Content Warnings: Medical Horror (Surgery, Lack of Consent, Sexual Assault, Forced Pregnancy, Abortion, Anatomical Specimens), Gore (Animal and Human)Content Warnings: Medical Horror (Surgery, Lack of Consent, Sexual Assault, Forced Pregnancy, Abortion, Anatomical Specimens), Gore (Animal and Human), Misogyny, Cannibalism, Sexual Assault, Descriptions of Pregnancy, Child Birth, and Abortion, Descriptions of Butchery
I have mixed feelings about this book. I have to address the immediate elephant in the room which is: I went into it expecting a significant portion of the book to touch Mrs. Lovett's time with Sweeney Todd. What I got instead was the opposite; time in the pie shop was extremely limited. The time spent in that location, and how it was retold, I thought was good and enjoyed. I also quite liked seeing Mrs. Lovett as a young girl in the Butcher shop.
However, the rest of the book was very hit and miss for me. The elements I found intriguing (e.g., mystery in the doctor's house, mystery in the convent, Free Mason spin off cult) were either cleared up too soon, not threaded through consistently, or dropped. The majority of the time in the brothel was boring, which was unfortunate because I'm all about LGBTQ+ rep in fiction; it just didn't really add much to the overall story or character building, for me. I was also disappointed that we didn't get to learn much about Ms. Gibson, to whom all the correspondence in the novel is addressed.
My final dislike is perhaps more due to my personal taste: I hated everything involved with Mrs. Lovett's child. I hated the enduring of multiple sexual assaults and non-consensual abortions, everything surrounding her pregnancy because, and most of all that the son becomes a justification for her deeds in the pie shop. The medical horror is purely on me; I have a huge personal squick with anything related to pregnancy. The change in Mrs. Lovett's character I thought took away the appeal of her being a morally gray and active participant in Sweeney Todd's crimes.
At the same time, I kept reading this book all the way to the end, despite my critiques and personal dislikes. I love an epistolary novel with engrossing unreliable narrators as well as a good penny dreadful, and this book delivered both. In that vein, I'd recommend it to anyone who also likes that specific combination....more
Reading this book was an experience that is hard to describe. It moves throughContent Warnings: Child Abuse (Sexual), Intergenerational Trauma, PTSD,
Reading this book was an experience that is hard to describe. It moves through different forms of media, such as telegraph, telephone, television, radio, and so on, and uses them as a means of connecting to the author’s lived experiences. There’s also a lot of allusions made to other writers’ and their theories, along with more historical and popular culture references.
I didn’t hate this book, but I also don’t think I’d ever read it again. In its efforts to engage the reader, I think it will form some success. While it didn’t leave an impression on me, I’m sure there are others who will enjoy its unique form and reflective nature.
I will mention here that I had both a digital ARC and a physical final version of the book. I could not get into the print version at all but gave the book a second chance with the digital text. The print version is just… borderline inaccessible. It is smaller than typical books, and the text and images are far too small to be read easily. It may have been made smaller in an effort to make it more travel sized/pocket sized, but I think it does so in detriment to the book. I rarely advise getting a digital version to read, but I think it’s a necessity with this text. ...more
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I'm a soft touch for a supernatural mystery, and this hit the right sContent Warnings: Anxiety, Corpses, Car Accident
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I'm a soft touch for a supernatural mystery, and this hit the right spot. I also thought that the romance was well done, building alongside the plot without actually being the main plot. Miles and Gabriel are both complex, engaging characters separately and together. Their differences are obvious, but its their similarities in important areas that make the pair work. Likewise, the supporting cast are well described, each unique enough to be of interest while also feeling natural. Charlee was an easy favorite of mine.
