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ruxandra_grr's review against another edition
4.0
Picked this up because the title was super fun and I ended up immersed in this pleasantly strange novella, that at some point reaaaaallly ups the creep factor and connects all of its disparate strands into something pretty great. The story is surprisingly dense for the number of pages, and maybe I would have liked a bit more time with the characters - but still, it worked quite well!
Also, finally, a traumatized character who longs for connection and familial bonds! I really needed that.
Also, finally, a traumatized character who longs for connection and familial bonds! I really needed that.
fearnerd's review against another edition
4.0
I received M. Rickert's Lucky Girl as part of this month's Night Worms package. I had to read it as soon as I saw that secondary title, "A Krampus Story," and it didn't disappoint...at least not to me. The story is told by horror writer Ro, who tells us about how she became acquainted with four other strangers that wind up spending a Christmas together where ghost stories are told. One story is so effective that Ro uses it to write a novel and launch her career as a horror writer. However, Ro has dealt with plenty of personal horror as we come to learn. The strangers reconvene decades later to celebrate the holiday once again. It's here that secrets and monsters will reveal themselves.
The writing in this novella is beautiful at times that you almost forget you're reading a horror story. While Lucky Girl lacks any true scares, there are squirmy tidbits that will stick with you. The story is interesting, and once you read past that first Christmas, the story really takes hold as a nice, cozy winter read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5. Fear Nerd says, "Check it out!"
The writing in this novella is beautiful at times that you almost forget you're reading a horror story. While Lucky Girl lacks any true scares, there are squirmy tidbits that will stick with you. The story is interesting, and once you read past that first Christmas, the story really takes hold as a nice, cozy winter read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5. Fear Nerd says, "Check it out!"
linesuponapage's review against another edition
2.0
Book Summary:
"Ro, a struggling writer, knows all too well the pain and solitude that holiday festivities can awaken. When she meets four people at the local diner--all of them strangers and as lonely as Ro is--she invites them to an impromptu Christmas dinner. And when that party seems in danger of an early end, she suggests they each tell a ghost story. One that's seasonally appropriate.
But Ro will come to learn that the horrors hidden in a Christmas tale--or one's past--can never be tamed once unleashed."
My review:
Roanoke "Ro" as she likes to be called meets 4 strangers who over the years meet together at Christmas time, eat food, tell, interestingly enough, ghost stories, exchanging gifts. The premise of the short novel is sound, however, I expected Lucky Girl would be super scary, to me it wasn't even psychologically tense. For me, it was just too predictable. I enjoyed the fact that author, M. Rickert slipped in short ghost stories, turning a horror in Ro's early life into an extended ghost story, however, it wasn't what I expected and I was sad about that. Maybe, I just expected too much from the other books I've read of Rickerts.
For my first scare of Autumn, this being the first day of that season of scary reads, I felt Lucky Girl started that season out flat. if you are a teen looking for a scare, this isn't it. I've read many wonderful scary YA books- starting with The Grace Year by Kim Liggett. If you are an adult looking for a scare, maybe it is a good read since it's short and you could read it in a day, on lunch break, on the train to work, and again on the way home. However, it's not B.A. Paris' The Prisoner, or A Thousand Steps by T. Jefferson Parker books which Macmillan Tor/Forge also publishes.
"Ro, a struggling writer, knows all too well the pain and solitude that holiday festivities can awaken. When she meets four people at the local diner--all of them strangers and as lonely as Ro is--she invites them to an impromptu Christmas dinner. And when that party seems in danger of an early end, she suggests they each tell a ghost story. One that's seasonally appropriate.
But Ro will come to learn that the horrors hidden in a Christmas tale--or one's past--can never be tamed once unleashed."
My review:
Roanoke "Ro" as she likes to be called meets 4 strangers who over the years meet together at Christmas time, eat food, tell, interestingly enough, ghost stories, exchanging gifts. The premise of the short novel is sound, however, I expected Lucky Girl would be super scary, to me it wasn't even psychologically tense. For me, it was just too predictable. I enjoyed the fact that author, M. Rickert slipped in short ghost stories, turning a horror in Ro's early life into an extended ghost story, however, it wasn't what I expected and I was sad about that. Maybe, I just expected too much from the other books I've read of Rickerts.
