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drakaina16's reviews
2131 reviews
Hunting Snipe: and Other Notes on the East Texas Cattle Mutilations by Paul Avery Tindol
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
4.25
This book is so well done. The found footage format, interspersed with the narrative, worked very well. The book is creepy from the jump, with some genuinely unsettling moments sprinkled throughout. It should be obvious from the title, but massive trigger warning for animal harm. 4.25 stars
How to Kill Friends and Eviscerate People by Tim Paggi
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Thank you to BookSirens for providing a review copy.
I have been reading some really heavy books lately, so How to Kill Friends and Eviscerate People is an excellent palette cleanser. It's a very smart piece of satire, disguised as a self-help book with some very unorthodox methods for getting ahead in business. While I personally won't be taking any of the advice contained herein, perhaps it might be more your speed? 4.25 stars
I have been reading some really heavy books lately, so How to Kill Friends and Eviscerate People is an excellent palette cleanser. It's a very smart piece of satire, disguised as a self-help book with some very unorthodox methods for getting ahead in business. While I personally won't be taking any of the advice contained herein, perhaps it might be more your speed? 4.25 stars
Noro by William F. Gray
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to Cemetery Dance for providing a review copy.
I've greatly enjoyed William F. Gray's previous books and jumped at the chance to read Noro. The writing is tight and fraught with tension. I cared for the characters quite a bit, and went on a very emotional ride with them. The weather is just as much of a threat as the meteor, and almost becomes another character as well. Ice cold and atmospheric, Noro hurt my heart and gave me real world anxiety. 5 stars
I've greatly enjoyed William F. Gray's previous books and jumped at the chance to read Noro. The writing is tight and fraught with tension. I cared for the characters quite a bit, and went on a very emotional ride with them. The weather is just as much of a threat as the meteor, and almost becomes another character as well. Ice cold and atmospheric, Noro hurt my heart and gave me real world anxiety. 5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Ghosts in the Machines by Harrison Phillips, Angel Van Atta, Aaron Lebold, Kelvin V A Allison, Carietta Dorsch, Lolly Sparrow, James Lefebure, Mark MJ Green
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I have a fondness for themed anthologies. It's so much fun to see how different authors interpret a theme. In this case, it's our beloved machines - things we use every day that turn against us. I had a great time with the book. 4 stars
The Cursed Cat by Lolly Sparrow ⭐⭐.75
Jerry by Kelvin VA Allison ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sango Dick by Carietta Dorsch DNF
By the Horns by Harrison Phillips ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Roomba by Mark MJ Green ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Haunting of Jill Rouse by Lee Richmond ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Life Coach by Aaron Lebold ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Mr. Morrison's Final Ride by Angel Van Atta ⭐⭐⭐.75
Heavy Brutal by Eve L. Fell ⭐⭐.5
Barbies Dream House by Renn White ⭐⭐⭐.75
Blue Screen by Lisa Hutchinson ⭐⭐⭐
Nobody's Fool by Eric Butler ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Increase the Incline by James Lefebure ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The Cursed Cat by Lolly Sparrow ⭐⭐.75
Jerry by Kelvin VA Allison ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sango Dick by Carietta Dorsch DNF
By the Horns by Harrison Phillips ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Roomba by Mark MJ Green ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Haunting of Jill Rouse by Lee Richmond ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Life Coach by Aaron Lebold ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Mr. Morrison's Final Ride by Angel Van Atta ⭐⭐⭐.75
Heavy Brutal by Eve L. Fell ⭐⭐.5
Barbies Dream House by Renn White ⭐⭐⭐.75
Blue Screen by Lisa Hutchinson ⭐⭐⭐
Nobody's Fool by Eric Butler ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Increase the Incline by James Lefebure ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Sexual assault
The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
4.25
I put off reading this book for a VERY long time and I honestly couldn't tell you why. I love ghost stories, I love Japanese horror, and I thought The Bone Witch was great. Either way, I'm very glad I read it now. This book is super atmospheric and has some genuinely creepy moments. I loved the characters, and the ghostly protagonist has a mission I can really get behind. I'm eager to read the second book. 4.25 stars
The Drowning Machine and Other Obsessions by Emma E. Murray
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
If you want a short story collection that will pummel you emotionally at every turn, this is the one for you. With exquisite prose, Emma E. Murray crafts stories rooted in grief that are absolutely devastating. Special shoutout to Lavender and Dandelions for making me cry in the school pick up line. 4.5 stars
An Angel of God ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If I Carry You ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Lavender and Dandelions ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Golden Hour ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Whole Again ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
A Better Mother ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Take Control ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Profound Pain of Letting Go ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Dyin’ Ain't Nothin’ But Fallin’ Asleep ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Portage, Ohio in Early Autumn ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Night Visitor ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Through the Holler, Into the Dark ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mother of Machines ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Blessed Are the Meek ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Exquisite Hunger ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The Drowning Machine ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vengeance is a Patient Beast ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Follow the Moon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you want a short story collection that will pummel you emotionally at every turn, this is the one for you. With exquisite prose, Emma E. Murray crafts stories rooted in grief that are absolutely devastating. Special shoutout to Lavender and Dandelions for making me cry in the school pick up line. 4.5 stars
An Angel of God ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If I Carry You ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Lavender and Dandelions ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Golden Hour ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Whole Again ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
A Better Mother ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Take Control ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Profound Pain of Letting Go ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Dyin’ Ain't Nothin’ But Fallin’ Asleep ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Portage, Ohio in Early Autumn ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Night Visitor ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Through the Holler, Into the Dark ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mother of Machines ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Blessed Are the Meek ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Exquisite Hunger ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The Drowning Machine ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vengeance is a Patient Beast ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Follow the Moon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexual violence, Suicide, Mass/school shootings, and Cannibalism
