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mikeroderique's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
jblanton24's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
badseedgirl's review
4.0
130 Pages Rewind or Die Book 5
At the time of this review this book is available on Kindle Unlimited.
This is the first book I have read in the "Rewind or Die" series that reminded me of the direct to video movies I watched as a kid. stacked with violence and gratuitous sex, I felt like I was reliving a bit of my days of youth.
At the time of this review this book is available on Kindle Unlimited.
This is the first book I have read in the "Rewind or Die" series that reminded me of the direct to video movies I watched as a kid. stacked with violence and gratuitous sex, I felt like I was reliving a bit of my days of youth.
turtlesreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
connie29's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Torture, Grief, Death of parent, Violence, Gore, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Body horror, and Blood
jakewritesbooks's review
3.0
Shapeshifting is a popular trope in horror. It has its origins in Greco-Roman mythology (thanks Wikipedia!) but there are versions of it in a lot of other cultures. In contemporary horror, I’ve seen in featured several times in Latinx novels. It’s centered in this one.
Shapeshifting is also sometimes used to tell a broader story about transformation. Maya, the central character here, is a stripper, as well as a shapeshifter, a gift she receives on her 18th birthday. It gives her the power to turn into a jaguar. The transition from everyday person to exotic dancer is well-documented in this one: the makeup, outfit, hairspray, etc. The need to put on a different persona in order to raid the pockets of the horny men who patronize the club. Maya doesn’t seem to hate the job but it is what it is: a chance to feed and clothe her sister to provide for college.
The transition from human to jaguar is painful in its own way but it comes with its own history that’s connected to diasporic persons of Mexican descent. That’s the part that’s most interesting in the narrative, when Maya has to protect her community against another shapeshifter who is feeding on other strippers.
This has the elements of a good story but the problem is V. Castro never really lets it breathe. It’s a novella but feels rushed even for that. There’s minimal development between Maya and her sister, Maya and the investigator, the mythos behind the shapeshifting and how the rules of it work. There are a lot of good ideas but they don’t come together as well.
Castro is an experienced writer and I’d love to see her come back to this and expand it into a full-length novel. With room to grow the story, I feel like it would take off.
Shapeshifting is also sometimes used to tell a broader story about transformation. Maya, the central character here, is a stripper, as well as a shapeshifter, a gift she receives on her 18th birthday. It gives her the power to turn into a jaguar. The transition from everyday person to exotic dancer is well-documented in this one: the makeup, outfit, hairspray, etc. The need to put on a different persona in order to raid the pockets of the horny men who patronize the club. Maya doesn’t seem to hate the job but it is what it is: a chance to feed and clothe her sister to provide for college.
The transition from human to jaguar is painful in its own way but it comes with its own history that’s connected to diasporic persons of Mexican descent. That’s the part that’s most interesting in the narrative, when Maya has to protect her community against another shapeshifter who is feeding on other strippers.
This has the elements of a good story but the problem is V. Castro never really lets it breathe. It’s a novella but feels rushed even for that. There’s minimal development between Maya and her sister, Maya and the investigator, the mythos behind the shapeshifting and how the rules of it work. There are a lot of good ideas but they don’t come together as well.
Castro is an experienced writer and I’d love to see her come back to this and expand it into a full-length novel. With room to grow the story, I feel like it would take off.
zj5's review
3.0
What if Ed Gein was a sexy ass Witch bent on eternal life by means of black magic? And what if the only person who could stop them was a shape-shifting stripper juggling her job, taking care of her sister, and possibly falling for a handsome detective? Well, you’d have yourself a rollicking good time, wouldn’t you?
Hairspray and Switchblades is the fifth in the Rewind or Die series from Unnerving Press and the second which I’ve read (the first being the fun carnival themed slasher, Cirque Berserk.). The idea behind RoD seems to be to hearken back to the glory days of video rental horror but with a modern edge and as such Switchblades feels like a mash up of Sexploitation films, Urban Fantasy novels, and Serial Killer Horror.
