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howlinglibraries's Reviews (1.89k)
2024 challenge for me: stop taking booktok recs for extreme horror
2024 challenge for booktok: recommend horror books that are well written and don't primarily rely on descriptions of dirty genitals to gross out readers
Honestly, this was... I don't know, I just expected so much more after seeing SO much hype. 😩 I was hoping this would be one of those rare extreme horror finds that was really well-written and genuinely GOOD, but the page length should've been cut in half, the dialogue and internal thought processes were so unrealistic and boring, and these children made me wonder if the author ever interacts with actual kids IRL. Couple all of that with way too many descriptions of an elderly woman's genitals and her kinks, and this was simply Not A Good Time.
I did, however, really enjoy the final scene with a certain adult clumsily breaking playground toys. No spoilers, but iykyk and it was cute.
2024 challenge for booktok: recommend horror books that are well written and don't primarily rely on descriptions of dirty genitals to gross out readers
Honestly, this was... I don't know, I just expected so much more after seeing SO much hype. 😩 I was hoping this would be one of those rare extreme horror finds that was really well-written and genuinely GOOD, but the page length should've been cut in half, the dialogue and internal thought processes were so unrealistic and boring, and these children made me wonder if the author ever interacts with actual kids IRL. Couple all of that with way too many descriptions of an elderly woman's genitals and her kinks, and this was simply Not A Good Time.
I did, however, really enjoy the final scene with a certain adult clumsily breaking playground toys. No spoilers, but iykyk and it was cute.
I keep hoping, with every Malerman story I read, "maybe this will be the piece that makes this author finally 'click' with me!" and every time, I'm let down. So many of my friends adore Malerman's work so much and I keep thinking I just haven't tried the right piece, but I'm always left bored and wanting more. :(
I will say, however, that whoever was responsible for the sound effects and creepy voice acting in the end of this audiobook understood the assignment for sure, because that part was excellent!
I will say, however, that whoever was responsible for the sound effects and creepy voice acting in the end of this audiobook understood the assignment for sure, because that part was excellent!
I mean, logically, I guess I can see why this has such a low average rating, but something about it really worked for me. I think part of it is because it feels so plausible, and part of it is because I actually loved the ending. I saw it coming from a mile away, but in a good way, and watching it unravel was just a lot of fun.
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
What's that? Give my Favorite Book of the Year So Far™️ spot to Ali Hazelwood? Don't mind if I do.
There’s a tense atmosphere, and then there’s this. One venue, three species, five centuries of conflict, and zero good faith.
This was my first Hazelwood title and I fully get the hype. I absolutely adore arranged marriages between members of opposing sides like this, and Bride was probably my favorite example of the trope I’ve read yet.
He’s as harmless as a land mine. He could destroy entire galaxies with a stern look and a growl.
Misery was so easy to love, Lowe was my perfect kind of Alpha (dominant, but his utmost concern was keeping his pack safe, not simply being worshipped and obeyed), and there were so many side characters to enjoy, too — especially little Ana! 🥰 And most of all, the chemistry between these two?! Off the charts. I've been struggling with "buying in" to the relationships in some of the romance books I've been reading lately, but that wasn't an issue here at all because I was rooting so hard for these two!
"Misery. We are the consequences."
Don't get me wrong, this book wasn't perfect, but it was close enough. The only complaint I had was that some of Lowe's actions during the third act conflict felt very unnecessary, but it was so short-lived and didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story at all. At that point, I was honestly invested enough in the mystery unraveling that I didn't really mind the conflict! 😬
“You’re not a problem, Misery. You’re a privilege.”
As one last note, after growing up reading some VERY, erm... graphic fanfiction, this was the first time I saw *certain elements* of shifter spice 🪢 in a trad-pub novel and I was delighted to see it done so well. 😅 It was weirdly nostalgic? I dunno, I'm sure some of y'all get me though. I just felt like this whole book was so clearly written as a love letter to those of us who grew up on paranormal romance and I loved it. 🖤 All the stars.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Blood
Minor: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, War
The boy wishes he was like the land, that he could bury his secrets down deep, hide them until millennia later when what is sharp and dangerous about him could be beautiful, too.
This was alright, but not as good as I hoped it would be. Despite how short the audiobook was, I still kept having to re-wind it because my mind would wander; it just wasn't keeping my attention. The writing was lovely at times, and I loved the boy's relationship with his dog Teach, but everything else was a bit bland and the ending just upset me. Spoiler alert: (view spoiler)
I'll admit I'm a tough sell with cosmic horror, so someone who enjoys it more might like this better than I did, and I don't regret reading it, but I probably won't be first in line to check out Coney's next release.
Thank you to the publisher and LibroFM for the audio review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.
Poor Susannah never should have gone home to visit. Sheesh! As someone who was frequently stopped by older people in my late teens and early twenties to be lectured about my tattoos and as someone who narrowly dodged out of the way when a grandparent of mine, upon seeing my new lip ring, literally tried to grab it and rip it out of my face(!!!), this made me shudder all over. The writing was really good and I'm definitely going to look for more books by this author!