// Quick Review // The Witch of Tin Mountain is a beautifully written yet wonderfully chilling novel that left me speechless.
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// Other Information // Publisher: Lake Union Publishing Page Count: 332 pages Release Date: February 1, 2023 Series: None Tags: Fiction, Adult, Fantasy, Thriller, Romance, Horror, Paranormal, Historical fiction, Gothic
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// Review // I was very excited for this novel because I loved Kennedy’s first book, Parting the Veil. Due to my anticipation, I dove into the world of The Witch of Tin Mountain. It absolutely lived up to my expectations.
Filled with rich detail and a chilling plot, I was in love with this novel. The book starts with a mysterious scene, one that made me want to know more. As the novel progressed, I found myself sinking further into my chair because of the eeriness and mystery within the pages.
The characters were well written and had believable personalities and understandable struggles that brought them to life on the page. I did have some trouble distinguishing between some of the characters due to changes in point-of-view and time periods. However, these changes were necessary for the plot.
The setting was stunning. Kennedy has beautifully incorporated the Ozarks into her novel, creating a crackling atmosphere for her characters to journey through.
Overall, I loved this novel and look forward to Kennedy’s future works.
// Other Information // Publisher: Quill and Birch Publishing Page Count: 440 pages Release Date: October 5, 2021 Series: None Tags: Fiction, Young adult, Adult, Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal
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// Review // Golem is a brilliantly crafted horror novel perfect for fans of classic horror movies and books.
I could not put this novel down. The psychological horror in Golem is absolutely enthralling and terrifying all at once. Alleva does an excellent job of messing with the reader’s head and making them question themselves throughout their experience with the novel.
Not only are the characters realistic, but Alleva manages to make you feel like you are going through the terrors they are experiencing. Golem transports the reader to a chilling place that is perfect to enter when you want a terrifying experience.
I honestly cannot wait to read the novel again. It truly got me in the Halloween spirit with its mind-twisting plot and excellent characters.
A huge thank you to Amazon Publishing and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
// Content warnings: animal attacks, cult, death, mature content, mention of cannibalism, mention of incest, mention of teen pregnancy, mentions of child abuse, mentions of self-mutilation, mentions of sexual assault, murder //
Please educate yourself on the content warnings for this novel before reading, as I may have missed some in my review. This novel contains many dark themes that can be disturbing to some.
// Quick Review // The Big Dark Sky is a brilliantly written novel following the stories of various characters all connected to a mystery at the center of the spiderweb they’ve been caught in. Full of suspense and showcasing Koontz’s excellent writing style, The Big Dark Sky maintains Koontz as one of the best thriller writers.
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// Other Information // Publisher: Thomas & Mercer, Amazon Publishing Page Count: 390 pages Release Date: July 19, 2022 Series: None Tags: Fiction, Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Science fiction, Suspense, Horror
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// Review // From the moment I started reading The Big Dark Sky, I was drawn in by the mysterious and paranormal nature of the novel. The homicidal forces that surrounded the characters posed a serious threat and made me want to know more about the peril. From a psychotic cult to murderous aliens, The Big Dark Sky presents a complex intermingling of evil forces that threaten to eradicate humankind.
Dean Koontz is a master at using multiple points of view to build suspense and shows different storylines all barreling towards one focus. Think a Stranger Things-esque meetup at the end of the season but just in a book (yes, Stranger Things is and always will be my obsession… go watch Season 4). The point is that I love media that utilize this form of storytelling and it almost always keeps me engaged with the story.
The Big Dark Sky is relatively fast-paced after the first few chapters and, as I mentioned, contains what seems to be many small plots. Still, they all connect in the end. The suspense and stakes of the situation rise rapidly throughout the book. However, I felt that the ending was too rushed and didn’t fit with the rest of the novel. Frankly, it was underwhelming and left me a little disappointed in contrast to the rest of the events. Without mentioning any spoilers, I will say that the final showdown between the characters and the monstrous evil attacking humanity would have been better had it been slowed down. Even though the fight was very predictable, it felt like the villain came out of nowhere? If that makes sense?
Gosh, it’s so hard to review books without spoilers.
Anyways, I was slightly disappointed with the characters in this novel. Usually, I can handle a large cast of characters and distinguish them from one another. Unfortunately, many of the characters just felt too similar to one another for me to truly connect to or care about them. Characters like Joanne, Ophelia, Colson, and Asher Optime stuck out, though. Joanne is a young woman whose past is shadowed by mystery, tragedy, and lies. Though, she doesn’t know it until mysterious occurrences haunt her house and dreams. The story allows her to discover the truth behind her past, unraveling the life she has known throughout her adult life. Ophelia and Colson are both captives of Asher Optime, a psychopathic egomaniac whose sole ‘purpose’ is to start and finish the destruction of humanity. For whatever reason—probably their homicidal tendencies—Asher reminded me a lot of Patrick Bateman from American Psycho (undoubtedly, though, Asher Optime could not possibly be more stylish than Christian Bale). Asher is determined to set himself apart from the rest of the human race. However, his choice of action is not to spread goodness throughout the world but instead to kidnap people, make them hopeless, and then kill them… all in the name of his twisted agenda shaped by a cult. Despite being completely evil, I found Asher Optime to be the most unique and memorable of the characters. Perhaps it is because he is the perfect villain for a thriller/suspense novel.
