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drakaina16's reviews
2173 reviews
The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.25
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
The Staircase in the Woods is based on both a real phenomenon and a nightmarish concept. It's also a love letter to enduring friendships. Although I can't say I loved any of the characters, they all felt like people you might know, flaws and all. Without spoilers, this book has one of the most unique plot points I've encountered. At times the book dragged a bit and felt overly long, but it is a very solid read. 4.25 stars
The Staircase in the Woods is based on both a real phenomenon and a nightmarish concept. It's also a love letter to enduring friendships. Although I can't say I loved any of the characters, they all felt like people you might know, flaws and all. Without spoilers, this book has one of the most unique plot points I've encountered. At times the book dragged a bit and felt overly long, but it is a very solid read. 4.25 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault
The Keeper by JJ Carpenter
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? Yes
4.0
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
The Keeper is a very cool book, best described as a supernatural historical mystery. I found the lore in the story fascinating and very unique. There is plenty of horror to be found here, however quiet. There are some truly chilling moments. The book does end on somewhat of a cliffhanger, but that doesn't bother me, and I had planned to continue with the series by then anyway. 4 stars
The Keeper is a very cool book, best described as a supernatural historical mystery. I found the lore in the story fascinating and very unique. There is plenty of horror to be found here, however quiet. There are some truly chilling moments. The book does end on somewhat of a cliffhanger, but that doesn't bother me, and I had planned to continue with the series by then anyway. 4 stars
The Vines by Matt Micheli
challenging
dark
emotional
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? No
5.0
Thank you to BookSirens for providing a review copy.
The Vines was an emotional gut punch I was somewhat unprepared for. I just loved Madison, because I was that angry teen losing myself in grunge and art. Although I lost my dad to old age and not cancer, the experience of seeing someone whose presence once loomed so large in your life become frail and diminished was painfully relatable. I really loved this one, and read it in a sitting. I would have happily read this story at three times the length. 5 stars
The Vines was an emotional gut punch I was somewhat unprepared for. I just loved Madison, because I was that angry teen losing myself in grunge and art. Although I lost my dad to old age and not cancer, the experience of seeing someone whose presence once loomed so large in your life become frail and diminished was painfully relatable. I really loved this one, and read it in a sitting. I would have happily read this story at three times the length. 5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Death of parent
Last Tour at Sulphur Creek by Paul Avery Tindol
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.5
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
I am a huge sucker for any kind of paranormal investigation horror and Paul Avery Tindol does not disappoint with Last Tour at Sulphur Creek. There are some truly spine-chilling moments and I found myself thinking, "oh, that is CREEPY" several times. The writing makes it very easy to picture the story in your head, which can be an unsettling experience. 4.5 stars
I am a huge sucker for any kind of paranormal investigation horror and Paul Avery Tindol does not disappoint with Last Tour at Sulphur Creek. There are some truly spine-chilling moments and I found myself thinking, "oh, that is CREEPY" several times. The writing makes it very easy to picture the story in your head, which can be an unsettling experience. 4.5 stars
What Swallows The Light: Alien Horror Novellas by Gage Greenwood, Andrew Van Wey, John Durgin
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.75
Thank you to Crystal Lake Publishing for providing a review copy.
