Mini blurb: Four friends, each one with their own agenda, visit an abandoned theme park thirteen years after the unsolved mass murder where one of theMini blurb: Four friends, each one with their own agenda, visit an abandoned theme park thirteen years after the unsolved mass murder where one of them lost half his family - but a hurricane is just around the corner, and the supernatural horror that caused the massacre is more alive and hungry than ever...
***
Rated 3.5 really.
First off...DISCLAIMER:I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Page Street Publishing for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
I'm happy to report that, on the horror front, Malicia is a strong book. Coupling a raging hurricane with plenty of bloody scares in the form of monsters straight out of the Dominican folklore (but also providing twists on some more familiar horror tropes), and peppering the narrative with secrets and personal agendas, all on the backdrop of a dilapidated theme park, Dos Santos created a compulsive read whose visuals jump off the page (more often than not in the most gruesome manner ...more
Mini blurb: Fifteen tales drawing inspiration from/reimagining/subverting a selection of classic tales for children (mostly upgrading them to YA) and Mini blurb: Fifteen tales drawing inspiration from/reimagining/subverting a selection of classic tales for children (mostly upgrading them to YA) and offering some unexpected twists.
***
Rated 2.5 really.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Brigids Gate press for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
When I saw Seanan McGuire's name in this anthology's line-up, I did what I always do...I clicked on the "request" button - despite not being familiar with a number of the tales that inspired these ones (keep in mind I'm from Italy). Then I got afraid this would dampen my appreciation of these stories, so when the publisher approved my request, I went and looked up the originals online. It turned out that, regardless of my familiarity with the source material, I might not be the best fit for this book. (Also, please note: I didn't read Wulf Moon's story because high fantasy is not my jam, and that include the tale it winks at...The Hobbit, that I've never read nor I have any desire to). Most of these stories are on the shorter side and some feel a bit incomplete, or end a tad too abruptly for my taste. Some of them I found to be a tad simplistic in style (Follow the Shattered-Brick Road - though it's a nice exploration of grief), scope (My Science Project - though it's amusing) or resolution (Other Earth - though I appreciated the environmental sensibility). My favourite ones include The Scent of Cotton Candy (a darker rendition of Mary Poppins with an interesting sibling dynamic), Waii-Chan and Sparklepony (a tale of toys becoming alive out of love on the backdrop of innocence lost, with a vein of philosophy) and of course Specials by Seanan McGuire (unsurprisingly, the darkest- and most satirical - of the bunch, taking a jab at the adults' hypocrisy and their counterintuitive capacity to create monsters). All in all, these stories were a mixed bag for me, but my bar for anthologies is especially high, so I recommend that you read a range of reviews before you decide if this collection is for you.
Note: definitive review (I don't have enough to say to justify writing a full-length one later, and of course I don't plan to reread this book; also, due to time commitments, I've decided not to write full-length reviews anymore for short stories, novellas and anthologies, except in special cases or unless they're part of a series)....more
Mini blurb: A compendium of all McGuire's favourite things to write about and then some: viruses/apocalypses, libraries, dead girls, (unforgiving) porMini blurb: A compendium of all McGuire's favourite things to write about and then some: viruses/apocalypses, libraries, dead girls, (unforgiving) portal universes, (so-called) monsters, Halloween, carnivals, (murderous) mermaids, winter personifications, (socially challenged/harassed) superheroes...familiar topics given an endless series of new twists. Oh, and cheese too, this time. So much cheese.
***
Seanan McGuire's second mixed-content collection after Laughter at the Academy offers a reprint of some stories she contributed to other anthologies, and a number of her Patreon ones. Given the variety of themes and tones, there were at least a couple that I could have done without (Under the Sea of Stars, because, in the author's own words, it's "structured like a Victorian adventure narrative" - well done, but not my thing; Goodnight, Sleep Tight, because BUGS OVERLOAD ...more
Mini blurb: After the disappearance of a sophomore, four students at an exclusive all-female academy are forced to relive again and again the dreadfulMini blurb: After the disappearance of a sophomore, four students at an exclusive all-female academy are forced to relive again and again the dreadful night in which she vanished, and to share their most shameful secrets in the process - but ultimately, the loop has its roots in a more distant past...
