During dinner, Umma tells Ji-won that the eyes are the best part of the fish because they are not only delicious but bring good Happy publication day!
During dinner, Umma tells Ji-won that the eyes are the best part of the fish because they are not only delicious but bring good luck too. After always declining, she decides to try it out and realizes that her mother has been correct this whole time. When the family learns of Appa’s marital affair, he immediately abandons the entire family.
Her Umma and younger sister are devastated and heartbroken, leaving it up to Ji-won to take care of them both. In a few months, Umma begins dating a man called George with beautiful blue eyes. He is condescending, offensive, racist, misogynistic and in no time at all, Ji-won and her sister grow to hate him. He fetishes them and blatantly watches other Asian women, making for a hostile and uncomfortable environment. Umma is obsessed with George and doesn’t take much notice of his horrible behavior or her daughter’s discomfort.
On top of this, Ji-won grapples with the struggles of friendship and failing school. Her dreams become vivid and violent. In them, she sees beautiful blue eyes that follow her around. She walks into rooms that are full of delicious bloody eyes, good enough to eat and look just like George’s. Soon, the fascination of blue eyes takes Ji-won over and it becomes all she can think about. She begins to spiral and decides that maybe her dreams should become a reality because she deserves to do something about it and save her family from George. After all, Umma did say eating eyes will bring good luck and they could use a lot of that at a time like this.
I loved the Korean-American representation with a complex, family dynamic. The depiction of the culture and food was very well done. There is a lot of profound commentary on racial and gender discrimination but also how Asian women in particular are treated. The unraveling of Ji-won is fascinating and watching her become unhinged and fully commit to her rage was delightful. She may be slowly descending into madness but you can’t help but to cheer her on.
A brilliant, feminist horror novel is perfect for the summer and just what I was looking for! I can’t recommend this enough as it is such a strong debut. Monika Kim is an upcoming author that we should be sure to keep an eye out for (pun intended)! Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for an advanced copy of this!
Ben Bookman is a best-selling Horror novelist, comparable to Stephen King. He has always wanted to be a writer and his own chilHappy publication day!
Ben Bookman is a best-selling Horror novelist, comparable to Stephen King. He has always wanted to be a writer and his own childhood was his inspiration for the stories. Ben grew up at his family’s mansion called Blackwood, filled with many hidden secrets.
Ben returns home for a weekend to help him finish his latest book The Scarecrow. Upon the release of the book, events from it happen in real life. The book opens up just as Ben’s very own book does as well. Families are found hanging from barn rafters, brutally murdered and bundled in cocoons of corn husks.
Father and daughter duo Detective Mills and Detective Blue are on the case to look into the Scarecrow crimes. Their dysfunctional relationship makes the job a little harder but both are determined to get to the bottom of it. As expected, Ben is their number one suspect and taken in for questioning. He doesn’t remember much, making the detectives even more suspicious. Ben quickly realizes he needs to clear his name and find the truth as a plague of horrors has been unleashed into his hometown.
There are quite a few characters introduced that can make it a little harder to keep track of with the plot however, each character does have their part of the story. There are many layers that seamlessly piece together by the end of the novel. When you think you know where it’s going, it takes you somewhere else entirely. It’s a very interesting and unique take on nightmares and the folklore behind it. Generational family trauma is also explored and how it affects the future.
I was pleasantly surprised by this book and thoroughly entertained. I would recommend it for any horror and mystery lovers. I find it comparable to the works of T. Kingfisher and even Stephen King himself. Make sure to check this out when it’s released and I look forward to more from Markert!
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.
During the day, Maeve Fly has her dream job at her favorite place in the world; playing everyone’s beloved ice princess at Disneyland. Once night rollDuring the day, Maeve Fly has her dream job at her favorite place in the world; playing everyone’s beloved ice princess at Disneyland. Once night rolls around, she barhops around downtown Los Angeles to drink and read classics where she takes inspiration from her literary heroes.
Between all of this, she takes care of her grandmother who is single-handedly her whole world but also an old Hollywood star. Maeve meets her best friend’s brother, Gideon and he invokes feelings she never thought she could have. From there, things take a very dark turn and escalate into insanity.
