hexentart's reviews
607 reviews

The Haunting of Blackwood House by Darcy Coates

adventurous 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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Wonderfully atmospheric.

Destination Frightville: 13 U.S. Haunts to Visit if You Dare by Harrison Clancy

informative medium-paced

3.0

More like an extended tour pamphlet than a collection of stories, containing the most commonly know lore.

It was ok, but underwhelming.

YMMV, of course.

Ghost Camera by Darcy Coates

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

A wonderfully creepy collection of short stories; varied and creative.

Reading this collection was a spooky delight! 

YMMV, of course.

Mind your squicks.

Straight by Chuck Tingle

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.25

A horrifying tale and brilliant social commentary on ally ship.

Extremely graphic, so mind your squicks.

Disturbing in the best ways. ✌🏻

Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

3.5

I enjoyed this story. 

The characters were well fleshed out, the lore intriguing, and the plot riveting.

A speculative, supernatural, mystery thriller, with elements of bigotry, justice, found family, love, and perseverance interwoven within. 

I wish I could rate this higher, but the author made an extremely poor choice in adding sexual interactions solely for shock value.

The FMC's relationships with others was inherently intimate and sensual, the venom from her bite being addictive and pleasurable. There was absolutely no need to include any sexual activity; it had no bearing on the plot or the relationships themselves. All it served to do was to repel readers who may have otherwise enjoyed the actual story and social messaging within. Even though it wasn't graphic and only touched on briefly a couple times (thankfully), it was grossly inappropriate and unnecessary.

What a shame. This could've easily been a 5 star read.

This was a new-to-me author and despite the significant stumble here, I look forward to reading more of their works.

Pretty Little Sinner by Anna Fury

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

No words, only intense feels.

Colin by Grae Bryan

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

It was sad to let these guys go, but what a way to send them off.

Monsters with heart is the best way to describe the dudes in this series. Their interwoven threads and found family (whether they like it or not. Looking at you, Wolfe, Soren, and Fox 😆) just gives them all such vibrant life.

Bubbly unfiltered Jay still holds my heart, but sassy Colin is a very close second. It's no wonder they're besties.

Love, love, LOVE the way the twins were able to find healing after giving up so many years ago. Colin saved them and himself, without even trying. 

That's the power of love right there. 

I can't wait to continue in this universe with the next series.

I guess it's less a goodbye and more of a until next time. 

Wrestling with Werewolves by Hazel Mack

emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious relaxing medium-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

5.0

LOVE the unique shifter lore. There's all the faves you already know and love, but with a little extra something -something for the fated mates.

My favorite couple so far.

As usual, precocious Iggy nearly steals the spotlight, and your heart. Little scamp.

Can't wait to read Lou's book!

Gallows Hill by Darcy Coates

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This book had me hooked so much, by a little over halfway I was crying over corpses.

Crying. Reading a horror novel.

I love a good mystery with my spooky reads and this delivered.

Phew, good stuff. 

Mistral Bed and Breakfast by Darcy Coates

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

A fun and creepy short story.