One of my favorite parts of The Big Dark Sky was the setting. The isolation that the Rustling Willows Ranch offered added a chilling feel to the book. It is truly one of my worst fears to be far from civilization… being in/near the woods just intensifies my absolute terror. I’ve seen too many horror movies to know that taking a ‘fun’ little trip to an isolated place is practically a death wish. Can you tell I’m not an outdoorsy person?
All parts of the novel came together to form a relatively cohesive and chilling tale of deception, secrets, and evil. Overall, I enjoyed reading The Big Dark Sky. There were many aspects that made this novel a worthwhile and suspenseful read.
// Quick Review // Oliver Seneca presents an intriguing yet creepy story in Faces in a Window, where his characters must endure the cursed nature of St. Stephen’s Middle School. Along the way, they are met with horrors that will haunt your nightmares.
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// Other Information // Publisher: Hellbender Books Page Count: 295 pages Release Date: March 27, 2022 Series: None Tags: Fiction, Young adult, Adult, Thriller, Science fiction, Horror, Supernatural, Apocalyptic, Post-apocalyptic
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// Book Description (from Amazon) // Every school has a secret.
After two beloved teachers pass away at St. Stephen’s Middle School, it’s up to Ian Evans & Michelle Thompson to fill their shoes.
But their eager anticipation soon turns to terror.
They are plagued with unexplainable nightmares and horrific visions: Students who aren’t really there; the school catching fire; scenes of their own deaths playing out before them.
Uncovering what it all means could cost them their jobs, or their lives. With each other’s determination to find the truth of the school’s past, and with the help of an old janitor, Ian and Michelle must risk it all to save more than just their souls.
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// Review // Faces in a Window starts off with a gripping scene, one that kept me reading and interested in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed how the reader was thrust into chaos by just starting to read the novel, it made for an entertaining beginning.
Throughout the novel, Seneca manages to keep tensions high, even in the most harmless of situations. I was constantly aching to know what would happen next and what terrors were just a page away.
While the novel is a tad cliche, I did enjoy the story. I was interested in the history of St. Stephen’s Middle School, where the novel takes place. However, I did feel that the pacing threw off the excellent plot and made the book feel very repetitive.
The story is split between Ian Evans and Michelle Thompson. I really wanted to care about their characters, but the lack of depth to them made me not attached to them. Similarly, I did not care about their relationship at all. The interactions between characters felt very unrealistic, and they lacked chemistry. From the moment Ian and Michelle met, I could tell they were going to be love interests for each other. Unfortunately, I felt like their romance happened far too early on in the novel for it to feel real, organic, and compelling.
Where Faces in a Window really excels is its setting. St. Stephen’s Middle School and its haunted nature was intriguing and kept me reading to find out what its history was.
The novel has a really classic horror movie feel to it, due to the inclusion of many tropes. I liked the nostalgic feeling this had, despite it being a newer novel. While some might call it outdated horror, I definitely enjoyed the older feeling it had.
Overall, Faces in a Window was promising but didn’t necessarily live up to expectations. It had some great aspects and potential, but its characters really fell flat, pulling me out of the story. The novel is perfect to read when you want some thrilling scares but don’t want to be deeply unsettled or disturbed.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
// Content Warnings: murder, violence, teen pregnancy, sexual relationship between an adult and a minor, drug deals, gun violence // – Please educate yourself on the content warnings for this book before reading, as I may have missed some here.
// Quick Review // Fast-paced and thought-inducing, The Night Shift features a spectacular mystery that keeps one yearning for answers. Filled with fascinating twists and turns, Finlay’s latest thriller presents a vast cast of characters that will connect you to an outstanding whodunit.
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// Other Information // Publisher: Minotaur Books Page Count: 368 pages Release Date: March 1, 2022 Series: None Tags: Adult, Contemporary, Crime, Fiction, Horror, Murder mystery, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller
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// Characters // Though filled with a plethora of magnificent characters, the novel is split between three main characters with various circumstances and backgrounds. The way this story unfolded between its characters reminded me of Stranger Things (I’ve been rewatching the series in preparation for Season 4, of course); how all the characters deal with different pieces of the puzzle but eventually come together to form the whole picture.
Ella is the sole survivor of the New Years’ Eve 1999 attack on the Blockbuster Video in Linden, New Jersey. It was hard to understand Ella’s character at first. It is not until later in the novel that the book begins to unveil the reality behind Ella’s character and I began to understand her better. Ella is very obviously traumatized from the attack on her and her friends in 1999. She carries the survivor’s guilt from that night and finds it difficult to navigate adult life in 2015. Agent Keller is helping to investigate the murders of workers in an ice cream shop; a murder eerily similar to that of the Blockbuster murders. Chris is a lawyer with deep connections to the Blockbuster murder. Back in the day, his brother was the prime suspect in the Blockbuster murders. Chris now lives under a different name but becomes entangled in defending the suspect of the ice cream shop murders.
All three of these characters eventually cross paths, but their journey to their meeting is what really makes the book interesting. It took me a while to become truly interested in this novel and its characters, but after reading half of the novel I began to care for Ella, Chris, Keller, and others.
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// Writing and Setting // I love media of the mystery genre that starts off with a bunch of little mysteries that need to be untangled in order to see the entire truth of the story. They typically keep my interest, just as this book did.
The secrets contained in this novel span from 1999 to 2015. The past never seems far from the present, as murders similar to that of the ones on New Years’ Eve 1999 continue to occur as the characters race against the clock to find the culprit.
