I haven’t seen this movie since it first reached video. I remember being 12ish and being super creeped out watching this with my dad. I had pretty higI haven’t seen this movie since it first reached video. I remember being 12ish and being super creeped out watching this with my dad. I had pretty high expectations for the novelization.
Luckily, this delivered. I honestly have zero recollection of the film so that helped me not feel like I was doing an accuracy analysis. The pacing is great. There’s this ominous vibe right from the jump that only intensifies as the book continues. The characters were flawed but each had their merits.
The ending was great. Went from 0 to 100 pretty quickly and we’re given some fantastically creepy scenes. My only gripe with the novel which may have turned it into a five star read was that I really felt like this could have gone MUCH deeper. Novelizations give so much room for expansion and this didn’t go as far as it could’ve. Some of the characters motivations are still a bit murky and we’re left with much less backstory than we could’ve been given. I would’ve loved to see more buildup around the side characters and also gone into more detail with the mental deterioration.
Overall, it was a still a great read. I loved the vibe of the story and definitely will be looking for more novelizations. It’s a well paced story with major creepy vibes. ...more
That was a deliciously creepy read. This was my first read by Devecchi but definitely won’t be my last. In A Whisper in the Dark we have our 11yo protThat was a deliciously creepy read. This was my first read by Devecchi but definitely won’t be my last. In A Whisper in the Dark we have our 11yo protagonist, Sam, adjusting to life in a new place. He has a cool old neighbor but is struggling wit bullying and making friends. Throw in some malevolent beings and we’ve got our book. It’s definitely a slower burn. There’s very little action until the final third of the book. We’re given some flashbacks here and there as we connect deeper with various character but much of the beginning is focused more on characterization and world building. I love my slow burns but I can see how some readers may struggle if they prefer faster paced books with lots of action scenes and gore.
I enjoyed the characters and found them to be well dimensioned with the exception of Greg. I often forgot he was even there. I also felt that Tyler’s story is never really finished. There’s allusion to a bigger reveal but we never get to see it. I loved the siblings bond in the story. I have one of those nightmare sibling relationships where we haven’t spoken in almost two decades, but loved seeing Sam and Christina care for one another.
This was a fun creature feature. I loved the supernatural elements and found them to be a different vibe than what we normally see. I would definitely recommend this to any readers who appreciate a slower burn that culminates into a fantastically creepy ending. Despite having a younger protagonist I would NOT consider this YA, middle grade or coming of age. There’s some of those elements in the beginning but it’s definitely an adult horror novel. Fun read and I look forward to more from Devecchi in the future....more
Werewolf horror has never been my first choice so going in I was a bit hesitant. It’s mostly a slow burn in the beginning with lots of family dynamicsWerewolf horror has never been my first choice so going in I was a bit hesitant. It’s mostly a slow burn in the beginning with lots of family dynamics and bickering. Interspersed within this background plot Asman pitches a few flashbacks that lay the groundwork for the antagonist.
The book revolves around a ragtag group of werewolves who are suddenly uprooted following a rough night out. They head out into no man’s land and uncover an even worse evil.
I don’t typically like blending horror tropes but I enjoyed this one. It’s not over the top with the typical werewolf-isms and I really liked the other supernatural aspect and its lore.
The characters are dimensional and didn’t feel overly cliche. The dialogue never felt corny or leaned too hard into the werewolf trope. It was a fun read.
The ending felt a bit convenient at times but Asman delivers on some gory scenes and action. I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a good werewolf book or even just a slow burn creature feature. ...more
This is one of those reads that gets under your skin. Lump in your throat, goosebumps on your arms when you think of certain pages or parts. It’s a saThis is one of those reads that gets under your skin. Lump in your throat, goosebumps on your arms when you think of certain pages or parts. It’s a sad, dark book. The writing in this book is top tier. It’s often a mixture of traditional prose and stream of consciousness and this is a combination I’ve really enjoyed reading. Model Home explores some of those creepy crawly things we don’t like talking about. Solomon is never vulgar or gory with their descriptions, but I would absolutely check tw if sensitive to some content.
I loved the book. I couldn’t put it down, thought about it in my off reading time (life, I guess?) and felt strongly for the characters. The Maxwell family is amazing. Each character is so complex but the family bonds are the kind I dream of. I don’t have a close relationship with much/any of my bio family and the connection the Maxwell siblings and their extended family have is the kind I hope my own children have one day.
The book features LGTBG+ Black characters and if this is something that could even marginally affect your review of an amazing book, please just skip it. It’s only within the past YEAR I’ve been seeing frequent non binary characters in my books and Solomon has done an excellent job at showing some of the cruelty those in the community face without it being a huge traumatic trope. I loved that Ezri’s family was unwavering in their support at all times. While this is a really dark book, I found quite a bit of joy in the love these characters both give and receive.
