A villa in the Italian countryside, a humorous protagonist vacationing there with her family (a family who has labeled her as the problem child and roA villa in the Italian countryside, a humorous protagonist vacationing there with her family (a family who has labeled her as the problem child and root of all their issues), and some dark and mysterious happenings all combined to make Diavola a fun and immersive ride. The atmosphere was palpable in this Gothic vacation story, and, while the plot builds slowly, it increases to a wild crescendo at the end of the book. An all around good time....more
Margaret is a young woman recently widowed who has decided to take a position as a governess in an isolated estate. She is grateful for the position dMargaret is a young woman recently widowed who has decided to take a position as a governess in an isolated estate. She is grateful for the position despite the whisperings in the local village that the manor is haunted and the people who live there are not to be trusted. Margaret soon grows fond of the boy whom she is teaching and becomes involved with another employee of Hartwood Hall, but she soon senses that things are not quite right there and begins to wonder if the rumors are true.
I appreciated the Gothic elements of this story and found the mystery element to be compelling. Margaret was a character for whom I had a hard time rooting. Her decisions and inaction at times were very frustrating, but, despite her flaws, I found her to be a well-written if not always entirely likable or relatable protagonist....more
A gorgeously written early vampire tale from 1836, this wonderfully Gothic story centers a young man who has lived an extremely sheltered life and is A gorgeously written early vampire tale from 1836, this wonderfully Gothic story centers a young man who has lived an extremely sheltered life and is at the ceremony to take his vows to become a priest. He allows his eyes to fall upon a woman and thus changes the course of the rest of his life. It was an enchanting story with wonderful imagery....more
DNF @ 17% - I heard this was a quite dark fantasy novel, which is more of a selling point than a possible negative for me, and that the writing was veDNF @ 17% - I heard this was a quite dark fantasy novel, which is more of a selling point than a possible negative for me, and that the writing was very atmospheric, which is something I love. I am putting this down at 17% after originally wanting to stop at 8%. I wasn't expecting the insta-love vibes, which is always an incredibly hard sell for me. Granted I'm not that far in, but I'm not getting a strong sense of atmosphere and just feel like this will end up being a three star book for me, fine but nothing special or memorable....more
3. 5 Stars - Dark fairytale vibes, a sentient house that is known by all in this down-on-its-luck town to be haunted, a hell cat, a cursed family, and3. 5 Stars - Dark fairytale vibes, a sentient house that is known by all in this down-on-its-luck town to be haunted, a hell cat, a cursed family, and a side of romance.
I think this would be a good option for those who like their books more on the spooky/creepy end instead of downright scary. I found myself quite interested from the starting pages. Opal, our main character, was a bit rough and tumble and easy to like. She is someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to provide for her younger brother, and that includes taking a position inside a house that no sane person in her town would even approach.
I was very engaged for most of the book but found my interest waning during the last quarter or so. I'm not sure if it was the pacing or just the direction the story went in, which was feeling a bit too convenient for my tastes. Despite that, this was still a good fall read....more
As someone who loves a good slow burn Gothic story and considers vampires a buzz word, this worked quite well for me. Our two protagonists, Nestor andAs someone who loves a good slow burn Gothic story and considers vampires a buzz word, this worked quite well for me. Our two protagonists, Nestor and Nena, have grown up alongside each other on a ranch in Mexico. They have a deep connection between them that defies the disparate classes they are from and the people who would seek to keep them separated.
On a dark night when they have snuck out to go adventuring together, danger and death arrive at the ranch and lead to Nestor being driven away from Nena. We follow both of them on their different paths until the threat of supernatural vampires and the more realistic colonizing vampires from the North arrive to drain the life from people and claim the land as their own.
I loved the atmosphere the author skillfully built alongside the historical aspects of Mexican land being threatened by the norther settlers in the 1840s. While I found myself increasingly frustrated with Nena, she was a believable and well-written character as was Nestor. I found the conclusion wrapped up a bit quickly for my taste, and I would not have minded more of the vampire creatures on page, but I had a good time with this book and look forward to more from this author.
