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drakaina16's reviews
2013 reviews
Idle Days by Thomas Desaulniers-Brousseau
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Decimated Dreams by Brennan LaFaro
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
The second book in the Slattery Falls trilogy had a hard time keeping my interest in the beginning. Around the middle, the pieces start coming together and the book ends with a big bang. I'm looking forward to finishing up the trilogy, as that ending was a doozy and I need to know what happens next. 3.5 stars
The second book in the Slattery Falls trilogy had a hard time keeping my interest in the beginning. Around the middle, the pieces start coming together and the book ends with a big bang. I'm looking forward to finishing up the trilogy, as that ending was a doozy and I need to know what happens next. 3.5 stars
From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg's Kitchen by Snoop Dogg
informative
fast-paced
4.0
The Adleparmeun by Kelvin V A Allison
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.25
Thank you to the authors for providing a review copy.
This book was a ton of fun, with a really cool concept (and, because I can't shut up about it, a character named after me). Cryptids are my jam, so a secret hotel filled with a variety of supernatural creatures is right up my alley. I enjoyed all the stories and normally would rate them individually, but this is much more of a mosaic novel. I'm surprised I haven't seen more buzz around the book, to be honest. 4.25 stars
This book was a ton of fun, with a really cool concept (and, because I can't shut up about it, a character named after me). Cryptids are my jam, so a secret hotel filled with a variety of supernatural creatures is right up my alley. I enjoyed all the stories and normally would rate them individually, but this is much more of a mosaic novel. I'm surprised I haven't seen more buzz around the book, to be honest. 4.25 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Dying Sheep 2 by Jesse D'Angelo
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to BookSirens for providing a review copy.
Dying Sheep 2 is no-holds-barred slasher fun! We rejoin Marvin again, months after the events of the first book and he's something of a celebrity in Hell now. Although Marvin is obviously despicable, I have to admit I also kind of like him. He's funny and creative with the kills, two qualities I admire in a serial killer from literal Hell. 5 stars
Dying Sheep 2 is no-holds-barred slasher fun! We rejoin Marvin again, months after the events of the first book and he's something of a celebrity in Hell now. Although Marvin is obviously despicable, I have to admit I also kind of like him. He's funny and creative with the kills, two qualities I admire in a serial killer from literal Hell. 5 stars
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Ray for providing a review copy.
This book is quite an achievement. Josh Malerman has a way of using so few words, just enough description, to conjure things in your mind that is absolutely unique among the authors I've read. To throw even more of a wrench in things, the story is told from the perspective of an 8 year old child experiencing a variety of horrors, both supernatural and domestic. This book is creepy and distressing in a myriad of ways, but also deeply philosophical in a way. The ending hit me in a way I wasn't quite expecting. I'll be thinking about this one for a very long time. 5 stars
This book is quite an achievement. Josh Malerman has a way of using so few words, just enough description, to conjure things in your mind that is absolutely unique among the authors I've read. To throw even more of a wrench in things, the story is told from the perspective of an 8 year old child experiencing a variety of horrors, both supernatural and domestic. This book is creepy and distressing in a myriad of ways, but also deeply philosophical in a way. The ending hit me in a way I wasn't quite expecting. I'll be thinking about this one for a very long time. 5 stars
Devil's Creek by Todd Keisling
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
If you love the sprawling, cinematic prose and excellent characterization of writers like Ronald Malfi and Stephen King, this book is for you. While not as wordy as the King, Keisling has a way of making the setting so integral to the story that it almost becomes a character itself. The actual characters themselves are multi-layered and sympathetic and, at times, I felt so badly for them. Definitely check your triggers, as there are some heavy hitters here. 4.75 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest and Pedophilia
Dark Roots by Lucius Vallant
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Normally, I like my vampires to run towards the evil, bloodthirsty death machine type. Every once in a while, it's fun to give my brain a break from some of the heavier stories I usually read. Dark Roots does just that. It leans heavily towards dark fantasy, with an interesting premise. It's very well-written, and I had a good time with it. I'm interested in reading the rest of the trilogy. 3.75 stars
Negative Creep: Stories Inspired By NIRVANA by Roxie Voorhess
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Thank you to the editor for providing a review copy.