Found by Todd Rigney
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-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? No
5.0
This book is intense. The story follows Marty, a quiet, nerdy kid who is just trying to get by in life and school. Marty is obsessed with horror movies, and I found him very relatable in that aspect. Marty discovers his brother is a serial killer and things go seriously downhill from there. This is a tough read, and there are some massive triggers here, so tread lightly. I have a feeling I'm going to be thinking about this book for a long time. 5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Gore, Incest, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Cannibalism
Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? No
4.75
I first read Cherie Dimaline when I read The Marrow Thieves, and I absolutely loved that book. I made it my mission to read everything she's written. Empire of Wild is the first adult book I've read by her, and it's everything I hoped it would be. The writing is tight and gorgeous, and although the story moves a bit slowly at times, it is never boring. The characters felt like real people to me, and learning more about the rogarou legend was super interesting. 4.75 stars
Bloody Hell: An Anthology of UK Indie Horror by Sarah Jules
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I had a great time with this anthology. There's no overarching theme - other than being from the UK - so these stories are a delightful grab bag of themes and tropes. The illustrations are beautiful and perfectly accompany each story. 4 stars
Hungry is Th’ Bodach by Dr. Stuart Knott ⭐⭐⭐.25
Darkness Blooms by David K Slater ⭐⭐
The Sleep Demon by Jessica Huntley ⭐⭐⭐
The Syn-Eater of Lancaster by MJ Mars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
To Be a Man of Man by J C Michael ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The God Botherers by Ashley Lister ⭐⭐⭐.75
Wrong Lane by Stephen Barnard ⭐⭐⭐
The Hunt by EC Samuels ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Cynthraul by Lee Allen ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pergyl by C S Jones ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sounds of the Forest by Brad Thomas ⭐⭐⭐.25
The Dark Heart by Jim Ody ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Merry Bloody Christmas by Alexandra Nisneru ⭐⭐⭐.75
Murder in the Video Store by Bethany Russo ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Moor-Folk and the Poet by Philip Alexander Baker ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sand by David Watkins ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The Joke by Tom Carter ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Brompton Road by Elizabeth J Brown ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Skate Bored by Tim Stephens ⭐⭐⭐.25
Bone Zipper by William Long ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plough Monday by Benjamin Langley ⭐⭐⭐.75
Memento Mori by Marie Sinadjin ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Mill of Shattered Bone by Mark M.J. Green ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Worst Halloween Ever! by M.L. Rayner ⭐⭐⭐.25
The Harlequin by Elijah Frost ⭐⭐⭐.5
Down T’Pit by Sarah Jules ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
They Stalk the Rows by Leigh Kenny ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Hungry is Th’ Bodach by Dr. Stuart Knott ⭐⭐⭐.25
Darkness Blooms by David K Slater ⭐⭐
The Sleep Demon by Jessica Huntley ⭐⭐⭐
The Syn-Eater of Lancaster by MJ Mars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
To Be a Man of Man by J C Michael ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The God Botherers by Ashley Lister ⭐⭐⭐.75
Wrong Lane by Stephen Barnard ⭐⭐⭐
The Hunt by EC Samuels ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Cynthraul by Lee Allen ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pergyl by C S Jones ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sounds of the Forest by Brad Thomas ⭐⭐⭐.25
The Dark Heart by Jim Ody ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Merry Bloody Christmas by Alexandra Nisneru ⭐⭐⭐.75
Murder in the Video Store by Bethany Russo ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Moor-Folk and the Poet by Philip Alexander Baker ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sand by David Watkins ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The Joke by Tom Carter ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Brompton Road by Elizabeth J Brown ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Skate Bored by Tim Stephens ⭐⭐⭐.25
Bone Zipper by William Long ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Plough Monday by Benjamin Langley ⭐⭐⭐.75
Memento Mori by Marie Sinadjin ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Mill of Shattered Bone by Mark M.J. Green ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Worst Halloween Ever! by M.L. Rayner ⭐⭐⭐.25
The Harlequin by Elijah Frost ⭐⭐⭐.5
Down T’Pit by Sarah Jules ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
They Stalk the Rows by Leigh Kenny ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
The Poorly Made and Other Things by Sam Rebelein, Sam Rebelein
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
Edenville was one of the craziest books I read last year, and I mean that in the best way possible. I was seriously impressed it was a debut novel, and I was very excited to hear about the short story collection set in Renfield County. While I don't think it's strictly necessary to have read Edenville, it will add a lot of context and creepiness, and answer a few questions from the novel. 4.5 stars
Hector Brim ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
My Name is Ellie ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Detour ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wag ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Red X ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
10 PM on the Southbound G ⭐⭐⭐.5
So My Cousin Knew This Guy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Allison's Face ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
And Every Thursday We Feed the Cats ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Glitch ⭐⭐⭐.5
Interstitial/Epilogue ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Edenville was one of the craziest books I read last year, and I mean that in the best way possible. I was seriously impressed it was a debut novel, and I was very excited to hear about the short story collection set in Renfield County. While I don't think it's strictly necessary to have read Edenville, it will add a lot of context and creepiness, and answer a few questions from the novel. 4.5 stars
Hector Brim ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
My Name is Ellie ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Detour ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wag ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Red X ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
10 PM on the Southbound G ⭐⭐⭐.5
So My Cousin Knew This Guy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Allison's Face ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
And Every Thursday We Feed the Cats ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Glitch ⭐⭐⭐.5
Interstitial/Epilogue ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5