elmeco's reviews
215 reviews

Night of the Living Dummy II by R.L. Stine

adventurous funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 Slappy finally getting his due! While Slappy is more of a mischievous dummy rather than a killer dummy, Stine does a great job eliciting horror through said mischief - the sheer disappointment and anger from your parents, being ostracized by your family, waking up in the dead of the night to a living dummy in your closet... Genuinely haunting stuff, and an even more haunting ending.

The Black Spider by Jeremias Gotthelf

dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Damn. Written by a 19th century countryside pastor and it shows. Very much designed to put the fear of God on you and man, does it excel. Despite the Devil and his minions making an appearance, the Black Spider is at the forefront here which not only serves as an allegory for a plague, but utilizes other elements of man's primal fear. Incorporating a Faustian legend and Swiss history (specifically within the Bernese countryside) makes this tale all the more captivating. Highly, highly recommend.

Also not only was Albert Bitzius great at suspense and horror, but man, is he even better at describing food and drink.

Cry of the Cat by R.L. Stine

dark funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

 Here we are, the first Goosebumps 2000 book, and my second ever one reading, and I gotta say - pretty good! Definitely a lot more darker than the OG series with some genuinely haunting imagery that would've messed me up as a kid. Rip the Cat is such a great name and pretty cool monster overall. The real standout for me though is Alison and Ryan's friendship. Always a sucker whenever Stine gives us a wholesome and platonic m/f friendship :) 

Tales To Give You Goosebumps: 10 Spooky Stories by R.L. Stine

dark funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

 Pretty fun! I believe this is R.L. Stine's first attempt at an anthology, having a variety of short stories by him is delightful and for the most part, they're great! Individually I'd have to say:

- The House of No Return: 5/5
- Teacher's Pet: 3/5
- Strained Peas: 2.5/5
- Strangers in the Woods: 4/5
- Good Friends: 5/5
- How I Won My Bat: 2/5
- Mr. Teddy: 5/5
- Click: 5/5
- Broken Dolls: 5/5
- A Vampire in the Neighborhood: 4/5 

Deep Trouble II by R.L. Stine

adventurous funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Alone in Space: A Collection by Tillie Walden

mysterious reflective relaxing fast-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? Yes

4.0

A must have for Tillie Walden fans that essentially serves as a compilation of all her early works: Her first three graphic novellas, a ton of bonus early comics from her adolescence, and a beautiful (albeit short) art gallery! Truly wonderful to see how much she's grown as an artist and storyteller.

His Name was Death by Rafael Bernal

dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 A wild and insane ride with a premise that's so ridiculous, it wouldn't work if not for Rafael Bernal's intricate craftsmanship and dedication. Hard to believe this was written in the 1940's, and even harder to believe that it wasn't translated into English until now! Massive kudos to Rafael Bernal for tackling something so ambitious, relenting, and morbid... and absolutely sticking the landing.

 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Animal cruelty

The Fungus by Leroy Kettle, John Brosnan, Harry Adam Knight

dark funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Huh.

A truly fucked up, horrifying, and unsettling read that also serves as dumb pulpy fun. Really goes to show just how absolutely frightening and unfathomable fungi are, surprised it took until The Last of Us in 2013 to showcase their horror, and honestly? This book does it better (horror-wise, definitely not writing-wise) Oh man, speaking of the writing... Some really outdated and pretty problematic stuff in here, especially when it comes to our main female character, Kimberly. Granted, none of the characters are meant to likeable and perhaps it served to makes all the gruesome deaths all the more satisfying to read. Again, that's where that 80's trashy horror really settles in and for what it is, and what it intends to do, it nails it.

To Walk the Night by William Sloane

dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Hot damn.

A cosmic horror novel that reads as a mystery thriller with noir elements. This is my first time reading William Sloane, with Lovecraft and Chambers being my only real experience with cosmic horror, and man, what a departure from both authors. As dark and unsettling as the novel is, Sloane is a pretty witty writer, with some genuinely hilarious moments sprinkled throughout which makes this stand out especially when compared to Lovecraft!

The main characters are also delightful (whenever they aren't losing their sanity of course), Bark and Jerry's relationship are truly the foundation of this novel and the way the novel is framed and focused around them is tragically beautiful. As for the cosmic horror itself... as always it's a tough thing to wrap your head around and some might find it either underwhelming or baffling but it suffices nonetheless. Definitely a slow-burn (no pun intended) but man, is the journey great and oh so worth it.

Nyarlathotep by H.P. Lovecraft

4.0