hexentart's reviews
607 reviews

Quarter to Midnight: Fifteen Tales of Horror and Suspense by Darcy Coates

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

A nice selection of creepy tales, though none I found particularly frightening.

One story I had figured out only a few sentences in (due to my own nerdery and not a fault of the author), but was still a very enjoyable read.

There are 2 tales that involve mannequins and although they differ in plot, the endings were almost exactly the same. This collection would have been better served by only including one of them instead of both.

Regardless, it was an entertaining collection to read during Spooky Month and I look forward to more of the author's anthologies in the future.

Terror in Brief: 200 Two-Sentence Horror Stories by D.T. Adams

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

5.0

Exactly as advertised; a quirky little book.

Not every tiny tale was a hit, but overall it was a fun and creepy read.

Splinter by Jasper Hyde

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

An enjoyable reimagining of a classic.

The characters, the premise, everything was beautifully created.

However, numerous errors stop this book from being great. Missing words from sentences, incorrect word variants (such as "magical"  where "magic" should be), and sentences that seemed to have been edited, but fragments of the original phrasing remain embedded still within. This novel deserves better editing to really shine like it should.

Still, it was a good story and a worthwhile read. Just right for spooky season. ✌🏻

Long Shot by Marnie St. Clair

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious sad fast-paced

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

4.0

Breakneck Hockey by S. Legend

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Tumultuous, spicy, and a little darker than your average hockey romance, Breakneck Hockey is a wild ride from start to finish. 

Mitch Sutter and Casey Alderchuck have TERRIBLE coping mechanisms, but they fit together like a jigsaw puzzle doused in gasoline.

They may seem crazy, but they're crazy perfect for each other. 

If only they can get out of their own way long enough to figure it out.

Sweet Hereafter: A Cozy Urban Fantasy Witch Romance (The Witches of Owlscroft Coven Book 3) by Marnie St. Clair

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Good Riddance by Marnie St Clair

adventurous emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Bad Batch by Marnie St Clair

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

A fun read. ✌🏻

Home Is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Intensely emotional; a broken dysfunctional family.

Each sibling harbors secret pain, but their bonds have grown threadbare over the years and they turn on each other instead of to each other.

Dark family secrets only divides them further.

Will the truth set them free, or will it be the end of them all?

I had my suppositions early on, but never imagined the way it all would end.

A true suspenseful thriller.

Casino Agua Caliente by M.T. Hart

informative mysterious fast-paced

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

3.0

An erotic horror story that's short on both eroticism and horror.

I had difficulties with this book. There's "modern day" with the MMC, his memories/flashbacks, and chunks of Mexican/American history tossed together.

It's a disjointed read and breaks immersion. Also there's far too much telling instead of showing.

There were very few grammatical errors and the premise was intriguing, it just didn't work for me.

YMMV, of course.