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mermaird's review against another edition
4.0
First and foremost, I would like to thank Mark Tullius and @BookTasters on Twitter for providing me with an ebook copy of Twisted Reunion in exchange for an honest review. I apologise for taking too long to complete the book and come up with this review.
Although I do love reading short stories because of how convenient they are, I am usually not too fond of reading a short story collection in one go, because I tend to lose focus due to too many different characters, and it gets to a point where I simply don't care about any of the characters anymore. This is one of the reasons why it took a while for me to digest Twisted Reunion.
I would honestly say that I have some mixed feelings over this short story collection. I'm quite a fan of horror reads, and I would say that even though the stories were not that terrifying, they are undeniably horrific if it would to be happen in reality. Mark Tullius combined several supernatural elements with psychopathic human beings, making most of the horrors enjoyable to be read. Unfortunately, I couldn't find myself enjoying all the stories to the most. Some of them had characters that I couldn't even comprehend or empathise with, while a few others just left me baffled as to what I just read.
But for more than half of the short stories in this collection, I truly enjoyed them to bits. The one where "an artist whose paintings become reality" particularly left the best impression on me, mainly because of how beautiful it seemed to hint at first, but things slowly went down to hell once the artist finished her paintings. Another one that was very memorable to me was where "a man who longs to rid himself of an annoying companion". I thought I had an idea of what their relationship was supposed to be at first, but then I was proved absolutely wrong at the end and it just made the whole story make sense in a better way.
Overall, I did enjoy reading Twisted Reunion a lot. I think that Mark Tullius is a great writer, and I would love to read more stories (especially horrors) from him in the future. Most of the stories, if not all, involved a huge deal of violence and horrific events, so if you're comfortable with that, then this book would be perfect for you!
Although I do love reading short stories because of how convenient they are, I am usually not too fond of reading a short story collection in one go, because I tend to lose focus due to too many different characters, and it gets to a point where I simply don't care about any of the characters anymore. This is one of the reasons why it took a while for me to digest Twisted Reunion.
I would honestly say that I have some mixed feelings over this short story collection. I'm quite a fan of horror reads, and I would say that even though the stories were not that terrifying, they are undeniably horrific if it would to be happen in reality. Mark Tullius combined several supernatural elements with psychopathic human beings, making most of the horrors enjoyable to be read. Unfortunately, I couldn't find myself enjoying all the stories to the most. Some of them had characters that I couldn't even comprehend or empathise with, while a few others just left me baffled as to what I just read.
But for more than half of the short stories in this collection, I truly enjoyed them to bits. The one where "an artist whose paintings become reality" particularly left the best impression on me, mainly because of how beautiful it seemed to hint at first, but things slowly went down to hell once the artist finished her paintings. Another one that was very memorable to me was where "a man who longs to rid himself of an annoying companion". I thought I had an idea of what their relationship was supposed to be at first, but then I was proved absolutely wrong at the end and it just made the whole story make sense in a better way.
Overall, I did enjoy reading Twisted Reunion a lot. I think that Mark Tullius is a great writer, and I would love to read more stories (especially horrors) from him in the future. Most of the stories, if not all, involved a huge deal of violence and horrific events, so if you're comfortable with that, then this book would be perfect for you!
loslibrosdelupita's review
4.0
So good. I like read short horror stories, this book doesn't disappoint. There are 28 stories in there (so so), I liked at least 20 and I dreamed about nearly 5 of them.
The style of Mark is very precise, and I thank that. He knows what he wants to tell and he does it tremendously good.
I gave 4 stars because I didn't like the other 8 stories, there's no in between with this book.
I recommend reading it if you are looking for something creepy or spooky before bed, you won't regret it (even if you get nightmares about this like me).
The style of Mark is very precise, and I thank that. He knows what he wants to tell and he does it tremendously good.
I gave 4 stars because I didn't like the other 8 stories, there's no in between with this book.
I recommend reading it if you are looking for something creepy or spooky before bed, you won't regret it (even if you get nightmares about this like me).
duchessofreadin's review against another edition
4.0
If you are looking for a book that will make you rethink turning off the light at night, then you need to grab this book. It is a perfect read. These stories are spooky beyond all belief. There are very few things that make my skin crawl, very few books that have made me think anything but, what a good story… but these stories, oh my. Forget lions, tigers, and bears - you are going to be looking at the person next to you. The person in the grocery store.
Some of these stories are enough to make you shrug and check under the bed once before turning out the light. But there are several in this collection that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, and probably cause a grey hair or two (I seriously think I got a few more reading some of these). There are some that will outright make you rethink the sanity that you think you might have a grip on.
28 tales. 28 curl your toes, oh my goodness, reads. Who says you have to wait till Halloween to find those spooky reads? Mark Tullius has devised a new level of horror, and these stories will stay with you long after you finish reading them. Grab the book, and curl up for an evening of scary with a side of absolute horror. You might be sorry, then again…
**If you are squeamish, or have an aversion to language, etc. This is NOT the book for you**
Some of these stories are enough to make you shrug and check under the bed once before turning out the light. But there are several in this collection that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, and probably cause a grey hair or two (I seriously think I got a few more reading some of these). There are some that will outright make you rethink the sanity that you think you might have a grip on.
