"What was done in there, in that dark, horrible place, should have stayed buried. And no good will come of them digging up any more of what's down "What was done in there, in that dark, horrible place, should have stayed buried. And no good will come of them digging up any more of what's down there."
The Reddening takes a little time – it’s worth the wait – to focus on two women, Kat and Helene, who each have their own reasons to be drawn to the Devon coast and to its newly discovered caves. It is in these caves where early humans engaged in disturbing, violent rituals. But it’s clear from the beginning of the book that such ritualized brutality was not left in the past.
The story scared me because it felt so believable, from the vivid descriptions of the coastline to the horrific acts of violence. As I turned the pages, I didn’t know what was going to happen next, and Nevill surprised me to the very end. It’s bloody, fantastic, and primal.
“From end to end, history was collected horror, preserved for the fascination of a bestial species.”
As an aside, I happened to rediscover my enjoyment of the drone metal band Sunn O))) around the time I started reading this book. They released two albums this year and both of them are fantastic accompaniment to The Reddening. Both the band and Nevill seem to tap into something beyond us, something ancient. Listening to Sunn O))) while reading heightened the feeling of dread. So I highly recommend checking out Pyroclasts and Life Metal as the soundtrack, should you choose – and I hope you do! – to read the book....more
Five stars for managing to be both very scary and emotionally gut wrenching. The story was literally chilling! Such a good mystery with supernatural eFive stars for managing to be both very scary and emotionally gut wrenching. The story was literally chilling! Such a good mystery with supernatural elements....more
Thanks NetGalley for letting me review the book. Unfortunately, it wasn't a good read for me. I thought the way the story unfolded was a bit confusingThanks NetGalley for letting me review the book. Unfortunately, it wasn't a good read for me. I thought the way the story unfolded was a bit confusing and hard to follow. I'm not entirely sure I understood what was going on and the point of what happened. I also didn't care for the characters; I understand that many of the characters were meant to be bad, but it was a bit too black and white for me; moreover, I didn't like how the women were portrayed. The cover is what pulled me into the story but that's the only thing I really liked about it.....more
Forgive any typos and rambling... Currently on vacation and on my phone. 2.5 stars. I liked the cast of characters, particularly the secondary ones. I fForgive any typos and rambling... Currently on vacation and on my phone. 2.5 stars. I liked the cast of characters, particularly the secondary ones. I found the main character, Alec, to be a bit obnoxious and unsympathetic. I liked the themes explored in the story but thought the execution was a bit messy. Meaning, I think the plot could've been trimmed down and less repetitive. Even though the story had a lot of action and movement, with characters constantly in conflict, it wasn't that interesting to read. She's definitely a good writer, and I did like a lot of the book, but on the whole I wasn't in love with it like I wanted to be. My copy was received from Netgalley and it was much appreciated!...more
I never heard of this supposed true haunting in Nova Scotia before, where a young woman named Esther is afflicted by ghosts (demons?). With everythingI never heard of this supposed true haunting in Nova Scotia before, where a young woman named Esther is afflicted by ghosts (demons?). With everything that supposedly happened - attacks, fires, knives being thrown, etc - you would think the story would be scary, or at least exciting to read about. However, this is written in such a matter-of-fact style that it comes across as plain and boring. And also kind of nonchalant? Like you're getting knives thrown at you, you should put a little more emotion in detailing that!
3.5 stars. Such a fun book! Definitely check it out if you're into choose your own adventure books. I really liked them when I was a kid. 3.5 stars. Such a fun book! Definitely check it out if you're into choose your own adventure books. I really liked them when I was a kid. ...more
“Look for an animal trying to be an animal, Johnny lad, and it’s probably him. He can’t always get it right. ThatAlso posted on my blog, Serpent Club.
“Look for an animal trying to be an animal, Johnny lad, and it’s probably him. He can’t always get it right. That’s why he likes to hide himself in a flock so no one notices.”
Devil’s Day is a horror novel set in The Endlands, a rural community where a few farming families cling to their traditions and rituals.
John Pentecost and his newly pregnant wife, Kat, return to the Endlands after John’s grandfather, The Gaffer, passes away. John has been absent from his family and the community for a while and harbors guilt because of it. When John and Kat arrive at the Endlands, John has already decided that Kat and himself will move back to take over the family farm and raise their family there. Kat, of course, is not privy to these plans, and it’s clear from the beginning that she is not comfortable there.
