I try to approach debut novels with a certain lens of kindness and consideration, so here we go. The novel Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Below.
I try to approach debut novels with a certain lens of kindness and consideration, so here we go. The novel discusses a zombie apocalypse caused by a street drug causing fairly rapid changes and thus mayhem. The literary horror component pointed out in the synopsis of this book compares itself to the early writings of Stephen King and Peter Straub. Now, I can't personally speak to Straub's abilities as I have never picked up his stories, but King...Uncle King on the other hand, I know very well. The writing in this story is done through a first person narrative, which in King's element is insanely detailed in the mind of the main character. The detail in this novel is of a more simplistic nature with basic structure and often in a list of adjectives. I don't think I would have been as critical if the synopsis didn't state such a comparison, I mean, that's a really REALLY tall order to fill. Do I see the direction the author is going? Well, yes. Over time there may be some major gains in the writing style and depth. Some readers find King insufferable because of the amount of detail he will project. I personally love it, but Cabiling has a ways to go to justify this comparison. ...more
round down to 3.75 I confess I have not seen the Movie Session 9, so after reading this I decided to at least peek at the trailer. I don't know that thround down to 3.75 I confess I have not seen the Movie Session 9, so after reading this I decided to at least peek at the trailer. I don't know that there are too many instances where a book is based off of a movie. The mind is such a powerful thing and I'll admit that the book helped me create a building far more sinister and the characters more colorful. Brad Anderson had created a really creepy situation for a crew of asbestos cleaning professionals to find themselves in. The situational set up of a desperate crew to even take on such a building with its history. The coined characters were very apparent with the jerk boss (which is mostly put upon him by a colleague), the junkie and so on. The eerie build, where you know some seriously creepy stuff is going to go down, was fun and engaging. The gore was pretty spot on for the theme. The ending was slightly layered and pretty heart wrenching. Now, take in Christian Francis' vision of this story and you can add layers of overall serious spooky factor and horrifically palpable nightmare scenes come true. You know something isn't right, something is very off. The basal feel of unease helped this novella give quite a venomous bite.
Electroshock therapy and invasive psychosurgery became one-size-fits-all solutions for noncompliant patients for the sake of ease. 7%
Every step they had taken into the asylum felt like a step into another world, a world where hope was not part of the building's fabric. 16%
'The other patients, they've been here so long, they've forgotten what the outside world looks like. I'm scared I might end up like them.' 37%
It sounded as if hell itself had a voice. All within the small body of Mary Hobbs. 84%
Thank you to NetGalley for access to this ARC of Run. I found Blake Crouch when I heard of Dark Matter. The novel blew me away so I picked up Pines anThank you to NetGalley for access to this ARC of Run. I found Blake Crouch when I heard of Dark Matter. The novel blew me away so I picked up Pines and Upgrade. Both were not anywhere near the expectations Dark Matter set. I was disappointed and then nervous going into this ARC, because I like to get to know the capabilities of the author I will give feedback on.
Run is a story about a journey the Colclough family endures through a dystopian timeframe. One morning society wakes up to murder and mayhem for reasons unknown in the beginning. Jack, Dee, Nay and Cole will be pushed to their human limits and then some. Jack quickly becomes a different man through the journey and I deeply admire him for what he is willing to do. We will witness him make some of the most hardest decisions any human dares to be faced with, be the backbone for his struggling family, and be broken down to his core. Dee makes promises to herself to hold on to her humanity, but will break them causing her to evolve into something she couldn't imagine. Nay steps up to be an adult in her 14 year old mind to help her parents battle the challenges this new world forces upon them again and again. Cole, the youngest, harbors a secret that could completely end them all in the worst possible way imaginable and only time will tell. The events that happen in this story feel so believable, so close to reality that the chills are still with me. The thoughts and the choices made, why they're made all make sense. If you devour dystopian and post-apocalyptic novels like I do, I can't imagine you not praising this book for the effectiveness and delivery.
