RECESSION OF THE DIVINE by Hillary Jacques & DAUGHTER OF THE MIDWAY, THE MERMAID, AND THE OPEN, LONELY SEA by Seanan McGuire

Recession of the Divine by Hillary Jacques
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love Greek mythology so I was looking forward to reading this one.

Olivia does inspections for an insurance company, but she wasn't always human. She's bound her powers while living in the human world and the day she inspects an accident in a travelling carnival, everything unravels...

You know, I should've loved this tale because, like I mentioned above, I love when Greek mythology is mixed into modern narratives. Olivia was interesting enough and so was the muse that keeps popping in and out, but there was something about this story... I'm not even sure what it was, but it's missing something.

Yeah, I liked many of the elements and carnival descriptions, even the writing style, but I didn't love it.

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Carniepunk: Daughter of the Midway, the Mermaid, and the Open, Lonely Sea by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

With a title like this one, I was intrigued instantly.

When Ada’s carnival passes through Alabama the secrets buried in the past rise to the surface...

Wow. What a stunning tale. The melancholy storytelling is as thick as the wonder about Ada's family and the world she lives in. The carnival is all she's ever known, but stopping at this town changes everything.

I especially found her mother's story to be the saddest, but of course that carries forward to her daughter as well. And Ada is such a lovely character that my heart broke.

Loved this. Very moving. And that ending. 😫


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SUNBURN by Laura Lippman

Sunburn by Laura Lippman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After reading a great book the other day, I wanted to get stuck into another story, so I went through my Paperwhite... and started reading this one yesterday.

When Polly walks out on her husband and daughter during their summer vacation, she ends up in Belleville, Delaware. And inside a tavern, she crosses paths with the alluring Adam. Both are apparently passing through on their way to better places, but the secrets they hide bring them together. And will probably tear them apart...

Well, this book turned out to be quite interesting. It's well written and there are secrets buried within secrets that lead to an unexpected conclusion. There's also a great cast of grey characters that prove good people can do bad things, and bad people can do good things.

It all starts with a seemingly average woman, Polly, sitting in a bar after leaving her family because she wants to be free before her husband leaves her. But it doesn't take long to realise that there's a lot more to her story. Then there's the man, Adam, watching and assessing her every move because he seems to be interested in her. Yet, he has ulterior motives too.

I liked the way this unravelled. Told mostly in the POV of Polly and Adam, there are also several other POVs peppered throughout that provide clues that help round out the overall mystery. And these definitely help the reader figure out exactly what's going on with Polly.

Cool book, glad I read it.


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SAGA #72 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

Saga #72 by Brian K. Vaughan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've been looking forward to reading this installment for ages, but have to admit that I was a little worried because Ghüs is on the cover and... well, you know how Saga can be sometimes.

Anyway, this is the season finale and starts off with a shocking announcement that sends serious ripples and consequences everywhere. And that leads to a bunch of characters, scattered all over the place, making an appearance.

I really enjoyed it, but I'm a little worried about where this is going to lead. 😫


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CATS LIKE CREAM by Renee Miller

Cats Like Cream by Renee Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was going through my Paperwhite today and randomly opened this book. Before I knew it, I was 25% in, so I kept going.

Elwin is a realtor and he has a bad habit of watching people as they go about their lives via hidden cameras he installed in their houses. But watching isn't enough sometimes and when he touches, things fall apart very quickly...

OMFG. This book is in the POV of a despicable and very gross man. A serial killer who likes to watch from afar. He also enjoys the taste of hair a little too much. I pretty much hated him the moment he appears on the first page, as he goes about his murderous ways, and all the way to that bittersweet ending.

He's one fucked-up individual.

Yet, as much as I hated this asshole, I also couldn't stop reading his story because this disturbing book hooked me in and everything moved at a good pace. I ended up reading this novella in one sitting.

I really liked the storytelling style too, and how brutal it is. No sugarcoating here.


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TROG by Zachary Ashford

Trog by Zachary Ashford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Firstly, I want to thank Zachary for sending me an ARC of his upcoming novella.

