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archaicrobin's reviews
625 reviews
Maeve Fly by CJ Leede
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Maeve is a Disney princess that also happens to be a psychopath on the edge. She is full of trivia about Halloween, Halloween music, sex, movies, and local LA history. She is also a serial killer trying to hide in society. But once her grandmother’s health starts to decline and a new relationship escalates she begins to lose control.
I did not like this book. Maeve was not a character I liked, could relate to, or was even interested in, nor were any of the other characters. All of them come as pretentious in the worst way with no redeeming qualities, I couldn’t relate or care about any of them.
This book was very slow in my opinion with the real killing not occurring until halfway through the novel, and since I don’t enjoy gore or torture porn the entire novel was boring and unenjoyable for me. I had heard this novel was amazing and a must read and I could see that if you’re a fan of gore or extreme horror, but if you’re not I’d pass.
Maeve is essentially a female Patrick Bateman, and the character even alludes to this in the novel in a not so subtle way that just, again came off as pretentious to me. I wouldn’t recommend this for anyone looking for a great horror read, UNLESS American Psycho was appealing to them (I also hated that book….).
I did not like this book. Maeve was not a character I liked, could relate to, or was even interested in, nor were any of the other characters. All of them come as pretentious in the worst way with no redeeming qualities, I couldn’t relate or care about any of them.
This book was very slow in my opinion with the real killing not occurring until halfway through the novel, and since I don’t enjoy gore or torture porn the entire novel was boring and unenjoyable for me. I had heard this novel was amazing and a must read and I could see that if you’re a fan of gore or extreme horror, but if you’re not I’d pass.
Maeve is essentially a female Patrick Bateman, and the character even alludes to this in the novel in a not so subtle way that just, again came off as pretentious to me. I wouldn’t recommend this for anyone looking for a great horror read, UNLESS American Psycho was appealing to them (I also hated that book….).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
The Ritual by Adam L.G. Nevill
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Adam Nevill is one of my favorite horror authors and The Ritual is a perfect example why. Nevill has amazing characterizations, suspenseful storytelling, and a plot with so many layers it’s hard to put down!
Four college bros meet up again years later for a holiday weekend hiking in Sweden. The four all have unresolved tensions, which linger over the holiday, and worsen the trip. In hopes of ending it early, they decide to take an uncharted path through the forest. But what once seemed like a good idea quickly darkens as the four realize the forest is off in some way, and much bigger than anticipated. And there’s something following them …..
I love creature features, especially when the creature is based on regional lore. The Ritual has an excellent mix of survival horror and supernatural horror woven into myth and lore native to Norway and Sweden. The descriptions of the unknown creature that lurks in these woods alongside the slowly crumbling friendship of these men is truly horrifying.
Survival horror and Supernatural horror are my favorite genres, so to see the two combined so well was perfect.
If you enjoy dark fantasy, supernatural horror, or survival horror I would recommend The Ritual for its excellent storytelling.
Four college bros meet up again years later for a holiday weekend hiking in Sweden. The four all have unresolved tensions, which linger over the holiday, and worsen the trip. In hopes of ending it early, they decide to take an uncharted path through the forest. But what once seemed like a good idea quickly darkens as the four realize the forest is off in some way, and much bigger than anticipated. And there’s something following them …..
I love creature features, especially when the creature is based on regional lore. The Ritual has an excellent mix of survival horror and supernatural horror woven into myth and lore native to Norway and Sweden. The descriptions of the unknown creature that lurks in these woods alongside the slowly crumbling friendship of these men is truly horrifying.
Survival horror and Supernatural horror are my favorite genres, so to see the two combined so well was perfect.
