kelsbookzone1's reviews
278 reviews

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for access to an early release copy.

Highly detailed, and in a downward spiral, our main Evie character thinks she’s walking into her normal SAT tutor gig into a not normal situation. And perhaps a number one suspect. Suspend your logic and common sense in this one folks, cause you may pull something in this reach.

Described as a Thelma and Louise, Evie seemingly rescues a non verbal, mysterious woman who seems to understand a little bit more of what it means to be on the run. But Evie, determined to clear her own name, decided to find the killer herself; but not really plot wise. This is an escape plan story, the journey of the two, that needed a little more depth. The story itself dives more into the secrets of the rich, in particular of the Victors, and those on the outside looking in. I thought the classism look was interesting. Some things did feel drawn out- like the lack of giving information from the former captive, the woman, and Evie never seeming to ask or understand the right questions.

As a popcorn thriller, this could satisfy, especially for anyone who likes an eat the rich mentality. Things go wild, in sort of a kill or be killed plot. As I read this, I was really hoping the twist wouldn’t play out exactly as it was looking but, disappointingly, it did. The author did stretch it out in the ending though, almost felt like exploring obsession and giving more character to the darkness. I think this needed a second point of view to give more depth to the earlier parts of the plot. 

Thank you NetGalley and Titan books for access to an early release copy.

Ronald Malfi is always an anticipated read of the year. In this crime horror, the rumors of a possible serial killer run rampant in this new thriller set in Los Angeles. 

With 2 points of view, lonely widow Detective Bill Renney fills a misogynistic stereotype and I can tell I already don’t like him. And then we have Maureen, newly engaged and feels like a new person, the cliche of small town girl to big city and leaving the small town behind. I’m seeing a cliche themes here. So how do these two random characters intertwine? They may just have the same person of the interest on their mind. The beginning reads more crime thriller than horror and I’m realizing I prefer Ronald Malfi more in his small town elements.

For a newly engaged couple, they seemed completely clueless of each other and the story lost me in that element. But the Ranney point of views were stronger, the reflection of grief and loneliness mixed with his detective work. His character softened as the story continued. Maureen just didn’t work for me at all and felt out of the element of the writer. The plot gave the reader some ideas of delusion, to question what we believe to be reality, and I appreciated those moments. 

This didn’t feel like a work of the author, no last minute twists, additional twists unexpectedly. So a little disappointing. If you go into this as a crime thriller, you will probably enjoy. But don’t go into it for the horror elements, as those felt more lackluster and rushed.

Heartbreaking, powerful- a beautiful use of imagery for descriptions and relatability of everyday occurrences. No matter how unfortunate. 

An interesting and graphic , if not drawn out, horror story. It wasn’t quite what I want in a gothic novel, like I was looking for more depth and the imagery and it felt just on the surface.

The writing style gave more young adult, and it was hard to picture our main character as a 12ish year old as her mannerisms and language gave a younger child. And I couldn’t decide the timeframe on this- the dialogue gave a little more historical, throwback feel but then losing signals and cell phones were mentioned. So I think the background of the plot got a little lost. I enjoyed the overall themes and horror in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for access to an early release copy. 

A clever novella, where Dalia is advised of the simple task of keeping the owner of the house happy. And that happiness revolves around solving the mystery of which employee is the thief. And the owner? Anatema- a very large, archaic creature… a tarantula.

Even though this was told as more of a character story, the world and the possibilities of the plot; I would love to see a novel from this world. I enjoyed the thought behind the small details, like using poppy’s and Dalmatians. A little flirtation as well, as Anatema continues to search for her bride. Unfortunately the flirtations felt a little one sided, so it did feel a little awkward. Even though this is overall a love story, it never quite convinced me. 

I do think this would have worked better adapted into a full length novel. But a fun quick read and the pacing felt even throughout.

Thank you to McMillian and Net Galley for access to an early release copy.

Finn at her most peaceful in having it all, love of her life Magdu, and best friend Daphne venture into climbing, just the feeling of a perfect day. Then a scream - why would Daphne do that?

The characters at times were flat, mostly due to missing some background but the mystery intriguing; Finn has a sense of paranoia around Daphne and Magdu I was motivated to see explored. If the author isn’t a climber, it does seem like there was research into this, which was appreciated. Told in dual timelines, we follow Finn as she meets both Daphne and Magdu and their developing relationships. In present time, we follow the events at the cliff, what truly happened, and possible police investigations. Magdu and Finn were a little to love at first sight for me. Some character descriptions could read like a copy and paste psychology textbook, like too stiff and formulaic. This is a build up type of thriller, with the slow reveals of what happened and why certain characters may be suspicious. 

