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mstall_'s reviews
247 reviews
The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This bite sized horror story is absolute PERFECTION. Seriously the only thing that sucks about The Night Guest is that it is so short!
Iðunn can't figure out why she's so exhausted all the time. She goes to her doctor (a man) who dismisses her concerns (typical). She goes to a psychiatrist (man) who recommends a stint in the psych hospital (typical). She feels like no one is listening to her concerns. Acting on the advice of well meaning friends ("exercise cures everything!) she buys a pedometer to help get more exercise in. One night she realizes that over night she walked 40,000 steps along the Icelandic coast. As Iðunn investigates a startling truth begins to emerge: she may not be alone in her own body.
This feels like classic, Iclandic folk horror. It's chilling and captivating, with the right amount of scary and "what the f" moments.
Iðunn can't figure out why she's so exhausted all the time. She goes to her doctor (a man) who dismisses her concerns (typical). She goes to a psychiatrist (man) who recommends a stint in the psych hospital (typical). She feels like no one is listening to her concerns. Acting on the advice of well meaning friends ("exercise cures everything!) she buys a pedometer to help get more exercise in. One night she realizes that over night she walked 40,000 steps along the Icelandic coast. As Iðunn investigates a startling truth begins to emerge: she may not be alone in her own body.
This feels like classic, Iclandic folk horror. It's chilling and captivating, with the right amount of scary and "what the f" moments.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Gore and Blood
Counting Backwards by Jacqueline Friedland
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
Just a lot of triggering stuff in here -- rape, forced sterilization, violence against women, etc. I might come back to it because the premise really is interesting and the writing is really great. Just needed a break.
These Days by Lucy Caldwell
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.0
Emma and Audrey are two young sisters living in Belfast during 1941. Emma, volunteering for the First Aid Corps, is secretly in love with her supervisor Sylvia. Audrey, recently engaged, is beginning to feel pangs of deep sadness at the thought of having to leave her job and become a wife and mother. The story takes place over four days during the bombing of Belfast in April of 1941. The tragedy and horror of the blitz will force Emma and Audrey to make choices that could change their lives forever.
At only 288 pages, These Days was a quick and easy read. I found the story very compelling and the writing to be engaging. These Days navigates themes of trauma, loss, grief, feminism and sexuality all through the lens of the Belfast Blitz. I would highly recommend this book!
At only 288 pages, These Days was a quick and easy read. I found the story very compelling and the writing to be engaging. These Days navigates themes of trauma, loss, grief, feminism and sexuality all through the lens of the Belfast Blitz. I would highly recommend this book!
Follow Me by Elizabeth Rose Quinn
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Chiara Shaw is struggling with motherhood. She is exhausted, overwhelmed, and lonely. Her twin and only real friend, Adrianne, is falling deeper into her drug use and barely speaks to Chiara anymore. Chiara wins a trip to an exclusive mommy blogger retreat where she hopes to make real connections with moms who are also just trying to get by.
A year later, Adrianne is grappling with the disappearance of her sister. Chiara went to the Instagram mommy retreat and never came back. Dismissed by Chiara's husband and the police, Adrianne decides to infiltrate the retreat and get answers and proof that Chiara was met with foul play.
Follow Me by Elizabeth Rose Quinn is one part thriller and one part social commentary. Quinn expertly captures the darker side of mommy bloggers and the toxic belief systems and behaviors that keep Instagram stars afloat while also relieving the pressure of this reality with humor.
It's no surprise to me that before this book is even published (May 2025) it has already been optioned for a movie and is in production. Follow Me was definitely entertaining, but I did find the pacing to be extremely slow for about 65% of the book. Because the two main characters are not together, we have to be told a lot of information instead of shown. If telling the reader information is not done well it can result in too much exposition which Follow Me seems to suffer from in part. I wish there had been a bit tighter editing to be honest. Overall it was a quick and easy read, especially during some parts where I just skimmed quickly.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
A year later, Adrianne is grappling with the disappearance of her sister. Chiara went to the Instagram mommy retreat and never came back. Dismissed by Chiara's husband and the police, Adrianne decides to infiltrate the retreat and get answers and proof that Chiara was met with foul play.
Follow Me by Elizabeth Rose Quinn is one part thriller and one part social commentary. Quinn expertly captures the darker side of mommy bloggers and the toxic belief systems and behaviors that keep Instagram stars afloat while also relieving the pressure of this reality with humor.
