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 […]
The nitty-gritty: Daniel Church takes on cosmic horror in this oppressive, dread-inducing tale full of eerie imagery and tension, perfect for horror fans looking for a unique story. The Sound of the Dark was not what I expected, and I’m happy to say that’s a good thing. Daniel Church has written a dark story about […]
The nitty-gritty: A magical AI program is the catalyst for this high stakes tale, complete with humor, spice and engaging characters. # I AM MAGIC. ASK ME ANYTHING I follow Liz Shipton on Instagram, so I knew what I was in for when I picked up her latest. And I was not disappointed! Dot Slash […]
The nitty-gritty: A mysterious tower is the setting for this entertaining sci-fi/fantasy tale, made better by Dan Hanks’ emotional themes. Dan Hanks takes a familiar idea—the survival game—and twists it into something new and exciting. The Way Up is Death is a fast-paced thriller with horror elements and a bit of a LitRPG feel to […]
The nitty-gritty: A fun prequel that delves into themes of marriage and communication, Odd Spirits incorporates magic, spirits and emotional ties, all wrapped up in a beautiful package. Odd Spirits is a prequel novella to Evocation, which I read earlier this year, and focuses on married couple Moira and Rhys. At just over a hundred […]
The nitty-gritty: A focus on relationships rather than plot left me with mixed feelings for this cozy, science fiction alien invasion story. Key Lime Sky is the second book I’ve read by Al Hess, and although it has elements I love, like humor and interesting queer characters, it didn’t hit the highs I experienced when […]
The nitty-gritty: An emotionally charged tale of sorcerers and possession, Evocation is a glimpse into a fascinating fantasy world. Evocation is an evocative, magical series opener that follows a group of occultists living and working in Boston. If you’ve ever read an S.T. Gibson book before, then you’ll know that her stories focus heavily on […]
The nitty-gritty: Unsettling and eerie, Chris Panatier’s latest is a skillfully written story that delves into the horrors of psychiatric care gone wrong. “Charlotte lurks at the edge of my thoughts, pulling strings in the shadows of my psyche. She is my creation, not the other way around. I say it aloud when I’m alone. […]
The nitty-gritty: A well-written debut with a loveable main character, Thirteen Ways To Kill Lulabelle Rock is a fresh, funny and feel-good story. “At the end of all this, there’s going to be one Lulabelle left. Who do you want it to be?” What happens when a famous actress tells her thirteenth clone to kill […]
The nitty-gritty: R.W.W. Greene’s witty and creative alt history series ends with a bang in this well written, if sometimes uneven, conclusion. “Brooklyn bought a ticket on the Magic Bus, a bright yellow flying party that traveled between Eisenhower and Dragon, the Moon space station, a couple of times daily, a six-hour trip, drinks and […]