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leootherland's reviews
164 reviews
Every Woman Knows This by Laurel Hightower, Laurel Hightower
4.0
I knew this book was coming out for a long time and didn’t have it in the forefront of my mind to purchase it, but when I saw the book had almost reached #1 on an Amazon bestseller list, I decided I was going to support the author and get myself some horror to read in the dark. I have no regrets about that decision.
Every Woman Knows This is what I would call a perfect book, I give it a four star rating because not all of the stories are 100% satisfying and there are a very few editorial mistakes. However, from the very first Every Woman Knows This pulls you in and paints a terrifying picture of exactly what everyone born into a female presenting body has to deal with on a daily basis.
These stories showcase the disturbing truths every woman knows and will make you question just what that sound was in the dark. I made the absolute right decision to read most of this book after all the lights were off and everyone else had gone to sleep, and I have absolutely no regrets about that, either. These stories had me peering into the corners of my apartment, wondering if there was something there. Every Woman Knows This is well worth the read and I am more than pleased I helped it get the #1 ranking on Amazon.
And as I always try to do when I read anthologies or collections, I have picked out several stories that stand out in my mind.
“Every Woman Knows This,” the title story of this collection, is the all time best way to start off the book. It immediately “hooks” you and shows one of the things every woman knows. Never smile at the anglerfish. I knew I would love this collection the moment I read this story.
“The Bride Wore Black” is one of the stories that is not 100% satisfying. Its ending leaves a few things to be desired, in my mind, but it has stunning imagery and is delightfully haunting. This is a fantastic ghost story and would make a wonderful novel.
“The Midwife.” Ah, what to say about this one. It is dark and definitely spec fic, and yet in its fantastic elements can be found truths every woman knows. Truths about going against societal demands and the strengths that can be found in choosing not to be silent. A definite recommendation.
“The Little Head.” This one was satisfying and decidedly creepy. And yet, for all its horror, here to we find truths about loving ourselves and the risks of neglecting to do so.
“Goddess of Need.” Everyone born into the body of a “woman” knows what it is to put the needs of others before their own. And it is all too easy to think we are doing the right thing in this, that our needs are less important or will somehow be cared for through the very act of caring for others more than ourselves. The dangers of this are more than apparent in this tale.
“Distress Call.” This one did not seem like it fit the theme of the book. But it makes up for it in sheer terror. Disturbing. Love it.
“Starman.” This was another that did not feel 100% satisfying in the end, but that I couldn’t help falling in love with through sheer atmosphere and imagery. The set up of the story is more than amazing and the storytelling fantastic. Somehow Laurel makes the terrifying feel comfortable and comforting, and I wanted to stay there. The end might not be what I would have liked to see, but I’m still in love with this story.
“The Goodbye House.” I like this story. It, again, doesn’t feel like it fits the theme of the book, and yet it is a good read. Quiet and thoughtful and not entirely horror, but it leaves you pleased at the end. Here is a woman doing what she believes is right, and here is that same woman confronted with the fact she may have been doing wrong. And here again is that woman choosing bravery and to do something new. An excellent read.
“Someone Has To Do It.” How many women have said this as they look at a task that must be done? Too many. Every “woman” will know the weight of what these words imply. Laurel has captured this knowing excellently in this tale.
In addition to the main stories, Every Woman Knows This is sprinkled with vignettes of womanhood and femaleness and these are as worth the read as the longer pieces. I may have only given this a four star rating, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love this book. Read it.
You won’t regret it.
Every Woman Knows This is what I would call a perfect book, I give it a four star rating because not all of the stories are 100% satisfying and there are a very few editorial mistakes. However, from the very first Every Woman Knows This pulls you in and paints a terrifying picture of exactly what everyone born into a female presenting body has to deal with on a daily basis.
These stories showcase the disturbing truths every woman knows and will make you question just what that sound was in the dark. I made the absolute right decision to read most of this book after all the lights were off and everyone else had gone to sleep, and I have absolutely no regrets about that, either. These stories had me peering into the corners of my apartment, wondering if there was something there. Every Woman Knows This is well worth the read and I am more than pleased I helped it get the #1 ranking on Amazon.
And as I always try to do when I read anthologies or collections, I have picked out several stories that stand out in my mind.
“Every Woman Knows This,” the title story of this collection, is the all time best way to start off the book. It immediately “hooks” you and shows one of the things every woman knows. Never smile at the anglerfish. I knew I would love this collection the moment I read this story.