My one minor complaint about the book is the ending. While this is a duology, I just felt like the cliffhanger was a little too much. Again, very minor. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a solidly plotted supernatural mystery with great characters....more
Content Warnings: Homophobia, Biphobia, Misogyny, Gore, Child Death, Lynching, Missing Persons, Drug Abuse (Meth), Depression, PTSD, Car Accidents, InContent Warnings: Homophobia, Biphobia, Misogyny, Gore, Child Death, Lynching, Missing Persons, Drug Abuse (Meth), Depression, PTSD, Car Accidents, Intimate Partner Violence (Verbal abuse, Physical Abuse, including Strangling), Suicide & suicidal ideation
The writing overall in this book is good. Vivid horror imagery, evocative interpersonal trauma between two parents who have lost a child (and each other, emotionally), and a comprehensive sweep of issues that rural communities experience were all present. I also, in a technical sense, appreciate the ending. I didn't like it, but I can appreciate why it ended as it did.
That said, I found the novel overall unsatisfying. It tries, unsuccessfully, to balance a police procedural, a family drama, and folk horror. Of these three, the family drama and folk horror were done the best, and if the book was just about these two elements, it may have been better. The police elements just felt extraneous. While I appreciated the characters in theory given their complexity, I ultimately didn't like any of them and had no one to root for, so the horror just became creepy moment after creepy moment with no feeling of investment or resolution.
I do think there are horror fans who will vibe with this book more than I did, and for the creepiness in it, I would recommend it to that crowd....more
These short stories are well written, and I enjoyed many of the situations and characters described. However, I found them overall confusing to followThese short stories are well written, and I enjoyed many of the situations and characters described. However, I found them overall confusing to follow, as some seem to bleed into each other, and it was often hard -- at least in the ebook version -- to tell when one story ended and the next began. I think others will enjoy these stories, though, even if they weren't for me....more
Content Warnings: Gore, Racism (Anti-Asian), Hate Crimes, Misogyny, Religious Trauma, Mentions of child abuse, cults, medical institutionalization
ThiContent Warnings: Gore, Racism (Anti-Asian), Hate Crimes, Misogyny, Religious Trauma, Mentions of child abuse, cults, medical institutionalization
This novel captivated me. Cora Zeng, the third person focus character, felt so real to me. Her struggles as a survivor after her sister's murder, with her mental health in the forms of OCD and anxiety, her familial and cultural upbringing, all of that is enough -- to add on top her struggles with the anti-Asian sentiment and flat racism that flared during COVID-19 and dealing with hungry ghosts? It may sound, when I list all that, like too much, that one character couldn't possible encompass all those aspects well, and maybe I'd normally agree -- but Cora Zeng does it. Flawed, vulnerable, brave, and just plain relatable. All could be considered other names for Cora Zeng.
The use of multiple types of horror, and how each oozes into each other, was flawless. Baker balances and juxtaposes the supernatural threat of the hungry ghosts with those that are, sadly, more mundane: the too-real, ever-present systemic racism and sexism and its COVID-19 flavoring, the unique fear of contamination and sickness that COVID-19 brought particularly at the beginning of the pandemic, the fear of not only mental illness itself but of potentially being locked up again. Each is allowed its space; each affects the other. Similarly, the mystery elements of the book are meticulously threaded through. The mysteries surrounding the hungry ghosts, the serial killings of Asian women, and even of people with whom Cora interacts, like her coworkers, all add texture and flavor to the work.
Needless to say, I highly recommend this book. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down, and I can't wait to own a physical copy. While I have not read any of Baker's other books, I'm eager to do so now after reading this one. ...more
Washington's collection offers a myriad of different types of horror, and I loved the mixture of writing styles overall. In particular, I liked the frWashington's collection offers a myriad of different types of horror, and I loved the mixture of writing styles overall. In particular, I liked the framing device presented at the beginning, middle, and end of the work -- it brought me back to classic horror anthologies. I also appreciated the diversity in the characters; to see so many prominent Black, queer, and female characters, and each allowed to be unique, was a breath of fresh air.
