4.5 stars. Bury Your Gays is, on the surface, a horror novel about monsters come to life. Bury Your Gays, on a deeper level, is about the challenges o4.5 stars. Bury Your Gays is, on the surface, a horror novel about monsters come to life. Bury Your Gays, on a deeper level, is about the challenges of being a queer creator in modern pop culture. Misha is a screenwriter in Hollywood and after many years, he has just been nominated for his first Oscar. While he should be thrilled, his parade is rained on by producers pressuring him to kill off his queer main characters "for the algorithm". Misha knows that this is wrong--he just wants queer characters to have a happy ending for once. But when he pushes back against the suits, the fictional monsters that he created in his past start appearing in real life and hunting him down. The countdown is on to do what the producers are asking of him before it's too late.
It sounds like a little bit of a silly premise, but Chuck Tingle actually dives into serious social commentary and insight, while delivering a wildly entertaining horror story. And make no mistake--the horror aspect slaps in this book! The Smoker and Mrs. Why are the stuff of nightmares and some of the scenes were truly frightening! The obvious subtext is how pop culture and corporate culture put on the front that they support the queer community, but only when it's serving them and making them money, which actually works against queer interest. It's like they're basically saying, "We would love to make money off of you, without actually thinking of you." There's so much more to the book too. Like Misha being a closeted gay kid in a hostile environment and how that influenced his writing and still haunts him to this day (in some ways literally!) Like queer stories aways needing to be extreme for some reason, never just the usual depiction and story arc. And of course, that "love is real"--Tingle's main message always (literally written on his head). By way of Misha's boyfriend Zeke and best friend Tara, who in the face of it all, just love him unconditionally and are good. I think Bury Your Gays shows that the greatest horrors come from suppressing your true self. I really enjoyed this one!...more
Devils Kill Devils has one of the best opening scenes ever! Sarita has always had a guardian angel, Angelo, watching over her, ever since he saved herDevils Kill Devils has one of the best opening scenes ever! Sarita has always had a guardian angel, Angelo, watching over her, ever since he saved her from drowning when she was little. She has lived her life differently, knowing that Angelo is there watching over her and would never let anything happen to her. When Angelo kills a loved one, Sarita starts to question Angelo's intentions and what he really is. The beginning of the book is focused on Sarita and her living her life with this "angel" on her shoulder. But then the book opens up on a whole different level! It's like we were looking at it with blinders on at first. Enter Cela, the Godmaker. It's hard to discuss without spoilers, which I really don't want to ruin the delightful and surprising direction this book goes in, but we dive into demonology, the occult, vampires and the reality that Sarita's fate was written long ago. I personally love demon lore and I love the way Johnny Compton weaves this into a vampire story like no other I've read before. I enjoy horror with a religious angle. It's clear to me that Compton did some research before writing this book, not only in the demonology and religious aspect, but there are clearly real places referenced and incorporated. It's funny reading some reviews and seeing how some of the reasons people didn't enjoy the book, are the same exact reasons why I did enjoy it! I like that it goes in a wildly different direction than the initial feel! I like that I'm in one lane, thinking I know what's going on, only for my view to expand and realize I'm actually on a five lane highway to hell. Expect gore, expect vampires, expect a wild ride! ...more
'Salem's Lot is one of King's earliest published novels and helped to cement him as a horror author. Ben Mears lived in 'Salem's Lot (short for Jerusa'Salem's Lot is one of King's earliest published novels and helped to cement him as a horror author. Ben Mears lived in 'Salem's Lot (short for Jerusalem's Lot) for four years when he was younger. He had an experience with the Marsten House during that time that has haunted him since. Now a successful author as an adult, Ben moves back to The Lot to write his next book. The Marsten House sits up on a hill overlooking the town and serves almost as a character itself--a character Ben must confront. Two other new people move into town and buy the Marsten house and open up an antique shop. When people start going missing, all of the newbies are considered suspect. Ben and his friends get mixed up in fighting an unthinkable evil to save the town.
