hounded's reviews
65 reviews

What is Not Yours is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi

4.25

I think all of the stories in here are worth the read and have so many small details that I will definitely have to read it again! My favorites are "is your blood as red as this?" And "freddy barrandov checks in".

Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird by Agustina Bazterrica

3.0

I had a lot of fun reading this book. It's style was something new to me and I really liked it. The stories were disturbing and all of them had a good sense of mood. Unfortunately I found some of the stories confusing or just lackluster compared to some of the other stories in here! But Still!! Read it!
My favorites are; Hell, The Dead, The wolfs breath, and Dishwasher :)

Taaqtumi: An Anthology of Arctic Horror Stories by Aviaq Johnston, Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley, Gayle Kabloona, Repo Kempt, Cara Bryant, Thomas Anguti Johnston, Jay Bulckaert, Richard Van Camp, K.C. Carthew, Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley, Ann R. Loverock

3.75

Such a good collection of stories! It's always fun reading through so many different styles of writing but unfortunately some of them were not to my taste. The stories I did like have really stuck with me! With out a doubt worth picking up and reading :)

Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith

5.0

Oh my god! It is going to be a long time finding another book as good as this one! Everything in this book was perfection. The writing style is beautiful and immersive. The characters all feel so fleshed out and well done. The plot itself always kept me engaged even in the "Slower" parts of it. The horror elements where used so so well I can't think of another horror anything that did all of it right like this book did. The commentary on racism, colonization, and misogyny were so well presented and talked about so thoroughly all through the plot of the story. I truly cannot express how much this book has rooted itself in my brain and cannot wait to read it again! 

Walking Practice by Dolki Min

3.5

I really liked it! For me some of it felt a bit meandering with story which left me somewhat bored but overall I enjoyed it!
It's been a long time since a book made me laugh out loud while reading it and this had multiple moments where I did. The main character is amazing I enjoyed every word from them so much!

Beverly by Nick Drnaso

4.0

Between the art style and the stories themselves it was perfectly set up for a disturbing read and a really good one! I have sat down and thought about it a lot. I think I will reread it at least like 5 more times before the year ends

Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler

emotional inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

5.0

This book is amazing!! I cannot put into words how good this book was. The characters were all memorable and unique! The world building of the communities is unmatched and so well thought out all the way to the end! 
The main characters appearance was excellent choice for the commentary Octavia Butler was making through this whole book. Everything here had a purpose and was meaningful. 
This has definitely become one of my favorite books I've ever read and it's going on my re-read list for next year :)

Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh

dark tense

4.5

Really good and very disturbing. At first I felt very lost in some parts of the book but it ended neatly and gave me a reason to re-read it and think about it even more! The characters were so good and consistent. It was a strange experience reading it but a recommended one. Look at the trigger warnings before reading!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Cannibalism, Death, Excrement, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Rape, Child abuse, Self harm, Sexism, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Abortion, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, and Vomit

Unquiet Spirits: Essays by Asian Women in Horror by Angela Yuriko Smith, Lee Murray

3.25

I enjoyed this. Hearing all the different stories of peoples lives and how their lived experiences relate back to ghosts and other spirits from their backgrounds. There was one essay that felt very..... transphobic it was really uncomfortable but it was the only one in the whole book like that so I was surprised. But a few essays in the middle were fantastic!!

The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

dark emotional

3.0

A classic horror book of course and very very good. Not my favorite in terms of style and some of it felt kind of pretentious but still a good read! PLEASE CHECK CONTENT WARNINGS BEFORE READING!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicide, Sexual content, Excrement, Violence, Vomit, Self harm, and Rape