Five Rituals of the Forgotten by Gideon Paert is one of those rare collections that lingers with you long after the final page. Each story is steeped in atmosphere, blending folklore, mystery, and human fragility in a way that feels both timeless and deeply original. Paert has a gift for weaving together the mystical with the mundane—rituals that are at once strange and eerily familiar.

What struck me most was the diversity of tone across the anthology. Some stories are unsettling and dark, others poignant and reflective, yet all are tied together by themes of memory, loss, and the search for meaning in forgotten places. The imagery is vivid without being overbearing—you can practically feel the chill of abandoned halls, hear whispered prayers in empty fields, and sense the weight of unspoken histories.

It’s not a quick read, but it’s a rewarding one. Each piece feels carefully crafted, meant to be savored and contemplated. If you enjoy literary horror, folklore-inspired tales, or thought-provoking short fiction, this anthology will more than satisfy.

Highly recommended for readers who love stories that are as beautiful as they are unsettling.