A sumptuously immersive dark anthology. I enjoyed it from start to finish, not just because of the intriguing tales, but also because of the clever guA sumptuously immersive dark anthology. I enjoyed it from start to finish, not just because of the intriguing tales, but also because of the clever guided tour that takes you from stall to stall and story to story.
It's a well-organised publication of high-quality narratives, each atmospheric, chilling, and emotive in its own way, whether it features a ghost, curse, grisly crime, or distortion of time and space.
This is a delightful book for fans of good dark fantasy, featuring elegant narration, spooky or surreal twists, and plots that take you on emotional or thrilling journeys. Perfect for Halloween or a cosy read by the fire.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
A must-see tapestry of 1950s Louisiana culture and racism!
Nola's Black Dove follows Noel "Crow" Corbin, a New Orleans mob attorney who takes on a uniqA must-see tapestry of 1950s Louisiana culture and racism!
Nola's Black Dove follows Noel "Crow" Corbin, a New Orleans mob attorney who takes on a unique and frustrating case as a favour to a friend. A black couple wants to adopt Dove, a little girl of mixed race, but her birth certificate states her as white like her mother. And segregation laws at the time don't allow parents of one race to adopt children of the other. And the only way to change Dove's racial identity on the document is to prove her black ancestry beyond reasonable doubt. But the only way to do that is to find her unknown father and have him state his connection to her. But a black man declaring he had a relationship with a white woman is dangerous, to say the least. And the racist powers that be are completely unsympathetic and unyielding to the whole situation. So, Crow must resort to his unconventional tactics as he prepares for a racial reclassification lawsuit that will send ripples through the community and this evil legal system.
The cultural immersion is the best part of this book alongside its blend of real and fictional occurrences and themes. Just knowing that Dove's case is based on real-life events makes the story that much more suspenseful, heartbreaking, and downright enraging.
Through the lens of Crow's grey but deeply caring character, we get a compelling look into the beautiful and ugly side of Louisiana, as well as the Cajun lifestyle and perspective. His personal struggles and overall tale weaved into the lawsuit side of the plot add extra sentimental elements to Nola's Black Dove.
The smooth and simple writing style makes the book very easy to read and particularly useful with the legal process, which becomes more and more exciting and moving as twists and obstacles pile up.
The only problem is that even the character development's narration feels quite soft, often glossed over, and lacking in gritty texture. It still takes you on a passionate journey, just not as poignant as it could've been within such an emotionally and sociologically charged semi-true story.
Even so, Nola's Black Dove is a great novel, perfect for fans of sociopolitical fiction like To Kill a Mockingbird and Where the Crawdads Sing. Absolutely worth a read!
A thrilling jaunt through 1920s Britain, weaving dark monstrous fantasy into history brimming with life and turmoil in equal measure.
Rom Godden, an arA thrilling jaunt through 1920s Britain, weaving dark monstrous fantasy into history brimming with life and turmoil in equal measure.
Rom Godden, an archaeology student, is a very sympathetic character, caught up in her family's secrets and the unnerving truth of her reality: gods and monsters are real, and they have a chilling connection to her.
The plot is rich and exciting, taking you deeper and deeper into this fantastical world steeped in mythology, science, and philosophy. The more Rom and her family and friends get tangled in it, however, the steeper the price becomes.
The only downside to Rare Birds is its narration. Overall, the book is well-written in a creative style, but this sometimes makes passages tricky to understand. Dialogues are affected, too, as lines of reasoning become muddled in what seems to be an effort to sound natural and contemporary.
So, while I really enjoyed the story and its characters as a whole, I found it difficult to immerse myself and feel invested in everyone's fate. Regardless, I'd keep reading the series for its vibrant themes and messages.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
The Vanishing Forest is one of the best dark fantasy books I've read in a while. It's an exciting mix of engaging characters, scary woods, horror, andThe Vanishing Forest is one of the best dark fantasy books I've read in a while. It's an exciting mix of engaging characters, scary woods, horror, and mystery. The monsters alone add fun chills as they get bigger and grislier throughout the story.
