emmie_mort's reviews
786 reviews

This Skin Was Once Mine and Other Disturbances by Eric LaRocca

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

4.25

Once you’ve read an Eric LaRocca book you have an idea of what you’re getting, without ever REALLY knowing what is coming next. I am serious when I say do check the trigger warnings for this book. Really. Do. 

Another amazing set of short stories from LaRocca, the first This Skin Was Once Mine will stay with me for a long time, a dark disturbing twisting tale about family, what we imagine our childhood to be & what actually happened. As is often the case with short story collections I always love some more than others (the final story Prickle was my least favourite of the four stories presented here) but all were chilling & exquisitely written. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Self harm, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Child abuse

The Snowman by Jo Nesbø

adventurous mysterious tense medium-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

The Garden Handbook by Ian Cooke

informative medium-paced

Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad medium-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

3.5

Back in a Spell by Lana Harper

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad 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? Yes

5.0

Moon Magic: A Handbook of Lunar Cycles, Lore, and Mystical Energies by Aurora Kane

informative medium-paced

4.5

'Salem's Lot by Stephen King

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert

funny lighthearted medium-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

3.25

All smut, no plot 

Witchcraft by Jessica Hundley, Pam Grossman

informative slow-paced

5.0

Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg

adventurous dark funny hopeful mysterious 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

4.0