Allison Rushby's adult horror debut, SLASHED BEAUTIES, was on my TBR the moment I saw the cover. Ten out of ten cover design, Berkley! Thank you @berkAllison Rushby's adult horror debut, SLASHED BEAUTIES, was on my TBR the moment I saw the cover. Ten out of ten cover design, Berkley! Thank you @berkleypub for sending me this gorgeous gifted copy. I did not know what to expect when starting this book, but when I saw revenge (one of my favorite things), I knew that gorgeous cover + fun synopsis = Dennis will be reading ASAP!
We get a dual timeline, current day and in 1763, taking place in both London and Seoul (mainly London). In present-day Seoul, antiques dealer Alys has secured the third and final Anatomical Venus, an eerie eighteenth-century wax figure shrouded in dark legend, and travels to England to break her cursed connection to them. In 1763 London, abandoned and penniless Eleanor is drawn into the glittering but dangerous world of courtesan Elizabeth, whose intentions may be far from noble. As their timelines entwine, the truth emerges: to end the witchcraft binding them, all three Venuses must be destroyed—but these haunted, murderous figures may not go quietly.
SLASHED BEAUTIES is more of a historical gothic suspense, but I also think it's the perfect cocktail of Elizabeth Gilbert's City of Girls meets Annabelle. BONKERS, I know. This story doesn't have a lot of jump scares like a typical horror, but the dual timelines between Alys (current day) and the stories of Eleanor, Emily, and Elizabeth provided suspense-oozed intrigue throughout. Revenge, sisterhood, love, and the strength of women are major themes throughout this story. If you are picking up this book, give it until 40% so it sets the stage for what to expect—I promise you won't be disappointed. I enjoyed the mystery of the current day timeline and the darkness of the 1763 timeline. This book is utterly original and I could not pinpoint what was going to happen while reading at all. 5 stars for originality and suspense throughout. I want to read more stories like SLASHED BEAUTIES. STARS: 5, PUB: 9/23...more
I do not know what I was expecting, but Mona Awad has done it again. She has shown us readers an even more weird book than before. And I think I likedI do not know what I was expecting, but Mona Awad has done it again. She has shown us readers an even more weird book than before. And I think I liked it a lot? Thank you @marysuericcibooks for my advanced gifted copy! Look at this cover!!
In WE LOVE YOU BUNNY, Samantha Mackey—now a celebrated author—is kidnapped by her former MFA frenemies after portraying them unflatteringly in her debut novel. Bound and gagged, Sam becomes the audience as each Bunny recounts their twisted origin story and darkly magical creative powers.
WE LOVE YOU, BUNNY is being said to be a standalone, but it is not. I repeat, you must read Bunny to even get past the first 20% of the book. I was still confused mainly until halfway, but you will be completely lost otherwise. This book had romance, a gay character, and the Bunnies we loved from its predecessor. Both a prequel and sequel to Bunny, this fever-dream slasher is a wicked tale of love, monstrosity, and the horrors of artistic creation. This book is a solid 4 but only because I kept going, because there were definite times I kept scratching my head trying to piece things together. I would say that I liked this book as much as Bunny, so if you enjoyed that one, try WE LOVE YOU, BUNNY. Mona Awad continues to bring unique stories to readers, and we get a full on modern-day, Mean Girls-Heathers-Frankenstein with WE LOVE YOU, BUNNY.
RANKINGS: 1. Rouge 2. Bunny (IF I had to pick between the two, but both 4s) 3. We Love You, Bunny 4. All's Well...more
I fell in love with Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing after Mexican Gothic and since then will always pick up a new book she releases, however some are gI fell in love with Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing after Mexican Gothic and since then will always pick up a new book she releases, however some are grand slams and some strikeout with me. THE BEWITCHING is more critical for me than Moreno-Garcia's other works.
While researching her thesis, Minerva uncovers a chilling and ironic connection with the famed author Beatrice Tremblay and a decades-old disappearance. Tremblay’s novel The Vanishing appears to be based on a true event: during the Great Depression, she became obsessed with her ethereal college roommate, who vanished without a trace. As Minerva digs deeper, she begins to suspect the same dark force that haunted Tremblay may still be lurking on her campus.
