Definitely not as strong as the Gothic fantasy I've read from Slatter, but this was still a fun time! The world building is fantastic and I liked the Definitely not as strong as the Gothic fantasy I've read from Slatter, but this was still a fun time! The world building is fantastic and I liked the variety of lore that was included, but at times it felt like there was a bit too much going on. I also needed more depth from the character relationships. All the characters as individuals were fairly interesting but only Verity was fully fleshed out and I didn't feel like her relationships had enough meat to them. Still a good first in series and I'll likely continue on with the next Verity novel. ...more
As expected, this was a very strange read. However, Awad's writing is so weird and haunting and effective that it absolutely carried my attention throAs expected, this was a very strange read. However, Awad's writing is so weird and haunting and effective that it absolutely carried my attention through the entire bizarre plot. Do I fully understand what I just read? Not at all. But I've accepted that Awad's books are all about the weird, creepy, ambiguous journey and less about the destination. I found this one to be a bit too repetitive at times, which made it less hard hitting for me than Bunny, but still a good read. The fact that there's a Tom Cruise facsimile at the heart of a skincare cult situation is also just *chef's kiss* perfection.
Merged review:
As expected, this was a very strange read. However, Awad's writing is so weird and haunting and effective that it absolutely carried my attention through the entire bizarre plot. Do I fully understand what I just read? Not at all. But I've accepted that Awad's books are all about the weird, creepy, ambiguous journey and less about the destination. I found this one to be a bit too repetitive at times, which made it less hard hitting for me than Bunny, but still a good read. The fact that there's a Tom Cruise facsimile at the heart of a skincare cult situation is also just *chef's kiss* perfection.
Merged review:
As expected, this was a very strange read. However, Awad's writing is so weird and haunting and effective that it absolutely carried my attention through the entire bizarre plot. Do I fully understand what I just read? Not at all. But I've accepted that Awad's books are all about the weird, creepy, ambiguous journey and less about the destination. I found this one to be a bit too repetitive at times, which made it less hard hitting for me than Bunny, but still a good read. The fact that there's a Tom Cruise facsimile at the heart of a skincare cult situation is also just *chef's kiss* perfection....more
Sapphic rock and roll succubus horror, what's not to like?? This book covers a lot of emotional ground and builds impressive depth to its relationshipSapphic rock and roll succubus horror, what's not to like?? This book covers a lot of emotional ground and builds impressive depth to its relationships despite its short length. I really enjoyed reading about Ronnie and her boys, and I'm a sucker for any story with musicians at its centre. ...more
This is just a fun time! I expected it to be a bit sillier and more madcap, and I'm glad it wasn't. As it stands, it's an effective and really originaThis is just a fun time! I expected it to be a bit sillier and more madcap, and I'm glad it wasn't. As it stands, it's an effective and really original haunted house story that also doesn't mind poking fun at itself and some of the more cliche tropes. I had a really good time with this one!...more
As I explore more in different subgenres of horror, I'm finding there are some that just, without fail, don't work for me. Religious horror is definitAs I explore more in different subgenres of horror, I'm finding there are some that just, without fail, don't work for me. Religious horror is definitely one of those. Coming of age horror also tends to be a little hit or miss for me. So with that combo, I guess it's not too surprising that this novella didn't land. It's not badly written, and the concept has some neat ideas, but watching a young boy work through his religious trauma just isn't something that was ever going to be my favourite. The idea of the fox-devils is fun and there's some entertaining gore in the last 1/3 of the book, but I found myself wanting this to either lean more into the campy gory aspects OR more into the family drama and the mystery of Stan, so I ended up being a bit unsatisfied with both pieces. Still, lots of other people really enjoy this one so I really think it's a case of me not being the right reader for it. ...more
This was a letdown after how much I loved Tender is the Flesh. The writing isn't bad, exactly, but it feels very detached and clinical.2.5 rounded up.