I didn't love every story, which is true of most short story collections, but the majority I enjoyed a lot. I would recommend this collection to anyone looking for some good, spooky tales with solid writing and characters....more
This book had Content Warnings: Misogyny, Racism, Gaslighting, Childhood Trauma (Abuse, Religious), Anxiety, Depression, Suicide/Self-Harm, Alcoholism
This book had some major pros. The concept was creepy and well-described. Our main character, Sol, and her wife, Alice, raise very valid points about sexism, racism, misogyny, misogynoir, homophobia, and different issues within the Queer community. I also liked Sol overall. Yes, she could get exhausting, but she WAS exhausted due to the mental illness, childhood trauma, and gaslighting she faced in her community and at work. I also liked Alice.
The pacing was the main issue I had with the book. The beginning was solid, but somewhere around the middle it just started to feel repetitive in terms of the scares, what was happening, etc. Things picked back up again when Sol accidentally joined the cult through breaking a statue, but it quickly fizzled again. I also hated the ending. While it is definitely creepy, I felt like it was rushed and put Sol basically in the same position she was so desperate to escape earlier. Same constraints, just different branding. That easily could be part of the commentary in the book, but it just needled me wrong....more
Rose's debut novel does not feel like a debut. Her voice and writing sContent Warnings: Cannibalism, Child Abuse, Wounds, Self-Harm, Neglect, Bullying
Rose's debut novel does not feel like a debut. Her voice and writing skills are top notch. I lost myself in this book and read it in two sittings, interrupted only because I needed to go to bed for work the next day. Margot, our first person narrator, is the driving force of the book. I have rarely felt closer to a narrator and her emotions, and I had to keep reading to see how she would navigate her situation next.
The other primary characters, Mama and Eden, were also well done, especially in how Margot's viewpoint colored them. Mama is a despicable human being, but the complicated feelings Margot has for her abuser, and how they evolve over time, are perfectly rendered. Eden's ability to enter, and affect, that already tumultuous landscape was really the part that hit on folklore for me. She feels like an inverse Fairy Godmother, someone who comes to make things worse instead of better. Likewise, Margot's description of school vs home, and how both fail her, are tragic. The brief moments of joy to be found in burgeoning love for her classmate, Abbie, and her friendship with the school bus driver are made all the more bittersweet as a result.
In short, this book was addictive, enrapturing, but throughout heart breaking and gritty. The detailed cannibalism scenes, as well as the extreme child abuse, mean this book is not at all for the faint of heart. I adored this book and wouldn't change a thing about it -- I just think people should know what they're signing up for. ...more
Content Warnings: Suicide/suicidal ideation, Body Horror, Gore, Mental Illness, Existentialism
Ajram's novel is extremely successful in its vivid descrContent Warnings: Suicide/suicidal ideation, Body Horror, Gore, Mental Illness, Existentialism
Ajram's novel is extremely successful in its vivid descriptions. Whether it is the mystery of the looping train story, body horror heavy experiences, or the first person narrator The descriptions of the train station, body horror heavy experiences, and lived experiences of the first person narrator were all wonderfully penned. However, I found the book lingered too long for me. I eventually began to skim because it felt too repetitious. Then, when it got to the Choose Your Own Section, I couldn't participate easily in the ebook version. That part may be a me problem; the links themselves worked fine, but it was hard for me to keep track of what I had or hadn't done, as opposed to a physical book where I can hold a finger or put a place holder.
While this book is not for me, it's NOT poorly written, and I think there are many would may enjoy it. Specifically, Ajram's book reminded me immediately of horror video games, which have recently had a lot of settings that use looping, liminal spaces, and often multiple endings based on the player's actions. Those who enjoy those kinds of narrative will, I think, dig this book....more
Murphy's novel has some interesting ideas and a great premise. Unfortunately, the writing brings down the poteContent Warnings: Gore / Wounds; Corpses
Murphy's novel has some interesting ideas and a great premise. Unfortunately, the writing brings down the potential shown in said premise in several areas.
