Thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and HighBridge Audio for the advanced audiobook.
This is a shockingly gruesome, eldritch version of the CinderThanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and HighBridge Audio for the advanced audiobook.
This is a shockingly gruesome, eldritch version of the Cinderella fairy tale. The story we know is flipped in Gorman's book, with the step-family being the heroes, and Cinderella an eldritch demon of some kind that must be looked after for the better of all.
As the story unfolds, bad things happen one after the other. It makes for a tense, suspenseful read, especially after a particularly surprising death and the fact that Gorman isn't afraid to let bad things happen to kids, even. This is an indiscriminate evil (who itself is young at one point as well, which was interesting). It really gets going pretty early though and by the second half you won't want to take a break because you'll just have to know what happens. The momentum is great, as is the horror!
Gorman writes the horror both evocatively and plainly, painting the picture of an unbelievable, unknowable horror, and how that horror becomes the mundane for the main character, Eunice. But while it becomes mundane, Eunice rarely lets herself become complacent, which lets the horror continue growing for the reader still.
We Kept Her In the Cellar is a very well done, and well written and effective horror novel. I love there's a little bit at the end to tease a potential sequel, which I would definitely read with where Gorman hints it could go.
As for the audiobook, I found myself a bit annoyed with the narrator early on because she reads so clinically. As the book goes on though, that clinical reading starts breaking places (the death for one, before Eunice gets down to the work of stopping Cinderella and returns to form). It's interesting and by the end I don't hate how the narrator went about the reading of the book but I think I still would've preferred something more... magical, I guess. It would have been interesting to have it read as a normal fairy tale at the start, until things get weird and then we get different. I also didn't feel as much differentiation between the character voices as I'd have liked to make some scenes less confusing if you're not listening at 100% - and I don't mean doing different voices for the characters, but different tones, inflections, personality basically. Everyone in this audiobook seems to have just taken a benadryl or something lol But like I said, I didn't hate it and was more than able to listen through to the end.
I think this is one of my favorites for 2024, easily. What a wonderfully creepy surprise just in time for the spooky season!...more
Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for the advanced copy.
I didn't quite know what to expect with this one but I really enjoyed it! The author's note aThanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for the advanced copy.
I didn't quite know what to expect with this one but I really enjoyed it! The author's note at the beginning says that she went into writing the story with just the idea of a murder-mystery subscription box and it became a story about friendship and grief.
And Cuartero-Brigg's story really does well with its depiction of changing friendships and their complications. The story starts post-conflict, with the lead character, Jill, re-engaging with her friend group a year after her mom went missing. She's repressed any hope and grief and just wants things to get back to how they were, some semblance of 'normal'. Her friends, Ginger, Cher, O'Brien, and Clyde also are all experiencing their own grief or conflict in some way, to varying degrees of severity.
Because this is mostly Jill's story though, we don't get too in-depth into the other characters, except for maybe Clyde, the new girl and semi-antagonist. Throughout the book Clyde and Jill butt heads and snipe, due to lack of communication and misunderstandings. Working together on the case continues to raise emotions as well, as it stirs up painful memories for both girls. The relationship between the two of them is the one I'm most interested in seeing more of, though I think it was wrapped up nicely by the end.
As to the actual murder-mystery - there is indeed a couple murders and mysteries, but they mostly take second fiddle to the relationship drama and character growth. I don't mind this, tbh, and actually like it in a comic most of the time, but this one felt a sudden jolt, with the story just ending and the motive laying unanswered. And of course - it's left with a door to more issues or another volume, with the reveal at the end and the mystery of Jill's mom still out there. I wanted to take a star for the lack of motive reveal but that felt extreme for what's really a drop in the bucket in a mostly fulfilling story.
The art, by Roberta Ingranata is good too. I love her background design, it's detailed in such a way that makes the book feel quite lively. Night scenes are especially well done, with great use of shadow and shading, just very cool, dynamic stuff.
I really, really enjoyed this and am looking forward to more (hopefully)!...more
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the advanced copy.
Not going to lie, I was swayed by good reviews, particularly one that compared this story to MidsThanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the advanced copy.
Not going to lie, I was swayed by good reviews, particularly one that compared this story to Midsommar, Evil Dead, and the Stepford Wives. Yes, to the first and third, no to the second (aside from some questionable tree stuff that barely features, thankfully). Another review says it's like Black Mirror meets the Wicker Man, and that is also kind of true?
