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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Well, that was not what I expected at all. What I thought would be an eerie forest with killer fungus making people disappear, was in fact more complex than that.
This book was my first fungus/nature sort of horror story, and it was surely one of the weirdest I’ve read.
I really enjoyed reading it, even if I didn’t connect with some of the characters, the story was original, the atmosphere was eerie, bizarre, a bit creepy, and I was surprised by the turns of events.
It was my first book by this author, but definitely not the last.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was my first foray into the Dark Earth Rising series, and I was quickly impressed with the writing talent. The prose was well-constructed, interesting, and easy to get through. The characters felt real enough to form the basis of the story. The scenery was excellent and atmospheric.
I didn't expect an eco-horror, so it was a pleasant surprise. I liked how vivid the power of the mushrooms was, and how easily it wormed its way into everyone's lives. I do think that the Aztec/mythological roots could have been more fleshed out, as I didn't quite grasp the connection between Maria, her ancestry, and the powers that be. You just kind of had to take Maria's word for it, even though she was vaguely questioned by outsiders.
I liked the ending—it was another welcomed surprise—but I didn't like its abruptness. I had some questions, such as how those who joined fell in line so easily, and where the story went from there. Although I must assume this is a question for the overall series.
An excellent indie series that I must recommend.
Thanks to BookSirens for a free e-ARC.
I didn't expect an eco-horror, so it was a pleasant surprise. I liked how vivid the power of the mushrooms was, and how easily it wormed its way into everyone's lives. I do think that the Aztec/mythological roots could have been more fleshed out, as I didn't quite grasp the connection between Maria, her ancestry, and the powers that be. You just kind of had to take Maria's word for it, even though she was vaguely questioned by outsiders.
I liked the ending—it was another welcomed surprise—but I didn't like its abruptness. I had some questions, such as how those who joined fell in line so easily, and where the story went from there. Although I must assume this is a question for the overall series.
An excellent indie series that I must recommend.
Thanks to BookSirens for a free e-ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer, Drug use, Racism, Toxic relationship
Minor: Grief, Stalking
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think this is one of the most beautiful covers from the Dark Earth Rising series, but in terms of story, it wasn't my favourite (I mean it had to happen at some point).
I loved the first half, the little seeds of mystery, wondering what this fungus is truly capable of. The vivid imagery, not only could I picture the spectrum of colours, but I could almost smell the musky scents. Debra is great at setting the scene and making everything seem realistic.
I felt there were a lot of unanswered questions by the end of the story. I'm still left confused about a few things and found the ending quite abrupt. I can't really say more than that without spoilers.
Overall, whilst it's not my favourite, I love Debra's writing, so will be waiting on tenterhooks for her next book.
I loved the first half, the little seeds of mystery, wondering what this fungus is truly capable of. The vivid imagery, not only could I picture the spectrum of colours, but I could almost smell the musky scents. Debra is great at setting the scene and making everything seem realistic.
I felt there were a lot of unanswered questions by the end of the story. I'm still left confused about a few things and found the ending quite abrupt. I can't really say more than that without spoilers.
Overall, whilst it's not my favourite, I love Debra's writing, so will be waiting on tenterhooks for her next book.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m not entirely sure how to rate this book. 3.5 🌟 I think (may change after I’ve thought about it more)
While I liked it, I didn’t love it. I think that I was left wanting more development all the way around. Right when I felt I was getting to know a character it felt like they didn’t particularly matter any more. And I felt like the story really was headed somewhere but then ended quite abruptly (I did however love the ending, I just had questions from other things in the book I needed answered). Also I didn’t really love any of the characters accept perhaps Julian (the dad).
The whole concept of this story was amazing though, and I love how Debra writes real life characters/problems with a supernatural twist in her plots. This book was almost there. Like when you order a 7up but all they have is sprite.
I do have to thank DebraCastaneda 🫶🏻❤️ for the arc of this book. Again I did like it, it just wasn’t my favorite of her works.
On another note, extreme love and props to her cover artist 🤩 while not my favorite of her books it is my favorite of her covers.