The writing is simple and easy to read, smoothly immersing you in the action, developing character relations, and intriguing twists. I was compelled to keep reading and find out the truth of the story's core puzzle.
Unfortunately, some descriptions were a bit clunky or confusing, giving me pause. Even so, I found the story well-balanced and satisfying from start to finish. I would absolutely recommend it to fans of mysterious and meaningful monster-fighting horror.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily....more
Shadows Over the Rabbit Hole is exciting from the start. It opens with the main character Damian reaching a new milestone with his adored girlfriend jShadows Over the Rabbit Hole is exciting from the start. It opens with the main character Damian reaching a new milestone with his adored girlfriend just before being hit by a car. Once out of his coma, he finds his photographic memory has evolved to the point where he remembers uncanny details about the hit-and-run but also about various events he can't account for. He tries to work out what happened, while his relationship takes a turn for the worst. The rest of the book comes from the perspective of different characters connected to Damian's story and subsequent events, culminating in acts of desperation and heroism.
The twists and intrigues are the narrative's winning features, including each character's emotional journey and Damian's incredible new abilities that lead to a thrilling ending. While the core plot is about what happened and why, Shadows Over the Rabbit Hole explores psychological themes more, such as rocky relationships and coping with serious illnesses.
One downside to this book is the writing style. Generally speaking, it's enjoyable and easy to read, but some descriptions are a bit awkward, and there's only so much you can chalk up to being lost in translation.
In terms of the characters, their lives and development are quite engaging. You can't help but feel for them in their hardships and triumphs. However, I can't say I like Damian very much. The male gaze is strong with him, which (to avoid spoilers) makes his surprise at certain possibilities funny, to say the least. But it's part of his flawed character among other troubled individuals making sense of their circumstances.
Unfortunately, the clunky writing style affects some of the dialogue too. Most of the time, the flow is okay, but now and then the phrasing becomes strange. Again, they could be speech patterns and attitudes that just don't translate well into English. Nevertheless, these moments affect the overall reading experience.
Despite some shortcomings, I did enjoy Shadows Over the Rabbit Hole. If you love strange and impactful tales like Donnie Darko, this book is worth diving into. It's a compelling weave of lives, people connected and affecting each other in unsuspecting - and sometimes extraordinary - ways.
The Witching Tide puts you in the thick of East Anglia's 1645-7 witch hunts. It follows old and mute Martha Hallybread, a healer, midwife, loyal servaThe Witching Tide puts you in the thick of East Anglia's 1645-7 witch hunts. It follows old and mute Martha Hallybread, a healer, midwife, loyal servant, and longtime resident of the fictional village of Cleftwater.
When witch hunter Makepeace arrives to investigate a series of misfortunes suspected of being the work of witches, paranoia and cruelty take over the small community. When her household's cook is taken, Martha's master tries his best to save her, resorting to offering Martha as a search-woman (local midwives and such who assisted witch hunters by checking women for signs of witchcraft). Martha attempts to help the imprisoned and tormented women while dodging suspicion herself - and she has much to hide...
The story is dark and visceral. Through Martha's eyes and silence, you see the horrid face of superstition and misogyny. You're trapped alongside her, witnessing the humiliation and torture of women labelled as witches. It's immersive, disturbing, heartbreaking.
The only problem is that the narration occasionally becomes muddled, the meaning of its threads unclear. Even so, this is a powerful book, if not for the light of heart. It's raw and honest about how witch hunts twisted people and communities into murdering innocent women, as well as men who defended them. A hard book for hard truths....more
A lot happens to Nancy Carruthers: her mother has a stroke, her ex-husband reappears to connect with their son, and Carl, her neighbour who died two yA lot happens to Nancy Carruthers: her mother has a stroke, her ex-husband reappears to connect with their son, and Carl, her neighbour who died two years prior, shows back up and wants to chat... Nancy is not okay.
