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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Tricker-Treater and Other Stories is going to be stuck in my head for a while
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Tricker-Treater is the latest from Briana Morgan, who also wrote one of my favorite reads of the year, unboxed. This time, Morgan comes equipped with one of the best covers of the year, and a diverse collection of stories spanning from flash fiction to longer works of shorts. The stories also vary a bit from genre.
I think there’s a bit of everything for everyone here. The Tricker-Treater and The Mistake house and The Hanging of Constance Evans. I love Morgan’s writing, and while each story feels different, Morgan’s voice is distinctly her own. There is depth while still feeling readable.
As with any collection, there are some stories that didn’t work out for me here, which unfortunately for me, was a little disappointing. The collection itself is relatively short, spanning just over 100 pages, so while that makes the hits more valuable, it also makes the ones that don’t quite land, sting a bit more than they otherwise would have.
When I finished reading the Tricker-Treater and other stories, I was unsure about where I wanted to rate this one. I struggled between 3.5 or 4, my rating would probably changing depending on what day of the week it was. This is why I hate scoring books sometimes, and wish people would pay more attention to what I write and not what I score. My one complaint about the book is the shorter length makes the stories that don’t work more impactful. This is a fun, brisk read. I think you should check it out. There’s a lot to like about it, and Briana Morgan is an author to keep an eye on.
I think there’s a bit of everything for everyone here. The Tricker-Treater and The Mistake house and The Hanging of Constance Evans. I love Morgan’s writing, and while each story feels different, Morgan’s voice is distinctly her own. There is depth while still feeling readable.
As with any collection, there are some stories that didn’t work out for me here, which unfortunately for me, was a little disappointing. The collection itself is relatively short, spanning just over 100 pages, so while that makes the hits more valuable, it also makes the ones that don’t quite land, sting a bit more than they otherwise would have.
When I finished reading the Tricker-Treater and other stories, I was unsure about where I wanted to rate this one. I struggled between 3.5 or 4, my rating would probably changing depending on what day of the week it was. This is why I hate scoring books sometimes, and wish people would pay more attention to what I write and not what I score. My one complaint about the book is the shorter length makes the stories that don’t work more impactful. This is a fun, brisk read. I think you should check it out. There’s a lot to like about it, and Briana Morgan is an author to keep an eye on.
Just like with a lot of the indie authors I’ve got into over the last year, I first discovered Briana Morgan via a Blood Rites collection - the same one I was published in as it happens! I’ve since worked my way back to tackling something entirely hers and was thoroughly impressed - this collection shows real talent, creativity, and a smorgasbord of ways to get under your skin. Before I go, I’ve got to join the hordes of reviewers wanting to shout out the amazing cover to this book because, well, it is quite fantastic! But, crucially, so is what’s lurking underneath.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Tricker-Treater is my third read from @brianamorganbooks this year and it did not disappoint.
My favorite part about short story collections is the freedom they give authors to come up with wild twists and crazy endings. Morgan really shines in this regard because this thin collection elicited an audible, reflexive reaction from me several times.
Thematically, she covers a lot of bases here, and my two favorite pieces, The Tricker-Treater and Charity, are the two longest of the book. Charity especially got me because I did NOT see that twist coming.
While I would recommend reading one of her longer works before diving into this one, Tricker-Treater is a solid collection from an author i can't wait to read more of.
My favorite part about short story collections is the freedom they give authors to come up with wild twists and crazy endings. Morgan really shines in this regard because this thin collection elicited an audible, reflexive reaction from me several times.
Thematically, she covers a lot of bases here, and my two favorite pieces, The Tricker-Treater and Charity, are the two longest of the book. Charity especially got me because I did NOT see that twist coming.
While I would recommend reading one of her longer works before diving into this one, Tricker-Treater is a solid collection from an author i can't wait to read more of.
not rating bc this is an indie horror book but this flopped for me and i didn’t enjoy any of the stories ); mayhaps just not for me. felt derivative in a bad way.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
fast-paced
Quick spooky reads with a lot of variety; easily became hooked on most of the stories, no matter the page length