For my first scare of Autumn, this being the first day of that season of scary reads, I felt Lucky Girl started that season out flat. if you are a teen looking for a scare, this isn't it. I've read many wonderful scary YA books- starting with The Grace Year by Kim Liggett. If you are an adult looking for a scare, maybe it is a good read since it's short and you could read it in a day, on lunch break, on the train to work, and again on the way home. However, it's not B.A. Paris' The Prisoner, or A Thousand Steps by T. Jefferson Parker books which Macmillan Tor/Forge also publishes.
meghan_readsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you Tor/Forge MacMillan for this creepy story, I appreciate the review opportunity! Lucky Girl from M Ricket doesn't disappoint when it comes to scares and creepy tense mood, the writing develops an eery atmosphere well. This is a great choice for readers looking for a quick engaging Fall scare! I admit to not having a background in Krumpus lore so I enjoyed how the narrative gave background.
My one quibble is that for a novella it might try to just do a little too much, there are some points where the story feels like it gets bigger than a novella (which might be a testament just to an engaging story).
I recommend this for scary story fans and think it is a great choice for the spooky scary read season!
My one quibble is that for a novella it might try to just do a little too much, there are some points where the story feels like it gets bigger than a novella (which might be a testament just to an engaging story).
I recommend this for scary story fans and think it is a great choice for the spooky scary read season!
17efravel's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't love it but didn't hate it. It just felt like it didn't really go anywhere and I didn't really connect with the main character. I did not see the ending coming though, that was a nice surprise. I felt it ended abruptly as well. I felt the same about this book as I did Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw, so if you liked that novel I suggest giving this a read when it releases.
Thanks Tor for the advanced reader copy!
Thanks Tor for the advanced reader copy!
karenleagermain's review against another edition
3.0
In a quiet diner four strangers meet as the restaurant is closing, they decide to spend Christmas together, rather than alone. Ro, a struggling writer, invites the group back to her house and as their evening progresses, they pass the time telling ghost stories. Although they do not keep in close contact throughout the year, they plan to meet up for the following holiday, only to learn that a tragedy has befallen a member of their little group. Could the horrors from the stories they told be impacting their real lives?
A friend loaned this quirky, creepy book to me over the winter. The full title is the best, Lucky Girl: How I Became a Horror Writer. A Krampus Story. There is so much to unpack with the title and spoiler alert, Krampus does come into play. Oddly enough, I think the most unsettling part of the story was the beginning, when the strangers are meeting at the diner. The tone was immediately set for “something bad is going to happen.” I’m not saying that you shouldn’t be open to connecting with strangers or helping lonely people during the holidays, but this is an odd bunch.
If you like a little horror with your Christmas, M. Rickerts’s Lucky Girl is a great choice. It’s a tension filled, spine-chilling ride.
A friend loaned this quirky, creepy book to me over the winter. The full title is the best, Lucky Girl: How I Became a Horror Writer. A Krampus Story. There is so much to unpack with the title and spoiler alert, Krampus does come into play. Oddly enough, I think the most unsettling part of the story was the beginning, when the strangers are meeting at the diner. The tone was immediately set for “something bad is going to happen.” I’m not saying that you shouldn’t be open to connecting with strangers or helping lonely people during the holidays, but this is an odd bunch.
If you like a little horror with your Christmas, M. Rickerts’s Lucky Girl is a great choice. It’s a tension filled, spine-chilling ride.
abrittlebee's review against another edition
3.0
Being completely transparent, I was unaware this was a Christmas themed story until I started reading it. I have grown a lot in the past year, but I remain unchanged in my utter dislike for the holiday season—especially in August. However, a reverence for all things holly jolly is probably a disadvantage when it comes to reading a story with as much horror, murder, and fear as Lucky Girl has. Unfortunately, the ending just wasn’t my cup of tea.
