Quick read, lovely art. I like the way they're slowing bringing the party together.Quick read, lovely art. I like the way they're slowing bringing the party together....more
I'm currently running a tabletop game set in the Blue Rose world, so as soon as this book came out, I snatched it up. It wil3 stars--I liked the book.
I'm currently running a tabletop game set in the Blue Rose world, so as soon as this book came out, I snatched it up. It will definitely help me flesh out some plots for my players, and was greatly helpful in providing world details and character motives.
If you're interested in the high fantasy/romantic fantasy genre, Blue Rose is a great game system--and a great setting. Recommended to those who like talking animals and dashing heroes in their fantasy books!...more
2.5 stars, probably. Somewhere between "liked" and "it was okay."
Because of the topic (sexual assault in a Mennonite community), this should be a tens2.5 stars, probably. Somewhere between "liked" and "it was okay."
Because of the topic (sexual assault in a Mennonite community), this should be a tense read, but sadly I found it mostly dull. The fictional details of the crimes (and, of course, the real-life horrors this is based on) were terrifying and anger inducing, but the setting of the book (it all occurs in a barn in which a meeting is taking place, where the women in the community discuss what they should do) has no forward momentum; the plot literally goes nowhere.
I get that that's the point. What the women are discussing--religion and freedom and forgiveness and equality--is important, and the book gives you a lot to think about. It also forces readers to see something that we might see as black and white in a new light (the illiterate, religious women have a different take on the crime than I do, certainly). I liked the philosophical ideas, and I enjoyed the characters. But overall, I think I might have enjoyed seeing the aftermath of the women's decision more than their decision-making process.
I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it!...more
French's writing, as ever, is wonderful, and her characterizations are spot on. For the first time, I figured out the murder3 stars--I liked the book.
French's writing, as ever, is wonderful, and her characterizations are spot on. For the first time, I figured out the murderer's identity about halfway through (I never do that with French's books). I'm not sure if that means this is simpler than her usual fare, or if I'm getting used to the twists of her mind. Probably the former.
I found myself slightly disappointed in this book (mostly the ending). I'm avoiding spoilers here, but the ending had me disliking all the characters so much I no longer cared about their fates or what they did. Still, it's an interesting concept for French: Normally she's writing from the detectives' points of view. ...more
5 stars--amazing collection. I've been reading Caitlin Kiernan since her babygoth horror days in the '90s. Her early collection, Tales of Pain and Won5 stars--amazing collection. I've been reading Caitlin Kiernan since her babygoth horror days in the '90s. Her early collection, Tales of Pain and Wonder, is one of my favorite books.
This collection contains 20 of Kiernan's short stories (and she's quite prolific as a short story writer--which is, in my opinion, her strongest form). About half of them I've read before in other places. Each story is fabulous, and it shows how far she's come as a writer. The threads of horror are still there, but she's fully embraced weird fiction and dark sci fi as well.
I especially enjoyed "The Prayer of Ninety Cats," which I hadn't read before, and "Fairy Tale of Wood Street." Both are (horror?) stories about movies, which is a genre I particularly enjoy. "The Ape's Wife" is like nothing you've ever read, and "Interstate Love Song" is disturbing and sad at the same time. Highly recommended for lovers of horror, sci fi, and dark fantasy.
The collection includes: * Andromeda Among the Stones * La Peau Verte * Houses Under the Sea * Bradbury Weather * A Child’s Guide to the Hollow Hills * The Ammonite Violin (Murder Ballad No. 4) * A Season of Broken Dolls * In View of Nothing * The Ape’s Wife * The Steam Dancer (1896) * Galápagos * Fish Bride (1970) * The Mermaid of the Concrete Ocean * Hydrarguros * The Maltese Unicorn * Tidal Forces * The Prayer of Ninety Cats * One Tree Hill (The World As Cataclysm) * Interstate Love Song (Murder Ballad No. 8) * Fairy Tale of Wood Street
I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it!...more
Pregnancy is my ultimate body horror, and though this is more in the genre of dark fantasy, the book certainly horrified me 3 stars--I liked the book.
Pregnancy is my ultimate body horror, and though this is more in the genre of dark fantasy, the book certainly horrified me more than most horror novels! It's the story of Lauren, a new mother of twins, who is utterly exhausted--she had a terrible birth experience, has no support at home, and hasn't had a full night's sleep since the birth.
Then she becomes convinced her children aren't her own, but changelings.
I enjoyed the folklore intermixed in this novel, and liked the characterization. However, two things kept me from loving the book: occasionally I found the changing narrator voice grating (it pulled me out of the story to shift to the cop's point of view), and I don't think all the plot elements meshed well (the ending felt too rushed and unexplained).
