graywild's reviews
682 reviews

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

2.5

First part of the book was very gothic in the genre of Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre.  Beatriz married Rodolfo and comes to live at his estate.  As the book progresses it is obvious the house is haunted.  Some mystery around who is haunting and why they are there. Beatriz is helped by a local priest Andre who also might be a witch.  Overall the story was just ok. 

The Militia House by John Milas

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

1.0

Only 250 pages so pretty short book.  Low rating because the first 100 pages or so is setting up the story and there is alot of military jargon.  A small group of men are assigned to a base in Afghanistan with some British soldiers.  At some point they enter an abandoned militia house just outside the base and weird things start to happen (sort of).  Seems like 75% of the book is military operations and day to day living on base.  There is some creepy aspects of the time in the militia house but not enough to save the book for me. 

Red Rabbit by Alex Grecian

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Story combines a western trek related to a bounty, witches, demons and ghosts.  I liked the overall flow of the story and it was a quick read for me.  I would recommend if you like all those genres. 

The Prince Of Tides by Pat Conroy

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

Rereading this book after 20+ years.  Excellent writing.  Story is not an easy one to read.  It centers on Tom Wingo working with his twin sister Savannah's psychiatrist - Susan Lowenstein in NYC.  Tom grew up in a poor South Carolina town with his sister, brother Luke and his parents.  There is a thread of abuse and mental illness.  There is also a thread of pushing away terrible things that happen in hopes no one will find out.  The characters are well developed and not one dimensional.  The movie was very good but I liked the book better.  Highly recommend.

Yours for the Taking by Gabrielle Korn

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

3.75

 Between a 3.5-4 rating rounded up. I received this as an ARC. In the near future climate change is making the world unlivable. It is decided to move people into weather proof super structures (Inside) that are funded and controlled by the super rich. Each Inside is independently controlled by one super richer person. The one in New York is controlled by a woman who wants to experiment with a new world order. Only women are selected and this woman wants to have someone surrogate her child to see if in this new world she becomes the person her mother envisions. Interesting take on society and the rich controlling the world. Recommend. 

Night and Day by John Connolly

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

I received this as an ARC. This book is basically 2 different book in my opinion.  The first half is a series of excellent short stories that are horror or suspense based.  The second half is a monograph that the author wrote about a 1970s horror film called Horror Express that starred Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Telly Savalas.  The monograph is only partially interesting to me since I never saw the movie. I am a fan of old horror from that time and do like Lee/Cushing movies but this one must not have been very good.  I would still recommend this book due to the high quality short stories.

What I Ate in One Year (and Related Thoughts) by Stanley Tucci

reflective fast-paced

2.0

I've read Stanley Tucci's Taste and really enjoyed it.  This book is in diary form from 2023.  I've read a few of this style of memoir and found it don't like them.  Less memoir and more just day to day record of good food.  Not for me. 

Bringer of Dust by J.M. Miro

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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? No

4.0

2nd book in the series so go back and read Ordinary Monsters or you will not understand what is going on in the story.  The story picks up after the destruction of Cairndale and Marlow disappearing.  Much of the story centers around Charlie.  He is infected with corrupted dust and continues to look for a way to find Marlow.  Don't want to give any spoilers.  There are some twists to the story and plenty of bad people who just want to exploit those who have talents.  Good sequel and I look forward to the next book in the trilogy. 

Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

2.0

The general concept of the book was good for me - magic exists in the form of books that can be read to cast spells.  Not everyone is effected by magic but perhaps can influence it by writing the books.  The book for me falls short on the execution.  Takes way to long for the story to get moving.  It took me out of the interest.  Not recommended.

Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird by Agustina Bazterrica

adventurous challenging dark fast-paced

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

2.0

This set of horror short stories was just okay for me.  One or two were borderline interesting and good.  The others just feel short.  Not recommended.