Fun revenge-against-the-(bad) men thriller with a likeably scary heroine who does a great job doing bad things, and who generally keeps our sympathiesFun revenge-against-the-(bad) men thriller with a likeably scary heroine who does a great job doing bad things, and who generally keeps our sympathies throughout. There was one side character whose ultimate arc disappointed me (slight spoiler ahead) - it would have been cool to have them remain sympathetic and thus maintaining some texture in a certain area. But anyone pissed off in that ubiquitous #MeToo fashion may find this a genuinely cathartic fantasy in indulge in....more
Langan's "Suburban Noir" very much reminded me of Shirley's Jackson's first novel The Road Through the Wall, mixed with some of the feel of Rod SerlinLangan's "Suburban Noir" very much reminded me of Shirley's Jackson's first novel The Road Through the Wall, mixed with some of the feel of Rod Serling's classic Twilight Zone episode, "The Monsters are Due on Maple Street." Langan is a witty, skillful writer and manages to evoke both sardonic laughs and genuine pathos with her dark vision of a suburban neighborhood absolutely coming apart. Her main villain, Rhea Schroeder, is a creation I won't soon forget—I really hated her and deeply pitied her, all at once. ...more
Yes, there is that plot similarity to Stephen King's Misery (writer kidnapped by a maniacal fan), but Elison's heroine, Eli Grey, is much more roundedYes, there is that plot similarity to Stephen King's Misery (writer kidnapped by a maniacal fan), but Elison's heroine, Eli Grey, is much more rounded to me than King's hero, Paul Sheldon; she has a well-defined backstory and experiences a very satisfying character arc due to the horrors she endures in captivity. Meanwhile, her antagonist, Leonard Lubovich, is twisted in very different (and highly creepy) ways than King's Annie Wilkes, with a truly sick motivation, but he also has connections to writing himself, so we get some great explorations of professional jealousy and the meaning(s) of success. This is taut read—though with trigger warnings galore, esp for anyone who has survived sexual abuse and trauma. Elison's got the writing goods....more
Really enjoyed the meta qualities of this creepfest and thought the "screenplay" portions were exceptionally well-done. This is my favorite of the thrReally enjoyed the meta qualities of this creepfest and thought the "screenplay" portions were exceptionally well-done. This is my favorite of the three Tremblay novels I've read thus far, and yeah: it would make a good movie....more
I have to say this has one of the most attractive cover designs I’ve seen on a graphic novel in some time. Not every aspect of this landed with me (a I have to say this has one of the most attractive cover designs I’ve seen on a graphic novel in some time. Not every aspect of this landed with me (a Greek chorus of mice in one chapter and of sea birds in another seemed tacked in to no discernable purpose), but overall this is good, complex work from a talented artist....more
This is narrated by a 9-year-old child (I found this aspect of the novel pretty much flawlessly executed) and boasts several surpassingly eerie sequenThis is narrated by a 9-year-old child (I found this aspect of the novel pretty much flawlessly executed) and boasts several surpassingly eerie sequences that genuinely spooked me. While everything turned out pretty much how I supposed it would by the end, it's still a very well-told tale and I'll happily read further books from Josh Malerman—lord knows he's already got a pretty big backlog of titles already. ...more
A pitch black dystopian parable describing what happens when a terrible virus renders animals toxic and the societal food chain thus begins adding peoA pitch black dystopian parable describing what happens when a terrible virus renders animals toxic and the societal food chain thus begins adding people into the mix. Naturally, the people chosen to be processed into food are those already on the margins of society (what a shocker huh). It's a powerful, upsetting read full of difficult sequences describing the most dehumanized cruelty and brutalization you can imagine. Obviously this is only for a certain kind of reader....more
Well-done, darkly comic domestic horror tale plotted with plenty of curveballs and a heroine whose often bad choices are rendered with sharp insight (Well-done, darkly comic domestic horror tale plotted with plenty of curveballs and a heroine whose often bad choices are rendered with sharp insight (the author is a licensed psychologist). At first I thought this was going to be a little too cutesy but Orlando quickly proved me wrong with some quite nasty scenes of horror and a real poignancy at the core of all the carnage. 3.5...more
It took me a little while to get into this grim, claustrophobic slow burn, but eventually I got very caught up in it, especially as I went into it w/ It took me a little while to get into this grim, claustrophobic slow burn, but eventually I got very caught up in it, especially as I went into it w/ very little foreknowledge, and felt like I was groping about in the dark for answers, just like Gailey's prickly heroine, Vera. In other words, I got genuinely invested in this story. The slowly revealed, blood-soaked domestic mysteries felt original and very true to the characters. I recommend sticking with this, it's worth it. 3.5...more
A solid but unspectacular collection for me. No out-and-out duds, but little that truly excited me. Some favorites include "Solivagant," an involving A solid but unspectacular collection for me. No out-and-out duds, but little that truly excited me. Some favorites include "Solivagant," an involving vampire story by Angela Slatter, a scary giant-monster-on-an-island tale called "Flaming Teeth" by Garry Kilworth, and a few other gems by Steve Duffy, Tananarive Due, and David Surface. My favorite of all is Gary Mahon's "Lifelike," a creepily unsettling tale of a strange puppet show in an elderly care facility that proves to have lingering after effects. ...more