This story is not for the faint of heart or for those who can't handle a barrage of insults to the human condition or body. Crouch reaches in your mind and your heart creating adrenaline, copious amounts of fear, hope and deep sorrow through this novel. I imagined their hunger and thirst so strongly, their pain and their extreme tiredness. I won't lie, I cried at the end because Crouch is an asshole. A wonderfully brilliant asshole. Dare I say that this, Run, is the most phenomenal and felt book by Crouch I have ever read. I can't wait to see what he creates next!
He suddenly wished he'd never stopped the car, that he'd stayed on the other side of the of the windshield, because this was real, breathing agony before him. 12%
"Don't look out the windows." he warned, and this time his children listened. 23%
He'd seen a few frames of horror since Tuesday night, but nothing like this. He tried to shove it to the back of his unconsciousness, but its shape wouldn't fit anywhere. Beyond all comprehension. 24%
"Nobody's home," Jack said. "Or maybe they saw a man approaching with a shotgun and they're waiting on the other side with a fucking arsenal." "Always the pessimist." 25%
She started toward him, got three steps before the mother inside her screamed louder that the wife. 58%
If Jack believed in hell, he couldn't have imagined it sounding any worse than this chorus of agony - groans, moaning, weeping, screaming, people dying loudly, dying quietly, some cursing their murderers, some begging to be saved, or begging for an end, some just asking why. 75%...more
My mom contacted me recently letting me know she finally got approved for a native identification card. I was very excited as we would often casually My mom contacted me recently letting me know she finally got approved for a native identification card. I was very excited as we would often casually discuss Oklahoma and the sociocultural elements we missed after we moved. I asked her to forward our genealogy tree so I too could apply. I found out quickly Kiowa doesn't issue cards to individuals who are less than 1/4th, but Comanche recognizes at any level. This puzzled me. This is where The Indian Card by Carri Lowry Schuettpelz comes in and lays it all out. I take pride in my history as does the author and I try very hard to find unwashed sources of historical events to better understand why things are the way they are, and through the lens of Anthropology, the author furthers my knowledge database which both enlightens me and breaks my heart.
This deep dive in to the exploration of individuals looking to obtain an Indian card was a very educational and dark. To really get a grasp on why things are the way they are, we literally have to start at the beginning of this vein, 1776. Ring a bell? Yeah, it's that dark. Indians, rather properly referred to as Natives, began the long and sad journey of displacement, identity loss and sociocultural poverty when colonialization reared it's ugly head from the sea. Carrie discusses ethnic cleansing (trail of tears), the birth of reservations via muster rolls (a military form of forcefully removing persons and displacing them elsewhere) and the production of poverty, exposure to colonial illnesses and starvation set upon the Natives during the colonial invasion.
Fast forward a little and we discuss imposter syndrome which can persuade or dissuade individuals about getting a Native card. I went through this from time to time. Not white enough and considered 'exotic' and not Indian enough to be accepted in certain school groups. I was also educated on Indian agents, a dissuading element, where kids were stolen from Native homes on reservations and forced in to boarding schools for years having no contact with their family forcing the loss of Native spoken language and tradition. These agents were also a continued form of Native census which was essentially used to control the movement of funds and resources in certain areas. There was also some discussion on a well known topic of stolen land. How groups were tricked and given 'presents' of money well below the actual value and if the land was still occupied by the rightful owners, the wealth Natives would have instead of being one of the poorest recognized groups in America.
The topic of census alone is a very lengthy one and has a direct correlation to the confusion and frustration to obtaining a Native card. When colonials were in control of the census, names were written wrong and classification was handled poorly because from one guard to the next, it was their interpretation of how 'Indian' someone appeared to them. There are numerous flaws involved on behalf of the colonial power that dictated this census control and made it nearly impossible for some to properly trace back family.
General quote: Power in learning, power in knowing facts.
It’s difficult to look at ugliness and realize that it shares the face with people we’ve been taught to revere. It’s difficult to grapple with the reality that Abraham Lincoln, someone credited at least in part with the end of slavery, approve the largest mass execution in US history of 38 Native warriors. Roosevelt, “the only good Indians are the dead Indians”. George Washington, called native people savages who needed to be extripated (root out and destroy). 56%...more
Jacquie Walters narrated her own novel and blew it away ten fold. It didn't dawn on me till the credits after the epilogue when she was named. The feeJacquie Walters narrated her own novel and blew it away ten fold. It didn't dawn on me till the credits after the epilogue when she was named. The feeling and energy that went in to characterization and situations was just phenomenal.
