Tag: dark

Posted in Book Review

Review: Survive the Night by Riley Sager

Posted on by writingkat95

The Hook:

While on the road with someone she met on her college’s ride share board, Charlie Jordan becomes increasingly convinced that the stranger in the car with her is in fact the serial killer who has been stalking the campus.

My Impressions:

It’s hard to make something scary and delightful, but this book manages it. I had a blast reading it, and that fun was only enhanced by the edge-of-my-seat state of suspense I was in. Just when I believed I had the plot figured out, more twists appeared and made me gasp out loud and whisper “oh of course” as the pieces fell into place.

Told in a cinematic style that practically begs to be adapted for film, Sager’s tense thriller had me hooked from the start. The themes of reality and self-doubt brought the atmosphere into an almost gothic space, and every scene advanced the story with such precise pacing it felt as if I were watching a movie in my head.

If you’re looking for a book to read on a long cold night that will compel you to finish it in one sitting, this is the book for you. Fans of Stephanie Perkins who are looking for slightly less gory fare than her horror YA will likely enjoy this book. Sager has a delicious authorial voice ideal for the fast pacing of the thriller genre, and this book really shines because of it.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine

Posted on by writingkat95

The Hook:

Conniving social climber Amber sets her sights on Daphne Parrish. She wants Daphne’s social status, her husband, her life. Before long, she manages to insert herself into Daphne’s inner circle, becoming one of Daphne’s closest confidantes. But dark secrets threaten to disrupt Amber’s carefully laid plans.

My Impressions:

As an avid fan of Liv Constantine’s work, I was really excited to start reading this book. There was a lot of hype around it- I had it on hold from the library for quite a while before I got to read it- and it lived up to the hype. If Constantine’s other books kept me enthralled, this book held me hostage. I listened to one of the darker twists while on my afternoon bike ride and ended up riding an extra mile without noticing because I was so caught up in the excitement of the book.

If you want a book that will bother you on a psychological level and leave you feeling disturbed and strangely worried for the fates of fictional characters long after you’ve closed the book, this is the perfect read for you. Readers who enjoyed the dark and twisted inner worlds of Constantine’s other characters will be absolutely delighted to know that in my opinion, this is her most twisted book out so far. It is not for the faint of heart, it is not a cozy mystery to read by the fire. This book will make you feel upset and unsettled in the best way possible.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

After the death of his best friend, Andrew is haunted by literal and metaphorical specters that push him to search for answers. The secrets he uncovers are old and bloody, and the journey to find the truth shows him secrets about himself as well.

My impressions:

When I saw the description of this book, which included the phrase “queer Southern Gothic” I immediately added it to my hold list at the library. It sounded like just my sort of thing, and it absolutely delivered on that promise. Fantastic prose and heartbreakingly real characters make this book a can’t-miss read.

As an avid fan of southern gothics, I particularly appreciate when a book strikes the perfect balance of spookiness and romanticism, and this book does exactly that. Additionally, there’s an air of dark academia with this one that manages to crossover well with the overall gothic vibe.

I highly recommend this book for fans of gothics, lovers of Appalachian lore, and readers of ghost stories everywhere. It’ll make you gasp, smile, cry, and sleep with the lights on before all is said and done.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

A year after the death of her girlfriend, Felicity Morrow returns to the boarding school they both attended. Despite her newfound caution towards the occult, she is soon embroiled in another student’s fascination with the legends surrounding the school, and the alleged witches who died there.

My impressions:

Stylistically lush and lovely, this book was impossible to put down. Add to that the wonderful narration in the audiobook and this made for a beautiful reading experience. The characters were compelling, and following their arcs was a real pleasure.

As for the twist, which I won’t reveal, I think it will be equally enjoyable for readers who figure it out as for those who are taken by surprise. Lee does an excellent job of foreshadowing without being too obvious, allowing readers to piece things together, whether in hindsight or as the plot unfolds.

Fans of dark academia such as We Were Villains or The Secret History who perhaps long for something with a similar vibe and snappier pacing may well enjoy this book, which I feel avoids some of the pitfalls of the subgenre. Less meandering than it’s compatriots, yet still every inch as character driven, this book is a good choice for old and new fans of the genre alike.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: The Perfect Stranger, by Megan Miranda

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

In the wake of a career disaster, Leah runs into her old friend Emmy, and the two decide to get a place together in quiet rural Pennsylvania. Leah gets a teaching position there, hoping to hide from her past. However, when Emmy vanishes, she begins unearthing disturbing secrets about her enigmatic friend. Did she really know Emmy at all?

My impressions:

As a dedicated fan of Megan Miranda’s work, I’m surprised it took me so long to get around to reading this book. In classic Miranda fashion, the characters and audience both are confronted with clues that challenge what they think they know, and as the story unfolds, it’s clear that you can’t assume anyone is telling the truth.

I must admit, I’m a big fan of this particular brand of mystery novel. The delicate midpoint between literary mysteries like Big Little Lies and old fashioned pulp detective stories, the sub genre Miranda inhabits is one of a tightrope act, balancing fast paced thrills with character arcs that would be just as at home in a much longer book. To maintain that kind of balance between dense, meaty narratives and the rollercoaster thrill casual and dedicated readers alike seek out takes a level of skill that is impressive.

