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holdenwunders_'s reviews
336 reviews
Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
When I saw this book on NetGalley I was immediately drawn to it and wanted it before I even read the synopsis. The cover and title evoked all the feelings I have about my favourite story “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and while the stories are completely different, it made for a unique experience going in.
Part supernatural and part historical fiction, Something in the Walls captures a unique look into a modern day witch hunt. Daisy Pearce uses horror aspects and psychological tools to throw us into a book where you’re not sure if the main character who claims to be haunted by a witch, is truly haunted. I never knew which direction the book was going to go and it kept me on my toes in a way that true horror geniuses are able to do.
It’s clear there was inspiration taken from experts in the field from Shirley Jackson to Mike Flanagan and I’m so glad I got to read this right in the midst of the so called “Spooky Season.” Sure, this book wasn’t The Yellow Wallpaper but it did hit on the same themes from female justice, supernatural questioning and small town proclivities.
Daisy Pearce did so much here and I’m so excited for all of my witch girls, goth girls, and cottage core babes to be able to delve into this. I’m still so pleased I got this as an ARC and will definitely be buying a physical copy when it comes out because this book deserves to be displayed in all its glory.
Part supernatural and part historical fiction, Something in the Walls captures a unique look into a modern day witch hunt. Daisy Pearce uses horror aspects and psychological tools to throw us into a book where you’re not sure if the main character who claims to be haunted by a witch, is truly haunted. I never knew which direction the book was going to go and it kept me on my toes in a way that true horror geniuses are able to do.
It’s clear there was inspiration taken from experts in the field from Shirley Jackson to Mike Flanagan and I’m so glad I got to read this right in the midst of the so called “Spooky Season.” Sure, this book wasn’t The Yellow Wallpaper but it did hit on the same themes from female justice, supernatural questioning and small town proclivities.
Daisy Pearce did so much here and I’m so excited for all of my witch girls, goth girls, and cottage core babes to be able to delve into this. I’m still so pleased I got this as an ARC and will definitely be buying a physical copy when it comes out because this book deserves to be displayed in all its glory.
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
5.0
Shirley Jackson is the queen and a reread of any of her stories proves solid.
Men Have Called Her Crazy by Anna Marie Tendler
DNF @25%
Guys I was seriously SO excited for this book. The title, the cover, the photography. I read a lot of the reviews previously and thought they were incredibly harsh and out of pocket almost like everyone is missing the point. But I get it now….The criticism is still a bit too harsh for my liking and feels rooted in hatred but I honestly can’t read anymore of this.
Guys I was seriously SO excited for this book. The title, the cover, the photography. I read a lot of the reviews previously and thought they were incredibly harsh and out of pocket almost like everyone is missing the point. But I get it now….The criticism is still a bit too harsh for my liking and feels rooted in hatred but I honestly can’t read anymore of this.
A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I have had The Unmaking of June Farrow and Spells for Forgetting on my shelves for a while now and ironically this is the first book I’ve read by Adrienne Young.
As a giant fan of Alice Hoffman, I’m always prepared to jump into a magical or witchy book with full force but the others have sat on my shelves for the perfect “season” and it seems A Sea of Unspoken Things has come at the perfect time and the urge to read the others is strong.
Firstly, the title of this book evokes so much imagery that I went in not knowing anything of the plot but felt prepared to be lead on a beautiful journey. Young blends together the cozy magical atmosphere she is known for with an underlining mystery that will keep you guessing. Young uses the tether that twins can have to put a supernatural twist in this grounded story and it does exactly what it sets off to do.
My one critique is that because the book is so rooted in reality, I wanted the ghost/supernatural aspect to hit a bit harder but that’s also personal preference and not enough to detract from the book overall. A Sea of Unspoken Things is exactly what it sounds like and takes us to the deepest depths of grief, absolution, and love.
As a giant fan of Alice Hoffman, I’m always prepared to jump into a magical or witchy book with full force but the others have sat on my shelves for the perfect “season” and it seems A Sea of Unspoken Things has come at the perfect time and the urge to read the others is strong.
Firstly, the title of this book evokes so much imagery that I went in not knowing anything of the plot but felt prepared to be lead on a beautiful journey. Young blends together the cozy magical atmosphere she is known for with an underlining mystery that will keep you guessing. Young uses the tether that twins can have to put a supernatural twist in this grounded story and it does exactly what it sets off to do.
My one critique is that because the book is so rooted in reality, I wanted the ghost/supernatural aspect to hit a bit harder but that’s also personal preference and not enough to detract from the book overall. A Sea of Unspoken Things is exactly what it sounds like and takes us to the deepest depths of grief, absolution, and love.
The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
The Three Lives of Cate Kay has been continuously marketed for fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and it’s safe to say THEYRE RIGHT!!
The Three Lives of Cate Kay is the first book I’ve ever read by Kate Fagan and I am thrilled to find a new authour that I will consume from here on out. Her expertise is apparent throughout the entire book from her intricate weaving of a beautiful story to the nuances of the smallest details that will make you weep when revealed.