If you enjoy dark fantasy, supernatural horror, or survival horror I would recommend The Ritual for its excellent storytelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Vintage Halloween - Tricks, Treats & Traditions by Heidi Pandis, Robert S. Pandis
informative
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
This is a beautiful compilation of vintage Halloween photos and memorabilia with snippets of information in regard to Halloween traditions and lore. This is very much the definition of a coffee table book, beautiful to look at and collect if you’re a fan of Halloween, but I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone looking for an in depth historical account of the holiday
I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A truly terrifying read about a super computer saving 5 humans for the sole purpose of torturing them. This was written in 1969 and its stance on technology and relying too much on AI is still relevant today. Unfortunately this story had a very misogynistic look at the female character, like many older novels, but it’s very aggressive in this one, and as a result it affected my enjoyment of the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, and Cannibalism
The Spite House by Johnny Compton
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Spite House is not your usual haunted house story and that’s one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much. Eric is on the run with his teenage daughter Dess and his youngest daughter Stacy for reasons we do not know until much later. Struggling to make ends meet from motel to motel Eric sees a very generous offer in the paper to stay in a haunted house and prove that spirits are real. Thinking it’s too good to be true he interviews and is immediately given the job. However, upon entering the Spite House it becomes clear that this house is not only haunted, but that the haunting is not your typical bumps in the night type of phenomenon. The houses rich and dark history makes the slow unraveling of what’s really going on an intriguing mystery.
In addition to the unique plot, what also really struck me about this book was the strong family dynamic that propels this story. I loved the characters, especially the eldest daughter Dess and could relate to the connection she had with her dad and sister. Every decision made in this book stems from personal choices to protect each other, giving it another element entirely. This story is a southern gothic with an interesting twist on the haunted house narrative and also a look at the strength of love and what we’re willing to do for those we care about.
While I did enjoy this book, I do recognize it is not for everyone. The writing can be repetitive at times and it is the definition of a slow burn horror. I also didn’t find this novel
scary, so if you’re looking for a terrifying read this one will fall flat for you.
If you love haunted house stories, especially those that differ from the norm, and enjoy strong characters, The Spite House is one I would reccomend!
In addition to the unique plot, what also really struck me about this book was the strong family dynamic that propels this story. I loved the characters, especially the eldest daughter Dess and could relate to the connection she had with her dad and sister. Every decision made in this book stems from personal choices to protect each other, giving it another element entirely. This story is a southern gothic with an interesting twist on the haunted house narrative and also a look at the strength of love and what we’re willing to do for those we care about.
While I did enjoy this book, I do recognize it is not for everyone. The writing can be repetitive at times and it is the definition of a slow burn horror. I also didn’t find this novel
scary, so if you’re looking for a terrifying read this one will fall flat for you.
If you love haunted house stories, especially those that differ from the norm, and enjoy strong characters, The Spite House is one I would reccomend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, War, and Classism
101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered by Sadie Hartmann
informative
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
I am always looking for great horror recommendations that aren’t just the same Booktok ones you see everywhere. This collection of reviews and recommendations is organized by horror sub genre and includes so many title and authors I’ve never heard before! Needless to say my TBR has now tripled!
Along with the reviews are excerpts from the recommended books as well as beautiful illustrations to represent each sub-genre. I highly suggest you pick this up if you want a curated list of recommended horror, that isn’t the usual House of Leaves, Paul Tremblay, and basic intro books that everyone knows about.
Along with the reviews are excerpts from the recommended books as well as beautiful illustrations to represent each sub-genre. I highly suggest you pick this up if you want a curated list of recommended horror, that isn’t the usual House of Leaves, Paul Tremblay, and basic intro books that everyone knows about.
The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
1.0
I’m sure this had a place when it came out in the horror sphere but today it just reads very antiquated and honestly I was pretty bored. This is supposed to be a true narrative of what occurred in Amityville during the Lutz’s time living there.
I have been wanting to read this for so long, hoping it would add incite to the whole Amityville phenomena. Unfortunately the book seems to follow the film exactly but at a dragged out pace with other weird elements that just were not enjoyable to read. The Lutz’s often beat their children and the author eludes this is due to the “influence of dark forces”, just sounds like child abuse to me but ok! The Lutz’s haven’t touched each other since moving into the house! Another instance of the EVIL, or maybe they have marital issues they need to work on? Just a thought.
