Scan barcode
boundforinfinity's reviews
29 reviews
Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Grady Hendrix "Horrorstör" is a cheeky masterpiece in the horror genre. Sly digs at both IKEA and the American retail job market make for a fun read. Absolute recommendation to anyone looking for ghost horror with a little spice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Death, and Body horror
Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class by Owen Jones
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
"The Final Girl Support Group" has finally won me over to Grady Hendrix. Any mention to an 80s slasher tends to draw me in but, in this renaissance of 80s horror in literature, "The Final Girls Support Group" stands King of the crop.
The main protagonist, Lynette, continues to be delightfully dangerous throughout the novel, at some points not truly convincing me she was the correct one. The main plot of the final girls attacked, all feels like a mad woman pulling at strings at first. It all culminates into a homage to the 80s slasher.
Truly, a great sequel to some masters of horror.
The main protagonist, Lynette, continues to be delightfully dangerous throughout the novel, at some points not truly convincing me she was the correct one. The main plot of the final girls attacked, all feels like a mad woman pulling at strings at first. It all culminates into a homage to the 80s slasher.
Truly, a great sequel to some masters of horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Alcohol and Addiction
11.22.63 by Stephen King
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Stephen King's "11.22.63" was just not my cup of tea, really. I plodded on through the chapters in a dozy fashion and at the end of three days of the book, I can proudly say I'm done.
I will give King credit, the Kennedy Assassination is a complex and long-winded network of errors in the US police force and special forces, including the FBI. The concept was interesting, but the story just felt drawn out and intercepting moments did not need to happen. Unlike other King stories, I wasn't sold on the relationships between the protagonist and his beau. The leading man Jake Epping/George Amberson and the bonny young lass sidekick Sadie Dunhill spend most of the novel together and yet I did not feel the chemistry.
I will argue, I prefer King's horrors to his other genre-branches, and thus I'm biased against King on this 740 page book that spent 500 pages setting up the actual "book" itself.
I apologise, Mr. King, for such a harsh critique. I commend the interesting take on a time-travel story, quite a classic in the genre of sci-fi, and bringing it to its unique selling factor: Jake Epping himself. If it were not for the main character's 'I'm just a simple man here to kill the president's assassin' persona, I would not be sold. But Jake is the average American male, a respected teacher, a citizen concerned with maintaining friendships with the elderly. Just off to kill Lee Harvey Oswald.
I will give King credit, the Kennedy Assassination is a complex and long-winded network of errors in the US police force and special forces, including the FBI. The concept was interesting, but the story just felt drawn out and intercepting moments did not need to happen. Unlike other King stories, I wasn't sold on the relationships between the protagonist and his beau. The leading man Jake Epping/George Amberson and the bonny young lass sidekick Sadie Dunhill spend most of the novel together and yet I did not feel the chemistry.
I will argue, I prefer King's horrors to his other genre-branches, and thus I'm biased against King on this 740 page book that spent 500 pages setting up the actual "book" itself.
I apologise, Mr. King, for such a harsh critique. I commend the interesting take on a time-travel story, quite a classic in the genre of sci-fi, and bringing it to its unique selling factor: Jake Epping himself. If it were not for the main character's 'I'm just a simple man here to kill the president's assassin' persona, I would not be sold. But Jake is the average American male, a respected teacher, a citizen concerned with maintaining friendships with the elderly. Just off to kill Lee Harvey Oswald.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Physical abuse, and Racial slurs
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
C.W: eating disorder, abuse, child abuse, child labour.
Throughout Jennette McCurdy's "I'm Glad My Mom Died", the exploration into trauma and the overcoming of said trauma allowed Jennette's true voice to shine through like never before. An admission to an eating disorder brought on by emotional manipulation, mistrust, and abuse lead by the mother. A look at like never before at how parental relationships foster occasionally an environment of traumatic experiences and, in the worst of circumstances, disorders that last a lifetime. In the case of bulimia and anorexia, these can be incredibly hard to recover from, sometimes holding a person captive for their lifetime. Jennette's strength and boldness to be as blunt as to refer to her mother as her 'best friend' and would do anything to keep her happy, her book entitled "I'm glad my mom died" covers the entirety of Jennette's recovery from her mom's abusive behaviours instilled into her from such a young age.
Particularly what interested me is the development of Jennette's rapid shot to fame in "iCarly", distinctive dreaded years in "Sam & Cat" and the eventual and well earned detest for the name 'Sam Puckett'. Key highlights discussed Miranda and Jennette's relationship on and off show, her first kiss (ever and onscreen televised) with Nathan, and her eventual dismissal of the icarly reboot announced to be launched on paramount plus (which later explained her unexplained presence away with something about motorcycles?)
"I'm Glad My Mom Died" offers a unique view into the world behind the camera and into the lives of those children whose parents will them into fame without so much as a second thought. In Jennette's case, a young Mormon girl turned Hollywood starlet is cascaded with horrific accusations from her mother and also controlling and impressionable on a young teenager's mind.
For a first written publication, Jennette you have my vote to continue writing. I look forward to seeing your fiction grace the shelves one day. Please continue to do so!!!! 5/5
Throughout Jennette McCurdy's "I'm Glad My Mom Died", the exploration into trauma and the overcoming of said trauma allowed Jennette's true voice to shine through like never before. An admission to an eating disorder brought on by emotional manipulation, mistrust, and abuse lead by the mother. A look at like never before at how parental relationships foster occasionally an environment of traumatic experiences and, in the worst of circumstances, disorders that last a lifetime. In the case of bulimia and anorexia, these can be incredibly hard to recover from, sometimes holding a person captive for their lifetime. Jennette's strength and boldness to be as blunt as to refer to her mother as her 'best friend' and would do anything to keep her happy, her book entitled "I'm glad my mom died" covers the entirety of Jennette's recovery from her mom's abusive behaviours instilled into her from such a young age.
