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lewis666's reviews
73 reviews
Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Another experiment of mine to read a horror book to then compare with the film, and finally after finishing the book, I can safely say I absolutely loved it! It just builds in mystery and suspense even though I kind of knew the ending. But knowing it was coming kept me in suspense! And it's beautifully well-written, even if there's some extremely outdated words being used. Those who've read it will know what I mean.
The characters are interesting and I loved figuring out everybody around Rosemary what game they were playing. The book isn't completely scary, there's a lot in between to really get there, but once we reach those moments, your spine just begins to tingle. Leading to one of the most iconic endings ever.
Rosemary is a person who stays true to her character all throughout. So when faced with this inevitable, horrific and traumatic "yellow-eyed" thing, her motherly instincts kick in. A shocking embrace despite EVERYTHING horrible done to her. And that's why the ending is so dark and so memorable. Pardon the phrase, but a mother's love knows no bounds! Loved this book! Hail Satan! πππ»π₯π€
The characters are interesting and I loved figuring out everybody around Rosemary what game they were playing. The book isn't completely scary, there's a lot in between to really get there, but once we reach those moments, your spine just begins to tingle. Leading to one of the most iconic endings ever.
Rosemary is a person who stays true to her character all throughout. So when faced with this inevitable, horrific and traumatic "yellow-eyed" thing, her motherly instincts kick in. A shocking embrace despite EVERYTHING horrible done to her. And that's why the ending is so dark and so memorable. Pardon the phrase, but a mother's love knows no bounds! Loved this book! Hail Satan! πππ»π₯π€
Godzilla Rivals: Round One by Paul Allor, Rosie Knight, Mary Kenney, Adam Gorham
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Things don't always end as satisfying as they could, and I couldn't help but notice they nerf the Kaiju a little bit to suit each particular story, but nonetheless this was a fun and fast read. With each story of four having their own pros to indulge in. Especially the Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah section. As a huge Godzilla fan looking to expand my knowledge while getting my Kaiju fix in a different form, this was very fun! π
Attack on Titan, Volume 8 by Hajime Isayama
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
The Woman in Black by Susan Hill
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? No
5.0
Since I am going to be seeing the stage play this Saturday, I challenged myself to speed-read the original book and then the movies just for a fun comparison game. I can honestly say while Susan Hill's The Woman in Black isn't a story most will immediately gravitate towards, I personally just somehow completely fell in love with it.
The dark, gloomy, misty and eerie atmosphere, the old British setting, our Arthur heading on a work trip to an unknowing hell, Spider the dog πβ€οΈ And, The Woman in Black herself. It's so well-written and I completely immersed myself in the story and classic haunting the book was giving off. I'm the first to throw any criticism on clichΓ©'s etc, but it's so beautifully written I couldn't help but cast whatever miniscule doubt I had out the window and focused on the here and now.
The scares aren't frequent, but whenever The Woman in Black appears, God it is tense and filled with atmosphere and my goosebumps grew ever more intense! A really affective horror I relished in. Sometimes no matter the story, you just connect with something. The Woman in Black for me is that. I couldn't put it down and I absolutely fell in love with it. The ending is soul crushing, but that's what I love about it. Sometimes there is no happy ending. And The Woman in Black's rageful vengeance will know no end! π€
The dark, gloomy, misty and eerie atmosphere, the old British setting, our Arthur heading on a work trip to an unknowing hell, Spider the dog πβ€οΈ And, The Woman in Black herself. It's so well-written and I completely immersed myself in the story and classic haunting the book was giving off. I'm the first to throw any criticism on clichΓ©'s etc, but it's so beautifully written I couldn't help but cast whatever miniscule doubt I had out the window and focused on the here and now.
