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drakaina16's reviews
2145 reviews
Children of the Dark 2: The Night Flyers by Jonathan Janz
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Thank you to Cemetery Dance for providing a review copy.
The Night Flyers picks up 13 months after the events in Children of the Dark. This is definitely not a standalone; the first book is essential reading. I really enjoyed Children of the Dark, but I think this is my favorite of the two. Janz does a great job getting you to care about the characters, and managed to crush me a time or two. The book starts off fast paced, but gains speed like a rocket until the end. The action sequences are very tense and had me on the edge of my seat at times. The ending seems like it could be hinting at a third book, and I sincerely hope that's true. 5 stars
The Night Flyers picks up 13 months after the events in Children of the Dark. This is definitely not a standalone; the first book is essential reading. I really enjoyed Children of the Dark, but I think this is my favorite of the two. Janz does a great job getting you to care about the characters, and managed to crush me a time or two. The book starts off fast paced, but gains speed like a rocket until the end. The action sequences are very tense and had me on the edge of my seat at times. The ending seems like it could be hinting at a third book, and I sincerely hope that's true. 5 stars
You're Not Supposed To Be Here by Mike Salt
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thank you to Mike Salt for providing a review copy.
This is a very different book in Mike Salt's catalog, but it is a worthy entry. The entire premise of the book is wrong and unsettling. I hesitate to say too much here, because I feel like you should really let the book surprise you. I didn't find Gabe to be a very sympathetic character, but that didn't make the story less enjoyable for me. Gabe is a trainwreck you can't look away from. 4.25 stars
This is a very different book in Mike Salt's catalog, but it is a worthy entry. The entire premise of the book is wrong and unsettling. I hesitate to say too much here, because I feel like you should really let the book surprise you. I didn't find Gabe to be a very sympathetic character, but that didn't make the story less enjoyable for me. Gabe is a trainwreck you can't look away from. 4.25 stars
The Home by Judith Sonnet
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I want to start off by saying how refreshing it is to read about protagonists who are elderly. There is quite a bit of time-hopping, yes, but much of the narrative takes place in modern day. It was interesting to see the characters take on the supernatural when they are weak and feeble, as opposed to young and able bodied.
Mr. Friendlyman is a truly distressing villain, and there is some imagery in The Home that will stick with me. I didn't realize how cosmic the story would get, and I was pretty delighted with that. The only thing that knocked my rating down was the ending. So much information is revealed that I wish had been expanded upon, and I felt it ended super abruptly, almost confusingly so. I still absolutely recommend the book and rate it 4.25 stars.
Mr. Friendlyman is a truly distressing villain, and there is some imagery in The Home that will stick with me. I didn't realize how cosmic the story would get, and I was pretty delighted with that. The only thing that knocked my rating down was the ending. So much information is revealed that I wish had been expanded upon, and I felt it ended super abruptly, almost confusingly so. I still absolutely recommend the book and rate it 4.25 stars.
House of Windows by John Langan
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I'm going to start with saying that I rate this book at 2. In my world, that means I finished the book, but I really kind of wish I hadn't. I was really engrossed by the book for quite some time, but around 4/5ths of the way through, I should have just given up. I love character studies and slow burns, but damn what a slog the last bit of the book was! In my opinion, the payoff wasn't worth it at all. My quibble isn't with the quality of the writing at all - that is excellent. I was let down by the end of the book.
Hunting Snipe: and Other Notes on the East Texas Cattle Mutilations by Paul Avery Tindol
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This book is so well done. The found footage format, interspersed with the narrative, worked very well. The book is creepy from the jump, with some genuinely unsettling moments sprinkled throughout. It should be obvious from the title, but massive trigger warning for animal harm. 4.25 stars
How to Kill Friends and Eviscerate People by Tim Paggi
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Thank you to BookSirens for providing a review copy.
I have been reading some really heavy books lately, so How to Kill Friends and Eviscerate People is an excellent palette cleanser. It's a very smart piece of satire, disguised as a self-help book with some very unorthodox methods for getting ahead in business. While I personally won't be taking any of the advice contained herein, perhaps it might be more your speed? 4.25 stars
I have been reading some really heavy books lately, so How to Kill Friends and Eviscerate People is an excellent palette cleanser. It's a very smart piece of satire, disguised as a self-help book with some very unorthodox methods for getting ahead in business. While I personally won't be taking any of the advice contained herein, perhaps it might be more your speed? 4.25 stars
Noro by William F. Gray
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to Cemetery Dance for providing a review copy.
I've greatly enjoyed William F. Gray's previous books and jumped at the chance to read Noro. The writing is tight and fraught with tension. I cared for the characters quite a bit, and went on a very emotional ride with them. The weather is just as much of a threat as the meteor, and almost becomes another character as well. Ice cold and atmospheric, Noro hurt my heart and gave me real world anxiety. 5 stars
I've greatly enjoyed William F. Gray's previous books and jumped at the chance to read Noro. The writing is tight and fraught with tension. I cared for the characters quite a bit, and went on a very emotional ride with them. The weather is just as much of a threat as the meteor, and almost becomes another character as well. Ice cold and atmospheric, Noro hurt my heart and gave me real world anxiety. 5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Ghosts in the Machines by Harrison Phillips, Angel Van Atta, Aaron Lebold, Kelvin V A Allison, Carietta Dorsch, Lolly Sparrow, James Lefebure, Mark MJ Green
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I have a fondness for themed anthologies. It's so much fun to see how different authors interpret a theme. In this case, it's our beloved machines - things we use every day that turn against us. I had a great time with the book. 4 stars
The Cursed Cat by Lolly Sparrow ⭐⭐.75
Jerry by Kelvin VA Allison ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sango Dick by Carietta Dorsch DNF
By the Horns by Harrison Phillips ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Roomba by Mark MJ Green ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Haunting of Jill Rouse by Lee Richmond ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Life Coach by Aaron Lebold ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Mr. Morrison's Final Ride by Angel Van Atta ⭐⭐⭐.75
Heavy Brutal by Eve L. Fell ⭐⭐.5
Barbies Dream House by Renn White ⭐⭐⭐.75
Blue Screen by Lisa Hutchinson ⭐⭐⭐
Nobody's Fool by Eric Butler ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Increase the Incline by James Lefebure ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The Cursed Cat by Lolly Sparrow ⭐⭐.75
Jerry by Kelvin VA Allison ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sango Dick by Carietta Dorsch DNF
By the Horns by Harrison Phillips ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Roomba by Mark MJ Green ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Haunting of Jill Rouse by Lee Richmond ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Life Coach by Aaron Lebold ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Mr. Morrison's Final Ride by Angel Van Atta ⭐⭐⭐.75
Heavy Brutal by Eve L. Fell ⭐⭐.5
Barbies Dream House by Renn White ⭐⭐⭐.75
Blue Screen by Lisa Hutchinson ⭐⭐⭐
Nobody's Fool by Eric Butler ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Increase the Incline by James Lefebure ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Sexual assault
The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I put off reading this book for a VERY long time and I honestly couldn't tell you why. I love ghost stories, I love Japanese horror, and I thought The Bone Witch was great. Either way, I'm very glad I read it now. This book is super atmospheric and has some genuinely creepy moments. I loved the characters, and the ghostly protagonist has a mission I can really get behind. I'm eager to read the second book. 4.25 stars
The Drowning Machine and Other Obsessions by Emma E. Murray
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
If you want a short story collection that will pummel you emotionally at every turn, this is the one for you. With exquisite prose, Emma E. Murray crafts stories rooted in grief that are absolutely devastating. Special shoutout to Lavender and Dandelions for making me cry in the school pick up line. 4.5 stars
An Angel of God ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If I Carry You ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Lavender and Dandelions ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Golden Hour ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Whole Again ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
A Better Mother ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Take Control ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Profound Pain of Letting Go ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Dyin’ Ain't Nothin’ But Fallin’ Asleep ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Portage, Ohio in Early Autumn ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Night Visitor ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Through the Holler, Into the Dark ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mother of Machines ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Blessed Are the Meek ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Exquisite Hunger ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The Drowning Machine ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vengeance is a Patient Beast ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Follow the Moon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you want a short story collection that will pummel you emotionally at every turn, this is the one for you. With exquisite prose, Emma E. Murray crafts stories rooted in grief that are absolutely devastating. Special shoutout to Lavender and Dandelions for making me cry in the school pick up line. 4.5 stars
An Angel of God ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If I Carry You ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Lavender and Dandelions ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Golden Hour ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Whole Again ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
A Better Mother ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Take Control ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Profound Pain of Letting Go ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Dyin’ Ain't Nothin’ But Fallin’ Asleep ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Portage, Ohio in Early Autumn ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Night Visitor ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Through the Holler, Into the Dark ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mother of Machines ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Blessed Are the Meek ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Exquisite Hunger ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The Drowning Machine ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vengeance is a Patient Beast ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Follow the Moon ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexual violence, Suicide, Mass/school shootings, and Cannibalism