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justjussy__'s reviews
755 reviews
Gothictown by Emily Carpenter
Gothictown by Emily Carpenter
QUICK SUMMARY
Billie Hope moves with her family to Juliana, Georgia, after a tempting offer for a home and business grant. Despite the town's charm, she faces haunting dreams, marital strife, and overbearing influences from local elders, leading her to question the safety and permanence of their new life.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I could not put this book down. Small-town horror always has a grip on me. The historical features of this story make it all the more worrisome for the characters of this book. This take on a too-good-to-be-true offer post-pandemic and someone struggling to find herself and where she belongs in this world. The one thing that turned me off is the HP reference, just unnecessary.
3.75
Freedom doesn't come without a sacrifice.
Gothictown by Emily Carpenter
QUICK SUMMARY
Billie Hope moves with her family to Juliana, Georgia, after a tempting offer for a home and business grant. Despite the town's charm, she faces haunting dreams, marital strife, and overbearing influences from local elders, leading her to question the safety and permanence of their new life.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I could not put this book down. Small-town horror always has a grip on me. The historical features of this story make it all the more worrisome for the characters of this book. This take on a too-good-to-be-true offer post-pandemic and someone struggling to find herself and where she belongs in this world. The one thing that turned me off is the HP reference, just unnecessary.
The Good House by Tananarive Due
2.75
“Happy people are just people who haven’t learned better yet.”
The Good House by Tananarive Due
QUICK SUMMARY 🖊️
Angela Toussaint hasn’t been to the home she grew up in since the accident. But in order to face her past and ensure her future. She needs to face demons of her and her ancestors past.
FINAL THOUGHTS 💭
The synopsis of this book had me wanting to love it. After DNFing twice and almost this last time before powering through, I found that this book drug on and with amount that was going on it the book I couldn’t keep my focus. Everything just ended up being a disappointment as a whole.
The Good House by Tananarive Due
QUICK SUMMARY 🖊️
Angela Toussaint hasn’t been to the home she grew up in since the accident. But in order to face her past and ensure her future. She needs to face demons of her and her ancestors past.
FINAL THOUGHTS 💭
The synopsis of this book had me wanting to love it. After DNFing twice and almost this last time before powering through, I found that this book drug on and with amount that was going on it the book I couldn’t keep my focus. Everything just ended up being a disappointment as a whole.
Daughters of Legianne by H.S. Sullivan
5.0
“We’re going to die while these dummies are trying to figure out which comic book character they want to be,”
Daughters of Legianne by H.S. Sullivan (@themothermermaid)
QUICK RUNDOWN 🖊️
A multigenerational family saga entwined with secrets, lies and magic.
FINAL THOUGHTS 💭
Okay, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel at first with this one. But the more I got into the book the deeper the claws of this book dove into me. The magical world, the complex relationships and the entire story keeps you wanting more right until the bitter end … and then some.
Daughters of Legianne by H.S. Sullivan (@themothermermaid)
QUICK RUNDOWN 🖊️
A multigenerational family saga entwined with secrets, lies and magic.
FINAL THOUGHTS 💭
Okay, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel at first with this one. But the more I got into the book the deeper the claws of this book dove into me. The magical world, the complex relationships and the entire story keeps you wanting more right until the bitter end … and then some.
Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist by Liz Pelly
2.0
This behind the scenes read was just not for me. I found myself needing to push through, it was too wordy for me and I couldn’t keep my interest.
The Mother Next Door: Medicine, Deception, and Munchausen by Proxy by Andrea Dunlop, Mike Weber
5.0
“As she began to explain the terminology to the court, the judge cut her off and said he knew what Munchausen by proxy was. But another witness in court that day would later tell Mike that from her vantage point on the witness stand, she’d observed Judge Mumford google “Munchausen by proxy” from his laptop on the bench.”
The Mother Next Door
Medicine, Deception and Munchausen by Proxy
By Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber
QUICK SUMMARY 🖊️
This book follows three very different cases but all with one glaringly similarity. The title should say it all.
FINAL THOUGHTS 💭
I had to sit with this book for so long before writing this. Because how do you explain that you rated a book that at its core is about child abuse? We all have heard of Gypsy Rose at this point but it’s not often to hear of other cases for many reasons but one is how do you prove a parent is hurting their child? This book goes into depth to explain three different cases and the challenges faced to bring these parents to justice. I honestly couldn’t put this book down because of the disbelief and utter disgust I felt while reading.
The authors did a fantastic job explaining these stories and bringing to light this very real and serious problem.
The Mother Next Door
Medicine, Deception and Munchausen by Proxy
By Andrea Dunlop and Mike Weber
QUICK SUMMARY 🖊️
This book follows three very different cases but all with one glaringly similarity. The title should say it all.
FINAL THOUGHTS 💭
I had to sit with this book for so long before writing this. Because how do you explain that you rated a book that at its core is about child abuse? We all have heard of Gypsy Rose at this point but it’s not often to hear of other cases for many reasons but one is how do you prove a parent is hurting their child? This book goes into depth to explain three different cases and the challenges faced to bring these parents to justice. I honestly couldn’t put this book down because of the disbelief and utter disgust I felt while reading.