Dearest is a book about motherhood, generational trauma, post partum depression and the fears and worries we develop as mothers after we have our babies. There was such careful intertwining with these elements as the author created this world and our main character, Flora. Flora asks if the brain organ changes during/after pregnancy because of all her new found fears and worries (which yeah, the amount of hormones and new neuro pathways...okay I digress). We get time to relate as she worries about Iris and her little comforts. If she is doing enough or the right things. On top of being a new mother, her husband is away on work and she is isolated in a home and its so very cold outside. There is a point where Flora starts to question her sanity when things in the house begin to place themselves in unusual spots, flashes of unknown memories arise and she starts hallucinating. Out of desperation, she reaches out to her estranged mom of four years, and just in time because her childhood friend makes a reappearance. I won't go beyond this because there is a twist that actually got me, and that's really hard to accomplish.
If you are a mom like I am, and if you suffered from postpartum depression like I did, I imagine this book will have a very special deep effect on you like it did me. The author who wrote this either had PPD or knew someone very close to them who did. I feel seen, that's for sure. It's written with understanding and sincerity. There's even a mentioning of The Yellow Wallpaper in her story when mentioning her mother.
I still can't believe this is a debut novel. The language, execution and complexity of plot is well done and outlined. It's moderately to fast paced, well carved out characters, imagery for effect is very well done and the ending including epilogue is wonderfully tied off....more
4.75/5 I know this publication happened a while ago, but I still wanted to request and hopefully read it, for my daughter’s name sake. This was such a 4.75/5 I know this publication happened a while ago, but I still wanted to request and hopefully read it, for my daughter’s name sake. This was such a fun read. I really enjoyed myself. I am an avid horror reader with a sub genera love of psychological horror. This was like a comfort read. There’s some fun character development, some attraction, drama and some really good human reflection. The character reflection and growth was fun and the twist actually surprised me! It really strengthened the drive the author set out to do. Well done, and very clever indeed! I don’t want to discuss the story line too much for fear of taking away the journey and fun surprise. Just read it! Have fun! ...more
A big thank you to NetGalley for helping me get my hands on this ARC, Coup de Grace.
I'm an avid reader, perhaps best described as a book dragon. I horA big thank you to NetGalley for helping me get my hands on this ARC, Coup de Grace.
I'm an avid reader, perhaps best described as a book dragon. I horde what I think is the best and look for the gold among the piles of rubble. I found a ruby. Sofia Aijram did something I had yet to discover. Took self grief and added intellectual humor, wonderfully unfolding doses of body horror and psychological horror done so perfectly that brings the overall experience to a new level. Further than that you will need to discover on your own and I can only hope it was a wonderful surprise to you as well.
Come along with Vicken, as he plans to end his life by way of drowning. He has a brief pleasant encounter, then begins a journey he had no plans for....ever. The station will do things to Vicken that will make you laugh, cringe, maybe even a little stomach flip, and possibly cry. There are swings emotions that help attach you to the main character if the first person perspective hadn't been successful (which it totally was for me). By the 50% mark, you should really be feeling the highs and lows, but if you aren't and you've reached the 79th, something insane happens. I'm not sure if I should share or just strongly encourage you to just dive in! At this point you will feel the main character's reactions pretty strongly, I don't know how you couldn't. If it wasn't obvious by now, I thought the characters and story execution was phenomenal! I had an amazing time reading this and very much look forward to future publications. Coup de Grace in the best French translation means fatal blow.
