Okay, I thought VICTORIAN PSYCHO was going to be THE ONE for me. I was so certain this was going to be one of my top reads of the year that I actuallyOkay, I thought VICTORIAN PSYCHO was going to be THE ONE for me. I was so certain this was going to be one of my top reads of the year that I actually bought a physical copy instead of holding out for a library copy, and I was so, so disappointed.
This has everything I typically love in a book: gothic setting, female rage that’s unapologetically cruel and ugly, it’s witty and sometimes funny - and I absolutely loved the casual commentary towards the readers�.but I couldn’t get into it. I keep trying to figure out what the disconnect was and while I still haven’t been able to figure it out exactly, I think there’s something about the satirical tone that made this feel a lot less clever and a little too…Big Weird Happy Fun House. I’m happy I didn’t DNF like I originally planned because the end was fairly satisfying.
This is probably going to be one of those books I recommend regardless of my personal feelings because there’s enough good here that there’s a good chance other people will like it, even if I didn’t.
The Vibes: Sociopathic behavior, creepy kids, serial killer, witty, gothic/victorian era, high body counts and a lot of blood.
Be Warned: Victorian Psycho isn’t playing. This is very casual and cruel with its gore - no animals, babies, or people are spared. ...more
Anyway, who wants to hold my hair as I dry heave? . . . . . . . . . . . . . TW: Kinky af, transphobia, fluids...so many fluids. Honestly, all the triggers. SA, domeAnyway, who wants to hold my hair as I dry heave? . . . . . . . . . . . . . TW: Kinky af, transphobia, fluids...so many fluids. Honestly, all the triggers. SA, domestic violence, incest...everything. Generally gross and disgusting...and like in a fun way? But also, totally not in a fun way?...more
Calling Lovely, Dark & Deep a quintessential creature feature feels both accurate and dismissive as Stockton blends various elements of horror to creaCalling Lovely, Dark & Deep a quintessential creature feature feels both accurate and dismissive as Stockton blends various elements of horror to create something that feels entirely unique, even if it's wrapped in a familiar package.
Set against the background of a record-breaking storm, a few residents of Six Miles Island decide to bunker down instead of taking the ferry to the mainland and quickly realize there's much more to fear than losing power. I can't remember the last time I was this painfully invested in the fate of a group of characters, and it's a testament to Stockton's writing how easy it is to empathize and like everyone. I wanted to reach into the page and protect them, but all it amounted to was papercuts and blood.
While Stockon takes some time setting up various relationships and an almost idyllic sense of what it means to live on the island, she wastes no time ripping everything apart. Short, tense chapters guide you through an intense fight for survival that's as gruesome as it is heartbreaking. Seriously, you won't walk away feeling okay. By the time you finish, you're going to be bruised and battered from being tossed around the surf and immediately wary of the smell of the ocean being carried in by the wind.
Eerie, atmospheric, and surprisingly heartfelt, Lovely, Dark & Deep once again reminds me why Stockton has quickly become one of my favorite authors. This is perfect for fans of creature features, small-town horror, and the inescapable feelings that come with 30 Days of Night and The Thing.
I stopped giving star ratings, but this is easily a 5-star read. ...more
A group of gutter punks summon a demon-that-isn't-a-demon-but-kind-of-is to protect their small anarchistic utopia, and it's super cool until it isn'tA group of gutter punks summon a demon-that-isn't-a-demon-but-kind-of-is to protect their small anarchistic utopia, and it's super cool until it isn't. This is a weird little book filled with the type of punks you'll find in People's Park on Sundays. And honestly, I didn't really mind hanging out with people named Doomsday, who sit on couches and talk about the ideals of anarchy while getting neck tattoos. It seems enjoying the book will depend on how seriously you take the political ideology of it all. If you're looking for something deep and introspective, you're not going to find it here. If you're looking for a weird story with queer rep, sassy banter, and a pretty cool folky spiritual guardian that's gone rogue, and you can just vibe, you'll probably enjoy it.
Wish it focused more on the folky, ritualistic aspects of the novella, but I still had a good time. ...more
Okay Jagge, I see you! The New Girls' Patient is an intense survival horror with a witchy undercurrent that comes into play in fun ways. This is extreOkay Jagge, I see you! The New Girls' Patient is an intense survival horror with a witchy undercurrent that comes into play in fun ways. This is extreme horror, so expect some stomach-churning gore with graphic content, but it's well-written, has great characters, and the end is perfection. ...more
Listen, I don’t care that this was a fairly predictable alien-esque novella, I loved it! There’s literally nothing better than a ‘there’s something onListen, I don’t care that this was a fairly predictable alien-esque novella, I loved it! There’s literally nothing better than a ‘there’s something on board� premise, and there are enough fresh elements in Scourge that it doesn’t feel as overly done as it could have. The characters are amazing, there’s a relationship dynamic that hasn’t been overly explored in this sub-genre, and there are enough sci-fi elements that make you feel like you are in space without diving too deep into hard sci-fi.
Scourge could have easily been a novel, and the third act takes the brunt of the consequences of it being short, but even that is easy to make peace with. If anything, it feeling too short makes me more excited for a longer novel by the author in the future.
Great if you love: -Space Sci-Fi + creature features -A new twist on an old favorite -Fast-paced action with short chapters -Characters you can root for...more
I didn't expect to be gut-punched by emotions, but here we are. Pretty fresh policey-demon-magic-revenge story. Was immediately hooked by the characteI didn't expect to be gut-punched by emotions, but here we are. Pretty fresh policey-demon-magic-revenge story. Was immediately hooked by the characters, the tragedy, and the story of the demon, but the shift in the second half slowed down my momentum and slightly dulled an otherwise very fast-paced fun story. Maybe I'm silly, but even with the cover art, I didn't expect this to be so gore-infused- a pleasant lil surprise. Worth picking up!