The scares aren't frequent, but whenever The Woman in Black appears, God it is tense and filled with atmosphere and my goosebumps grew ever more intense! A really affective horror I relished in. Sometimes no matter the story, you just connect with something. The Woman in Black for me is that. I couldn't put it down and I absolutely fell in love with it. The ending is soul crushing, but that's what I love about it. Sometimes there is no happy ending. And The Woman in Black's rageful vengeance will know no end! π€
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Tender is the Flesh has left me with some extremely mixed feelings. Firstly, as a huge horror fan, sick depravity is like breathing for me. I'm all about anything remotely dark regardless of the form and I find the psychology behind it fascinating. So a story surrounding a world essentially going ALL IN on meat, i.e human meat, farming and breeding humans for food and personal pleasure, I was intrigued by where it would go.
Unfortunately, the story doesn't give us much weight to the main character surrounding his backstory, him personally, and when it does, it feels underwhelming? And it comes and goes really quickly, as we head straight back to corrupt corporate business meetings and farming. There are a couple of shocks and surprises along the way when Marcos is gifted a "specimen" that helps keep things boiling away from his work, but as time goes on you're wondering "Where is this going?"
It does however lead to quite the shocking end twist which I'm still thinking about. But ultimately as a whole, Tender is the Flesh offers some enough pros for horror fans to want to seek it out, but cons that leave you feeling underwhelmed from the story overall, despite the thought-provoking subject matter and themes on misogyny and society. Definitely a fascinating read though that will have me thinking about it for days.
Ok I'm hungry now, anybody got any meat? :)
Unfortunately, the story doesn't give us much weight to the main character surrounding his backstory, him personally, and when it does, it feels underwhelming? And it comes and goes really quickly, as we head straight back to corrupt corporate business meetings and farming. There are a couple of shocks and surprises along the way when Marcos is gifted a "specimen" that helps keep things boiling away from his work, but as time goes on you're wondering "Where is this going?"
It does however lead to quite the shocking end twist which I'm still thinking about. But ultimately as a whole, Tender is the Flesh offers some enough pros for horror fans to want to seek it out, but cons that leave you feeling underwhelmed from the story overall, despite the thought-provoking subject matter and themes on misogyny and society. Definitely a fascinating read though that will have me thinking about it for days.
Ok I'm hungry now, anybody got any meat? :)
Godzilla: Past, Present, and Future by Tatsuya Ishida, Eric Fein, Scott Kolins, Arthur Adams, Mike Wolfer, Gordon Purcell, Alex Cox, Randy Stradley, Brandon McKinney, Ryder Windham
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Journey Into Darkness: The Unauthorized History of Kane by Michael Chiappetta
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Attack on Titan, Volume 7 by Hajime Isayama
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Attack on Titan, Volume 6 by Hajime Isayama
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Exceptionally written and a really likable main character. Rachel Harrison does so well in selling Vesper's loner and firey personality. And as the story progresses, I really needed to know the outcome. Which is a testament to the author's ability to reel you in.
It's not necessarily as scary as I was hoping, but it leaves some haunting scenarios no one could ever imagine being involved in. And things get really dark and twisted towards the end. But for me personally within the overall horror spectrum I basically live in, this feels like a story I've heard many times before, just told from the perspective of another through their own style. A style however, I still utterly vibed with. Keeping what felt like a familiar story fresh and intriguing.
Maybe some elements could've needed some polish, but Black Sheep is a ton of fun with a lot of personality that I'd recommend to any horror lovers who'd appreciate an entertaining read surrounding Satanism.
It's not necessarily as scary as I was hoping, but it leaves some haunting scenarios no one could ever imagine being involved in. And things get really dark and twisted towards the end. But for me personally within the overall horror spectrum I basically live in, this feels like a story I've heard many times before, just told from the perspective of another through their own style. A style however, I still utterly vibed with. Keeping what felt like a familiar story fresh and intriguing.
Maybe some elements could've needed some polish, but Black Sheep is a ton of fun with a lot of personality that I'd recommend to any horror lovers who'd appreciate an entertaining read surrounding Satanism.