28 tales. 28 curl your toes, oh my goodness, reads. Who says you have to wait till Halloween to find those spooky reads? Mark Tullius has devised a new level of horror, and these stories will stay with you long after you finish reading them. Grab the book, and curl up for an evening of scary with a side of absolute horror. You might be sorry, then again…
**If you are squeamish, or have an aversion to language, etc. This is NOT the book for you**
uniquelykmee's review against another edition
4.0
The way I actually had dreams about some of the stories! I took forever to finish (yay reading slump) but each story takes you some where. It felt like I was in a t.v show or something. It was really great! I may just get a physical copy next time
masha_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This book was very interesting. I loved most of the stories. They were all short to medium and precise. One of my favourites was one of the first ones about that guy that kind of lost his memory and thought his wife ran away. It was very shocking, seeing that he actually was a murderer! So sick and horrifying. The author really did a great job in writing this. I have always loved short stories and this is one of my favourites.
omgbeansgoreadabook's review against another edition
3.0
I’m not usually one to like e-books of any format, so taking a dive into this was a great feat for me. I usually wouldn’t have, but after reading the synopsis I absolutely had to. I’m a sap for short-story collections within books, so of course I decided to download and review this one. This book does not let you down, I promise. I loved all of the stories throughout out it.
Synopsis:
“ Plunge deep into darkness with 28 terrifying tales. Explore heartache, happiness, and horror in this collection of short stories by Mark Tullius, the author of 25 Perfect Days, named one of IndieReader’s Best Indie Books for 2013.
This collection is composed of all the stories in Each Dawn I Die, Every One’s Lethal, and Repackaged Presents, plus two bonus stories.”
Warning
Do not read if you’re easily disturbed, don’t like foul language, or are triggered by scenes of violence.
Table of Contents
- Each Dawn I Die:
This is a story of consequences. It has your typical guy jerk who seems to have no conscious at all and then over time, gets what he deserves. It’s a fast paced read, and has perfect wording to imagine the horror inside your head. I have to admit I shuddered a few times reading some of the more descriptive paragraphs. I loved every minute of it.
- Wrong Side Tavern:
This story starts out with an unfortunate man who’s had a very long day. Once he stumbles into the wrong place though, it’s going to get much, much worse.
- Woodshop After Math
High school kids have a way of pinning one reputation on you, and Tyler’s unfortunate reputation is “Psycho.” A story of just how much love can make you insane for a person and how no matter what, you can still be on their side.
-Twisted Memory
This story starts out with a very confused man searching for his wife. Things escalate over time until the big reveal about the man and a very screwed up ending.
-Mommy’s Big Boy
A mother is trying to keep her deadbeat boyfriend around and in turn ignoring her baby boy. It takes a hilarious turn in a Chucky sort of way after a night of “partying” for the mother. This story alone will make you not want to have any children.
Synopsis:
“ Plunge deep into darkness with 28 terrifying tales. Explore heartache, happiness, and horror in this collection of short stories by Mark Tullius, the author of 25 Perfect Days, named one of IndieReader’s Best Indie Books for 2013.
This collection is composed of all the stories in Each Dawn I Die, Every One’s Lethal, and Repackaged Presents, plus two bonus stories.”
Warning
Do not read if you’re easily disturbed, don’t like foul language, or are triggered by scenes of violence.
Table of Contents
- Each Dawn I Die:
This is a story of consequences. It has your typical guy jerk who seems to have no conscious at all and then over time, gets what he deserves. It’s a fast paced read, and has perfect wording to imagine the horror inside your head. I have to admit I shuddered a few times reading some of the more descriptive paragraphs. I loved every minute of it.
- Wrong Side Tavern:
This story starts out with an unfortunate man who’s had a very long day. Once he stumbles into the wrong place though, it’s going to get much, much worse.
- Woodshop After Math
High school kids have a way of pinning one reputation on you, and Tyler’s unfortunate reputation is “Psycho.” A story of just how much love can make you insane for a person and how no matter what, you can still be on their side.
-Twisted Memory
This story starts out with a very confused man searching for his wife. Things escalate over time until the big reveal about the man and a very screwed up ending.
-Mommy’s Big Boy
A mother is trying to keep her deadbeat boyfriend around and in turn ignoring her baby boy. It takes a hilarious turn in a Chucky sort of way after a night of “partying” for the mother. This story alone will make you not want to have any children.
unique's review against another edition
4.0
The way I actually had dreams about some of the stories! I took forever to finish (yay reading slump) but each story takes you some where. It felt like I was in a t.v show or something. It was really great! I may just get a physical copy next time
lauris_amaru's review against another edition
4.0
I won this book for free through Goodreads giveaways.
If you're looking for good, bite-sized horror stories, this book (or any of the three it compiles) is the one for you! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and actually read it in a couple of days. For some of the stories, I was not quite sure what exactly was happening, but then at the ending when you realize the truth, I had to re-read the story again and saw it in a different light, which was an unusual quirk I enjoyed. There were just a couple of weirder stories I did not care for as much, but overall the book was engrossing and will come back to make you think of them later! (I'm looking at you, Hit The Lights, probably my favorite of them all.) After I was finished I loaned it to a friend who LOVES horror anything, and he just loved it as well.
If you're looking for good, bite-sized horror stories, this book (or any of the three it compiles) is the one for you! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and actually read it in a couple of days. For some of the stories, I was not quite sure what exactly was happening, but then at the ending when you realize the truth, I had to re-read the story again and saw it in a different light, which was an unusual quirk I enjoyed. There were just a couple of weirder stories I did not care for as much, but overall the book was engrossing and will come back to make you think of them later! (I'm looking at you, Hit The Lights, probably my favorite of them all.) After I was finished I loaned it to a friend who LOVES horror anything, and he just loved it as well.