Rotten Tommy is a gripping and darkly humorous horror novel that combines the macabre with a suspense and satire. It's also over-the-top, but I d3.5/5
Rotten Tommy is a gripping and darkly humorous horror novel that combines the macabre with a suspense and satire. It's also over-the-top, but I don't mind it in pulp reads; I like them this way.
Overall, Rotten Tommy will appeal to those who enjoy a blend of horror with a twisted sense of humor and don't mind poor characterization of the secondary characters. It was fun....more
The Wasp Factory is a charming little tale of a teenager dedicated to his hobbies that include killing small animals and building intricate death trapThe Wasp Factory is a charming little tale of a teenager dedicated to his hobbies that include killing small animals and building intricate death traps for insects. Ok, not charming. Probably sick.
The plot isn’t as important as the narrative that follows Frank’s delusions and warped way of perceiving reality. He’s a monster in the making. It’s a study of dysfunction and one of the bleakest books I’ve read. Like, seriously, some moments are utterly unnerving and brutal.
And the ending? The big reveal is like a slap in the face. Not exactly twist, but quite potent.
A difficult book to enjoy, but the one I appreciate.
Alex + Ada dives into the complexities of love, identity, and the ethical implications of dating your own personal robot. Alex is an average guy with Alex + Ada dives into the complexities of love, identity, and the ethical implications of dating your own personal robot. Alex is an average guy with a boring life. Things change when his grandmother gifts him Ada, an incredibly lifelike android that looks like it walked straight out of a modeling agency.
As the series progresses, things get complicated. Without giving too much away, let’s just say that Alex decides to hack Ada’s operating system, which leads to troubles and emotions.
It’s a slow story with lots of conversations and thoughts about artificial beings and their emotions. And I think authors succeeded at creating a memorable story with distinct characters. Luna’s art style is static and clean, but I enjoy it and I think it fits the story perfectly....more
This was the best Pendergast story in a long, long time. The time-travel adventure continues and is perfectly paced - it kept me engaged from sta4.5/5
This was the best Pendergast story in a long, long time. The time-travel adventure continues and is perfectly paced - it kept me engaged from start to finish.
At last, Pendergast truly feels like himself again, while Constance proves she's not to be trifled with. Diogenes, while declawed, still earns points for his excellent chapters and a fun, if somewhat over-the-top, ending that might divide readers. Since I love speculative elements, I found the ending pleasing. Both endings, to be more precise.
Nothing says fun summer read like a mysterious, remote Arctic research station with a rising body count. I loved the setting—an isolated Arctic researNothing says fun summer read like a mysterious, remote Arctic research station with a rising body count. I loved the setting—an isolated Arctic research station surrounded by ice, snow, and more secrets than a politician’s diary. From the moment the characters step into the Arctic, the tension ratchets up and never really lets go.
As gripping as the story is most of the time, there are a few moments where the plot feels a bit by-the-numbers. Seasoned thriller readers will guess some twists before they happen. It’s like watching a horror movie and knowing exactly when the jump scare is coming. But that doesn’t mean the ride isn’t enjoyable, mind.
Colony is a solid, edge-of-your-seat thriller that delivers on atmosphere, tension, and scientific intrigue. While it doesn’t reinvent the genre, it’s highly entertaining and well paced.
As a huge fan of Emma Frost, I had to give Bollers’ run a go. It’s much better than atrocious covers suggest, but not without shortcomings. Anyway, siAs a huge fan of Emma Frost, I had to give Bollers’ run a go. It’s much better than atrocious covers suggest, but not without shortcomings. Anyway, since I’m a sucker for origin stories and have a soft spot for supervillain-turned-hero characters, I got a copy and read it in one go.
I liked how Bollers showed Emma as a vulnerable, shy (I kid you not!) teenager, on the verge of discovering powers she couldn’t understand. The first arc showing Emma’s rebellious nature and her conflict with her overbearing father and scheming siblings entertained me.
The later part of the story, while still highly readable, overloaded me with teen drama, angst, love triangle, and all the cliched stuff. It also went longer than it needed to, really.
Anyway, the art is great, the story more than readable, so if you like Emma, and don’t mind some soapiness, I see no reason not to try it.
P. Djèlí Clark’s The Dead Cat Tail Assassins was a wild ride with a breakneck pacing and high fun factor. It surpassed my expectations - I found the mP. Djèlí Clark’s The Dead Cat Tail Assassins was a wild ride with a breakneck pacing and high fun factor. It surpassed my expectations - I found the mix of action, humor, and some horror refreshing and entertaining. And since it’s a short book, I finished it in no time, really.
Eveen the Eviscerator is skilled and discreet assassin who plays by the book. She’s also deadly, undead, and wiped off any memories. She accepts a contract but can’t carry it and mayhem ensues.
The story hurtles forward from the get-go and rarely slows down. Fights, twists, and turns are Legion. It kept me immersed in the story and entertained throughout. I guess it can feel overwhelming for readers who prefer a more gradual progression.
Anyway, it’s a fun, fast-paced and occasionally brutal romp with lots of action and humor. Yes, it’s chaotic and its relentless speed is a bit dizzying, but it’s all part of its charm. ...more
Surprisingly, The Day of the Door is neither a gripping tale of carpentry nor a DIY guide to home improvement. Nope. It is, instead, one of the best hSurprisingly, The Day of the Door is neither a gripping tale of carpentry nor a DIY guide to home improvement. Nope. It is, instead, one of the best horror stories I read this year.