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// Plot // The plot, since this is a thriller/mystery, was my favorite part of The Night Shift. Though I’ve seen many people saying they thought this story was very predictable, I found it to be the complete opposite. I was completely entranced by how in the dark I was. Perhaps it was because it took me longer to read this novel that I wasn’t immediately struck with suspicions of who the killer could be. Regardless, I thought that this book was filled with surprises and twists and turns.
As I’ve mentioned various times, the characters deal with their own sub-plots that contribute meaning to the overarching question of the novel: Who is the killer who struck in 1999 and 2015?
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// Wrap Up // Usually, when I am in a reading slump I do not finish the novel I am reading. However, The Night Shift was able to hold my attention and I’m so glad it did. Otherwise, I would have missed out on a chilling story containing betrayal, murder, and chaos.
// Quick Review // A brilliantly written horror novel that kept me interested from start to finish. Hide exhibits a broad and unique cast of characters, each trying their best to survive the horrifying circumstances they unknowingly introduced themselves to.
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// Other Information // Publisher: Del Rey Page Count: 256 pages Release Date: May 24, 2022 Series: None (that I am aware of) Tags: Fiction, Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy, Suspense, Horror, Paranormal
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// Review // Wow.
I don’t even know where to start with this novel. It has been so long since I was so involved in a book that I was sad to see it end, and even longer since I have read a breathtaking yet horrifying book. Hide is a truly excellent and distinctive book, one that I’m sure will stick with me for the near future.
I had hardly any issues with Hide and flew through the book at an amazing speed (for me, anyway). The plot was fast-moving but filled with mystery and terror. I spent the novel wondering about the new discoveries being made by the characters throughout the story. The plot came together beautifully and is truly a masterpiece. Hide was reminiscent of The Hunger Games and Winterset Hollow in its game of survival. However, it stands out when it comes to its memorable and lovable characters, chilling setting, and horror.
The story takes place in an abandoned amusement park where 14 characters are meant to hide for 7 days in order to win 50,000 dollars. Run down, haunted, and hiding deadly secrets, the amusement park seems like a hopeful opportunity until day by day Mack, Ava, LeGrand, and Brandon notice something is amiss. Their discovery of secrets reveals that they were not brought to Asterion—the home of this twisted game—to get a second chance. Rather, they were brought here to die at the hands of a devilish monster summoned here in generations past to protect Asterion.
I felt like I could truly connect to the vibrant cast of characters that Kiersten White created. Despite having 14+ characters introduced almost all at once, it was not hard for me to recognize them all through the frequent POV changes in the novel. The evolution of relationships in Hide added so much to the plot; it raised the stakes. With realistic characters in an unfamiliar landscape and situation, White created an absolutely genius progression of fear.
I have never wanted to see a book as a movie as much as I want this one to be. I can just imagine how terrified I would be while seeing Hide on a screen. Kiersten White’s writing style, too, is beautiful and perfectly fits the feel of this book. The way the author explores the character’s trauma while incorporating it into the plot was fascinating and made me admire the characters even more. ‘
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and cannot wait to check out more of White’s works.
A huge thank you to Jonathan Durham and Credo House Publishers for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
// Book Content Warnings: death, violence, torture, animal cruelty, blood, stabbings // – Before reading this novel, please be aware that while I try my best to disclose any potential content warnings for novels I review, I may have missed some. Please educate yourself on the CW for this novel before reading, as there are many violent scenes and gruesome details.
// Quick Review // Taking its rightful spot as my favorite book this year (and maybe of all time), Winterset Hollow is an immaculate mixture of good, evil, darkness, and light that had me hooked from beginning to end. Twisted and unexpected, I could not put this novel down until I knew the outcome of the horrific events that took place in this wonderfully mysterious and suspenseful novel.
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// Other Information // Publisher: Credo House Publishers Page Count: 286 pages Release Date: September 1, 2021 Series: None Genre: Fiction, Adult, Mystery, Fantasy, Dark fantasy, Drama, Horror, Thriller, Suspense, Adventure
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// Book Description (from Goodreads) // Everyone has wanted their favorite book to be real, if only for a moment. Everyone has wished to meet their favorite characters, if only for a day. But be careful in that wish, for even a history laid in ink can be repaid in flesh and blood, and reality is far deadlier than fiction . . . especially on Addington Isle. Winterset Hollow follows a group of friends to the place that inspired their favorite book-a timeless tale about a tribe of animals preparing for their yearly end-of-summer festival. But after a series of shocking discoveries, they find that much of what the world believes to be fiction is actually fact, and that the truth behind their beloved story is darker and more dangerous than they ever imagined. It’s Barley Day . . . and you’re invited to the hunt.
Winterset Hollow is as thrilling as it is terrifying and as smart as it is surprising. A uniquely original story filled with properly unexpected twists and turns, Winterset Hollow delivers complex, indelible characters and pulse-pounding action as it storms toward an unforgettable climax that will leave you reeling. How do you celebrate Barley Day? You run, friend. You run.
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// Characters // The novel introduces the reader to a trio of friends by the names of Eamon, Caroline, and Mark. Immediately, I was struck by how real Durham’s characters felt. It was almost as if I could envision them and reach forward to pat them on the shoulder. Their love for one another and friendship was apparent, making me automatically attached to the three.
Eamon is a traumatized man whose childhood first consisted of living in the woods with his seemingly crazy father, then foster homes due to his dad’s disappearance. I couldn’t help but feel bad for Eamon from the start, for he had a confusing and, as I said, traumatic childhood. Caroline is a headstrong and lively woman who is dating the oblivious Mark.
