Abby is a quiet woman who marries a widowed dentist, and moves to a small town cottage, where she does her best to be a good wife and surrogate motherAbby is a quiet woman who marries a widowed dentist, and moves to a small town cottage, where she does her best to be a good wife and surrogate mother; however, she starts to see ghostly apparitions of her husband's late wife ... which she befriends, in the hopes of learning more about the circumstances of her demise. I did not enjoy it: a bit too weird for me....more
Jamie Warren grew up in Sutton's Quay, West Virginia, with his special needs brother, an abusive father, and an abused mother. The mining town has beeJamie Warren grew up in Sutton's Quay, West Virginia, with his special needs brother, an abusive father, and an abused mother. The mining town has been devastated by a collapse, and is known locally as Black Mouth. Jamie has two misfit friends: Mia and Clay, the latter is black and suffers from a loss of pigmentation, making him an obvious target for bullies. They come across a man living in the woods. Known as the Magician, he offers to make them "apprentices" by teaching them various magic tricks and promises much more in return for their unquestioned obedience. Something terrible happens, which is only revealed over the course of the book.
Years later, they have gone their separate ways, but Mia thinks she sees the Magician, who has not aged and takes a photo, connecting first with Clay. He has become a social worker for troubled children, and they connect with Jamie, who has finally returned to Sutton's Quay to bury his mother. Together, they battle internal demons and a truly evil person, after they discover a pattern of deaths seemingly tied back to a travelling circus. This plot has been done many times, and Malfi's version is decent, but I had to drop a star for a completely unnecessary example of animal cruelty....more
A dark fairy tale, with a Hansel and Gretel vibe. Villagers know to stay away from the North Woods, because parents have warned their children about tA dark fairy tale, with a Hansel and Gretel vibe. Villagers know to stay away from the North Woods, because parents have warned their children about the scary things that live there, and always stay in sight of the edge. Unfortunately, this wisdom was not shared with the Tyrant, who conquered the village and established his castle nearby so his two children did not know the dangers. Veris is roused before dawn and brought before the Tyrant, who demands she rescue his children because she is the only living person to venture into the woods and rescue another. The Tyrant threatens to slaughter the village if she refuses so off she goes. Veris bravely battles the evil in the Elmever, but is saved too many times by lessons learned in her first visit, which is revealed only in bits. ...more
A collection of short stories, which are a mixture of bizarre, weird, disturbing, eclectic, and offbeat. Somewhat reminiscent of Rod Serling's TwilighA collection of short stories, which are a mixture of bizarre, weird, disturbing, eclectic, and offbeat. Somewhat reminiscent of Rod Serling's Twilight Zone or Night Gallery television series. Like others, I thought the most creative and speculative stories were the first ones. Bora Chung has mixed together some strange cultural ideas from her Korean culture and her Russian studies. You will know if this book is for you when you read the first story....more
A strange, sexually transmitted plaque is ravaging suburban Seattle in the '70s. Massive doses of drugs, teenage sex and love, violence, and mutants. A strange, sexually transmitted plaque is ravaging suburban Seattle in the '70s. Massive doses of drugs, teenage sex and love, violence, and mutants. The book was a struggle for me, as a number of the characters looked similar so I was often unsure who sleeping with whom, who died, etc. In my opinion, the author's choice to make everything black and white compounded this confusion, especially since everything in the book content-wise was shades of gray. Not for me....more
Awful, at least for me. Mario and his wife Melisa have to deal with tragedy, which ends their marriage. Mario falls in a rut, and starts working as anAwful, at least for me. Mario and his wife Melisa have to deal with tragedy, which ends their marriage. Mario falls in a rut, and starts working as an assassin punishing bad hombres. Then, his one true friend Brian introduces him to Juan Carlos (Juanca), who is looking for two partners for a big score, ripping off one of the cartels. Mario convinces himself that this money will help him reunite with Melisa since one of their ongoing problems was a lack of suitable jobs and pay. Then things get trippy horror weird as their patron is deeply involved in serious bad magic. In addition to whiny characters, horrible racism against Hispanics, the Spanish dialogue was not translated nearly enough for us gringos to follow along. Over the top violence and grotesque developments again and again....more
A rather weak effort, with too much action and not enough plot. Kill or be killed: children versus the demons, with both sides suffering some losses. A rather weak effort, with too much action and not enough plot. Kill or be killed: children versus the demons, with both sides suffering some losses. Also, there are now too many humans to remember, and we barely see any of the original crew, except for Emma. Tiring of this series....more
Emma and Lucas rally the survivors at the Goldy Pond facility to take on the demons, who do not expect resistance and do not believe that the puny humEmma and Lucas rally the survivors at the Goldy Pond facility to take on the demons, who do not expect resistance and do not believe that the puny humans can be any kind of threat. But, the prey become the hunters, using knowledge that the demons do not think they possess. And, there is a surprise in these chapters, as a character returns from the dead....more