First, all of the characters are flat. Part of this flatness may come from the sheer number of characters. In addition to the 5 serial killers and the detective, there are 2 psychologists, lots of business people, news people, and lots of servants/employees. All of them receive the same superficial introduction, not all with a physical description, and all are engaged at one point or another in the story. It's a lot to keep track of in general, but even more so when they have no real distinguishing characteristics.
Part of the flatness also comes because the novel moves between a lot of dialogue with no breaks to a lot of action with no dialogue. Regardless of the focus, though, readers are consistently told things, not shown them. We are told about the surgeries, we are told about the crimes of the serial killers, we are told about political issues, but we rarely get to actually see the feelings or changes in others.
An additional, specific problem with the representation of the serial killers can be seen in Gia Ho, who is a crossdresser and/or transfemme. The fact that it's not clear from the novel which is true is a problem in and of itself. The depiction is not the most offensive I've read, but it follows a bad pattern of representation of this minority group with serial killers/the mentally ill. ...more
Content Warnings: Gore, Corpses, Undead, Stalking, Serial Killing
There were several things I liked about this book. It's a well-built world DNF at 60%
Content Warnings: Gore, Corpses, Undead, Stalking, Serial Killing
There were several things I liked about this book. It's a well-built world and an intriguing one. The place of resurrectionists vs. necromancer vs. undead vs. witches was great, and there was a lot of clear social commentary built in. I liked the characters overall as well, particularly Germaine and Selene. I also was invested in the murder mystery, though not enough to read on to the end. See below or more information on that.
The structure ruined this book for me and prevented me from pushing myself to finish it. Characters and subplots are introduced and then dropped off for a long time to the point that you wonder why they are there... only to come back for a brief moment and then disappear again. Some sections are presented in third-person limited view, and then in first-person narration from Selene Shade, which wouldn't be hard to follow or anything if not for the above mentioned characters and subplots periodically disappearing and reappearing. It made everything feel slow and disorganized and killed any momentum.
I do think this book will appeal to others, despite my issues with it. If it sounds like your vibe, I think it's worth picking up....more
Content Warnings: Spiders, Drug Use (Opioids), Power Imbalance
For the sex averse, there are no explicit sex scenes.
This novella is a gem. I immediatelContent Warnings: Spiders, Drug Use (Opioids), Power Imbalance
For the sex averse, there are no explicit sex scenes.
This novella is a gem. I immediately fell in love with the lusciously described setting of the the Capricious House, home of color-coded servants serving a monstrous Archaic One, overrun with poppies and tarantulas. The primary character, Dália, likewise was an immediate draw. Her outlook on her life in general, as well as her adjustment to taking on the role of Keeper of the Keys, and how she interacts with everyone in the Capricious House made me feel like I was right beside her in this world.
Some may want more spiciness/explicit romance than this novella provides, but I liked that the romance was focused only on the complicated relationship between Anatema and Dália and each of their intriguing personalities. The tension and chemistry pull through the work, wrapped up some in mystery and then eventually in acceptance. For my tastes, it was the perfect blend of horror, fantasy, and romance.
I cannot wait to add this novella to my physical book shelf when it gets released, and I think lots of people are in for a treat when they pick it up...more
Content Warnings: Gore (Eye Gouging, Cutting with blades), Cannibalism, Vampirism, Obsessive & Unhealthy Relationships, Misogyny, Child Abuse (off scrContent Warnings: Gore (Eye Gouging, Cutting with blades), Cannibalism, Vampirism, Obsessive & Unhealthy Relationships, Misogyny, Child Abuse (off screen), Death of Child, Corpses, Medical Institutionalization (Mental Illness), Sexual Abuse (off screen), Existentialism/Body Horror (Parasite) Note: The ARC (and I assume final book) has a dedicated section with great details on content warnings. The above content warnings are my personal ones, not the ones from the book.
van Veen delivers another gripping, Gothic tale, this time starring twin sisters in a tale that blends shades of Dracula, Victorian era natural sciences, and questioning of self. The book largely follows Lucy in a third person limited view, with occasional inclusions of journal entries and letters from her sister, Sarah. Lucy and Sarah are both great characters, fully fleshed out with strengths, weaknesses, and secrets. I also dug the vibe of Sarah's household with all its interpersonal tensions.