If we’re going by structure, this book is teeny tiny. It is barely over 100 pages, and I very much enjoyed the first two-thirds of it. The tension was real, people were creepy, paranoia was creeping in. As a horror novel, Lucky Girl was hitting all the right buttons. However, the last thirty or so pages, where the conclusion was meant to start picking up, just fell sort of flat. They felt rushed, like the last key points of an essay question written in the final fifteen minutes of an exam. The plot started bulldozing through too quickly for anything that occurred to really resonate. It wasn’t enough for me to say I disliked the novel, but it was enough to prevent me from recommending it. It just wasn’t satisfying to be left feeling like I was reading a synopsis for an ending rather than the actual ending. It also opened up some pretty glaring plot holes that I don’t really want to get into because of spoilers. Just know that the person I would term as the main “villain,” some of their actions make no sense and are never explained.
Overall, not bad if you’re desperate for Christmas themed horror, but that might be a little specific of a niche.
If we’re going by structure, this book is teeny tiny. It is barely over 100 pages, and I very much enjoyed the first two-thirds of it. The tension was real, people were creepy, paranoia was creeping in. As a horror novel, Lucky Girl was hitting all the right buttons. However, the last thirty or so pages, where the conclusion was meant to start picking up, just fell sort of flat. They felt rushed, like the last key points of an essay question written in the final fifteen minutes of an exam. The plot started bulldozing through too quickly for anything that occurred to really resonate. It wasn’t enough for me to say I disliked the novel, but it was enough to prevent me from recommending it. It just wasn’t satisfying to be left feeling like I was reading a synopsis for an ending rather than the actual ending. It also opened up some pretty glaring plot holes that I don’t really want to get into because of spoilers. Just know that the person I would term as the main “villain,” some of their actions make no sense and are never explained.
Overall, not bad if you’re desperate for Christmas themed horror, but that might be a little specific of a niche.
georgesreads's review against another edition
4.0
QOTD: do you prefer novellas or epics? What's your favourite of each?
"Lucky Girl," by M.Rickert is a pocket-rocket novella that can be devoured in one sitting. It's full of depth, mystery and surprises, like a creepy advent calendar, but instead of chocolates, you get goosebumps with every door you open."
I'm really enjoying my Christmassy horror at the moment, so if you have any recommendations I'd be glad to take them! Do you like festive horror or is Christmas not your vibe?
This is definitely one of my favourites so far!
If this sounds like it's for you, head over to fanfiaddict.com via the link in my bio or highlights and go and read the full thing!
"Lucky Girl," by M.Rickert is a pocket-rocket novella that can be devoured in one sitting. It's full of depth, mystery and surprises, like a creepy advent calendar, but instead of chocolates, you get goosebumps with every door you open."
I'm really enjoying my Christmassy horror at the moment, so if you have any recommendations I'd be glad to take them! Do you like festive horror or is Christmas not your vibe?
This is definitely one of my favourites so far!
If this sounds like it's for you, head over to fanfiaddict.com via the link in my bio or highlights and go and read the full thing!
sausome's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting slice of a horror novel, more like a short horror story or novella within an anthology than really a quality standalone. But it was enjoyable foe what it was - a bit of a jumble of situations crammed into a too short format, but, again, it worked for what it was. It was creepy enough, more strange than anything.
thegrimreaders's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up to 4!
Normally I absolutely love the novella format and feel like most times it’s done well, giving us enough details and back story without turning into a full-length novel-but this one felt a little choppy to me at times. The author seemed to jump through time extremely quickly (again, I know sometimes this has to happen) but it left me feeling like there were holes in the story and questions left unanswered. I’m definitely not someone who is a harsh critic so the fact that I felt like this really said something.
That all being said-the last 20% or so of this story absolutely shocked me and I enjoyed how the author brought the various fucked up pieces of Ro’s life together. Won’t be a new all-time favorite novella of mine, but definitely a great one to pick up for a quick read during the winter/holidays!
Normally I absolutely love the novella format and feel like most times it’s done well, giving us enough details and back story without turning into a full-length novel-but this one felt a little choppy to me at times. The author seemed to jump through time extremely quickly (again, I know sometimes this has to happen) but it left me feeling like there were holes in the story and questions left unanswered. I’m definitely not someone who is a harsh critic so the fact that I felt like this really said something.
That all being said-the last 20% or so of this story absolutely shocked me and I enjoyed how the author brought the various fucked up pieces of Ro’s life together. Won’t be a new all-time favorite novella of mine, but definitely a great one to pick up for a quick read during the winter/holidays!