You can’t convince me Mona Kabbani isn’t going to be the next big thing in horror. For You is a dreadful fantasy filled with monstrous creatures, dynaYou can’t convince me Mona Kabbani isn’t going to be the next big thing in horror. For You is a dreadful fantasy filled with monstrous creatures, dynamic characters, and a setting that’s as unique as it is vivid. I love that you’re continuously kept on the cusp of figuring out what’s happening. Don't sit out on this one. ...more
Listen, I'm not really sure what I read, but I f*cking loved this book. A grotesque, gothic horror with the right amount of surrealism. The atmosphereListen, I'm not really sure what I read, but I f*cking loved this book. A grotesque, gothic horror with the right amount of surrealism. The atmosphere and emotion literally drip off the page and I wanted to drown in it. ...more
**spoiler alert** Just Like Mother is essentially a Rosemary's Baby retelling but without the suspense.
What I liked: - The Cult - Creepy dolls - The grow**spoiler alert** Just Like Mother is essentially a Rosemary's Baby retelling but without the suspense.
What I liked: - The Cult - Creepy dolls - The growing unease between all the characters.
What I struggled with - The plot dragged itself out, and although it made things seem realistic in a sense, it dulled any sense of real tension. - There was so much more room to explore the cult. I felt very cheated to have it reintroduced only for Meave to escape so quickly. The cult was the juicy bit and I really wanted to go all-in with the creepiness of it all. - I really disliked the message about motherhood, but I'm willing to admit that maybe I took it the wrong way. I don't have an issue with Maeve eventually deciding she wouldn't mind becoming an incubator, but for someone so steadfast in her decision not to have children, only for her to end up having one in the end felt like it contradicted the entire message of the book. I understand not wanting a baby was linked to her trauma vs. a decision she made because she simply didn't want to have kids, but it made me feel weird about the whole thing. ...more
The Reyes Incident is a not-quite-found-footage-but-close-enough novella that utilized a great setting and format. I absolutely loved the cuts betweenThe Reyes Incident is a not-quite-found-footage-but-close-enough novella that utilized a great setting and format. I absolutely loved the cuts between present-day interviews about what happened in the bunker to the flashbacks of what happened. ...more
Quick, creepy, possession story that shows you what Piper can do. If you find yourself craving The Conjuring vibes the opening of The Possession of NaQuick, creepy, possession story that shows you what Piper can do. If you find yourself craving The Conjuring vibes the opening of The Possession of Natalie Glasgow absolutely delivers. Piper created one of the most unique possession stories I've read and although I was instantly hooked, I wish the story was more fleshed out because it somewhat feels like a teaser to something much larger. Regardless, Piper tapped into my inner child, the one who ran up the stair at night because I was certain something was chasing me and that's exactly the feeling I crave when I read horror.
Below is a solid, fast-paced novella with relatable characters, great use of an urban legend/creature, and just the right amount of blood. A palpable Below is a solid, fast-paced novella with relatable characters, great use of an urban legend/creature, and just the right amount of blood. A palpable tension follows Addy as she navigates the hell she finds herself in, which is an incredible achievement considering she spends most of the novella alone in a cave. Hightower created a character that’s impossible not to root for, and I often found myself angry and aching for Addy. Laurel Hightower + a creature feature was going to be an automatic buy no matter what, but she really came through with a fun, twisted story, that leaves you feeling satisfied....more
Favorite Ahlborn yet! Such a creepy, haunted-house, why-did-you-bring-this-into-our-home vibes. I lived for every eerie af visual and the reminder to Favorite Ahlborn yet! Such a creepy, haunted-house, why-did-you-bring-this-into-our-home vibes. I lived for every eerie af visual and the reminder to never let a doll into your house. ...more
Hahahahaha....I'm literally incapable of feeling anything right now. Full review to come. Hahahahaha....I'm literally incapable of feeling anything right now. Full review to come. ...more
This book knocked me off-kilter! I kept waiting to understand what I was reading, exactly, and that never quite happened, but I'm also not mad about iThis book knocked me off-kilter! I kept waiting to understand what I was reading, exactly, and that never quite happened, but I'm also not mad about it. Loved seeing Gran explore a completely different genre/story than Come Closer, and although this didn't quite have the demons I was hoping for, tumbling into a world of very fueled dark magic was a wild, fun ride. ...more
Red Station is my first tumble into the splatter western series and now I want to run out and buy them all.
Honestly, it's almost crazy what Jennings aRed Station is my first tumble into the splatter western series and now I want to run out and buy them all.
Honestly, it's almost crazy what Jennings accomplished in 135 pages. All the characters felt three-dimensional and real, breathing life into the setting, the awful house, and the twisted situation they found themselves in. Although its splatterpunk, even those with a weak stomach will likely be able to sit through the gore in Jenning's novella, it's well worth it.
It's been a long time since I felt such fierce devotion to a main character, but I will do anything for Clyde Northway....more
Space is terrifying. Those kids that used to stare up at the stars and vow to one day be among them � yeah, that’s never been me. Thinking about an enSpace is terrifying. Those kids that used to stare up at the stars and vow to one day be among them � yeah, that’s never been me. Thinking about an endless black void makes my palms sweaty on a good day, so Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes was primed to frighten me.
Tracking a distress signal at the edge of space leads Claire Kovalic and her crew to a once-in-a-lifetime discovery: The Aurora � a luxury space cruiser that mysteriously disappeared two decades prior. Believing they’ve found a way to fortune and fame, they board the cruiser, ready to claim their salvage. Unfortunately for the crew, they were entirely unprepared for the nightmare waiting for them inside.
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