All three are on a trip to Addington Isle, the island which inspired the book Winterset Hollow, a book that got Eamon through his childhood. Yes, everyone, this is a book within a book, so get excited. *MILD SPOILERS* Once the three get to the island, the reader is introduced to the characters within the beloved Winterset Hollow: Runny (a rabbit), Flackwell (a frog), Finn (a fox), and Bing (a bear). These four are adorable at the start, but crueler intentions lay beneath the surface.
The depth of each character and their relationships is so thoroughly written and undeniably realistic. The creativity with which Durham has written his characters is unbelievable.
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// Writing and Setting // Winterset Hollow is at first glance a fantasy novel that is light and jovial. However, underneath there are many gloomy and disastrous layers that are peeled back and observed throughout the progression of the story.
The atmosphere of the novel is similar to its writing and best described as fantastically layered. One of the most important places in the novel is Addington Isle, the island that is supposedly magical, wonderful, and beautiful.
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// Plot // There is so much to discuss when it comes to the plot of Winterset Hollow. Not only are there so many terrifying horror and action scenes, but also a string of mysteries can be found throughout.
As I’ve mentioned, Eamon and his friends take a trip to Winterset Hollow‘s place of origin, Addington Isle, home of the book’s author (not Jonathan Durham, instead E. B. Addington). They discover that the characters they grew up loving are real and inhabit Addington Isle. They’re invited to join in the Barley Day feast (a tradition of celebration for the Hollow’s characters), but things take a darker turn as the history of cruelty inflicted upon the Hollow’s animals comes back to haunt Addington Isle’s visitors.
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// Overall Review // Winterset Hollow is an unforgettable book that is impactful and deeply layered. I loved its twists and turns, characters, atmosphere, and horror. Overall, Winterset Hollow was a fantastic novel that I will never forget.
// Quick Review // I find it very difficult to review this novel because I am not quite sure how I feel about it. There were many intriguing aspects that I loved but there were also many things that I didn’t enjoy about Wake the Bones.
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// Other Information // Publisher: Wednesday Books Page Count: 320 pages Release Date: July 12, 2022 Series: None Tags: Fiction, Young adult, Fantasy, Contemporary, Romance, Horror, Paranormal, Urban fantasy, Gothic
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// Review // Wake the Bones is an unsettling yet beautifully crafted tale of sacrifice, love, and magic. Full of hidden horrors, the novel follows the story of four young adults navigating a farm that holds an evil power set on their destruction.
When I first started this novel, I was absolutely in love with the characters. They were beautifully written. Laurel, Isaac, Ricky, and Garrett all help out on Uncle Jay’s (Laurel’s uncle) farm and have been friends since they were little. The main character, Laurel, lost her mother at a young age and now her whole world is changed drastically by the reveal of true wickedness that has invaded the land she loves and tends to. The relationships between the characters were obvious at the start. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed and adored them. Isaac and Garrett’s and Laurel and Ricky’s relationships were written very well and colorfully.
A great aspect of Wake the Bones is that not only is the plot driven by a devil-like threat, but also the character’s inner struggles. Isaac struggles to be himself in the small town the story describes. Although he would like to be with Garrett, he wishes to leave while Garrett wishes to stay and live the life he has thus known. Similarly, Ricky and Laurel’s relationship is along the lines of the enemies-to-lovers trope. Both of these added tensions to the scenes that already felt suspenseful.
However, I felt that the character development was somewhat lacking. The story contains magic but also takes place in a world fairly similar. Laurel is somewhat aware of the powers she has, but her friends disregard the validity of her claims… until the second half of the novel. They all of a sudden believe in magic? It felt unrealistic and like it came out of nowhere. Also, though Laurel was already used to having magic, she claimed to be incapable of having control of her powers. Except, when she has to use them in a life or death scenario, all of a sudden she becomes an expert in using the earth to fight off a demon? And it is not as if there was a time skip between her being unable to control her powers and not; this takes place on the same day. I would have liked to of seen her fail a little bit before getting a hang of using her magic. It would have been more realistic and made more sense.
I was absolutely in love with the first half of the book. The suspense beautifully built up and made me anticipate when Laurel would finally fight the villain of this story. The first half was solid and well-paced, unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the second half. All of a sudden it felt rushed and did not flow well, or make sense. A big reveal occurs yet there is hardly any time before Laurel is fighting with the ‘devil’. The twist and turns really had no effect on the story because there was no time to see the characters react and adapt to them. This made major parts of the novel lose their emphasis.
Overall, there was a lot of potential and good aspects, but the novel fell short in the second half. However, I still enjoyed reading Wake the Bones and would recommend it to those looking for a paranormal novel full of exciting characters, a rural setting, and a similar feeling to Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
// Book Content Warnings: alcohol, blood, gore, mention of homophobia, mental illness, panic attacks, violence, disassociation, implied sexual content, sexual content, mention of sexual harassment, insanity, intrusive thoughts, disturbing scenes, death, death of an animal, graphic violence, sexism, pedophilia, sexual assault, sexual harassment, murder // – As always, please educate yourself on the content warnings for this novel before reading. This novel is especially heavy and contains many disturbing and dark scenes/themes that can make one very uncomfortable.