Still, if you like dark fairy tales with sinister tones, give this book a try.
I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it!...more
3 stars--I liked the book. Though I was going to give it 4 stars until the ending, which I thought fell flat.
This is the tale of a Manson-like cult le3 stars--I liked the book. Though I was going to give it 4 stars until the ending, which I thought fell flat.
This is the tale of a Manson-like cult leader and the young adults (or children) that get caught in his terrifying web. It reminded me quite a bit of "The Girls" by Emma Cline (but without the keen character insights).
Things I enjoyed: Alice's study of folklore. The subplot of the documentary. The chilling portrayal of Mr. Wyck. The description of Alice's mental state. Things I didn't enjoy: The ending (too abrupt for me) and lack of resolution about several (four or five!) key things that I was dying to know about. ...more
5 stars--amazing. This novel is a frenetic nightmare of imagery. The stories and art combine to create a truly chilling, fascinating tale. If you're a5 stars--amazing. This novel is a frenetic nightmare of imagery. The stories and art combine to create a truly chilling, fascinating tale. If you're a horror fan, it's a must-read....more
Got this in the Goodreads First Reads program, hooray! Thanks so much for the opportunity--I appreciate it.
If, like me, yo4 stars--I really liked it.
Got this in the Goodreads First Reads program, hooray! Thanks so much for the opportunity--I appreciate it.
If, like me, you loved Setterfield's first book, The Thirteenth Tale, but were kind of "meh" about her second book, Bellman & Black, I recommend you give this book a try. I greatly enjoyed it, and it felt like almost a combination of The Thirteenth Tale's gothic twistiness and Bellman & Black's quiet folk-tale style.
This is a story about the Thames--but not the Thames in our world--and the people who live and work on its waters. A thread of the supernatural creeps into this novel, adding a layer of spookiness. Vivid characterization and a mysterious plot (that ties together many disparate elements) create a satisfying narrative that was hard to put down. Recommended, and I look forward to seeing what Setterfield does next....more
I'm not really a romance reader, but when I saw Netgalley had some Harlequin Mangas available to request, I was curious.
This3 stars--I liked the book.
I'm not really a romance reader, but when I saw Netgalley had some Harlequin Mangas available to request, I was curious.
This is a very simplified version of the original novel, but it was a fun, fast read. Characterization is minimal and the plot is pretty much what you'd expect from the description, but I smiled as I read. The art was enjoyable--especially the illustrations of formal clothing. (Lots of billowing dresses and such.)
I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it! ...more
3.5 stars--somewhere between liked and really liked.
I adore time travel books, and this one has a lot of fascinating details--time travelers regularly3.5 stars--somewhere between liked and really liked.
I adore time travel books, and this one has a lot of fascinating details--time travelers regularly hang out with their past or future selves (or past/future friends and family). They develop their own slang (included in an index!) and occasionally return with spontaneously materialized items--books or small trinkets--on them. So cool!
It also deals with the specific psychological issues suffered by time travelers--becoming hardened to death (why mourn a parent's passing, for example, when you can just pop into the past and visit?) or feeling out of time.
The characters were likable, and overall this was a breezy, very fast read. I wish it had a touch more depth (especially when dealing with serious issues like murder, mental health, mortality, etc.), but still greatly enjoyed this book--especially how it tied multiple plot threads together.
I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it! ...more
This book is a combination mystery and gothic, with the tiniest dash of a possible haunting. My favorite genres in one! Eve4 stars--I really liked it.
This book is a combination mystery and gothic, with the tiniest dash of a possible haunting. My favorite genres in one! Every time I thought I had the plot figured out, it would twist and turn, leaving me frantically reading to find out what would happen next. It's almost a dual-timeline novel, but most of the plot set in the past is uncovered through letters, books, and diary entries. I enjoy epistolary novels so really enjoyed the format--and I especially liked the plot set in the past, involving a group of nuns who go mysteriously missing during the French Revolution.
Part of Sarah Rayne's "Phineas Fox" series, this book contains a musical mystery (a really spooky one, in this case, about a death song). I enjoyed the characters and will pick up the other Fox books in the series.
I can't believe it's taken me this long to read a Sarah Rayne novel. I intend to read more! I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it! ...more
4 stars--I really liked it. One of my favorite Sharon Bolton novels.
This book combines a supernatural plot with a police procedural, and is great at b4 stars--I really liked it. One of my favorite Sharon Bolton novels.
This book combines a supernatural plot with a police procedural, and is great at both. Florence starts as a female cop in the 60s, and gets thrust in the middle of a huge case involving missing and murdered children. This book examines the case and politics around it--and also the town's secret and historical witchcraft, which Florence becomes enmeshed in. The book spooked me a couple times!