Their arrival to the Endlands is shortly before the annual Devil’s Day ritual. Devil’s Day commemorates an incident that happened generations ago, when the community survived what they call “The Blizzard”: a supernatural event where the devil arrived. He killed a sheep and disguised himself among the flock, tearing through the land and by the end, killing 13 people. The ritual of Devil’s Day first attracts the devil, who is referred to as “Owd Feller”, with the slaughtering of a lamb, feasting, and singing. Then it casts him out.
While the families prepare to bury the Gaffer and to get everything in order for Devil’s Day, tensions build. Through a mix of flashback, the story is told through John. We learn more about the family history and the conflicts between the Endlands locals and the slaughtermen from the nearby village. John is an unreliable narrator, which contributes to the creepy undercurrent running through the story. His memories are shared in pieces, but it’s clear that sometimes, information is omitted or it’s not the truth. As I was reading, I was a bit fearful of John, and not quite sure that I could trust him.
What also makes the story creepy is the build up of seemingly supernatural events. Mysterious and sinister actions take place, but is it really the work of the Owd Feller?
The writing is beautiful and slow. This is a book that requires patience. Savor the descriptions; the environment is basically a secondary character. Hurley absolutely nails atmosphere and tension. Fans of Hurley’s first novel, The Loney, will appreciate the style of Devil’s Day. And anyone who is interested in folk horror needs to add this to their list....more
I really like this author so I was excited that she had a new book coming out. I got to buddy read this with a friend on here and introduce her to AmyI really like this author so I was excited that she had a new book coming out. I got to buddy read this with a friend on here and introduce her to Amy's writing :)
SO many things I like are in this book. I can't tell you all of them because that would be a bit spoiler-ish. One thing is that I love the strong female main character (June) and the historical fiction aspect. I love seeing women rebel and try to work together. The body horror aspect to the story was very cool and gruesome. I had a lot of reactions to the story while reading because June is really put through hell, and the time period in which the story takes place is so oppressive to women - I was SO frustrated while reading what was happening to her! I liked that the story jumped back and forth between the present day at the asylum and the past leading up to it. I desperately wanted to know what had happened to put her in the asylum, so I felt a tension and nervousness as I was reading. I had a lot of questions while reading and was anxious to have them resolved. Overall, it was a stressful, horrific, but at the same time empowering read....more
The best thing about this book is feeling smug that my hatred for Elizabeth is justified. I always preferred Jessica over Elizabeth, and I love that iThe best thing about this book is feeling smug that my hatred for Elizabeth is justified. I always preferred Jessica over Elizabeth, and I love that in this one her smug, know-it-all-attitude is put in its place. HA!
I read this when I was younger - middle or high school? Not sure - but bought it recently on thrift books because I thought it would be fun to read in the Halloween season. Honestly, the book isn't great at all, and I wouldn't recommend it unless you're already a fan of Sweet Valley High. Fans of the series - or those, like me, who are clouded by nostalgia - understand that the plot is going to be ridiculous and eye-roll worthy, but that's what makes it fun. This one definitely has its ridiculousness and eye-roll worthy moments! And yeah, if you're a Jessica fan, you'll definitely like it....more
I don't want to say this book is better than Dracula, but it's better than Dracula. The way the plot unfolds is anxiety-inducing and heart-pMasterful.
I don't want to say this book is better than Dracula, but it's better than Dracula. The way the plot unfolds is anxiety-inducing and heart-pounding. The characters come alive off the page. I was filled with such dread reading it.
The Epilogue is fantastic as well. Made everything I had just read all the more spooky.
I WILL come back to do a review because I have a lot to say lol
Okay. I'm back.
The Night Gardener is about:
Growing up without parents; Storytelling, aI WILL come back to do a review because I have a lot to say lol
Okay. I'm back.
The Night Gardener is about:
Growing up without parents; Storytelling, and its power; Survivor's guilt; The consequences of greed; & prejudices/xenophobia.
When I write it out like that, I realize just how much Jonathan Auxier managed to fit in his story for young people, and how well he pulled it off; The Night Gardener is chilling, moving and, at times, heartbreaking.
