I've been on a reading roll. We Used to Live Here is my third 5 star read in a row, and this one is going on the favorites list. I love eldritch horrorI've been on a reading roll. We Used to Live Here is my third 5 star read in a row, and this one is going on the favorites list. I love eldritch horror, liminal spaces, and parallel dimension stories. This book delivered in spades. I listened to the audiobook (the narrator is excellent) but learned I missed maps and Easter eggs in the Physical copy, so I've already ordered it and plan to do a second reading very soon. ...more
For a bleak novel People Who are Lost is so much fun. The writing is excellent and the characters are somehow both funny and incredibly sad. This is mFor a bleak novel People Who are Lost is so much fun. The writing is excellent and the characters are somehow both funny and incredibly sad. This is my third Elizabeth Bedlam novel; I already can't wait for my fourth....more
Final Girls is a quick sci-fi horror that runs the gauntlet of elements like virtual reality, zombies, and assassins in 112 pages. It was a fun read, Final Girls is a quick sci-fi horror that runs the gauntlet of elements like virtual reality, zombies, and assassins in 112 pages. It was a fun read, and for sci-fi it doesn't feel that far into the future to imagine doctors using virtual reality for therapy in some form or another. The characters were enjoyable and I loved the end. I'm going to try Grant's Parasite next :)...more
I bought this one on a whim after seeing someone post about it online, and it ended up being a super enjoyable book. Hunting Snipe is a fictional storI bought this one on a whim after seeing someone post about it online, and it ended up being a super enjoyable book. Hunting Snipe is a fictional story that takes place during the real life events of the East Texas Cattle Mutilations in 2023. I love the X-Files but have a terrible time finding a decent Alien book. This one, however, really hit the spot! Hunting Snipe is well written with interesting, flawed characters and lots of creepy happenings. I'll be on the look out for more from this author. 5 flayed cow heads. ...more
Mary wasn't quite what I expected it to be. Nat Cassidy's writing is excellent--nice flow, easy to consume, but the first half of this book was a chalMary wasn't quite what I expected it to be. Nat Cassidy's writing is excellent--nice flow, easy to consume, but the first half of this book was a challenge for me. It was slow and a bit repetitive. I didn't like the main character and I didn't like that I knew where the book was going long before she did, forcing me to wait for her to catch up.
I could have been a Stalin but I was born with Nadia’s body
That being said, the second half of the book was phenomenal. I grew to appreciate Mary, to understand and root her her. The pace picked up, as did the action. The townspeople showed their ugliness and horror started coming together.
There were a few fantastic scenes of true darkness and body horror. A few that made me cringe away as a woman, which is always impressive. The themes, despite being a tale of cults and serial killing, really boiled down to the indignities of being a woman and growing older. It was quite tragic, really. 3 stars for the first half and 5 stars for the second half....more
I'm not usually big on short story anthologies. I find jumping from one short tale to another jarring, so I took my time with this one, breaking for aI'm not usually big on short story anthologies. I find jumping from one short tale to another jarring, so I took my time with this one, breaking for a day or so after each. Even though it ended up taking me a while to get through, I'm glad I did because each and every story in Songs of a Dead Dreamer and Grimscribe demanded reflection.
It all reminds me of that trite little fable of the Chinese philosopher (Chuang Tzu?) who dreamed he was a butterfly but upon waking affected not to know whether he was a man who’d dreamed he was a butterfly or a butterfly now dreaming…you get the idea.
Like with all of Ligotti's work, this anthology is deep and dark. It screams of primal fears and unsettling realities. Of the uncanny and otherworldly. Lovecraft's influence is obvious in a many tales. The Last Feast of Harlequin is even dedicated to him, and it's obvious why. Ligotti's prose capture that special quality of Lovecraft that so very few do.
Go to sleep now, dummy. There, he has gone back to his lifeless slumber. Be glad I didn’t make one that screams.
My absolute favorites were: Dream of a Manikin The Last Feast of Harlequin The Frolic Les Fleurs The Christmas of Aunt Elise Dr Voke and Mr Veech In the Shadow of Another World Dr. Locrian's Asylum
Inside The Devil's Nest is about a family who's on the run and ends up in the clutches of a supernatural cult. This is my first John Durgin novel. It Inside The Devil's Nest is about a family who's on the run and ends up in the clutches of a supernatural cult. This is my first John Durgin novel. It started strong and carried forward with a nice, quick flow. The characters were flawed, and the violence was impactful. I enjoyed Durgin's writing and I'll be on the look out for more of his work. I think my only issue is that I keep reading books about cults because I think I like them, but I'm realizing I don't. They're always the same: charismatic but evil leader, zealous followers, desperately needy gods. I'm kinda over it. But for anyone else that enjoys cult horror, this one is a must read. ...more
Cursed is a solid cursed object novella. Interesting characters and great writing. It could have been a bit more atmospheric for my personal liking. ICursed is a solid cursed object novella. Interesting characters and great writing. It could have been a bit more atmospheric for my personal liking. I'll definitely pick up the author's next book....more
Like all of Tremblay's works, Horror Movie is well written, entertaining, and clings to your psyche a little longer than the average tale.
The Thin KidLike all of Tremblay's works, Horror Movie is well written, entertaining, and clings to your psyche a little longer than the average tale.
The Thin Kid sounds human, though. Never once does he sound like an animal bleating. He sounds human, terribly human.
The story is told to us through a 90's original movie script as well as the narrator describing the behind the scenes and aftermath. The screenplay itself is dark, and while I'd love to see it turn into a real movie (kind of a twisted slasher), I doubt the book would translate well.