After a traumatic ordeal in the city, Aisha's parents decide to relocate to a property in the middle of nowhere to keep her out of danger. What they don't know is that something is imprisoned beneath their new house, and that danger isn't limited to the city...

Wow. This novella is an action-packed, chaotic creature feature full of interesting characters, terrifying situations, human monsters, and a Yowie with a taste for human meat.

I had a total blast reading this bloody tale about a teenage girl trying to get over a terrible incident that almost ruined her life. Sometimes a fresh start isn't the answer, but you'll have a great time finding out all the things that can go wrong in the sticks.

I know Trog is a wild, feral creature hellbent on destruction, but I did feel for the beast. Humans have a tendency to make everything worse.

Anyway, this is a great and very cool novella!


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SOXORCIST II by Jamie Kort

Soxorcist II by Jamie Kort
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, I have to start by thanking the author for sending me a copy of this depraved slice of horror. It's the fourth erotic sock puppet story I've read, and it's certainly turning into Jamie Kort's subgenre. 🧦🪡

Anyway, here are my thoughts:

The Soxorcist needs help. She's sick and something is stirring inside her stomach, but what she finds is a terrifying nightmare worse than her memories...

O.M.F.G. The stories in this series might be short but require a lot of brain bleach. That doesn't ultimately work because the dark and gross imagery weaves its way so deep that the filth seeps too fast to stop.

In usual fashion, this story is as weird as fuck. Bizarre in too many ways to list without spoilers. Also very addictive. The writing is engaging and I didn't stop reading until I reached that very violent and disturbing end because I always want to know how it's going to end.

I also really like the addition of Sam the Raven.

If you enjoy being grossed out, but at the same time, intrigued by a storyline so strange that you're sucked right in... then definitely check this out. You won't regret it. Or maybe you will. 😅

 

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STATIC by Stacey L. Pierson

Static by Stacey L. Pierson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"A nostalgic, dual-timeline trip that twists the ghost story trope into a never-ending groundhog nightmare with deadly revelations."

I want to thank Stacey for giving me the chance to read an ARC of this cool novel.

Jesse leads an average life during the late 1990s. Tatum is trying to get used to life changes in 2024. Both might be living in a haunted house with plenty of secrets...

This is an intriguing story told by several characters, and certainly throws the traditional ghost story upside down. At many times, it feels like a fever dream on repeat, that reveals a little more with the building tension until the devastating truth is revealed.

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MISTRESS OF ALL EVIL by Serena Valentino

Mistress of All Evil: A Tale of the Dark Fairy (Disney Villains 4) by Serena Valentino
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Yesterday I tried to read the third book in this series and unfortunately DNFd it halfway through, but I still decided to give this one (the fourth) a go.

Maleficent is often called the Dark Fairy, the Mistress of All Evil. Yet, there's a lot more to her story. Starting with the reason why she cursed an innocent princess and is determined to destroy everything...

Well, this turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I really enjoyed it! I liked the portrayal of Maleficent in this dark fairy tale, and actually didn't mind all of the other characters either. I liked the explanation for her actions, and how she's misunderstood by everyone because they refuse to see things through her perspective.

The daughter angle was an unexpected surprise that adds a whole new level of emotion and motivation to a character who's so often shown as a one-dimensional villainous caricature.

I'm intrigued by the Odd Sisters, and although it made sense, the ending annoyed me.

Also, this reminds me that I need to watch the movies.


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GOBLIN MONDAY by R.L. Stine

Goblin Monday by R.L. Stine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I picked this up this afternoon and pretty much finished it in one sitting.

Mario is looking forward to seeing the snow, and now that he's tagging along with his best friends and their parents to Vermont, that's exactly what he'll be doing. Except, there's something really strange going on inside this house. And Todd and Jewel's grandparents are a little odd...

Well, that was a creepy and totally fun story! It's quite unsettling. From the very beginning, I could tell there was something lurking in the background, and those grandparents sure are weirdos. Not to mention the freaky creatures.

Anyway, I really enjoyed it. I also liked the twist followed by another twist. Very cool.

So far, I'm liking the House of Shivers series.

