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constant_reader_'s review
4.0
I bought this book solely based on the cover and I am so glad I did! This was so fun to read, it definitely gave off Constantine vibes and I loved every minute of it.
The story follows Lauren who moves to Black Wells after a breakup and experiences a frightening supernatural attack. She seeks out the help of ex-priest William Daniels, and together they try to get to the bottom of what is stalking Lauren. This book was a super quick read, just about 175 pages. I wish it was longer! I found out it will be a 5 book series with the next book set for a December release. I can't wait for the next one!
The story follows Lauren who moves to Black Wells after a breakup and experiences a frightening supernatural attack. She seeks out the help of ex-priest William Daniels, and together they try to get to the bottom of what is stalking Lauren. This book was a super quick read, just about 175 pages. I wish it was longer! I found out it will be a 5 book series with the next book set for a December release. I can't wait for the next one!
readingwithadi's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
screamdogreads's review
3.0
"Lauren tried to bite the stalks, but her teeth were not sharp enough. The flowers crawled down her esophagus, so deep that she could feel them slither into her digestive tract, expanding her diaphragm and writhing in her stomach like worms. And slowly, maddeningly slowly, the marigolds swallowed her into the earth."
All These Subtle Deceits feels much like a classic horror novel, only, retold, at once both fresh, exciting and strangely comforting. At the heart of this novel lies a town so well crafted, with many stories to tell - it grabs ahold of readers and suckers them in, refusing to let them go. It's a quick read, all in all, one of those blisteringly paced horror novels that can be flown through in an entire sitting. It is, however, a book that consumes your time, that commands attention, that implores you to set everything aside. It's brilliant, quirky, and a ton of fun, it may even be a series. But, even as a standalone, singular thing, this book rocks.
It feels much like a love-letter to the horror genre and the scary story in general. Everything that makes horror so fantastic is packed into this tiny little novel. It's got a real bite to it, and there's so much love poured into this book. Really, it's a hybrid mishmash of a possession story, a haunting, of demons and priests and otherworldly horrors that plague a small town - it's full of every popular horror trope, but here, they're exciting and refreshing.
All These Subtle Deceits feels much like a classic horror novel, only, retold, at once both fresh, exciting and strangely comforting. At the heart of this novel lies a town so well crafted, with many stories to tell - it grabs ahold of readers and suckers them in, refusing to let them go. It's a quick read, all in all, one of those blisteringly paced horror novels that can be flown through in an entire sitting. It is, however, a book that consumes your time, that commands attention, that implores you to set everything aside. It's brilliant, quirky, and a ton of fun, it may even be a series. But, even as a standalone, singular thing, this book rocks.
It feels much like a love-letter to the horror genre and the scary story in general. Everything that makes horror so fantastic is packed into this tiny little novel. It's got a real bite to it, and there's so much love poured into this book. Really, it's a hybrid mishmash of a possession story, a haunting, of demons and priests and otherworldly horrors that plague a small town - it's full of every popular horror trope, but here, they're exciting and refreshing.
"Those who are born and raised in the city are swift to stay, though many of them do not know why. The city compels them to remain. Not because of its grandeur or the promised fortune found in the mineral-rich earth, but something else. Something deeper. Something enrapturing to its natives and seductive to its immigrants. Black Wells captures you. Its allurements conjure a strong chain that wraps around the heart like ivy swallows a trellis. It is a quick and beautiful kind of bondage. A subtle kind of deceit. "
The body horror of this novel is top tier and the excitement never lets up. For such a short novel, it truly delivers a shockingly huge punch. C.S. Humble is one of those authors with a talent for making horror sound utterly breathtaking and gorgeous. It's a delightful thing, when an author can extract beauty from even the horrific. Blending stunning writing with an adrenaline fueled plot, some truly brutal scenes and sickening body horror, All These Subtle Deceits is a novel not to miss.
"Their hands snapped down to their sides again, the sobbing ceased immediately. Slowly, their heads turned towards Lauren. Their vertebrae crunched like brittle autumn leaves deep within their cold, swollen skin. Their gazes fell on Lauren, each of them peering with rheumy eyes, swollen white. "
cmasterson's review
5.0
I will admit: in the beginning, I judged a book by its cover. I saw it and I went, "Hot damn, that looks fun." And that was the end of my inquisition. I justified the purchase as supporting my publisher, and waited for the book to come.
This is a fun story about an exorcist who helps a woman as she comes into contact with the spiritual world in Black Wells. The prose is witty and strong. The characters, regardless of their length of stay on the page, pop off the page and have such life to them.
I have a saying when it comes to twists: I don't get fooled often, but I like it when I trip up. This story did just that. I sat there for a second, reeling before I hit solid ground on the discovery. Sometimes, the subtle deceits are fun to come across.
This is a fun story about an exorcist who helps a woman as she comes into contact with the spiritual world in Black Wells. The prose is witty and strong. The characters, regardless of their length of stay on the page, pop off the page and have such life to them.
I have a saying when it comes to twists: I don't get fooled often, but I like it when I trip up. This story did just that. I sat there for a second, reeling before I hit solid ground on the discovery. Sometimes, the subtle deceits are fun to come across.
webbedworld's review
3.0
I didn’t like this book initially; it just seemed like another homage to The Exorcist. I was surprised to find that it was much more. All These Subtle Deceits was a unique, well-paced and interesting novella and I ultimately enjoyed it.
I reeeeeally enjoyed the “ex-priests” character. I loved that he is flawed, and not very self aware. I think getting to know his character is what made me really enjoy the book. He was a complex character; I loved his background story, his dry humor, and pretty much everything else about him.
The reason I gave it 3 stars is only due to the lack of imagery; the horror part of the book was kind of weak, in my opinion. When it comes to stories about demons/ghosts/etc., I expect the spooks to be top-notch… Having said that, I loved everything else about it, I just wished it was a little more disturbing/scary.
I reeeeeally enjoyed the “ex-priests” character. I loved that he is flawed, and not very self aware. I think getting to know his character is what made me really enjoy the book. He was a complex character; I loved his background story, his dry humor, and pretty much everything else about him.
The reason I gave it 3 stars is only due to the lack of imagery; the horror part of the book was kind of weak, in my opinion. When it comes to stories about demons/ghosts/etc., I expect the spooks to be top-notch… Having said that, I loved everything else about it, I just wished it was a little more disturbing/scary.
ryberst's review
5.0
I wish I hadn't waited as long as I did to read All These Subtle Deceits. Humble plunges his reader into a world of supernatural horror that refuses to be put down. His characters are complex and compelling, especially William, the ex-priest exorcist wrestling with his own demons. The second Black Wells novel is in the mail and I can't wait to dive in.
tarainez's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this horror novella. It comes across as an old-school possession story, but it definitely has some twists and turns. There’s more than meets the eye here. I didn’t see the end coming! I could have read more pages and been content, the story was really solid and enthralling. The plot and characters were well-developed with some very interesting premises. I would love to return to Black Wells and William’s world. There’s even potential for some spin-offs with minor characters like Karl’s cryptid hunting and Sarah’s magical stuff. There were quite a few typos in my copy, which did take me out of the story a little, hence the 4 stars, but no complaints otherwise.
iamastraythought's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Fuck it man this book was amazing. Got it from Nightworms subscription box and I'm so glad I did because this is definitely a keeper. Strong Constantine vibes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
dsteele's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
serena_af's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0