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crafty_goblin's reviews
73 reviews
Revenge by Yōko Ogawa
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
Maybe a lot has been lost with the translation but I didn't find it enjoyable and really don't get the hype.
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
In my opinion, The Buffalo Hunter hunter is SGJ's masterpiece. A dark, sometimes funny, sometimes sad and revolting, historical fiction with a dash of supernatural and indigenous folklore.
I struggled a bit with Good Stab's language at first but once I worked my understanding, I loved it.
It let you emotionally drained for days. I binged read the book within a day and then had to take a break from reading because I needed time to settled after this beautiful tale.
The modern parts with Etsy Beaucarne let me a bit cold and missed the mark with me, but it is a small part at the beginning and at the end so It didn't bother me too much. And I struggled a bit to finish the book after the Narration by Good Stab and the Pastor is done.
But overall, a great book. One of my favorite by SGJ after The Only Good Indian. I wasn't a big fan of half of his books but litterally loved the second half of the as some of my favorite books ever, it's definitely a miss or hit with him, so readers might love it completely or hate it. But I really loved this one.
I struggled a bit with Good Stab's language at first but once I worked my understanding, I loved it.
It let you emotionally drained for days. I binged read the book within a day and then had to take a break from reading because I needed time to settled after this beautiful tale.
The modern parts with Etsy Beaucarne let me a bit cold and missed the mark with me, but it is a small part at the beginning and at the end so It didn't bother me too much. And I struggled a bit to finish the book after the Narration by Good Stab and the Pastor is done.
But overall, a great book. One of my favorite by SGJ after The Only Good Indian. I wasn't a big fan of half of his books but litterally loved the second half of the as some of my favorite books ever, it's definitely a miss or hit with him, so readers might love it completely or hate it. But I really loved this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Colonisation
The Hunger by Alma Katsu
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The hunger is loosely based of the true story of the Donner Party tragic story. Where the historical events, the places and most of the characters are based on the true story and we can see the massive work that has been done here, a lot is pure fiction but It is perfectly blended to create an interesting "horror"/supernatural story around the Donner party tragedy.
The rhythm is, most of the time, pretty slow but they are some bursts here and there. I found some parts really too long for my taste and I struggled sometimes to keep going for this reason. But it's probably because I read recollection of the Donner Party events already so I didn't need the settlement and context. Other readers could probably doesn't feel the same here (except maybe for those already aware of the story).
I didn't manage to root for the characters but the whole story and the way it's written made me forget about it. Mostly.
The horror part isn't exactly scary, it is more juggling with psychology, morals, the survivor guilt and the decisions you choose to make to survive. The cannibal stuff is super light, you don't have super detailed gory description or graphic gore/cannibalism, overall.
The writing is top notch. But I Still look for the WOW effect with This book.
If you are a fan of historical fiction with a dash of supernatural go for it !
The rhythm is, most of the time, pretty slow but they are some bursts here and there. I found some parts really too long for my taste and I struggled sometimes to keep going for this reason. But it's probably because I read recollection of the Donner Party events already so I didn't need the settlement and context. Other readers could probably doesn't feel the same here (except maybe for those already aware of the story).
I didn't manage to root for the characters but the whole story and the way it's written made me forget about it. Mostly.
The horror part isn't exactly scary, it is more juggling with psychology, morals, the survivor guilt and the decisions you choose to make to survive. The cannibal stuff is super light, you don't have super detailed gory description or graphic gore/cannibalism, overall.
The writing is top notch. But I Still look for the WOW effect with This book.
If you are a fan of historical fiction with a dash of supernatural go for it !
Maeve Fly by CJ Leede
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was awesome, gory, terryfing, witty, dark, feminist, disgusting, psychological, fun and perfect !
I loved the writing style. The deep POV and the character development.
