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thegrimhobbyist's reviews
179 reviews
Chopping Spree by Angela Sylvaine
4.5
What a slashing good time this novella was! I was hooked from the very first page and stayed captivated until the end. The action kicks off early - practically right from the start - and the story unfolds seamlessly from one chapter to the next. And what an intriguing story it is! It took a direction I wasn’t expecting, but that only added to the thrill - especially since I went in blind, judging the book solely by its cover and title without reading the synopsis. What a pleasant surprise to find it embracing some of my favorite horror tropes! Plus, the clever use of song titles throughout had me cackling with delight.
The Confession by Chad Miller
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
The writing style is just too stiff and choppy in this, and it seemingly got worse the further I read on. I just could not get into the story because of this. A shame, because I enjoyed this author's other book I read prior to this one.
Midgard by Jeanne Hull Godfroy
3.0
Thank you to the author for gifting me this book - this review reflects my honest thoughts.
I was immediately drawn to the setting and premise of Midgard. Earth is in a downward spiral, crashing and burning, while humanity struggles to survive in an increasingly harsh environment. The U.S. government - where this story takes place - has devolved into a totalitarian regime, rationing food and water, forcing citizens through relentless tests, and assigning jobs and ranks that determine their access to resources. I love dystopian stories like this - gritty, thought-provoking, and full of details to pick apart. The overarching mystery was also compelling, though I figured it out fairly early on.
Unfortunately, what ultimately ruined the book for me was the characters. None of them truly stood out; they felt flat and too neatly slotted into their respective stereotypes. Tam, in particular, frustrated me to no end. When the perspective abruptly shifted to her after following Sam’s POV for most of the book, I nearly threw the book across the room. I also noticed inconsistencies in character traits and personalities as the story progressed, which made them feel even less grounded.
The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but I don’t see myself picking up the sequel. While the world and premise were captivating, the characters didn’t leave me wanting more.
I was immediately drawn to the setting and premise of Midgard. Earth is in a downward spiral, crashing and burning, while humanity struggles to survive in an increasingly harsh environment. The U.S. government - where this story takes place - has devolved into a totalitarian regime, rationing food and water, forcing citizens through relentless tests, and assigning jobs and ranks that determine their access to resources. I love dystopian stories like this - gritty, thought-provoking, and full of details to pick apart. The overarching mystery was also compelling, though I figured it out fairly early on.
Unfortunately, what ultimately ruined the book for me was the characters. None of them truly stood out; they felt flat and too neatly slotted into their respective stereotypes. Tam, in particular, frustrated me to no end. When the perspective abruptly shifted to her after following Sam’s POV for most of the book, I nearly threw the book across the room. I also noticed inconsistencies in character traits and personalities as the story progressed, which made them feel even less grounded.
The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but I don’t see myself picking up the sequel. While the world and premise were captivating, the characters didn’t leave me wanting more.
Birthday Party Demon by Wendy Dalrymple
5.0
Looking for a fun, campy horror story drenched in '90s nostalgia? Look no further! Birthday Party Demon by Wendy Dalrymple, the debut novel in the Totally Freaked series, is a delightful throwback that captures the essence of the decade. From video rental stores and Delia's magazines packed with trendy fashion to beepers and those iconic clear plastic phones every teenage girl had in their room, this book is a treasure trove of '90s vibes.
If you grew up devouring R.L. Stine books or love movies like Ghostbusters and The Craft, you're in for a treat. This story had me audibly gasping and reminiscing as I asked my husband, "Do you remember this from the '90s?" - and he was treated to enthusiastic play-by-play retellings because I just couldn’t contain my excitement. From the first page to the last, this book was an absolute blast from the past. I’m totally here for this series and can’t wait to see what comes next!
If you grew up devouring R.L. Stine books or love movies like Ghostbusters and The Craft, you're in for a treat. This story had me audibly gasping and reminiscing as I asked my husband, "Do you remember this from the '90s?" - and he was treated to enthusiastic play-by-play retellings because I just couldn’t contain my excitement. From the first page to the last, this book was an absolute blast from the past. I’m totally here for this series and can’t wait to see what comes next!