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// Quick Statistics // Overall: 5/5 Stars – I would rate it higher if I could. Characters: 5/5 Stars Writing: 5/5 Stars Setting: 5/5 Stars Plot: 5/5 Stars Memorability: 5/5 Stars
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// Quick Review // Such a Pretty Smile is a chill-inducing novel that examines the patriarchy and sexism through a terrifying tale of death and mystery. Oozing horror at every flip of the page, I could not put this electrifying novel down until I read it cover to cover. Filled with relatable characters and emotion, Such a Pretty Smile was overtly thrilling, blood-curdling, and above all, powerful.
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“Those pure, innocent girls kept from anything that defined them in the name of protection, while their brothers carried on as if there was nothing to fear. But for them, there wasn’t. They would never understand the inherent trepidation that came as a result of being wrapped in girl flesh.”
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// Other Information // Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Page Count: 320 pages Release Date: January 18, 2022 Series: None Genre: Fiction, Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Contemporary, Horror, Suspense, Supernatural, Dark, Gore, Feminism
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// Book Description (from Goodreads) // A biting novel from an electrifying new voice, Such a Pretty Smile is a heart-stopping tour-de-force about powerful women, angry men, and all the ways in which girls fight against the forces that try to silence them.
There’s something out there that’s killing. Known only as The Cur, he leaves no traces, save for the torn bodies of girls, on the verge of becoming women, who are known as trouble-makers; those who refuse to conform, to know their place. Girls who don’t know when to shut up.
2019: Thirteen-year-old Lila Sawyer has secrets she can’t share with anyone. Not the school psychologist she’s seeing. Not her father, who has a new wife, and a new baby. And not her mother—the infamous Caroline Sawyer, a unique artist whose eerie sculptures, made from bent twigs and crimped leaves, have made her a local celebrity. But soon Lila feels haunted from within, terrorized by a delicious evil that shows her how to find her voice—until she is punished for using it.
2004: Caroline Sawyer hears dogs everywhere. Snarling, barking, teeth snapping that no one else seems to notice. At first, she blames the phantom sounds on her insomnia and her acute stress in caring for her ailing father. But then the delusions begin to take shape—both in her waking hours, and in the violent, visceral sculptures she creates while in a trance-like state. Her fiancé is convinced she needs help. Her new psychiatrist waves her “problem” away with pills. But Caroline’s past is a dark cellar, filled with repressed memories and a lurking horror that the men around her can’t understand.
As past demons become a present threat, both Caroline and Lila must chase the source of this unrelenting, oppressive power to its malignant core. Brilliantly paced, unsettling to the bone, and unapologetically fierce, Such a Pretty Smile is a powerful allegory for what it can mean to be a woman, and an untamed rallying cry for anyone ever told to sit down, shut up, and smile pretty.
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// Characters // The novel follows the past and present of Caroline Sawyer and her 13-year-old daughter, Lila. Before really going into Caroline and Lila, I want to mention how realistic, deep, and relatable the characters of this novel truly were. As this novel deals strongly with sexism, misogyny, and the patriarchy, both Caroline and Lila deal with various frustrating scenarios in which I was also frustrated. The author does a fantastic job of conveying the emotions of their characters to the reader, which made me become even more attached to their lively characters.
Caroline is an artist whose life has been anything but easy. Though she does not remember, at a young age she was kidnapped by the infamous ‘serial killer’ ‘The Cur’. Though still alive in 2019, Caroline was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2004 when she started seeing ‘visions’ of strange half dog/half man creatures in the corner of her room, heard unreal dogs barking, and lost time as the days went by; all around the time of a series of murders and mutilations. Called crazy, Caroline submits to her drug-induced stupor and recommits her life to art in order to take care of her daughter, Lila. However, throughout the novel we see a new side of Caroline: the strong, powerful, and headstrong Caroline.
In 2019, Lila is a 13-year-old with a crush on her homophobic best friend, Macie. It really cannot get worse than that: being in middle school while having a crush on your unattainable best (and only) friend. Alas, it does. Another series of young girls going missing and turning up murdered occurs, seemingly inducing a strange switch in Lila’s personality. Lila begins to hear dogs barking that aren’t there, see things that also aren’t, and becomes malicious. Caroline, of course, is disturbed by this change in her sweet baby. Things only get worse as more murders occur and Lila feels pressured by Macie to become increasingly different and rebellious.
All of DeMeester’s characters were utterly realistic and relatable. As I said, the personalities of each character shone through and made me become even more connected to the characters and the story.
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// Writing and Setting // DeMeester’s writing is true magic, one that can transport you from your dimly lit room at night to an eerie scene. Everything was described in graphic detail, but not to the point of boredom. I could truly envision everything that occured in the novel and felt like I was there, which made the book’s horror even more terrifying. The in depth and practically poetic descriptions of this book’s events provided many gory scenes.
Dark and energetic, the atmosphere of Such a Pretty Smile was inescapable and deliciously malevolent. The novel splits between Caroline and Lila’s points of view. Caroline’s POV differs between 2004 and 2019, which provides a unique view of past and current events in the book.
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// Plot // I have nothing but good words to say about Such a Pretty Smile‘s perfectly paced and anxiety-inducing plot. Every little detail is important in this novel, and you never have a good idea of what is truly real or false until the very end. Never a dull moment, Such a Pretty Smile is terrifying throughout the novel and never stops being so.
The story centers around the lives of Caroline and Lila while a series of murders and mutilations occurs seemingly in the background. But, with Such a Pretty Smile, nothing is ever as it seems. Things become particularly serious for Caroline and Lila as Lila seems to change overnight and Caroline relives a similar killing spree from years before.