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THE CRANE HUSBAND by Kelly Barnhill

The Crane Husband by Kelly Barnhill
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was in the mood for another novella and decided to get stuck into this one because I love stories featuring birds in some way.

When the mother of a fifteen-year-old girl brings home a crane that's as tall as a man, their way of life changes instantly. Her mother starts neglecting both of her children, and looks more beaten down every day. But this teenager isn't about to give up or give in...

Well, this is one dark and very surreal story that deals with some pretty heavy stuff. Child neglect. Domestic violence. Corporations taking over the farming industry. Denial.

It's like a fever dream that pulls the reader deep into the depths of desperation.

We never find out the narrator's actual name, although she uses the name Bruce for business purposes. Her tenacity to keep the family together and protect her little brother drives most of her motivation to keep the house functioning even when her mother sabotages everything for her new 'man'.

This is a sombre and very bleak fairy tale with some disturbing imagery that leads to quite an unsettling conclusion.

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TRUE CRIME by Samantha Kolesnik

True Crime by Samantha Kolesnik
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, last night I picked out another novella that I've had on my Kindle for a while.

Suzy and Lim live with their abusive mother in a shitty house hiding too many despicable secrets. Until the day it's all too much and the siblings find themselves on the run...

O.M.F.G. 😳

This story is beyond fucked up. I mean, seriously. It's like watching a true crime documentary from the other side. From the side we don't want to see. Yet, that's what makes this book so damn addictive.

I seriously couldn't put it down because Suzy's voice is very strong and interesting. But also callous and quite gross. Suzy's attitude to life is so sad because the way she was raised deprived her of emotion and real human connection.

By the way, this novella needs all the trigger warnings because it touches on just about every awful thing that's sure to make a reader want to look away. Even though you can't. You might want to, but you won't.

As I said, Suzy's awful life and the disgusting people around her are sure to keep you glued to every ugly page. Even the few good people will make you uncomfortable.

This is such a well-written story. It's weird to say I enjoyed it, but I did. This story highlight how the horrid cycle of disgraceful abuse can twist the most innocent into a different kind of monster.

Utterly disturbing.


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SEINFELD: The Day of Nothing by Nicole Ostow & Brittany Baugus

Seinfeld: The Day of Nothing by Micol Ostow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We found out about this book after our daughter picked up a copy for work, and since we're huge Seinfeld fans, we had to grab a copy for our collection.

This book about nothing sure is packed with a lot. 😅

I had heaps of fun reading it. Not only is it funny, but the drawings are super cute. And there are Easter eggs everywhere. Not just in the dialogue and story itself, but in the background.

It really is a very cool book and I loved it!

 

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THE SOXORCIST by Jamie Kort

 

The Soxorcist by Jamie Kort
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the third sock puppet story I've read, and I certainly hope it won't be the last.

The Soxorcist has come to a dark attic in the dead of night to save the soul of an innocent sock. And he's willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done...

Yikes! OMFG. This is a short tale but it packs quite the punch. It's depraved. It's gross. It's violent. It's also weird as fuck. The imagery alone is guaranteed to fill your brain with filth, and not even bleach will get that stain out.

Yet, I couldn't stop reading. Didn't want to stop because I needed to find out how this brutal ordeal was going to end. And it didn't disappoint. 😳

The writing is engaging. The subject matter delves deep into such bizarre places, that you end up getting dragged into the very depths of hell inside this dusty attic that holds more than one innocent victim. And so many terrible secrets.

If you want to be grossed out, check this out. If you want to read something so original you can't look away, check this out. Hell, if you enjoy odd, but unique stories from unexpected perspectives, then definitely read this!

No one tells bizarro erotic sock tales like Jamie Kort. He created this subgenre and rules supreme. 🧦🪡


PS. I love Sophie Ingley's cover, and it was cool to check out the other entries.


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PRE-APPROVED FOR HAUNTING AND OTHER STORIES by Patrick Barb

 

Pre-Approved for Haunting: And Other Stories by Patrick Barb
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I'd like to thank the publisher for sending me an eARC of this short story collection.

The first thing I want to mention is the cover, which seems very simple at first glance, but perfectly sets the tone for the eighteen dark stories within.

