Tag: gothic

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 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 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 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 The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher

Posted on by writingkat95

The Hook:

Described as “The Blair Witch Project meets The Andy Griffith Show” this book follows Mouse as she cleans out her deceased grandmother’s home in rural North Carolina and uncovers unspeakable horrors.

My Impressions:

First of all, who could possibly resist that description, right? I had to know what this book was about, and having already read T. Kingfisher’s “The Hollow Places,” I knew I was in for something unforgettable. True to form, the author really delivers on the horror I’d come to expect, and then some.

Mouse is a decidedly likable character the audience wants to root for, and the story is made all the more terrifying by how much we really don’t want to see Mouse get permanently traumatized. After all, it’s not her fault she’s in a horror novel. If you’re looking for a truly original horror novel, look no further, because this was a reading experience unlike any other.

If you can handle the extraordinary spookiness, this book is absolutely worth a read. I don’t want to spoil any of the twists, but I will say that one twist in particular was so effective I audibly gasped while reading it, paused the audiobook, and ran to tell my roommate about the twist over a cup of tea while my nerves recovered.

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

Happy reading!

Posted in Book Review

The Ten Best Mysteries and Gothics I Read in 2021

Posted on by writingkat95

I set out to write a post about the top ten books I read this year, but found that I wound up with a list of 20 books, ten of which were mysteries or other vaguely spooky things, so I decided they should get a list of their own.

In no particular order, because I couldn’t possibly decide which books are the best of the best, here are the ten books I most enjoyed being spooked and thrilled by this year. They were not all published this year, but I did read them all this year.

1. If I Disappear

Kept me rushing towards the end and exclaiming out loud at each new twist. Super fun read!

2. Dial A For Aunties

I hadn’t thought I could laugh so hard, much less at a book that revolves around a murder. I plan to read this one again anytime I need a pick-me-up.

3. The Wife Upstairs

Easily the best modern take on Jane Eyre I’ve read, compulsively readable and a real pleasure. I can’t wait to see what the author does next.

4. The Wife Stalker

If you like thinking you’ve got a plot figured out and then being completely surprised by the ending, give this one a try and see if you are gripped by the sudden need to read everything else the author has ever written; I certainly was.

5. Don’t Look For Me

Absolutely nail biting suspense all the way through. This was another one that made me pick up and read several more by the author.

6. Behind the Red Door

I wish I could erase the memory of this one just so I could read it for the first time again. Memorable and full of incredibly well plotted twists.

7. Don’t Tell a Soul

Gothic and lovely, with a central mystery that ties up so satisfyingly you’ll want to read it again and again. The book equivalent of a fantastic meal, leaves you utterly content.

8. The Last House on Needless Street

If you’re reading this one and find yourself thinking “oh I know where this is going and I’m a little disappointed” no, you don’t, it’s going to surprise you. Read to the end and I dare you not to yell “oh my god, what?!” at least a few times near the end.

9. Summer Sons

One of the best gothics I’ve read in a long time, even in a year when I came across so many fun gothics to read. Memorable characters impossible not to root for.

10. The Death of Jane Lawrence

If Crimson Peak were a Doctor Who episode I imagine it would play out something like this book, which I enjoyed so thoroughly I immediately recommended it to several friends. I will be reading this one over again for many years to come.

I hope everyone has a great new year, and if you haven’t read the books on this list yet, I highly recommend looking for them at your local library or independent bookstore. Remember, most libraries allow digital checkouts of audiobooks, and many of the books on this list are even more delightful as audiobooks.

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!

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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!

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!