The nitty-gritty: Delightful and charming from start to finish, A Widow’s Charm melds magic, high stakes and relatable characters into a story that perfectly balances comedy and romance. A Widow’s Charm surprised me in so many ways, and I ended up absolutely loving it. First, I thought this was going to be a contemporary fantasy, […]
The nitty-gritty: Despite a solid story idea and plenty of tension, Crawlspace didn’t deliver on the horror. Crawlspace had so much potential, but unfortunately the execution did not work for me at all, which resulted in a slow paced space thriller with very little scares. It was also bogged down with page after page of […]
The nitty-gritty: An ambitious debut that combines history, magic, mythology and thrilling action, The Red Winter is a heady mix of horror and humor. “What a night of monsters it was for the good people at the Bow and Brace.” I’ll admit The Red Winter isn’t the kind of book I usually pick up, but […]
The nitty-gritty: Insect horror and Gothic mystery combine in T. Kingfisher’s latest, a tense and disturbing horror story with the author’s trademark humor and quirky characters. T. Kingfisher never disappoints, and in her latest she returns to the horror genre, although she manages to inject plenty of humor into the story as well. If you […]
The nitty-gritty: High stakes, big action, political intrigue and humor join forces in Gareth L. Powell’s latest, a fun, fast paced sci-fi adventure with heart. “Never forget, Copernicus, that just like the rest of us, you are the product of coincidence and luck.” Gareth L. Powell is one of the most creative writers I’ve had […]
The nitty-gritty: An intriguing mystery, tangled interpersonal relationships and a fascinating futuristic world make this sweet, humorous story a must read. I’m enjoying this series so much! Nobody’s Baby is the second book in the Dorothy Gentleman series, revolving around a generation ship on the way to colonize a new planet and focusing on various […]
The nitty-gritty: Mystery meets mind-bending supernatural terror in Dead First, a unique tale of revenge, redemption and murder. “Sometimes, people leave part of themselves in a horrible place, creating an eternal scar.” Dead First surprised me in just about every possible way. This is a gritty, violent and emotional story that mostly leans into mystery/detective […]
The nitty-gritty: Lindy Ryan’s latest horror-humor mash-up successfully mixes the grittiness of a slasher with the heartfelt emotions of friendship. “Barb, sliced apart in the parking lot. Mom, cut open on the closet floor. And now me, with my dead mother’s face in my new master bedroom.” Lindy Ryan won my heart with her Bless […]
The nitty-gritty: A dark homage to Peter Pan, Nowhere Burning explores the terrors of childhood and the uncertainty of growing up. “Change means fear and loss,” Noon says. “But it is the only way.” She leans in and embraces Riley. “Children are sacred,” she murmurs. Every hair on the back of Riley’s neck thrills. “Growing […]
The nitty-gritty: A witchy, feminist fairy tale told with dazzling style and wit, A Forest, Darkly is full of unique magic and irresistible characters. “Witchcraft isn’t just potions and powders and spells. It’s whispers and gentleness, giving folk a sense they’re free to share their secrets with you—a feeling of a door left ajar, open […]