Barnett writes well, and I found myself getting lost in the story multiple times, until there was another startling time jump. The story jumps back and forth, and while, in the end, there was a reason for it that worked out, I still just don't like it. I find it takes me out of the story when we're suddenly in another time with another character, which is why I'm only rating this 4 instead of 5 stars.
Because the story is quite good. I had a sense of what the true mystery was by halfway through, just from reading so much - not just horror, but mythology and legends too. If you are the same, then you'll likely work out the ending far in advance, too, but I'll say it's still a satisfying story to read through and finish.
It's also upsetting at times. Bad things happen, people aren't punished (kind of), and while it's not relentless, there's this permeating sense of eerie darkness throughout the whole story. Like everything is just a little off... and I liked that! I loved the entire atmosphere Barnett develops throughout the story, and it really builds up to the climax. I won't claim a satisfying ending (again, kind of), but I think most will enjoy it or find it fitting within the world of the story.
This is a book I'd love to discuss with a group, to hear their thoughts and opinions on Withered Hill's traditions lol
4/5 stars, very good aside from constant time jumps interrupting me. I love a good folk horror!...more
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the advanced copy.
Lovecraft in space! One of my favorite genres. I love some cosmic horror, even whThanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the advanced copy.
Lovecraft in space! One of my favorite genres. I love some cosmic horror, even when it is derivative - I don't mind, that's my comfort food. I want the familiar when it comes to my favorites.
Anderson's story gets going pretty early on and keeps going on throttle until the end. I appreciate the large stakes, I loved the cosmic horror details, and I loved all the homages to the author's influences.
The biggest influences I noticed are At the Mountains of Madness by Lovecraft, and one of my most favorite movies ever, Event Horizon. Anderson uses characters and stories from At the Mountains of Madness (in this universe, Lovecraft's stories aren't stories but history) in an effect way to set up the motivations and actions of several characters. One in particular that I think the author must have had other plans for but then it kind of fizzles out; unless there's going to be a sequel, that was a disappointment and felt like a missed opportunity. As for Event Horizon, the author even names a couple ships the Lewis and Clark, haha. If you've seen the movie though, you'll recognize a few things (not that the movie itself is wholley original, but it is an influential cult classic) that are familiar.
My only real complaints are the character of Noor and what happens there. I don't always want answers but we saw examples of what happens when life goes through the wormhole, and then... the book just ends. With a huge What If that, honestly, doesn't really need a sequel but still feels like the set up for one.
I enjoyed this a lot though, even if it did annoy me at times lol It really scratches that cosmic horror itch.
Thanks to NetGalley and Octopus Publishing for the advanced copy.
I've been following Daniel Foxx for a while now, and his priviledged children bedtimThanks to NetGalley and Octopus Publishing for the advanced copy.
I've been following Daniel Foxx for a while now, and his priviledged children bedtime stories are probably my favorite of his skits he does, so I already knew I'd get quite the kick out of this. Most of the stories (maybe all, my memory isn't the best) are from his skits as well, so you can read and listen along at the same time :) Really adds something special.
An absolutely giggle-inducing, sassy send-up of the upper class, full of slurry mama's busy with ozempic and cheese boards, and absentee papa's busy embezzling and having affairs, while their incredibly well-adjusted children live their own lives lol And I appreciate they kept the super Britishness of the text and didn't attempt to Americanize it, because that is a large part of the point (and charm).
My personal favorites:
The Easter Egg Hunt - human sacrifice is so in right now lol "The true lesson of Easter... always settle out of court."
Cosmo's First Day of School - a child of the custodian of his family seat has a difficult first day of school. "Don't worry', said Cosmo, 'I'm sure it's nothing a valium can't fix.'" Love to see a positive attitude!
Bartie Goes Trick or Treating - nothing more terrifying than middle management and the nouveau riche! "And she gave them a handful of Perello olives and an iPhone 16 Pro Max."
Penelope's Night Before Christmas - an incredible version of the classic poem, probably my favorite in the book lol "He chuckled and nodded, his laugh sweet as hone, And Penelope relaxed: he was clearly from money."