The first half was pretty lame, as the story wandered sort of aimlessly, with Emma, Ray and their still-unnamed guide looking for Area 08-63 (Goldy PoThe first half was pretty lame, as the story wandered sort of aimlessly, with Emma, Ray and their still-unnamed guide looking for Area 08-63 (Goldy Pond.) Emma gets riled up trying to win his support, when she disappears, finding herself in the middle of a hunt. She tries to help her human allies, and eventually finds new companions trying to survive in a demon playground in the second half of Volume 8. ...more
Emma, Ray and their troupe have arrived at the coordinates provided by Minerva, and while they have found a shelter, there is a single occupant there,Emma, Ray and their troupe have arrived at the coordinates provided by Minerva, and while they have found a shelter, there is a single occupant there, who lives alone and talks to himself. Emma and Ray decide they need to press on, even though their host says he has searched for Minerva. Nonetheless, the two leaders decide his help is needed and he provides resources and some cunning. (Since he won't provide his name, they call him Geezer.) The rest of the party stays at the shelter, but not before Gilda warns their new comrade that the whole team better return or there will be drastic consequences. I agree with some readers, who think this series has slowed too much....more
I continue to be impressed with the creativity in character and plot development by Shirai. Demons come in more than one variety? It's also good that I continue to be impressed with the creativity in character and plot development by Shirai. Demons come in more than one variety? It's also good that Norman and Emma aren't the only leaders. Keeping it fresh....more
Emma, Ray and most of the kids are on the run from the Grace Field House orphanage, having set a fire to sow confusion, but Mom has noticed their abseEmma, Ray and most of the kids are on the run from the Grace Field House orphanage, having set a fire to sow confusion, but Mom has noticed their absence and ordered the main gates closed. However, their daring plan gets them into the surrounding forest anyway. Instead of finding a peaceful, hospitable environment, there are new threats beyond the pursuing demons. A trusty book seems to have some of the solutions to these threats, but leadership is also a key element to survival. Ray's bravery in drawing off predators seems helpful until Emma gets into some trouble....more
Emma has a broken leg, delaying plans for the great escape. Meanwhile, Norman makes a plan without consulting his two co-conspirators, which they do nEmma has a broken leg, delaying plans for the great escape. Meanwhile, Norman makes a plan without consulting his two co-conspirators, which they do not like at all, but Norman is able to gather some critical and necessary intelligence affecting the plans. Finally, Ray becomes much more likable and helps develop a diversion to distract Mom. The ending made no sense to me, which I guess makes it necessary to read Volume 5....more
Don and Gilda go exploring and find a hidden room containing secrets so they too know the orphanage is fake. They are deeply disappointed in the threeDon and Gilda go exploring and find a hidden room containing secrets so they too know the orphanage is fake. They are deeply disappointed in the three oldest kids and when confronted, they join the plans to escape. Then, one of the younger kids see that the "William Minerva" book plates all contain circles written in Morse code, verifying that the orphans are being raised as food for the demons, and plans for the escape are accelerated. Meanwhile, Sister Krone and Mom are battling for leadership of the orphanage, and readers remain uncertain at to whether or not Norman is an ally or enemy....more
3.5 stars. Better than the first book in the series. Emma, Norman and Ray analyze Mom and Sister Krone while figuring out how to lead a mass escape fo3.5 stars. Better than the first book in the series. Emma, Norman and Ray analyze Mom and Sister Krone while figuring out how to lead a mass escape for the orphans. Norman determines that one of the kids is spy for Mom - so he designs a clever trap to identify the traitor. The answer is a big surprise, indicating that Mom is a dangerous adversary. But even she seems unaware that Sister Krone is plotting her own insurrection, perhaps using the kids as pawns. Lots of competing agendas in the orphanage....more
Legit manga. Emma, Norman and Ray are the oldest, brightest kids at the Grace Field House orphanage, cared for by a woman all refer to as “Mom.” They Legit manga. Emma, Norman and Ray are the oldest, brightest kids at the Grace Field House orphanage, cared for by a woman all refer to as “Mom.” They are fed and clothed well and are getting educated, with only a few rules, such as no leaving the grounds ever. Seems too good to be true. One day, Emma and Norman uncover the dark truth about the orphanage's purpose and decide they need to escape, along with the others. I was disappointed that Emma's character was not stronger, except for her empathy for the other orphans, seemingly leaving the big decisions to the males. And the scheming #2 for Mom was also conniving, possibly with racial profiling overtones. I will be interested to see what happens in the second book, especially with respect to the pace of the story. ...more
It's always hard to end a series, especially in the fantasy genre, but I was super glad to win a copy of this in a GR giveaway. I thought this was betIt's always hard to end a series, especially in the fantasy genre, but I was super glad to win a copy of this in a GR giveaway. I thought this was better than average.
