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bookhangoverz's reviews
32 reviews
The Woods Are Dark by Richard Laymon
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Gosh dammit, man!!!!
I am so relieved now that it’s over and done with!!! I wanted so badly to DNF this book and launch it out the window.
I am not familiar with Laymon’s writing but I do know that he is known for writing splatterpunk horror..... which I do enjoy.
When it comes to Horror, sometimes I want to read something more extreme.... Put away the PG13 horror and give me something rated R.
The Woods Are Dark was definitely EXTREME.... but not the kind of extreme I was looking for.
Everything about this book was vile!
I didn’t really mind the gory details. What made me cringe was the excessive amount of graphic, sexual violence and abuse. The entire book was littered with it.
I’ve never wanted to DNF a book so damn bad like I did this one. But I hate not finishing a book and so, I carried on (in absolute disgust).
I’m hoping that not all of Laymon’s books are like this one because I’d love to give him another chance.
Til then, I’m off to cleanse my soul by reading a different book. (A book that is not by Richard Laymon)
I am so relieved now that it’s over and done with!!! I wanted so badly to DNF this book and launch it out the window.
I am not familiar with Laymon’s writing but I do know that he is known for writing splatterpunk horror..... which I do enjoy.
When it comes to Horror, sometimes I want to read something more extreme.... Put away the PG13 horror and give me something rated R.
The Woods Are Dark was definitely EXTREME.... but not the kind of extreme I was looking for.
Everything about this book was vile!
I didn’t really mind the gory details. What made me cringe was the excessive amount of graphic, sexual violence and abuse. The entire book was littered with it.
I’ve never wanted to DNF a book so damn bad like I did this one. But I hate not finishing a book and so, I carried on (in absolute disgust).
I’m hoping that not all of Laymon’s books are like this one because I’d love to give him another chance.
Til then, I’m off to cleanse my soul by reading a different book. (A book that is not by Richard Laymon)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Torture, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Rape, Murder, Violence, and Gore
Pressure by Jeff Strand
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Hot damn, Jeff Strand!
This guy continues to impress me!! I don’t know how horror writers come up with these sick and twisted stories. But then, I’m sitting reading and LOVING every bit of them!! Lol
Pressure is one brutal coming of age story!!
There’s two main characters, you have the good, Alex Fletcher, and then you have the evil, sick sadistic Darren Rush. In the story you have Darren trying to force his murderous ways onto Alex. That way he would have a sidekick to do all of these awful, vile things to people. Throughout the years, Darren ends up stalking and ruining Alex’s life.
I have never hated a character as much as I did Darren Rush!!! I could literally feel myself getting angry! I wanted so badly to reach into the book and strangle the shit out of him!!!
And this is where Jeff Strand worked his voodoo magic. Darren tried so hard to corrupt his “friend”, but instead I feel like I’ve been corrupted. He’s got me RAGING, wanting to kick his evil ass!!! Lol!
I need anger management after reading this damn book!!
Well played, Mr Strand. Well played!
I’ve read five of Strand’s books, and so far, I’ve enjoyed them all! I’m looking forward to continuing my Jeff Strand Journey and I can easily say that he has become one of my MOST FAVORITE horror writers.
This guy continues to impress me!! I don’t know how horror writers come up with these sick and twisted stories. But then, I’m sitting reading and LOVING every bit of them!! Lol
Pressure is one brutal coming of age story!!
There’s two main characters, you have the good, Alex Fletcher, and then you have the evil, sick sadistic Darren Rush. In the story you have Darren trying to force his murderous ways onto Alex. That way he would have a sidekick to do all of these awful, vile things to people. Throughout the years, Darren ends up stalking and ruining Alex’s life.
I have never hated a character as much as I did Darren Rush!!! I could literally feel myself getting angry! I wanted so badly to reach into the book and strangle the shit out of him!!!
And this is where Jeff Strand worked his voodoo magic. Darren tried so hard to corrupt his “friend”, but instead I feel like I’ve been corrupted. He’s got me RAGING, wanting to kick his evil ass!!! Lol!
I need anger management after reading this damn book!!
Well played, Mr Strand. Well played!
I’ve read five of Strand’s books, and so far, I’ve enjoyed them all! I’m looking forward to continuing my Jeff Strand Journey and I can easily say that he has become one of my MOST FAVORITE horror writers.
Under the Wicked Moon: A Novel by Abe Moss
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Autumn Bleeds Into Winter by Jeff Strand
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix
funny
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Hmmm!?! This one has been on my tbr forever now and I’m pretty bummed out that I didn’t enjoy it more. It was mediocre.....original, but mediocre.
Anoka: A Collection of Indigenous Horror by Shane Hawk
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love short stories. Especially in the Horror genre. I don’t read enough of them and that’s a shame.
These stories from Anoka were down right horrifying. They made my skin crawl. I find that stories dealing with children or addiction are what haunt me the most. I’ve spent most of my life battling addiction and I’ve been in some dark dark places. So, these stories definitely made me squirm.
After all the stories were told, the author took time to explain each story and the meaning behind them. That was actually my favorite part. Knowing how the author dug deep and did his research made me appreciate this book so much more.
I’m looking forward to reading more of Shane Hawk’s work. Anoka was the perfect introduction and I want more.
These stories from Anoka were down right horrifying. They made my skin crawl. I find that stories dealing with children or addiction are what haunt me the most. I’ve spent most of my life battling addiction and I’ve been in some dark dark places. So, these stories definitely made me squirm.
After all the stories were told, the author took time to explain each story and the meaning behind them. That was actually my favorite part. Knowing how the author dug deep and did his research made me appreciate this book so much more.
I’m looking forward to reading more of Shane Hawk’s work. Anoka was the perfect introduction and I want more.