Loved it, though I wish there were more new stories inside! Looking forward to a part 2. ...more
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy.
I actively disliked this book for the first entire half of it, only starting to Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy.
I actively disliked this book for the first entire half of it, only starting to like it in the second half, once the "enemies to lovers" portion had been settled and the actual mystery starts unfolding (not that we get much of that with all the relationship stuff). Which is where most of my problems with this book arise - the author, I think unintentionally, in setting up Ethan as the "enemy" does a little too well.
I'm going to try not to get into spoiler territory here because I am just so. mad. I hated how Carter wrote this relationship and these two people. She makes us HATE the male lead from the start - he's entitled to her personal space, he never calls her by the right name, and he constantly teases and belittles her. She, rightfully, hates him for his behavior and attitude. Rightfully! He's been actively hurtful towards her.
Now imagine reading an entire first half of a novel where the author makes you hate this man, and you know he's also the male romantic lead. Well, I had to finish the novel just to see if she could turn it around.
She certainly tried but was she successful if I'm cringing at the two leads getting together, and rolling my eyes whenever they kiss, and full on gagging when they have sex? I don't think you could make me hate a couple coming together as much as I disliked Maggie and Ethan hooking up. And we're made to root for Maggie and be upset at all the people who have abused her, and then you want us to root for an asshole who also abused her? OK, he's not as bad as the ex, but that's not saying much. Waving the rudeness away with some blithe dumb meet cute that made no sense, not that any of their relationship made sense. Maggie could do better.
The story itself is written ok, but I found the bits with the inspector interview unnecessary and overly goofy. Just, like, this whole novel is goofy. I don't mind goofy, it can be charming, but I just found myself constantly annoyed with this one. The mystery was ok, kind of fun, and the reason I'm giving this any stars. But the mystery is second fiddle to the relationship drama.
I'm sorry I didn't enjoy this because the premise, the summary, had me so excited. This seemed like something I would love, or at least enjoy. How disappointing. I really wanted to like this....more
Thanks to NetGalley and DC Comics for the advanced copy.
This is an alternate history story of how Harleen Quinzel and Pamela Isley became Harley and Thanks to NetGalley and DC Comics for the advanced copy.
This is an alternate history story of how Harleen Quinzel and Pamela Isley became Harley and Ivy. And it's kind of goofy.
If the adorable art by Jenn St. Onge and the title don't clue you in, this is also a cutesy retelling of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. At least, it is visually, but the content is decidedly not cutesy. Animal testing, morally bankrupt pharmaceutical companies, the imperfect justice system, mental illness, and domestic violence are just some of the heavy topics that Marr covers in her comic, with varying degrees of finesse... at times the content was delivered in a way that was kind of cringe, honestly, but overall it's not badly done I think.
This one is def for the Harley/Ivy shippers out there btw, as they, and their relationship, are a main focus of the story.
I feel weird ending on 'it's all cute', because the content is quite serious and upsetting, but there is somehow still a lot of cuteness. 3.5 stars. ...more
Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for the advanced copy.
Oni usually publishes interesting comics from interesting writers and artists, so I always liThanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for the advanced copy.
Oni usually publishes interesting comics from interesting writers and artists, so I always like checking out what's new with them. I wasn't very familiar with Zac Thompson's work but I am familiar with the artist, Daniel Irizarri, and I like his work so I knew that Cemetery Kids Don't Die would look good at the very least.
The story isn't very original - it's a classic story of getting stuck in a video game. The first iteration I encountered of this an episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark (with one of the darkest endings in the series at that!), and found it terrifying and thrilling, because I love video games lol The idea of the Dreamwave isn't unique but what it actually is does seem to be... unfortunately, not one characters makes one comment on how freaking WEIRD the thing is. Look at the art, it looks like a reverse facehugger. It has veins. It has tentacles. Nobody says a thing. Maybe that's something that'll have a reason in the future but five issues in without one comment on it feels weird and kind of annoying.
Which brings me to the characters. It's a teen foursome, so I don't expect them to all be likable, but then the focus is on two particularly annoying characters. One of them is in a wheelchair, which I felt wasn't handled with the most finesse, making me cringe at points. The dialogue is just kind of cringe in general. I don't know what it was that tickled me wrong on this, because overall it's not a bad story. It's very much a B-level comic and there's nothing wrong with that, I enjoy cheesy b-movies (and this is about the level of Stay Alive, the cheesy video game horror film, in quality, which I love despite it not being very good lol).