What a wild and unique ride. Maeve is an intense character in general and watching her become even more intense to absolutely unhinged was definitely entertaining. Aside from that, I found her almost relatable as her favorite holiday is Halloween and she loves horror movies.
“I love Halloween because all the time, everyone wears masks. But one night a year, they do it openly. The dark and forbidden things they wish to be but deny themselves, on Halloween they don’t. On Halloween, they embrace it, all of it. The hidden parts of the world are exposed, if only for one night. And those things that are truly dark are a little less alone”.
There are a lot of pop culture references but also classics with an homage to American Psycho. I also loved all of the references to Los Angeles since I’m from there and found that relatable and fun. This is also very graphic with explicit content – both physical violence and sexual. This is not for the faint of heart so just a warning there just in case!
I’m eager to see what else CJ Lede will come out with in the future. Thank you so much to Tor Nightfire and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book!
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Just got an ARC of this one and I'm excited - Thank you Tor Nightfire!...more
Something here has taken part of me and won’t give it back”
Eric Ross and his two daughters are on the run from their past, moving from state to state.Something here has taken part of me and won’t give it back”
Eric Ross and his two daughters are on the run from their past, moving from state to state. He left his wife, house, and his whole life behind in Maryland. He’s desperate for money and will do almost anything to be able to take care of his girls.
He comes across a strange ad for a caretaker for the Masson House in Texas. The owner asks that someone lives there and records everything that happens in detail. She wants proof of paranormal activity at the house.
“The house would not let them live there without them doing what they were paid to do. The question was whether the money would be enough of a compensation for what the house might do to them”
There’s a huge payout so Eric decides to head over to Texas with his girls and go through with the interview. Eric finds out the homeowner is too afraid to do it herself. She’s already gone through a couple families who fled from the scene, unable to finish the job.
The homeowner, Eunice, hires him over the other interviewees and he immediately accepts. Eric and his girls quickly move in. On top of the possibility of a haunted house, it is also shaped oddly and very narrow. This makes it much more uncomfortable and just flat out weird. Soon enough, mysterious things begin to happen to the family.
“There are no dreams in this house”
Great debut of modern gothic horror! The writing flows and makes it enjoyable to read. There are multiple points of view but it works really well together. Definitely reminds me a bit of Hill House by Shirley Jackson and the Shining by Stephen King but with Compton’s own unique twist. Compton’s take on the haunted house is a little different than your average story. It’s about much more than a haunted house but also about anger, loss, how the past and others can affect us but also what a father will do to protect his children. I look forward to seeing what else Johnny Compton has in store for us! ...more
Sam visits her mother in North Carolina after her brother expresses concern over her wellbeHappy Publication Day!!
“The roses say to say your prayers”
Sam visits her mother in North Carolina after her brother expresses concern over her wellbeing. She’s excited to spend some time with her to relax and take some time off work. On Sam’s arrival, things end up not being as expected. The home’s decor has changed back into what her grandmother used to have when she was alive. Her mother is on edge and seems scared as if someone is watching. To make matters worse, the neighbors’ vultures are watching the home as if they know something. The neighbor actually does know something, but can’t tell Sam what’s going on for some reason.
On top of the weird behavior her mother is exhibiting, Sam begins hearing voices in her head and experiences sleep paralysis for the first time ever. She even finds a jar of buried teeth in the garden. Sam realizes something weird is seriously going on and can no longer deny it.
T. Kingfisher maintains her signature humor and unique plots in A House With Good Bones. There’s the perfect blend of fantasy and horror that balance each other out. The atmosphere is creepy and almost suffocating, with a sense of unease throughout the story. The writing is fast paced and very easy to read.
The characters are lovable and Sam was very quirky. The mother daughter dynamic was done very well and I enjoyed that they shared everything with each other. As always, there is a lovable animal companion – Hermes the Vulture. The side characters are also charming in their own ways with witty banter.
Overall, this makes for an enjoyable read and I recommend it for any fans of Kingfisher! Make sure to be on the look out for this one on March 28, 2023. I’m already looking forward to her next novel. Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.
“So it had finally come to kill us. The sickest part was, I’d started to believe we were invincible- that somehow the miracle of our farm might protec“So it had finally come to kill us. The sickest part was, I’d started to believe we were invincible- that somehow the miracle of our farm might protect us.”