This was a letdown after how much I loved Tender is the Flesh. The writing isn't bad, exactly, but it feels very detached and clinical. A lot of these stories are only a handful of pages long and barely have a plot, so there's not much to grab onto. Maybe 3 of the stories are ones I would say I enjoyed, the rest just kind of...existed. Meh. ...more
A bittersweet romance, indeed. I really enjoyed the characters and their relationship, and the ending was emotionally devastating. Manga isn't somethiA bittersweet romance, indeed. I really enjoyed the characters and their relationship, and the ending was emotionally devastating. Manga isn't something I've read much of, but stories like these definitely make me want to explore the format more....more
This is one of the most satisfying thrillers I've read in a LONG time! I loved the locked-room elements and the three separate stories.4.5 rounded up.
This is one of the most satisfying thrillers I've read in a LONG time! I loved the locked-room elements and the three separate stories. Watching all the pieces slot together was so good, with the author providing just enough details for the reader to get there at the same time as the characters do. It made for some really shocking but totally plausible twists and I just ate it up! Loved it!...more
A fun, fast-paced sci-fi thriller that was exactly what I was in the mood for! Koepp's cinematic background definitely shines through and I could realA fun, fast-paced sci-fi thriller that was exactly what I was in the mood for! Koepp's cinematic background definitely shines through and I could really see the action unfolding as I read. Fungal horror is always a good time and cordyceps novus is an especially terrifying idea. This book may not be high literature, but it's a damn good time! ...more
An interesting premise, but sadly the execution was lacking in depth. I wanted the ideas around the spite house and the returned to be way more flesheAn interesting premise, but sadly the execution was lacking in depth. I wanted the ideas around the spite house and the returned to be way more fleshed out. The haunted house element was good but there were so many other details introduced then never really explored. The pacing was also pretty uneven which was jarring in places. ...more
First, the good. The opening novella held my attention more than I expected, and I was intrigued by The Mistress. The next few stories were also writtFirst, the good. The opening novella held my attention more than I expected, and I was intrigued by The Mistress. The next few stories were also written in a way that was accessible and compelling.
However, as the collection went on, the concepts stayed mostly interesting but the execution got sloppy. The writing was just frankly not great and the stories consistently took wild turns towards their endings. Unfortunately, nothing about the last half of this collection worked for me at all, while the first half was fine but not terribly memorable. ...more
A great book to pick up and read through in a single sitting. I wish we'd had a slightly more likeable and less pretentious narra3.5 stars rounded up.
A great book to pick up and read through in a single sitting. I wish we'd had a slightly more likeable and less pretentious narrator to centre the plot, but the actual story is a fun time! I'm a sucker for books that incorporate other forms of media so weird subliminal music as a plot device worked well for me. Really my main issue was the main character's voice, but it bothered me less as the plot went on. ...more
A quick, deeply unsettling read. The atmosphere is incredibly claustrophobic and the events feel frighteningly plausible. It definitel4.5 rounded up.
A quick, deeply unsettling read. The atmosphere is incredibly claustrophobic and the events feel frighteningly plausible. It definitely packs quite the punch for such a short novella! ...more
If you're looking for a short, atmospheric, impactful horror novella, this one definitely has you covered! This is a really beautifully written story If you're looking for a short, atmospheric, impactful horror novella, this one definitely has you covered! This is a really beautifully written story of grief and finding yourself both as an individual and within your community. I loved how the author integrated Rira's artwork into the story, and the horror elements strike the perfect balance between creepy and ethereal. Highly recommend checking this one out!...more
This one didn't click for me. It's fairly fast-paced, especially through the first part of the story, but I never felt truly engaged o2.5 rounded up.
This one didn't click for me. It's fairly fast-paced, especially through the first part of the story, but I never felt truly engaged or invested. It felt like far too much telling and no showing, and the plot moved through its elements rapid-fire in a way that just felt very shallow. I normally like a story-within-a-story element but in this case, it didn't work for me and instead felt repetitive and, frankly, cheap by the end. Not opposed to reading more Nesbo in the future (I did really enjoy Headhunters) but this one wasn't for me. ...more
After 5 years away from the Kate Daniels world, this novella reconfirmed that this remains my favourite series. Kate remains the perfect blend of snarAfter 5 years away from the Kate Daniels world, this novella reconfirmed that this remains my favourite series. Kate remains the perfect blend of snarky and badass, and I still love her relationship with Curran. I did blank on a lot of the finer details of the main series, but this was still a good time....more
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