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shrikebait's review
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"We forget more than we remember."
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. Booth harnesses the power of nostalgia bait to caution against losing the future to the past.
The psychological horror is excellent. Tension builds page after page as Trace becomes increasingly out-of-touch with the present. Anxiety glued my hands to this book until it was over.
Despite its short length, Cool S has so many quotable lines. It was a bit difficult to pick just one for this review!
I recommend this book for both the horror and the message.
Thank you so much to Booth for the chance to check this book out for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. Booth harnesses the power of nostalgia bait to caution against losing the future to the past.
The psychological horror is excellent. Tension builds page after page as Trace becomes increasingly out-of-touch with the present. Anxiety glued my hands to this book until it was over.
Despite its short length, Cool S has so many quotable lines. It was a bit difficult to pick just one for this review!
I recommend this book for both the horror and the message.
Thank you so much to Booth for the chance to check this book out for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Toxic friendship, Gore, Fatphobia, Violence, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Death, Self harm, and Emotional abuse
sarah_mcmullan_nz's review
5.0
Did I just find a favourite new horror author?
Unsettling, original and casually intelligent; Booth takes a not unfamiliar idea and makes it engaging, enticing and dare I say new again.
With the exception of the odd spelling of certain words (bab for babe) which annoyed the aural pedant in me, I stepped inside this and devoured it in one gobbled sitting.
Now, where's my next course?!
Bonus points for a thorough content warning.
Unsettling, original and casually intelligent; Booth takes a not unfamiliar idea and makes it engaging, enticing and dare I say new again.
With the exception of the odd spelling of certain words (bab for babe) which annoyed the aural pedant in me, I stepped inside this and devoured it in one gobbled sitting.
Now, where's my next course?!
Bonus points for a thorough content warning.
eveeeee's review
In Cool S, Booth exposes the insidious rot in our nostalgia obsessed culture with chillingly exquisite results.
aixiae's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It's not everyday that I rate a book five stars. In fact, I think I can count them all with one hand. But Die Booth's "Cool S" went straight into my favourite's book shelf and it gave me everything I could ask for.
It's a quick read, if you want it to be, or you can take your time and savour it. Savour each page and each little detail, added to the pages, that will transport you back in time, to your childhood or teenage years.
Do you feel nostalgic for times that have passed? Can't you get over the things you've lost? The person you once were? Do you long for more, an unsatiable want that is never fulfilled? Do you like spooky stories and supernatural happenings? This book is for you!
It's a quick read, if you want it to be, or you can take your time and savour it. Savour each page and each little detail, added to the pages, that will transport you back in time, to your childhood or teenage years.
Do you feel nostalgic for times that have passed? Can't you get over the things you've lost? The person you once were? Do you long for more, an unsatiable want that is never fulfilled? Do you like spooky stories and supernatural happenings? This book is for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Self harm
Moderate: Gore and Body horror
Minor: Animal death
ericarobyn's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Cool S by Die Booth is a story centering around the little doodle we all drew at one point. We thought it was so innocent, but what if there was a dark power behind it when done with a certain intent?
Intrigued? Then this is a book for you!
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way. I will also purchase a copy when the book goes on sale!
One quick note to begin – at the end of the book, there is a wonderful list of content warnings if you need them! A couple of the big ones that I usually point out include death of a partner and self harm.
When diving into this tale, we meet Trace, a wife and friend, who has a conversation about the little ‘S’ symbol that she and everyone she knew used to doodle as preteens. But when she starts seeing them all over the place, she decides to do some research.
The curiosity to find answers turns to obsession and takes her in over her head. But by the time she realizes she is underwater, it’s far too late…
I was so intrigued to see where her research was going to bring her! I loved her interest at the beginning, but when it was clear that she was fixated on this, I knew we were in for a bumpy ride.
What a clever concept. I mean, who didn’t draw one of these at some point?! I remember my class drawing these on every test, every homework assignment, every blank white board… all to the point where the teachers started threatening detention for students when they doodled where they shouldn’t.
And the body horror here! My goodness. From sleep paralysis to a brutal heart attack and everything in between, it’s a horror fan’s heaven! You never knew what was going to happen next!
This book also covers the topic of consent and what can happen when you don’t have it. I really appreciated the way the two characters that had things done to them without consent reacted, further hammering the point home.
I had SO much fun reading this! This is one that is definitely going to stick with me. I’m not looking forward to seeing one of these Cool S’s pop up again in the wild anytime soon though!
My Favorite Passages from Cool S
The rain outside pattered on the skylight set into the angled roof with a sound that was almost soothing. It cast grey afternoon shadows onto the opposite slant of the ceiling, raindrops trickling like tears.
Below the ‘phone numbers’ header on the torn page, she drew the familiar pattern, joining the vertical lines in blue ballpoint to produce the pointed outline of Cool S. Just like riding a bike: you never forget. It’s like we were all born knowing it. It coiled there on the paper like a snake, head hidden so you didn’t know where the strike would come from.
“What’s your favourite colour?”
“Red.” It wasn’t. The word just pulsed out, like blood from a cut.
“Red.” It wasn’t. The word just pulsed out, like blood from a cut.
A tilted moon laughed down like the sky had a mean grin, but it wasn’t enough to see by.
My Final Thoughts on Cool S
Cool S by Die Booth will make you think twice before doodling what you think is just a harmless S, that’s for darn sure!
Body horror fans, whether or not you know what this symbol is, this is a book you cannot miss!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Death, and Grief
Minor: Blood
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