I think what has me just liking Cemetery Kids though, rather than loving it, is that the general vibe of the story is a downer. The characters can be self-centered, thoughtless, and mean, their backstories are tragic, their lives are tragic, the video game is evil... just a lot of negative. It made it not so enjoyable to digest, I guess.
Daniel Irizarri's art is wild and gross and beautiful at the same time though, which makes picking up this comic worth it. It's not a bad way to spend an hour....more
Thanks to NetGalley and RandomHouse Children's for the advanced copy.
The Bitter End wound up being so much better than I expected. An isolated murderThanks to NetGalley and RandomHouse Children's for the advanced copy.
The Bitter End wound up being so much better than I expected. An isolated murder mystery set in white out conditions is exactly what I was looking for and exactly what I got, and it was a hell of a ride by the second half, once the real action kicked in.
Alexa Donne is like a YA Lucy Foley, but more interesting and, kind of, demented. A few less than stellar reads of Foley's had me unsure about The Bitter End though, as Donne sets it up with a mysterious historical event, and chapters that flip through time and character's perspectives just like Foley. And flipping tenses. It made for an unusual read, to have some chapters in third and others in first. It made me think everything was a clue to the real killer, which - bravo for fooling me, because I thought for sure it was one person until very near the end when I started questioning another and that's who it turned out to be! So not completely unpredictable but still twisty enough to surprise me near the end, because even with my suspicions I was shook.
Most of the time I'm not into sequels for these sorts of books but for this? I'd read the sequel lol
The Bitter End is very CW but a lot of fun, with a great setting, multiple twists, a great cast of unlikable characters that you can't help but root for. High-stakes teen drama haha I liked it a lot!...more
Thanks to NetGalley, Little, Brown Young Readers, and Hachette Audio for the advanced copy of the audiobook.
Chuck Wendig is well-known for his adult hThanks to NetGalley, Little, Brown Young Readers, and Hachette Audio for the advanced copy of the audiobook.
Chuck Wendig is well-known for his adult horror and has been on my to-read for ages, so when I saw he had a middle grade horror out, I knew I had to check it out. I read a lot of horror in general, and I especially like checking out the middle grade horror for my niblings, to curate for them what I know would spook them but not give nightmares... I am torn on Monster Movie! lol
This was a surprisingly creepy story for kids, and is on par more with R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour than Goosebumps in terms of scares, and is perhaps better for kids on the older or more mature side of middle grade. Wendig paints some tense scenes and creates some scary monsters. It reminded me a lot of a cheesier Stranger Things, and of Trevor Henderson's great middle grade horror from last year, Scarewaves. Screenhead is up there with Sirenhead imo (and as basic as the name, I can't help but wonder if Wendig was inspired by Henderson).
The content can be intense but Wendig does great at presenting it for children. He's not patronizing and he doesn't hold back on the scares. I also loved the story message of not letting others bully you out of your passion, and of staying strong and brave in the face of adversity, especially when standing up for what's right. I also love a book that supports the arts lol
As for the narrator, Dan Bittner - he's a good narrator and kids will enjoy listening to him, getting a laugh from some of the voice. Adults... may be a bit annoyed. I know I was at times, especially with the *akshually* voice he does for the villain. Again, kids will get a kick from it but it grated on me, and I think I'd have preferred to read it.
Overall, I'm not sure it's a good fit for my niblings but I know that middle school me would have loved this story and read it over and over. Monster Movie! is a great addition to any middle grade horror collection....more
Thanks to NetGalley, Tor, and RB Media for the advanced copy of the audiobook.
I am so glad I requested this book, because it was likely to have remainThanks to NetGalley, Tor, and RB Media for the advanced copy of the audiobook.
I am so glad I requested this book, because it was likely to have remained on my to-read forever otherwise - and I have to thank reviewers here for convincing me this should be a must-read! I feel bad I requested a previous book by this author but haven't managed to read it yet... I'll have to rectify that soon, for sure, based on how good The Dead Cat Tail Assassins is.
