It took me a minute to get into the book or feel connection to the characters but I eventually did. And when I say this is a spine tingling book, I meIt took me a minute to get into the book or feel connection to the characters but I eventually did. And when I say this is a spine tingling book, I mean it! It isn’t the most overt horror I have ever read but the subtly makes it all the more unsettling. It’s the kind of horror that doesn’t slap you in the face all at once (and I love a good pure horror) but lingers after you read it. At least it did for me. And the undercurrents of history and reality of colonization? Ooof. You wrote a book that will stick with people, Bruzas, for more than the horror. Aaaaand you gained a horror happy reader. ...more
At least to me, this read more like a dysfunctional family drama instead of a horror story. It wasn’t written badly. Heck, maybe I’m so used to horrorAt least to me, this read more like a dysfunctional family drama instead of a horror story. It wasn’t written badly. Heck, maybe I’m so used to horror that what used to creep me out now feels like child’s play. Yeah, there’s some simple horror tropes (think haunted house, locked doors, ghosties) but none of it was done in a way that made me convinced this was intended to be full horror. It’s still a solid, strong 3 for me, but it was advertised as more of an intense dark drama with horror elements maybe I’d have rated it higher. Don’t know. But hey, I read it, I mostly liked it, it just didn’t wow me like I have come to hope for with horrors....more
There’s a cool concept here, and boy am I a sucker for those ultra dark horror stories, but this leans on too much action, not enough plot. There wereThere’s a cool concept here, and boy am I a sucker for those ultra dark horror stories, but this leans on too much action, not enough plot. There were parts I immensely liked, others that felt like the gore and violence replaced what could be a story moving forward. Not a bad read, I guess, but for one time. ...more
I cannot believe I finished this. I cannot believe I put up with this horseshit for longer than a second. Not only was the writing far below average, I cannot believe I finished this. I cannot believe I put up with this horseshit for longer than a second. Not only was the writing far below average, but the implication that rape is enjoyable???? I'm sorry, did I interpret this wrong? The characters are one dimensional, the writing is bad, and most of the shit was problematic....more
Not just any ghosts, but dinosaur ghosts! And what a ride it was. Before I started, I worried it might be silly (dinosaur ghosts can go one of two wayNot just any ghosts, but dinosaur ghosts! And what a ride it was. Before I started, I worried it might be silly (dinosaur ghosts can go one of two ways, ya'll) but it was actually a well crafted horror. Lots of moving parts, but well crafted, and the ending...my goodness. Wow. I didn't mind the COVID mentions, but I get why that grinds some people's gears. I felt like Dumas didn't throw incessant reminders at us while still setting the story in 2020-era. It'll probably land well with some and not well with others, but putting that aside and focusing on the story (and the dinosaurs), it was better than I thought it would be....more
How timely for my 500th review. A spooky, perfect-for-Halloween read with a lively cast of theater nerds and enough haunting to go around. The tensionHow timely for my 500th review. A spooky, perfect-for-Halloween read with a lively cast of theater nerds and enough haunting to go around. The tension gradually increases as the book goes on, which adds to the increasing creepiness of the house, which was a character itself. But I have to say, the characters themselves, the rep, and the way these people interacted with both each other and the circumstances was the highlight of the book.
Now, please don't throw your tomatoes at me, but I haven't read the work this is based off of. (I watched the Netflix show. Does that count?) Maybe if I had, I would review this book differently. And there's a fair chance I will read Jackson's work, then come back to this one and change my opinion. Orrrr maybe I won't. But as of October 2023, this was a deliciously eerie, haunted read. And for the sake of this reader (and this Halloween season fanatic), it was scarily enjoyable....more
This was good. I can't say it was totally horror or gothic, but there were elements to it that had undercurrents. I liked the fusion of fantasy and daThis was good. I can't say it was totally horror or gothic, but there were elements to it that had undercurrents. I liked the fusion of fantasy and darkness (not a big surprise as those are books I gravitate toward 90% of the time) but I wasn't completely invested the entire read through. This could have been me just as much as it was the narrative which is why I wouldn't be averse at all to popping this one open again in a few months and seeing how I feel then. Still liked it, still would recommend it though....more
Silvia Moreno-Garcia masters prose and the chilling, atmospheric tone you'd want in any horror/sff novel, and though I loved her sense of place, sometSilvia Moreno-Garcia masters prose and the chilling, atmospheric tone you'd want in any horror/sff novel, and though I loved her sense of place, something still felt like it was missing. It could have been how heavily this book leans into exposition, which I don't always mind, but took me out of the story and made the more spine-chilling or heart-racing scenes a little less...spine-chilling and heart-racing? Don't get me wrong, I really liked the concept, and 90s Mexico City is an alluring setting that Moreno-Garcia writes really well. It might've been the characters that dampened my enjoyment of the story, with neither Montserrat or Tristian being likable enough for me to actually care what happened to them. I liked the story for the plot, not as much for the characters, and I think that was the heaviest blow to my enjoyment. But do I recommend it? Yeah, if you're a horror fan like yours truly, I do. It's a solid, well-written novel, even if it wasn't my favorite in the genre, and it's worth a read for anyone who wants a rich setting and a (mostly) exciting plot....more
