the_epi_reader's reviews
550 reviews

A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

After visiting friends in Hillsdale, Holly stumbles upon Hill House and cannot think of a better place to rent for two weeks to get some work done. Holly, and three others, move into Hill House in the hopes to focus on bringing Holly’s play, “Witching Night” to life. Not only do the four bring the play to life, but other entities in Hill House. Voices are heard but not seen, shadows are visible with no source; No one is safe from the influence of Hill House. 

Overall Hand captured the unsettling power Hill House has over its occupants and brought Hill House back to life from its 1959 debut. While I enjoyed the moments of the book that focused on Hill House, I felt the story was too focused on the “Witching Hour” play and the characters’ drama. At times it felt as if Hill House was an afterthought and the novel’s focus was for readers who enjoyed theater, not the horror/gothic fiction reader. Moreover, the chapters were super short, 3-6 pages each, which I’m not the biggest fan of due to choppiness. If you’re a fan of haunted house stories with a modern twist, this book is for you! 

Carnosaur by Harry Adam Knight

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The quiet town of Warchester, England has never seen anything interesting until one morning several of its residents are brutally attacked by an animal. The self-proclaimed private zoo owner, Sir Darren Penward, takes responsibility and advises a tiger escaped from his property, causing the attacks. Local reporter Pascal does not believe this, especially after Sir Penward’s suspicious behavior. A sole survivor reports seeing a dinosaur, but dinosaurs are extinct right? Pascal may think otherwise, and he knows the answers are hidden by the electric fences at Sir Penward’s “zoo.” 

Carnosaur was a fun 1980s creature feature horror story that was written 6 years prior to Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park novel. I was shocked by the overlaps between Carnosaur and Jurassic Park, especially since Crichton reported not even knowing about Carnosaur. 

Knight’s novel definitely had some cringe moments, including his descriptions of women (e.g. “positively glowed with good health and desirability”) and a handful of unnecessary sex scenes. I would have definitely enjoyed more dinosaurs and less awkward sex. Overall Carnosaur is worth a read, especially for fans of 80s horror!

It Came With the Crash by Boris Baćić

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

After their plane crashes in the middle of the forest, six survivors are forced to rely on one another to survive. With dwindling supplies, they assume rescue will come in the next day or two, but what happens if rescue has no idea where they are? Someone or something does know their whereabouts, and it slowly picks them off one by one, starting with the dead passengers. Should the group wait at the crash site for rescue, or venture out into the woods in search of help? Either way, something is watching.  

I am a sucker for survival horror, and It Came With the Crash hit the spot. It was fast-paced, multi-pov, and a fun read. For anyone who loves Jeremy Bates’ horror novels, Bacic is a great addition to your collection. Bacic’s novel was very similar to Bates’ Mountain of the Dead creature feature and creature back story. If you’re in need of a book to get you out of a reading slump, It Came With the Crash is a great choice. 

Slender Man by

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird by Agustina Bazterrica

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

A Rover's Story by Jasmine Warga

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad fast-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

Greymist Fair by Francesca Zappia

adventurous dark mysterious tense 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

Compass and Blade by Rachel Greenlaw

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

How to ADHD: An Insider's Guide to Working with Your Brain (Not Against It) by Jessica McCabe

informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.25

All Will Die by Kristopher Rufty, Kristopher Rufty

dark tense medium-paced

3.5

No parent wants to hear that their teenager was brutally murdered in a cabin in the woods, along with their entire group of friends. The police have found nothing, and may never find anything, but the parents have taken matters into their own hands. By recreating a weekend getaway the parents believe they can lure the killer out to wreak vengeance. Their suspicions are right, but boy did they underestimate what evil lives in these woods. Will they survive? If not, all will die.

Rufty’s All Will Die is your typical slasher/extreme horror novel that is Texas Chainsaw Massacre meets The Hills Have Eyes. Some plot points I found to be a little non-believable but I let it slide based on its slasher movie atmosphere. While the book was violent, I found that I wasn’t entirely disturbed based on Rufty’s writing style. The writing at times felt more of a “tell the reader what’s happening” rather than paint a picture through descriptive language. If you love extreme horror, gore, and slasher films definitely give All Will Die a read!