This good collection of Shirley Jackson-inspired stories features no flat-out misfires, and a few real standouts. For my money, the MVPs here are ElizThis good collection of Shirley Jackson-inspired stories features no flat-out misfires, and a few real standouts. For my money, the MVPs here are Elizabeth Hand, Josh Malerman, Benjamin Percy, Laird Barron, Stephen Graham Jones, and especially Kelly Link, whose longish story, "Skinder's Veil" (which closes out the anthology), is truly special....more
Clever satire on Hollywood that also contains a pointed critique on the commodification of queer culture. There are some genuinely frightening sequencClever satire on Hollywood that also contains a pointed critique on the commodification of queer culture. There are some genuinely frightening sequences (one in particular taking place on an airplane) and some very creative menaces as well (once again, see Airplane Sequence, The). But while Tingle's protagonist, Misha, is well-drawn, with a good, believable back story, Misha's unfailingly supportive, loud & stylish Best Gal Pal Tara and (especially) his faithful boyfriend Zeke, are both about as Stock Character (tm) as you can get. The book is ultimately a bit too concept-y and lacking true depth for me to get totally behind, much as I admire Tingle's sweeping imagination. I will totally see the movie, should that happen to happen (it should)!...more
Excellent, wrenching diary comics detailing author Sarah Leavitt's journey through grief after her longtime partner chooses medically-assisted suicideExcellent, wrenching diary comics detailing author Sarah Leavitt's journey through grief after her longtime partner chooses medically-assisted suicide due to chronic severe pain. It's soaked with sadness but with lots of love and hope puncturing through the haze. My brief Q&A with Sarah is now live on Publishers Weekly:
An evocative, brutally effective, and ultimately heartbreaking examination of the horrors resulting from bullying, scapegoating and homophobia (not thAn evocative, brutally effective, and ultimately heartbreaking examination of the horrors resulting from bullying, scapegoating and homophobia (not the least of which are the twisted self-hatred and self-denial that can blossom into violent bloodletting). A highly impressive, psychologically perceptive debut from Conner Habib. He's got the chops....more
I have not been in a good place lately and this book from the Pod Save America boys really helped. It's full of very smart advice and it's also very fI have not been in a good place lately and this book from the Pod Save America boys really helped. It's full of very smart advice and it's also very funny. I feel more hopeful now. Esp after seeing a pic of that fascist witch Marine Le Pen weeping bitter tears of defeat on French television like literally an hour ago. If our friends across the pond can beat back a dictatorship so can we....more
A wonderful, utterly unique mix of I Am Legend with, I dunno, Bridget Jones Diary? Or maybe Sex and the City? Yeah, something like that. I don't know A wonderful, utterly unique mix of I Am Legend with, I dunno, Bridget Jones Diary? Or maybe Sex and the City? Yeah, something like that. I don't know why this book isn't better known, except wait, maybe I do—it came out while the Covid pandemic was still grinding on and on, grinding us all down, and since this is about the end of the world via a deadly disease......I guess it was hitting too close to home to reach a huge audience. Anyway, the book is narrated by this deeply-flawed, nameless late-thirties Londoner, the last survivor, and her journey through a wasteland of rotting corpses and silent streets—with hidden menaces occasionally revealing themselves to her. Sounds bleak, right? It is, to be sure, but it's also wryly funny and satirical—in sometimes laugh out loud fashion. Eventually, our heroine rescues a Golden Retriever named Lucky, who becomes her devoted companion, and he's one of the best dog characters I've come across in a while. Their relationship becomes truly touching. Her attempts to survive and somehow build a life amongst the ruins—while also searching for possible other survivors AND recalling the wreckage of her life in the Before make for an entertaining, immersive, scary and empathic experience. I'm grateful to Neil McRobert for recommending the book on his great Talking Scared podcast. It's a (quasi) hidden gem to be sure. 4.5...more
Wonderful anthology featuring a truly eclectic array of 151 artists from around the globe. These one-page comics are thoughtful, hopeful, weird, wildlWonderful anthology featuring a truly eclectic array of 151 artists from around the globe. These one-page comics are thoughtful, hopeful, weird, wildly imaginative, funny, and deeply poignant. At its core it is all of a piece, which is key to any successful anthology.
Cara Bean has done a truly wonderful job with this fun, accessible ages-12-and-up guide to mental health. It's full of helpful, relatable and charmingCara Bean has done a truly wonderful job with this fun, accessible ages-12-and-up guide to mental health. It's full of helpful, relatable and charming as all-get-out information, appropriate personal anecdotes and sound advice. Her skillful, entertaining cartooning underlines the fact that the medium of comics is an exceptionally effective way to put across educational materials for younger people (and adults like me!). ...more
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