That was a very short synopsis, but I feel like most people are familiar with the story, even if they haven't read it. It's been around for so long now, everyone knows that this is a vampire story. But it's a slow buildup to that and I actually really liked the fact that it's slow to get to vampires. Because think about it--small town, people go missing, no one is going to immediately think "vampires". It's slow for us to get there because it's slow for Ben to get there, which makes sense. If I didn't know this was a vampire book, it would have been a cool realization to get to and I imagine for early readers it was a nice surprise! I feel like this is a depiction of just true evil. Vanquishing evil. And you know what, it's not that easy to defeat. And I think that idea can be applied to the many evils that exist in this world, not just the big bads, but the little ones that exist in the world and ourselves. It's not my favorite King novel that I've read, but I liked it. (I have only read a handful but I'm slowly making my way through them here and there.)...more
Frank is a hardworking, good guy. He's been estranged from his daughter, Maggie, for three years. He is thrilled when she calls and invites him to be Frank is a hardworking, good guy. He's been estranged from his daughter, Maggie, for three years. He is thrilled when she calls and invites him to be a part of her wedding and rekindle their relationship. He's a bit shocked to discover that her fiance is the son of a super wealthy and famous business man. Maggie's life is about to be entirely different than Frank ever could have imagined. Right before he, his sister Tammy, and Tammy's unexpected foster child Abigail head out for this wedding, Frank receives an ominous warning about Aidan, his future son-in-law. As the wedding festivities unfold, strange interactions happen and Frank becomes more and more suspicious about Aidan and his whole family. Frank becomes determined to discover the truth before it's too late and Maggie says "I do".
I was hooked and wanted to get to the truth alongside Frank. I would call this a domestic thriller and there is a lot of family drama. Frank was a good guy but I also found him to be a little annoying during his interactions with Maggie, but he's a dad, and we also discover more about their relationship along the way. We aren't given all the information and the past upfront. There are no paranormal inklings like in Hidden Pictures, this one is strictly just a human thriller, but I still enjoyed it and found myself hooked! I wanted to know what the truth was, and I didn't expect the outcome. ...more
I read The Shining last October and absolutely loved it! Therefore, this spooky season I decided to follow it up with the sequel, Doctor Sleep. These I read The Shining last October and absolutely loved it! Therefore, this spooky season I decided to follow it up with the sequel, Doctor Sleep. These books were written decades apart and also after King got sober, which absolutely comes out in this book as AA and sobriety are a big part of it. Daniel Torrance is an adult now but suffers from his traumatic past experience at the Overlook. He uses alcohol and drugs to cope with this trauma, but also to suppress his abilities. Dan starts to get his life together through AA and uses his gifts as an orderly in a hospital to help dying patients reach the beyond in their final moments. He starts to develop a connection with a young girl named Abra, who also has the Shining and is clearly more powerful than he. There is a group of supernatural beings called the True Knot who travel around the US in RVs. They feed on people with The Shining, keeping them youthful and alive well past normal expectancy. They're sort of like vampires, but feed on the Shining (which they call steam) instead of blood. When Abra discovers the existence of the True Knot, she and Dan must team up to bring them down and save people like them.