At first I was waffling on how I felt about the ending. But as Solomon went into more detail it was something I could envision. The pacing is mixed which may be a struggle for some readers, but the darker themes explored in the book are done expertly and it’s a fantastic book. Highly recommend. Not explicitly horror but deals with a haunted house and some horrific themes....more
What an interesting debut! This book had fantastic bones and a really interesting premise. Tessie is caring for her dying mother and struggling financWhat an interesting debut! This book had fantastic bones and a really interesting premise. Tessie is caring for her dying mother and struggling financially. She’s done some ghost hunter reality shows in the past and decides to give it another go when her former castmate, Rob, reaches out with a new haunted house. This one goes a bit further than her previous experiences.
I loved the plot and many of the scenes were so creepy and well done. My biggest issue with the book would likely be that I needed more from it. The first half is fairly tame and the second half is a WILD, balls to the walls, horror acid trip. The first half of the book does well to set up the creepy without being over the top, but with the second half I needed more detail. It all comes at you very fast and while I LOVED the vibes of the story, added detail could’ve turned this into a really solid novel.
I enjoyed Tessie’s character but we never get to learn much about X, Rob and Natalie. Certain things are alluded to and further clarity would’ve been beneficial to understand Tessie’s mindset and her childhood.
Overall, this is a great debut. I love wtf-esque horror and Degni has done an excellent job here. I definitely look forward to seeing what he puts out in the future. I feel like this could have used a bit more refinement and dimension, but if you’re looking for a fast paced horror that will have you questioning yourself constantly, this is a solid novella....more
Fun novella! If slasher vibes are your jam I’d definitely recommend this one. The book takes places in modern day but the setting of Eden Hills Mall iFun novella! If slasher vibes are your jam I’d definitely recommend this one. The book takes places in modern day but the setting of Eden Hills Mall is a very intentional throw back to the golden era of malls. 80s music and decor really help transport the reader back. I was *also* one of those latchkey mall kids and have sooo many memories at North DeKalb Mall. From Challenges (the arcade) to the movie theatre and even the super sketchy bridge nearby we’d smoke under. So I definitely felt the nostalgia.
The book is fast paced and the action begins on the first page. Penny is a fun character, but many of the others felt a bit cliche to me. The book tends to lean into B slasher movie territory but has some unexpected twists involved. I did miss some of the humor I found in Frost Bite, but overall it was a fun read.
It’s a quick read so if you’re into slashers and cult-y vibes I’d give this one a go....more
This was my first read by Frederick and it was a solid read. Eight struggling artists (all with entirely different mediums) are invited for a week at This was my first read by Frederick and it was a solid read. Eight struggling artists (all with entirely different mediums) are invited for a week at the private island of a mysterious benefactor. Things go south pretty quickly and the comparisons to Saw and Escape Room are apt. There are some really gnarly kill scenes written with a fair amount of detail. The book is fast paced and very accessible.
I do feel as though this is a trope I’ve been reading quite a bit of, lately. I had to suspend plausibility pretty hard for this one and struggled to connect with the characters. I do feel the characters are well nuanced and didn’t fall into neat little cliche boxes like other books but I just didn’t feel much emotion for them. We get a bit of back story here and there but I do feel like more dimension would make it easier for the reader to care for the characters. The Curator is a fairly typical villain and again, I struggled with the “how” and “why” for much of this book. I understand desperation, but the book just didn’t hit that mark for me. There were also a few time lapses where it was like the characters simply powered down into stasis.
It’s a short read and the pacing is excellent. If you’re into gory escape room/Saw-esque challenges then I’d absolutely recommend this read. I definitely look forward to checking out more from Frederick in the future....more
This was an interesting read! I wasn’t totally sure what the format was going in, but it’s one main story (about half the book) and then the rest is dThis was an interesting read! I wasn’t totally sure what the format was going in, but it’s one main story (about half the book) and then the rest is divided into four stories which are linked to the filmmaker referenced in the main story.
I enjoyed the first story. I wouldn’t quite class it as horror but it was an interesting coming of age story involving our fifteen year old protagonist, Brendan, who is struggling with the separation of his parents and lack of physical contact with his father. He befriends a girl in his grade who seems to have a direct link to a familiar filmmaker from Brendan’s youth. I liked Melissa but Brendan’s a bit of a jerk. I’m pretty sure most boys at his age with his life circumstances would be, so I do think Prentiss did a solid job with characterization and dialogue.
I enjoyed the way the author often switched tenses and narrative styles. At times the narrator would abruptly change but it was never in a confusing way. Prentiss does an excellent job at keeping the reader on track even within this literary rollercoaster. The story is a slower burn and again, doesn’t seem to neatly fit into the horror gene. At times it’s hard to tell whats real and what’s imagined, but Prentiss manages an ending that ties things together.