Now for my usual sharing of passages that piqued my interest:
We're constantly deceived by the largeness of life on movie screens, in literature. -11%
It gradually dawns on me that I've been denied a destination, caught in a transitional environment, a space between beginning and an end. -17%
Makes me think she's got signs of rot and necrosis somewhere under her clothing where I can't see, down in her roots. -20%
Can't we think about this a minute before we go urban spelunking in the God-size glory hole? -26%
Years as an EMT have exposed me to plenty of mental shock, but nothing like this. -29%
I feel like a horse in a slaughterhouse; all I want to do is run or scream or cry. -33%
We are small in this place; silence its judgement and indifference our condemnation. -34%
A sickness in the mind is just as poisonous, can devour the body the same as a cancer. -38%
I won't share anything past here so you can get the full effect. ...more
A parent's worst fear come true, religious cults, broken minds, and vigilantes are just some of the elements that make up Sleep Tight. This fast pacedA parent's worst fear come true, religious cults, broken minds, and vigilantes are just some of the elements that make up Sleep Tight. This fast paced thriller gives a lot for the reader to be entertained by, maybe a bit too much in my opinion. Our main character, Tess, is a detective who followed in the footsteps of her father in his career investing fully in her dream job, and maybe a bit too dedicated. She aspires after novels such as Silence of the Lambs which ends up not reflecting too well when we find out she has dependency issues and is willing to break protocol being so close to the case at hand. There are a LOT of bad guys in this story. Some are obvious and others are reveals later. Some make sense and others felt like a deus ex element.
A serial killer is finally put to death sprouting cult linked kidnappings, one being her daughter Julia, and deaths causing Tess to head on relive the past and finally unbury her blocked memories. Old members and survivors are visited to gain any insight to discovering where Julia and others could have been taken. New links, okay many links are made upon these renewed visits and the plot just starts popping weeds like crazy from there. While this is a fast paced book, and is entertaining, it's very crowded. This could have easily been an installment series of three books. Spend time building the characters and the plot with the father and his old gang being introduced to the antagonist, then maybe one as Tess being on the force and having her issues with blocked memories and her daughter being abducted. We could introduce the clairvoyant in this 2nd book along with Noah and all he has to bring, maybe a small side of Ben, and then let the ending chaos completely consume the 3rd and final book. There are so many amazing ideas in this story, so many characters that can contribute so much depth and intrigue to the plot. All together though, it was a lot....more
Mother is god......Mother is God....Mother is GOD...Mother IS GOD
I will first take a minute and praise Gabby Beans for her outstanding narration of MoMother is god......Mother is God....Mother is GOD...Mother IS GOD
I will first take a minute and praise Gabby Beans for her outstanding narration of Model Home. I have never been so impressed by the execution of so many characters. The expressed feelings were phenomenal and the moods were palpable.
Rivers Solomon serves us a seven course meal rich in emotion and truth of humanity's real horrors. I will caution you that this is not a book for beginners of any genera. This is a very, very heavy read. Please check the trigger warnings as there are several.
This book....I'm still mulling over how to share this experience as I know for a fact it will not leave me any time soon, if ever. It's powerful and so perfectly executed. I read a lot and I've seen authors try to include this much in a story and fail with execution. Solomon set in motion this story and it flowed so beautifully. The ending, when everything came crashing down around the family, still, the steady flow continued.
You can get an idea of the story from the synopsis, but know that this is a psychological horror with a real monster toward the end of the book. The journey this family experiences is one remembered more strongly when white neighborhoods were abundant and black families were a rarity. This being a story set in more modern times, I think gentrified neighborhoods with colored families will have the same struggle which is expressed in this novel. There's a bittersweet element in this serving that I won't spoil for you, but I loved that Solomon did what they did with it. Genocide is to humankind like water, air. There is no such thing as never again. -73% (kindle percentage marker)
Like the few horror authors that reflect the horrors of humanity perfectly in their novels have an effect so visceral, it rivals anything so manifested by the imagination. There are things that you will read in this novel that will make your skin crawl and break your heart, truly. No one would ask a girl, mid rape, why she was screaming. -64%
I would encourage you to pay close attention to the notes in the dishes Solomon serves, that may not be the main focus, but if recognized and understood, the overall experience will become that much more fulfilling. White speak on...white speak off. "A house is no more than what's inside of it."
I can go on and continue to praise this bold publication, share more passages and dote on the exceptional moments I found ground breaking. Instead, I won't because you just need to pick it up and read or listen to it yourself and then share your thoughts because I am so excited to see how many people this novel impacts.