Wren lives in a small town called Hollow’s End; known for their famous bountiful crops of blue melons and rainbow hued wheat. Hollow’s End is successful and tourists travel far and wide to visit the farms up until a blight slowly takes over the farms. Each farm becomes poisoned by the quicksilver mercury blight, including the animals and then coming for the humans soon after. Those infected are gone in the forest during the day but come out at night, looking like a rotting corpse with white eyes. No one knows what they do or what they are doing till then.
Wren is one of the last ones standing but knows that she doesn’t have much time left. Her parents have disappeared with one of their neighbors and she’s left alone at home. With the help of her neighbor and ex-boyfriend Derek, they work together with his family to try to figure out a way of stopping the blight before it’s too late. They unlock many secrets that lead to the town’s past and learn that not everything about their family and ancestors is not as innocent as it appears.
The book is fast paced and wraps up together in an expected ending. In between chapters we get to see an insight of Wren’s past and how life was before it had all changed from the blight. The writing itself is lovely and easy to read at the same time. There is also an eerie sense of unease throughout reading and you can feel that something evil is lurking from beyond the trees and may attack at any moment. The book definitely made me feel transported right into it. Fraistat’s young adult debut is one to check out if you’re interested in small town secrets and plagues. I’m curious to see what she will come up with next!
Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.
Hide is Kiersten White’s adult debut. Fourteen players compete in a hide and go seek tournament for fifty thousand dollars. It lasts for one week in aHide is Kiersten White’s adult debut. Fourteen players compete in a hide and go seek tournament for fifty thousand dollars. It lasts for one week in an abandoned amusement park.
After a tragic past, Mack has been in and out of shelters trying to make her way through life. This offer is just enough money for her to start a whole new life. Mack knows she can definitely win this, she’s already been hiding her whole life for free.
People begin disappearing one by one and Mack becomes suspicious. Soon, the sponsors stop visiting them every day and the players are forced to stay inside of the park, rather than stay at the campsite during nighttime. She realizes there is something more sinister going on than just a classic hide and seek game. The goal of winning money quickly shifts to trying to stay alive.
Very reminiscent of the Hunger Games but also gives us a modern take on a classic Greek myth. There is a little bit of a supernatural twist to make the stakes higher. The atmosphere is ominous and the abandoned theme park makes for a creepy setting. A very fun read for any fans of horror! Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book. Be sure to be on the lookout for Hide, publishing on May 24th, 2022.
Alex Easton, a retired soldier, is sent a letter from their childhood friends that Madeline Usher is dying and doesn’t “This place breeds nightmares.”
Alex Easton, a retired soldier, is sent a letter from their childhood friends that Madeline Usher is dying and doesn’t have much time left. Alex immediately races off to their home in the secluded countryside to see what can be done.
What they find there is a place of nightmares. Fungus and mold has taken over the home, the surrounding forests, and even the lake. The wild animals act odd and Madeleine acts even odder. At night she sleepwalks and talks to herself in strange voices. Her brother Roderick is constantly in a state of anxiety and easily spooked by anything. Alex races to unlock the secret behind the House of Usher before it’s too late for them all.
“The dead don’t walk. Except, sometimes, when they do.”
Kingfisher comes out with her own take on Edgar Allan Poe’s classic “The Fall of the House of Usher. It’s definitely atmospheric and dark but fast paced at the same time. There is some pretty nasty imagery that gave me the creeps. Kingfisher excels in building tension and has very unique ideas with well done plot twists. This novella is different from her past novels but still maintains the same compulsive readability and I was unable to put it down till I finished. At some points I was at the edge of my seat and couldn’t go to bed until the last day Kingfisher has always been consistent with writing witty, fun and likable protagonists and this is no different. Alex was hilarious and their humor contrasted well with the creeping tension of the novella. Same goes for Alex’s horse, Hob. Hob has such a big personality for a horse and was very entertaining for comedic breaks in between the horror.
Bottom line is that I definitely recommend this and think this is perfect for any fans of horror or gothic stories! I suggest going into this without knowing much and although it is a retelling, there are a few surprises in store for the reader who has already read Poe’s story. Kingfisher has cemented herself as an auto-read author for me. Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced arc in exchange for an honest review.