By far my favorite thing about this book is the ending. It's totally brutal and ties together every previous strand of the book (even some that seemed inconsequential). Recommended for those who like some scary paranormal with their mysteries--or those looking for a witchy read.
I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it!...more
4 stars--I really liked it. Trigger warnings for domestic violence.
A quick read, Ghost Wall contains a lot of things I love: British history and folkl4 stars--I really liked it. Trigger warnings for domestic violence.
A quick read, Ghost Wall contains a lot of things I love: British history and folklore, a clear narrative voice, and an exploration of female strength and relationships. Also, bog bodies! A group of students and their professor, along with Sylvie and her family, spend a couple weeks in the wilderness of northern England, living (with various degrees of historical accuracy) as their prehistoric ancestors might have.
Sylvie spends much of her time dodging her father's wrath, contemplating her suffocating future, and marveling at the freedom the college students have. I'm going to be vague to avoid spoilers, but at first I thought the book's title was referring to Hadrian's Wall, which is missing and incomplete in places, but no--it refers to something older and darker. Definitely a creepy central image for the book.
I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it!...more
3.5 stars--somewhere between "liked" and "really liked."
This is literary fiction that reads like horror. The concept behind this book--a virus that ca3.5 stars--somewhere between "liked" and "really liked."
This is literary fiction that reads like horror. The concept behind this book--a virus that causes people to sleep and dream for days, or weeks, or months--is terrifying. What if you're driving a car when you succumb? What if no one finds you and you die, starve to death while asleep? What happens to your children, your pets, your life, while you're sleeping away, hooked up to feeding tubes? The writing in this book is lovely, and I immediately cared deeply about the characters. I couldn't stop reading, and blazed through this book--it's short and very easy to read.
But this book also distressed me. Since I did care, reading about the suffering of the sleepers and their families was occasionally difficult. This is a lyrically written book, but I didn't necessarily enjoy it since I found it depressing--especially the sections about child characters.
I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it! ...more
This book has a lot of body horror, so if you're at all squeamish, avoid! (Seriously. I love horror and I was squirming.) 4 stars--I really liked it.
This book has a lot of body horror, so if you're at all squeamish, avoid! (Seriously. I love horror and I was squirming.) It's about philosophy and technology and aging and some very awful characters doing some very awful things. I really enjoyed how the plot tied together at the end, though, and also loved the complete excess of the story.
There's a slight tone of "a pervy old man wrote this book." (I guess to be expected?) I had insomnia while reading, so stayed up late a couple nights, making the entire story feel like a fever dream, like something unreal. And that's fitting, I think. This book is a sort of crazy, dark nightmare....more
It's been a long time since I read a time-travel book, I realized as I was reading this one. And I really enjoy them! Despi4 stars--I really liked it.
It's been a long time since I read a time-travel book, I realized as I was reading this one. And I really enjoy them! Despite some minor anachronisms, I found myself engrossed in Xanthe's story--both in the present and the past. There was a bittersweet romance, some lovely characters (especially Flora), and overall a cozy feel to this book.
I was pleased to see this is the start of a series. I'll definitely pick up the next book.
I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it! ...more
3.5 stars--somewhere between "liked" and "really liked."
Morton is a master at writing stories about secrets from the past that affect the present. All3.5 stars--somewhere between "liked" and "really liked."
Morton is a master at writing stories about secrets from the past that affect the present. All her books have immediately hooked me, causing me to race to the end to find out what happened. This one was no different; the characters are sympathetic and the story fascinating.
Two little niggles I had about this book that kept it from a true 4-star rating: I thought some of the middle chapters were overlong or even unnecessary, and man... was this sad. The conclusion was pretty heartbreaking (and horrific, if you spend too much time thinking about it).
Still, I loved the story about Victorian artists, whose actions caused ripples into the present. Morton is an always-read author for me....more
4.5 stars. This is a fabulous ghost story! (Warnings for two violent animal deaths.)
This book is about a picture-perfect English cottage--crumbling st4.5 stars. This is a fabulous ghost story! (Warnings for two violent animal deaths.)
This book is about a picture-perfect English cottage--crumbling stone walls, a flourishing rose garden, a cozy, antique-filled interior--that happens to be a place where terrifying things keep happening. What I love about this book is how the story keeps twisting. I was pretty sure I knew what was going on at the 50% mark--but then the story changed, and then changed AGAIN after I thought I had my bearings. I read a lot of thrillers/ghost stories, so it's not often a book can surprise me like that.
I'm so glad Valancourt is bringing back some of these vintage horror novels. Highly recommended for horror lovers--or anyone that wants a spooky read.
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