Particularly what interested me is the development of Jennette's rapid shot to fame in "iCarly", distinctive dreaded years in "Sam & Cat" and the eventual and well earned detest for the name 'Sam Puckett'. Key highlights discussed Miranda and Jennette's relationship on and off show, her first kiss (ever and onscreen televised) with Nathan, and her eventual dismissal of the icarly reboot announced to be launched on paramount plus (which later explained her unexplained presence away with something about motorcycles?)
"I'm Glad My Mom Died" offers a unique view into the world behind the camera and into the lives of those children whose parents will them into fame without so much as a second thought. In Jennette's case, a young Mormon girl turned Hollywood starlet is cascaded with horrific accusations from her mother and also controlling and impressionable on a young teenager's mind.
For a first written publication, Jennette you have my vote to continue writing. I look forward to seeing your fiction grace the shelves one day. Please continue to do so!!!! 5/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Body shaming, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Medical content
Just Like Mother by Anne Heltzel
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I will say, I was really excited for "Just Like Mother". So much so, I neglected my tbr jar to just reach for it 😅
Having said that, this book was predictable. That's not necessarily a bad trope though! Cult novels and quote-unquote "evil characters" will always follow a similar pattern because that's what makes a good evil character!
Maeve's trauma of her cult background divides the "real" tragedies from the actions of her cousin Andrea's boundriless lifestyle. And I love me a creepy doll story!
A good, easy read for those interested in the psychology of cults. Strikes home the difficulty with family.
Having said that, this book was predictable. That's not necessarily a bad trope though! Cult novels and quote-unquote "evil characters" will always follow a similar pattern because that's what makes a good evil character!
Maeve's trauma of her cult background divides the "real" tragedies from the actions of her cousin Andrea's boundriless lifestyle. And I love me a creepy doll story!
A good, easy read for those interested in the psychology of cults. Strikes home the difficulty with family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Death, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Rape, and Forced institutionalization
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Eva's pretentious attitude to life and unattractive opinions on motherhood make for an unlikeable, unreliable narrator. That being said - that was the point. And boy does that point shine through.
In regards to the Nature vs. Nurture debate, which surrounds this novels primary focus (Kevin), I would argue more than ever that the majority swings to the nurture side. I, as a reader, find that whilst Eva's actions weren't necessarily harsh or unloving - her tone and attitude towards her son breed the hostile nature that he harbours. Yes - parenting is hard - and especially when the child is not what you were expecting. Franklin's character, whilst also repulsive and pretentious, held a fair stance on parenting.
Why was it that Kevin left Eva? Not necessarily to torture her, I don't think, but because he craved attention and love from the person who put up a façade of a doting mother. A mother who would look after him but would scream about him being a monster and evil when she thought he couldn't hear. In response, he grabbed her attention in the way she'd alluded to in different parts throughout his childhood. Her "favourite" things.
I realise this is just my view on the book coupled with my own opinion on parenting - but I stand by it.
A great read for the opinionated and interested in psychologies of killers.
In regards to the Nature vs. Nurture debate, which surrounds this novels primary focus (Kevin), I would argue more than ever that the majority swings to the nurture side. I, as a reader, find that whilst Eva's actions weren't necessarily harsh or unloving - her tone and attitude towards her son breed the hostile nature that he harbours. Yes - parenting is hard - and especially when the child is not what you were expecting. Franklin's character, whilst also repulsive and pretentious, held a fair stance on parenting.
Why was it that Kevin left Eva? Not necessarily to torture her, I don't think, but because he craved attention and love from the person who put up a façade of a doting mother. A mother who would look after him but would scream about him being a monster and evil when she thought he couldn't hear. In response, he grabbed her attention in the way she'd alluded to in different parts throughout his childhood. Her "favourite" things.
I realise this is just my view on the book coupled with my own opinion on parenting - but I stand by it.
A great read for the opinionated and interested in psychologies of killers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Child abuse, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual content, Child death, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Freud would love it.
My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
My Heart is A Chainsaw was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022. I was really excited to start it. Unfortunately, the large majority of the book didn't love up to my expectations.
.
The main character, Jade, is a hard character to like. The assumption that you have to be "gothy" to like horror movies such as Saw, the $1 Billion dollar film franchise that's been running for almost two decades, was an annoying catch to the novel. Of course teenagers like horror movies - they need to prove their hard. (This is coming from one of said teenagers that never grew out of their gothy/horror phase).
.
The constant allusions to the famous slashers felt pretentious at times and I really struggled at times to read the book knowing that a good portion of the text could go over my head if I hadn't seen these other works.
.
Onto the good however, I really did enjoy the story and the twist ending. I loved the references to the Native American culture, Stephen Graham Jones own signature no doubt. The layout of an extra credit project alongside the actual story itself was refreshing and a fun way to engage the reader with Jade.
.
The main character, Jade, is a hard character to like. The assumption that you have to be "gothy" to like horror movies such as Saw, the $1 Billion dollar film franchise that's been running for almost two decades, was an annoying catch to the novel. Of course teenagers like horror movies - they need to prove their hard. (This is coming from one of said teenagers that never grew out of their gothy/horror phase).
.
The constant allusions to the famous slashers felt pretentious at times and I really struggled at times to read the book knowing that a good portion of the text could go over my head if I hadn't seen these other works.
.
Onto the good however, I really did enjoy the story and the twist ending. I loved the references to the Native American culture, Stephen Graham Jones own signature no doubt. The layout of an extra credit project alongside the actual story itself was refreshing and a fun way to engage the reader with Jade.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Child death, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Death, Body horror, Grief, and Suicide attempt