Horror Movie is thoughtful and won't be for everyone, especially those looking for the generic slash and burn books. But it was everything I wanted it to be.
I always love revisiting Jack and Jerry at their gas station on the edge of town! Such fun books, full of ridiculous happenings and quirky antics. NotI always love revisiting Jack and Jerry at their gas station on the edge of town! Such fun books, full of ridiculous happenings and quirky antics. Not sure if the author will write of this more series but I'll keep my fingers crossed. ...more
I never heard of this book or author until someone on Facebook said the audiobook was free on Audible. Rarely able to pass up a bargain, I snatched itI never heard of this book or author until someone on Facebook said the audiobook was free on Audible. Rarely able to pass up a bargain, I snatched it up and began listening to David Linski's narration of the remote Australian town of Nebulah. And I'm so glad I did! Without any spoilers, this is one of those supernatural books where the characters feel real, their actions and deeds never falling into contrived territory. I understood and believed them even though their situation was incredible. The first half was a bit of a slow burn but the second half picked and ended with one hell of a bang. 5 stars!...more
This is my second Ligotti book (1st non-fiction) and his writing is right up my alley. I'm excited to find more of his works.This is my second Ligotti book (1st non-fiction) and his writing is right up my alley. I'm excited to find more of his works....more
BETA: a Technological Nightmare was tons of fun. The writing was entertaining and plot had a quick flow. I don't read a lot of sci-fi. Anything too ouBETA: a Technological Nightmare was tons of fun. The writing was entertaining and plot had a quick flow. I don't read a lot of sci-fi. Anything too out there and I usually lose interest. But this book kept me engaged from start to finish. My only gripes were the use two tropes I'm utterly exhausted of. 1) The author protagonist. This has gotten so popular over the last few decades that I can't stand it any longer. Seriously, you're are a writer; get more imagination. 2) The crazed female stalker in love with the mediocre man. Maybe this trope could still be used if done with a new, interesting twist. But otherwise it is just old and tired and boring.
There was a lot I liked about The Fourth Whore by EV Knight. It's dark and gritty. I'm always a fan of religious apocalypse books when there's a healtThere was a lot I liked about The Fourth Whore by EV Knight. It's dark and gritty. I'm always a fan of religious apocalypse books when there's a healthy dose of sympathy for the devil. And while Lilith isn't the devil, she is a fantastic mythological character with strong feminist symbolism. So it's not surprising the author set her up to seek out other downtrodden women to start the end of days.
However, there was no true battle of good vs evil because both sides are pretty terrible, and our protagonist, Kenzi, is caught between them.
My only issue is that despite the epic idea the book wasn't very memorable. The end just kind of fizzled out and left me a bit disappointed....more
As always with this author the writing of The Girl on the Porch is fantastic. Chizmar is an incredible storyteller but this one was just okay for me. As always with this author the writing of The Girl on the Porch is fantastic. Chizmar is an incredible storyteller but this one was just okay for me. The book is short though, only 152 pgs, and it felt like just as the intrigue was starting to ramp up the book suddenly ended. ...more
A storm is rolling over Six Mile Island. With it comes something ancient.
Lovely, Dark & Deep is my kind of book!! The writing is engaging and perfectA storm is rolling over Six Mile Island. With it comes something ancient.
Lovely, Dark & Deep is my kind of book!! The writing is engaging and perfectly paced. The characters are fleshed out and interesting. And the plot is full of dark imagery.
I went into this book fairly blind but assumed it was going to be cosmic horror based on the blurb...not sure why now, lol. However, the narrative took a hard turn, and while cosmic is my favorite subgenre, I was 100% in for this.
I didn't want it to end. Now that it did, I feel a book hangover coming on.
The September House was a proper rollercoaster of the book. Some parts were light and engaging, others deeply annoying, and others still had me hanginThe September House was a proper rollercoaster of the book. Some parts were light and engaging, others deeply annoying, and others still had me hanging on to every word with baited breath. Margaret, our protagonist was empathetic and charming. She wove a tale we've heard before in a refreshing new light while being funny, thought-proving, and at times heartbreaking. Her daughter Katherine was less so. But I believe the author really wanted to showcase the anger and control issues that can befall a child who grows up in a home like hers. (view spoiler)[I thought the parallels drawn between hauntings and domestic abuse were clever and tragic. But most of all I loved that Hal didn't get to come back and have his moment of redemption in the end like I worried he would. (hide spoiler)] There were twist and turns in The September House, some I didn't love and others I did. But I always give props to an author who writes well enough to trick or surprise me. And Carissa Orlando did just that. 4.5 bleeding walls.
This is my first V. Castro book, though I've read some of her comics (which were excellent). I enjoyed her fresh spin on possession. The characters weThis is my first V. Castro book, though I've read some of her comics (which were excellent). I enjoyed her fresh spin on possession. The characters were interesting and relatable, and the pacing quick. The main theme was female empowerment and women taking care of other women, which is always fantastic, but I think I was looking for a little more 'horror'. I wished the subplot with the priest was more in-depth - had a little more bite in it. But overall I'd definitely recommend. 4 out of 5 goddesses squatting in the flowers....more
I respect that I'm in the minority but Pines didn't work for me. I love Crouch's Dark Matter, and I'll definitely read more of his work but not this tI respect that I'm in the minority but Pines didn't work for me. I love Crouch's Dark Matter, and I'll definitely read more of his work but not this trilogy. I found it it too slow, too repetitive, and when the big reveal was made it left me rolling my eyes....more
Loading...