August 13th this beauty will be available. I had my eye on this after discovering my newfound love for mythology retold. Growing up I typically felt thAugust 13th this beauty will be available. I had my eye on this after discovering my newfound love for mythology retold. Growing up I typically felt the stories lacking and very one sided, if you get my meaning. Jennifer saint gives us a new perspective and it's not to be taken lightly. I really enjoyed this retelling, and I felt more in truth being tied to an honest lens which was refreshing. A woman, regardless of her level of power, is used as a tool for gains. A mother's love can be harsh and it can be the most saving grace.
The elements boldly discussed during this retelling gave me an outline set yet again by the patriarchal world history. Fantastical stories to say, "See? Even a goddess knows her place and should never cross Zeus let alone any man." My words, my interpretation to be clear. How far things were taken to subdue women in general. I wanted to sit down and have tea with Hera, granted she take a more delicate form as to not burn me alive with her radiance. I would tell her I understand her sorrows and her hate, and let her know I'll meet her at dawn and burn Zeus to the ground. Growing up watching Hercules and Xena (Remember those shows?!) I was always curious why Hera was so angry and devastatingly feared. I get it now. Heavens have no fury. Aside from the treachery this poor woman endured over and over, we also get to see her make leaps and bounds in her personal growth. Caring for certain creatures. Glinting desires to be among those who worshiped her. To gain earthly experiences guiding her changes.
The storytelling itself was well done and had my attention the entire time and I really felt for quite a few characters in this story. I learned some new lore and deepened my understandings of others. Things that stood out to me:
-12% There are other ways to rule. Sometimes the true power is in the shadows, someone who stays out of the light and watches others shrivel and burn in its glare. -38% The monsters are here, clad in beautiful immortal flesh... -66% I'll never see peacocks the same again (Flashback to Hercules show, you'll get it) - 83% Her own name, as justification for rape... (Referring to Hera. When you get there, it's such an insulting smack) - 89%We're the ones who need their offerings now. We thrive on what they give us. Without their worship, without their belief, we would shrivel away. Become no more than spirits haunting the earth....more
A huge thank you to NetGalley for an early audio to Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle.
Confession, I found an ARC for sale and snagged it (because this waA huge thank you to NetGalley for an early audio to Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle.
Confession, I found an ARC for sale and snagged it (because this was highly anticipated for me and I knew it would be love), but when I saw the audio was possibly available and who was narrating...I couldn't NOT try. The cast of well known authors help narrate this amazing story with wonderful feeling and voices for the different characters. There were even sound effects that really placed you in the pages, which I happily read along to.
You have to follow the rules if you are to survive. But the system is rigged and the algorithm is always a step ahead. Do you have the courage and strength to change them? Misha is a great writer with great ideas. His past experiences are his muses, and so far they've worked in his favor. When the hammer falls on his latest creation, demanding his gay characters essentially be buried, Misha now must face his personal demons in order to save what he cares for most.
Chuck writes his creations with the encouragement that the readers read between the lines. I hope to the literary gods that I did it right. We look at the ever corrupt Hollywood system, with it's drive to produce things that are supposedly trending/targeted marketing, while taking much to give so little in return. We get a quick nod to the sleazy actors that get away with disgusting sexual advances because of their standing fame. The guy was caught red-handed being a creep, yet his legendary status renders anything I could possibly say utterly meaningless. -p. 19 "In case you didn't notice, I rented out this whole floor," Jack continues. "I write it off as a health expense, can you believe that?... -p. 79 "You know who the real villain is?"...."Unchecked capitalism and the desire for capitalist systems to monetize other people's trauma" -p.242
A quick side note of dorkiness love: Magic the Gathering, Peter Gabriel and Meryl Streep. Also, be ready to have Sledgehammer playing as the soundtrack of this book. I digress.
This book obviously discusses a very important topic: normalizing LGBTQA and any I forgot to add. Chuck tackles elements flawlessly as we venture through this novel alongside Misha and those closest to him.