Helen Vaughan and her mother fled her families home at Harrowstone Hall, called Harrow. She has no idea why and why they don’t talk much to their famiHelen Vaughan and her mother fled her families home at Harrowstone Hall, called Harrow. She has no idea why and why they don’t talk much to their family anymore.
They return back for her grandfather’s funeral and finds out this man who has barely known her – left everything to her. The house, the grounds, and money all to her as long as she stays at the house for one year.
Helen decides to do it, not only for the money but also to get to the bottom of things. She needs to know why her grandfather picked her when there were so many other choices. Helen has also always felt different growing up and that no one liked her. She knows there is something about Harrow that will give her these answers. What she finds out is not even close to what she had expected.
These Fleeting Shadows is a mixture of thriller and horror. Marshall never fails to create a creepy story with a twist. The revelations only bring on more questions to the point where you have to keep reading. When you think you know where it’s going, there is much more to it. I can’t wait to see what Marshall has in store for us next!
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.
I just received an ARC and i've never been so excited in my whole life!!!!! Shout out to Sam, Kaitlin, Penguin Random House, and of course Kate Alice Marshall for blessing us with her mind....more
Rob is married to Irving and is a loving mother of two daughters, Callie and Annie. They’re a relatively normal family on the outside but on the insidRob is married to Irving and is a loving mother of two daughters, Callie and Annie. They’re a relatively normal family on the outside but on the inside there are many dark secrets. Rob desperately clings to normalcy until she can’t anymore. She’s forced to confront her past when her daughter Callie becomes exactly what Rob fears. Callie begins to exhibit odd behavior, collecting animal bones, talking to herself, and displaying bursts of violence. Rob decides to take Callie to Sundial; her childhood home in the Mojave Desert and figure out what to do from there.
The characters are definitely the defining factor in the whole book - specifically Rob and Callie. The dynamics with one another were so well-written and gave the reader a sense of unease. We don’t know their motivations until the very end of the book. Themes of family, grief, and the need for independence were prominent throughout the book and Ward was able to flesh it out well.
The story is told in past and present by Rob but Callie has a few of her own chapters as well, with excerpts of Rob’s book titled, Arrowood. The book plays with your mind, not knowing who to trust or what’s going to happen next as Rob and Callie were both unreliable narrators. The characterization is well done as they each had a very distinct voice.
Ward has quickly become one of my favorite horror authors and I will always be on the lookout for her next book. When you think you know what’s going on, she pulls the rug right from under you time after time. Catriona Ward never fails at giving the reader twist after twist. Her writing is amazing and readable, so much that you forget you’re reading a book. She knows how to keep you glued onto the page and put out each twist that will leave you shocked. I felt myself physically transported into the desert with our characters.
The genre of the book is psychological horror and it will definitely put you on the edge of your seat, in psychological turmoil (in a good way though). Be warned to check out the trigger warnings because the book does get dark and may be upsetting for dog lovers....more
International bestseller B.A Paris returns with a new psychological thriller about a house full of secrets and its neighbors full of even more. After International bestseller B.A Paris returns with a new psychological thriller about a house full of secrets and its neighbors full of even more. After a year of a long-distance relationship, Leo and Alice move together to London in a beautiful, gated community.
Though reluctant to leave her countryside cottage, Alice is ready to make a new change for her future with Leo. The neighbors are all very kind and the home is even a great bargain for reasons unknown to Alice.
Alice begins to make friends with her neighbors and tries to find a new place for herself. After an unexpected visit from a private investigator, Alice finds out the last resident of the house was a therapist who was murdered. She comes to find out Leo kept this one important detail from her about their new home. A murder suicide occurred in the bedroom, explaining why the homes pricing was so low.
Alice finds out the victim is named Nina; the name of her late sister. She kicks Leo out of the house and becomes immersed with finding out the truth. Nina’s husband, Oliver, killed her and then killed himself or so that is how the story goes and what everyone is led to believe. She wonders if the neighbors know more than they’re letting on or if they even had anything to do with it.
As she decides if she should stay in the house and forgive Leo or to move away, she begins to slowly piece together information to figure out the truth of what really happened that night. Meanwhile, strange things begin happening in her home. She notices misplaced items, odd noises, and the feeling of being watched during the night. As things spin out of control, she is unsure if she can trust her new neighbors or even Leo. She turns to the private investigator, Thomas for help since her neighbors might be hiding something else from her too.