Trigger warnings for homophobia; even though this was a thriller, it still was able to review the societal hardship of your ability to be married questionable, the judgments and feelings that come from being unaccepted- the grief of not being able to mourn your loved one the way you want- it was easy to feel empathetic. 

I really enjoyed this, especially compared to thrillers I read recently. The ending was great, if a little rushed and kinda open. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner for access to an early release copy

A novella of depth, almost like a journal of someone’s thoughts and days, told in first person as a look of the sacred and chosen and those who are not and left to clean it up. And the word blood a lot of times. Our point of view is that of the fighting to be chosen, behind the walls of what is described like a plague. As the story progresses, gives very religious cult vibes. You start to wonder the brainwashing these young individuals must endure to want to be this “chosen”

This is a darker look on the other side of those of faith, so if religious related stories are not your take, skip this quick novella. An interesting novella, relying on much detail around a mostly unreliable narrator and quick synopsis into a mostly dystopian world. Another quick novella watching a descent into madness. But with nuns! Please check your trigger warnings; I wasn’t a fan of what this progressed to. I wish I had liked this more- but for as short as it was, some of it felt repetitive and like it needed more. 

Thank you Tor.com and Netgalley for access to an early release copy.

This is a story of imagery, scenery- the details are in the background. In this novella, the Hawthorns are known for singing to the willows and the forbidden love of the tale of the Professors. It was interesting, the way the author told this historical tale. As if told through the branches of the trees. 

As the sisters look to be tied to matrimony, Esther cannot seem to let go of Rin from Arcadia, a mysterious tale described almost like a riddle to solve and descriptions with metaphors and similes to keep the reader intrigued. Esther must decide if the journey to love is worth it. For Esther, the journey feels like its own character, much like the trees and the river. Adding a slight magic to a historical romance concept and this is a mix of fantasy and magical realism. 

A short fantasy novel of forbidden love and sisterly bonds. Almost felt like a Disney movie, specifically with the singing. A quick tale, that proves true love can come in and survive any shape. Just a lovely heartfelt endearing story. An amazing amount of world building but keep in mind, the characters can only be so much in such a short amount of time. 

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Media for access to an early release copy.

I love when the first page of a story just grabs your attention, just like it does in Woodworking. Erica, discovering that she really is Erica, relies heavily on her fellow 17 year old student Angela, a trans woman herself when comes to revealing ever shyly who she truly is.  I’m not a big fan of adults putting pressure on children in confidence, especially when one is a superior.

Angela is a great character; sarcastic where she needed to be with walls up, confident and defiant. Erica is really represented as a character with a new life, the author reflecting on the remnants of the former pieces that don’t quite fit anymore. Much like the failed marriage, the former spouse who now seems to want kids, who is a “Connie” instead of a “Constance” - generally, a lot of reflection.  The respectful way the author blacks out Erica’s dead name, I enjoyed those little touches. It was hard to imagine some of these 30 something year olds in a small town, around, making these sexual innuendos around women they just met. 20 something, maybe-30 something, much less likely. I’m a little iffy on Erica’s personality- the way she continuously places her pain and confusion above others was off putting and also felt a little immature for a mid 30 something. 

At its core, the story of Woodworking is two different POVs of two women and the different stage of their transitions. Most of the writing is inner dialogue and self reflection and for the most part, it works. 

Thank you Kensington and NetGalley for access to an early release copy. 

Of course Mom fell for a cult; wait, are we falling for one too? Suspicious emails send our New Yorker family down a path of a perfect Victorian home too cheap to pass up in a small town of Georgia. Of course, there’s more to the house and town, with haunted children and dreams. 

I liked that the Billie main character was unreliable; I’m assuming she is meant to be unlikeable, due to her recklessness of others and selfishness but it made me like her. When the neediness kicked in though, I could have done without. With little tidbits and hints regarding her mother and their current relationship, it didn't really add to the story even thought the mother was the best character. I would have enjoyed a little bit more development on Peter; he was written as an outcast of the family, paranoia but not really a reason why. Like something would have needed to build it up before even moving to the town for it to be believable. Maybe a couple of flashbacks of their marriage so the possible triangle felt more developed, even though his storyline played out exactly like I thought. 

Maybe because I’m not a big romance reader, the love triangle idea and insta love I could do without. I would have preferred more detail to the horror ideas and elements instead. Then the added random couple of racist comments, when I still wanted development on previously introduced items, felt forced and unnecessary. The main character would reach conclusions that weren’t set up to reach. And it couldn’t be paranoia, as that wasn’t set up as part of her personality.

There’s a lot of ideas but not as much follow through I would like. Would have liked this better if a little simplified and focused. Even though this book falls for some bad tropes/stereotypes- like tell people everything over the phone, not I’ll tell you when I see you in an hour- but the last 30 % was fun and I did enjoy the ending.