"It's not just about real queer suicide, though", She explains. "It's also about the romanticization of gay trauma in media. It's dark stuff." -p. 37 "I'm Los Angeles out," I finally admit. "I'm not... Montana out." -p.43 Fuck that show and their mid-nineties fake-progressive don't ask-don't-tell queer-bating bullshit. -p. 102 There's a wonderful exchange between Misha and a driver, Lily, on page 239 that was done beautifully and the message was so eloquent. Lastly on this note, there's a very honest nod to reality in respect to certain reveals discussed in the chapter Killjoy. Thank you for discussing something that should truly be more evident, but then again, we are in dire need of books like this.
Now I know there's a lot of big discussion points highlighted above and you may be wondering if there is in fact any truth to this being a horror novel..... holy shit, yes it is!!! Every encounter with a horror element was so in the moment and intense. I've almost convinced myself to never leave the house without a match book or BIC ever again! Or dare to pet a lamb...oooohhhh (shudders). No, no. Your skin is going to crawl and you are going to squirm. There's also real life horror instances in here too that will definitely hit you in the heart feels.
I loved this experience, everything about it. I had fun with the horror and felt the ride through the pressing points. The writing is absolutely amazing and moving. Definitely going on my auto buy list. On a long enough timeline, endings are inevitable. Tragedy is inevitable. Fortunately, so is joy. -p. 294 ...more
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Small Town Horror. Thank you to Ronald Malfi for sharing your talents and that brain!
How do I even begin to descThank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Small Town Horror. Thank you to Ronald Malfi for sharing your talents and that brain!
How do I even begin to describe a book like this? Big deep breath, and be patient with me. There's a lot to unpack here. There's a group of friends in a small town that get together on a night of celebration of the 4th and for a 16th birthday. They're wild and rambunctious which leads to some bad decisions when alcohol is involved. Something happens and the group quickly falls apart. Andrew, being the one who got away from the small town, comes back after twenty years due to a desperate call from one of the friends. When he returns, he visits his old home and feels the presence of something dark that had been waiting for him this whole time. Between the friends, they share that dark things had been happening to each leading some to think of a town witch and curses, others to think of things as bad timing. One friend is now a cop, Andrew is a lawyer, one owns her family's bar, one has become a bum and drug addict, and lastly one owns his own business and is in trouble.
The things that unfold between and among these friends are frightening and sink them farther into a troubling mindset of being cursed. I want so badly to talk about this book in detail with everyone, but I don't do spoilers! Do know that Malfi has a genius way of scaring the pants off of you. It's not like, OMG a monster is chasing me and I'm gonna get ripped to shreds!!!!! No, it's the feeling under your skin. It's the darkness just out of the line of sight that holds evil. It's the fact that you don't know if the horrible things you are experiencing through the character are in their head or really happening. I scared myself in front of my own closet the other day after reading this. YES, me! A horror junkie that is scared of nothing! He is so sneaky about it too. You're in a house eating a chicken strip minding your own business, then there's something down the dark hall staring you down, but it was your spine sending signals before your eyes could even fathom what you were seeing!!! You can't breathe and you feel like your drowning with every inhale attempt. For those who do like those elements, there are some body horror moments in this book (shudders on remembering). He is very much next level creepy!
I read Come With Me before I read this just to get a sense if what I was getting into (it's an amazing book and you should read it!). Each book he writes is so unique to the situation and the overall message. I also found that I have a new to me seasoned horror writer that I will gleefully enjoy! His writing style is very much my type!
Okay, back over this way again. So the book is horror based, yes. But, there's a moment way later in the story where he exudes love and adoration in a character. Malfi has such skill and it is not boxed in at all! Also, so it's been ages since I've been surprised by a twist. If you follow me on Goodreads, you'll see my reactions to this novel. I was blown away about a thing, that again I can't tell you, but then there was a massive reveal that just left me jaw dropped. Thinking back there was the slightest nudge of suggestion, but oh my goodness. There is so much in this novel to unpack that it's going up in my book club after release! So many lies and deceit! This book is eerie, sad, mysterious, and just one heck of a ride to experience.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will happily work my way through all of Mafi's books! And so should you. Cheers!!...more
4.5/5 Evil in Me is a story about a young girl, Ruby, with the weight of the world on her back. She is a reclusive outcast who has lost touch with her 4.5/5 Evil in Me is a story about a young girl, Ruby, with the weight of the world on her back. She is a reclusive outcast who has lost touch with her friends, on probation and paying time off at the YMCA teaching kids how to play music, and trying to survive a very rocky relationship with her mother on account of her dad having committed suicide after his time in Vietnam. Things couldn't get much worse, until they do. Ruby is seen as someone with mental health issues and mad at the world for it. Things hit rock bottom after she fails her position at the YMCA making her escape from extended probation nonexistent and finds a ring in a friend's home that makes her feel and desire weird things. The journey from there takes Ruby through hell. The ring is linked with a very powerful goddess locked away in the hells and she is using a special entity to possess the wearer to complete horrible tasks that will set her free on Earth side. Ruby fights for her very soul and experiences connections she never thought possible. Will she become who she needs to be to save herself and the world?