If you really want to read the book so you can check it of your list, I get that, but I honestly don’t recommend this to people looking for a good nonfiction account or even a good story
I have been wanting to read this for so long, hoping it would add incite to the whole Amityville phenomena. Unfortunately the book seems to follow the film exactly but at a dragged out pace with other weird elements that just were not enjoyable to read. The Lutz’s often beat their children and the author eludes this is due to the “influence of dark forces”, just sounds like child abuse to me but ok! The Lutz’s haven’t touched each other since moving into the house! Another instance of the EVIL, or maybe they have marital issues they need to work on? Just a thought.
If you really want to read the book so you can check it of your list, I get that, but I honestly don’t recommend this to people looking for a good nonfiction account or even a good story
House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I have a very unpopular opinion here, I know tons of people love this book and it is beautifully written but the plot dragged on in my opinion and I honestly wasn’t that invested in any of the characters which made it even more of a slog for me.
Based on the real Blood Countess Elizabeth Bathory, Marion is a new blood maid for the House of Hunger where girls are bled for the wealthy nobles to drink. She’s not only a blood maid, but blood maid to one of the most hungry and insatiable of nobles Lisavet.
This is the second book I’ve read by Henderson that fell flat for me. I had read Year of the Witching previously and had the same problems with plot and characters. While her writing is very atmospheric and lyrical, her plots and romance all come off as stale or slow to me. House of Hunger started off great, I was invested in the story and curious as to where it would go but once Marion arrives at the castle it all just slows down. The focus shifts to the relationship between Lisavet and Marion, and it turns from a horror novel into some weird toxic romance.
Romance is not my thing, I don’t read it, I don’t pursue it, and I don’t mind it as a subplot if it’s well done, but in House of Hunger the relationship was so abusive and toxic from the start I never got behind it. Unfortunately, a huge chunk of the book is just Marion and Lisavet in the castle bleeding for each other and shooting boar, not really interesting to me.
By the time the plot picks up again, the story goes in to hyper speed and then it’s over, the pacing is not the best. Also, If you know the history of Elizabeth Bathory the twist is not a shock to you, which again probably ruined some of the intrigue for me since I’m a huge history buff and was probably unhealthily obsessed with Bathory as a child so this story was just a miss overall for me.
I can definitely see why so many people love this, it’s dark paranormal romance with gorgeous prose and a bloody story but it’s not what I’m looking for in my own reading.
Based on the real Blood Countess Elizabeth Bathory, Marion is a new blood maid for the House of Hunger where girls are bled for the wealthy nobles to drink. She’s not only a blood maid, but blood maid to one of the most hungry and insatiable of nobles Lisavet.
This is the second book I’ve read by Henderson that fell flat for me. I had read Year of the Witching previously and had the same problems with plot and characters. While her writing is very atmospheric and lyrical, her plots and romance all come off as stale or slow to me. House of Hunger started off great, I was invested in the story and curious as to where it would go but once Marion arrives at the castle it all just slows down. The focus shifts to the relationship between Lisavet and Marion, and it turns from a horror novel into some weird toxic romance.
Romance is not my thing, I don’t read it, I don’t pursue it, and I don’t mind it as a subplot if it’s well done, but in House of Hunger the relationship was so abusive and toxic from the start I never got behind it. Unfortunately, a huge chunk of the book is just Marion and Lisavet in the castle bleeding for each other and shooting boar, not really interesting to me.
By the time the plot picks up again, the story goes in to hyper speed and then it’s over, the pacing is not the best. Also, If you know the history of Elizabeth Bathory the twist is not a shock to you, which again probably ruined some of the intrigue for me since I’m a huge history buff and was probably unhealthily obsessed with Bathory as a child so this story was just a miss overall for me.