The story spans three timelines, weaving in Minerva’s great-grandmother Alba’s youth in 1900s Mexico, where she encountered a witch and fell under a terrifying curse. Of the three perspectives, Alba’s was the most compelling and unsettling. Silvia Moreno-Garcia has a gift for writing women who evolve from seemingly fragile figures into ones of great strength. No matter what Moreno-Garcia writes, she will continue to have me turn the pages.
Despite the witches premise (which I love as a storyline BTW), the pacing was way too slow, especially in the 1990s chapters. The repetitive scenes and Minerva’s storyline didn’t grip me as much as the other two timelines. Still, I appreciated the atmospheric storytelling and setting that Moreno-Garcia always provides. While THE BEWITCHING didn’t reach the heights of Mexican Gothic or The Daughter of Doctor Moreau for me, Garcia’s talent remains undeniable, and I’ll always pick up whatever she writes.
RANKINGS: 1. Mexican Gothic 2. The Daughter of Doctor Moreau 3. Silver Nitrate 4. Certain Dark Things 5. Gods of Jade and Shadow 6. The Bewitching 7. Velvet Was the Night 8. The Seventh Veil of Salome ...more
I am up and down with Chuck Wendig's books. I DNFd Wanderers, loved The Book of Accidents, and somewhat liked Black River Orchard. That being said, I I am up and down with Chuck Wendig's books. I DNFd Wanderers, loved The Book of Accidents, and somewhat liked Black River Orchard. That being said, I knewwwww I wanted to read his upcoming novel, THE STAIRCASE IN THE WOODS, not because it was giving different realm vibes but I am weirdly obsessed with spiral staircases!
Five troubled high school friends find an abandoned staircase in the woods, and when one of them, Matty, disappears, the mystery remains. Twenty years later, Nick brings the others—Hamish, Lore, and Owen—back to search for him, forcing them to choose between friendship and the unknown.
This book wasn't really a horror novel, but more like a fantasy with a YA edge to it. I felt that the story dragged a bit and left a lot of open-ended side stories by the end. It explores themes of friendship, abandonment, and PTSD. The book wasn't really something I would pick up if I knew it leaned more into fantasy than horror. However, the social commentary and political environment within this book was a factor in the storytelling, but it was done in a non-preachy way (I really don't want to hear about it from the MAGA folks). The story is an epic adventure and somewhat fun journey at times, with fun chapter titles to keep you in the groove and want to investigate. I was banking on the ending to push this to 4 stars, but it was a bit abrupt compared to everything else going on (like c'mon, we get it wrapped up way too easily and fast for a 400+ page slowburn). Overall, I really enjoyed the "universe" that THE STAIRCASE IN THE WOODS provides readers, but I felt that I wanted more from it.
RANKINGS: 1. The Book of Accidents 2. Black River Orchard 3. The Staircase in the Woods 4. Wanderers...more
I fell in love with Gareth Brown's debut fantasy novel, BOOK OF DOORS, so when I heard that his next novel, THE SOCIETY OF UNKNOWABLE OBJECTS, was in I fell in love with Gareth Brown's debut fantasy novel, BOOK OF DOORS, so when I heard that his next novel, THE SOCIETY OF UNKNOWABLE OBJECTS, was in the same universe, I knew that I needed to jump in as soon as possible. Sadly, this one didn't really work out as well for me, but I am very happy that it seems like this Brown's journey in this world is continuing.
For decades, a secret society (The Society of Unknowable Objects) in London has quietly protected magical objects hidden from the world. When news of a powerful new artifact surfaces in Hong Kong, Magda Sparks is sent to investigate. Her search sets off a deadly chase, uncovering dangerous secrets and a legacy that leads her across the globe.
