Definitely not one of Christie's most memorable books, but still entertaining.Definitely not one of Christie's most memorable books, but still entertaining....more
I like Freida McFadden for her twists and turns, but Never Lie felt phoned in. The first 90% of the book was cookie cutter characters, lazy writing fiI like Freida McFadden for her twists and turns, but Never Lie felt phoned in. The first 90% of the book was cookie cutter characters, lazy writing filled with plot holes, and the tropiest of tropes. I pushed through because I knew the end would have a twist. And it did. The last 10% was good! But good enough to make up for the rest? No. No, it wasn't. At least not for me. However, I'll still read more McFadden in the future....more
Final Girls is a quick sci-fi horror that runs the gauntlet of elements like virtual reality, zombies, and assassins in 112 pages. It was a fun read, Final Girls is a quick sci-fi horror that runs the gauntlet of elements like virtual reality, zombies, and assassins in 112 pages. It was a fun read, and for sci-fi it doesn't feel that far into the future to imagine doctors using virtual reality for therapy in some form or another. The characters were enjoyable and I loved the end. I'm going to try Grant's Parasite next :)...more
I bought this one on a whim after seeing someone post about it online, and it ended up being a super enjoyable book. Hunting Snipe is a fictional storI bought this one on a whim after seeing someone post about it online, and it ended up being a super enjoyable book. Hunting Snipe is a fictional story that takes place during the real life events of the East Texas Cattle Mutilations in 2023. I love the X-Files but have a terrible time finding a decent Alien book. This one, however, really hit the spot! Hunting Snipe is well written with interesting, flawed characters and lots of creepy happenings. I'll be on the look out for more from this author. 5 flayed cow heads. ...more
Mary wasn't quite what I expected it to be. Nat Cassidy's writing is excellent--nice flow, easy to consume, but the first half of this book was a chalMary wasn't quite what I expected it to be. Nat Cassidy's writing is excellent--nice flow, easy to consume, but the first half of this book was a challenge for me. It was slow and a bit repetitive. I didn't like the main character and I didn't like that I knew where the book was going long before she did, forcing me to wait for her to catch up.
I could have been a Stalin but I was born with Nadia’s body
That being said, the second half of the book was phenomenal. I grew to appreciate Mary, to understand and root her her. The pace picked up, as did the action. The townspeople showed their ugliness and horror started coming together.
There were a few fantastic scenes of true darkness and body horror. A few that made me cringe away as a woman, which is always impressive. The themes, despite being a tale of cults and serial killing, really boiled down to the indignities of being a woman and growing older. It was quite tragic, really. 3 stars for the first half and 5 stars for the second half....more
I'm not usually big on short story anthologies. I find jumping from one short tale to another jarring, so I took my time with this one, breaking for aI'm not usually big on short story anthologies. I find jumping from one short tale to another jarring, so I took my time with this one, breaking for a day or so after each. Even though it ended up taking me a while to get through, I'm glad I did because each and every story in Songs of a Dead Dreamer and Grimscribe demanded reflection.
It all reminds me of that trite little fable of the Chinese philosopher (Chuang Tzu?) who dreamed he was a butterfly but upon waking affected not to know whether he was a man who’d dreamed he was a butterfly or a butterfly now dreaming…you get the idea.
Like with all of Ligotti's work, this anthology is deep and dark. It screams of primal fears and unsettling realities. Of the uncanny and otherworldly. Lovecraft's influence is obvious in a many tales. The Last Feast of Harlequin is even dedicated to him, and it's obvious why. Ligotti's prose capture that special quality of Lovecraft that so very few do.
Go to sleep now, dummy. There, he has gone back to his lifeless slumber. Be glad I didn’t make one that screams.
My absolute favorites were: Dream of a Manikin The Last Feast of Harlequin The Frolic Les Fleurs The Christmas of Aunt Elise Dr Voke and Mr Veech In the Shadow of Another World Dr. Locrian's Asylum
Inside The Devil's Nest is about a family who's on the run and ends up in the clutches of a supernatural cult. This is my first John Durgin novel. It Inside The Devil's Nest is about a family who's on the run and ends up in the clutches of a supernatural cult. This is my first John Durgin novel. It started strong and carried forward with a nice, quick flow. The characters were flawed, and the violence was impactful. I enjoyed Durgin's writing and I'll be on the look out for more of his work. I think my only issue is that I keep reading books about cults because I think I like them, but I'm realizing I don't. They're always the same: charismatic but evil leader, zealous followers, desperately needy gods. I'm kinda over it. But for anyone else that enjoys cult horror, this one is a must read. ...more
Cursed is a solid cursed object novella. Interesting characters and great writing. It could have been a bit more atmospheric for my personal liking. ICursed is a solid cursed object novella. Interesting characters and great writing. It could have been a bit more atmospheric for my personal liking. I'll definitely pick up the author's next book....more
Maybe it's leftover from my fantasy reading days, but I love a book that begins with a map and a list of characters. A group of friends and their familMaybe it's leftover from my fantasy reading days, but I love a book that begins with a map and a list of characters. A group of friends and their families get together for a glamping weekend and a mystery ensues. Only we aren't sure what exactly the mystery is for most of the book. Who's missing? Who's injured? Who is dead? The author lays down an enjoyable narrative of breadcrumbs that kept me coming back for more. The end was maybe a bit too neat...too optimistic for me but other than that it was entertaining. ...more
Like all of Tremblay's works, Horror Movie is well written, entertaining, and clings to your psyche a little longer than the average tale.
The Thin KidLike all of Tremblay's works, Horror Movie is well written, entertaining, and clings to your psyche a little longer than the average tale.
The Thin Kid sounds human, though. Never once does he sound like an animal bleating. He sounds human, terribly human.
The story is told to us through a 90's original movie script as well as the narrator describing the behind the scenes and aftermath. The screenplay itself is dark, and while I'd love to see it turn into a real movie (kind of a twisted slasher), I doubt the book would translate well.
Horror Movie is thoughtful and won't be for everyone, especially those looking for the generic slash and burn books. But it was everything I wanted it to be.
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