This was an excellent and creative story! I loved following Dan's character arc from the first book to now. Addiction and recovery is a massive theme in this book, not only through Dan who has managed to get sober and use his abilities for good, but also the True Knot who are addicted to steam and need more and more to survive. I really like Dan and felt a connection to him, and Abra is also a delight. I was entertained the entire way through and fully believe that King put a lot of himself into this book. I just love the things that he thinks of! The True Knot, I think, could be symbolic of some issues in this country and with humanity in general. I love the whole concept of them sort of being these psychic vampires! I really enjoyed this one and loved learning how Dan's life turned out. ...more
I read this because my son was reading it for an English project (he likes history). I wanted to be able to help him with his project, so I figured I I read this because my son was reading it for an English project (he likes history). I wanted to be able to help him with his project, so I figured I would read it too. It was surprisingly good! Obviously it’s written on a middle grade level, but the story is entertaining. Michael's father is the Irish Ambassador and they live in Berlin, Germany during WWII. Michael and his family take great risk by serving as undercover spies for the Allies. Michael is a member of the Hitler Youth and he has to keep up this charade that he's on the Nazi side. His real mission is to steal secret plans for a Nazi project called Projekt 1065 and get it to the Allies. A lot of adrenaline-inducing things happen along the way, like a British plane crashing down and hiding the British pilot, discovering secret places, pretending to give his parents up, etc. It's a great middle grade historical fiction book that can teach reader, young and old. But I would recommend it for a younger crowd; it was perfect for my son who loves history. ...more
Hell House was written in 1971 but I think it holds up today. I've come to discover that I really enjoy haunted house stories and this is a classic inHell House was written in 1971 but I think it holds up today. I've come to discover that I really enjoy haunted house stories and this is a classic in that genre. The premise is simple; a rich businessman is dying and wants to know if a human spirit can linger. He attempts to accomplish this by paying Dr. Barrett, an esteemed scientist, to investigate Hell House--a known haunted dwelling. The idea is to, once and for all, prove or disprove the existence of lingering spirits. Dr. Barrett is accompanied by his wife Edith, a medium named Florence, and Benjamin, who is the sole survivor of a previous excursion into Hell House and also a medium. Each person brings their own beliefs into the experience and one of the strongest aspects of the book are the differing opinions of the characters, causing conflict. From the moment our crew steps foot into the house, the house begins working on them. It, or whatever it is, picks at their weaknesses and plays on their inner secrets and desires. It starts off slow and builds, as these things usually do. You can see the gradual toll taken on our cast come out in their actions/words and how that differs from the beginning to the end of the book. The book is surprisingly sexual--I was not expecting that, but it makes sense. I really enjoyed the book all along, but found the ending to be a little bit of a let down. Still, I would absolutely recommend this as a haunted house novel. And no, I have not seen the movie version, but I'd be curious to watch it now. ...more
I AM SHOOK! I would consider this book to be speculative, dystopian horror. It takes place in our real world, but animals have become infected with a I AM SHOOK! I would consider this book to be speculative, dystopian horror. It takes place in our real world, but animals have become infected with a disease that will kill humans. Therefore, we can no longer consume animal meat. To make up for this lack of meat, cannibalism has become legal. A "lesser" group of humans are raised as livestock for slaughter. The book takes us meticulously through the factory farming and slaughtering of these human livestock. If you ever wanted to convince someone that the slaughter industry is awful, this book would be an effective way to do that. Because when it's human, it seems abhorrent, but this is exactly what cows and pigs and such are exposed to. It's grotesque and yet fascinating, exploring this world where humans raise and treat other humans like animals. It's such a dark concept, but surprisingly as you read along, you become used to it. Our main character, Marcos, works as a manager at a specialized meat processing plant. There's a special high quality meat, called FGP, that his company specializes in. He doesn't like this job, or the cannibalistic nature of society, but he does it because he needs to take care of his ailing father and wishes to rebuild his marriage, broken by the death of their son. When he is given a female FGP, he winds up developing a highly illegal relationship with her. I won't continue because of spoilers, but man oh man is that ending really something!!! If you feel a lull, keep going, because the ending is jaw dropping. This book is dark, but I weirdly loved it. The part I had the hardest time with was the animal cruelty, not the eating humans parts. I cannot read about animal cruelty and because animals have been infected in this world, they cease to be loved. That I really struggled to get through and had a hard time reading those scenes. Outside of that, this is like watching something awful, but yet you can't look away and are morbidly fascinated. I know it's a weird one, but there is an audience for this. ...more
