4.0 Stars This was a fantastic account of the historical and current indigenous experience on both sides of the borders. At times, it was hilarious. Ot4.0 Stars This was a fantastic account of the historical and current indigenous experience on both sides of the borders. At times, it was hilarious. Other times, it was harrowing. Such an important, yet digestible read....more
This was such a deceptively lovely, horrific little horror novel. First the writing has a beautiful 4.5 Stars Video Review
This was such a deceptively lovely, horrific little horror novel. First the writing has a beautiful literary quality that made the entire short work a joy to read for anyone who appreciates good prose. As someone who loves Montreal, I enjoyed the initial references to that beautiful series.
Second, this book is wonderfully psychological which is so hard to pull off. The subway tunnels truly felt suffocating. The story starts off so subtle I assume it wasn't actually going to hit those creepy moments, but the story delivered some truly horrific moments that have stuck in my brain.
The marketing for this book compares it to House of Leaves which I feel is an unfair comparison. I sort of understand why it was done but it will undoubtedly lead readers to be disappointed. This book is fantastic but the narrative is quite different from that beloved book.
I adored the ending section of this novel that both messed with my brain and made me laugh in surprise. I'll let you discover that part for yourself. I also really appreciated the thoughtful exploration of mental health and trauma written into this narrative.
I would highly recommend this novel to any horror readers looking for a punchy literary story.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
4.5 Stars This was such an engrossing piece of crime fiction which is based on an infamous historical murder case in Canada. Margaret Atwood is such a 4.5 Stars This was such an engrossing piece of crime fiction which is based on an infamous historical murder case in Canada. Margaret Atwood is such a talented author and is solidly earning a spot among my favourites.
This is a relatively long novel but I honestly would not cut a sentence. I was gripped from beginning to end. I don't typically read historical fiction but this story appeal to my love of true crime. I appreciate that Atwood pulled in as many details as possible while still often stirring the story into fiction.
The most compelling part of the story is the question of Grace's innocence. She is a wonderfully unreliable narrator which a complexity and mystery to the book. The ending is not specifically ambiguous but the narrative continually pulled me in different direction, constantly changing my opinion on our protagonist.
I would highly recommend this literary masterpiece to anyone who shares my love of true crime and dark fiction....more
4.5 Stars On reread, I came to appreciate this one so much more. In fact I would now consider this one a personal favourite. I loved how this one marri4.5 Stars On reread, I came to appreciate this one so much more. In fact I would now consider this one a personal favourite. I loved how this one married a character driven narrative with many scientifically sound ideas. I was most interested to read how the world might be affected and react to such a situation....more
4.0 Stars This was a wonderful graphic novel, which perfectly captured life in rural Canada. I'm not sure if I would have connected with this book as m4.0 Stars This was a wonderful graphic novel, which perfectly captured life in rural Canada. I'm not sure if I would have connected with this book as much as I did if I wasn't a Canadian. Of the stories, the first was my favourite and alone would have gotten 5 stars. I loved the unlikely friendship between Lester and Jimmy. The other stories were still well written, but didn't affect me on the same emotional level. The art was a little simplistic and rough for my tastes, but it grew on me throughout the pages and seemed to fit the collection. I would highly recommend this graphic novel to Canadian readers.Ìý...more
It feels strange to rate and review a book as personal as this one. The author poured so much of his ow4.5 Stars This is a horror novel like no other.
It feels strange to rate and review a book as personal as this one. The author poured so much of his own self and history into the prose. Woven between the chapters, the author inserts commentary on his own experience that lead to writing the book, completely breaking the fourth wall. I honestly never completely knew where the line was between fact and fiction. The story was so intimate that it became a very emotional read. I can be a very cold hearted reviewer, but this book made me feel things. I ached for the pain and uncertainty he experienced living as a openly gay man in prejudice, uncaring world.
I have read the author's previous novel, The Bone Mother, which is a very different kind of story. The two books are so different that I cannot predict if the same readers will necessarily like both. Each is well written, providing an out-of-the-box horror, but they approach the genre from such a different perspective. All that being said, readers will just have to try out both books for themselves.Ìý
This is certainly not your traditional horror novel. In fact, some readers may try to put other genre labels on a book like this calling it more memoir or literary fiction. The horror of the novel draw from real life horrors rather than fictional monsters and ghosts. On the surface level, this novel didn't appear to be scary, but upon reread I experienced the psychological and real life horror of this narrative.
