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: 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: 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 […]