A splatter punk Western! This was a first for me; I don't think I've read any Western, let alone in the horror genre. The opening was great and atmospA splatter punk Western! This was a first for me; I don't think I've read any Western, let alone in the horror genre. The opening was great and atmospheric: a small group of strangers hitching a wagon ride across the harsh yet beautiful prairie plains to their final destination. They take refuge for a night in a house built in the middle of nowhere on the recommendation of their driver. Alas, from then on things start to get muddled and downright frustrating. There are too many things happening for no other reason than to push the plot. (view spoiler)[We suddenly find out that one of the women travellers grew up in an orphanage, where the goal is to prepare them to be wives and assassins for some reason? So if they lose their eye while practicing, they are forced to stay on as servants in the orphanage! All so the protagonist can fight the evil here, which for the convenience of the woman, attack one at a time, even though they work as group *eye roll*. While the reason behind the 'evil' here was believable, I think the story would have worked out better if the author had not stuck to the final girl trope or did so in a more convincing way. (hide spoiler)]...more
This is a nice atmospheric read but the ending left me feeling conflicted. This is the 2nd story I’ve read where the role of women in an agrarian and This is a nice atmospheric read but the ending left me feeling conflicted. This is the 2nd story I’ve read where the role of women in an agrarian and natural/rural way of life is turned into something sinister, which seems more misogynistic but that may just be me. I was really into it when Richard is trying to make his escape. The scene is written so vividly that I could imagine him making his way through the desolate road with a big country moon providing light (don't remember if moonlight is mentioned). When young Jimmy appears in the window and then following him, the dread of the protagonist was palpable. But the very end was too unbelievable and there were other plot holes too. Also, there’s fat shaming. ...more
2.5 The origins behind a small town's urban legend explores the cruel prank of mean kids gone tragically wrong. Not spooky but it did build up the drea2.5 The origins behind a small town's urban legend explores the cruel prank of mean kids gone tragically wrong. Not spooky but it did build up the dread, only I thought the prank and the complicity was too far-fetched to be believable enough to hit the point home....more
Slightly creepy but I feel it didn't deliver. Chose it just looking at the cover and because it was centred around a motel. Overall not a memorable onSlightly creepy but I feel it didn't deliver. Chose it just looking at the cover and because it was centred around a motel. Overall not a memorable one. ...more
Okayish, fast-paced read. More plot heavy than character driven. This was first posted on reddit I hear (The Patient That Nearly Drove Me Out of MedicOkayish, fast-paced read. More plot heavy than character driven. This was first posted on reddit I hear (The Patient That Nearly Drove Me Out of Medicine), and the format of the book resembles that platform (an audio reading of the post is up on a popular YouTube channel). While the story is creepy, it is not that original. The first half or so was very predictable and the protagonist seemed irritating but it picked up towards the end; the end twist/solution made the story creepy again. (view spoiler)[I thought the book would actually go for a logical explanation after Dr Parker's failed breakout attempt of Joe. The supernatural theory seemed too anti-climatic with the way it was handled. (hide spoiler)] I think a movie-version, which is in works, might be more fun to watch....more
Very interesting premise. I enjoyed the movie so I wanted to read the graphic novel, which is available free for Amazon Prime customers. I picked it uVery interesting premise. I enjoyed the movie so I wanted to read the graphic novel, which is available free for Amazon Prime customers. I picked it up for a quick and spooky late night read (lockdown is still not fully lifted in my town and I'm barely following a proper sleeping schedule weekday or not). Unfortunately, I felt the book didn't live up to my expectations. The plot was barely there and got over soon, probably because there were hardly many scenes with dialogues that were proper sentences. I enjoy the art in graphic novels a lot, but this one, while interesting, was barely discernible in quite a few places. I don't think I will bother with the rest in the series....more
Read this in one sitting for Dewey's 24 Hr Reverse Readathon. I enjoy teen horror as it's more campy and creepy. This one delivered. Loved the coloursRead this in one sitting for Dewey's 24 Hr Reverse Readathon. I enjoy teen horror as it's more campy and creepy. This one delivered. Loved the colours used in the graphics....more
Another one of those 'inspired remakes' where elements from classic stories like The Yellow Wallpaper are borrowed. Overall the story is good enough aAnother one of those 'inspired remakes' where elements from classic stories like The Yellow Wallpaper are borrowed. Overall the story is good enough and if you haven't read many gothic stories or mysteries you'll enjoy it, but it's not deep or memorable. The plot was not that original, and I did not find the writing or characterisation elevating the story for me.
I figured out where it was headed right in the beginning, (view spoiler)[when Howard Doyle, the patriarch of the family, passes a very unsavoury remark, (hide spoiler)]but I didn't expect how they were going to go about it. I actually enjoyed the slow beginning, but the book became mediocre later on and while the ending was unexpected and fast-paced, it was not enough to make it a 3-star read for me.
The story is an own voices one, but the book is set in a post-colonial/revolution time and the major part of the story revolves around the Doyle's English household. Also, I wouldn't have known it was 1950 if they didn't keep mentioning the fashion style!
POSSIBLE MINI SPOILERS BELOW (view spoiler)[My biggest peeve was the protagonist's behaviour. I didn't get the feminist part much either.
1. The protagonist Noemi is called by her cousin Catalina who is suspicious of her new husband. When Noemi reaches the place, she proceeds to spend her time reading and exploring the house like she has come on a vacation, and sees her for hardly once a day if at all. Also, her father specifically sends her there to report back on her cousin's health and whether she is getting the right care, and Noemi decides to send him letters back saying everything is ok. (Just an annoying plot device by the author to carry the story longer.)
2. She does speak up against racist and sexist remarks made by the in-laws family, but I DO NOT understand why she does not pushback against the creepy, sexually predatory remarks and touches by her brother-in-law and father-in-law. I mean, she is a high-society woman, such behaviour would have been outrageous for her, even considering the time period. Not only does she not speak up, we do not even get to hear her thoughts/reflection on it much, about how disgusting everyone is (but she keeps describing how beautiful and stylish her cousin's husband is).
3. Also, the house is in a miserable condition, with mold growing everywhere and she does not even once remark to the servants or Florence about the upkeep of the house (civilities aside, she should have raised it as her concern for her sister's living conditions).
4. She keeps being called 'smart' by Francis, who she 'likes' because he is 'not good looking' *eye-roll*, but she does not seem to make smart decisions. Example: she reads books from the library that tell of the dangerous effects of mold and she knows about the effects of toxic wallpapers in Victorian homes, but she is not at all fazed by the mold in the house. (hide spoiler)]
Unrelated, but my 2020 mind keeps cringing about the lack of hand-washing hygiene whenever packages are opened in the book....more
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