***
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on Edelweiss. Thanks to Harper Collins for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
There were elements of The Lilies that I really enjoyed, while others not so much - but I'll admit that this is one of those books that work better for their age demographic than for adults who like YA, so take my review with a grain of salt. The mystery and the time-travel aspects were intriguing, though a bit confusing for reasons that I'll come back to in a moment. There was a great amount of (often intersectional) representation in the gender/sexual orientation/ethnicity/mental health departments (e.g.: NB protagonist, assigned female at birth, who likes girls; Black lesbian protagonist with PTSD; a couple of transgender female characters, though only one of them with agency; etc.), and the story featured/touched upon a number of issues, namely misgendering, transphobia, parental abuse, generational trauma, drug addiction, ADHD, kid molestation. The four protagonists started a bit too much like dark academia teen prototypes for my tastes, and their voices tended to sound a bit similar, but I appreciated their coming-of-age arcs. I'm not sure if the supposed parallel between the past and present Lilies' erasures (I use this word for a reason) held, except for the practical circumstances, and how cruelty and shame tied in with all that, since the two characters who disappeared didn't have those in common (though they were both impacted by them). Last but not least, I found the ending a bit simplistic, if uplifting, and as a long-time reader and watcher of time-travel stories, I thought that the outcome's impact on the protagonists was underplayed. Then again, I'm happy this book exists for all the teens who feel invisible and "wrong", and I'm sure it will find its people, which is the most important thing at stake ...more
Mini blurb: A teen runner involuntarily awakens an ancient horror that starts stealing people in her small town, including her best friend/crush, and Mini blurb: A teen runner involuntarily awakens an ancient horror that starts stealing people in her small town, including her best friend/crush, and has to race against time and reconnect with her Mohawk roots in order to vanquish it and hopefully get her friend back.
***
Rated 3.5 really.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on Edelweiss. Thanks to Heartdrum/Harper Collins for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
Weaving a myth from the Haudenosaunee culture with a (poignant) legend of her own invention, Isaacs spins a tale of teen love, friendship and self-growth on one hand, generational pain and belonging on the other. First off - The Unfinished is, indeed, a horror story, but one filled with tension and spooky imagery as opposed to gore, though the danger is very real (especially since it isn't acknowledged by the majority of the characters). Squeezed between insecurity and bravery, Avery is a believable protagonist who will resonate with teens willing to change the status quo/fight for what they desire or believe in, but afraid to break their routine even when it becomes a burden. The uncomplicated writing and straightforward narrative make a YA book for actual teens out of this one more than a YA book that will appeal to adults, which is why I didn't rate it higher (that, and the fact that the antagonist's origin story is quite fuzzy). And that's fine! But I did enjoy it, and I saw what it was trying to do, and I can attest that it succeeded ...more
Excerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
Pros: Imaginative plot. Unique, mind-blowing afterlife concept/visuals. Flawed yet lovablExcerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
Pros: Imaginative plot. Unique, mind-blowing afterlife concept/visuals. Flawed yet lovable characters who manage to feel realistic in the middle of mayhem. Cons: Very dark in places (though tempered with funny dialogue/inner monologue). More of a slow-burn than the previous installments. Features some questionable characters' choices. WARNING! Horror, gore and heartbreak (both for the characters and the readers). Underage drinking. A couple of nudity/underage sex scenes (though not graphic/detailed, mostly happening offscreen). An instance of infidelity. An animal sacrifice. Lots of language. Will appeal to: Those who love afterlife scenarios. Those who enjoy a mix of laughters and tears, action and strong feelings. Those who like brave, resourceful teens who don't pose as heroes.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I received this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. And the author being B.C. Johnson, you all know I've been campaigning for his first Deadgirl book with all my might since 2012, when the original version came out. Also, B.C. Johnson and me have stayed in touch, if sporadically, for the whole time. I'm not what you would call a friend of his though, only a fan of his work. And an unbiased one. As usual, this review is the love child of my penchant for quirky, uniquely worded books and B.C. Johnson's ability to deliver them.
THE LONG GAME
Seven years have passed since the last Deadgirl installment (or six, if you count the Daphne novella in 2018...not like one year makes a huge difference), but B.C. Johnson hasn't lost his touch. It's funny, because Daybreak is a bit of a slow burn compared to the other books in the series, especially since the first 100 pages include lots of domestic scenes (if a funeral can be considered "domestic", but you know what I mean) and the main plot seems to revolve around the protagonists' alliance with a certain faction, which isn't my favourite thing to read about. But all this turns out to be a necessary premise to the most exciting (and heartbreaking...and heartwarming - usually, with Johnson, the two go hand in hand) part of the story. Which is why, upon turning the last page, I went back and reread the whole thing, and enjoyed the hell out of it. It doesn't hurt that the afterlife where Lucy has been spending lots of her time since becoming a (still very human) phantom is everything I - the afterlife junk - crave for in a story and more. The Grey is imaginative, visually stunning, almost videogame-like at times, teeming with danger yet interspersed with pockets of love (literally) and beauty. Plus, hands down home to the best scenes in the book - and the most poignant. [...]
Mini blurb: The three teen survivors of a ghost-hunting expedition where one of them disappeared (while the others got physically and psychologically Mini blurb: The three teen survivors of a ghost-hunting expedition where one of them disappeared (while the others got physically and psychologically scarred) accompany a TV crew to the place after two years to get closure; but answers come at a price when they find themselves battling the same malevolent presence that hurt them the first time.