It's interesting how I was able to root so easily for this crazy, unhinged and sadistic main character (female lead). It's not morally ambiguous, it's definitely and totally amoral 😅 but it is also so true, so unapologetic and original. And in some way, you get it. She has technically good reason even if she's a psychopath 🤣
One of my favorite reads of this year.
I'm not easily triggered, though, so maybe read the trigger warning first of you are easily triggered 🫣
I loved the writing style. The deep POV and the character development.
It's interesting how I was able to root so easily for this crazy, unhinged and sadistic main character (female lead). It's not morally ambiguous, it's definitely and totally amoral 😅 but it is also so true, so unapologetic and original. And in some way, you get it. She has technically good reason even if she's a psychopath 🤣
One of my favorite reads of this year.
I'm not easily triggered, though, so maybe read the trigger warning first of you are easily triggered 🫣
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Enter the Darkness by Sarah Budd
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
A good mix of folk horror and gory cannibalism all together. The characters development is technically good but I didn't root for the main (Garth and Cassie). They were a bit too flat for my taste and lacked of depth and substance. But it didn't really impact the story so that's not killing the vibes.
I loved the folk and myth and the whole story of the caves. The ambiance and atmosphere is defintiely the best point of this book. It's top notch ! It's uncanny and unsettling and woke up my claustrophobia, adding to the scary atmosphere. It definitely worked for me and made me focus on this and on the horror parts instead of the main "duo".
It's fast pace and easy to read. And as the atmosphere is excellently built, it keeps your interest during the whole book and makes you forget the little weakness here and there. I binge read it and definitely wants more.
I loved the folk and myth and the whole story of the caves. The ambiance and atmosphere is defintiely the best point of this book. It's top notch ! It's uncanny and unsettling and woke up my claustrophobia, adding to the scary atmosphere. It definitely worked for me and made me focus on this and on the horror parts instead of the main "duo".
It's fast pace and easy to read. And as the atmosphere is excellently built, it keeps your interest during the whole book and makes you forget the little weakness here and there. I binge read it and definitely wants more.
The Z Word by Lindsay King-Miller
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
What could happen if I-Zombie and The Walking dead meet The L Word and Queer as Folk ? The Z word !
Give me a pizza delivery trans with a killer ghostbuster vehicule and an obsessive work ethic, a butch drinking moonshine like it's milk, a dyke on a bike swirling a machete and burning zombie with fireworks, a black drag queen showing off on Britney Spear's song in a middle of an Apocalypse and a messed up bisexual who don't really have goal in life except finding where or what home is to finally find people she's really to die for (or live for ?) And cut heads with a chainsaw.
This book is awesome. Definitely one of my favorite reads for 2025. I really enjoyed the ride. Zombie Apocalypse during pride festival with bigot political and corporate capitalistic plot in background.
It's inclusive, diverse, fun, with and emotional. the smut is not everywhere but always approached witb respect, consent and awareness. I usually don't read romance book or book where romance is a big focus because I have a problem with how relationship are painted in those trendy books and for the lack of consent awareness and harmful biases. But I don't regret giving it a try here as it is exactly how I like relationship and sexe. Consent is hot. We need more of it in romance litterature too.
We definitely need more of this universe. I need more of this 🥰
Give me a pizza delivery trans with a killer ghostbuster vehicule and an obsessive work ethic, a butch drinking moonshine like it's milk, a dyke on a bike swirling a machete and burning zombie with fireworks, a black drag queen showing off on Britney Spear's song in a middle of an Apocalypse and a messed up bisexual who don't really have goal in life except finding where or what home is to finally find people she's really to die for (or live for ?) And cut heads with a chainsaw.
This book is awesome. Definitely one of my favorite reads for 2025. I really enjoyed the ride. Zombie Apocalypse during pride festival with bigot political and corporate capitalistic plot in background.
It's inclusive, diverse, fun, with and emotional. the smut is not everywhere but always approached witb respect, consent and awareness. I usually don't read romance book or book where romance is a big focus because I have a problem with how relationship are painted in those trendy books and for the lack of consent awareness and harmful biases. But I don't regret giving it a try here as it is exactly how I like relationship and sexe. Consent is hot. We need more of it in romance litterature too.
