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poisoned_icecream's reviews
2033 reviews
Spectrum: An Autistic Horror Anthology by Aquino Loayza, Lor Gislason, Freydís Moon
This is such a spectacular anthology. I'm so grateful it exists and that I got to read it. Each of these writers is incredibly talented. It's also wonderful how so many of these stories feature queer and trans protagonists. In some stories the horror is subtle and in others it is more straightforward. I highly recommend this anthology to readers who are neurodivergent and/or enjoy horror. :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal death, Grief, Death of parent, Acephobia/Arophobia
Where the Dead Brides Gather by Nuzo Onoh
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
This book is so heteronormative and amatonormative, yuck. Also I really don't like marriage and weddings.
Universal Harvester by John Darnielle
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Reading this is what I imagine it would be like to watch paint dry.
You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World by Ada Limón
This is an engaging anthology that uses poetry to explore humanity's connection. I enjoyed the time I spent reading each poem.
Woman, Life, Freedom by Marjane Satrapi
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
This is a very heartbreaking, informative and essential book about the history of Iran and the protests in 2022 after the morality police murdered Mahsa Amini for not wearing her veil the way the law says she should. There are illustrations and short bios of people who were murdered by the regime, and each one is so devastating to read. In additon there's also explanations about wealth inequality, effects of climate change, the extinction of leopards, and schoolchildren being poisoned. This book is a good reminder that the fight for freedom is always worth it.
This House of Wounds by Georgina Bruce
I bought a used copy of this in 2023 and I'm so annoyed that I didn't read it sooner. This collection of stories is so gorgeously written. There's scifi, dark fantasy and horror in these stories. Themes that appear multiple times in these stories are family, birds, grief, loss, and mirrors. Although I spent more time admiring the beautiful cover art, the exquisite writing in these stories had me captivated. I'm eager to read more from Georgina Bruce. :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Child death
Ghostroots by ‘Pemi Aguda
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
This is a phenomenonal collection of stories. I don't remember where I learned of this book but I'm so glad I checked it out. It has a lot of uncanny and surreal moments. There's an emphasis on family, tradition, gender roles, and class. It's all written with so much empathy and care. The horror and fantasy elements in some stories are subtle but effectively written. I am definitely eager to read more from 'Pemi Aguda. :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Grief
Lacuna's Point by Tim Meyer
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
This is cosmic horror mixed with small town horror. The main characters are Ellie Brower, whose daughter Dawn went missing three years, and Mitch Green, whose daughter Kya is best friends with Dawn. When Ellie and Mitch get a text message from their daughters' disconnected phones and learn that they came from somewhere in Virginia, they find Lacuna's Point and end up trapped there. Strange and terrifying things happen in the town and the locals are very hostile, especially the cop. The town also has a clocktower that occasionally goes off, and the sound of it causes the townsfolk to go into a trance. Ellie and Mitch meet some other people who also became trapped in Lacuna's Point and form a plan to escape.
I really, really enjoyed this book. The characters are all well-written and even though there are many povs in this book I was able to tell them apart. Although when the Mayor went on one of his speeches, I wanted to shout at him to just shut the fuck up but that's how it is with villains so I'm not too mad about that. My favorite part of this book was the friendship between Kya and Dawn. That was such a joy to read about. There's also some commentary about racism as well as the consumption and creation of art. After reading this and Paradise Club I am excited to read more from Tim Meyer.
I really, really enjoyed this book. The characters are all well-written and even though there are many povs in this book I was able to tell them apart. Although when the Mayor went on one of his speeches, I wanted to shout at him to just shut the fuck up but that's how it is with villains so I'm not too mad about that. My favorite part of this book was the friendship between Kya and Dawn. That was such a joy to read about. There's also some commentary about racism as well as the consumption and creation of art. After reading this and Paradise Club I am excited to read more from Tim Meyer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Racism, Police brutality, Kidnapping
Meltwater: Poems by Claire Wahmanholm
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
This a beautiful and heartbreaking collection of poems about grief, family, nature, and climate change. I'm glad I decided to check this out from the library.
Hungerstone by Kat Dunn
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Lenore is an angry and bitter woman, and when she describes her childhood and marriage to Henry Crowther, her feelings are understandable. When Lenore and Henry move to the moorlands for a hunting party, a strange woman has an "accident" and stays with them. This woman is Carmilla and Lenore finds herself both drawn to her and repelled at the same time. Carmilla awakens desires that Lenore wasn't aware that she had.
This book is so gothic and sapphic. Lenore is a complex and insufferable character but so well-written and interesting. I was hoping the entire time that she'd kill her pathetic, piece of shit husband. The earlier interactions between Carmilla and Lenore were frustrating to read due to how Lenore is stubborn when she insists on sticking to propriety and being seen as a dutiful and devoted wife. Once she starts going after what she wants things get both better and worse for Lenore. Overall I really like this book and would recommend it to readers who like gothic horror.
This book is so gothic and sapphic. Lenore is a complex and insufferable character but so well-written and interesting. I was hoping the entire time that she'd kill her pathetic, piece of shit husband. The earlier interactions between Carmilla and Lenore were frustrating to read due to how Lenore is stubborn when she insists on sticking to propriety and being seen as a dutiful and devoted wife. Once she starts going after what she wants things get both better and worse for Lenore. Overall I really like this book and would recommend it to readers who like gothic horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Misogyny, Blood, Vomit