It's no surprise to me that before this book is even published (May 2025) it has already been optioned for a movie and is in production. Follow Me was definitely entertaining, but I did find the pacing to be extremely slow for about 65% of the book. Because the two main characters are not together, we have to be told a lot of information instead of shown. If telling the reader information is not done well it can result in too much exposition which Follow Me seems to suffer from in part. I wish there had been a bit tighter editing to be honest. Overall it was a quick and easy read, especially during some parts where I just skimmed quickly.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by
Coco Mellors is a captivating story about relationship, wounding choice, agency, and growing up. The story follows two central characters, Cleo and Frank, who meet one New Year’s Eve night in New York and decide a few short months later to get married. As they set off in their new life they feel nothing but hope and excitement for the future. However, they’re not truly prepared for the upheavals life will offer them. Frank’s drinking becomes more and more problematic and Cole’s depression worsens and worsens. Thus follows the story of how these two people’s relationship impacts not only themselves but everyone else is their life, like ripples from a pebble thrown in a pond.
Cleopatra and Frankenstein is a testament to relationships that we know are not working, but because we are fearful and ashamed, we refuse to let go. It is a 300 and some odd page encouragement to release things in your life that do not fit anymore so that something earth shattering can arrive.
Coco Mellors’ writing is witty and quick — every sentence is meaningful. The plot is intricately woven in such a way that you find yourself giddy when a small Easter egg pops up. The pacing for such a heavy character driven story is absolutely perfect. Highly recommend!
Coco Mellors is a captivating story about relationship, wounding choice, agency, and growing up. The story follows two central characters, Cleo and Frank, who meet one New Year’s Eve night in New York and decide a few short months later to get married. As they set off in their new life they feel nothing but hope and excitement for the future. However, they’re not truly prepared for the upheavals life will offer them. Frank’s drinking becomes more and more problematic and Cole’s depression worsens and worsens. Thus follows the story of how these two people’s relationship impacts not only themselves but everyone else is their life, like ripples from a pebble thrown in a pond.
Cleopatra and Frankenstein is a testament to relationships that we know are not working, but because we are fearful and ashamed, we refuse to let go. It is a 300 and some odd page encouragement to release things in your life that do not fit anymore so that something earth shattering can arrive.
Coco Mellors’ writing is witty and quick — every sentence is meaningful. The plot is intricately woven in such a way that you find yourself giddy when a small Easter egg pops up. The pacing for such a heavy character driven story is absolutely perfect. Highly recommend!
A Sunny Place for Shady People: Stories by Mariana Enríquez
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
A sunny place for shady people by Mariana Enríquez is a collection of horror short stories that leave you wanting more more MORE. Seriously these short stories were so captivating, so unique, so disturbing in the best way that I was bummed every time they ended and yet sooo excited to read the next one.
Enríquez isn’t just writing about things that go bump in the night. Her stories highlight and spotlight the ever present horrors: of being queer in a world that does not feel safe, of mothers passing down their wounds to their daughters, of the agony of grief and loss and regret.
These twelve stories are folkloric, unsettling and yet deeply moving. You are likely to see yourself in at least one of these stories.
Enríquez isn’t just writing about things that go bump in the night. Her stories highlight and spotlight the ever present horrors: of being queer in a world that does not feel safe, of mothers passing down their wounds to their daughters, of the agony of grief and loss and regret.
These twelve stories are folkloric, unsettling and yet deeply moving. You are likely to see yourself in at least one of these stories.
Pineapple Valentine Mystery: A Mid-Life Cozy Mystery Romance (Pineapple Port Mysteries Book 17) by Amy Vansant
adventurous
lighthearted
3.0
Rainbow Black by Maggie Thrash
challenging
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
Rainbow Black by Maggie Thrash is an atmospheric, haunting story that follows Lacey Bond and her family as they navigate claims that they are running a Satanic child daycare in 1980's New Hampshire. Lacey's parents, obviously not satanists and unfortunately just a bit hippie, are ripped from their daughters as the trial begins. Lacey, and her older sister Eclair, are set into an orbit that will eat them up and spit them out.
