sort of stories over jump scares or gore
- If you are a fan of authors like Ted Chiang, Shirley Jackson etc.
- Book club readers looking for discussion-worthy material
- Readers who enjoy stories that linger in your head after you’re done reading
Books like Of The Beings That Haunt:
- Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
- The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle
