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anchovysaurus's reviews
241 reviews
The Troop by Nick Cutter
dark
tense
4.25
I went into this thinking that The Troop wasn't for me and that I would probably DNF it.
I'm ecstatic to say that this is one of the best horror books I've ever read.
Horror books tend to suffer from an imbalance. Either the author focuses too much on the horror elements at the expense of a coherent plot and good characterisation, or the author focuses on human dynamics and the horror elements are secondary. The Troop has an excellent balance of horror combined with characters who are well fleshed out.
I thought this would be a story about a bio-engineered man-creature who slowly picks off a scoutmaster and his charges. I'm proud to have been proven wrong; the man dies off pretty early and the story unfolds naturally thereafter.
I'm ecstatic to say that this is one of the best horror books I've ever read.
Horror books tend to suffer from an imbalance. Either the author focuses too much on the horror elements at the expense of a coherent plot and good characterisation, or the author focuses on human dynamics and the horror elements are secondary. The Troop has an excellent balance of horror combined with characters who are well fleshed out.
I thought this would be a story about a bio-engineered man-creature who slowly picks off a scoutmaster and his charges. I'm proud to have been proven wrong; the man dies off pretty early and the story unfolds naturally thereafter.
Dark Matter by Michelle Paver
2.75
After enjoying Wakenhyrst by Michelle Paver, I decided to try this one out. Unfortunately, Dark Matter: A Ghost Story was a bit of a disappointment.
Our main character, Jack, is mostly unlikable. He's fatphobic and arrogant, despite his feelings of inferiority. He makes some smart moves that other characters in horror novels don't often do, but that's about where the good stuff ends.
This story just didn't have that atmosphere of dread bearing down on the reader. However, I'm glad to see how the author has grown as a horror writer between this book and Wakenhyrst.
Our main character, Jack, is mostly unlikable. He's fatphobic and arrogant, despite his feelings of inferiority. He makes some smart moves that other characters in horror novels don't often do, but that's about where the good stuff ends.
This story just didn't have that atmosphere of dread bearing down on the reader. However, I'm glad to see how the author has grown as a horror writer between this book and Wakenhyrst.
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
The Tyranny of Faith by Richard Swan
adventurous
3.5
While still being a commanding entry in the Empire of the Wolf trilogy, The Tyranny of Faith didn't grip me the same way The Justice of Kings did. Even though we get some "aha!" moments at the end, it still felt like jagged puzzle pieces were being forced into place.
I absolutely loved that we explored more of the [dark] magic and the afterlife in this instalment. We also see Helena have some moments of vulnerability with both Sir Radomir and Bressinger, which made them all the more endearing.
However, I detested the romantic aspects of Helena and Sir Konrad's relationship. I can understand why Helena would develop these feelings for Sir Konrad, but ultimately, I think he should've known better.
I absolutely loved that we explored more of the [dark] magic and the afterlife in this instalment. We also see Helena have some moments of vulnerability with both Sir Radomir and Bressinger, which made them all the more endearing.
The September House by Carissa Orlando
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Pragmatic, determined, tenacious Margaret refuses to let the ghostly presences in her house outlast her. Instead, she follows the rules of the house and lives alongside them.
The September House is really a story about a mother and daughter fixing their relationship; the horror is clearly a secondary element. We explore cycles of domestic violence and the long-lasting impact this has on family members. The author has a doctorate in clinical-community psychology, which shows in her skillful handling of the abuse aspects. The story is more of a literary horror and has a strong psychological horror feel, which may appeal to non-traditional horror fans and explain this book's unusually high average rating.
The September House is really a story about a mother and daughter fixing their relationship; the horror is clearly a secondary element. We explore cycles of domestic violence and the long-lasting impact this has on family members. The author has a doctorate in clinical-community psychology, which shows in her skillful handling of the abuse aspects. The story is more of a literary horror and has a strong psychological horror feel, which may appeal to non-traditional horror fans and explain this book's unusually high average rating.