horror

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (7/5/23)

July 5, 2023 — Leave a comment

I can’t believe it’s been almost 2 months since I last posted about the reading challenge! Time really got away from me, but rest assured I am still progressing towards my goal.

When I updated y’all in May, I had just finished Harrow Faire book one, The Contortionist (Kathryn Ann Kingsley) and was about to check out Room Service by Maren Stoffels, as well as book two in the Harrow Faire series, The Puppeteer. I read both of those, along with a few others, so here are my thoughts on each.

1/2. Room Service and Fright Night – Maren Stoffels

Rating: 3.5/5 for both

I enjoyed both books, don’t get me wrong, but the stories feel almost as if you’ve missed something from the very beginning. There’s not a lot of background, nor is there any character development, and while I don’t want to be overwhelmed with details (as Stephen King is prone to doing), I do need a little more in regard to the characters and their relationships. Still, if you’re looking for a fairly fast-paced read that is easily digestible, definitely check out this pair of books.

3. Cirque Berserk – Jessica Guess

Rating: 4/5

This was a fun read with a good twist. I think I finished it in two days. My complaints were minor, so I won’t bore you with them. If you like slashers and amusement parks, this is a must-read!

4. The App – Stuart James

Rating: 4.5/5

Stuart James delved into one of my new favorite subgenres of horror: using the internet to find victims. It’s not unheard of in this day and age, which creates a sense of reality (though the complexity of the app in this book still seems…not quite doable yet). I loved this novel, even if the characters frustrated me at times.

5. Hidden Bodies – Caroline Kepnes

Rating: 4/5

It’s odd that I’m just now reading this, as I have watched every season of “You” the instant they were available and read the first book over a year ago. This was a quick read for me, because Kepnes’ style of writing is easy to follow and keeps you wanting to see what’s next. I could have done with less of Joe’s snide opinions on certain topics that had very little to do with the story, but overall, I really liked this book.

6. The Puppeteer – Kathryn Ann Kingsley

Rating: 3.5/5

I’m still not sold on this series and these characters, though I do like Cora’s sass and determination. I still have the remainder of the series on my To-Be-Read list, but I think they will be read when I don’t have any “must-reads” to get to.

7. Wonderland – Jennifer Hillier

Rating: 4/5

Wonderland was certainly readable, but I wasn’t necessarily absorbed in the story or attached to any of the characters. I will admit, the labyrinthine twists and turns kept me turning the pages and earned the book its 4/5 rating.

8. The Last House on Needless Street – Catriona Ward

Rating: 5/5

I have saved the best for last. I feel like I could do an entire blog on Catriona Ward’s The Last House on Needless Street, but I’ll keep it short and sweet. This novel is so beautifully crafted. I was almost put off by the beginning, because it seemed to dive straight into the middle of something and I was momentarily lost. That was done intentionally, however, as the reader soon discovers. I loved the characters, the story itself, the twists, the overall sense of melancholy throughout. I actually cried at the end. There was hope in those final pages, but Ted was such a likable, tragic character. If you’re reading this mini-review, let me tell you that this book has to be on your list and should be read ASAP!!!!!

**

Next up on my list is Any Witch Way You Can by Amanda M. Lee, which is book one of the Wicked Witches of the Midwest series. I have read 28 books, and my goal is 35. Feel free to drop in and tell me what you’re reading, or about any good finds you’ve come across this year!

Movie Review: M3GAN (2023)

June 12, 2023 — Leave a comment

M3GAN hit theaters back in January (in the U.S. at least), and despite my love of all things horror, I opted not to go see it. Nothing about the previews made this film a must-see for me. It was a story that has been told before, only in a current setting: humans mess with artificial intelligence, are eventually outsmarted by their own creation(s), and are finally forced to destroy said creation(s). Been there, done that, right?

However, not long after its release, I read a review of M3GAN posted by a user on Instagram. She offered what was very solid advice – go into this movie with the understanding that it’s fun and entertaining; do not expect to be scared and don’t hope for a bloodbath. The rating is PG-13, after all.

The plot is simple. After her parents die in an accident, Cady (Violet McGraw) is taken in by her aunt Gemma (Allison Williams). Gemma has no children of her own and struggles to relate to her niece. As a brilliant roboticist, Gemma works for a multi-million dollar toy company, and she uses her talents, and her employer’s funds, to create M3GAN. The doll is designed to be a child’s best friend, to be a companion, to learn and teach and play and protect. But M3GAN’s self-awareness advances faster than expected and she soon surpasses her inventors and takes the command to “protect Cady” too far.

This is nothing the previews didn’t give away, and honestly, that’s it. There is no big twist. You know everything going in. For me, though, that didn’t rob me of any enjoyment.

