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jprindfleisch's reviews
207 reviews
In the Dark of the Grove by Jon Wesley Huff
dark
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
In the Dark of the Grove by Jon Wesley Huff is an excellent blend of queer representation, American Gothic ambiance, and a narrative that kept me reading the entire book in one sitting. Huff skillfully draws you into the unsettling atmosphere of Essen, Indiana, a town shrouded in mystery in the dark heart of America's heartland.
Huff's atmospheric writing pulled me smack dab into the Midwest, to a town that feels intriguingly off-kilter. And that ending, though it could have benefited from more foreshadowing, delivered a fun twist that had me racing through the last pages.
This book is a must-read for fans of Americana horror, particularly those seeking queer representation within the genre. In the Dark of the Grove is definitely a standout addition to the horror landscape.
Huff's atmospheric writing pulled me smack dab into the Midwest, to a town that feels intriguingly off-kilter. And that ending, though it could have benefited from more foreshadowing, delivered a fun twist that had me racing through the last pages.
This book is a must-read for fans of Americana horror, particularly those seeking queer representation within the genre. In the Dark of the Grove is definitely a standout addition to the horror landscape.
Rainbow Black by Maggie Thrash
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Rainbow Black perfectly blends a murder mystery, a queer love story, a thriller, and an exploration of identity and societal norms. Maggie Thrash takes us on a journey through the chaos of the '90s Satanic Panic, offering a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is thrilling.
As the world tumbles into rampant accusations and fear, we follow Thrash's protagonist, Lacey Bond, as she grows up in the height of this hysteria, discovering her identity as a queer person. Thrash beautifully represents this without holding back on the realities of a lived queer experience.
Rainbow Black does more than just tell a story; it challenges the reader to consider the parallels between past and present attitudes towards identities and queerness. Thrash's insightful narrative also invites us to ponder the evolution of representation in literature, by presenting a fully developed main character with unavoidable flaws.
The courtroom drama elements add a layer of intensity to the narrative, while the exploration of Lacey's personal growth and her interactions within this charged environment is handled well.
Maggie Thrash's Rainbow Black is a must-read for anyone seeking new voices and representations within the thriller and murder mystery genres.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
As the world tumbles into rampant accusations and fear, we follow Thrash's protagonist, Lacey Bond, as she grows up in the height of this hysteria, discovering her identity as a queer person. Thrash beautifully represents this without holding back on the realities of a lived queer experience.
Rainbow Black does more than just tell a story; it challenges the reader to consider the parallels between past and present attitudes towards identities and queerness. Thrash's insightful narrative also invites us to ponder the evolution of representation in literature, by presenting a fully developed main character with unavoidable flaws.
The courtroom drama elements add a layer of intensity to the narrative, while the exploration of Lacey's personal growth and her interactions within this charged environment is handled well.
Maggie Thrash's Rainbow Black is a must-read for anyone seeking new voices and representations within the thriller and murder mystery genres.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Baby X: A Thriller by Kira Peikoff
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Baby X is a thrilling journey into the realm of speculative fiction, seamlessly blending bioethics and edge-of-your-seat storytelling. Peikoff, with a background in journalism and bioethics, crafts a novel that is as intellectually stimulating as it is gripping.
The story unfolds in a near-future world where the revolutionary technology of in vitro gametogenesis (IVG) redefines a society where any misplaced tissue could foster life if it fell in the wrong hands. As a science nerd, I loved Peikoff's skillful handling of complex scientific concepts, making them accessible without bogging the reader down in details.
Peikoff's bioethics expertise shines through in the realistic portrayal of scientific advancements and their potential implications. Her talent for weaving intricate scientific themes into an engaging narrative is impressive, transforming Baby X into more than just a novel—it's a thought-provoking exploration of what the future might hold.
Baby X kept me hooked from start to finish, offering both thrills and a profound commentary on the future of science and ethics.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
The story unfolds in a near-future world where the revolutionary technology of in vitro gametogenesis (IVG) redefines a society where any misplaced tissue could foster life if it fell in the wrong hands. As a science nerd, I loved Peikoff's skillful handling of complex scientific concepts, making them accessible without bogging the reader down in details.
Peikoff's bioethics expertise shines through in the realistic portrayal of scientific advancements and their potential implications. Her talent for weaving intricate scientific themes into an engaging narrative is impressive, transforming Baby X into more than just a novel—it's a thought-provoking exploration of what the future might hold.
Baby X kept me hooked from start to finish, offering both thrills and a profound commentary on the future of science and ethics.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.