After visiting Starling House one night, Opal finds herself drawn back to the sprawling spooky mansion. She ends up convincing the owner, A 3.5 stars
After visiting Starling House one night, Opal finds herself drawn back to the sprawling spooky mansion. She ends up convincing the owner, Arthur, into reluctantly giving her a cleaning job. But there's more to Starling House than meets the eye, and the house wants Opal...
I thought this was a great, atmospheric, spooky little book. It came to my attention when I saw the author Alix Harrow speak at the LA Festival of books and I put it on my tbr after her panel. This is one of those books where I really did like it, but it had a stronger start than finish. I thought Opal and her brother Jasper were such fun characters with a great relationship. Arthur was very intriguing. I just think some of the pacing and plot lacked a bit, hence 3.5 stars and not a higher rating....more
Probably my least favorite of Simone St. James that I've read, but not terrible! Taking place in the 90's, a newlywed couple pick up a hitch-hiker on Probably my least favorite of Simone St. James that I've read, but not terrible! Taking place in the 90's, a newlywed couple pick up a hitch-hiker on a secluded highway. But soon they realize the girl they've picked up is dying, and a truck is in pursuit of them. After the girl perishes at the hospital, the couple are the number one suspects for her murder.
Sun-Down Motel and The Broken Girls are some of my favorite books ever, so Murder Road had a lot to live up to and it didn't quite reach. I found I didn't care about the mystery of it all or most of the characters in this book which is really a shame. Even the twists and turns seemed really out there and yet... boring at the same time. I mostly enjoyed this book hence three stars, but this was the weakest of this author's books I've read so far and it was quite the disappointment as a fan of hers....more
I really enjoyed this author's previous book The Hacienda and was excited to pick up Vampires of El Norte. While I enjoyed it in the end, the 3 stars
I really enjoyed this author's previous book The Hacienda and was excited to pick up Vampires of El Norte. While I enjoyed it in the end, there was a point maybe 70% in where I considered dnf-ing this book because quite honestly: this book was kind of boring. It was also filled with a second chance childhood sweetheart romance that was fairly lackluster. But the best parts were the fighting scenes at the end, otherwise this would have been a 2 star read....more
When Liz comes home for her best friends wedding, everything turns into a nightmare when her best friends child goes missing in the woods 3.75 stars
When Liz comes home for her best friends wedding, everything turns into a nightmare when her best friends child goes missing in the woods during the reception. Determined to find Caroline, Liz begins researching and unearthing the pattern of young black girls going missing in the woods in her town. The closer she gets to answers, the more danger Liz is in...
This is definitely one of those books that when you finish it, you need to think on it a bit. I didn't realize going into it there would be some horror elements, which I was still okay with but at times pushed my limits in terms of gore description. I do think the horror elements made the book that much scarier because in a way they were actually very believable. I thought Liz was a very interesting character who didn't always make the right choices but was really just doing her best with the information she had. This is a book I won't forget for a long time....more
A MFFM romance between four vampires spread throughout the decades. This was an easy read and I enjoyed it for the most part, I just think 3.5 stars
A MFFM romance between four vampires spread throughout the decades. This was an easy read and I enjoyed it for the most part, I just think in a few months I will forget the finer details. It definitely outlined abusive relationships and was an interesting character study. Just slightly forgettable, at least to me....more
A comprehensive look at the history of Black horror films and modern horror cinema. We learn about the different stereotypes that roles in films and sA comprehensive look at the history of Black horror films and modern horror cinema. We learn about the different stereotypes that roles in films and shows put black actors/characters into as well as themes tropes and traits.
I very much enjoyed this book, listening was a bit odd because there were several points at which titles of films and dates are listed for quite a long time. I also am giving this book an extra star because the authors shaded Kenya Moore in the book and as a Real Housewives fan I was dying laughing while listening....more
Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors, but I couldn't stomach reading this book anymore. I realize it's horror, but the descriptionDNF at 51%
Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors, but I couldn't stomach reading this book anymore. I realize it's horror, but the descriptions of body gore were too much for me to listen to. I kept hoping it would be minimal but I can't listen to (view spoiler)[ bones popping out of limbs and jawbones hanging off. (hide spoiler)]
That and small nitpicky thing that did take me out of the story, the audiobook narrator who did this book also narrates the Finlay Donovan series and does the same exact voices so I honestly was getting confused (not the fault of the author, just a weird rando "me" problem). ...more
A fast paced, sapphic, graphic novel about the new girl in town who is accepted by the popular girls. Only it doesn't take long until they reveal themA fast paced, sapphic, graphic novel about the new girl in town who is accepted by the popular girls. Only it doesn't take long until they reveal themselves to be werewolves and invite Becca to be part of their pack.