This was recommended to me as an audiobook, as it is read by the author and covers a pretty fascinating topic. Patric is a a sociopath. Ever since sheThis was recommended to me as an audiobook, as it is read by the author and covers a pretty fascinating topic. Patric is a a sociopath. Ever since she was young, she was different. She does not experience emotions like others do, nor does she feel things like empathy or shame. This memoir outlines her experience growing up, finding her way, feeling comfortable within herself, learning to set boundaries, and learning to cope with who she is. Did I enjoy listening to this audiobook? Yes. It was interesting! At first, I was like hey I have some of these traits, but then as I went on, I'm like ok this is not me. But you are supposed to think that. I think part of it is to show how we all have some similar traits. I do think it got a little repetitive over time. The amount of times she told us she was a sociopath got a little tiring…we get it. I also feel like..... is she really a sociopath? Or did she just hear the word when she was 7 and latched onto this idea, because she was different in some way, and it sort of became a self-fulfilling prophecy? I'm just not sure how I really feel about her diagnosis. I feel like it was self-diagnosed and then the therapists were just told that this is what she has and went with it. It is interesting, the fine lines between various diagnoses. Regardless of what her deal is, being in her head was certainly interesting and I enjoyed that insight and it made me think. Do I think she has something? Yes. Did I enjoy being in her head? Yes. Am I convinced that sociopathy is the absolute answer? No. But it literally doesn’t matter what I think. I enjoyed the experience of listening to this regardless and do think it could help some people out there, be it with relatability for themselves, or for better understanding someone they know. It was an interesting listen, without a doubt!
I read this book because Drizzt Do'Urden is my favorite fictional character. Ever. And I am soon going to be sitting in on a panel with, and meeting, I read this book because Drizzt Do'Urden is my favorite fictional character. Ever. And I am soon going to be sitting in on a panel with, and meeting, legendary author R.A. Salvatore during his appearance at New York Comic Con this year. It's been a solid 20 years since I have read these books though! When I was younger, all I read was epic fantasy, I was not the genre-diverse reader that I am now. Drizzt and his world were a major obsession during my teen years and cemented my love of epic fantasy. Throughout the many books Drizzt is featured in, he writes down his thoughts on life, love, good versus evil, motivations, etc. The Dao of Drizzt compiles all of these writings and gives the reader an overview of his heart and soul and mind, and how he learns and grows. It also provided a little refresher on what happened over the course of the books. I wanted this refresher before this meeting with Salvatore. I enjoyed it! But if you haven't read the books, you probably wouldn't. I feel like it's more of a collector's piece for Drizzt fans. ...more
I’ll never be tired of Percy Jackson. Of course I enjoyed this! I also happen to be fond of Hecate. I am keeping it short because if you're reading thI’ll never be tired of Percy Jackson. Of course I enjoyed this! I also happen to be fond of Hecate. I am keeping it short because if you're reading this, you're already a fan of the Percy Jackson universe. It was a very entertaining storyline, with Percy receiving his second quest to obtain his second letter of recommendation from the Gods. We found out in the previous book that he needs three of these letters for acceptance into New Rome University. Hecate bequeaths him the quest of animal sitting while she is away. (Hecate, awesome Goddess of witchcraft, love her.) Naturally, this does not go as simply as it should. As always, Percy and Annabeth show they are better together and Grover, too, serves his purpose while simultaneously screwing things up. The funny one-liners, the banter, the inner monologue, the teamwork--all what we've come to love!...more