While I loved this story a lot, I will also acknowledge that own voices readers will undoubtedly get so much more from this text. I am a bisexual woman, not a gay man, and my experience in Toronto is limited to the airport terminal. I have no doubt that this book would be even more powerful to readers that more closer share the author's life.
Regardless of your backstory, I think these kinds of stories are so important to read. I would highly recommend this one to readers, including those that normally avoid the horror genre. At its core, this is a moving and poignant story of love and loss, which are universal themes that cross all boundaries.
I highly recommend the audiobook version, which includes some narration by the author. This format really enhanced my experience on reread.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher....more
4.5 Stars This was an intimate piece of fiction that provided an honest and well balanced account of life on an indigenous reservation. Told through th4.5 Stars This was an intimate piece of fiction that provided an honest and well balanced account of life on an indigenous reservation. Told through the lens of a mystery apocalyptic event, this story offered very little explanation of the larger situation and instead chose to tell the story from a very specific, narrow perspective. I thought this storytelling choice was very unique and well executed. The narrative was fairly slow with only little spurts of action, yet I found myself completely immersed in this suspenseful story of survival. As someone who works very closely with the indigenous people of Canada, this story also spoke to me on a very personal level. The ending was a bit abrupt, but otherwise I thought this short novel was nearly perfect. I would recommend this one to anyone looking for a unique take on the subgenre of post apocalyptic fiction....more
3.5 Stars Inuit Horror Short Stories set in the Canadian Arctic... Sign me up!
This was a fantastic diverse anthology featuring Arctic horror stories wr3.5 Stars Inuit Horror Short Stories set in the Canadian Arctic... Sign me up!
This was a fantastic diverse anthology featuring Arctic horror stories written by and about the Inuit experience of living in the north. As a Canadian, I particularly love cold weather horror like these stories because they are so atmospheric and suspenseful.
All the stories in the collection were written by authors of Inuit descent which made this a fantastic example of #ownvoices horror. Through the stories, I was exposed to the culture, language and experience of this unique indigious group. I learned about everything from hunting practices to legends to traditions and so much more. I particularly appreciated the glossary at the end of the book that provided definitions and pronunciations of the Inuit words used throughout the stories.
With one exception, the stories in this collection were not particularly scary. Certainly, many of the stories had creepy elements, but the cultural and environmental aspects were usually at the forefront of the narratives, rather than the elements of horror.
As always with anthologies, I enjoyed some of the stories more than others.Ìý My personal favourite stories in the collection were:
Blizzard by Aviaq Johston - This was an incredibly atmospheric story that would be wonderful to read during a snowstorm. While not overly scary, this one had still some fairly creepy moments.
The Wildest Game by Jay Buckaert - I LOVED this one! This story is told from the first person perspective of a cannibal, which was such an interesting narrative choice. Given the subject matter, this was easiliest the more horrifying story in the collection with a lot of fantastic body horror and gruesome descriptions. It was probably one of the scariest short stories that I have read.Ìý
Needless to say, I really enjoyed this collection and I would recommend it to anyone looking to read northern #ownvoices horror stories.Ìý
Disclaimer: I received a digital copy from the publisher....more
4.0 stars This was such a fantastic science fiction debut that was even better on reread. I loved the complex worldbuilding that felt reminiscent of Th4.0 stars This was such a fantastic science fiction debut that was even better on reread. I loved the complex worldbuilding that felt reminiscent of The Machineries of Empire series by Yoon Ha Lee.
I first read this when I was still getting into the science fiction genre and I will admit that this book was a lot. It's complex, weird and does not hold the reader's hand. This made the book confusing at first. This time around, I loved those aspects to the story.
The characters in this book were fantastically well developed. The main character is a beautiful portrayal of a woman with Autism but she is shown to be a multifaceted queer women who is incredibly smart and creative. I can be hit or miss with relationships with books but this one really worked for me.
