The nitty-gritty: Although atmospheric and well written, Five Midnights just didn’t provide the suspense and horror I was hoping for. Five Midnights didn’t quite live up to my expectations, although there were elements that I really enjoyed. But some elements just didn’t mesh for me and I ended up feeling ambivalent at the end. However, […]
The nitty-gritty: Thrilling and fast-paced, emotional and heartwarming, Deception Cove has everything I look for in a good story, and more. Why don’t I read more mystery/thrillers? I ask myself that question every time I read a good one, and Deception Cove was the perfect thriller to remind me what I’m missing. I loved the […]
The nitty-gritty: Ambitious in scope and imagery, Middlegame is an epic tale of friendship, both uplifting and heartbreaking. I’m a huge fan of Seanan McGuire/Mira Grant, although I’ve barely scratched the surface when it comes to her huge backlist. But I have been trying to keep up with new releases, and when I heard about […]
The nitty-gritty: A short, well written tale with a dream-like quality that gives readers plenty to think about. This was such an odd little story, but I enjoyed it a lot. Vylar Kaftan has written a twisty, hallucinogenic tale about mental health and inner strength that didn’t go where I was expecting it to go—at […]
The nitty-gritty: A twisty tale that starts slow but increases the tension as it goes along, skillfully crafted and guaranteed to make you think. I have to admit I accepted a review copy of Snakeskins based on this cover. And I was lucky enough to get a finished paperback, and let me tell you it’s […]
The nitty-gritty: The action and intrigue continue with another winning entry in one of my favorite SF series. Warning: mild spoilers ahead for the first two books in the series. This series is so much fun, and I’m happy to report that the third book does a great job of moving things along plot-wise, while […]
The nitty-gritty: Action packed space opera with a well-rounded ensemble cast, Aurora Rising is another winner from the unstoppable writing duo of Kristoff and Kaufman. Having read and loved the marvelous Illuminae Files series, you can bet I was excited to see what Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff would cook up next, and I’m happy […]
The nitty-gritty: A compelling, relationship-driven family drama with speculative elements and plenty of mystery, this is a page turner that you won’t be able to put down. This book was such a happy surprise! I enjoyed Morgan’s A Secret History of Witches a couple of years ago, but her latest really touched me in ways […]
The nitty-gritty: A weird and wonderful, multi-layered story with a tough-as-nails heroine, this delightful fantasy offers up plenty of mysteries, both big and small. “I answer little questions. Those impossible puzzles that burrow into our brains like splinters and keep us awake at night. I solve the mysteries that spoil marriages, ruin friendships, and curdle […]
The nitty-gritty: A mesmerizing and dangerous thriller where reality and fantasy merge. Emma Newman’s Planetfall series has been a wild ride, but if I’m reading the ending correctly, that ride isn’t over yet. This is the first book in the series that actually feels like a sequel. The events start a few months after the […]