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drakaina16's reviews
2013 reviews
A Dark and Endless Sea by Blaine Daigle
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Thank you to NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing for providing a review copy.
Blaine Daigle can WRITE, y'all. I read A Dark Roux, and really loved it. I already knew that that he has the ability to really set a scene, and the setting is almost like another character in the novel. In this case, it's the Bering Sea, which mirrors the cold and bleakness of the narrative. Because the main character has amnesia, as the story unfolds we're learning right along with him, and I feel like it might be best to go in not knowing much at all. I wasn't sure how everything was going to wrap up, but the unique ending was very satisfying. 4.75 stars
Blaine Daigle can WRITE, y'all. I read A Dark Roux, and really loved it. I already knew that that he has the ability to really set a scene, and the setting is almost like another character in the novel. In this case, it's the Bering Sea, which mirrors the cold and bleakness of the narrative. Because the main character has amnesia, as the story unfolds we're learning right along with him, and I feel like it might be best to go in not knowing much at all. I wasn't sure how everything was going to wrap up, but the unique ending was very satisfying. 4.75 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Dead End Tunnel by Nick Roberts
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
4.5
I think Dead End Tunnel may be my favorite Nick Roberts book to date. (Keeping in mind I haven't read Mean Spirited yet.) I'm always a sucker for coming of age horror, and this book is everything I love about it. The boys feel very real and believable. The characters actually speak like boys their age in 1999 would. Speaking of 1999, there is some nice 90s nostalgia sprinkled throughout. 4.5 stars
This Thing is Starving by Isobel Aislin
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
This book made me have some really big feelings. The intersection of feminine rage and horror really works for me. The story is told through the point of view of the actual haunted house, and that made it so much more interesting to me than a typical haunted house story. There is a chapter near the end of the book that made me want to cry, scream, and cheer at the same time. I also loved all the queer representation in the book. 4.5 stars
This book made me have some really big feelings. The intersection of feminine rage and horror really works for me. The story is told through the point of view of the actual haunted house, and that made it so much more interesting to me than a typical haunted house story. There is a chapter near the end of the book that made me want to cry, scream, and cheer at the same time. I also loved all the queer representation in the book. 4.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, and Sexual violence
The Church Beneath the Roots by Felix Blackwell
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? No
5.0
I had to take a moment before writing this review. What an achievement this book is! I read Stolen Tongues, and I enjoyed it, but I also wanted more from it. I was not a huge fan of the ending. The Church Beneath the Roots delivers on every level. It contains one of the most distressing, heart-breaking scenes I've read in a very long time. The entire book maintains the creepiness level of the prologue of Stolen Tongues. The hype is absolutely real, and well deserved. 5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
We Are Not Alone in the Dark by Ryan Hoyt
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
This book is everything I love about coming of age horror. It's well-written, with realistic characters whom you can't help but love. Add in some aliens and *chef's kiss*. Aliens are a particular phobia of mine, so their inclusion always rachets up the anxiety and tension. I read 2/3 of it the first night, went to bed, and immediately finished it at the next available opportunity. 5 stars
This book is everything I love about coming of age horror. It's well-written, with realistic characters whom you can't help but love. Add in some aliens and *chef's kiss*. Aliens are a particular phobia of mine, so their inclusion always rachets up the anxiety and tension. I read 2/3 of it the first night, went to bed, and immediately finished it at the next available opportunity. 5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Domestic abuse
BETA: A Technological Nightmare by Sammy Scott
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? It's complicated
5.0
I'll be completely honest - all the hype around this book initially turned me off from it. I'm contrary like that, not watching popular TV shows til years after they've gone off the air. But let me tell you, the hype is absolutely deserved. I was absolutely riveted by both intertwining stories. I was able to guess one of the big reveals, but that takes absolutely nothing away from what a good book BETA is. I probably would not have picked it up so quickly if it hasn't made the top 32 in the Books of Horror Indie Author Brawl. I could definitely see BETA going all the way. 5 stars
Wings of Sorrow by Yolanda Sfetsos
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
I'm so surprised that I didn't love this book, because I gave Suffer the Darkness 5 stars last year. The writing in this one just doesn't work for me. It's very "tell-don't-show" and I'm not a huge fan of that. I couldn't get into it.
The Order of Eternal Sleep (The City Saga Book 2) by S.C. Mendes, Blood Bound Books
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
I have to admit, I was not as enamoured with the second The City book as I was the first one. Characters come at you rapid-fire and none of them have the depth of characterization that made me root for Max and Ming. This one definitely means more crime than horror, and there is plenty of action. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series. 3.75 stars
I have to admit, I was not as enamoured with the second The City book as I was the first one. Characters come at you rapid-fire and none of them have the depth of characterization that made me root for Max and Ming. This one definitely means more crime than horror, and there is plenty of action. I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series. 3.75 stars
Confessions by Kanae Minato
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Jones 1963 by Devin Cabrera
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
The book isn't written very well. There are some very awkward sentences that I had to read several times. There's also a scene where someone sneaks into a car through an open window while someone is outside pushing it. That is absolutely ridiculous.