Ya know, I was wondering what I'd think of this one given the fact that I do tend to read reviews before I get into the book (I try not to let it swayYa know, I was wondering what I'd think of this one given the fact that I do tend to read reviews before I get into the book (I try not to let it sway me). I LOVED GMS's Dark&Shallow Lies, and while some thoughts are mixed here, I felt Secrets So Deep was just as compelling, just as atmospheric, and just as creepy. The ending was somewhat predictable, but that didn't take away too much from my overall investment in the story. I'll continue to rely on GMS for creepy, haunting, and utterly lyrical ghost stories that give me chills come any season....more
I love me some good feminist novels. Bonus points when the cover is retro af. I appreciate this book double since I've read Jane Eyre, and I rush to rI love me some good feminist novels. Bonus points when the cover is retro af. I appreciate this book double since I've read Jane Eyre, and I rush to retellings quicker than any reader I know. The book is a little fast-paced for my tastes, but the humor infused horror and on-the-nose retelling style, coupled with gorgeous writing, remedies that....more
I don't usually like prologues, but this one was eerie enough to draw me in. Hannah just keeps the ball rolling by introducing a chillingly creepy supI don't usually like prologues, but this one was eerie enough to draw me in. Hannah just keeps the ball rolling by introducing a chillingly creepy supernatural horror. This strikes me as a more genre-specific book, so people who dont generally read horror/supernatural may have a harder time getting into it, but since this is my jam, I loved it. It's about the secrets we bury and what may arise from keeping them underground for too long. The play on characters name (Jude, Delilah especially) was creative as heck, and the way Hannah writes Bishop reminds me so much of my hometown that it was almost creepy! Ending could have been wrapped up a little less conveniently (this is a problem I notice all too often in standalones is an absolute sprint to the end where the rest had been more of an even pace). ...more
Maybe an unpopular review because a lot of people loved this book, but it fell a little short for me in character execution especially. The plot? WellMaybe an unpopular review because a lot of people loved this book, but it fell a little short for me in character execution especially. The plot? Well, the idea is super spooky and cool and it gives a PLL/Gossip Girl type feel (more PLL because, y'know, the murders...) but I didn't *love* Izzy and while the main character doesn't have to be all that for me, at least having other characters make up for it is nice...but...close but no cigar for this one. Eh, not a bad book, though not one I was particularly thrilled about. ...more
I'd give this book a solid 3 stars (maybe even 3.5) if it weren't for the questions that went unanswered, which left the book not feeling as completedI'd give this book a solid 3 stars (maybe even 3.5) if it weren't for the questions that went unanswered, which left the book not feeling as completed as I hoped. Still a mysterious and creepy read, certainly some hooking parts, but the lack of answers bugged me. That said...I can still appreciate a damn good cover when I see it. ...more
Since seeing this cover, I knew I'd have to read this book. I leave it undecided but not regretful, because while the story was short and fast-paced, Since seeing this cover, I knew I'd have to read this book. I leave it undecided but not regretful, because while the story was short and fast-paced, it did have important and inclusive topics. Some depth lacked in what could have been included, but what Douglass did include was done well. ...more
This is a mystery, this is a horror, this is a tragedy. Malfi writes a book that has those small-town creepy vibes but includes those classic mystery This is a mystery, this is a horror, this is a tragedy. Malfi writes a book that has those small-town creepy vibes but includes those classic mystery feels and the heartbreak of loss. It took me a while to get used to the second-person narration because, as avid a reader as I am, I rarely see this. Malfi does it well, though, so stick with the bizarre taste it leaves in your mouth and indulge in something a little different and very haunting. ...more
Small town mysteries mixed with YA, horror, and fantasy (+ a side of romance!) Perfection. Of all the genres and stories I love, these top my list, anSmall town mysteries mixed with YA, horror, and fantasy (+ a side of romance!) Perfection. Of all the genres and stories I love, these top my list, and Craig has really written a great one. It's creepy, there's a strong sense of place, the characters are interesting and multi-layered, and damn look at that cover! I can't say anything other than that this is a book that needs to be added to everyone's tbr, especially if like me you love these kinds of stories and themes.
Ok, I think this book re-motivated me. Its DARK, and I LOVE IT. Added it to my tbr a few months ago because of the cover and the plot summary and i caOk, I think this book re-motivated me. Its DARK, and I LOVE IT. Added it to my tbr a few months ago because of the cover and the plot summary and i can happily say i was not disappointed....more
There's something poetic, eerie, and deliciously dark about young adult novels that deal with darker themes and refuse to shy away from the depressingThere's something poetic, eerie, and deliciously dark about young adult novels that deal with darker themes and refuse to shy away from the depressing, scary realities (and non-realities). In this, Miller excels. Her writing is accessible to teens and adults, giving it a feel that's somewhere in the middle of YA and adult, and is extraordinarily creative in plot, characters, setting, and vibe. Haunting, to be sure!...more
There is no better way to sum up my reaction to this eerie, heart-breaking, terrifying, and inspiring book other than this:
[image] This was a TREAT to There is no better way to sum up my reaction to this eerie, heart-breaking, terrifying, and inspiring book other than this:
[image] This was a TREAT to read, my gosh. The way the horror of the underground moon/world creeps up on you as a reader is commendable as hell, and the characters are written beautifully, especially the sister bond. This may be one of the best indie novels I've read (if not one of my new favs overall). There's a mix of Gaiman and King vibes, but also something a little different in this book that creates a voice and narrative structure all its own, and legit the whole read I was either emotional, unsettled, or choked up. I don't know if I can call this book "YA" or "horror" or "dark fantasy" because it's all of the above and none at all. And that was part of what made it such a delight....more