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// Overall Review // Such a Pretty Smile was eerily entertaining and powerful, conveying a strong message about the origin of women’s daily fear of the outside world. I cannot think of a better horror book I have read, for Such a Pretty Smile is the epitome of a perfect novel.
// Quick Review // From start to finish, Quicksilver is unpredictable. Full of lovable characters, constant peril, and a plethora of mystery, Koontz’s newest novel is dark, addictive, and thrilling. With every novel released, Dean Koontz proves that he is a master of storytelling. Quicksilver is the latest in a line of masterpieces. Mysterious from the start, Quicksilver sucked me in and didn’t spit me out until I had been thoroughly ingrained in the world of Quinn Quicksilver.
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“My understanding of the true nature of the world was undergoing a seismic shift. Or was I merely shedding adult illusions for the fantastic truth that every child knows? In spite of one bizarre turn of events after another, in spite of all my rushing around and my reckless surrender to the pull of mysterious forces, I sensed that I wasn’t falling away into a new reality. Instead, I felt as though I might be coming home to the world I knew a long time ago, where monsters lurking in the closet weren’t always imaginary, where a desperate but secret war was being waged by two armies in disguise, where victory had nothing to do with conquering territory, where the battlefield was the human heart, the spoils of war the human soul.”
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// Other Information // Publisher: Thomas & Mercer Page Count: 366 pages Release Date: January 25, 2022 Series: None Genre: Fiction, Adult, Horror, Thriller, Suspense
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// Book Description (via Goodreads) // #1 New York Times bestselling master of suspense Dean Koontz takes a surprising and exhilarating road trip with a man in pursuit of his strange past—mile by frightening mile.
Quinn Quicksilver was born a mystery—abandoned at three days old on a desert highway in Arizona. Raised in an orphanage, never knowing his parents, Quinn had a happy if unexceptional life. Until the day of “strange magnetism.” It compelled him to drive out to the middle of nowhere. It helped him find a coin worth a lot of money. And it practically saved his life when two government agents showed up in the diner in pursuit of him. Now Quinn is on the run from those agents and who knows what else, fleeing for his life.
During a shoot-out at a forlorn dude ranch, he finally meets his destined companions: Bridget Rainking, a beauty as gifted in foresight as she is with firearms, and her grandpa Sparky, a romance novelist with an unusual past. Bridget knows what it’s like to be Quinn. She’s hunted, too. The only way to stay alive is to keep moving.
Barreling through the Sonoran Desert, the formidable trio is impelled by that same inexplicable magnetism toward the inevitable. With every deeply disturbing mile, something sinister is in the rearview—an enemy that is more than a match for Quinn. Even as he discovers within himself resources that are every bit as scary.
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// Characters // Quinn Quicksilver is a 19 year old living in Phoenix while working for Arizona! magazine. He was raised by nuns at Mater Misericordiæ after being abandoned at three days old and found by three men outside of Peptoe, Arizona. From the beginning, Quinn is a humble, curious, and utterly oblivious young man thrown into perilous situations. Quinn discovers that he possesses powers such as psychic magnetism, a force that guides him in situations and essentially gives him the ability to sense incoming dangers, obstacles, etc. While reading Quicksilver I was struck by how similar Quinn is to my best friend. It amused me how similar they were in their humor and character. Besides this, I related to the manner in which Quinn reacted in the situations he was presented with. I, too, would be terrified and unaware of how to react when faced with extraterrestrial creatures called Screamers because of their ghastly appearance. What I admire most about how Quinn was written is how he changes over the novel. Over the course of the story, he evolves to adapt to his environment, becoming brave, selfless, and full of purpose. This character growth is slow and well done. The reader first sees Quinn evade the ISA while eating breakfast, then he manages to defeat aliens, and eventually he is able to overcome long-lasting issues from his childhood, even facing characters who he once considered family.
Bridget Rainking, the granddaughter of Sparky Rainking, is a fiery and headstrong young woman who also possesses powers like Quinn. One of her powers is intuition which alerts her to the existence of Quinn even before they meet. Bridget is prepared for her true love (Quinn) to come waltzing through the door… and he does! Bridget is one of those characters that holds the rest of the characters together in conflicts and times of danger. She also is the character that takes poor Winston the dog under her wing while stealing money from a gang.
Sparky Rainking, my favorite character because of his humor, is a romance novelist under the title of Daphne Larkrise. Besides writing novels, he is the best grandpa someone could ask for. The witty remarks he makes at the worst of times really keep this novel from slipping into a dark place from which there is no return. I cannot gush enough over Sparky.
I should also introduce Panthea Ching, an artist living in the middle of Arizona that also possesses powers. However, hers are quite different from Quinn’s and Bridget’s; Panthea can tell the future through visions.
The interactions and conversations between the characters, especially between Quinn and Bridget, are entertaining and wonderfully written. All of Koontz’s characters are written with depth, liveliness, and humanity. None of the characters are perfect people, which makes them realistic.
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“I have always been an optimist, because pessimists seldom have any fun and usually fret their way into one of the horrible fates they spend their lives worrying about… the optimist, unlike the pessimist, believes that life has meaning, that there is something to learn from every adversity, and even that the absurdity of such an excess of misfortune will likely seem at least somewhat amusing after enough time has passed.”