As Emmy’s secrets unspool under the persistent tugging of Leah’s curiosity, readers are bound to find themselves tangled in the story and happy to be so. Readers who enjoy Ruth Ware and Megan Collins are bound to enjoy this twisty mystery.

Happy Reading!

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Review: The Woods are Always Watching, by Stephanie Perkins

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

Two girls go camping in the woods, hoping to repair the unraveling threads of their fraying friendship. Unbeknownst to them, there are worse things lingering in the woods than just bears.

My impressions:

I was pleasantly surprised that this book was quite a bit less slasher-y than Perkins’s last book I’d read, “Someone is in Your House.” I like her writing style, but I wasn’t keen on another slasher. This, however, was far more in the suspense and thriller vein, which I feel lends itself better to character development and audience investment.

One of my favorite things about this book is that it managed to have humor and levity despite the incredibly disturbing content, which made the book feel quite a bit less heavy than it might have otherwise.

I do think the aforementioned disturbing content perhaps should’ve warranted a trigger warning from the publisher. I know that’s not a standard thing in the book industry, but I think if a YA novel is going to have a level of violence that would absolutely be rated R if it were a movie, there should be some kind of warning for younger readers. As someone who often read above my age range as a kid, I tend to notice when I come across something that would’ve likely freaked me the hell out as a kid. I do think it would be useful if books had a system like movie ratings or ESRB ratings, not to prohibit kids from reading what they want, but to give them an idea of what to expect in terms of how explicit something will be.

Ok I’ll get off my soap box now. All in all I think this was a really interesting read with a satisfying conclusion. If you enjoy classic campfire stories and 80s horror movies, you’ll probably enjoy this book as well.

Happy Reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: The Ghost Tree, by Christina Henry

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

Two girls are found dead in the placid town of Smith’s Hollow, and no one seems to be making much progress on solving their murders. When fourteen year old Lauren starts having visions about a monster and her four year old brother starts making strange predictions, Lauren begins to wonder if not everything in her hometown is what it seems.

My impressions:

If you want to read something that will haunt you, this book will do the trick. This was my first time reading a Christina Henry book, and I didn’t know what to expect, but having read this, I think it’s safe to say I’m adding the author’s other works to my reading list immediately.

The lore of Smith’s Hollow weaves together seamlessly with the unfolding story, with the buried secrets of the town informing the events as they happen. By turns both heartbreaking and terrifying, it’s impossible to look away as the macabre plot descends.

Fans of Rose Szabo and Silvia Moreno-Garcia are likely to enjoy this deeply creepy fantasy horror tale.

Happy Reading!

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Review: The Lies You Told, by Harriet Tyce

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

When Sadie Roper moves back into her childhood home and enrolls her daughter in the same school she herself once attended, she has plenty of misgivings. Her memories of school are not happy ones, nor are her memories of the home she once shared with her cold mother.

My impressions:

This book was a proper thriller, with plenty of tense moments and discoveries that will keep both you and the characters on the edge of your seats. I actually caught myself gasping out loud and clapping a hand to my chest in shock at one point.

If you’re looking for a good suspenseful domestic thriller, this book is a good choice. Fans of Big Little Lies and Little Fires Everywhere will probably enjoy the fascinating ensemble of characters in this book.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: The Wicked Girls, by Alex Marwood

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

Two little girls became fast friends, and on that same day, killed someone. Years later, they run into each other again despite all odds and a court order to steer clear of each other. What’s more, there’s a serial killer on the loose.

My impressions:

While the story itself was compelling and full of twists, I found the book a bit difficult to read. I’m well aware that this genre is full of violence against women, missing girls and dead ones. However, this book had a seemingly unusual amount of specifically sexually motivated violence, despite the fact that (minor spoiler coming here) the murder that makes up the backstory of the two protagonists is actually really more of an accident and a panicked cover up.

There’s certainly plenty of suspense, and the author writes with the same carefully unfolding style as Tana French and Lisa Jewell. If you can stomach the actual content of the story, the panache with which it is told will be, if not entirely worth it, pretty darn close. At the very least, it made me interested enough in the author’s style to want to read another of her books soon.

I recommend this one if you have a strong stomach and want a bit of a hard boiled case. Fans of Karin Slaughter will probably be able to handle this one just fine.

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

Review: The Last House on Needless Street, by Catriona Ward

Posted on by writingkat95

The hook:

What do a reclusive man, a Bible reading cat, and a teenage girl who isn’t allowed to leave the house have in common? Needless Street. Something is off about Needless Street, though, and it will take all of these peculiar characters and more to suss out the truth.

My impressions:

It’s difficult to properly explain the things I loved most about this book without entirely spoiling the ending, so I’ll just say this: question every assumption you have while reading it. This is not your average thriller, rather, it has layers upon layers of tightly woven together clues.

Personally, I couldn’t help being intrigued by this book from the moment I saw the cover. It looked spooky and whimsical, the cat catching my attention before my eyes drifted up to the review quoted at the top of the book, wherein Stephen King referred to the book as a “nerve-shredder.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but that got my attention. Something that visually reminded me of Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s middle grade novels was clearly more than met the eye- and clearly much scarier than the whimsical cover implied. I knew immediately that I had to read it.

The novel itself is just as full of contrasts as the cover. By turns both whimsical (I know I know I keep using this word) and disturbing, this book demanded to be read in one sitting, and I was powerless to resist. Do yourself a favor and read this one ASAP!

Happy reading!