This is my fourth Brom book and it amazes me how this is the same author for all that I've read. He has an amazing ability to set tones and execute stories so very different than his others. There is a small connection between this book and Lost Gods that, if you have also read both, you will get and appreciate. Brom is also not afraid to give the reader an absolute feeling of despair for the main character. You're in it thick and heavy with the story line thinking the author will give an out or a breath for escaping the moment and then the floor just falls from under them.
This story has an array of characters that have depth and purpose to them, although I'm not a huge fan of Richard and that's my only complaint if any. Ruby is really a girl of the heart and honest feelings. She doesn't want to see anyone get hurt and her growth in the story is really a blooming rose. Tina is such a wonderful friend and knows her worth for the most part. I feel bad for Eduardo, but he really needed to learn more lessons. I felt connected with the characters in this book and felt the flow of emotions right along with them.
As a lover of possessions I really enjoyed this very unique duo. Beel is a unique entity entirely and how he engages with Ruby was fascinating. There were the eerie moments when he used her eyes to see around a room while she was sleeping (shudders), and gave her a second voice while talking that scared the begeezus out of whoever was on the receiving end, but getting to see him struggle with his existence while possessing Ruby was a really clever approach. Brom has a really wonderful way of reaching and going beyond limits I've yet to experience adding so much more depth to the journey. This story really is 'the bees knees'. ...more
If there was ever a novel that felt like it was personally written for me. The most unsettling and horThank you NetGalley for an ARC of The Unwelcomed
If there was ever a novel that felt like it was personally written for me. The most unsettling and horrifically beautiful possession novel since The Exorcist, which is my absolute favorite novel. Everything about this experience was just wonderful. The perfect atmosphere for such a story. I felt the 1900s. The way the characters dressed, chose their words, how they reacted to situations. The scenes with the clairvoyant character was 100% aristocratic curiosity of the veil.
Now there is a full cast of characters each with their vital roles. You must pay attention to the banters because like any good possession....the devil is in the details. This is a seasoned writer who proudly flexes his ability to conjure the perfect situations that build to moments in the book that just shake you apart. Just when you feel like you are close to a decision of possession vs mental illness, your mercilessly thrown back in to the fray to reevaluate. The reveal was absolute perfection. The whole scene was so intense and gruesome. This was such a ride! I want to divulge, but you know I don't do spoilers. If you love this subgenera, you loved The Exorcist or simply love well written cerebral horrors....read this novel!!
I found this to be a medium paced, horror/thriller/mystery. Good mix of characters. Plot and character driven. Huge character development and a hand full of trigger warnings: murder, suicide, rape, infanticide/dismemberment ...more
Thank you NetGalley for helping me get an ARC of The Family Game
Okay folks, I'm still reeling from this experience. I had to put it down a few times dThank you NetGalley for helping me get an ARC of The Family Game
Okay folks, I'm still reeling from this experience. I had to put it down a few times due to the boundaries of ethics it pushes. How would you like to have a chance at entering a game, experiencing an AI child over a nine month period with very summarized milestones for you to enjoy. If you win, you get the choice of keeping your AI child or you can delete them in the second choice of a large cash sum to start your own real world family! You will be streamed constantly when you're wearing your VR headset and special immersion suit that helps you feel every single emotion and tactile sensation as you would if it were in real life. You can experience the carrying and birthing process. All depends on you! If viewers like how you interact with your child, you get red hearts and a higher rating. If you are being scrutinized though, you'll see black hearts in real time and be down-voted. Viewers will surely dictate how you parent and put pressure on the choices you ultimately make on a daily, or even minute-by-minute decision. Are you stressed out yet?! OMG this author goes there. Think of a scenario for judged parenting, it happens. This story really delves into the pressures of parenting in society and now on live stream media. We're heading in that direction now in the real-real world and Marrs is holding up the mirror! Are we becoming desensitized? Are corrupt corporations doing whatever they can to be the first to launch? It's all here. Intertwining plausible future reality with waves of seriously effed up dystopian foundations. Marrs has also succinctly drawn in some of his other publications creating a Marrs verse when he references The One and The Passengers. Luckily I was familiar with these books and took the veins easily. I would strongly recommend reading them before this one if you want the full effect, but it's not a do or die kind of thing. And besides, they're really good!