The four short stories were hit or miss for me. It was neat getting to see some of the mentioned films written out. I enjoyed The Dungeon of Count Verlock, The Space Visitor and The Twisted Face but completely missed the ending to The Lake Monster.
Overall, this was a fun read and a respectful nod to some of the original classic horror. It has some coming of age vibes and often the reader is left trying to figure out what’s real. ...more
What an interesting read. I was initially drawn to the book by the cover but what cemented my need to read was that this is a book that is set LOCALLYWhat an interesting read. I was initially drawn to the book by the cover but what cemented my need to read was that this is a book that is set LOCALLY to me, which NEVER happens. The author is also local to me and I love to support our local authors.
Quatro nails Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain and it was so easy to visualize Michael’s journey downtown because it’s one I’ve taken often. The characters were well written. Flawed, human and Quatro does an excellent job at creating characters that the readers feels a variety of emotions for. The Prophet, Michael and Zeke felt very dimensional.
This is a sad book and it’s difficult to classify its genre. It’s definitely literary fiction but has some super heavy themes and some of the themes discussed are downright horrifying. It’s also not the most accessible book. The time format is non linear at times and often things are mentioned with no explanation for quite a while. I enjoyed the writing style, but it’s not a book you can just blow through.
There were many different directions the author could have chosen but I feel like she carved out the best path through. It’s a heartbreaking book, but well worth the read....more
Really enjoyed this novelization! I should preface that I haven’t seen the movie so comparatively speaking I can’t offer much. Ultimately this was a sReally enjoyed this novelization! I should preface that I haven’t seen the movie so comparatively speaking I can’t offer much. Ultimately this was a sad, well paced sci fi horror.
This is a fairly bleak book with somewhat unlikeable protagonists. The characters had dimension and the story went in a direction I never anticipated. Dren was such a neat addition. I loved most of the artwork in the back of the book and it helped me visualize Dren so much more.
The book was well written. Obviously this is a story that’s been done so to speak, but Donner does a great job at bringing the story to the page. I’d love to check out the movie now to see what’s likely a true adaptation. I normally avoid film and tv adaptations until I’ve forgotten the story significantly, but I’d love to see how this compares to the movie considering which came first.
Definitely recommend this to the sci fi horror crowd. ...more
This was a fun read. It was my first by Jason Pargin but I’ve already added a few more to my tbr. There is sooooo much knowledge and social commentaryThis was a fun read. It was my first by Jason Pargin but I’ve already added a few more to my tbr. There is sooooo much knowledge and social commentary packed into the book. Ether and Abbot’s dueling perspectives made for a really introspective read. I learned quite a bit and Ether’s outlook provided a fresh take on many things that even I tend to be doom and gloom about.
At times the book does fall into the cheesy/cinematic vibe, but overall I absolutely enjoyed it. I didn’t exactly love our protagonist but he is a well thought out character and definitely one that can be found in many dark corners of the internet. Ether was amazing and I loved her story. Even the side characters avoided just about all of the typical cliches and made the story an enjoyable one.
There is some humor in this and it’s definitely not a gory book. I found myself laughing quite a bit. I’m not one who *ever* thinks they can see where the book is going, but I do want to declare that when Cammy said she “knew a place” I knew with every fiber of my being that a gas station beaver was in the near future. I don’t think some reading this book can truly understand the Buc-ees obsession in the south. It is VERY real (they even have Buc-ees themed birthday party decorations for sale!) and Pargin’s inclusion of this was awesome.
Overall I definitely want to check out more from Pargin in the future. I enjoyed it and appreciated a deviation from some typical tropes. ...more
This book had an interesting premise. Tommy has moved away from his home (plus child and ex wife) and is hoping to make it big in L.A. Things aren’t gThis book had an interesting premise. Tommy has moved away from his home (plus child and ex wife) and is hoping to make it big in L.A. Things aren’t going well and he’s struggling. A chance invitation involving money catches his interest and the dominoes fall from there.
The book is well written and accessible for most readers. Tommy is multi faceted and flawed and it was easy to feel sympathize with him as his life spirals. The dialogue was well done and felt true but I struggled with many of the side characters. It also made played on the secret lives of the uber wealthy trope and most of the villains are kind of stereotypically evil.
The book is well paced and written but I did find it difficult to connect as this is a book trope that has seemed super redundant lately. I don’t fault the author for that, but it made it more difficult for me to invest in the story.
It’s a bloody one and super disgusting at times, but if you’re a fan of the how far will one go? type plots then this is a great read. I wouldn’t class this as extreme but it has some heavy body mutilation in it. I enjoyed the ending and would be happy to read more books by Chase Will in the future. ...more
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