Maya is our sweet and tough protagonist who is as in control on the stage as she is in her everyday life. She’s terrified of the recent sex worker murders and worried for her sister but also quick with a switchblade and doesn’t shrink into the background when things get dangerous.
Castro writes her book as equally violent and sexual while managing to avoid coming off as sleazy or at least the bad kind of sleazy. The sex is exciting and fun and the violence is gross and on the right side of graphic. And best of all Maya is shown as a woman with sexual agency and not as somebody who has sex forced on her (either literally or figuratively). A not so uncommon trope in horror.
So not only is it all inline with the 80s/90s VHS horror but it works as an update as well; taking the best bits while jettisoning the sexism and misogyny that so often permeated that genre.
Castro helpfully gives us both sides of the story by alternating POV from Maya and The Weaver. Sometimes it’s great to be left in the dark when it comes to the villain or monster but when you’re short on pages the more perspective you can give, the better for the story. Plus without The Weaver chapters we’d miss out on a sex scene which is really straddles the line between hot and disturbing.
But it’s not simply a two hander, we’re also treated to a cast of kickass secondary characters; Maya’s academic and sneaker loving sister, the former chemist turned make up artist, and the boy scout detective. We’re given glimpses into their lives and personalities all while seeing their importance to the plot. And again this is a fairly short book and as such there isn’t a lot of real estate so it’s a feat that Castro manages to flesh out her world while also telling a compelling story.
I will say that the latter half of the book does feel a little quick and the final confrontation is maybe a little convenient but it doesn’t necessarily take away from the fun of the book. The idea being these Rewind or Die titles is to tell stories reminiscent of what you would find in the horror aisle of your local video store and I think Castro has accomplished that admirably. Hairspray and Switchblades feels gory and sexy and I would have loved to have rented this from the corner store.
Hairspray and Switchblades is the fifth in the Rewind or Die series from Unnerving Press and the second which I’ve read (the first being the fun carnival themed slasher, Cirque Berserk.). The idea behind RoD seems to be to hearken back to the glory days of video rental horror but with a modern edge and as such Switchblades feels like a mash up of Sexploitation films, Urban Fantasy novels, and Serial Killer Horror.
Maya is our sweet and tough protagonist who is as in control on the stage as she is in her everyday life. She’s terrified of the recent sex worker murders and worried for her sister but also quick with a switchblade and doesn’t shrink into the background when things get dangerous.
Castro writes her book as equally violent and sexual while managing to avoid coming off as sleazy or at least the bad kind of sleazy. The sex is exciting and fun and the violence is gross and on the right side of graphic. And best of all Maya is shown as a woman with sexual agency and not as somebody who has sex forced on her (either literally or figuratively). A not so uncommon trope in horror.
So not only is it all inline with the 80s/90s VHS horror but it works as an update as well; taking the best bits while jettisoning the sexism and misogyny that so often permeated that genre.
Castro helpfully gives us both sides of the story by alternating POV from Maya and The Weaver. Sometimes it’s great to be left in the dark when it comes to the villain or monster but when you’re short on pages the more perspective you can give, the better for the story. Plus without The Weaver chapters we’d miss out on a sex scene which is really straddles the line between hot and disturbing.
But it’s not simply a two hander, we’re also treated to a cast of kickass secondary characters; Maya’s academic and sneaker loving sister, the former chemist turned make up artist, and the boy scout detective. We’re given glimpses into their lives and personalities all while seeing their importance to the plot. And again this is a fairly short book and as such there isn’t a lot of real estate so it’s a feat that Castro manages to flesh out her world while also telling a compelling story.
I will say that the latter half of the book does feel a little quick and the final confrontation is maybe a little convenient but it doesn’t necessarily take away from the fun of the book. The idea being these Rewind or Die titles is to tell stories reminiscent of what you would find in the horror aisle of your local video store and I think Castro has accomplished that admirably. Hairspray and Switchblades feels gory and sexy and I would have loved to have rented this from the corner store.
shaniamarie21's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5