For me, this book was slightly less successful than My Darling Dreadful Thing for two reasons. First, I found the elements related to the parasite overly explained and presented too early. There was little time to wonder if Sarah was gone or not or space to imagine anything about the parasite infecting her. Both fit the specific tone and focus of this book, but just didn't hit the sweet, spooky spot of horror I prefer. Second, I found the structure a little weird. The first third of the book, great; second third, kicking off with the parasite reveal, okay; last third leading to the conclusion a little rushed, with an ending I didn't really find satisfying.
Despite the above, I would still recommend this work to anyone looking for a solid horror story, and I'll be on the lookout for the next van Veen book. The strengths definitely outweighed any weaknesses I found in the book....more
Content Warnings: Gore; Animal Cruelty; Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) flashbacks; Loss of father/Grief
I'm torn on this novella. On the one hanContent Warnings: Gore; Animal Cruelty; Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) flashbacks; Loss of father/Grief
I'm torn on this novella. On the one hand, I thought Ryan did an excellent job of representing PTSD through the viewpoint character, Christine. While the flashbacks could get repetitive and intrusive in the narrative, that's exactly what PTSD flashbacks are like. I also thought that the grief shared between mother and son, and the tensions that caused between them, was well done. Finally, I thought the atmosphere of the isolated cabin was rendered well, as were some gritty details.
On the other hand, I struggled with the rest of the novella. It was never clear to me if we were dealing with a moose, a mythological or phantasmagorical being, a cryptid, a hallucination, or some combination of the above? I don't mind ambiguity, especially in horror, but it didn't feel like any one of these directions was built on enough to feel satisfying. Similarly, the ending just came out of nowhere. It wrapped up nothing and didn't seem to relate to anything in the novella prior. Totally willing to admit that may be an issue with me the reader and not the novella, but it stood out to me. I went back and re-read the last few pages over and over and it never felt right.
All in all, I think this was an okay read. If this sounds like something in your wheelhouse, it's fine. Not horrible, not great. Just fine....more
For the sex averse, there is one fade-to-black sex scene that is decently telegraphed.
Sutherland's novel is highly character driven, with our third person perspective character being Jean, a midwife. I love Jean. She is smart, resourceful, independent, but also sensitive and having her decisions and reactions colored due to her life circumstances of losing her mother to postpartum depression, being ostracized for being a lesbian, and losing her best friend/first love, who moved away after being married. The other two primary characters, Muirin and Tobias, are likewise well-fleshed out and have established pasts that affect how they act throughout the book. All characters make decisions and mistakes that feel natural based on what we know of them, even if we don't find out the true reasoning until later in the book.
I admit that I am a soft touch for a folk tale/fairy tale/mythological retelling in general, but I also think this book is excellent on its own merit. Framing "The Selkie Wife" in such a way to emphasis that it is, at its core, an abusive relationship, produces an engaging, taut plot. As a reader, I wanted Muirin to escape; I understood Jean's desperation to save her, not only because of the growing romantic feelings she felt but also just as one woman to another. I was continuously invested from the beginning to the end of the book.
That this is Sutherland's first book is a shock to me; it's that good. I would eagerly read her work again based on this offering, and I highly recommend it....more
Content Warnings: Binge Drinking (including vomiting); References to spousal abuse, alcoholism, and death during childbirth
For the sex averse, there iContent Warnings: Binge Drinking (including vomiting); References to spousal abuse, alcoholism, and death during childbirth
For the sex averse, there is one semi-graphic sex scene that is well telegraphed and skippable.
