jayjaybraggs's reviews
368 reviews

Just Our Luck by Denise Williams

4.0

A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera

4.0

Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

4.0

Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell

4.0

The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington

2.5

Let me start by saying I LOVED Their Vicious Games by this author. 

But this…sadly, was not what I was hoping for. To be clear, the writing was good, but the story kind of fell apart. 

I’m a fan of horror and slasher films. And I love when books/movies play up the “movie rules”. I was somewhat intrigued by most of this book. But the further we got into the story the more things got jumbled. 

The flip-flopping of “the rules” and the villain reveal did not meet my expectations. And honestly, parts of the plot didn’t make sense. There wasn’t any foreshadowing or easter eggs to make the ending feel worth the read. 

I am all for taking liberties with horror rules but the final girl and the big reveal need to feel justified and make sense. 

The actual writing was good and I don’t hate this book but I was very disappointed by the end. 

Will I pick up another book from this author? 

ABSOLUTELY- I enjoy Wellington's writing and her creativity so I’m still looking forward to whatever she puts out next. 

Elevator Pitch by Evelyn Leigh

4.0

Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma

4.75

I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.25

“I don’t know - I don’t make the rules, I just follow them, whether I want to or not.” 

I really liked how the author took the time to give context to major slasher characteristics. 

• The murderous instruments they select 
• How they always find their victims 
• Their connection to the final girl 
• Their supernatural abilities 

To be clear, we are in the head of the slasher the entire time. He may be somewhat likable but he is also very much the villain! 

There is also lots of internal dialogue and details that may seem pointless but it all comes together. I found this really fascinating and it made for a fun twist on the normal slasher narrative. 

This is my second read from this author and it's safe to say that Stephen Graham Jones is now on my auto-buy list!

Thanks to the publisher saga for this gifted copy! 

Dracula by Bram Stoker

3.0

Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond

4.5