I had the absolute pleasure of attending the launch event for this book on publication day! Listening to Rachel Harrison speak about her experience wrI had the absolute pleasure of attending the launch event for this book on publication day! Listening to Rachel Harrison speak about her experience writing the book and what went into it from her own life and experiences, makes it even more special to read. While on the surface, yes, this is a vampire story about two best friends who get turned and their whole world turns upside down. But truthfully, it is about so much more. Sloane is our MC and the book takes place right before her birthday. Ironically, this book was released the day before my 36th birthday and that's the day I started reading it. I found myself relating to Sloane in the sense of getting older and my life maybe not feeling like it's where it "should" be, or living how she really wants to. Sloane's husband surprises her and her bestie Naomi with a weekend getaway for her birthday. This is where shit gets wild, starting with a vampire orgy. Up until this point, it was easy to forget this was a vampire book, then something sinister happens which is a shocking change of feel. It gets a little dark, and more than a little bloody. But all along the core of the story is really a search to find fulfilment in life and live it on your terms. Friendship is also a really strong theme in this one. Ironically, sometimes you have to become undead to appreciate life. ...more
This book was insane. What a wild concept! I don't know how Crouch can consistently come up with such mind-blowing ideas. Just like Dark Matter, this This book was insane. What a wild concept! I don't know how Crouch can consistently come up with such mind-blowing ideas. Just like Dark Matter, this is a psychological science fiction thriller. And I was gripped from start to finish. There are two central characters who drive the story; Barry is a cop who is investigating a strange phenomenon called False Memory Syndrome (FMS), and Helena is a brilliant neuroscientist researching memory. FMS is when people start remembering things from a life that isn't the one they are living. Their paths collide and this story takes us on such a wild journey that surprisingly forces much thought and introspection. I don't want to get too much into plot specifics, for fear of giving things away, but I think the main take away is how important memory is and the life we live forming our identities. Of course other themes are touched upon like loss and love and sacrifice and greed, etc. And all of this by way of one of the wildest concepts I've ever encountered. Highly recommend! ...more
I was absolutely not disappointed in this second installment of the Flesh and False Gods trilogy. I don't want to give anything away for the first booI was absolutely not disappointed in this second installment of the Flesh and False Gods trilogy. I don't want to give anything away for the first book, but we do pick up right where we left off. It's a very politically driven plot and each character has their own motives. Book one takes place in the super cool modern San-Er, whose imagery was incredible. Book two takes us out into the provinces and wider Talin. We encounter different types of people and rebels. We witness whole new levels to the magic system of this world. We realize that some of the worldbuilding in book one, was built on a false bedrock of lies. Calla and Anton are still the two main characters, but Otta and August are almost equals. And it's so interesting because I feel like it's a story of ambiguous characters. Everyone has their goals and motivations and reasonings. It's hard to choose what you're rooting for, so I was really just there for a ride. Mao Mao is the best, obviously; I'll never get tired of a cat companion character. The spaces filled in from book one to book two regarding the magic and gods and such, feels so natural and seamlessly add to the world, making it richer. AND THAT ENDING! Damn...talk about a cliffhanger. I really enjoyed book two and I will be ready to snatch up book three when it releases for what's bound to be an exciting ending! We know this is loosely based on Antony and Cleopatra, so I don't foresee a happy ending, but a fitting one. ...more
Every five years, on the last day of Autumn, the immortal King Arawn and the mortal King Pwyll host the Wild Hunt. A magical and bloody revel where itEvery five years, on the last day of Autumn, the immortal King Arawn and the mortal King Pwyll host the Wild Hunt. A magical and bloody revel where it's rumored they hunt "monsters, legends and even mortals". The winner of the hunt receives a boon, anything that power or money can provide. Branwen is a huntress, using her one magical eye to see that which mortals untouched by magic cannot see. Gwydion of Gwynedd is a diviner of trees and plants. He wants the Hunt's boon to prevent his tyrannical brother from ascending Gwynedd's throne, but he is no hunter. He convinces Branwen to join him on the Hunt as his champion. She wants to boon to cure her mother of her failing memory and mind. Pryderi, son of King Pwyll, was kidnapped as a baby and raised by a monster. He wants to win the Hunt and prove to his father that he is more human than creature. The trio team up and have to battle a sentient forest, assassination attempts, and dangerous otherfolk in order to come out victorious.