While I liked it, I didn’t love it. I think that I was left wanting more development all the way around. Right when I felt I was getting to know a character it felt like they didn’t particularly matter any more. And I felt like the story really was headed somewhere but then ended quite abruptly (I did however love the ending, I just had questions from other things in the book I needed answered). Also I didn’t really love any of the characters accept perhaps Julian (the dad).
The whole concept of this story was amazing though, and I love how Debra writes real life characters/problems with a supernatural twist in her plots. This book was almost there. Like when you order a 7up but all they have is sprite.
I do have to thank DebraCastaneda 🫶🏻❤️ for the arc of this book. Again I did like it, it just wasn’t my favorite of her works.
On another note, extreme love and props to her cover artist 🤩 while not my favorite of her books it is my favorite of her covers.
The Spore Queen is a horror novel that combines fungal, eco and cult horror with Aztec mythology and themes of family, adoption, illness and ecology. After a violent storm in Nils Forest reporter Maria Hart travels to the forest for a story but doesn't come back. When other people start disappearing as well rumours spread about a strange new fungus growing in Nils Forest...
Castaneda has a way of describing things that makes it easy to imagine them very vividly. The different kinds of fungi, the strange things happening in Nils Forest and - of course - the Spore Queen herself looked absolutely magical and terrifying in my head.
I especially loved the way fungi, spores and mycelium function as metaphors for the roots/networks between people - here starting from Maria - and between humans and the planet. This makes for a very interesting take on fungal horror, focusing on the use of mushrooms by Indigenous people, elements of Aztec mythology, brujería, ecology and more.
For me personally there were a bit too many themes and characters for the amount of pages (around 250), leaving some not fleshed out enough to connect to. While I think the combination of these different subjects with fungal horror is incredible I would have loved to see them explored more in depth. This is also the reason the ending felt too abrupt for me.
However, I definitely think you should check out The Spore Queen if you're a fan of fungal horror!
Thank you to the author, to Shadow Canyon Press and to BookSirens for the free eARC!
Content warnings: adoption, blood, body horror, disappearance of a loved one, dead bodies & body parts, death, drug use, domestic abuse (off-page), hallucinations, physical illness (Lewy body dementia & Hodgkin lymphoma), racism (anti-Mexican), teen pregnancy (off-page), violence
Castaneda has a way of describing things that makes it easy to imagine them very vividly. The different kinds of fungi, the strange things happening in Nils Forest and - of course - the Spore Queen herself looked absolutely magical and terrifying in my head.
I especially loved the way fungi, spores and mycelium function as metaphors for the roots/networks between people - here starting from Maria - and between humans and the planet. This makes for a very interesting take on fungal horror, focusing on the use of mushrooms by Indigenous people, elements of Aztec mythology, brujería, ecology and more.
For me personally there were a bit too many themes and characters for the amount of pages (around 250), leaving some not fleshed out enough to connect to. While I think the combination of these different subjects with fungal horror is incredible I would have loved to see them explored more in depth. This is also the reason the ending felt too abrupt for me.
However, I definitely think you should check out The Spore Queen if you're a fan of fungal horror!
Thank you to the author, to Shadow Canyon Press and to BookSirens for the free eARC!
Content warnings: adoption, blood, body horror, disappearance of a loved one, dead bodies & body parts, death, drug use, domestic abuse (off-page), hallucinations, physical illness (Lewy body dementia & Hodgkin lymphoma), racism (anti-Mexican), teen pregnancy (off-page), violence
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racism, Pregnancy
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"The Spore Queen" is the second book I read by this author, and it will not be the last one. It has her characteristic engaging writing and flawed yet captivating characters.
The beginning has a chilling and mysterious vibe that got me instantly hooked.
As the story progressed, I was left wondering what would happen, without being able to guess how it would end.
The ending left me wanting to know more about the story.
I received a free advance copy and wrote this review voluntarily.
The beginning has a chilling and mysterious vibe that got me instantly hooked.
As the story progressed, I was left wondering what would happen, without being able to guess how it would end.
The ending left me wanting to know more about the story.
I received a free advance copy and wrote this review voluntarily.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated