The dead don’t walk. Except, sometimes, when they do.
What Moves the dead is my third Kingfisher novel after The Hollow Places and The Twisted Ones. EaThe dead don’t walk. Except, sometimes, when they do.
What Moves the dead is my third Kingfisher novel after The Hollow Places and The Twisted Ones. Each of these books are inspired by a classic tale: The Hollow Places from Algernon Blackwood's The Willows and The Twisted Ones from Arthur Machen's The White People.
In this case, What moves the Dead is a re-telling of Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher. And wow, Kingfisher truly captured Poe's essence.
I've always loved Poe and I enjoyed The House of Usher even though it seemed to leave more questions than it answered. In What Moves the Dead most of those questions are answered.
But what I really loved was the atmosphere. This book was vividly gothic, matching Poe's style well and veering away from the feeling of Kingfisher's other books. The characters were extremely well defined and interesting. Alex Easton was the perfect protagonist to take us on this macabre journey; witty and curious yet clear-headed and unflappable.
Fantastic read! I can't wait to see what the author does next.
Merged review:
The dead don’t walk. Except, sometimes, when they do.
What Moves the dead is my third Kingfisher novel after The Hollow Places and The Twisted Ones. Each of these books are inspired by a classic tale: The Hollow Places from Algernon Blackwood's The Willows and The Twisted Ones from Arthur Machen's The White People.
In this case, What moves the Dead is a re-telling of Edgar Allan Poe's The Fall of the House of Usher. And wow, Kingfisher truly captured Poe's essence.
I've always loved Poe and I enjoyed The House of Usher even though it seemed to leave more questions than it answered. In What Moves the Dead most of those questions are answered.
But what I really loved was the atmosphere. This book was vividly gothic, matching Poe's style well and veering away from the feeling of Kingfisher's other books. The characters were extremely well defined and interesting. Alex Easton was the perfect protagonist to take us on this macabre journey; witty and curious yet clear-headed and unflappable.
Fantastic read! I can't wait to see what the author does next....more
Crossroads was short but honestly still felt too long to me. The first half was great - a crossroads demon story (which we get so few) and some decentCrossroads was short but honestly still felt too long to me. The first half was great - a crossroads demon story (which we get so few) and some decent body horror. But the second half dragged by. It was so repetitive that I finished not out of enjoyment, but just to get it over with. Crossroads did end strong though. ...more
The main plot of Twelve Nights at Rotter House is overdone - a writer stays in a haunted house to write about his experiences (I just read another booThe main plot of Twelve Nights at Rotter House is overdone - a writer stays in a haunted house to write about his experiences (I just read another book which did it better). But this one had its own unique twist.
I enjoyed the book but it isn't one I'd read twice. There wasn't enough horror for me and way too much drama. ...more
I love Rachel Harrison's books. I love her writing style and characters. And Such Sharp Teeth is no different. The pace is quick with action starting I love Rachel Harrison's books. I love her writing style and characters. And Such Sharp Teeth is no different. The pace is quick with action starting right away. The MC is fantastic. Rory doesn't do a lot of whining or stages of denial...which is pretty common these types of books. She is witty, proactive and very likeable. My only gripe is the book became a bit too romancy for me about the halfway point. I'm more partial to dread and violence in my werewolf stories where this one really went for the good feels. But I still enjoyed and will be looking out for Harrison's next tale....more
Experimental Film has a unique and interesting mythology, and Gemma Files is a fantastic writer, but I feel like I wanted to like this book more than Experimental Film has a unique and interesting mythology, and Gemma Files is a fantastic writer, but I feel like I wanted to like this book more than I actually did.
no matter it's actual narrative content, every movie is a ghost story
The book is rich in Canadian film history (which I love), but throughout the first half I felt like I should be sitting in a lecture hall taking notes. It is just so packed full of dry information that maybe wasn't really needed.
However, the second half really picked up and ended with a bang.
Good book, but I probably wouldn't read it twice. ...more
I thoroughly enjoyed Chasing the Boogeyman and I've already searched for more Richard Chizmar books.
I listened to the audiobook, and Chizmar's smoothI thoroughly enjoyed Chasing the Boogeyman and I've already searched for more Richard Chizmar books.
I listened to the audiobook, and Chizmar's smooth writing style along with Chris Andrew Ciulla's perfectly matched narration lolled me into a state where didn't want want to stop listening.
The true crime aspect was brilliant, and I enjoyed the Author's note at the end where we found what parts and people were actually real. ...more
I love Slashers, even (especially) cheesy B slashers, but Tastes Like Candy did not hit the mark.
Some of the key elements of the genre is it's emotioI love Slashers, even (especially) cheesy B slashers, but Tastes Like Candy did not hit the mark.
Some of the key elements of the genre is it's emotions and high octane pace. The characters are always in a near constant state of fear, terror, confusion, and violence.
But not in this book. The pace is consistently broken by the main character's glib remarks, sarcasm, and stoned babble. And that wouldn't be so bad if done right. I like sarcasm and glib remarks as much as the next girl. But these characters never once felt like they were frightened or terrorized... so neither did I. The story just felt flat.
The author constantly (and I mean constantly!) had the girls remembering some random thought in the middle of what should have been acting-packed sequence, thus dragging the momentum down to an irritating snails pace. The characters were overly contrived and unbelievable. And the villain.... ugh... The villain was painfully predictable.
The Weight of Blood is a re-telling of Stephen King's Carrie with a twist, and it was entertaining as hell. I was taken in right away by this YA horroThe Weight of Blood is a re-telling of Stephen King's Carrie with a twist, and it was entertaining as hell. I was taken in right away by this YA horror. The characters were vivid and flawed...some more than others, and the setting was one we all know and understand.
Mrs. Morgan had turned around just in time to see the second pencil sail and disappear into a forest of tight black coils and curls. The class all but rolled in the aisles, laughter echoing down the hallways.
I'm not sure if the podcast aspect really added to the story, but I didn't dislike it either.
When I asked him what happened . . . he just kept mumbling, “Maddy did it.”
The story itself was heartbreaking, much like the source material, full of bullying, isolation and child abuse. Throw in a little pre-destined superpowers and a whole lot of vengeful wrath and you end up with book both fun and memorable.
5 stars for me. I think the King would appreciate this one. ...more
She missed death the first time it came for her, and she was ready—maybe even eager—for it here
Hide was tons of fun. I just read another book that cenShe missed death the first time it came for her, and she was ready—maybe even eager—for it here
Hide was tons of fun. I just read another book that centered around a groups of kids dying in an amusement park and it was a big let down. So, I was 100% into the twist of this book.
If all the world is hell and evil is all around them, what else can they do but try to help each other?
I enjoyed the atmosphere, the amusement park visuals, and the characters. It may not have been the deepest novel but I'm always up for a light game of hide and seek. ...more
I, like everyone else, knows Frankenstein from pop culture, but I hadn't actually read the book until now. And wow! It was so much more than I ever exI, like everyone else, knows Frankenstein from pop culture, but I hadn't actually read the book until now. And wow! It was so much more than I ever expected.
If I cannot inspire love, I will cause fear
I LOVED this book. It was beautiful, deep, dark and quite bleak. I can't believe it took me this long to finally read it.
Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful....more
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