Equinox follows her and a few other characters within a tangle of lives and struggles, each seeking healing in various forms - forgiveness, compassion, understanding, self-fulfilment. And Carl is there with kind and wise words for anyone who needs them.
This book is very well written, smooth, and emotional, immersing you in every mindset and how all these people connect with and affect one another. Even though some perspectives aren't strictly necessary to the core plot, the multiple POVs add to the psychological impact of Equinox. However, the plot could have used a bit more suspense, excitement, or twists here and there to break up the languid, psychology-driven narration.
So, who is this book for? If you like calm, inspiring, and well-written stories about family and healing with a splash of the supernatural, you'll love Equinox. You'll come away with beautiful messages of love, hope, and unity. It's a sweet and influential read....more
This was a very amusing read. Besides his surreal situation that grows in complexity and meaning, Mr. Albert is a memorable character, to say the leasThis was a very amusing read. Besides his surreal situation that grows in complexity and meaning, Mr. Albert is a memorable character, to say the least: blunt and caustic but also funny, intellectual, and unexpectedly endearing. Santo is just as entertaining. Together they embark on a hunt for answers that turns absurd as much as intriguing and ends in quite a moving twist. Bear with Mr. Albert, and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Merged review:
This was a very amusing read. Besides his surreal situation that grows in complexity and meaning, Mr. Albert is a memorable character, to say the least: blunt and caustic but also funny, intellectual, and unexpectedly endearing. Santo is just as entertaining. Together they embark on a hunt for answers that turns absurd as much as intriguing and ends in quite a moving twist. Bear with Mr. Albert, and you'll be pleasantly surprised....more
I enjoyed the spooky plot and its supernatural aspects. The characters were compelling, mainly because of their sympathetic backgrounds, ranging from I enjoyed the spooky plot and its supernatural aspects. The characters were compelling, mainly because of their sympathetic backgrounds, ranging from a girl being marginalised for her disabilities to a woman traumatised by her husband who was changed by the horrors of war. The narration is funny at times, not to mention historically intriguing.
The downside is that the book desperately needed copy-editing. A few errors here and there I can live with, but in this case, there were so many problems in terms of grammar, formatting, narration, dialogue, and more that the narrative as a whole was diminished. Hopefully, future editions will do this book justice....more
I really enjoyed this book's refreshing take on paranormal investigation stories. The case it uses feels familiar, but the story's delightful characteI really enjoyed this book's refreshing take on paranormal investigation stories. The case it uses feels familiar, but the story's delightful characters and details (like the tale's monster wearing a derby hat) have managed to draw you in and keep me entertained from start to finish. Upon finishing, I was compelled to get the rest of the books.
The characters really are the strongest aspect of The Pig in the Derby Hat. Mr Theophilious Gout is oh-so-charming in the most English way possible, a quality just as amusing as his great appetite. Clementine Trussel, his uncertain sidekick trying to save her grandmother from a monster, is compelling for her bravery and ability to adapt to the scary but extraordinary new reality Mr Gout introduces her to.
We're also given one or two interesting details about the society Clementine lives in - Mr Gout is kind of in a world of his own. The book could've done with a bit more world-building, but sticking to the point of a story is something I appreciate, and The Pig in the Derby Hat does exactly that.
It's a short but very entertaining story with fairytale echoes. It gently pulls heartstrings, while making you laugh and taking you on a thrilling little adventure. Children would probably love this book, too!...more
A hilarious caricature of rural romantic novels. The protagonist Flora puts her grace, wits, and determination to the test as she decides to tidy up CA hilarious caricature of rural romantic novels. The protagonist Flora puts her grace, wits, and determination to the test as she decides to tidy up Cold Comfort Farm's many problems, mainly involving her Starkadder relatives, each of them a funny, sometimes exaggerated, representation of a typical rural character.