As the story progresses, the reader learns new information, and Alice soon suspects everyone around her as the possible killer. The readers are right there with her wondering who to trust or if anyone is even trustworthy. The plot twist will come as a surprise and keep you flipping through the pages until the very end. The Therapist is a fast read and will be perfect for a beach this summer.
I’d like to thank St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sophia’s earliest memory is of drowning and losing her mother, and so becoming an orphan at a young age. All her life she has been told her mom died iSophia’s earliest memory is of drowning and losing her mother, and so becoming an orphan at a young age. All her life she has been told her mom died in Montana, leaving Sophia to bounce around within the foster care system until she turns eighteen.
Sophia believes there is more to her mother’s disappearance and thinks that a remote Alaskan island called Bitter Rock has something to do with it. She’s warned not to travel to the secluded island because it’s known to be dangerous—and visitors may never return once they go. For decades, past inhabitants have mysteriously disappeared, never to be heard from again.
“All thirty-one residents vanished without a trace. No further communication was received. No bodies were ever recovered. They were not the first. They would not be the last.”
Yet in spite of these unnatural happenings—and perhaps because of them—Sophia decides to go to Bitter Rock: she needs to find out the truth about her mother. She poses as an intern for a research company in order to secure herself access to the island. Upon arrival, strange things begin to happen, and she is immediately warned never to stray into the mist. As things begin to spiral out of control, Sophia finds herself uncovering the truth of what happened to her and her mother the day she drowned.
“This place gets inside of you… It gets inside of you and you’ll never scrape it all out.”
Kate Alice Marshall has a way with words. She conjures up the creepiest imagery and scene setting, and her writing is atmospheric enough to grip readers with every single word. Our Last Echoes is a story told through a mixture of video tapings, dialogue, interviews, and prose—a unique multi-media type of format. Her storytelling is also a fresh take on modern horror. Marshall has a great way of writing young adults and intertwining people of color and queer characters within the story. For example, in this novel there are prominent side characters who are lesbian, are East Asian, and are of Indian descent.
Our Last Echoes could be considered a spin-off of Marshall’s 2019 novel Rules For Vanishing, as there are a few Easter egg-type references and some of the same characters. I’d recommend reading Rules For Vanishing first to appreciate this world-building in its full glory.
The bottom line: Kate Alice Marshall is a must-read author for anyone who loves horror and the supernatural, particularly in the context of contemporary YA fiction.
In one moment Kelly is living her best life in Chicago as an artist, celebrating her birthday. As she goes through the door of her best friend’s art sIn one moment Kelly is living her best life in Chicago as an artist, celebrating her birthday. As she goes through the door of her best friend’s art show, she finds herself entering her hometown of Michigan. Here, her life is unrecognizable as she never left her hometown for Chicago to go to art school. She’s married to Eric, a guy she barely knew in high school and together they live in the suburbs.
“Everything I learned at art school about how to translate my vision into something tangible – knowledge that had become second nature – is in my brain. I can feel it, just beyond my reach. Normally it surrounds me like the air I breathe, but now when I try to grasp at it, it becomes smoke.”
She frantically tries to get back to her own life, racing against an unknown amount of time and afraid she will be stuck in this life forever. Kelly drives back to Chicago but soon realizes nothing is the same and no one recognizes her. Kelly comes to the conclusion she is not crazy and that this is really happening. Not only has her life completely altered, but her own reality begins to shift, adding onto making things a bit more complicated.
“I need to find out what happened to me. To know for sure if this is real or all in my head. And if it’s real, then I want to know who did it to me.”
This version of herself is supposedly in love with Eric so she decides to trust him and see what she can find out. Eric begins to act a little odd and nervous which only confuses Kelly more. Strange things keep happening around her too such as the past being rewritten and warping her memories, her tattoos disappearing, and everyone she meets possibly being the one who knows what happened to her.
Well written and engaging, The Other Me will surely surprise you till the end. Though this is a mystery thriller, the author adds some elements of science fiction, giving the story a refreshing twist. Recommended for fans of Blake Crouch and anyone interested in the concept of alternative lives. An enjoyable read and I will definitely be on the lookout for what this debut author comes out with next.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a review. ...more
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