“The Bride Wore Black” is one of the stories that is not 100% satisfying. Its ending leaves a few things to be desired, in my mind, but it has stunning imagery and is delightfully haunting. This is a fantastic ghost story and would make a wonderful novel.
“The Midwife.” Ah, what to say about this one. It is dark and definitely spec fic, and yet in its fantastic elements can be found truths every woman knows. Truths about going against societal demands and the strengths that can be found in choosing not to be silent. A definite recommendation.
“The Little Head.” This one was satisfying and decidedly creepy. And yet, for all its horror, here to we find truths about loving ourselves and the risks of neglecting to do so.
“Goddess of Need.” Everyone born into the body of a “woman” knows what it is to put the needs of others before their own. And it is all too easy to think we are doing the right thing in this, that our needs are less important or will somehow be cared for through the very act of caring for others more than ourselves. The dangers of this are more than apparent in this tale.
“Distress Call.” This one did not seem like it fit the theme of the book. But it makes up for it in sheer terror. Disturbing. Love it.
“Starman.” This was another that did not feel 100% satisfying in the end, but that I couldn’t help falling in love with through sheer atmosphere and imagery. The set up of the story is more than amazing and the storytelling fantastic. Somehow Laurel makes the terrifying feel comfortable and comforting, and I wanted to stay there. The end might not be what I would have liked to see, but I’m still in love with this story.
“The Goodbye House.” I like this story. It, again, doesn’t feel like it fits the theme of the book, and yet it is a good read. Quiet and thoughtful and not entirely horror, but it leaves you pleased at the end. Here is a woman doing what she believes is right, and here is that same woman confronted with the fact she may have been doing wrong. And here again is that woman choosing bravery and to do something new. An excellent read.
“Someone Has To Do It.” How many women have said this as they look at a task that must be done? Too many. Every “woman” will know the weight of what these words imply. Laurel has captured this knowing excellently in this tale.
In addition to the main stories, Every Woman Knows This is sprinkled with vignettes of womanhood and femaleness and these are as worth the read as the longer pieces. I may have only given this a four star rating, but that doesn’t mean I don’t love this book. Read it.
You won’t regret it.
Agony's Lodestone by Laura Keating
5.0
Every time I see one of Tenebrous Press’ ARC copies appear in my inbox I start internally screaming in delight because I know I’m in for something special. The kind of horror Matt and Alex publish is always top notch, and Agony’s Lodestone is no exception.
You walk into this book and you’re immediately captured by Laura’s voice. Her descriptions are simple but artful, and instantly pull you into the flow of the narration. Her story is woven together so skillfully it’s easy to get lost in Cannon Park right along with her characters. There isn’t a single pause for breath in this tale, and honestly, you don’t want one.
The aspects of found footage and family dynamics twine together with twisted realities and past experiences, to create a tapestry you can’t get enough of until the last thread comes together at the end.
And all that praise is just focused on the mastery of the writing. The story is a thing of beauty all its own. You open the cover to this expecting The Blair Witch Project or The Ring, and close it on an experience you could never have expected.
Agony’s Lodestone is an example that every character doesn’t have to die to make a story horror. That a book can be terrifying, but still leave you with a satisfying ending that makes you THINK. This is the best of honor, and the best of a survival story where you rediscover family and come to realize your choices matter. Will you be the monster? Or the person?
I cannot say enough how much I love this book. I devoured it in a day and left wishing for more. Definitely want to see what else Laura will be writing.
You walk into this book and you’re immediately captured by Laura’s voice. Her descriptions are simple but artful, and instantly pull you into the flow of the narration. Her story is woven together so skillfully it’s easy to get lost in Cannon Park right along with her characters. There isn’t a single pause for breath in this tale, and honestly, you don’t want one.
The aspects of found footage and family dynamics twine together with twisted realities and past experiences, to create a tapestry you can’t get enough of until the last thread comes together at the end.
And all that praise is just focused on the mastery of the writing. The story is a thing of beauty all its own. You open the cover to this expecting The Blair Witch Project or The Ring, and close it on an experience you could never have expected.
Agony’s Lodestone is an example that every character doesn’t have to die to make a story horror. That a book can be terrifying, but still leave you with a satisfying ending that makes you THINK. This is the best of honor, and the best of a survival story where you rediscover family and come to realize your choices matter. Will you be the monster? Or the person?
I cannot say enough how much I love this book. I devoured it in a day and left wishing for more. Definitely want to see what else Laura will be writing.
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett
5.0
Neil Gaimain and Terry Pratchett need no reviews. This is Good Omens, the book speaks for itself.