Posted in Book Review

Review: Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo

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: Don’t Tell a Soul, by Kirsten Miller

The hook:

Described as Rebecca meets Truly Devious, this gothic mystery features a tenacious protagonist named Bram and a possibly cursed, possibly haunted house. Bram goes to live with her uncle in his infamously creepy house, determined to unearth the truth of what really happened there.

My impressions:

Absolutely one of my favorite books I’ve read this year, this one really captured my imagination. Without spoiling too much, I want to say there was at least one twist so beautifully done that I found myself grinning ear to ear at the reveal, feeling clever for suspecting it and gratified that the story took such a satisfying turn.

If you love classic gothic authors like Daphne DuMaurier and Shirley Jackson, you’ll want to give this book a read. It’s a true love letter to the greats of the genre, and while it takes a modern spin on things, it still feels like a satisfyingly classic story. After all, it’s a tale as old as time: a girl in a spooky old house, a mystery to solve, and things that go bump in the night.

I highly recommend this book, which pairs well with a big cozy blanket and a dark night. If you’re reading on a phone or ereader, feel free to turn off all the lights and get swept away.

Happy reading!