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drakaina16's reviews
2155 reviews
Beasts by Ingvild Bjerkeland
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? No
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
Beasts definitely does not reinvent the wheel of dystopian horror fiction, but it does do a nice job of conveying tension. The reader is frequently reminded that danger lurks around every corner, and that there are no safe choices here. The language is very plain, but the themes are somewhat heavy. There are some deaths, but these largely occur off screen. I feel Beasts would be appropriate for a mature middle grade reader, and definitely high schoolers. 3.5 stars
Beasts definitely does not reinvent the wheel of dystopian horror fiction, but it does do a nice job of conveying tension. The reader is frequently reminded that danger lurks around every corner, and that there are no safe choices here. The language is very plain, but the themes are somewhat heavy. There are some deaths, but these largely occur off screen. I feel Beasts would be appropriate for a mature middle grade reader, and definitely high schoolers. 3.5 stars
Bloodstains by Gaslight by Red Lagoe
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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 NetGalley and Brigid's Gate Press for providing a review copy.
Reading the synopsis of Bloodstains by Gaslight, I found the concept of vampires against the backdrop of an abusive relationship very intriguing. Vampires lend themselves very well to abuse allegories. The book is made even more tragic by the fact that the main characters are teenagers. Older teens, yes, but someone should have protected Reese. A very personal story, Red Lagoe explains perfectly the myriad of emotions someone leaving an abusive relationship goes through. This is a rough read, with some heavy-hitting triggers, so tread lightly. 4.5 stars
Reading the synopsis of Bloodstains by Gaslight, I found the concept of vampires against the backdrop of an abusive relationship very intriguing. Vampires lend themselves very well to abuse allegories. The book is made even more tragic by the fact that the main characters are teenagers. Older teens, yes, but someone should have protected Reese. A very personal story, Red Lagoe explains perfectly the myriad of emotions someone leaving an abusive relationship goes through. This is a rough read, with some heavy-hitting triggers, so tread lightly. 4.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting
Locked In by Harrison Phillips
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
The Law by Jim Butcher
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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
4.5
The events of Battle Ground broke my heart so hard that I wasn't sure if I would ever return to Harry Dresden's Chicago. I'm glad I picked up The Law, though, because it reminded me why I love this series so much. It's a nice throwback to the earliest days of Harry Dresden, with some modern complications. 4.5 stars
Katja from the Punk Band by Simon Logan
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is a fun book that could best described as futurepunk noir. I don't believe the book every outright says it takes place in the future, but that's definitely the vibe I got. 4 stars
Root Rot by Saskia Nislow
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
What a bizarre little book. Folk horror doesn't seem to quite fit, and neither does eco horror (although the book contains elements of both). The plot revolves around a family reunion, with an unnamed Narrator. The children in the house are referred to by what seems to be the Narrator's nicknames for them (The Liar, The Secret Keeper, etc). The book reads like a dopesick fever dream. I never quite knew what was going on, but I was riveted. I'm not 100% sure what was going on, but I do have some theories. If you're into weird horror, give this one a try. 4.25 stars
What a bizarre little book. Folk horror doesn't seem to quite fit, and neither does eco horror (although the book contains elements of both). The plot revolves around a family reunion, with an unnamed Narrator. The children in the house are referred to by what seems to be the Narrator's nicknames for them (The Liar, The Secret Keeper, etc). The book reads like a dopesick fever dream. I never quite knew what was going on, but I was riveted. I'm not 100% sure what was going on, but I do have some theories. If you're into weird horror, give this one a try. 4.25 stars
Dead Rabbit: A Novell by Joseph Murnane
adventurous
challenging
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
5.0
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
Joseph Murnane is one of the most exciting new voices in indie horror. The fact that It Eats Your Hunger was a debut astounded me, and so did this sophomore effort. The writing is just so good. I felt like I knew the characters, and I cared for them deeply. Reading a horror novel in which wolves are portrayed in a positive light made my heart so happy. This story may be a tough read for those who dislike animal harm, but it is absolutely worth the rough ride. The ending made me cry, and it also gave me a little bit of hope that I've been sorely needing. Easy 5 stars
Joseph Murnane is one of the most exciting new voices in indie horror. The fact that It Eats Your Hunger was a debut astounded me, and so did this sophomore effort. The writing is just so good. I felt like I knew the characters, and I cared for them deeply. Reading a horror novel in which wolves are portrayed in a positive light made my heart so happy. This story may be a tough read for those who dislike animal harm, but it is absolutely worth the rough ride. The ending made me cry, and it also gave me a little bit of hope that I've been sorely needing. Easy 5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
rekt by Alex Gonzalez
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
This is one of the most unique books I've ever read. Rekt walks the line between horror and thriller, but I think it firmly belongs in the horror category. As the story evolves, the concept is nightmarish. I hesitate to say too much, because letting the story surprise me was one of the coolest things about the book. 5 stars
This is one of the most unique books I've ever read. Rekt walks the line between horror and thriller, but I think it firmly belongs in the horror category. As the story evolves, the concept is nightmarish. I hesitate to say too much, because letting the story surprise me was one of the coolest things about the book. 5 stars
Judith's Blood by D.W. Hitz
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? No
4.0
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
Judith's Blood picks up a matter of months after the events of Judith's Prophecy. These vampires don't sparkle or bemoan their existence - they are literal demons from hell, looking to start the vampire apocalypse. In other words, nasty and brutal. We get to learn a bit more about the returning characters from the first book as they fight against the vampire tide. These books are full of action, and I think it would make a fun TV series. I'll be starting the last book soon, and I'm looking forward to it. 4 stars
Judith's Blood picks up a matter of months after the events of Judith's Prophecy. These vampires don't sparkle or bemoan their existence - they are literal demons from hell, looking to start the vampire apocalypse. In other words, nasty and brutal. We get to learn a bit more about the returning characters from the first book as they fight against the vampire tide. These books are full of action, and I think it would make a fun TV series. I'll be starting the last book soon, and I'm looking forward to it. 4 stars
The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I first read The King in Yellow in middle school. I didn't remember much but the basics, and being very impressed with the Yellow mythos stories, and not much else. Nothing much has changed, as that is still the case. The Yellow mythos stories are master classes in quiet, cosmic horror. That being said, much like Lovecraft, I have come to enjoy the stories other authors have written in the mythos much more than Robert W. Chambers' stories. (I'm thinking of Hailey Piper and Joseph Sale here.) However, it remains a must-read for cosmic horror fans. 3.75 stars