PRE-APPROVED FOR HAUNTING AND OTHER STORIES is packed full of strange and weird tales featuring a cast of very different characters who lead their own personal haunted lives. No story is the same in theme or even format. But they're all an interesting variation of horror in its many forms, and each one stands out for its own eerie reason/s.

As is typical with collated tales, some grabbed me more than others. My personal favourites are: Lost Boy Found in His Bear Suit because of its subtle but strong horror, A Portrait of the Artist as an Angry God (in Landscape) because it's a fever dream of art and obsession, Rose from the Ashes because it's an intriguing revenge fantasy, Iggy Crane and the Headless Horse Girl because it's fascinating, and The Giallo Kid in the Cataclysm’s Campgrounds because it's slasher with a difference.

Another thing I really like are the actual story titles. There are some very clever and creative titles in this bunch.

Overall, I really enjoyed this collection.

 

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THIS ONE'S GONNA HURT by Cody J. Thompson

 

This One's Gonna Hurt by Cody J. Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Well, that was quite the blood-soaked ride! Also, if you're squeamish, you definitely need to know that this book needs all the trigger warnings.

Halloran Summit Road is a desolate area located at the end of a random off-ramp along the freeway in the California desert. A place to rest while you charge your electric car. Somewhere for five friends to take a detour while on their way to a music festival in Las Vegas...

You know, I just realised I made that sound like a nice place to visit, a pleasant tourist spot to take your family. But it totally isn't. This location might appear vacant, but houses an evil maniac who preys on anyone who makes the mistake of stopping there.

After all, he needs to meet his supply and demand quota. 😳

From the very beginning, this story is violent and packs quite the gruesome punch. Introduces unsuspecting characters you get to like before they face down the danger lurking behind the trailers.

It's quite shocking, fast-paced, and when the secret is revealed, sure to make you extra queasy. And that's before I mention the gory descriptions, the vivid sense of location, and that messed-up ending.

I mean, yikes!!

I really enjoyed this. There's definitely some The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, with a mix of Wrong Turn, and plenty of carnage to keep any slasher fan hooked.

But please, whatever you do, stay away from the Herkey Jerky. 😬

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THE LONGEST THIRST by Roxie Voorhees

 

The Quick and the Dead meets Carmilla.

When Lillian killed her father, getting the blood out of her dress was the least of her worries. The Native woman on her left will soon prove to be a blessing, or a curse. Just as hope all but evaporates on the cracked earth of the Mojave, a beacon of light shines in the center of a silver mining town, Calico. 

Born into the rigidity of classism, Lillian struggles with the welcoming hospitality of the town and its inhabitants. Convinced this respite is brief, she prepares to return the woman to her people, and flee her crime. Even so, Calico softens her heart and Lillian soon feels she belongs.

But a stranger gallops into Calico. His presence commands obedience, and soon he finds what he is looking for—Lillian.

And they have unfinished business.

I would like to thank the author for sending me an ARC of this splatterwestern novella.

When Lillian kills her father, she wants to get as far away from him and his men as she can. But with an injured Native woman by her side, surviving the Mojave desert might prove difficult. Until they arrive in the town of Calico, a place where they can both be safe. Unless the past catches up with her... 

The Longest Thirst is like a fever dream under the blistering hot sun, after not having a single sip of water while shambling aimlessly over the sand hoping to find a place that will heal your bleeding heart.

Everything that happens in this story is violent and cuts deep. The circumstances are as cruel as the desolate landscape, and the men are even worse. After all, nature is harsh because that's how the cycle of life turns. But the motivations of men are mostly greed and control, a way to exert pain to keep women in line.

This, unfortunately, is Lillian's life and no matter how far she runs, or how fast she tries to escape, the past always has a way of finding you. And in her case, offering kindness and understanding to someone very different to herself, might not be enough.

Asides from Lillian's peach-coloured dress, there's nothing pretty in this story. The situation is grim and the reality raw enough to make you squirm. Yet, it's hard to turn away from what's going on because I wanted to know where Lillian's story was going to take her.