This society felt like they were working for the same result that our faves from Doors was doing, but within a passed down family secret society. I loved the aspect about this book, but it missed the magic and charm from the first one. We are given a lot of characters who don't really feel any different from each other and were a bit one dimensional. Magda was definitely the only strong character in this book. The journey this group goes on felt a bit watered down from DOORS, but I was still fully invested. This book ends on such a great note that reassured me that the groups from DOORS and OBJECTS will most likely cross paths on their mission in another installment, but I think that I had my hopes too high on this being a BOOK OF DOORS 2.0. I will be waiting for Gareth Brown's next novel in hopes we get that. ...more
I have a weird obsession with venus fly-traps and carnivorous plants in general, so as soon as I saw Sara Maria Griffin's upcoming novel, EAT3.5 stars
I have a weird obsession with venus fly-traps and carnivorous plants in general, so as soon as I saw Sara Maria Griffin's upcoming novel, EAT THE ONES WE LOVE, I knew that I didn't care what it was about—I was going to read it!
EAT THE ONES WE LOVE is a dark, twisted tale of workplace romance, possession, and a sentient, carnivorous orchid named Baby. When Shell Pine, newly single and unemployed, takes a job at a struggling mall flower shop, she’s drawn to Neve, the enigmatic florist who hired her. But Neve isn’t just running a shop—she’s trapped in a terrifying bond with Baby, who watches, hungers, and will do anything to consume the one it loves.
Blending Little Shop of Horrors with millennial ennui, the story is a queer retelling that also dives into many different social aspects that anyone my age can relate to, for example, one aspect it captures is the slow decay of dying malls and the desperation of the job market for young professionals. While the premise is compelling, the pacing feels uneven, with a slow build-up that suddenly wraps up too quickly. The shifting POVs between Shell and Baby sometimes blur the narrative voice, but the eerie atmosphere and well-developed characters make this a fun, unsettling read for those who enjoy a light horror with a darkly comedic edge....more
I think we should all take a minute to reflect on the fact that I read an adult fairy tale and loved it! Like, what!? I received a package from @randoI think we should all take a minute to reflect on the fact that I read an adult fairy tale and loved it! Like, what!? I received a package from @randomhouse and it included Meg Shaffer's latest novel, THE LOST STORY, and I was very intrigued. Inspired by The Chronicles of Narnia, I was immediately enamored by the synopsis as that series was one of my favorites growing up. As teenagers, best friends Jeremy and Rafe disappeared in a West Virginia forest and somehow reappeared six months later with no memory of what happened. Now, fifteen years later, Rafe is a scarred, reclusive artist, while Jeremy has become a famous investigator for missing persons. When a vet tech named Emilie’s sister goes missing in the same forest, Jeremy, who secretly remembers who Emilie's sister is, decides to help her. Together, the three of them venture back into the forest, hoping to find Emilie’s sister and face the truth about their shared past.
I don't want to dive too much into the story, but think of the trees in The Nightmare Before Christmas, IYKYK. I loved the world building for this story and the queer romance and representation. THE LOST STORY is being called an adult fairy tale, which makes sense, and I'd also call it "fantasy-lite" as it didn't verge into the ridiculousness that I find a lot of fantasy novels dive into. I have no notes or critiques to comment on, but I do know that some people were frustrated with the idea of "telling vs immersing" the reader during certain events towards the end, but I believed that to be part of the story as I think they just led to a greater picture if the story continues into a series. Ask me if you'd like to know more about what I mean here, it's difficult to say much without spoiling. If this book does become part of a great universe or series, I will be tuning in....more
This book wasn't on my radar at all until the bookstagrammer @robyn_reads1 told me this is a book that I would absolutely love and I needed to read. OThis book wasn't on my radar at all until the bookstagrammer @robyn_reads1 told me this is a book that I would absolutely love and I needed to read. Once I read the synopsis, I was confused because fantasy isn't a genre that I normally pick up, but I trusted her judgement, and boy did it pay off!
I won't go far into the details of the book, but it is centered around a big cast of characters, but mainly Cassie Andrews. Cassie works in a New York City bookshop and she lives a pretty boring life centered around reading and keeping to herself. When one of her favorite customers, an old man named Mr. Webber, passes away, he leaves her the book that he has in his hands specifically for her. When Cassie realizes that this is no ordinary book (in fact, it's the Book of Doors), she tries to interpret its unique inscriptions and drawings to no avail. Once Cassie realizes this book can make any door into EVERY door, she begins to see the book's power. Through this new magical book, Cassie and her friend Izzy meet a "librarian" named Drummond Fox who warns that Cassie is in danger now that she has this book in her possession. She's in danger from hunters and collectors who want to use the book for their own selfish interests, some more malevolent than others. Cassie's enemies list begins to grow, with each new adversary more intimidating than the next.