The second half leading up to the climax is a lot and, even on reread, I found it a lot to digest. I'm excited to reread The Fallen next because this series just gets even stronger in book two.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.Ìý...more
4.0 Stars This is such a wonderful coming of age story filled with nostalgia and beautiful imagery. Davidson is an incredibly talented author with som4.0 Stars This is such a wonderful coming of age story filled with nostalgia and beautiful imagery. Davidson is an incredibly talented author with some mad writing chops! While reading, I found myself constantly highlighting passages in this novel.
This is the kind of literary fiction that will appeal appeal also to genre readers, like myself. While not at all scary, this story has many elements a classic horror story, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Well constructed and tightly written, this short piece of fiction was the perfect length and a joy to read. I highly recommend this gorgeous piece of Canadian literature to a wide range of readers..
4.5 StarsÌý This was a brilliantly unique alien contact story that was like nothing I had ever read (or watched) before. Blending together science ficti4.5 StarsÌý This was a brilliantly unique alien contact story that was like nothing I had ever read (or watched) before. Blending together science fiction and horror, this novel was dark and creepy in a rather innovative way. This narrative was very dense in terms of plot and scientific theory. Admittedly, some of it went over my head, but what I did understand, I absolutely loved. This story was incredibly thought provoking and often mind bending as it discussed topics such communication, intelligence and consciousness. I would highly recommend this fascinating hard scifi novel to any seasoned reader of the genre.
Also, be sure to read the notes at the end, which explained the scientific ideas behind this fictional future. I love it more with a second reread....more
4.0 Stars This is wonderful, quiet memoir where very little happens. The chapters cover topics from food to farm chores to VCR tapes. Yet, this short b4.0 Stars This is wonderful, quiet memoir where very little happens. The chapters cover topics from food to farm chores to VCR tapes. Yet, this short book still manages to be memorable, sweet and poignant. The author's anecdotes about his parents are funny and adorable.
This book felt reminiscent of the Canadian Sitcom, Corner Gas, which about a sleepy small Canadian town where there is also "not a lot is going on". I think Canadian readers, particularly underemployed young people, will connect most to the narrative....more
4.0 Stars This was such an entertaining survival horror novel. Cutter captured the horror of hungry so perfectly. The story was fast paced with a compe4.0 Stars This was such an entertaining survival horror novel. Cutter captured the horror of hungry so perfectly. The story was fast paced with a compelling plot that felt very reminiscent of Lord of the Flies. The writing was quite casual, yet very engaging with visceral stomach-churning details.This was a great example of grossout horror with intense, gruesome scenes. ...more
4.5 Stars This is a profoundly inspiring story about the importance of hard work and following your passions. You do not necessarily need a interest in4.5 Stars This is a profoundly inspiring story about the importance of hard work and following your passions. You do not necessarily need a interest in space to enjoy this memoir. I highly recommend the audiobook, which is narrated by the author, providing the story with a humerous and humbling voice....more
There are two reasons I loved this novel: the characters & the setting.
First, the characters were fleshed out and f4.5 Stars - Such a Beautiful Story
There are two reasons I loved this novel: the characters & the setting.
First, the characters were fleshed out and fully developed. Complex and lovable, the Morrison children felt like real people. I don't usually get attached to characters in novel, but I found myself caring deeply for each of the main characters. (I adored Bo!)
Second, the setting was incredibly well drawn. Lawson writes such an authentic experience of living in a northern Canadian community. I loved reading her rich descriptions of the natural beauty. She perfectly described the contradictory nature of Northern Canada, both incredibly isolating and rich with community.
The language is very accessible, yet still lovely. Lawson plays with so many themes including family, education, regret, and pride to create a simple, thought-provoking story. I would highly recommend this wonderful piece of Canadian literature. ...more
5.0 Stars Video Review: Reread one of my all time favourite books. This was such a powerful, compelling memoir. The narrati5.0 Stars Video Review: Reread one of my all time favourite books. This was such a powerful, compelling memoir. The narrative grips me in every time. I highly recommend this one....more
4.0 Stars This is such a powerful and important story, especially in light of recent events. This was not an easy read, but I certainly like books that4.0 Stars This is such a powerful and important story, especially in light of recent events. This was not an easy read, but I certainly like books that make me feel something. This is a tough one. Atwood has a terrifying ability to predict the possible....more
Rachel (TheShadesofOrange)
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