ETA - I think this book worked better for me than the author’s debut in part because I read the books physical copy instead of listening to the audiobook. The narrator of The Hacienda voiced the main character in a way that came across as whiney and irritating to me, which definitely decreased my enjoyment. I also find Nena to be a stronger main character, and all in all, this book just felt less melodramatic to me. ...more
Poe is masterful at bringing rising tension to his Gothic tales, and this short story is no exception. I can clearly see how this story has influencedPoe is masterful at bringing rising tension to his Gothic tales, and this short story is no exception. I can clearly see how this story has influenced many others that have followed it. He paints a bleak and suffocating picture with his words as you grow acquainted with the dread that is The House of Usher. ...more
DNF @ 43% - I was really expecting to enjoy this novella as Kingfisher's horror usually works pretty well for me. I just couldn't get into it. Maybe IDNF @ 43% - I was really expecting to enjoy this novella as Kingfisher's horror usually works pretty well for me. I just couldn't get into it. Maybe I would have had a better time reading it physically, which is not to say there was a problem with the audiobook narrator because I have no complaints there. I think the tone may just not have worked for me. Having read several Victorian era classics recently, I recognized that the author was going for a similar style, but it did not work for me. I like Kingfisher's darkly humorous contemporary stories much better....more
‘To know the ocean, I have always felt, is to recognize the teeth it keeps half-hidden.’
A literary gothic horror novel with absolutely lovely writing ‘To know the ocean, I have always felt, is to recognize the teeth it keeps half-hidden.’
A literary gothic horror novel with absolutely lovely writing and a sapphic relationship at its center. We follow two perspectives, Miri and Leah. Leah is a marine biologist who has left on a deep-sea expedition. Her three-week trip turns into six months, leaving Miri behind to wonder and worry about what has happened. We see how their relationship started and soon realize it has ended up taking a turn when Leah returns from her trip quite changed....more
My initial review vanished, but the gist of it was that this is a Gothic tale with folktale vibes, which sounds like it would be just right for me. UnMy initial review vanished, but the gist of it was that this is a Gothic tale with folktale vibes, which sounds like it would be just right for me. Unfortunately, it felt like it was doing a bit two much. Between the non-linear storyline and the many POVs, it felt a bit disjointed and I didn’t connect with the characters. The atmosphere was done very well, and the idea for the story was a really interesting one. ...more
A very well-written reimagining of Wuthering Heights, this version centers the issue of race while honoring the original story and all of its Gothic aA very well-written reimagining of Wuthering Heights, this version centers the issue of race while honoring the original story and all of its Gothic atmosphere. This was very well done. ...more
In an effort to provide some financial stability to her widowed mother, Beatriz has married a wealthy man whose reputation is less than stellar. She iIn an effort to provide some financial stability to her widowed mother, Beatriz has married a wealthy man whose reputation is less than stellar. She is looking forward to making his isolated estate in the Mexican countryside a home for herself and her mother, but Beatriz is not entirely welcomed by her new sister-in-law and begins to think there is something sinister about the home itself.
I wanted more dark and foreboding atmosphere from this book. Despite the several harrowing experiences the characters have with supernatural elements in this home, the book was never able to pull me in and make me feel like I was there experiencing these unsettling events. There was always distance between myself as the reader and these characters and what they were going through. I found some of the elements of the story to be mere plot conveniences and not believable, such as a husband leaving his new, young bride at the country house while he lived in the city for weeks on end, never insisting they spend any time together. The book ended up dragging a bit for me and didn’t make a strong impression. ...more
With a looming sense of unease and plenty of atmosphere, this book is a wonderfully written mystery/horror story. It is about the wealthy Blackwood faWith a looming sense of unease and plenty of atmosphere, this book is a wonderfully written mystery/horror story. It is about the wealthy Blackwood family who live on the outskirts of a village that is filled with people who hate them. It is about mental health, classism, and family. I can see how this book wouldn’t work for readers who want a strong plot or are all about complex character development, but if you like tension, feeling unsettled, and a book that transports you then this is a book worth picking up. ...more
An atmospheric gothic fantasy set over multiple timelines on a remote Scottish island. In 1998 we follow Liv, who has brought her three daughters to tAn atmospheric gothic fantasy set over multiple timelines on a remote Scottish island. In 1998 we follow Liv, who has brought her three daughters to the island on a commission to paint a mural in the old lighthouse, which is falling apart and inhabited by bats. The lighthouse sits on land that was used to imprison those accused of and later executed on charges witchcraft centuries ago. Liv and her daughters are warned by the locals who tell tales of the wildlings, and the evil they bring.