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// Writing and Setting // There is not a moment in this novel that I felt dragged along or was unnecessary. Every chapter is action-packed and anxiety-inducing. Overall the novel is fast-paced until the end. I resisted sleep while thinking about this novel and where the plot could go or what I could discover about this twisted world Koontz created—a world that is a direct reflection of our own. Once again, Koontz’s writing examines the faults and brilliance of humanity through the journey of lovable characters. In both our world and Quicksilver's, the power-hungry climb social and economic ladders by tearing down others. In both worlds, humans have the choice to make good or bad decisions, sometimes ones that affect others. Quinn navigates his world of good and evil by trying to understand the nature of humanity.
I really enjoyed how Quinn’s past deeply influences and reflects his present. At the end of every section, young Quinn lives through tragic and traumatic events while at the orphanage. A nun at the orphanage, Sister Theresa, attempts to help Quinn understand how and why people do bad things. While he doesn’t get it at first, the parallels between young and old Quinn help one understand why Quinn is the way he is.
The world-building of Quicksilver is one of my favorite parts of the novel. In this modern and dark world, Screamers/Nephilim are disguised alien-type monsters who have invaded Earth and caused destruction. There are ‘unique’ people who have genes that are not human. Two of these people are Bridget and Quinn. As it is later explained when they eventually reach Peptoe, there are two universes. The first was reduced to dust by Screamers who crave destruction, pain, and death. The Screamers invade the second universe (our universe) to cause more pain, which they feed upon. Bridget and Quinn were born to protect the second universe from this threat with their variety of superpowers.
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// Plot // Beginning with a magnetic pull towards an abandoned crossroads to the feeling of coming danger, Quinn is experiencing what many would call insanity and paranoia. But when men in suits rudely interrupt his meal at Beane’s Diner, Quinn realizes that his life will never be the same. It is while on the run from the ISA (Internal Security Agency) that Quinn is pulled towards Sweetwater Flying F Ranch where he meets Bridget and Sparky Rainking.
Quinn wants to discover why the ISA is after him. He plans to do so by talking to the three men that found him outside of Peptoe as a baby. Since all three are on the run from the ISA, they decide that sticking together would be the best option. It is revealed that both Bridget and Quinn are parentless/adopted, and both are using DNA tests to discover who their parents were. Through this process, the ISA becomes alerted to the non-human genes that Bridget and Quinn possess, which is why the ISA is so desperate to contain them. Racing through the Arizona desert, the trio (and Winston) are sidetracked by the ISA, which is hot on their trail. Through this interruption of their plan they meet Panthea, who reveals to them their purpose in the world and time.
Quinn, Bridget, Panthea, and Sparky must face a variety of monsters, both human and alien, to fulfill the purpose for which they were brought into the world: keep the evil from growing stronger and destroying everything. Along the way they grow closer and become their own dysfunctional and nomadic family.
One of my favorite scenes is during the second half of the novel, where Quinn, Bridget, Panthea, Sparky, and Quinn are racing through the desert in an attempt to leave Peptoe without alerting the ISA. This proves difficult when rain and darkness fall… and the persistent ISA sends two dangerously equipped vehicles racing after them. Through Bridget’s excellent driving skills and connection to psychic magnetism (and Quinn’s panicking), they are all able to escape in one piece. The entire chase was thrilling yet infused with humor, which is common in many scenes throughout the novel.
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“How strange is the world and all life in it. How strange am I. How much stranger still—mysterious, wonderful—that there is a world at all, or me, or you.”
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// Overall Review // I never thought that another Dean Koontz novel would top my favorite, The Door to December, but Quicksilver came pretty close. The novel was fast-paced and full of peril. Its characters, chaos, high-stakes, and dark world have found a special place in my heart.
--- Thank you so much to Lake Union Publishing, Amazon Publishing, and Paulette Kennedy for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
// Content warning: self-harm, suicidal ideation, implied incest, child abuse (non-sexual), sexual abuse, domestic abuse, marital rape, verbal abuse, consensual sexual content, forced captivity, murder, racism, assault, mild violence, mild drug use, alcoholism, arson, death, drowning, child and pregnancy loss, war, blood, sexism, misogyny, abandonment, toxic power dynamics // – thank you so much to Paulette Kennedy for providing a full list of content warnings!!!
// Quick Review // Parting the Veil is the perfect mix of romance, horror, mystery, and historical fiction. Haunting and dark, Paulette Kennedy’s debut novel is an excellent journey to the discovery of family secrets that threaten the world of Eliza Sullivan and her goal of freedom.
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// Other Information // Publisher: Lake Union Publishing Page Count: 387 pages Release Date: November 1, 2021 Series: None Genre: Fiction, Historical fiction, Gothic, Thriller, Horror, Romance, Adult, LGBTQ+
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// Book Description (via Goodreads) // Some houses hold secrets that are meant to be kept forever…
When Eliza Sullivan inherits an estate from a recently deceased aunt, she leaves behind a grievous and guilt-ridden past in New Orleans for rural England and a fresh start. Eliza arrives at her new home and finds herself falling for the mysterious lord of Havenwood, Malcolm Winfield. Despite the sinister rumors that surround him, Eliza is drawn to his melancholy charm and his crumbling, once-beautiful mansion. With enough love, she thinks, both man and manor could be repaired.
Not long into their marriage, Eliza fears that she should have listened to the locals. There’s something terribly wrong at Havenwood Manor: Forbidden rooms. Ghostly whispers in the shadows. Strangely guarded servants. And Malcolm’s threatening moods, as changeable as night and day.
As Eliza delves deeper into Malcolm’s troubling history, the dark secrets she unearths gain a frightening power. Has she married a man or a monster? For Eliza, uncovering the truth will either save her or destroy her.