The authors did a fantastic job explaining these stories and bringing to light this very real and serious problem.
A Sunny Place for Shady People: Stories by Mariana Enríquez
QUICK SUMMARY
Short stories surrounding ordinary people from Argentina, mainly women, who encounter surreal, terror and supernatural.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The first story had me hooked but was sadly a downhill slide from there. Which was disappointing because I really had zero interest by the time I hit the end of the book. The only reason it is as highly rated as it is, is because I enjoyed that first story so much.
3.0
“Mom, your stubbornness is going to get you killed and I’ll be the one to find you lying here dead and I hope you’ve saved money for my therapy because I’m not spending mine.”
QUICK SUMMARY
Short stories surrounding ordinary people from Argentina, mainly women, who encounter surreal, terror and supernatural.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The first story had me hooked but was sadly a downhill slide from there. Which was disappointing because I really had zero interest by the time I hit the end of the book. The only reason it is as highly rated as it is, is because I enjoyed that first story so much.
Our Share of Night by Mariana Enríquez
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
This is more about not being able to follow the audiobook medium. So I will need to read the ebook.
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Who would this book appeal to?
Perfect for fans of slow burn suspenseful family dramas with many moving parts in a small town atmosphere. This book is very character driven and explores some hard topics such as loss, secrets and complex family drama.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This beautifully written novel drew me in from the very first page. Set in the Adirondack Mountains and spanning multiple years, it showcases a distinct divide between the wealthy and the working class. I adored the women in this story and their complex lives.
Over the years, the author has woven an intricate tale about these women's lives. Although the story is slow-paced, I remained invested in each character and was eager to find out how it all ended—and I was not disappointed.
5.0
It was funny, she thought, how many relationships one could have with the same man, over the course of a lifetime together.
Who would this book appeal to?
Perfect for fans of slow burn suspenseful family dramas with many moving parts in a small town atmosphere. This book is very character driven and explores some hard topics such as loss, secrets and complex family drama.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This beautifully written novel drew me in from the very first page. Set in the Adirondack Mountains and spanning multiple years, it showcases a distinct divide between the wealthy and the working class. I adored the women in this story and their complex lives.
Over the years, the author has woven an intricate tale about these women's lives. Although the story is slow-paced, I remained invested in each character and was eager to find out how it all ended—and I was not disappointed.
Jackal by Erin E. Adams
QUICK SUMMARY
Liz Rocher is coming home, ONLY for her best friend's wedding. As a Black woman, this small town doesn't exactly bring back fond memories from her childhood. Except, during the wedding, Caroline, the friends daughter disappears and the only thing left behind is a piece of her dress covered in blood. Liz frantic to help her friend find their missing child will stop at nothing, but unfortunatley that means digging up the past.. Which people want to keep hidden.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It honeslty took me a hot minute to gather my thoughts. This book is so much more than the surface level story. I honestly am still having trouble voicing my opinions, the story brought real world issues into a fantastical story. So much so that people might not realize. Missing Black girl? Who is going to look for her? After reading other reviews, I fully believe that people have missed the point. Or maybe I am reading too much into it?
4.75
“If there’s one thing fear can do, it’s make a beast out of a shadow. It turns us all into monsters.”
QUICK SUMMARY
Liz Rocher is coming home, ONLY for her best friend's wedding. As a Black woman, this small town doesn't exactly bring back fond memories from her childhood. Except, during the wedding, Caroline, the friends daughter disappears and the only thing left behind is a piece of her dress covered in blood. Liz frantic to help her friend find their missing child will stop at nothing, but unfortunatley that means digging up the past.. Which people want to keep hidden.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It honeslty took me a hot minute to gather my thoughts. This book is so much more than the surface level story. I honestly am still having trouble voicing my opinions, the story brought real world issues into a fantastical story. So much so that people might not realize. Missing Black girl? Who is going to look for her? After reading other reviews, I fully believe that people have missed the point. Or maybe I am reading too much into it?
The White Guy Dies First by Terry J. Benton-Walker
3.0
“It was the night before the end-of-year dance, and Adelaide Hu sat less than an inch away from a gory cluster of intestines.”
The White Guy Dies First - A Horror Anthology
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
WHO WOULD ENJOY THIS BOOK?
Fans of anthologies would find this a fresh breath on classic tropes, from BPOC authors will provide enough variety where there is something for everyone. Challenging traditional narratives with killer clowns, supernatural themes and modern villains.
FINAL THOUGHTS 💭
The only reason why I think this fell short for me is because of the amazing anthology I read just before this. These were all solid stories, but I just didn’t love them nor did any super stand out in my mind but it was definitely nice to read another collection from different views.
The White Guy Dies First - A Horror Anthology
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
WHO WOULD ENJOY THIS BOOK?
Fans of anthologies would find this a fresh breath on classic tropes, from BPOC authors will provide enough variety where there is something for everyone. Challenging traditional narratives with killer clowns, supernatural themes and modern villains.
FINAL THOUGHTS 💭
The only reason why I think this fell short for me is because of the amazing anthology I read just before this. These were all solid stories, but I just didn’t love them nor did any super stand out in my mind but it was definitely nice to read another collection from different views.