In 2021, we follow Luna, Liv’s middle daughter, who is contacted by a hospital and told her younger sister Clare has been found twenty years after going missing from the lighthouse. When she arrives at the hospital, she finds Clare looking exactly as she did when she disappeared decades earlier, not having aged at all.
I’m glad I decided to pick up this book in October as it had dark, witchy vibes with wonderful bits of Gaelic folklore woven into the story. The inclusion of the perspective from 1620, which described the accusations of witchcraft and how they pulled apart the community added to the eerie vibes and rooted the story in history. ...more
A gritty, southern gothic story about a teenager I found myself rooting for despite knowing all the odds stacked against him seemed completely insurmoA gritty, southern gothic story about a teenager I found myself rooting for despite knowing all the odds stacked against him seemed completely insurmountable. The protagonist felt completely real, and while I didn’t feel like the other characters were as deeply fleshed out, I was completely engaged in the story. ...more
3.5⭐️-The foreboding Scottish cliffs are home to an elite boarding school for girls in this Gothic tale. We follow Rose who is newly hired as the Clas3.5⭐️-The foreboding Scottish cliffs are home to an elite boarding school for girls in this Gothic tale. We follow Rose who is newly hired as the Classics teacher at the school and learn alongside her that things are not quite what they appear at this wealthy institution. Rose teaches her students about various women in Greek mythology and history, hoping to inspire in them a love for the subject and an awareness of the power women can hold. Rose soon finds that she herself is the one who has a lot to learn about her new workplace and the role she is expected to play there. As with any Gothic novel, I would warn you to expect a slow pace, a growing sense of something harmful lurking just beyond the page, and a wonderfully creepy atmosphere. ...more
I appreciate this book for what it is, a Gothic, sapphic tale about vampires which predated and influenced Dracula. It’s impact can be seen in countleI appreciate this book for what it is, a Gothic, sapphic tale about vampires which predated and influenced Dracula. It’s impact can be seen in countless books and films that have followed in the century plus after it was written. The description of vampires as lovely, seductive creatures who can move through doors and walls to enter the bed chambers of their victims at night came from this novella. It was quite an accessible book despite its 1871 publication date. If you love dark, Gothic tales with haunting atmosphere, then I would recommend this one. ...more
Mirabelle lives in a house protected by a glamour which is meant to keep nosy humans far away. Her family is not like your family, her aunt being madeMirabelle lives in a house protected by a glamour which is meant to keep nosy humans far away. Her family is not like your family, her aunt being made of spiders and all, but she loves them just the same. Things are turned upside down when a girl and her brother stumble unexpectedly onto the grounds of Rookhaven and into the dangerous unknown.
This was a spooky but heartfelt middlegrade novel, perfect for reading in the fall. The audiobook was well narrated, but the physical copy includes wonderful illustrations which add to the atmosphere. The ending leaned a bit towards the Hallmark side of things for my personal taste, but given the age level the book is geared towards, I felt like it was trying to balance some of the darker ideas explored earlier in the story....more
I liked the gothic elements of this YA thriller; however, the twist was readily apparent from the beginning, and I have a hard time enjoying stories tI liked the gothic elements of this YA thriller; however, the twist was readily apparent from the beginning, and I have a hard time enjoying stories told from the perspective of a very naive protagonist. This wasn’t bad, but it just didn’t stand out for me either. ...more
I thoroughly enjoy the way du Maurier creates such gloomy, Gothic atmosphere in her novels. The setting of the moors is the perfect backdrop for this I thoroughly enjoy the way du Maurier creates such gloomy, Gothic atmosphere in her novels. The setting of the moors is the perfect backdrop for this dark mystery. Despite the characters feeling a bit one-sided and despite being able to identify the villain from the page they first appeared, I still enjoyed the tension and mood of this novel.
We follow Mary, a young woman whose mother is dying and who bids her to go live with her aunt. Upon Mary's arrival, we meet the husk of a woman who is her formerly vibrant and loving Aunt Patience and her awful and threatening husband, Uncle Joss. The two run Jamaica Inn, which no longer serves as an inn, instead being home to some dark business which Mary feels compelled to uncover despite warnings from her Uncle Joss to stay out of his business. ...more
Loading...