The Road by JJ Carpenter
4.0
The Road, the second installment in The Corner of Her Eye series, is a compelling continuation of Charlie and her friends’ adventures as they unravel paranormal mysteries steeped in Australian history. With a few side mysteries added to the mix, this book keeps the intrigue alive - and that twist at the end? Completely unexpected! But I’ll leave it at that to avoid spoilers.
While I did manage to solve the mysteries - besides the twist - fairly easily, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment. Watching the characters - Charlie, Tess, Trent, and Maryanna - piece things together at their own pace made the journey worthwhile. For me, an easily solvable mystery doesn’t ruin the experience; it’s about immersing myself in the story.
One of my favorite aspects of this series is the way it continues to expand the paranormal world. Discovering the rules alongside the characters adds a sense of wonder and curiosity. I’m particularly enjoying the deepening friendships, especially between Charlie, Tess, and Trent, which feel authentic and engaging. The historical elements remain a standout feature, providing rich layers to the narrative, while the eerie, tension-filled moments firmly root this series in the horror genre. There were several instances when I found myself on edge, completely absorbed in the story’s creeping dread.
As with the first book, readers should be mindful of potential triggers. The story doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker sides of Australian history and other heavy topics, so it’s worth approaching with caution if those themes might affect you.
Overall, I’m eagerly looking forward to picking up book three! I can’t wait to see what new mysteries this trio will tackle next.
While I did manage to solve the mysteries - besides the twist - fairly easily, it didn’t detract from my enjoyment. Watching the characters - Charlie, Tess, Trent, and Maryanna - piece things together at their own pace made the journey worthwhile. For me, an easily solvable mystery doesn’t ruin the experience; it’s about immersing myself in the story.
One of my favorite aspects of this series is the way it continues to expand the paranormal world. Discovering the rules alongside the characters adds a sense of wonder and curiosity. I’m particularly enjoying the deepening friendships, especially between Charlie, Tess, and Trent, which feel authentic and engaging. The historical elements remain a standout feature, providing rich layers to the narrative, while the eerie, tension-filled moments firmly root this series in the horror genre. There were several instances when I found myself on edge, completely absorbed in the story’s creeping dread.
As with the first book, readers should be mindful of potential triggers. The story doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker sides of Australian history and other heavy topics, so it’s worth approaching with caution if those themes might affect you.
Overall, I’m eagerly looking forward to picking up book three! I can’t wait to see what new mysteries this trio will tackle next.
The Keeper by JJ Carpenter
5.0
Reading The Corner of Her Eye: The Keeper by J.J. Carpenter felt like running a marathon and curling up for a cozy movie night all at once. It's a story that seamlessly blends warmth and heartbreak, creating a haunting yet comforting atmosphere. Even now, moments from the book play on a loop in my mind - scenes so vivid and emotional that they’re bound to stay with me for a long time. I’ll admit, this book had me in tears more than once. I even had to put it down to grab tissues and reassure my worried husband that I was okay!
Carpenter skillfully takes familiar tropes from ghost stories and paranormal horror and weaves them into a rich narrative rooted in Australian history, with a cast of memorable, lifelike characters who feel like old friends. My heart ached for them, and I found myself deeply invested in the central mystery, the fascinating historical details, and the unique supernatural rules that govern the ghostly phenomena in this world.
This story isn’t just creepy for the sake of being creepy - it’s a heartfelt journey alongside the main character, full of discovery and growth. I’m thrilled to have the second book in hand so I can continue this incredible adventure.
That said, I encourage readers to check the trigger warnings, as the book does touch on some heavy and potentially uncomfortable topics. Otherwise, I highly recommend this remarkable story. It’s a perfect balance of intrigue, emotion, and the paranormal - a must-read for fans of ghostly tales with depth.
Carpenter skillfully takes familiar tropes from ghost stories and paranormal horror and weaves them into a rich narrative rooted in Australian history, with a cast of memorable, lifelike characters who feel like old friends. My heart ached for them, and I found myself deeply invested in the central mystery, the fascinating historical details, and the unique supernatural rules that govern the ghostly phenomena in this world.
This story isn’t just creepy for the sake of being creepy - it’s a heartfelt journey alongside the main character, full of discovery and growth. I’m thrilled to have the second book in hand so I can continue this incredible adventure.