It works on all levels that count (for me) in horror - it ties tight plotting with strong character work and good pacing. The story revolves around a dysfunctional family. Lasco siblings, raised by narcistic Stella, share childhood trauma. They meet again, this time with their mother and a paranormal investigative team to discover the truth about a hellish night that ended their childhood. One thing is sure - their eldest brother Shawn died violently after being dragged behind closed doors. But how, why, and by whose hands? Stella claims she was a victim, too.
The book opens with a brutal scene and has a shocking end. Everything that happens in between feels perfectly timed, well-thought-out, and true to the narrative and circumstances. Unresolved family trauma and a history of abuse tie siblings. Their shared dislike (hate even?) for their mother results in an interesting family dynamics. And I get it - Stella is a terrible person with no redeeming qualities. And that’s what elevates The Day of The Door above most horror novels that use the trope of a film crew in a haunted location. I mean, it’s clear bad things will happen and we’ll get jump scares, but Hightower gives us much more.
As the sibling slowly discover the truth, we get a glimpse at what impact trauma has on family and its members individually. It’s the story about the kids and we spend enough time in their heads to make their responses to events authentic. The scares are real, too.
The Day of the Door is an excellent, often terrifying psychological horror that got to me. Also, this cover is nuts!
I wanted more Doom. I got more Doom. And, generally speaking, it was ok. Except, maybe, for the fact that anything not including Dr. Doom wasn't that I wanted more Doom. I got more Doom. And, generally speaking, it was ok. Except, maybe, for the fact that anything not including Dr. Doom wasn't that interesting. ...more
Books of Doom by Ed Brubaker is a masterclass in supervillain origin storytelling. I can’t say I have an in-depth knowledge of Dr. Doom’s mythos,4.5/5
Books of Doom by Ed Brubaker is a masterclass in supervillain origin storytelling. I can’t say I have an in-depth knowledge of Dr. Doom’s mythos, but as a lifelong comic book reader, I know enough to appreciate Brubaker’s take. His six-issue miniseries serves as a great introduction to Marvel’s biggest metal-masked megalomaniac.
So. Victor Von Doom, the man, the myth, the legend. Damaged genius and a supervillain with a taste for melodrama. Brubaker’s story reveals layers of the Latverian dictator - we get to witness young Victor’s tragic backstory, complete with gypsy curses and familial angst, because what supervillain’s origin is complete without a curse or two?
Now, Doom’s story doesn’t lack trauma and gravitas, but Brubaker finds a good balance between campy fun and Doom’s quest for vengeance. For me, this approach to storytelling made the villain sympathetic and utterly insufferable.
The story is framed as an interview with Doom himself, and this narrative choice gives us a direct insight into Doom’s thoughts, ramblings, and delusions of grandeur. It also makes his descent into villainy feel personal and inevitable.
I also loved Pablo Raimondi’s artwork. He captured the grandiosity of Doom’s rise to power. Even Doom’s moments of introspection look like he’s plotting world domination (which, let’s be honest, he probably is). You half-expect Doom to step out of the page and declare you a peasant unworthy of his presence.
“Books of Doom” is an excellent mini-series any MCU fan preparing for the next Avengers movie should give a try. ...more
A small-town setting and a teenage private investigator trying to explain inexplicable? Count me in.
Marshall Miller is a 16-year-old, curious by4.5/5
A small-town setting and a teenage private investigator trying to explain inexplicable? Count me in.
Marshall Miller is a 16-year-old, curious by nature and unlucky by some twist of fate. One minute, he’s happy to get his driver’s license and go for the first ride, and the next, he’s embroiled in a supernatural mystery. His summer gets a lot more interesting. Snakes in the house? Check. Ghostly dreams? Double check. Missing girls and impersonating cops? Well, it wouldn’t be a proper horror story without them.
The plot gets tighter when Marshall teams up with Noah Storm, a private investigator with a peculiar condition you have to discover on your own. Since it’s a coming-of-age story above all, we get to see Marshall growing up, muscling up, getting through first loves and heartbreaks, and finding a passion for writing. And because he’s a great guy, I liked to see him grow as a human being.
Scott Carson nailed the rhythm of the story - slower, more intimate moments between powerful twists make for an exciting ride. The events around Marshall and Bloomington, Indiana, get increasingly bizarre. Now, not everyone enjoys supernatural elements, but I love them and so I loved story’s resolution.
Lost Man’s Lane is a thrilling read that toes the line between mystery, horror, and coming-of-age drama. It also adds a touch of nostalgia to the mix. In short, this is one terrific supernatural thriller novel with characters you root for and a story that grips you from the first page.
Audiobook narration: Corey Brill has done a great job. ...more
I'm a huge fan of Cullen Bunn, but Invasive didn't impress me. The novel is brutal and extreme, filled with graphic body horror. While I'm okay with dI'm a huge fan of Cullen Bunn, but Invasive didn't impress me. The novel is brutal and extreme, filled with graphic body horror. While I'm okay with disturbing content if it serves a purpose, I'm not sure it did in this case.
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