***
Rated 3.5 really.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on Edelweiss. Thanks to Harper Teen (Harper Collins) for providing an ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
Building up more on atmosphere, tension, creepiness and trauma than it does on horror (but still providing a powerful, if familiar, climax), Trespass Against Us is a well-executed dual-timeline story offering lots of insight into its protagonists at 16 and at 18, and managing to make them feel tridimensional and real in both narratives - not to mention, to convey the changes they underwent due to growing up and surviving a tragedy. While I expected the synopsis to be more literal than it turned up to be ("Riley realizes he isn’t just revisiting the most terrifying night of his life - he’s reliving it" doesn't mean the group gets plunged into the past like I thought it would), and though as a seasoned Supernatural fan I recognised most of the tropes Kemp employed (plus I had to suspend disbelief for a couple of not-ghost-related points), I found the story to be captivating (gay romance included), and I appreciated the friendship rep in all its messy, ultimately heartwarming glory. Least but not last, I thought the ending was clever and more grounded than a similar one I've read recently (view spoiler)[see: Malicia by Steven Dos Santos (hide spoiler)], plus open enough without leaving major loose threads. I've probably read too many afterlife/supernatural/horror books to get surprised anymore, but teens will be godsmack ...more
Excerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
Pros: Fresh, atmospheric take on the haunted/magical/evil house trope. Engaging (if sometExcerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
Pros: Fresh, atmospheric take on the haunted/magical/evil house trope. Engaging (if sometimes flawed) characters. Cons: The first section is a bit lackluster. There's some confusion about the protagonist's age. The addiction theme is ultimately brushed aside. WARNING! Grief, panic attacks, anxiety/PTSD, drug and alcohol abuse (offscreen), near-drowning, death of a parent who no longer lives with the family. Will appeal to: Those who like creepy, but not downright gruesome stories. Those who enjoy sisterly dynamics and a pinch of childhood-friends romance. Most of all, those who are fond of mysterious houses and shifting realities.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on Edelweiss. Thanks to Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (Simon Teen) for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
ON THE HOUSE
I've been reading so many supernatural (or in one case, multiverse) books with houses at their center lately, and yet each and every one of them has managed to bring something different (and creative) to the table. I can happily report that House of Thorns is no exception. I'll be honest...it's a bit of a slow burn, and at first I thought it was a fairly run-of-the-mill modern gothic story, but when the mystery about the house started to get unraveled, I was hooked. Told from teen and kid Lia's perspectives, with the interpolation of some chapters from Brier Hall's point of view (which is not a gimmick, but a narrative device that does add a pivotal angle to the story, plus it's really cool), House of Thorns is a novel that blurs the lines between the past and the present, the haunter and the haunted - and even the ultimately familiar trope at its core feels fresh and exciting (OK, a bit heartbreaking too) in this context. While on the surface a tale of (strained) sisterly relationships and childhood trauma, on a deeper level HOT is about the need to belong and to find someone who will fill our empty spaces, a need embodied by the emotional entanglement between a young woman and a house who loves her back - if in a twisted way. Which makes for a melancholic and creepy narrative that works very well with the supernatural, time-bending quality of the story and the sisterhood theme. [...]
Mini blurb: After causing a car accident, a young musician on the cusp of fame ends up in the afterlife and gets a chance to come back from the dead bMini blurb: After causing a car accident, a young musician on the cusp of fame ends up in the afterlife and gets a chance to come back from the dead by performing a series of herculean tasks - but what about the innocents who paid for her mistake?
***
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Xpresso Book Tours and Rebecca Rook for providing an ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
Supernatural meets the Ghost Roads series by Seanan McGuire (there are a couple of details, one especially, that tie the GR world with this one, though I have no reason to think they're derivative) with a sprinkle of The Twelve Labours of Hercules. The author did a good job of making the protagonist likeable despite the reason that landed her in the afterlife, and both her regret and her love for music came across as heartfelt and genuine. The supporting (though not always supportive ...more
Excerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
Pros: Imaginative, inclusive, delightfully quirky. Populated by flawed, yet endearing chaExcerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
Pros: Imaginative, inclusive, delightfully quirky. Populated by flawed, yet endearing characters who feel very real. Written in an apparently effortless, yet magical (and sometimes funny) prose. Cons: Long (though never boring) - if you prefer your books to be on the shorter side. Contains brief but frequent bouts of (graphic) sex - if you'd rather read clean books. WARNING! Some horror/gore. Death of a parent. Grief. Racism. Sexual content. Will appeal to: Those who like a dark yet magical, cheeky yet tender small-town fantasy with coming-of-age themes.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Head of Zeus for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
I CONTAIN MULTITUDES
Every book whose synopsis promises dead/undead protagonists is guaranteed to have my attention - though I don't necessarily read all of them. But The Book of Love turned out to be much more than the story of three deceased teens who come back to life. For one, it encompasses a number of genres - building on its afterlife premise, it soon turns into a mystery, a supernatural fantasy with a magical-realism feel, and a strong coming-of-age narrative, while even incorporating a tongue-in-cheek, yet fond homage to romance novels. It's both dreamy and brutal, tender and acerbic, with messy characters you can't help but love and who feel like flesh and blood even when they're...something else. It's a love letter to music and writing. It touches upon/explores all kinds to familial bonds/relationships, even the strained ones (divorced/absent parents, sibling rivalries, your friends' friends whom you don't necessarily like). It's got queer and POC rep done right (also, "trans women are women" ...more
Roberta R. (Offbeat YA)
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