M3GAN is wholly watchable. I personally felt the final showdown was dragged out a bit too long, and I struggled with Cady’s behavior about halfway in (which was done purposely, I know), but the film was good. There were a few points about parenting made throughout, yet mostly M3GAN was something to get drawn into and escape from reality for a while. I even appreciated the lack of gore: way too many movies try to cover a poor storyline with an exceptional amount of blood and gruesomely violent deaths. M3GAN didn’t need that. There was only one really aggressive, slasher-esque kill, and I loved it more for it being the sole bloody murder.

I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who wants to be entertained. From a horror perspective, no, M3GAN does not stand up to the classics, or other recent releases. I wouldn’t even describe it as creepy, let alone scary…except that having a life-sized “living” doll in my bedroom while I slept would weird me out. Haha. However, for a movie night with a significant other or a group of friends, this should definitely be on your watch-list.

M3GAN is available to stream on certain carriers, and the unrated version has been released on Blu-ray and DVD.

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (5/15/23)

May 15, 2023 — Leave a comment

I’ve been reading a lot since my last update! I found a few quick reads, and I made it through Carole Johnstone’s Mirrorland. So, here’s the full list of what I’ve read over the past month, my rating of each book, and what I’m diving into next!

Carole Johnstone: Mirrorland

Rating: 4/5

I actually loved this novel. It was a bit of a slow build, and confusing at times (though that is intentional – you are immersed in the main character’s mind, and she is coping with some major trauma), but in the end, everything makes sense. I only knocked the rating down because I think the last twist was one too many; the story was pushed beyond what I considered its natural conclusion. However, I would highly recommend Mirrorland, and I will be seeking out more from Carole Johnstone.

Sarah A. Denzil: Silent Child

Rating: 4/5

This was a very readable book. I had more or less figured it out before the reveal, but Denzil definitely threw in a few curves that made me doubt myself. I couldn’t quite give this a 5/5 rating, though I can’t exactly explain why. There was just something missing. Please don’t let that discourage you from checking it out! I am going to read the second in the series.

Christopher Golden: All Hallows

Rating: 3.5/5

I stumbled across this one via a Google search, and I’m glad I did. I didn’t find it to be creepy in the least, but it was interesting. My complaints with this book likely would not be shared by many, so I’ll keep them to myself.

Ivy Tholen: Tastes Like Candy

Rating: 5/5

Okay, this is like a 90’s slasher in book form. Kinda cheesy, very bloody, and so much fun! A must-read for anybody who likes slasher films.

Ivy Tholen: Maul Rats

Rating: 4/5

I enjoyed Tastes Like Candy so much, I had to try another from Ivy Tholen. I wasn’t as sold on this one, but I did finish it in about two days. There were tiny details that added nothing to the story that should have been left out, especially since this book was promoted as more bloody, stabby, campy fun, hence my not giving it a full rating.

PJ Stanley: Most Likely to Die

Rating: 1/5

I don’t even want to review this book. It was awful. It wasn’t well-written, there was no character development, and the motive of the killer fell flat. I understand how slashers work, I really do, but wow. I do not recommend.

Kathryn Ann Kingsley: The Contortionist

Rating: 3/5

Despite the rating, I am not actually that critical of this book. I enjoyed the writing style, and I am definitely interested in the world Kingsley is creating. I didn’t love The Contortionist, but it is only the first in the Harrow Faire series. I have hope that the story and characters will develop more, and that I will like the following books better.

***

Next up on my to-be-read pile are Room Service by Maren Stoffels and The Puppeteer by Kathryn Ann Kingsley (Harrow Faire Book #2). I’ve read 20 of 35 books. I may need to change my goal. Haha!

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (4/4/23)

April 4, 2023 — Leave a comment

I missed posting an update for March. Whoops! I have no excuse other than a lot of things have been happening at work and I’ve been scheduling the bare minimum of posts.

Since I last shared anything about my 2023 Reading Challenge, I finished Emilie Autumn’s The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls, Danielle Valentine’s How to Survive Your Murder, Riley Sager’s The Last Time I Lied, Victoria Aveyard’s Red Queen, Paula Morris’ Ruined, Kim Harrison’s The Drafter, and Neil Gaiman’s American Gods. I’ll put my ratings below.

5/5
4/5
3/5
3.5/5
3.5/5
3/5
4/5

I’m not going to go into too much detail about why I gave these ratings, because many of you likely won’t agree with why I gave lower ratings to a couple of them. Let me just say that the twist in The Last Time I Lied was good, but possible to figure out if you’re really trying. The twist in How to Survive Your Murder was actually really solid, I just wasn’t crazy about the characters. Red Queen was a little too typical for me; it was well-written and is worth reading, but I’m not sure I’ll continue the series. Ruined was readable, just not overly interesting. Same with The Drafter, which is a shame because I typically like Kim Harrison’s books. And American Gods was too long (good story, though).

I have now started Mirrorland by Carole Johnstone, and Silent Child by Sarah A. Denzil.

As always, feel free to tell me about any books you’re reading and offer up some recommendations! I have only read 13 of my 35 book goal, so I need some suggestions.

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (2/13/23)

February 13, 2023 — Leave a comment

I didn’t intend to do this exactly one month from the last update, but maybe I should actually start scheduling them this way. Haha. Once a month is enough, right? 🙂

I finished A.M. Shine’s The Creeper, and while it was an eerie tale (reminiscent of The Bye Bye Man, in my opinion), I didn’t love it overall. The twist at the end wasn’t terrible, but…the story lost something with the revelation. I enjoyed Shine’s writing style, though, and I still intend to read The Watchers.

Rating: 3.5/5

I also read Poltergeist by Kat Richardson. It has been sitting on my bookshelves since I found it in an apartment my friends and I cleaned out. I’m not sure if I’d have gotten more out of it if I’d read the first book in the series, well, first. However, I didn’t love this book. I think there is potential for Richardson to build an interesting fantasy/supernatural world, so I will certainly try at least one more from the Greywalker series.

Rating: 3/5

The third book I completed since my last post is the final in Katherine Arden’s Small Spaces series, Empty Smiles. This was my least favorite of the four. The build-up was so promising, but the ending was rushed and fell flat. I still say these books are worth the read; I just wish the conclusion had been…more.

Rating: 4/5

I am currently reading two books. (I’m the world’s worst to start a second book before finishing the one I initially started.) I finally decided to check out Emilie Autumn’s The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls, and I also dove into my second Riley Sager novel, The Last Time I Lied. I’ll let y’all know my thoughts in about a month!

Any recommendations for me? Please leave them in the comments!

30 Day Film Challenge: Day 28 – A Film That Made You Feel Uncomfortable

January 28, 2023 — Leave a comment

So Midsommar definitely had its moments, but The Lighthouse (2019) edged into the top spot if for nothing more than the mermaid sex scene.

30 Day Film Challenge: Day 22 – A Film That Made You Angry

January 22, 2023 — Leave a comment

The remake of IT (2017)

I wasn’t exactly angry, but oh my God it sucked so bad!

30 Day Film Challenge: Day 17 – Favorite Film Sequel

January 17, 2023 — 3 Comments

Since I’ve already mentioned my love of all things Guardians of the Galaxy, I’ll choose something else for today.

Zombieland: Double Tap (2019)

Thoughts on The Menu (2022)

January 16, 2023 — Leave a comment

I’m not going to call this a review, but I just had to post about this film. I said I was gonna write more about movies this year, after all.

I had to let the movie percolate for a couple of days, and now I’m ready to share my thoughts. (No spoilers, I promise!)

For those of you who don’t know, here’s a short synopsis of the film from IMDb.

“A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.”

When I saw the preview, I was intrigued. I love Ralph Fiennes, first and foremost, and I could easily picture him in the role of a creepy – perhaps murderous – chef. Plus, I had my own assumptions of what the twist would be once the trip went horribly wrong, as it so clearly was going to. Even believing that it was going to be semi-predictable, I still wanted to watch it.

I’ll start by saying up front that my assumption was wrong. I was actually pretty far off. However, and I mean this humbly, my semi-predictable idea would have been better than the reality.

The Menu wasn’t bad, per se, it simply…lacked any excitement. The characters weren’t very likable (except, ironically, the “evil” chef), and it was a story that’s been done before numerous times in numerous settings. There were no shocking moments, or perhaps I’m just immune at this point. It became obvious early on who would survive, and I don’t even want to talk about the absurdity of how that happened.

IMDb categorized The Menu as a “horror, comedy, thriller.” It is none of these things. It wasn’t scary, nor even the least bit creepy. It wasn’t thrilling. And the comedic bits fell flat.

As you can probably tell, I was not impressed. This is one I’m glad I missed in theaters; I would have demanded my money back. Lol.

This isn’t a review, but I would rate this film a 2 out of 5, and the 2 can be attributed only to Fiennes and the performance by Hong Chau, who plays Elsa. It’s watchable, I suppose, so I won’t advise against watching it. However, definitely get it on HBO Max or something.

Update: Goodreads Reading Challenge 2023 (1/13/23)

January 13, 2023 — Leave a comment

I finished Stacia Kane’s Unholy Ghosts, and I was right – I am definitely reading the whole series. I loved the story, the characters, her writing style… Overall, I’d rate the book 4.5 out of 5.

I also ran through the third book in Katherine Arden’s Small Spaces series, Dark Waters.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: this is the kind of kids’ book I wish had existed when I was a kid. So many of the “scary” books I read back then fell short. They weren’t even creepy (to me). But Arden’s tales of The Smiling Man are eerie, and the entity is not easily beaten or discovered to be anything less than frightening.

Rating: 4/5

And last but not least, I have started my fourth book of the year, The Creeper by A.M. Shine. I read a recommendation of this book on Jenny In Neverland’s blog [check out the post here]. So today, I plan to drop my car off at my mechanic’s then curl up with a blanket, a cup of coffee, and this suspenseful chiller from Shine.