Reviews

Black Ambrosia by Elizabeth Engstrom

sullyyllus's review

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

brim010's review

challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

greatnate008's review

4.0

This reminded me of The Haunting of Hill House. I couldn't figure out if the main character was crazy or not. I'm thinking not? It was a little slow at times so it took me a while to get through.

loonyboi's review

3.0

A fun little take on the vampire story. Not perfect, but definitely original. Recommended if you're looking for something a little different

erat's review

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

imaginary_space's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

prettyinpapercuts's review

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

mondoweirdo's review

5.0

The adventures of li’l Richard Chase

roxiethebookslayer's review

3.0

“If it doesn’t matter what you do, then how do you choose what to do?”

First, thank you Valencourt for saving these stories from the abyss. Younger generations need access to these to fully appreciate the horror genre.

Like too many, I had never heard about Elizabeth Engstrom until Grady Hendrix's review of When Darkness Loves Us. I have yet to read it, but will be bumping it up my TBR after reading Black Ambrosia.

Full confession, I wanted to read this book based on its title. Ambrosia is the name of my best friend of nearly two decades and her name isn't that popular, so I was intrigued. Plus look at the bitchin cover!

In Black Ambrosia, Engstrom takes us back to the classic vampire tropes. We are given the story through the point of view of Angelina Watson, a vampire that roams around searching for a place to fit in with the humans. She doesn't have much of a back story, but seems to want to tame her bloodthirstiness. Along the ride she takes several lovers, using them for their blood and taken off when she is finished with them. Following close behind is an ex-lover that wants to destroy her. 

Throughout the journey we pass through small-town America in the height of the 80s blue collar, Bruce Springsteen/John Mellencamp era. More than once did I feel like I was in an R rated version of their music videos. That isn't an insult at all, I love that simpler time!

Ultimately, ratings are subjective. Some will love Engstrom's romantic prose, while others will be board to tears. I rated Black Ambrosia 3.5 stars (rounded down) because I enjoyed the plot but found myself annoyed with Angelina detached emotions. 

*Thank you Valencourt for a gifted audiobook of Black Ambrosia in exchange for an honest review.*

charshorrorcorner's review

4.0

BLACK AMBROSIA is exactly what I hoped it would be, plus some.

Here's the synopsis:

"Angelina is a killer. You'd never know it to look at her--until you look into her eyes. Angelina doesn't kill out of hatred or fear--she kills out of love, bringing solace to her victims, guided by the seductive Voice that speaks only to her. Angelina offers you eternal peace--at the cost of your soul!"

Quiet horror is more to my liking these days, and this book fits the bill. Don't get me wrong, violent and gory scenes appear throughout this book, but most of the picture comes from the reader's imagination rather than with blow-by-blow descriptions.

This review has to be rather general to avoid spoilers, but here I am going to wander into spoiler territory for just a moment. I'm a huge fan of a book called SOME OF YOUR BLOOD by Theodore Sturgeon. In a lot of ways this book reminded me of that one.

Specifically how the reader is left wondering if this is, indeed, a case of a vampire or is it a case of mental illness, instead?

This book is horrific, no matter how you would answer that question.

Perhaps a little slow to get going, but once Angelina leaves home things start to pick up. The whole time leaving you wondering, is she or isn't she? I prefer to think she is, but you'll have to read this to find out!

Highly recommended!

Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/2ZWUQJM

*Thanks to Valancourt Books for the e-copy of BLACK AMBROSIA in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*