Bedtime Lullabies by Arsal Yasir

There’s something unsettling about a lullaby—soft, soothing, yet often hiding shadows beneath its melody. Bedtime Lullabies by Arsal Yasir is a book that understands this duality, weaving a tapestry of horror, fantasy, and psychological depth into a collection that lingers long after the final page. Whether you're a fan of eerie short stories or crave something that blurs the line between dreams and nightmares, this book delivers in haunting fashion.

But is it just another horror anthology, or does it offer something more profound? Let’s dive deep into the world of Bedtime Lullabies—its stories, its characters, and the unsettling truths it whispers in the dark.

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Bedtime Lullabies is a collection of short stories that explore themes of fear, loss, and the uncanny. Each tale stands alone, yet they share a common thread—the way darkness creeps into the mundane, turning ordinary moments into chilling encounters.

Without spoiling too much, here’s a glimpse of what awaits:

• "The Cradle’s Song": A mother hears a lullaby from an empty nursery—one she never sang.
• "The Man Who Dreamed of Teeth": A man’s recurring nightmare begins to manifest in waking life.
• "The Hollow Children": A village where the children are too quiet, too still, and too obedient.

Yasir’s storytelling is economical yet rich, packing emotional weight into brief, sharp narratives. The horror is often psychological, relying on creeping dread rather than cheap jump scares.

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One of the book’s greatest strengths is its characters—ordinary people caught in extraordinary terrors. Yasir excels at crafting protagonists who feel real, their fears and flaws making their descents into madness all the more unsettling.

• The Grieving Parent: Several stories feature parents grappling with loss, their love twisted into something monstrous.
• The Unreliable Narrator: Some characters question their own sanity, leaving the reader unsure of what’s real.
• The Silent Observer: Occasionally, horror strikes from the periphery—a neighbor, a stranger, someone just out of focus.

These characters aren’t just victims; they’re often complicit in their own undoing, making their fates even more tragic.

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Yasir’s prose is lyrical yet precise, mimicking the cadence of a lullaby—soft, rhythmic, but with an undercurrent of menace. His descriptions are vivid without being overwrought, allowing the horror to emerge naturally.

• First-Person Confessionals: Some stories feel like whispered confessions, pulling the reader into intimate terror.
• Fragmented Narratives: Time bends in places, mimicking the disorientation of fear.
• Minimalist Horror: Like the best folk tales, Yasir often implies rather than explains, leaving room for the reader’s imagination to fill in the gaps.

If you enjoy the atmospheric dread of Shirley Jackson or the psychological unease of Carmen Maria Machado’s Her Body and Other Parties, Yasir’s style will resonate deeply.

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Beyond the scares, Bedtime Lullabies grapples with profound themes:

• The Horror of Parenthood: The fear of failing those you love, of being unable to protect them.
• The Fragility of Sanity: How easily the mind can unravel when faced with the inexplicable.
• The Weight of Memory: Some terrors aren’t supernatural—they’re the ghosts of past mistakes.

These layers elevate the book beyond mere horror, making it a meditation on human vulnerability.

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I read Bedtime Lullabies over two nights—and regretted it. Not because it wasn’t good, but because certain images clung to me. The story "The Cradle’s Song" in particular left me glancing at dark doorways, half-expecting to hear a hum where there should be silence.

Yasir doesn’t rely on gore or shock; his horror is quieter, more insidious. It’s the kind that makes you pause before turning off the light.

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Fans of these books will likely appreciate Bedtime Lullabies:

• The Lottery and Other Stories by Shirley Jackson (for its slow-burn dread)
• Songs for the Unraveling of the World by Brian Evenson (for its surreal, unsettling vignettes)
• Things We Lost in the Fire by Mariana Enríquez (for its blend of horror and emotional depth)

Yasir’s work stands out for its dreamlike quality—less grotesque than Clive Barker, more introspective than Stephen King.

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✔ Atmospheric & Unsettling – The mood lingers like a half-remembered nightmare.
✔ Emotionally Resonant – Even the darkest tales carry a core of human pain.
✔ Varied & Well-Paced – No two stories feel the same.

✖ Some Stories Feel Too Brief – A few could benefit from deeper exploration.
✖ Not for Gore Fans – If you prefer visceral horror, this may be too subtle.

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✅ Literary Horror Fans – If you like horror with psychological depth.
✅ Short Story Lovers – Perfect for quick, impactful reads.
✅ Readers Who Enjoy Ambiguity – Not every question gets answered, and that’s the point.

Avoid if: You dislike open-ended narratives or prefer action-heavy horror.

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"The lullaby wasn’t for the child. It never had been."

"Some silences aren’t empty. They’re waiting."

These lines capture the book’s essence—quiet, eerie, and deeply unsettling.

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Bedtime Lullabies is a masterclass in minimalist horror, blending beauty and terror in equal measure. Arsal Yasir crafts stories that don’t just scare—they haunt. If you’re looking for a book that will unsettle you in the best way, this is it.

🔗 Get the Book: Amazon

Discussion Points:

• Which type of horror affects you most—psychological, supernatural, or visceral?
• Do you prefer short stories or novels for horror? Why?
• What’s the last book that genuinely unsettled you?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear which lullaby stuck with you the longest.

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