I love a good themed anthology, and Crystal Lake consistently provides some of the best. Here we have three vastly different novellas by three of the best indie authors working today. John Durgin's offering is a tense, action packed thriller with aliens on the loose in an office building. Gage Greenwood's story is haunting, with some terrifically creepy moments. Andrew Van Wey gives us one of the most unique alien stories I've ever read - it's truly an accomplishment. 4.75 stars
Suffocating Skies by John Durgin ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
We Were Who We Were by Gage Greenwood ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
Dark Matter Dreams by Andrew Van Wey ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love a good themed anthology, and Crystal Lake consistently provides some of the best. Here we have three vastly different novellas by three of the best indie authors working today. John Durgin's offering is a tense, action packed thriller with aliens on the loose in an office building. Gage Greenwood's story is haunting, with some terrifically creepy moments. Andrew Van Wey gives us one of the most unique alien stories I've ever read - it's truly an accomplishment. 4.75 stars
Suffocating Skies by John Durgin ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
We Were Who We Were by Gage Greenwood ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
Dark Matter Dreams by Andrew Van Wey ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Blood Cypress by Elizabeth Broadbent
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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
4.5
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
Well. Blood Cypress was an unexpected punch to the gut, from so many angles. I was absolutely riveted by the story, and would have happily read a longer version of it. Perhaps, though, a longer version wouldn't be quite as effective. This book manages to accomplish a whole lot in a very short space, and I ran through a whole slew of emotions reading it. There are some heavy triggers here, so check them if you need to. 4.5 stars
Well. Blood Cypress was an unexpected punch to the gut, from so many angles. I was absolutely riveted by the story, and would have happily read a longer version of it. Perhaps, though, a longer version wouldn't be quite as effective. This book manages to accomplish a whole lot in a very short space, and I ran through a whole slew of emotions reading it. There are some heavy triggers here, so check them if you need to. 4.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Sexual assault
Blood Covenant by Alan Baxter
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.75
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
Blood Covenant is one of the best supernatural thrillers I've read in a long time. I frequently found myself letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding. 😅 There are threats from all sides to our truly lovely family. It was nice to see a family that truly loved each other depicted - that definitely ratcheted the tension up. I found myself wanting to race ahead to find out what was going to happen next. 4.75 stars
Blood Covenant is one of the best supernatural thrillers I've read in a long time. I frequently found myself letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding. 😅 There are threats from all sides to our truly lovely family. It was nice to see a family that truly loved each other depicted - that definitely ratcheted the tension up. I found myself wanting to race ahead to find out what was going to happen next. 4.75 stars
Scissor Me Timbers by Phrique
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-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
4.25
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
What a fun ride! Nunsploitation is kinda my thing, so I had much interest in Scissor Me Timbers right off the bat. Phrique's writing is so good - he's hilarious and whoo boy can he paint a picture. My only complaint is that it seemed a little long, but I loved the ending and the butch rep. I don't encounter that much, and that's kind of sad. Definitely give this one a whirl if you enjoy over-the-top hilarity, sexy nuns, and gore. 4.25 stars
What a fun ride! Nunsploitation is kinda my thing, so I had much interest in Scissor Me Timbers right off the bat. Phrique's writing is so good - he's hilarious and whoo boy can he paint a picture. My only complaint is that it seemed a little long, but I loved the ending and the butch rep. I don't encounter that much, and that's kind of sad. Definitely give this one a whirl if you enjoy over-the-top hilarity, sexy nuns, and gore. 4.25 stars
Freakslaw by Jane Flett
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? No
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
Oh, this book. The bright colorful cover catches your eye, then the book ensnares you with lush, candy-sweet words, all with a thread of something sinister running underneath. Much like a carnival or funfair itself. I cannot overstate how beautifully written this book is. The fact that it is the author's debut novel is mind blowing. Freakslaw is gloriously, unapologetically queer. It is so very rare, especially in the types of books that I read, to have characters that celebrate and revel in their differences. Gretchen Etcetera embodies trans joy, and that is so refreshing to see. It's a slow burn, but I delighted in my time at the Freakslaw, even when terr
Oh, this book. The bright colorful cover catches your eye, then the book ensnares you with lush, candy-sweet words, all with a thread of something sinister running underneath. Much like a carnival or funfair itself. I cannot overstate how beautifully written this book is. The fact that it is the author's debut novel is mind blowing. Freakslaw is gloriously, unapologetically queer. It is so very rare, especially in the types of books that I read, to have characters that celebrate and revel in their differences. Gretchen Etcetera embodies trans joy, and that is so refreshing to see. It's a slow burn, but I delighted in my time at the Freakslaw, even when terr
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Usher of the Fallen by L.M. Kaplin
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Right off the bat - this is not my favorite Kaplin book. I've been reading a ton of cult books lately, and this one missed the mark a bit for me. The addition of the Nephilim was really cool and interesting. Nephilim aren't something I've read about in horror fiction. While I enjoyed the book overall, the ending felt a bit rushed and unsatisfying, and I didn't really connect with any of the characters. 3.25 stars