The nitty-gritty: Murder mystery meets eco thriller in Something of A Calling, an off-kilter story with big ideas but an ultimately unsatisfying conclusion. Something of a Calling was an odd little story and not what I was expecting at all, but I enjoyed it overall, although I did have a few issues. This is a […]
The nitty-gritty: An interesting set-up and lots of eerie ambiance couldn’t quite elevate this above “just OK” for me. I have to give Hailey Piper credit for coming up with a unique idea, despite my overall opinions about This Movie Doesn’t End the Way We Want. I’m a big fan of the cursed movie trope, […]
The nitty-gritty: A visceral tale of monsters both human and supernatural, Newbourne Park is a bloody, terrifying story of hunger and survival. “You’ll soon come to wish we ate you too.” When I finished Jennifer Thorne’s last book, Diavola, I knew it was going to be hard for the author to top herself. But with […]
The nitty-gritty: Top notch horror elements and heavy handed social commentary combine with mixed results in this slow but entertaining story. There’s a lot to love in The Burn Line, the latest novel by horror podcaster Jonanthan Sims, but I also found this to be a frustrating read for a couple of reasons. The London […]
The nitty-gritty: An outrageous, funny and feel-good story, Kiss Slay Replay explores relatable themes in a fresh, unexpected horror setting. “My story might not be a love story. But it isn’t a horror story, either. My story is mine, and it can be whatever I make it.” I can always count on Rachel Harrison for […]
The nitty-gritty: Weird, complex and bloody, The Calamities brings big mob energy to a supernatural tale about demons and those that worship them. Chuck Wendig never fails to deliver epic, emotionally charged stories, and The Calamities is no exception. This is a big, sprawling, multi-character story that I’m calling “Game of Thrones meets The Dark […]
The nitty-gritty: A delightful, cozy romance with a fascinating premise, The Art of Charming A Changeling excelled at world-building but lacked a strong plot. The Art of Charming a Changeling is a cute cozy fantasy with absolutely wonderful world-building, and I enjoyed it a lot. However, it lacked something for me and I found it […]
The nitty-gritty: Horror and romance combine in some interesting ways in Devil Inside, a dark but oddly sweet demonic possession tale. “I like it here. Inside you. I think I might stay for a while.” In his latest horror novel, Clay McLeod Chapman takes the idea of demonic possession and turns it into a love […]
The nitty-gritty: A Lovecraftian-inspired story set in Korea, A Plagued Sea is an unsettling, claustrophobic nightmare. “There are, in fact, fish in the sea that have developed limbs like arms or legs to crawl along the seabed. With the volcanic eruption, rarely seen sea creatures from the deep ocean were swept onto the shore. People […]
The nitty-gritty: Chris Panatier captures the slow collapse of a close-knit family in Worry Box, a tense, terrifying horror story steeped in emotional heartbreak. “Whenever he tried to visualize what family meant, he saw the woman who he’d loved as his mother strobing in and out of existence behind the roller rink wall. Family was […]