I am obsessed with Emily Lloyd-Jones's writing. The beautiful way she brings this world to life, and the whimsical descriptions and feeling to the writing--I just love it. I have found this to be true in all of her books; I'm just obsessed with the writing. On top of the beautiful descriptions and way she breathes life into this world through words, the characters and story are compelling. All three of our main characters have a distinct voice and personality, there are inklings of romance, and everyone has something at stake in this Wild Hunt. I am, once again, very happy with Emily Lloyd-Jones. At this point, I don't believe she can write anything but a riveting story, in an absolutely gorgeous way....more
I read this one on a whim and I’m so glad that I did! It’s my favorite Riley Sager book that I’ve read so far, granted there are a few I haven’t read I read this one on a whim and I’m so glad that I did! It’s my favorite Riley Sager book that I’ve read so far, granted there are a few I haven’t read yet. Maggie grew up in the shadow of her father’s book House of Horrors. It was based on, what he claims to be, the real live haunting of Baneberry Hall—the home Maggie lived in for three weeks when she was five and she and her family fled suddenly one night. Now that she has inherited Baneberry Hall, which she hasn’t stepped foot in since that night they fled, she plans to renovate and sell it. She doesn’t believe a word of her father’s book—ghosts are not real. And the townspeople are not pleased with the fame this book has given the area. She wants to just be done with it, once and for all. But she finds herself amidst scenes straight out of the book and occurrences that can’t possibly be real. Memories from her five year self start to come back to her. Maybe her father was right? After a shocking discover, Maggie starts to suspect that something even more sinister may be at play here.
I adored the experience of reading this book! We are told the story from Maggie’s current POV, as well as excerpts from her father’s book which give insight to those three weeks Maggie’s family lived here in the past. It is such a good story; it held my attention entirely and I was dying to uncover the truth. It had elements of a haunted house story, as well as true crime, as well as psychological thriller. Sager is a master storyteller, keeping the suspense up, and the reader constantly guessing but never able to come close. Highly recommend this one! Especially going into spooky season. ...more
I randomly read this book on a recommendation, and it was honestly a great, attention-grabbing thriller! I would call it a domestic thriller, highlighI randomly read this book on a recommendation, and it was honestly a great, attention-grabbing thriller! I would call it a domestic thriller, highlighting that people keep secrets and will sometimes stop at nothing to keep those secrets buried. In your nice, safe suburban neighborhood, you never really know the truth behind closed doors. This book bounces back-and-forth between three timelines, as well as switches POVs. We have a housewife gone missing, as well as a mother and daughter gone missing. In the present, said girl is returned home after 11 years. But what really happened to all of them and are the missing women connected? There is a lot going on here with the time and perspective shifts. It’s also a lot with the multiple investigations happening, as well as personal drama. That being said, it is not hard to follow and Kubica manages to tie them all together into one story that somehow flows smoothly.
I read this book over the course of one day and at no point felt it was dragging. I was dying to know how this was going to play out and I think there is zero chance that anyone could guess how it ultimately ends. That being said, I do think it’s a little farfetched and a little much. Like I was thinking, “ehhh I don’t know in real life how that would actually work”….. If you can look past that, you’re good to go. ...more
This book's bones is made up of really good stuff! We have a university where attendees are a part of this elite society of houses, whose power come fThis book's bones is made up of really good stuff! We have a university where attendees are a part of this elite society of houses, whose power come from their vampire companions. Our FMC Kidan comes from one of these houses but purposefully stayed away, until her sister June goes missing and she is convinced the vampire of their house took her. Kidan will enter this world and attend Uxley University and stop at nothing to find her sister. Initially despising all vampires, especially Susenyos who belongs to their house, she comes to discover that her violent tendencies might actually be worse than his. When a murder happens, Kidan will have to dive deeper into this world than she ever thought she would be, face some harsh truths and make some tough decisions.
Everything sounds awesome! I was so pumped for this take on vampires, rooted in Ethiopian culture. Like I said, the bones were good. But the way it was filled in lacked for me somehow. I wanted more meat on my bones! The overall arching story was a good one, and I loved the world, but I felt uninvested. It started off strong, but I felt my interest fade. I wish I could put my finger on why exactly, but I don't know, it just didn't hold my attention the way I felt it "should" have. I wanted so much to love it, but am landing on an "it was ok". ...more
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