I thought this was a fun, quick read. A bit more violent than I usually enjoy, but the artwork was great and the story easy to follow along....more
A creepy little book with creepy little stories. I loved the artwork, it was stunning. Short stories aren't my thing in general, and while I liked theA creepy little book with creepy little stories. I loved the artwork, it was stunning. Short stories aren't my thing in general, and while I liked the horror aspects I can tell this book is going to be a bit forgettable in the long run....more
In the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, Beatriz finds herself the daughter of a disgraced general and relying on the charity of 4 stars!
In the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence, Beatriz finds herself the daughter of a disgraced general and relying on the charity of her relatives to survive. When Don Rodolfo offers to marry her, she takes it right away even with the rumors surrounding the death of his first wife. But when Beatriz arrives at Hacienda San Isidro she can tell right away there is something rotten inside the house. And that dark something in the house, doesn’t want her in it.
I really enjoyed this book which is funny because I almost quit when I began listening. But after an hour or two of the audiobook it took a turn for the better and I became enthralled by the story. It’s marketed as Mexican Gothic meets Rebecca and that’s pretty accurate, it’s less gory than Mexican Gothic (thank god because I am a wimp) and it’s similar to Rebecca but with more supernatural involved. The story was the perfect amount of creepy to listen to at the start of spooky season and I could still sleep at night so there’s a bonus.
I really liked the main character Beatriz, even though I think she made some stupid decisions (I understand why, but horror genre is filled with people making dumb choices) and I really loved the character of Andres, the priest who helps her. Both characters had great chemistry and motivations to drive the story and it all came together really well.
This is a book worth reading and I will be recommending it a lot....more
Wow, Riley Sager has really bombed with these last two releases. This is possibly one of the worst suspense novels I have read in a while.
Th 2 stars
Wow, Riley Sager has really bombed with these last two releases. This is possibly one of the worst suspense novels I have read in a while.
The House Across the Lake has the most interesting premise, a nosy neighbor who spies on her neighbors across the lake and thinks a husband has murdered his wife. But in reality, it was beyond boring and the twists were completely unbelievable and laughable. I found myself muttering “what the fuck” to myself while reading this book and not in a good way.
Not sure if Sager has lost his touch/giving into pressure and demand for more books, but this one and Survive the Night were not it. I’m mad I wasted a libro.fm credit on this one. I think I’ll never get that reading high like I did for Home Before Dark and Last Time I Lied ever again…
Side note: I thought the main character of the book was an old woman because that’s what the narrator of the audiobook sounds like. Imagine my surprise when halfway through I figured out she was 35. Publishers, can we not do this? It made things confusing for me as a reader since I didn’t have the physical copy of the book on hand. ...more
Shea Collins is a receptionist who also runs a true crime website called The Book of Cold Cases. One day a patient comes into the office where she worShea Collins is a receptionist who also runs a true crime website called The Book of Cold Cases. One day a patient comes into the office where she works and Shea knows she looks familiar, until she releases it’s Beth Greer, the woman acquitted of The Lady Killer murders in the 70’s. Shea asks Beth to interview her for the website, and to Shea’s shock, Beth agrees. They meet at Beth’s mansion which is like a time capsule from the 70’s, and Shea senses very quickly that something there isn’t right.
I absolutely loved The Sun Down Motel and Broken Girls by this author, so when this book released I used one of my credits on libro fm to get the audiobook right away. I’ve only ever listened to this authors books and I’m going to stick with that format because I’ve seen reviews say it works better in audio versus hard copy written format. This book had everything, a true crime blogger not knowing what she was getting into, a cold case with someone you don’t know is the murderer or not, interviews, interesting love interest and childhood trauma. There were some genuinely spooky parts to this book and I couldn’t listen to it at nighttime.
This was exactly what I wanted from this book and author and I’m already itching for her next one. I’ve officially found a new auto-buy author....more
Sawkill Girls is about sisters Marion and Charlotte who move with their mother to the island of Sawkill Rock after suffering the loss of thei 3 stars
Sawkill Girls is about sisters Marion and Charlotte who move with their mother to the island of Sawkill Rock after suffering the loss of their father. There they meet Val, the queen bee with secrets, and Zoey, the sheriffs daughter who is searching for the killer of her best friend Thora. On Sawkill Rock, girls have gone missing for decades and Zoey aims to find out who and why.