This book was the most fun journey I've ever had with a fantasy book, ever. If you like Blake Crouch's Recursion, the television show The Magicians, and anything by V.E. Schwab, THE BOOK OF DOORS should be a top priority for you to read. Just when I thought that I knew where the book was going, it changed course! The book isn't scared to shy away from the dramatics and violence, but ultimately it is an adventure of a lifetime. I will never forget this book, nor will I ever not recommend THE BOOK OF DOORS. Some books are worth killing for and the BOOK OF DOORS will show you why. I can't believe that this book is a debut and I can't believe that I've read one of my favorite books for 2024 in 2023!...more
I actually really had fun with this but it took a lot of time to get into. I wish it was more fast-paced, but I hear books 2 and 3 are better so I defI actually really had fun with this but it took a lot of time to get into. I wish it was more fast-paced, but I hear books 2 and 3 are better so I definitely will continue with this series....more
Beautifully set up but I think I'm too brainless to enjoy the dense writing.Beautifully set up but I think I'm too brainless to enjoy the dense writing....more
Well, I didn't hate it. I am unsure if I will read the rest of this series as it was obviously way more romance that I anticipated, but I definitely sWell, I didn't hate it. I am unsure if I will read the rest of this series as it was obviously way more romance that I anticipated, but I definitely see tv/film material being epic. I guess reader will have to convince me to pick up the next book....more
Anytime I think that I'm going to make the full fledged journey into fantasy novels, I realized that I can only do a light version, because otherwise Anytime I think that I'm going to make the full fledged journey into fantasy novels, I realized that I can only do a light version, because otherwise I get lost. Holly Black is very well known in the industry for, especially for her varies fantasy series, including The Folk of the Air and Modern Faerie Tales. I was very excited about reading Holly Black's adult fantasy novel, Book of Night, but it didn't work out for me. I'll be objective in my review, because I think it'll work for everyone else.
Charlie Hall is a bartender and retired con-artist, trying to survive while also keeping herself out of harm's way. She lives with her sister Posey and her boyfriend Vince and is ultimately brought back into the dark world that she's left in the past. In a world where you can control peoples' shadows, Charlie has to protect the people she cares about, but when she has strong adversaries against her, she is going to dive deep into her past life to find out just what she needs to do.
Like I said previously, I struggled with this book, but not because the author's tone and storyline were not adult, it was just "too fantasy" for my enjoyment. I'm trying, people! There's strong triggers in this book that you should be aware about, but they did not affect my enjoyment with reading this book. The tone is very dark, and at times, claustrophobic, but if you like horror-esque fantasy, this book is for you. I definitely see readers being split on how to review this book as it won't be for everybody. I was told that the energy that this book gives off is completely different from the author's previous works, so I may continue down this journey of fantasy novel reading with her backlog....more
I liked All of Us Villains more than I actually thought I would. What...is...happening...to...me?! Am I enjoying more fantasy books in 2021? I gueI liked All of Us Villains more than I actually thought I would. What...is...happening...to...me?! Am I enjoying more fantasy books in 2021? I guess it's a good way to get my mind out of the reality we're living in right now. This book takes place in an alternate (maybe dystopian?) reality, specifically in a world with magick in a city called Ilvernath. In a Game of Thrones meets The Hunger Games, several families possess more power and influence than anyone residing in this remote city. A curse has been placed on this city in which each of the seven families volunteer a champion from their family every 20 years to battle and gain control. This battle leaves six deaths and one victor.
The seven families include the Blair, Darrow, Grieve, Macaslan, Lowe, Payne, and Thorburn. Each family has different attributes and characteristics- from the wealthy, to the reigning winners, and to the ones who always end up losing first. As the story begins to build, we see how each family determines their champion and how they can manipulate the media, negotiate deals, and create alliances. Each family has their motives for wanting to win the tournament, especially now that this tradition has been leaked publicly around the world.