Molly, our main character, is the older sister of Kip. As orphans, they struggle to get by. They're Irish, and face xenophobia and discriminatory remarks from people in England, which is where the book takes place. When we meet Molly and Kip, they are traveling to the Windsor estate where they are to work as servants. The estate is surrounded by "sour woods"; the local villagers refuse to enter the woods and go to the estate, which legend has it is cursed. The Windsors are Bertram and Constance, who are parents to six year old Penny and young teenager Alistair. When Molly and Kip get to the house, however, Constance does not want the children to stay. Molly is able to convince Constance by telling her a story - Molly is quite talented in that regard. And so they stay, although they recognize that something is odd and sinister about the place. There's a tree growing alongside the house, as if its become one with the house:
Most trees cast an air of quiet dignity over their surroundings. This one did not. Most trees invite you to climb up into their canopy. This one did not. Most trees make you want to carve your initials into the trunk. This one did not. To stand in the shadow of this tree was to feel a chill run through your whole body.
And then there are those heavy footsteps at night: Whoever it is makes their way through the house and into their rooms. No one is able to sleep without suffering through nightmares. There's a mysterious locked room with forbidden entry. The house has an evil, dark force, which has already taken a strong hold on the Windsors; Molly and Kip must uncover the mystery before they too succumb to it. It's hard, if not impossible, to resist though: Suppose this darkness had something to offer you, and you could be granted what you wanted? What would you be willing to exchange?
It was pretty brilliant of Auxier to place the story within the Victorian era. As he points out in his afterword, it "was perhaps the last point in Western history when magic and science were allowed to coexist." This idea is executed through the character of a local doctor, who witnesses Constance Windsor's declining health, but is resistant to the idea of the supernatural.
There's an important character named Hester Kettle who is known for her stories - people give her things, or do her favors, in exchange for her stories. Hester helps Molly and Kip find the Windsor estate on the condition that Molly returns to Hester and tells her a story about the Windsor house. I enjoyed their interactions with Hester and the character herself - through her, we see Molly and Kip confront their assumptions about a woman who seems impoverished and carries her life on her back, and Molly learns a deeper understanding of storytelling versus lies. She knows more than Kip does about what truly happened to his parents, and throughout the book she grapples with honesty while trying to protect him from the truth.
Anyway, I think I've babbled enough. This is seriously a wonderful book - such a dark, well-written fantasy, that both adults and young adults can enjoy....more
Not really a 2 star read, because I enjoyed a lot of it, but 3 stars seems a bit much because I... didn't really understand it? I need to read other rNot really a 2 star read, because I enjoyed a lot of it, but 3 stars seems a bit much because I... didn't really understand it? I need to read other reviews or something because I don't really get it. However I'll keep it at 3 stars for now......more
To begin with, the title is so good. It's intriguing, and it makes sense after you finish the novel. I love it when the4.5 stars, but rounded up to 5.
To begin with, the title is so good. It's intriguing, and it makes sense after you finish the novel. I love it when the title of a book creeps into the dialogue or inner monologue.
The book is written in first-person, from the point of view of Nolan. Nolan is a "rogue archaeologist" who explores myths and history that most people dismiss as nonsense. He's moving on up from a web series creator to a potential television TV series, and him and his small crew go check out an alleged cavern in the Grand Canyon, which only a few other people have ever claimed to find. I gotta be honest, I didn't really like Nolan at first. I actually didn't really like most of the characters at first, but by the end, I cared about them. I have a little bit of work experience in the television industry, but on the post-production side, and I think the author captured the spirit and camaraderie that comes with working tightly alongside a crew.
I'm actually quite impressed by The Anomaly. The fun thing about reading this one is that I thought I would be able to predict what was going on, and when I thought I had something figured out, I didn't. Well, there was one thing I had predicted correctly, but I won't say what it was, and that was about it. As a horror novel, with a good bit of science-fiction blended in, it succeeds. I felt fear for the characters and what might happen to them. There were many scenes that were anxiety-inducing to me, but also which made me want to turn the page. Just reading about the characters having to squeeze through fissures in the rocks, for example, freaked me the heck out. Also, the author has a real knack for ending chapters at a OMG moment!
I really don't want to give away what parts of the book were my favorite, because for one thing it would spoil the fun for you, and for another, explaining it out of context would just sound nuts. Some real bonkers stuff happens in this book!
I'm giving this 4.5 because overall I found it to be a unique, creepy plot. I wasn't totally sold on the conclusion but again, don't want to spoil anything. Definitely check this one out if you've a horror fan who likes things like Fortean Times, offbeat news, Ancient Aliens, conspiracies - that sort of thing. I think this is just what you're looking for!...more
Macabre, but sweet. Mysterious, a bit horrific, a bit romantic, and bittersweet. I would like to read it again, but this time from its pages, since I Macabre, but sweet. Mysterious, a bit horrific, a bit romantic, and bittersweet. I would like to read it again, but this time from its pages, since I listened to the audiobook.
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