The book also brings in and makes fun of classic themes like a "cursed" family, a domineering matriarch, and a marriage-centric subplot. There are lots of other amusing and surprising details that keep the plot rolling quite smoothly. Some scenes even feel like a play/comedy with characters coming, going, and exaggerating their behaviour.
The narration does drag sometimes because of too much detail about the landscape, mansion, seasons, and whatnot, but the whole story is entertaining enough that it doesn't matter too much. Great book for a good laugh....more
I came away from Writer with mixed feelings. I enjoyed the overall chilling tale, but I found the narration overwhelmingly fractured.
Let's start with I came away from Writer with mixed feelings. I enjoyed the overall chilling tale, but I found the narration overwhelmingly fractured.
Let's start with the premise, which was brilliant: a devil of a (type)writer that grants wishes in a distorted way, tricking the wisher to their demise. The whole book seems to be the story the "writer" constructed for Luke, but it's broken into pieces like a jigsaw, confusing past and present, as well as memory, dream, and truth.
Luke's visceral character is also very intriguing: 80% obnoxious, 20% painfully romantic as he struggles with the hole his own wish left in his life, namely to forget about a woman who hurt him. He and a few other characters, like his romantic interest Danielle and his friend Rafe, are nicely textured and compelling.
The problem for me was the book's crazy structure in terms of syntax and some chapters' narration and placement. It all created so many gaps and vagueries that my mind often drifted or struggled to hold on to the meaning behind certain chapters or scenes.
I did appreciate parts of Writer, but as much as I love strange and fantastical books, this was a bit too much for me as a whole. I felt slightly confused and unsatisfied by the end of it. That being said, readers who love puzzle books should be very happy with this emotional rollercoaster of a novel....more
If you love stories filled to the brim with suspense, intrigue, romance, and humor, El Flamingo by Nick Davies is the book for you.
Lou Galloway runs tIf you love stories filled to the brim with suspense, intrigue, romance, and humor, El Flamingo by Nick Davies is the book for you.
Lou Galloway runs to Mexico to drown his sorrows after failing as a Hollywood actor, but here’s the sunset noir tangle he gets himself into.
After sharing a bottle of mezcal with a stranger in a tiki bar, Lou is left with a flamboyant, pink-feathered hat and no purpose—until he dons the hat.
He’s mistaken for a notorious gun for hire only known as El Flamingo, a faceless ghost, and swept across Latin America in an assassination plot, while falling head over heels for Maria-Carla, his new employer’s wife, who also happens to be a ruthless mobster.
Lou’s humor keeps the whole story light-hearted, making it almost a parody of espionage films. His transformation from depressed to phenomenal actor is also very heartwarming and impressive. You can’t help but root for him.
You’ve got a mixture of everything: mystery, gun fights, epic romance, memorable characters, a dive into Latin American culture, and a fantastic theatrical monologue.
Alongside a plot that never gets boring, you can look forward to interesting themes, from Don Quixote to transformation and the pursuit of dreams.
Above all, El Flamingo is expertly written. There’s personality in the narration itself, which keeps you hooked and entertained from start to finish. But its worth isn’t just in its well-structured combination of classic crime elements.
Through humour and action, it delves into the psyche of someone who completely lost hope in himself and his future before grabbing a surreal opportunity by the horns, one that would turn him from a worm into a butterfly.
This is one of the best books I’ve read in a while. It’s funny, exciting, and wholesome in a caricaturish way. Fans of mystery noir with surreal and amusing twists should definitely give El Flamingo a go....more
Its imagery, themes, and good flow make this book the perfect easy but meaningful read to pass the time with. Young readers might enjoy some of its stIts imagery, themes, and good flow make this book the perfect easy but meaningful read to pass the time with. Young readers might enjoy some of its stories even more. They demonstrate different styles of storytelling and stimulate the imagination without burying you in detail.
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