I can't wait to see reviews come in after the release date. How differently will parents to non-parents rate and interpret this novel?! I'm a parent of 2 and it his me so hard in the feels.
Passages: -The technology behind each MetaChild will evolve and adapt to its world in its own way, so that can become a product of its surroundings. -She hoped that one day, maternity leave would be an option for the parents of MetaChildren. -Try taking a break from social media for five minutes and you can spend all the time you want with him, Gabriel thought. -Once you feel their heartbeat against your chest and they smile at you for the first time, it's no different to having a child in the Real World. -"Can't you just enjoy the moment instead of trying to monetize it?" -...the challenge remained because pushing parents to the edge made for better viewing, more publicity and more subscriptions for when MetaChildren programme launched commercially later in the year. -'Do you ever wonder if there's more to it than that?' 'Such as?' 'Such as - and don't laugh at me - but could these kids have souls?' -Viewers were clearly in favour of a confrontational, not an intellectual, approach.
I could go on. There are some really great added elements in here I think a lot of readers are going to enjoy, like the expansive metaverse where people can travel literally anywhere and any when for education, or a vacation.
Get ready for The Family Experiment July 9th this year 2024!! ...more
What a debut novel this was! Starting off with potent vigor, you know what you're in for. No mask, gloveThank you NetGalley for an ARC of Hiding Lies.
What a debut novel this was! Starting off with potent vigor, you know what you're in for. No mask, gloves off. It will be gory and straight forward. This novel is a very easy read with a focus on momentum for the characters and plot. We know Lydia is a forensic photographer and Adam a part-time sales rep and high end book entrepreneur. Through the dual pov's we learn both have unsettling pasts and dark secrets. One has taken it upon themselves to snuff out the lairs they come across unknowingly sparking the other's interest due to like mindedness. The killings are thoughtfully planned and carried out. There's some evolution to the depth to picking the victims and some showed learning from the killer. The thought process for the killer is mostly simple and superficial and the other character has a bit more depth, but ultimately is simple with their development as well. The trust seemed to come too easily from their side, especially considering their past. There is a bit of a repetitiveness in the writing, which may have been seen as a security net due to the dual pov chapters.
I can definitely see the nods from the author's favored books and they wove in just fine. This author has a great mindset and I look forward to more publications. Maybe there will be a second installment to this story? ...more
Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy of His Unburned Heart.
The style and choice of wording really set the era well. The descriptions and exchangesThank you to NetGalley for an early copy of His Unburned Heart.
The style and choice of wording really set the era well. The descriptions and exchanges described also helped immerse the reader to the time and place. The topic was so intriguing to me. How did Shelly die, why will his heart not burn?
The beginning of the story is so captivating. The feelings Mary shares with us is so detailed and colored. The notion of where women stood in society during this time is drawn prominently. Mary shows cleverness with aid finding a way to attend the funeral after finding all women banned, even being his wife.
The story did lose me after Mary gives quite a childish display after thieving back her husband’s heart. It confused me and left me in a dislike after having establishing in my mind a woman of great educational interest. Even given flashbacks of scholarly viewings and reveling in recounting them later with her husband.
The latter part of the story reveals great pains Mary went through placing her in a certain mind frame during her last moments with her husband right before his fatal voyage. It was so sad for Mary. How she got along is a wonder....more
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