A slice of life story can become monotonous easily and Fagan is able to avoid this at every turn. I was enamored by her queer love stories while not being heavy handed in any way. Everything was plausible without being boring or even slow burning.
There are multiple POVs that allow for a deeper view into the mind set of our characters while still being told in a “memoir” by Cate Kay herself. It was an interesting twist to the storytelling while not being too meta and my favourite part was her use of footnotes that I would be skipping ahead to read every time they popped up.
It’s been quite some time since I’ve read a story in this genre that was as moving as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and I’m so excited for everyone to finally get to experience this.
The Three Lives of Cate Kay is the first book I’ve ever read by Kate Fagan and I am thrilled to find a new authour that I will consume from here on out. Her expertise is apparent throughout the entire book from her intricate weaving of a beautiful story to the nuances of the smallest details that will make you weep when revealed.
A slice of life story can become monotonous easily and Fagan is able to avoid this at every turn. I was enamored by her queer love stories while not being heavy handed in any way. Everything was plausible without being boring or even slow burning.
There are multiple POVs that allow for a deeper view into the mind set of our characters while still being told in a “memoir” by Cate Kay herself. It was an interesting twist to the storytelling while not being too meta and my favourite part was her use of footnotes that I would be skipping ahead to read every time they popped up.
It’s been quite some time since I’ve read a story in this genre that was as moving as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and I’m so excited for everyone to finally get to experience this.
A Well-Trained Wife by Tia Levings
4.5
A truly horrifying masterpiece. I didn’t grow up in IBLP but as a Christian within an abusive household and felt so seen while completely horrified at anyone having to experience anything of the like. It’s clear Tia Levings is not only an advocate with a haunting story but a true artist and beautiful writer. Highly recommend to anyone who has been in a cult or interested in the teachings and abuses that stem from them.
Dinner for Vampires: Life on a Cult TV Show by Bethany Joy Lenz
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Dinner for Vampires is everything I expected and wanted from this memoir but don’t be fooled into thinking this is a good time or a new Lestat story.
Growing up with One Tree Hill, I was absolutely enamored with our big three (Brooke, Peyton, and Haley) and it shaped my ideal for female friendships before Sex and the City ever could. It was so disheartening to see how those relationships weren’t able to transcend into the real life (on set) of Bethany Joy Lenz and to experience her first hand account of living in a cult.
I identified with this story more than I ever hoped also living in a very distinct branch of Christianity and the wild similarities between this religion and cult like mentality. We get to see how anybody can be targeted, coerced, and then ruined by these vampires especially when that someone is a growing star on one of the most exciting shows on television.
This story focuses a lot more on Joy and her time in the cult, her experiences that were shaped by them, and her struggle to get free. Don’t go into this thinking it will be like The Drama Queens Podcast at all or even Hillarie Burton Morgan’s memoir because the topic and her life is vastly different than what we have gotten to hear from these beautiful and strong women. But don’t let the heavy topic dissuade you from reading either. Through an incredibly strong voice, Joy is able to convey her story without begging you to understand but is still able to elicit so much empathy and kindness for survivors of all types. And the insights to her and Paul Johansson’s (evil Dan Scott’s) dear friendship was one of my favourite things to come from this recounting.
Thank you so much for this ARC as this was one of my most anticipated books this year and I was THRILLED to get this months before I had to start my countdown. I can’t wait for everyone to hear her story and all collectively give her a giant hug.
Growing up with One Tree Hill, I was absolutely enamored with our big three (Brooke, Peyton, and Haley) and it shaped my ideal for female friendships before Sex and the City ever could. It was so disheartening to see how those relationships weren’t able to transcend into the real life (on set) of Bethany Joy Lenz and to experience her first hand account of living in a cult.
I identified with this story more than I ever hoped also living in a very distinct branch of Christianity and the wild similarities between this religion and cult like mentality. We get to see how anybody can be targeted, coerced, and then ruined by these vampires especially when that someone is a growing star on one of the most exciting shows on television.
This story focuses a lot more on Joy and her time in the cult, her experiences that were shaped by them, and her struggle to get free. Don’t go into this thinking it will be like The Drama Queens Podcast at all or even Hillarie Burton Morgan’s memoir because the topic and her life is vastly different than what we have gotten to hear from these beautiful and strong women. But don’t let the heavy topic dissuade you from reading either. Through an incredibly strong voice, Joy is able to convey her story without begging you to understand but is still able to elicit so much empathy and kindness for survivors of all types. And the insights to her and Paul Johansson’s (evil Dan Scott’s) dear friendship was one of my favourite things to come from this recounting.
Thank you so much for this ARC as this was one of my most anticipated books this year and I was THRILLED to get this months before I had to start my countdown. I can’t wait for everyone to hear her story and all collectively give her a giant hug.