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// Characters // Parting the Veil follows Eliza Sullivan (the badass mc) and her journey of love, self-forgiveness, and freedom. Just a quick mention, I loved that even though the novel takes place in England in 1899, Paulette Kennedy did not hesitate to represent the LGBTQ+ community. Eliza is not only a badass lady in the 1890’s, but also bisexual.
A large portion of the novel is dedicated to her romance with the Lord of Havenwood, Malcolm Winfield. As kindhearted and romantic as he seems, some dark secret is growing beneath the surface of his character that Eliza is forced to face. Malcolm was such a complex character, that I found myself drawn into trying to figure him out.
Kennedy’s characters were lively and complex, perfectly written for the historical romance and thriller novel that she concocted. Not to mention the romance that was written, it’ll leave you absolutely breathless.
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// Writing and Setting // The author’s writing is just absolutely perfect and turns the atmosphere of the novel into someone sinister. I loved the writing style that Kennedy exhibited, and am so excited for their future works.
As I mentioned, Parting the Veil takes place in 1899 in England. Eliza has moved there to claim her deceased aunt’s estate and potentially find more freedom than America offered, but in doing so she finds that the society of England is perhaps even more inhibiting.
Like I said earlier, the atmosphere is perfect for the novel. It’s sinister, dark, and mysterious.
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// Plot // The plot was perhaps my favorite part of the novel (hard to have a favorite part when the entire novel is perfection.) The amount of twists and turns Kennedy wrote had me sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation. I’m not even kidding you, I literally stayed up til 1 in the morning on vacation reading this novel because I could not stop.
The most amazing thing about the mysterious plot Kennedy wrote, is that I had no idea what was going to happen. I was as in the dark as Eliza the entire novel. It takes a true master of mystery to completely deceive your reader and leave them in the unknown.
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// Overall Review // I don’t have enough good words to say about Parting the Veil. It is by far one of my favorite novels, and just for reference, I am not a huge fan of romance or historical fiction. And yet, I absolutely loved it and recommended it to literally all of my friends and family. I desperately need someone to discuss this novel with, everyone. It was just too good.
// Quick Review // A mediocre novel, The Haunting of Beatrix Greene features a haunting yet very predictable tale. Not to say that its predictability makes it any less horrifying and creepy.
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"'Twenty years ago... my mother killed my little brother. Then she killed herself.'"
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// Other Information // Publisher: Serial Box Page Count:23 pages – this is what both the Amazon and Goodreads pages say the page count is. However, it is far longer. I don’t have an exact page count because the Kindle app does not allow for you to see the page count of mobi files. But I’d say this novel is at least 150 pages. Release Date: August 7, 2020 Series: The Haunting of Beatrix Greene #0.1 Genre: Fiction, Adult, Young adult, Horror, Historical fiction, Gothic, Paranormal, Mystery, Supernatural, Fantasy, Historical, Romance
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// Book Description (via Goodreads) // In Victorian England, a savvy spiritual medium must outsmart the most important client of her career: a scientist determined to expose frauds like her.
But their game of wits has fatal consequences when a vengeful spirit answers their summons. If they cannot put aside their prejudices—and growing passion—and find a way to banish the ghost together, one of them could be its next victim.
Get a sneak peek of The Haunting of Beatrix Greene by bestselling authors Rachel Hawkins, Ash Parsons, and Vicky Alvear Schecter.
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// Characters // I have to start of my review of the characters by saying that this is where the novel lacked the most. I felt that while the idea of the characters was interesting, it was not executed well. I don’t know whether this stems from the fact that there were three authors collaborating on this novel, but the novel still lack consistent characters.
Besides the inconsistencies with the characters, I also found that they were mostly flat and didn’t have a life to them. However, I did love the interactions between the characters. I thought that these were written perfectly.
The novel follows the journey of Beatrix Greene, a medium who’s… not really a medium. Her assistant, Harry, was by far my favorite character; he’s just adorable, aloof, and hilarious.
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"It undid her. Thoroughly. This man, this odd, distant man, who had grown up in a house of blood and terror and was even now looking at her, with all her own demons, and seeing her. Truly seeing her. Admiring her. Understanding her. Oh, it was foolish and mad, and she might regret it, but right now, she could not see how."
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// Writing and Setting // When I first heard that The Haunting of Beatrix Greene was written by 3 different authors collaborating together, I was very excited because I thought that all of them would bring something different to the table. However, I found that this was not the case. Despite being descriptive and perfectly spooky, there was no difference between the chapters written by the three authors.
Personally, my favorite part of this novel was its haunting atmosphere. The Haunting of Beatrix Greene captures the spookiness and peril of the situation perfectly. The Ashbury Manor, a haunted manor FYI, is a place that Beatrix and Harry must explore to prove it is haunted.
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"It is not the first night screams have rung through the halls of Ashbury Manor. It will not be the last."
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// Plot // I have mixed feelings about the plot. On the one hand, investigating a haunted murder mystery seems very interesting to me. On the other, I felt that the mystery itself was not very present.
However, the spookiness that was promised was definitely there! I kept glancing at the corners of my room during the night wondering what was lurking there... perhaps the ghosts from the novel.
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"...she had been the dead. Been possessed by the dead. It was real, and suddenly Beatrix was part of this... place. This haunting."
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// Overall Review // While I do feel that there were some issues that could be improved upon, The Haunting of Beatrix Greene is a spooky and promising start to the series that Rachel Hawkins, Ash Parsons, and Vicky Alvear Schecter have created.