This is a story of undead assassins living in a magical fantasy city. The world-building is fantastic and fantastical. I was obsessed with all the little tidbits Clark feeds us on the culture, politics, and history of his world, from the clockwork king to the rules of magic in this world and the actually very real and very meddling gods. It reminded me a lot of the world-building in a favorite series of mine by Rachel Bach, Minimum Wage Magic. Bach makes her world more near-future scifi-fantasy though, while Tal Abisi gives off historical scifi-fantasy.
The characters themselves are enjoyable to spend time with as well, especially once Eveen and Sky find each other early on. The two help each other grow in different ways, while also supporting each other. Granted, it is in a morally gray direction in the case of Sky's turn, but then this is a book about assassins lol What's most fun though is meeting all the different other undead assassins, and learning about them - the descriptions are something else, especially the skeleton man. Like, this leans into a surprising amount of body horror, which I loved.
The narrator for the audiobook, Lynnette R. Freeman, is also absolutely wonderful in narrating this story. I forgot at times that it was just one woman, I got so lost into listening to her and her wonderful voices and accents. She especially shines when she finally gets to give voice to the assassin goddess - really shining bright for what is essentially a small part of the novel. Loved it!
Did I find a new favorite writer? Maybe! Off to add everything else by P. Djeli Clark to my to-read lol I absolutely loved this, it was everything that is right up my alley - adventure, horror, action, an incredible setting... The Dead Cat Tail Assassins is an incredibly fun romp through a dark fantasy world.
I honestly loved this. Not straight horror, but a comedic, cozy horror. The vibes are like a mix between You've Got Mail and Evil Dead, or Drag Me to I honestly loved this. Not straight horror, but a comedic, cozy horror. The vibes are like a mix between You've Got Mail and Evil Dead, or Drag Me to Hell and Love Witch, with a layer of 'treat yo' self!', and it's just what I wanted/needed right now.
The main character, Annie, does get a little too whiney among all her wine but I felt those bits were well spliced between what we get of Sophie... who I do wish was the main character, and is far more fascinating and fun. Ralph, the most goodest boi of spider-dogs, was also a big favorite, of course. I already love spiders so I was an instant fan, haha
The ending is cheesy, like Practical Magic, but I still loved it. It's a feel good story.
I think this would make for a very fun movie! I listened to the audiobook as well, and the narrator, Dylan Moore was quite good. I particularly enjoyed her reading of the dialogue, and her difference in voice for Annie and Sophie, and recommend checking out the audiobook!...more
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy.
I love a themed collection of short stories, am basically a sucker for them, and I tend Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy.
I love a themed collection of short stories, am basically a sucker for them, and I tend to be a little biased towards them, which may be the case for this collection. I had to contemplate my rating because I read similarly themed collections recently that were absolutely fantastic (Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology and All These Sunken Souls: A Black Horror Anthology), and I felt like this collection didn't quite reach my expectations for it.
My favorites from The White Guy Dies First:
The Golden Dragon by Kendare Blake - feels so much like a 90s teen horror movie, but with a j-horror spin. I'm a fan of Blake though, especially when she goes horror. I think this could be a fun novel by her.
Best Served Cold by H.E. Edgmon - my favorite of all of them, this one packs a real punch. I actually read it twice, so good and creepy.
Gray Grove by Alexis Henderson - found footage and cosmic horror are always my vibes, and I loved this take on both
Everything's Coming Up Roses by Tiffany D. Jackson - Jackson is a home-run hitter when it comes to writing. Like she's becoming one of my favorites. Her character work is just fantastic, and this is an excellent example of what she's best at. Plus it's the most fun of all the stories, imo I did this one twice too haha
The rest of the stories are good still, if maybe predictable or forgettable, but the standouts are sure to stick with you. As always I'm impressed overall and always excited to have found more new writers to explore! I loved the mix of newer talent and established writers.
I did get the audiobook galley as well, and each story is read by a different narrator, with proper representation - LOVED this. I don't think there were any bad narrators in the bunch either. As I said, I even "re-read" a few!...more
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy.
What a creepy thriller. Reminds me of the sort of thrillers you'd see in the nineties, Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy.
What a creepy thriller. Reminds me of the sort of thrillers you'd see in the nineties, but the the ending was strange, and different. It reminded me a lot of Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder, at the beginning, as it felt like that was the direction it was going - it was not, btw - but far darker in my opinion.
