The nitty-gritty: A driving narrative, gut-wrenching emotion and plenty of horrors, both human and supernatural, make Crone a standout book of 2026. I’m not sure what I was expecting when I picked up Crone, but it wasn’t at all what I got! And that isn’t a bad thing. This is my first time reading Keith […]
The nitty-gritty: A young visual effects designer discovers the dark side of social media and fame in Alma Katsu’s latest, a fast-paced, modern day cautionary tale. Alma Katsu has taken her knowledge of social media—she was one of the first social media research analysts—and turned it into a harrowing tale about the price of fame. […]
The nitty-gritty: Hysterically funny, heartwarming and full of surprises, She’s a Doll is a weird, wonderful story of female rage and unexpected friendship. This is my first time reading Barbara Truelove, and it will not be my last. She’s a Doll is one of those happy surprises you experience once in a while, where you […]
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: Zombies aren’t the only killers in this tense YA thriller, an exciting start to a new series. If you’re looking for a dark, gritty YA zombie story, then look no further. If We Survive the Night was unexpectedly violent, and the main character surprised me in more ways than one. This is a […]
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 […]