We definitely need more of this universe. I need more of this 🥰
Tales from the Gas Station, Vol. 1 by Jack Townsend
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Absurdity all over and characters so crazy and unhinged but it's still works. I would even say that it is why it is working.
It's fun to read and the main character is so blasé that he's taking every scarry events or absurd stuff like it's a normal day on earth.
Perfect dark sense of humor, loyal characters with loose moral who kind of stick together even with all the shit happening. Jack is a wacky, sarcastic and kind of unreliable narrator and all the customers of the gas station are their own kind of weirdness at cosmic level.
A great bizarre and hilarious cosmic comedic horror with a Neurospicy induced plot for a well written creepypasta horror series.
I'll definitely read the rest of the series soon.
It's fun to read and the main character is so blasé that he's taking every scarry events or absurd stuff like it's a normal day on earth.
Perfect dark sense of humor, loyal characters with loose moral who kind of stick together even with all the shit happening. Jack is a wacky, sarcastic and kind of unreliable narrator and all the customers of the gas station are their own kind of weirdness at cosmic level.
A great bizarre and hilarious cosmic comedic horror with a Neurospicy induced plot for a well written creepypasta horror series.
I'll definitely read the rest of the series soon.
Lady Hell by Alyssa Page
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I struggled a bit to keep going on this one. I'm quite picky in term of romance and erotica and unfortunately this one didn't work for me, at all.
It's not a bad book per se. But the rhythm is weird, I felt like I missed lot of important things for the plot at the beginning.
I also didn't really like the writing style but it's definitely a question of taste here. Other readers would probably find it enjoyable.
It's not a bad book per se. But the rhythm is weird, I felt like I missed lot of important things for the plot at the beginning.
I also didn't really like the writing style but it's definitely a question of taste here. Other readers would probably find it enjoyable.
A Lonely Broadcast: Book Two by Kel Byron
dark
funny
mysterious
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
5.0
Jack Townsend has a gas station, Kel Byron has a lonely broadcast in a fire watch tower settled in the middle of a creepy forest, protecting a mountain village that never let you leave, from monsters that wear the face of your loved ones. Or is it an arm ? An eye ?
I stumbled upon the first settlement of A Lonely Broadcast few months ago while looking for books to start the spooky season. And let's me tell you that I've been hooked from page one and was super excited when I saw that the second book was coming.
The vibes are creepy, weird, gory and bloody. The plot is awesome and the setup partially enclosed in an old fire tower now radio broadcast to protect the village does the trick.
The character are unhinged, broken, funny, loyal, totally bag shit crazy and witty. It was so easy to root for Daniel ans Evelyn and I liked the fact that Finn takes a bit more "screen time" in the second book.
World building, background history and character development are top notch. The whole plot make sense and the rhythm ans tension definitely work together for the best creepy and horror atmosphere.
I usually don't like series especially when all the books are not written yet but A Lonely Broadcast is now my favorite series and I cannot wait for the next settlement.
I stumbled upon the first settlement of A Lonely Broadcast few months ago while looking for books to start the spooky season. And let's me tell you that I've been hooked from page one and was super excited when I saw that the second book was coming.
The vibes are creepy, weird, gory and bloody. The plot is awesome and the setup partially enclosed in an old fire tower now radio broadcast to protect the village does the trick.
The character are unhinged, broken, funny, loyal, totally bag shit crazy and witty. It was so easy to root for Daniel ans Evelyn and I liked the fact that Finn takes a bit more "screen time" in the second book.
World building, background history and character development are top notch. The whole plot make sense and the rhythm ans tension definitely work together for the best creepy and horror atmosphere.
I usually don't like series especially when all the books are not written yet but A Lonely Broadcast is now my favorite series and I cannot wait for the next settlement.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Alcoholism