The memories of her mother are a lovely addition. I loved Obsidian and Rembrandt. And the people who live in The Painted Cat are a refreshing bunch to spend time with.

If you're squeamish, this might be a hard read. There are a lot of triggers in this tale of survival, and the narrative never shies away from the true horror. No matter how crude or bloody. And that final scene was great, it really got me. Yikes!

I really enjoyed this brutal story, and the way it was written really drew me in.

The Longest THIRST will be released on September 26, 2023. 

THE NIGHT CYCLIST by Stephen Graham Jones

 

The Night Cyclist by Stephen Graham Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Here's another Tor.com novelette I decided to read today.

A middle-aged chef, who recently broke up with his longterm girlfriend, goes on a nightly bicycle ride home from work. But one night, he encounters a stranger...

I read this in one sitting because the tense atmosphere sizzles off the screen and kept me intrigued all the way through. I found the way the main character describes his job, as well as his enthusiasm and experience in bikes/riding, really interesting too. Not to mention the Night Cyclist.

Yeah, this dark character really captured my imagination. Although I think the description and interaction was enough of an explanation and totally sucked me in, I still want to know more about him.

BTW, you can read the story for free too: https://www.tor.com/2016/09/21/the-ni... 🚵


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FOR WANT OF A NAIL by Mary Robinette Kowal

 

For Want of a Nail by Mary Robinette Kowal
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I managed to squeeze this short story into my morning routine, and I'm glad I did.

Rava is a wrangler for the AI on her family's generational ship. Cordelia stores all memories and records, but dropping her causes some technical difficulties that lead to other things...

I really enjoyed this. The story might be short and seemingly focuses on the singular problem of trying to fix an AI after accidentally dropping her, but it soon leads to a whole lot of trouble. Actually, the further Rava and her annoying brother delve into the problem, the more they discover. Like an uncle who wasn't completely honest in following the laws, and an AI who finds herself in the same situation as the human she tried to help.

The parallels between Uncle Georgo's hidden condition and Cordelia's disconnect are perfectly portrayed. And the title of the story (from a proverb I had to look up) matches what happens perfectly.

Another great story from this author, which you can read for free on her website: https://maryrobinettekowal.com/journa...

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FORTUNATELY, THE MILK: Neil Gaiman & Chris Riddell

 

Fortunately, The Milk... by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My husband found this charming little book in a thrift store a few weeks ago, and after binging The Sandman series on Netflix, I was definitely craving some Gaiman. So, I picked this up this morning and read it in a few sittings.

When Mum's away, the kids depend on Dad. He seems to have everything under control, too. Until they realise they're out of milk and can't have cereal for breakfast. So, Dad goes to get some but is gone for ages, and when he gets back he's got a fantastical reason...

I loved this! It's funny and the story unfolds in such an easy and clever way.

The Chris Riddell illustrations enhance this very quirky and fun tale about one father's quest to buy milk and get back home. While squeezing in an alien abduction, a very interesting inventor, pirates, a wrathful god, vampires, dinosaurs, a lot of time travel, and piranhas.

Yeah, this book is packed full of awesome stuff.

Plus, I loved that ending!

Neil Gaiman writes some very engaging stories, and never lets genre restraints get in his way.



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SHE CAME FROM THE SWAMP by Darva Green

 

She Came from the Swamp by Darva Green
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was free at the Kindle store over the weekend, so I grabbed a copy. I haven't read any of the other books in this series, but I was in the mood for something short and light, so I read it.

Nadezhda's family are part of a dangerous supernatural murder cult and she wants nothing to do with them. Still, her cousins keep reeling her in by threatening to hurt the ones she loves if she doesn't help. That's how she ends up at her grandmother's swampy house. Where a kikimora lives...

Yep. This is definitely a steamy romance between a human with supernatural powers and the swamp woman that fascinates her. But it's not just that, there are also some very interesting and shitty family dynamics in this world full of creatures.

The main character's voice is strong and likeable. I wanted things to work out in her favour because she was such a cool person. There's also Rocket, her adorable doggy.

I really enjoyed this. It was fun and raunchy, plus very well written.

 

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