Tag: Book Review

Posted in Book Review

Review: “All I Want” by Darcey Bell

Posted on by writingkat95

The Hook:

Emma and her husband, Ben, move into a dilapidated mansion with a creepy backstory. Not long after they’ve started settling in, strange things begin happening that make Emma question her sanity.

My Impressions:

Okay so obviously we all know someone is getting gaslit in this story right? Like there’s never not gaslighting in a book with that kind of description. If the blurb of a book tells me that a woman is questioning her sanity, I pretty much set out with the strong hypothesis that she’s being gaslit.

I promise the book is still fascinating even though we all know that. In fact, I think the efforts the author made to subvert that trope actually made the plot a little less coherent by the end, but frankly, it was still a damn enjoyable read. Let’s be real here, if you’ve read Bell’s previous work, you know that it’s not necessarily the plot itself we’re here for, it’s the impeccable, gloriously entertaining style and panache with which Bell executes said plot. Her writing style is a joy to experience, and I highly recommend this and all her works.

Happy Reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review of “The Family Next Door” by Sally Hepworth

Posted on by writingkat95

The Hook:

When newcomer Isabelle moves into the small suburb of Pleasant Court, she stands out as a single woman among the neighborhood of mostly young families. Her new neighbors suspect that she may be hiding a secret, but is that because they have so many secrets of their own?

My Impressions:

As usual, Sally Hepworth delivers a stunning domestic suspense with layer upon layer of secrets, lies, and ulterior motives. Hepworth’s style, which I’ve come to think of as “slice of life, but with crimes,” is truly at its best in this book. Every moment of the characters’ mundane daily lives is infused with tension by their own secrets and their suspicion of one another.

Fans of the domestic thriller genre who haven’t yet experienced Hepworth’s writing should immediately go out and read her entire backlog, as I’ve rarely seen her equal. This book in particular managed to set me on my heels with it’s twists, despite knowing going in that there almost certainly would be at least one big twist on its way.

Part of what makes this subgenre so fun in my opinion is the tension created by the reader’s knowledge that there will be a twist at some point, a secret revealed which will inevitably cast every event that preceded it in a new light. This book is no exception, and the twist in question is such a doozy, it’ll have you racing to tell your friends to read the book as soon as possible.

Happy Reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review of: Reckless Girls, By Rachel Hawkins

Posted on by writingkat95

The Hook:

Adventurous couple Lux and Nico are hired to sail two women to a remote island in the South Pacific, a job which Lux is more than eager to take. The group quickly bond, but the girls may be more than Lux has bargained for. The island itself has a reputation for grisly shipwrecks and tales of cannibals, and to the group’s surprise, is already playing host to golden couple Jake and Eliza when they arrive. Off the grid and each protecting their own secrets, the group of six are in for an unforgettable time on the island.

My Impressions:

As usual, Rachel Hawkins delights and entertains with her witty, snappy writing style and deliciously devious characters. I consumed this book in practically a single bite, surprised when I reached the end and saw how much time had passed. It felt like a much shorter read than it was, largely because it was such fun to devour.

I’m a huge fan of this sort of book, where several characters with hidden agendas and dark secrets are confined together in some beautiful setting, then shaken up like a snow globe to see how everything lands. Hawkins is excellent at this, carefully setting up each character before she knocks them down with precision.

Fans of Liv Constantine and Megan Collins are sure to enjoy this twisty tale of secrets and suspense, and if you’re looking for a good beach read this summer, you couldn’t ask for a better one than this.

Happy Reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review of: The Lighthouse Witches, by C.J. Cooke

Posted on by writingkat95

The Hook:

On a remote island in Scotland, two sisters go missing, leaving behind their mother and a third sister. Twenty years later, the third sister, Luna, receives a call informing her that one of her missing sisters has been found. She rushes back to the island expecting to be reunited with her adult sister, only to find that the girl who has been found is still the same age she was when she disappeared.