I can definitely see why so many people love this, it’s dark paranormal romance with gorgeous prose and a bloody story but it’s not what I’m looking for in my own reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gore, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
The Militia House by John Milas
challenging
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I had never heard of this book before. I was browsing Libby looking for a new digital read and this one caught my eye. Marines tasked with loading and unloading cargo in preparation for another battalion to fire giant guns, is in the middle of nowhere in Afganistán during the war. They’re bored out of their minds living in terrible conditions when they hear the story if the Militia house. A haunted ramshackle house near their camp that is horrifically haunted by Russian soldiers that had been skinned a live inside. Corporal Loyette finally breaks down and accompanies his Junior Marines to the house in hopes of breaking the monotony and livening their spirits. What they find is a truly haunted house that won’t ever let them leave…..
This story is wonderfully written with a terrifying mix of psychological and supernatural horror. Loyette discusses the day to day horrors of war intermixed with the supernatural horrors of the house making it hard to discern between what is actually happening and what isn’t. The characters are well written and I was attached to all of them, dreading what might happen.
The author was a marine deployed during the war himself and it shows from the thoughts and details in this book. This is easily one of my favorite reads of the year and I will be recommending it to everyone. While the ending is ambiguous and the book overall is very dark and depressing, it is such a powerful look at the pointlessness of war and the people unfortunate enough to get swept up in it. A very haunting but powerful read.
This story is wonderfully written with a terrifying mix of psychological and supernatural horror. Loyette discusses the day to day horrors of war intermixed with the supernatural horrors of the house making it hard to discern between what is actually happening and what isn’t. The characters are well written and I was attached to all of them, dreading what might happen.
The author was a marine deployed during the war himself and it shows from the thoughts and details in this book. This is easily one of my favorite reads of the year and I will be recommending it to everyone. While the ending is ambiguous and the book overall is very dark and depressing, it is such a powerful look at the pointlessness of war and the people unfortunate enough to get swept up in it. A very haunting but powerful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Grief, and War
The Shadow House by Anna Downes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Honestly this book was pretty terrible, and is not horror despite the synopsis talking about a house haunted by a dark past and a witch in the woods. I’d say this is more domestic thriller maybe mystery but nothing was scary or fitting of the horror genre.
The story switches between two women, Alex in the present day, who is honestly a very selfish, immature, and annoying mother that’s moved her teenage son and infant daughter to an eco-village to escape her abusive ex that she took way too long to leave. And the other perspective is Renee in the past, who is the wife of the flower farmer who owns the land where the future eco village will go. Renee and her husband also have a teenage son with social issues that goes missing “mysteriously”. It honestly was not mysterious at all and pretty easy to figure out.
As Alex begins to settle into the village she has some mishaps with the locals, and begins getting strange “gifts” much like Renee did prior to her son’s disappearance.
First of all this book was way too long and had plot points that were just left to fizzle out into nothingness. For example Alex’s abusive ex has a huge part in the first half of the novel, texting her, calling her, and eventually she sees him in town and we get a whole paragraph of Alex being so paralyzed by seeing him. She even flies home and starts packing but then we never hear about him again! Poof! He completely disappears from the narrative! Oh that guy? Forget about it, we have this mystery to solve now. There may or may not be a witch in the woods ok?
Along with the messy and boring plot were the characters which were unlikeable and not well written. The reader is supposed to feel bad for Alex who struggles to relate to her teenage son and care for her infant daughter alone but honestly she’s just insufferable. Everything she does is selfish and for her own gain or comfort but she claims it’s all “for my kids”. Ok sure Alex. She’s also a woman hater, talking about the “fit moms” that she couldn’t stand in Sydney because they were focused on fitness and health and she’s just fat and old. Like ok?? It’s not relatable to put other women down, it’s not a good look, it’s giving self hating misogyny. Alex annoyed me so much I looked forward to the chapters from Renee’s perspective even though she was also unlikeable because she did NOTHING and coddled her mentally I’ll son to the point of him being a shell of a human being but it’s ok because she gets him a Go Pro.