This book has four perspectives, but we quickly learn about each champion and everyone has a sinister or dark side to them. Nobody is perfect, which makes this story even more intriguing. Do people play fair? What is fair when the most powerful magick is at stake? This book starts off as a slow burn, but I actually enjoyed the build up to the tournament (about half way, maybe less) than the actual tournament. The world building in this book is bananas! As the battle begins, we see how the story quickly pivots into chaos, but it leaves you wanting more. For real, this book has a major cliffhanger!
Overall, I definitely think that this series will be one I'd like to continue with reading. I really enjoyed some of the characters, the world building, and the magick! This was a fun one, but make sure you have time to disengage with the world around you while you dive in, because you'll want to see how it develops and it'll be hard to put down....more
I just spent my whole day reading Freya Marske's upcoming fantasy novel A Marvellous Light, and it was, just marvelous! I usually don't read fantaI just spent my whole day reading Freya Marske's upcoming fantasy novel A Marvellous Light, and it was, just marvelous! I usually don't read fantasy novels, but I do enjoy magic and gay sex, and this book has BOTH! This book reminds me of The Magicians meets Downton Abbey and I had all the feels while reading this story.
A Marvellous Light takes place in the early 1900s England and focuses on two men, Edwin Courcey and his newly appointed civil service liaison, Robert (Robin) Blythe. Robin was appointed to replace Edwin's previous civil service liaison that has gone missing, but unbeknownst to Robin, Edwin procures magic. Not only does Edwin practice magic, but there's an entire world of magic and powers that Robin has never experienced. As Robin's predecessor continues to be missing, Edwin and Robin decide to embark on a mission to try and figure out the bottom of his disappearance. Little do Edwin and Robin know, this mystery is a lot bigger than they ever expected and it's only a matter of time until it begins to rattle their worlds.
I was not expecting to enjoy A Marvellous Light as much as I did. See everyone, I can read fantasy novels! This book has it all—love and sex, mystery and suspense, magic and deception. I could not turn the pages faster. The story starts a bit slower than I expected, but that's because this book has a powerful world building element to get you started. The author does a fabulous job explaining this world of magic and spells so by the time the mystery begins to unfold, you are already glued to the action. I loved the romance in this book, and full disclaimer, the sex scenes are definitely explicit. I AM NOT MAD ABOUT IT! I can't wait to see more of this world and more of Edwin and Robin and their journey with magic and love. I'm hearing that this book will be a series and I can't wait to see how the world Freya Marske developed continues to grow. ...more
Silvia Moreno-Garcia's books are always hit or miss with me. Nothing will compare to my love for Mexican Gothic, but I am so happy Tor Nightfire is reSilvia Moreno-Garcia's books are always hit or miss with me. Nothing will compare to my love for Mexican Gothic, but I am so happy Tor Nightfire is rereleasing Moreno-Garcia's Certain Dark Things as this book was a pleasant surprise for me. I chose to do the audiobook and the narrator was amazing! I *think* it is the same narrator that I loved from Mexican Gothic, but my Dory brain could have forgotten.
The book takes place in a world in which vampires exist and people know of their presence. Specifically, the book is located in Mexico City, where there's an abundance of vampires and we are quickly introduced to Atl, a descendant of Aztec vampires. She meets Domingo, a poor teenager who finds himself attracted to Atl. Silvia Moreno-Garcia creates this beautiful world-building setting in which most of Mexico has fallen to violent vampire attacks, but Mexico City has been declared a "vampire-free zone." You can immediately guess how this story will play out. Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Certain Dark Things has some of the best world-building I've ever read. While the story takes a bit longer than expected to get to the main points of contention, this is ultimately due to that world-building factor, so keep reading, readers! Who knew that in 2021, I'd need to read a book about vampires? I really loved all the characters and I hope the next book Silvia Moreno-Garcia releases is in the same vein of Certain Dark Things and Mexican Gothic, rather than her latest one, Velvet Was The Night....more