Fantastic. Was considering a DNF about 20% of the way through (the characters weren’t working for me) and then it’s like a light switched and the storFantastic. Was considering a DNF about 20% of the way through (the characters weren’t working for me) and then it’s like a light switched and the story turned into something horrifying and truely brutal. Very well written and engaging. Highly recommend. ...more
I liked the omnipresent sense of dread and ever present threat of the unseen ‘things’ which breed madness in the minds of the characters who do see thI liked the omnipresent sense of dread and ever present threat of the unseen ‘things’ which breed madness in the minds of the characters who do see them but there was little ‘horror’ and the unknown element of Bird Box just wasn’t as prevalent here. More a slow burn storey which does have a pay off but I’d recommend Bird Box over this. ...more
I don't know what it is about this book but there's just something about 90's suburban housewives kicking vampire ass while balancing family, friends I don't know what it is about this book but there's just something about 90's suburban housewives kicking vampire ass while balancing family, friends and book club - and doing it all in style, that works on so many levels.
The thing that really stands out for me, is the ease of horror into the everyday life of the characters. The proverbial blood-spatter on the white picket fence doesn't feel out of place, in fact, it's like its always been there; an evil skulking behind the garbage bins at night patiently waiting for its prey, salivating for something succulent to sink its achingly hungry teeth into - and sink its teeth it does!
The plot feeds off the paranoia of one housewife in particular, Patricia, thanks largely to her genre of choice when it comes to book club; true crime. When children start to act strange, or even go missing, her knowledge of predators, gleamed from the pages of true crime books sparks her inner detective. From there it's goodbye dirty dishes and daily chores and hello conspiracy theories and monster hunting.
While there are plenty of gory moments, The Southern Book Club's Guide To Slaying Vampires isn't all about that Dracula blood-drinking night life. I found it to be a character centric tale which emphasis the nature of neighbourly love, friendship, family, and the deep rooted behavioural to protect ones patch (while, you know, taking out vampires).
The Southern Book Club's Guide To Slaying Vampires is a perfect blend of well written mass market paperback horror (yes, there are some from the 80's and 90's which are actually worth reading (though I do love those highly collectable covers)) and a more realistic take on the themes prevalent in Desperate Housewives. I can't recommend this book enough! ...more
The Sun Down Motel is a perfect balance between murder mystery and paranormal, with the bridge to the latter ever so delicately crossed and seamlesslyThe Sun Down Motel is a perfect balance between murder mystery and paranormal, with the bridge to the latter ever so delicately crossed and seamlessly woven into the fabric of the broader mystery. Highly recommend. ...more
This story conjures some wicked imagery; think The Wraith by Joe Hill (for Dr. Nine and Dylan) and the scary Silent Hill nurses (for Dr. Nine's nurse This story conjures some wicked imagery; think The Wraith by Joe Hill (for Dr. Nine and Dylan) and the scary Silent Hill nurses (for Dr. Nine's nurse assistant) for a glimpse into the nightmarish characters Glimpses so terrifies readers with. Add a little of Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden for good measure and this story becomes a veritable melting pot of horror. ...more
Isaiah Quintabe (aka IQ), is a quasi PI and modern day Sherlock. In Hi Five, the fourth installment of the series, IQ is forced to look into a locked-Isaiah Quintabe (aka IQ), is a quasi PI and modern day Sherlock. In Hi Five, the fourth installment of the series, IQ is forced to look into a locked-room-type-scenario in which a promising underworld figure is slain in a cold and clinical manner;the only ‘witness’, an arms’ dealers’ daughter, Christiania, who happens to have multiple personalities, all polar opposites of one another. IQ’s immense powers of deduction, and fast ability to fact-find are tested to the extreme in a case he’d rather not have anything to do with.
This one took a little while to grow on me. Sure, Christiania is an intriguing character who adds complexity to the case, but early on, much of the action and plotting was lost in favor of the author’s social commentary on racism, mental health, gun control, and poverty. All that was built with Christiania as suspect and semi-victim was lost in the outside noise. Luckily, the story steadily took precedence and Hi Five, in the end, felt right at home alongside the other three volumes in the series....more
While the book and series have provided readers/viewers with a lot of information about the fictitious closed-off society of Gilead, there is still soWhile the book and series have provided readers/viewers with a lot of information about the fictitious closed-off society of Gilead, there is still so much to explore/exploit in this well crafted and scary dystopian setting brought to life in The Handmaids Tale.
The shock and awe moments which made the first book so memorable aren't as prevalent here, but the characters and their dangerous plights are plentiful, more than make up for the macabre nature of its predecessor.
Aunt Lydia and two reliable narrators (well, they seem reliable) from within and outside the walls of Gilead recount the horrors, truths, lies, and perception of aunts, handmaids, pearl girls, wedlock, slavery, and all things Gilead as seen through the eyes of experience and the viewing of propaganda. The three form the testament's trinity; scholars of history analysed through symposiums conducted decades into the future.
I enjoyed the deeper look behind Gilead's wall of hushed secretary where the heinous is no happenstance and totalitarian reins supreme. 4/5 stars. ...more
I enjoyed City of Ghosts; the concept was light but scary enough to know you’re reading horror (albeit a sensitised version by virtue of this being yoI enjoyed City of Ghosts; the concept was light but scary enough to know you’re reading horror (albeit a sensitised version by virtue of this being young adult fiction) and Cassidy Blake, along with her paranormal expert (The Investigators) parents and dead bestie (Jacob) each added a little something to make this a nice well rounded sojourn into the veil of the dead.
Tunnel of Bones, whist equally light and fun to read didn’t add much to the scene set in the first book. Cassidy once again dives head first into the veil to help trapped souls move on, Jacob is still Jacob, and her parents are still The Investigators. There’s not much new (poltergeist activity aside), to the point where Tunnel of Bones could easily be seen a next chapter to City of Ghosts; there’s little distinction between the two.
Whilst nothing noteworthy happened I enjoyed the book but have no real desire to continue with Cassidy’s story moving forward. It was OK; perfect for readers who like their scares in the light of day. ...more
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