So January 2024 is here and these reviews are from last year, some as far back as April.
My OCD will not let these rest incomplete.
Having not logged into my Goodreads account for a while, I hadn’t realised they were stopping the Facebook login. My email linked to the account doesn’t exist, so this is now lost. I rage-quit and am now on StoryGraph.
Beautiful traumatic erratic as thoughts of modern and Victorian Emily/ Emilie. I loved the Ratties. This novel blurs reality, imagination, fantasy and the unquiet mind. While dark horrors echo true history of mental asylums of the era, as well as highlighting some failures in the modern system. Always there is hope no matter how dreadful things got with r*pe physical and mental abuse, neglect, and even medical experimentation. Reminds me of the movie Sucker Punch.
My signed copy of this book was too long forgotten on my shelf. I was inspired to pick it up after a visit to the magical places of Tintagel and Boscastle, and my peek into the Museum of Witchcraft. This has a disconcerting unreliable narrator. I wanted so much for William and Martin to find the land of the faery it hurt. The ending made me feel melancholy . I adored the description of the greenwood, which was so evocative, contrasting with the real mundane world which kept intruding. My own sense of wonder pulled from the page, left me unable to suspend disbelief. The ending left me feeling a sense of loss, so wishing William and Martin could’ve been taken away by the fae.
Pet Semetary and Devolution were reads for Jason White‘s book club. Edgar Allen Poe and some other short stories were for his Week of the Weird.
A re-read from my childhood. I still love this novel, probably even more. Reading as an older adult adds to the horror and the heartache. Where youngster-me read for the thrills and blood and gore, I now see King’s skill in creating such realistic and flawed characters, haunting atmosphere. Evoking deep emotions which add to the visceral horror.
I enjoyed this book, though it’s a story of two halves. Looking back I can see how the slow, sometimes frustratingly gentle beginning foreshadows what’s to come. When it picks up it gets brutal! This isn’t Big Foot and the Hendersons. I liked the character development & relationships; how the roles switch and strengths & weakness come to the fore when these neighbours are put under pressure.
Malfi’s language and characterisation is clever and beautiful as his horror storytelling is brutal. So many King and Bradbury vibes, but so original.
The Vegetarian is bizarre but enjoyable. I liked the shifting point of view between the husband, brother-in-law and sister. The main character Yeong-hye’s point of view is conveyed only through her speech to others and her reported dreams, furthering the sense of her being controlled and lack of self-identity . Disturbing in parts with horrific self harm, an attempt to unalive herself, and animal cruelty.
I enjoyed how Yeong-hye’s condition is conveyed rather ambiguously, where it may be either an otherworldly possession, mental illness or strange physical disease. At one point I was thinking Yeong-hye had vampirism, cannibalistic tendenciesor was transforming into a plantlike being.
I felt the final chapter over explained the themes of control over women and their bodies which came through strongly as-is. The ending! WTF! This was frustrating, vague, and ambiguous.
A unique story which stayed in my mind long after reading.
John Richter- short story collection-Werewolves & tentacles – is what it says. Fast paced, action. Under sea horror. Sense of pressure from not only the deep sea. Grief, Lovecraftian monsters & feral werewolves. Satisfying, though not happy ending.
EA Poe short story-Devil in the Belfry The descriptions tickled me, being at odds with modern writing conventions. Poe’s rambling over a history of town name, quirky cabbages and the main character’s obsession with time keeping. The devil may be mischief but can also be needed. A short fun story
The Widow of Pale Harbour was for Elizabeth Sagewood’s The Haunted Victorian Book Club. Mina and the Undead, Witch and a few others for were for Elizabeth’s Old School April event.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was a quick read for me. I adored the gothic setting. I was suspicious of the Pastor’s secret as from the off he appeared to not know much about what he’s preaching. Though there was a frisson of tension between Gabriel and Sophronia to start, I was NOT expecting the level of spicy! That said, I was on board with it. I loved the mystery plot with all the Poe Easter eggs along the way. think this book is a real treat for Poe fans
Adventurous. emotional, tense, mysterious
Buffy vibes
nostalgic
fast-paced
characters are diverse, complicated and likable.
Dark and disturbing. I enjoyed the mystery aspect which kept me guessing. It is well paced, with a mixture of character and plot. The characters are complex and all have their secrets to reveal.
Adventurous emotional funny mysterious fast-paced
Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It’s complicated
An adventurous horror mystery. This gave me such nostalgia. In places it was darker than I remembered from reading Pike as a teenager.
Dark dystopian, Clockpunk.
A unique range of characters from human to wereanimal/ chimera .
Well-paced with plenty of action and thrills, interwoven with emotive relationships and backstories, and intriguing mystery.
A unique mix of vampire lore and traditional folklore.
The Bernstein family legacy continues.
I adore this vampire series. Fast-paced danger and mystery, Some romance and family drama. I love the mix of paranormal and folkloric elements.
I was happy to catch up with an old Libelle Papers character, though their story was bitter-sweet.
adventurous, emotional, mysterious,
fast-paced
A good balance of character and plot.
Strong character development.
A diverse cast of lovable characters, and some you love to hate.
An eclectic holiday horror anthology from HorrorTube authors. I enjoyed the range of stories, from isolation horror, myth and cryptids, to ghosts and supernatural. There’s something for every type of horror reader.
I had a slow start as a little too much romance and simplistic characters, but it grew on me. I loved the elemental magic and the mystery plot. The characters were likable and complex . They really developed as their stories and secrets were revealed. I adored the dragon & cat like being (rather like the ‘cat’ demon in Disenchanted).
I got off to an unsure start with what seemed an over-complex magic system. By the end I wanted to read next installment to find out what happens.
A cosy, paranormal mystery.
The main character is a cool older woman which I am really getting into reading being a not-young female myself.
Unique spins on traditional tropes, including a dungeons and dragons meets detective noir Every story is full of atmosphere and diverse characters.
Blood Slave gave me creepy Fifty Shades vibes at first. If someone offered me a job then made it clear they’d be stalking and brainwashing me, I don’t care how skint I was ,I’d be out of there ! #serialkiller
However, I was intrigued so kept reading and soon got embroiled in the dangerous and seedy world Wynter finds herself in with the super-rich evil vampire. I loved the unique blend of supernatural elements and beings as the series progressed. This is a face-paced, heady, violent, gory and Very spicy paranormal romantic thriller.
Cosy, paranormal mystery.
Perfect to read while cuddled up under a blanket and sipping hot cocoa.
Adventurous, dark and emotional. Funny in parts. A journey.
The perfect snapshot of the time and the gothic culture.
Dark, emotional, mysterious. Medium paced.
Definitely not lovable characters, but so complex you can empathise with even the worst.
A mix of character and plot driven.
Flaws of the main characters are a real focus.
This short story focuses on Anita Blake’s relationships, romance and domestic drama, with the usual level of spice. I love the paranormal, action and crime of this series, so was disappointed as this is more a polyamory 101. Not for me but worth a read for most Anita Blake fans.
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