So we have a bad plot, bad pacing, unlikeable characters, what else? A stupid pointless romance that makes no sense and adds nothing to the narrative of course! For no real reason the rich owner of the eco village is enthralled with Alex and must have her, despite her constantly talking about how she’s “let herself go” and she’s just “too old” and she’s just one of a dozen middle aged women on the village lusting for the handsome Kit, yes his name is Kit. It was just stupid, really nothing else to say. You ruined your kid’s life by dating some random guy that ended up being abusive so you leave your whole life and start over in an eco village just to do the exact same thing??? Nice. And as previously stated, Alex is horrible she is not interesting she is not unique and she’s not even a good person so why Kit is enthralled with her? No idea. Only reasoning we get is “he thinks he knows her from somewhere” and Alex says similar thing about much like the Ex this possible plot point is left to dissolve into nothingness and has no point.
The only thing that was ok was the writing. The writing is fine, it’s not bad but it’s not noteworthy either, it’s just fine.
Should you read this? No. I have no idea why this book has the ratings it does, because it is not good.
The story switches between two women, Alex in the present day, who is honestly a very selfish, immature, and annoying mother that’s moved her teenage son and infant daughter to an eco-village to escape her abusive ex that she took way too long to leave. And the other perspective is Renee in the past, who is the wife of the flower farmer who owns the land where the future eco village will go. Renee and her husband also have a teenage son with social issues that goes missing “mysteriously”. It honestly was not mysterious at all and pretty easy to figure out.
As Alex begins to settle into the village she has some mishaps with the locals, and begins getting strange “gifts” much like Renee did prior to her son’s disappearance.
First of all this book was way too long and had plot points that were just left to fizzle out into nothingness. For example Alex’s abusive ex has a huge part in the first half of the novel, texting her, calling her, and eventually she sees him in town and we get a whole paragraph of Alex being so paralyzed by seeing him. She even flies home and starts packing but then we never hear about him again! Poof! He completely disappears from the narrative! Oh that guy? Forget about it, we have this mystery to solve now. There may or may not be a witch in the woods ok?
Along with the messy and boring plot were the characters which were unlikeable and not well written. The reader is supposed to feel bad for Alex who struggles to relate to her teenage son and care for her infant daughter alone but honestly she’s just insufferable. Everything she does is selfish and for her own gain or comfort but she claims it’s all “for my kids”. Ok sure Alex. She’s also a woman hater, talking about the “fit moms” that she couldn’t stand in Sydney because they were focused on fitness and health and she’s just fat and old. Like ok?? It’s not relatable to put other women down, it’s not a good look, it’s giving self hating misogyny. Alex annoyed me so much I looked forward to the chapters from Renee’s perspective even though she was also unlikeable because she did NOTHING and coddled her mentally I’ll son to the point of him being a shell of a human being but it’s ok because she gets him a Go Pro.
So we have a bad plot, bad pacing, unlikeable characters, what else? A stupid pointless romance that makes no sense and adds nothing to the narrative of course! For no real reason the rich owner of the eco village is enthralled with Alex and must have her, despite her constantly talking about how she’s “let herself go” and she’s just “too old” and she’s just one of a dozen middle aged women on the village lusting for the handsome Kit, yes his name is Kit. It was just stupid, really nothing else to say. You ruined your kid’s life by dating some random guy that ended up being abusive so you leave your whole life and start over in an eco village just to do the exact same thing??? Nice. And as previously stated, Alex is horrible she is not interesting she is not unique and she’s not even a good person so why Kit is enthralled with her? No idea. Only reasoning we get is “he thinks he knows her from somewhere” and Alex says similar thing about much like the Ex this possible plot point is left to dissolve into nothingness and has no point.
The only thing that was ok was the writing. The writing is fine, it’s not bad but it’s not noteworthy either, it’s just fine.
Should you read this? No. I have no idea why this book has the ratings it does, because it is not good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, and Blood