There is a story where a whaling ship got trapped in the ice in the Arctic. The crew was slowly being driven mad by the isolation and the constant threat of the ice crushing their ship. Some crew members started to see apparitions on the ice, figures that seemed to beckon them to their doom. They fought not only the elements but also their own sanity.
In an arctic horror story, a lone scientist was studying the polar ice caps. One night, while he was in his small research station, he noticed that his radio communication had suddenly cut off. Then, he saw a large, shadowy figure outside his window. It moved in a way that defied the laws of nature. As he tried to find a weapon to defend himself, the figure seemed to get closer and closer, filling him with a sense of dread.
The story 'Whiteout' is a great Arctic horror. It's about a group of people trapped in a blizzard in the Arctic. As they try to survive, strange things start to happen. There's also 'Frozen Blood' which tells of a scientist in an Arctic research station who uncovers a dark secret that has been frozen for centuries. And then there's 'Arctic Shadows' where a team of explorers encounter shadowy figures in the Arctic night that seem to be more than just figments of their imagination.
Well, 'The Ice Creature' is a classic Arctic horror story. It features a large, menacing creature that lurks in the Arctic ice and attacks anyone who comes near. It's full of suspense and scares. Then there's 'Lost in the Arctic'. It tells the tale of a lost expedition that encounters all sorts of horrors as they try to find their way out of the frozen wasteland. Another notable one is 'Arctic Ghost Ship'. A ship is discovered adrift in the Arctic sea, and when the rescuers board it, they find a series of horrifying events have taken place on board.
One famous story is about the Arctic hare. These hares are well - adapted to the cold. They have thick fur and large feet which act like snowshoes. In winter, they group together to keep warm. Their ability to survive in such a cold place is quite remarkable and has been the basis of many stories told by the native people of the Arctic.
Polar bears are very common in arctic animal stories. They are large and powerful, symbolizing the strength of the arctic ecosystem.
One notable feature is the use of the Arctic setting. The extreme cold and isolation create a perfect backdrop for horror. It makes the characters feel alone and vulnerable, which intensifies the terror. Another feature could be the often - included elements of the unknown, like strange creatures or phenomena that lurk in the frozen wilderness.
The unknown. The arctic is still a place full of mystery. Writers can play on this by introducing things like unknown species or ancient secrets in arctic horror novels. It gives the sense that there are things out there that we don't understand, and that's really frightening. Just like in stories where there are strange entities lurking beneath the arctic ice.
John Carpenter's 'The Thing' was also made into a novel. Set in the arctic, it features a shape - shifting alien that infiltrates a group of researchers. The paranoia and the fear of not knowing who is the 'thing' among them creates a really intense horror atmosphere in the cold and desolate arctic landscape.
Since I haven't read 'Taaqtumi An Anthology of Arctic Horror Stories' thoroughly, it's hard to give exact titles of standout stories. But I would think that stories which use the Arctic's unique geographical features like glaciers, icebergs, and frozen tundra to create a sense of claustrophobia or doom could be great. Also, stories that explore the psychological impact of the long Arctic nights on the characters and how that ties into the horror would probably be among the standouts.
The Arctic setting makes it unique. The vast, cold and unforgiving Arctic landscape creates a sense of isolation. In horror, isolation is often a key factor as it makes the characters more vulnerable. Also, the stories in it might draw on Arctic myths and legends which are not well - known in other parts of the world, adding an element of the unknown which is terrifying.
The Franklin Expedition is a well - known arctic horror story of sorts. Sir John Franklin led a large and well - equipped expedition in the 1840s. But the two ships got trapped in the ice in the Arctic. All the crew members perished. Years later, evidence of cannibalism was found among the remains. It was a tragic end to what was supposed to be a great exploration.