Alban's book is a fun romance with big Parent Trap vibes. Chapters switch between focusing on Beth, who seeks a husband to ensure financial security for herself and her mother after her father left them with no inheritance, and Gwen, who does not really care about a husband either way due to the security her father provides. The two of them become friends at various social events; when they learn their parents once had a romantic relationship, they develop a plan to rekindle their love and get married. Along the way, they fall in love with each other, too.
I liked Beth and Gwen well enough, and I appreciated the relationship building over a series of months than immediately falling in love. I also thought that their struggles over identity, the role of marriage, and the status of women were done well overall. The various social gatherings were all unique enough to be interesting without feeling out of place.
All that said, I think opinions on this will be split because of its categorization as a "historical romance." While it takes place in the late 1850s in England, it is more a soft version of historical fiction, in the same way one would distinguish soft sci-fi and hard sci-fi or low fantasy and high fantasy. If you want historically accurate speech, references, and so forth, then this book is not for you. If you want Victorian vibes and fashion, though, this is fine.
Additionally, I think many reviewers are overemphasizing the fact that Beth and Gwen remain romantically involved once they become legally stepsisters. They don't become stepsisters until the Epilogue of the book. For the rest of the book, they consistently treat each other as friends, then lovers, and their romantic relationship is in place before their parents become married. It's clear that they've adopted "stepsisters" as one of likely a life time of screens/justifications to hide their identities as lesbians....more
Content Warnings: Physical Assault/Murder, Revenge Porn, Gore (Blood, Wounds, Cannibalism)
I know vampire fans may come to a book looking for differentContent Warnings: Physical Assault/Murder, Revenge Porn, Gore (Blood, Wounds, Cannibalism)
I know vampire fans may come to a book looking for different things, so I want to set up what this book is not. If you are looking for heavy fantasy world building, a tale of old vampires with rich histories, or a primarily romantic/spicy vampire book, then this book is not going to scratch the itch. That's not to say that there is no world building, no old vampires, or no romance -- but they are not the main areas of interest in the book.
This book, instead, is a tale of how Sloane (our first person MC) and her friend Naomi get turned into vampires, with heavy character introspection of their recent former lives and adjusting to the change. Whether you enjoy this book or not will depend a lot on how you feel about Sloane and Naomi. I found both women excellently fleshed out and filled with both endearing and frustrating traits -- in short, very real. Sloane's life pre-vampirism was what made her the titular So Thirsty mentally as much as vampirism later made her physically thirsty. Seeing her come to this realization, and how her friendship with Naomi reflects it, is really the heart of the book, and I was there for it.
I liked this book and how it used vampirism as a vehicle to explore ennui, depression, anxiety, female friendship, and living life to the fullest. I didn't know what to expect from Harrison's work as a first time reader, but this was a fantastic introduction....more
Butler's reputation and influence in the sphere of gender and sexuality studies proceed them; it's almost impossible to go into this book without knowButler's reputation and influence in the sphere of gender and sexuality studies proceed them; it's almost impossible to go into this book without knowing at least a little of their prior works. With that comes certain expectations, even if you have never actually read Butler's previous work. The above accurately describes my own level of knowledge coming into this book. I have certainly known of Butler's work and read others who have referenced it, but unfortunately have never been able to read their work myself. As such, I can' really compare it to said previous work.
I found this book, on its own, very well researched and compellingly argued. I hate philosophy, in general, so I wouldn't say that this was my favorite book or one that I would ever pick up to read unless I was ready to critically engage with it. With that in mind, I can say that for a general audience -- that seems to be the primary audience of the book -- this might still be a little dense. However, it's certainly more accessible than many academic text that I've read.
I think this book fills an important role in providing a guide to understanding the historical, multi-pronged development of gender and sexuality, along with race, ethnicity, and immigration status, as the boogeypeople of the current, heavily conservative (fascist) ideologies in many countries. It's not the only book that discusses this evolution, but in tackling different sections bit by bit, it manages to pack a lot while being pretty digestible....more
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