My Impressions:

This is easily one of the most atmospheric and enjoyable books I’ve read this year, and I can’t recommend it enough. If, like me, you delight in being a little bit spooked, this is an excellent book to curl up with late at night.

The interwoven stories that come together in this book form a tapestry of lore and emotion that make it impossible to put down and impossible to forget. The landscape of the island is almost it’s own character, coming alive more and more as the story unfolds. Fans of gothic mysteries and changeling tales will find more than enough to love in this book, and in its enigmatic heroines.

If you enjoyed “Beneath the Stairs” by Jennifer Fawcett or “House of Hollow” by Krystal Sutherland, you’ll likely enjoy this book as well, and if you haven’t read either of those yet, I recommend them highly as well. We could all use a nice chilling tale to cool us off in the summer heat.

Happy Reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review of Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano

Posted on by writingkat95

The Hook:

Our favorite mystery writer Finlay is back again, getting into even more shenanigans in the seedy world of contract killers. This time, she must unearth the identity of the person who has taken out a hit on her ex-husband. Before long, she finds herself in a high stakes game of cat and mouse with the assassin stalking her ex, and she’ll have to dig deep to decide what to do about all the peril he’s in.

My Impressions:

I could literally talk for hours about the Finlay Donovan books, which are undoubtably some of my favorite books in the entire mystery genre. The protagonist is extremely likable and fun to root for, the side characters are all memorable and enjoyable to read about, and the suspense is balanced perfectly with humor. I laughed so hard at times while reading this that I’m told my shrieks could be easily heard from across the house.

In a time when so much media strives to be dark and broody and to “subvert audience expectations” by pulling out increasingly alienating plot twists and shocking character deaths, books like this are truly a breath of fresh air. Cosimano’s writing style feels welcoming, as if the book is meant to take the reader by the hand and lead them on a fun, suspenseful journey with beloved characters.

I honestly loved every minute of this book, and will be reading it again whenever I need a pick-me-up or a reminder of what excellent foreshadowing and tight plotting can accomplish. Every single delicious beat of this book is constructed with a love of the genre and a level of respect and affection for the readers that is in a league of it’s own.

If you’ve read this book already, feel free to leave a comment discussing it, as I’d love to hear what other readers liked most about the story.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review of A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw

Posted on by writingkat95

The Hook:

Travis Wren is hired to use his peculiar talent for finding people to locate missing children’s book author Maggie St. James. In the process of searching for her, he finds a place many believed to be merely a legend.

My Impressions:

This has to be the most unique take on cults that I’ve seen, and the overall effect is enthralling and chilling. The way the separate timelines tie together, the carefully plotted out twists and lush storytelling all come together to make this book impossible to put down.

If you’re looking for a deeply atmospheric book that will pull you under and refuse to let you go long after you’ve stopped reading, this is it. I particularly enjoyed the complicated feelings all the characters have toward each other, their surroundings, and even their own sense of self. Each character felt vividly real, fully fleshed out on the page.

I highly recommend this captivating read for anyone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of real life this spring- just don’t be surprised if you lose several hours without noticing, too sucked in to even look up from the page. For an even more immersive reading experience, check out the audiobook, which is phenomenally voice acted.

If you’ve already read this one, feel free to leave a comment about your favorite things about the book.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review of Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

Posted on by writingkat95

The Hook:

In this mecha sci-fi fantasy novel, protagonist Zetian sets out on a quest of vengeance against one of the top mecha pilots and gets more than she bargains for. Soon, she finds herself known- and feared- as an Iron Widow. In this unexpected position, she has a behind-the-scenes view of the misogynist pilot system, and it’s up to her to find a way to change it.

My Impressions:

Admittedly when I saw this book being described as “Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid’s Tale,” I honestly expected it to be a huge bummer. It’s hard to take on topics like systemic sexism without draining all the enjoyment out of a book, but Zhao manages it. This book was shockingly fun despite the serious subject matter, seamlessly blending moments of high action with heavy emotional scenes.