This is a feminist story of loss, paranoia, and fear, from a woman's perspective. I found it to be anxiety-inducing so I had to do the audiobook in two parts, even though it's quite short. I think this would've been easier to ingest if I'd read it as opposed to listen to the audiobook, though the narrator, Mary Robinette Kowal, does a great job.
For the length and quality? This one knocks it out the park. I just have to take a star off for the nausea it gave me lol...more
I know there's a 4th, and some side stories, but this felt like a conclusion... and a beginning. I loved it as much as I loved the first two, though iI know there's a 4th, and some side stories, but this felt like a conclusion... and a beginning. I loved it as much as I loved the first two, though it does drag a bit in the middle where I feel some more ruthless editing could have been suggested to keep the story's momentum going like it did through the first couple books.
Still, loved it. What a weird, strange story, and I love it. ...more
Thanks to NetGalley, Tor Nightfire, and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy of the ebook and audiobook.
I love Brom, I hate Brom, and as usual I am tThanks to NetGalley, Tor Nightfire, and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy of the ebook and audiobook.
I love Brom, I hate Brom, and as usual I am torn but leaning towards loved it. lol His whole thing is fairy tales for the downtrodden; he's a modern Grimm's brother, but the original, bloody brothers. Reading along with the audiobook helped a lot due to the frequent musical interludes, so that may also be making me favor it more (the title song is an ear worm).
What I loved: While it feels a bit YA at times, there is a good amount of gore, a lot of it over the top kind of silly. Act II Ruby (though it felt forced), Tina, Vutto, basically Act II in general. I can't write much more without spoilers.
What I didn't love: Basically all of Act I. While I think Grady Hendrix leans more Goosebumps than Brom in general, this felt very Goosebumps with the young protagonist and cartoony bad guys - and the bad guys were just ridiculous. I'm torn on whether that's a bad thing though because I'm sure that's the point since the whole thing is a fairytale gone wrong (set within Judeo-Christian mythology lol). Also Act I Ruby can be a lot to tolerate at times. Everything with Richard was unnecessary; he didn't need to be in the book, period.
But like Brom always does, his endings satisfy. They're also left kind of open-ended so you're not entirely sure the fairy tale ending is truly the fairy tale ending. I think he aims for like a more philosophical gruesome Grimm brother's ending. Anyway, I've enjoyed the endings to all the novels of his I've read, including this one.
While getting through the first half was difficult, the second half was well worth the effort and a lot of fun. And more music! ...more
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the advanced copy.
This is one of the most autumnal, Halloween-y, cozy books I've eveThanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the advanced copy.
This is one of the most autumnal, Halloween-y, cozy books I've ever read. Like, it is up there with Ray Bradbury's The October Country as being alllll about the F A L L. In capital letters, yes.
Young Eve is an orphan in an undisclosed time period and location (which feels turn of the century New England at times, but there turn of the century England at other times). She is adopted by The Pumpkin King pretty quickly and the story kicks off with Eve's introduction to Hallowell valley and it's various undead inhabitants. This introduction reminded me heavily of the Diagon Alley chapter in the first Harry Potter, with that sense of magical awe and unique setting and unique background characters.
Banbury does great with his world-building. It's familiar but unfamiliar, and it makes sense for its inhabitants. All of the side characters are somehow distinct and interesting in their own right as well, which is another point for Banbury - the main character of Eve, her best friends Lyla and Vlad, and of course The Pumpkin King and Scrags the scarecrow are all the most fleshed out of course, but I am impressed that we get to know the smaller side characters as well. It really makes this world feel robust and real.
I cannot WAIT to read this to my niece and nephew this October. They will be obsessed. I am obsessed. I am hoping this is the start of a Halloween-y series because I want to go back to this world so badly. This would absolutely have been one of my favorite books if I'd read it as a 10 year old!
By the way, the whole time I was reading this I was picturing adapted in animation, in a style somewhere between Howl's Moving Castle and The Last Unicorn, both of which I was strongly reminded of vibes-wise while reading The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night.
Now, I'm off to build The Pumpkin King's farm in The Sims 4 lol look for it on the gallery soon, I guess! I'll hashtag the lot with the book title #thepumpkinprincess. I'm excited to share this book with everyone and cannot recommend it enough.
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