Let me start by saying this: Seven Empty Houses is not your typical horror anthology. If you're expecting jump scares or haunted houses, you'll be disappointed. But if you're looking for deeply unsettling, psychologically rich stories that linger in your mind long after you've finished reading, this is the book for you.

The standout story for me was definitely 'Breath from the Depths.' Following an elderly woman waiting for death while struggling with memory loss and paranoia was both heartbreaking and fascinating. Schweblin has this incredible ability to make you sympathize with characters who are clearly unreliable narrators.

What surprised me most was how Schweblin uses empty houses both literally and metaphorically. In some stories, they're physical spaces - like the upscale homes a mother and daughter secretly rearrange. In others, they represent emotional voids - the emptiness we feel when disconnected from others.

The translation deserves special mention. Even though these were originally written in Spanish, Megan McDowell's translation maintains all the nuance and power of Schweblin's prose. The sentences have this beautiful, unsettling rhythm that pulls you in.

That said, this collection won't be for everyone. Some stories end abruptly, leaving you with more questions than answers. And fair warning - there are themes of child death and grief that might be triggering for some readers.

At $14.99 for just seven short stories, it does feel a bit pricey for an ebook. But considering how much these stories have stuck with me weeks after reading, I'd say it's worth it if you appreciate literary fiction that challenges you.

Final verdict? If you like thought-provoking fiction that explores mental illness, grief, and human connection (or disconnection), Seven Empty Houses is a must-read. Just don't expect traditional horror - the real terror here comes from seeing too much of ourselves in these broken characters.