I was so excited when I saw this anthology was coming out. Nirvana is the first band I found on my own that I fell in love with. As with any collection, it is a very mixed bag. A lot of the stories were just okay, and I failed to see how some of them connected to Nirvana. However, there are a lot of gems here too. 3.5 stars
Teen Spirit Forever by Eric J. Guigard ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very Ape by Nicky Martin ⭐.5
Wasted on the Youth by David D. West ⭐⭐⭐
Trichotillomanic by Akis Linardos ⭐⭐⭐.25
Oh Me A Candy Machine by Nikki Kossaris ⭐⭐⭐.25
Pennyroyal Tea by Meg Elison ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
She Should've by Dori Lumpkin ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle by C.J. Subko ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Science Project by Robert Bagnall ⭐⭐⭐
I'll See You Every Night by Sandra Henriques ⭐⭐⭐⭐
In the Pines by Kurt Newton ⭐⭐.5
On A Plain by Zack Zagranis ⭐⭐⭐.75
Molly Nash’s Mexican Seafood by A.W. Mason ⭐⭐⭐
Boxed In by Mia Dalia ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I'm Not Your Polly by Toshiya Kamei ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hitachi Buzz: Love in Verse by Violet Morningstarr ⭐⭐
From My Mouth to Yours by Emma Cole ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
A Pequena Morte No 2 Perfume de Mulher by B.J. Ferreira DNF
Dive in Me by Aleco Julius ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Clean Up Before She Comes (Back) by Pamela Morris ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Skate or Die by Matt E. Black ⭐⭐⭐.25
Oh the Guilt by Ian Clink ⭐⭐⭐
Pay to Play by Wendy Dalrymple ⭐⭐⭐
A Little Off the Top by Matthew Wallace ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Doll, Meat by Quinn Crook ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
As I Want You to Be by Tyler Clark ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Attic Rot by A.J. Cossey ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Aurora Terminalis by Dr. Jennifer Grimes ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Crystal Oubliette (A Sappy Remix) by Matthew Chabin ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
I was so excited when I saw this anthology was coming out. Nirvana is the first band I found on my own that I fell in love with. As with any collection, it is a very mixed bag. A lot of the stories were just okay, and I failed to see how some of them connected to Nirvana. However, there are a lot of gems here too. 3.5 stars
Teen Spirit Forever by Eric J. Guigard ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very Ape by Nicky Martin ⭐.5
Wasted on the Youth by David D. West ⭐⭐⭐
Trichotillomanic by Akis Linardos ⭐⭐⭐.25
Oh Me A Candy Machine by Nikki Kossaris ⭐⭐⭐.25
Pennyroyal Tea by Meg Elison ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
She Should've by Dori Lumpkin ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle by C.J. Subko ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Science Project by Robert Bagnall ⭐⭐⭐
I'll See You Every Night by Sandra Henriques ⭐⭐⭐⭐
In the Pines by Kurt Newton ⭐⭐.5
On A Plain by Zack Zagranis ⭐⭐⭐.75
Molly Nash’s Mexican Seafood by A.W. Mason ⭐⭐⭐
Boxed In by Mia Dalia ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I'm Not Your Polly by Toshiya Kamei ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hitachi Buzz: Love in Verse by Violet Morningstarr ⭐⭐
From My Mouth to Yours by Emma Cole ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
A Pequena Morte No 2 Perfume de Mulher by B.J. Ferreira DNF
Dive in Me by Aleco Julius ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Clean Up Before She Comes (Back) by Pamela Morris ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Skate or Die by Matt E. Black ⭐⭐⭐.25
Oh the Guilt by Ian Clink ⭐⭐⭐
Pay to Play by Wendy Dalrymple ⭐⭐⭐
A Little Off the Top by Matthew Wallace ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Doll, Meat by Quinn Crook ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
As I Want You to Be by Tyler Clark ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Attic Rot by A.J. Cossey ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Aurora Terminalis by Dr. Jennifer Grimes ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Crystal Oubliette (A Sappy Remix) by Matthew Chabin ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25