It was great to be reunited with most of James Stark/Sandman Slim's friends from earlier books: Candy, Alessa, Janet, Fuck Hollywood, Kasabian, Allegra, Carlos, Brigitte, Samael, Mr. Muninn, Mustang Sally and Flicker. There are even references to some no longer alive, such as Alice and Vidocq. Only Father Thomas and the hellhounds seemed absent.
Like most of the books, a rip-roaring pace from the beginning. L.A. is in serious trouble as an epidemic is turning citizens into raving maniacs or worse. Violent gangs and new psychos (the Shoggots) are becoming disciples of King Bullet, who seems all-powerful. Even the Sub-Rosa are running scared, and looking for Stark's help. King Bullet seems to have a fatwa on Stark, and is harming his friends, forcing Stark to face perhaps his most lethal enemy ever. Epic battles and ending. My only complaint is the soul searching by Stark, doubting himself because all he seems to do is bring death, dismemberment and grievous injuries to those he loves and likes. Like others, I am not a big fan of Janet (a whiner), happy to see Candy still loves Stark, and Fuck Hollywood will always be a personal favorite....more
A horrific murder happens in Flint City and witnesses and forensic evidence points to the town's baseball coach, Terry Maitland. The local police, ledA horrific murder happens in Flint City and witnesses and forensic evidence points to the town's baseball coach, Terry Maitland. The local police, led by Detective Ralph Anderson, arrest Maitland in the middle of an important baseball game, with most folks watching. Maitland swears he is innocent, and only his lawyer seems to believe him although Anderson has niggling doubts as Maitland helped Anderson's own kid develop self-confidence. Maitland has a solid alibi and fellow teacher's confirmation that he was at a conference in another city. Matters get out of hand at Maitland's arraignment, and Anderson takes a much harder look at witness statements and other evidence, backtracking Maitland's visit to Dayton and the vehicle used to abduct the victim. Eventually, Anderson is convinced something is wrong and they contact Holly Gibney at Finders Keepers, who has unorthodox methods for getting results. Holly's character development, especially her bonding with Ralph Anderson and his wife, is very good. Evil is lurking, and King spins a great yarn as mayhem is let loose, which will stop at nothing to keep deep, dark secrets. Recommended to anyone who enjoyed King's Bill Hodges trilogy....more
I wanted to like this book, but I really struggled. The main character (a young teenage girl named Ropa) acts as an intermediary between the dead and I wanted to like this book, but I really struggled. The main character (a young teenage girl named Ropa) acts as an intermediary between the dead and the living, for which she is paid. She is guilted into investigating the disappearance of another kid, who like Ropa lives in the slums of Edinbugh. As she pokes around, she uncovers other disappearances, including rescued kids, who are very damaged from their experience. Unfortunately, the plot made little sense until towards the end when villains capture Ropa and she has to resort to her own skills to survive, escape and bring retribution. The Library of the Dead is barely involved, and there is too much effort trying to list every neighborhood in the city. ...more
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