Maggie Thrash does a phenomenal job exploring themes of moral panics, gender, sexuality, and justice. The events in the book are grueling and horrific, and yet Thrash is able to inject a dry sense of wit and humor that takes the edge off. Being accused of worshiping satan in your daycare is ultimately a profound absurdity and she writes that absurdity well. This book felt like a queer Strange Things -- coming of age, coming out, defeating the gorgon (aka the American justice system). I thought it was fantastic, and I disagree with other reviewers who said the last half of the book "dragged". I think the story was well paced throughout the novel.
5/5. Please check trigger warnings.
Maggie Thrash does a phenomenal job exploring themes of moral panics, gender, sexuality, and justice. The events in the book are grueling and horrific, and yet Thrash is able to inject a dry sense of wit and humor that takes the edge off. Being accused of worshiping satan in your daycare is ultimately a profound absurdity and she writes that absurdity well. This book felt like a queer Strange Things -- coming of age, coming out, defeating the gorgon (aka the American justice system). I thought it was fantastic, and I disagree with other reviewers who said the last half of the book "dragged". I think the story was well paced throughout the novel.
5/5. Please check trigger warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Deadnaming, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Blood, Grief, and Lesbophobia
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Not super interested, didn’t really hold my attention.
So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison
Did not finish book. Stopped at 66%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 66%.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
2.5
Listen, I love all things RH. I’ve loved all of her books thus far so when I heard she was coming out with a vampire horror novel I was desperately waiting for release day. I am so bummed with myself for not loving it at ALL. I tried, I really really tried but this is just not the book for me. I guess I was bound to dislike one of her books eventually.
Other reviewers seems split on if they like the friendship between Naomi and Sloane or if they hate it. I, personally, hate it. I think Naomi is the worst type of friend: pushy, disregards boundaries, completely self-obsessed. Naomi is the friend that says “you experience sucks but actually mine sucks harder”. She’s a TERRIBLE friend to Sloane, completely disregarding any semblance of boundaries Sloane attempts to put up. Sloane mentions multiple times in her inner monologue how she’s uncomfortable or upset by Naomi’s behavior but sticks around because they’ve been friends since jr high. Sorry that’s not a good enough reason to put up with Naomi’s bullshit behavior to me.
Sloane isn’t perfect either. I also hated her character. She has the personality of dishwater. We really spent like 100 pages reading her inner monologue of being scared to love again because she had a bad boyfriend in college and then made a bad choice with her cheating husband. Girl you have AGENCY. You have choice. And you’re 36. I get that Naomi was trying to drive this point home but she was doing it in such an immature, self-obsessed way it was practically unreadable.
The vampires themselves were not super interesting, and of COURSE there is the vampiric love interest who is 500 years old and OF COURSE he’s obsessed with Sloane, this random doormat of a person, the SECOND he sniffs her. Someone said this was a much worse Twilight and I’d have to agree.
I’ve never read a book where I hated every character so in some ways this was a great first for me. I will be re-reading Cackle and Black Sheep until her next book comes out. Hopefully I like that one wayyyyy better.
Other reviewers seems split on if they like the friendship between Naomi and Sloane or if they hate it. I, personally, hate it. I think Naomi is the worst type of friend: pushy, disregards boundaries, completely self-obsessed. Naomi is the friend that says “you experience sucks but actually mine sucks harder”. She’s a TERRIBLE friend to Sloane, completely disregarding any semblance of boundaries Sloane attempts to put up. Sloane mentions multiple times in her inner monologue how she’s uncomfortable or upset by Naomi’s behavior but sticks around because they’ve been friends since jr high. Sorry that’s not a good enough reason to put up with Naomi’s bullshit behavior to me.
Sloane isn’t perfect either. I also hated her character. She has the personality of dishwater. We really spent like 100 pages reading her inner monologue of being scared to love again because she had a bad boyfriend in college and then made a bad choice with her cheating husband. Girl you have AGENCY. You have choice. And you’re 36. I get that Naomi was trying to drive this point home but she was doing it in such an immature, self-obsessed way it was practically unreadable.
The vampires themselves were not super interesting, and of COURSE there is the vampiric love interest who is 500 years old and OF COURSE he’s obsessed with Sloane, this random doormat of a person, the SECOND he sniffs her. Someone said this was a much worse Twilight and I’d have to agree.
I’ve never read a book where I hated every character so in some ways this was a great first for me. I will be re-reading Cackle and Black Sheep until her next book comes out. Hopefully I like that one wayyyyy better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, and Blood
Moderate: Vomit