That said, I encourage readers to check the trigger warnings, as the book does touch on some heavy and potentially uncomfortable topics. Otherwise, I highly recommend this remarkable story. It’s a perfect balance of intrigue, emotion, and the paranormal - a must-read for fans of ghostly tales with depth.
Coming Home by Craig Randall
4.5
Buckle up for a poetic road trip with Craig Randall as he takes us on a deeply personal journey of finding home—not just as a physical place but as a sense of belonging within. Home is where the heart is, after all. If you've read Randall's previous collections, you'll know to expect a transformative experience from start to finish. In fact, all his poetry books together weave a long, extended exploration of self-discovery, though each collection stands solidly on its own.
This latest collection masterfully balances short-form and long-form poetry, interspersed with thoughtfully placed interludes that guide readers seamlessly from one phase of the journey to the next. Randall's poetic road trip moves through sadness, acceptance, and ultimately, the profound realization of what "home" truly means.
Like his earlier works, this collection resonated deeply with me, and I believe it will connect with many readers on a personal level. Among the standout poems, "Retracing Your Steps" stood out as particularly clever and moving. If you're searching for poetry that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you reflecting on your own journey, this collection is a must-read.
This latest collection masterfully balances short-form and long-form poetry, interspersed with thoughtfully placed interludes that guide readers seamlessly from one phase of the journey to the next. Randall's poetic road trip moves through sadness, acceptance, and ultimately, the profound realization of what "home" truly means.
Like his earlier works, this collection resonated deeply with me, and I believe it will connect with many readers on a personal level. Among the standout poems, "Retracing Your Steps" stood out as particularly clever and moving. If you're searching for poetry that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you reflecting on your own journey, this collection is a must-read.
The Devil's Replacement by Michael D. A. Clarke
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
The story became rather tedious and boring, and the writing style started to devolve the further I read. Interesting premise, but poorly executed.
A Winter for Doves Part II: Book I of Project Suncloud by Rachel Oestrich
5.0
Thank you to the author for giving me a copy of the book. This review is my own honest opinion.
Holy moly what a roller coaster of emotions I'm feeling right now. I want to cry, scream, hurl the book, and also hug it at the same time? I enjoyed the first book, but I absolutely love this second one, and I'm frothing at the mouth for more. You get to watch a story unfold from ALL sides. As I mentioned in the first book's review, this story has a lot of moving parts which means a lot of PoVs of different characters. I struggled with how many there were in the first, but I embraced it here in the second - I guess I'm just used to it now and so invested in all the characters that I welcomed each PoV shift?
All these characters are VERY flawed and very human, and it makes me scream at all of them for their stupidity and also love them as they work through their differences. Except for a select few that I have zero sympathy over, I can just love to hate those ones. There's some pretty messed up individuals you follow along with...which brings me to my next point.
Please be aware, as I mentioned in the first book review, this dystopian scifi horror is very brutal and very adult. This second book I feel amped that up considerably. You witness some horrifying things, from body horror to SA to substance abuse to physical abuse and many other triggering topics. Be aware of this before going in, even I got a bit uncomfy reading some of the scenes.
That being said, if you can stomach all of that, I'm highly recommending this series!
Holy moly what a roller coaster of emotions I'm feeling right now. I want to cry, scream, hurl the book, and also hug it at the same time? I enjoyed the first book, but I absolutely love this second one, and I'm frothing at the mouth for more. You get to watch a story unfold from ALL sides. As I mentioned in the first book's review, this story has a lot of moving parts which means a lot of PoVs of different characters. I struggled with how many there were in the first, but I embraced it here in the second - I guess I'm just used to it now and so invested in all the characters that I welcomed each PoV shift?
All these characters are VERY flawed and very human, and it makes me scream at all of them for their stupidity and also love them as they work through their differences. Except for a select few that I have zero sympathy over, I can just love to hate those ones. There's some pretty messed up individuals you follow along with...which brings me to my next point.
Please be aware, as I mentioned in the first book review, this dystopian scifi horror is very brutal and very adult. This second book I feel amped that up considerably. You witness some horrifying things, from body horror to SA to substance abuse to physical abuse and many other triggering topics. Be aware of this before going in, even I got a bit uncomfy reading some of the scenes.
That being said, if you can stomach all of that, I'm highly recommending this series!