This book is a good example of great characters and a lackluster plot. I really liked all three of the main characters, which is funny because I am not a huge fan of changing POVs. But I felt the plot was all over the place and confusing at times. And this book was also too dang long, by the end I was skimming because I just wanted to be done.
It’s clear Legrand is a talented author, and while she creates great characters, I wasn’t impressed with her ability to deliver a story. Not sure if I would try one of her books again after this one....more
I thought this book was utterly fantastic! I’ve seen so many 3 star reviews I was worried I wouldn’t like this one, but it exceeded my expec 4 stars!
I thought this book was utterly fantastic! I’ve seen so many 3 star reviews I was worried I wouldn’t like this one, but it exceeded my expectations!
White Smoke is about teenager Marigold who moves from California to the Midwest with her mother, brother, stepfather and stepsister. As a part of an agreement with a foundation, they get to move into a newly restored home for free as long as a family member contributes to the town in an artistic way. But while their home is fixed, their entire neighborhood is filled with dilapidated buildings and eerily empty of other people. And strange things keep happening in the house.
I really enjoyed this book so much, I first heard about it in a webinar the author spoke in and had been dying to read it ever since. And then the book released and so many of the reviews were meh, I got worried, but luckily I liked it more than most people did. I thought there were so many wonderful nuances to this book that I didn’t quite connect at the beginning of the book, and then as the book went on it made perfect sense. Subjects such as gentrification, wrongfully imprisoned, weed, lack of male boys in the high school, etc. But it all worked together really well into the story and was all completely plausible which I loved.
This book was also so deliciously creepy! Perfect for that spooky/horror feel you are looking for. And it was creepy without being gory which I very much appreciated. There was a lot of suspense and I thought the payoff was great based on the buildup. I will say, I wanted a bit more from the ending. I won’t go into details but I almost want a second book or at least a follow up epilogue so I can get some dang answers! I have many!
My first book by Ms. Jackson and I adored it. I am ready to read her backlist now, this book was so good!...more
I honestly cannot think of what to say. I think the title says it all. I enjoyed the ride but it wasn't anything amazing. I honestly cannot think of what to say. I think the title says it all. I enjoyed the ride but it wasn't anything amazing. ...more
I recommend this series all the time to middle grade horror lovers. As much as I love this series for kids, I think if there are any more I might not I recommend this series all the time to middle grade horror lovers. As much as I love this series for kids, I think if there are any more I might not continue reading. They're good, but I'm not the target demographic. ...more
This book is why I adore middle grade horror novels. Scary, but not enough to traumatize me for the rest of my life. A very well done, classic hauntinThis book is why I adore middle grade horror novels. Scary, but not enough to traumatize me for the rest of my life. A very well done, classic haunting story. Loved it!...more
“One could construct a hundred different narratives, it didn’t make them true.”
Mexican Gothic is about Noemí Taboada, a striking and s 3.5 stars
“One could construct a hundred different narratives, it didn’t make them true.”
Mexican Gothic is about Noemí Taboada, a striking and spirited young woman in Mexico City. When her family gets a strange letter from her cousin, Catalina, Noemí is sent to check on her in her cousins’ new home, High Place, a house in the countryside. From the moment she gets there, Noemí senses something wrong about the house. But Catalina seems unwell and odd, and her husband refuses to let her leave the house saying she is too sick. But the longer Noemí stays at High Place, the more odd things begin to happen and she fears she might not be able to leave at all.
The first half of this book I absolutely loved. Like 5 stars this book is amazing. I loved Noemí, the setting of the book, the gothic tone, the commentary on racism and social classism. Loved all of that. And then about halfway through some things began to happen that started to make me feel really queasy while listening to this book. I’m the type of reader that likes scary spooky horror, I don’t do well with gory and graphic yuck horror and that’s where this book really took a turn for me. I’ll admit it, I am a wimp and this book got a little bit too intense, but I was already really invested in Noemí and had to see this story through to the end.
If you’re not turned off by gore, I think this is the book for you. I loved almost everything else about it and I think Noemí is one of my favorite female heroines to read in a recent book.
“The future, she thought, could not be predicted, and the shpae of things could not be divined. To think otherwise was absurd. But they were young that morning, and they could cling to hope. Hope that the world could be remade, kinder and sweeter.” ...more
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