The protagonist is incredibly fun to root for, enjoyable to see on the page in a way that deepens the overall experience of reading. In a lot of high stakes sci-fi and fantasy, protagonists can get a bit interchangeable, and Zhao has managed to avoid this entirely with Zetian, who is frankly unforgettable. Even the villains in this book are the kind you love to hate, rather than the sort you endure every mention of with stoic exhaustion.

If you’re looking for a fantastic YA/NA crossover with memorable characters, excellent world-building, and knife-sharp wit, this is your next read, hands down. If you’ve already read this one, feel free to hop into the comments and discuss.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review of Cackle by Rachel Harrison

Posted on by writingkat95

The Hook:

In this horror-comedy, mild mannered Annie moves to a small village in upstate New York after a heartbreak and finds herself swept away by a bold woman named Sophie. Sophie encourages her to live more unapologetically, and Annie is drawn deeper into Sophie’s life despite a nagging worry that the older woman is more than what she seems.

My Impressions:

Despite the cover of the book, I was surprised by how much screen time was dedicated to spiders. If you’re easily unnerved by detailed descriptions of eight-legged beasties, you may want to skim over some sections of this book.

Now that that warning is out of the way, this was a truly delightful book. It felt cozy and funny, while still featuring some truly hair-raising scares. If you’re looking for something that feels like a Hallmark movie slowly turning into a surreal nightmare more befitting of a Gaiman book, this is absolutely the read for you.

I laughed, I shuddered, this book gave me goosebumps. Also, not to veer too close to spoiling the ending, but this book managed to give me one of those excellent moments where just as I’m thinking the protagonist should stop being nice and just [REDACTED] that very thing immediately happens. Loved it, unabashedly.

If you’re looking for something with fall vibes to take your mind off the humid late spring weather this May, I highly recommend picking this book up. For those who have already read it, feel free to talk about it in the comments and share your thoughts.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review of Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

Posted on by writingkat95

The Hook:

This domestic thriller features a man with face blindness and his wife on a vacation for their wedding anniversary. Their relationship is far from perfect, and this trip is a last ditch effort to save the marriage. Someone doesn’t want them to live happily forever, though, and might not let them live at all.

My Impressions:

I love a lot of things about this book that are absolutely too spoilery too share, so I’ll just say that it is truly a worthwhile read. If you enjoy domestic thrillers with plenty of meticulously plotted out twists, this is definitely the book for you. Beautifully atmospheric and fraught with tension, this one will keep you reading until you reach the end.

Fans of Sally Hepworth and Megan Collins will especially enjoy this book, which has a similar style and cadence. If you’re in the mood for a chilly winter book to sweep you away and make you forget the hot weather swiftly approaching with summer just over the horizon, this one will certainly do the trick. Crank up the air conditioner and let Alice Feeney chill you to the bone.

If you’ve read this book, feel free to comment with your own thoughts in the comments.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review of All The Way Home by Wendy Corsi Staub

Posted on by writingkat95

The Hook:

In a sleepy town in upstate New York, people still talk about the summer ten years ago when four teenage girls mysteriously disappeared. When girls start disappearing again, the unsolved disappearances are on everyone’s mind as they race to find the missing girls.

My Impressions:

So based on the cover and the synopsis, I went in expecting this to be a really easy popcorn read, something I could consume hungrily while waiting for some newer books to be available from the library. I absolutely misjudged it, as it is far darker and more complicated than I went in expecting. Definitely closer to the Gillian Flynn end of the spectrum than I was prepared for, but in the best way.

The ending was so genuinely disturbing I had to read something relaxing to wind down, as I finished reading it just before bed. I really think the narrator of the audiobook did an incredible job bringing the characters to life, and especially at the end, made everything feel that much more pressing and frightening.

If you’re looking for a slow build up to an absolutely gutting and horrifying series of twists, this is absolutely the book for you. I’ve probably already said too much if I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll leave it at that.

If you’ve read this book feel free to comment on this post.

Happy reading!