Tag: Horror stories

The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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A haunting story featuring the legend of La Llorona.  This is a spirit that haunts women who are sad and suffering.   Particularly those with children.   La Llorona appears dripping wet and decayed to try and devour Alejandra and her emotions.

This was really good.  I loved the characters.   I think I liked the depictions of La Llorona the best, though.   The real fear in this story were the inner demons of the main character, Alejandra, and how that attracted this spirit who wanted to take all the pain away…. however,  in a very bad way. 

Out April 18, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!

A Sliver of Darkness by C.J. Tudor 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

I’m a fan of C.J. Tudor and, of course, a big fan of horror.  I was so excited when I found out this author was releasing a book of short horror stories.   There is something so eloquent about good horror in small bites like this.  This is a perfect genre for short stories.  

One of my favorite things about this collection is the introductions to each story that let me peek into Tudor’s life and see how the author finds inspiration. 

These were bone-chilling, unnerving and unsettling so of course I loved it! I definitely recommend picking this one up and enjoying on a dark night!

Out November 8, 2022!

Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey 🌟 ARC Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

This book was so good, the ending so so good, I wanted to just scream. Unfortunately, I can’t because I share this space with other people who would be very angry if I screamed over a book… instead of, you know, actually being in danger. Whatever. But, this book. This is an incredible new look on horror.

Vera was called home by her mother. A home she hasn’t been to in years because she was not welcome there. But, as her mother dies inside that house, Vera at last approaches her home and her past. Horror has often included grisly deaths, monsters under the bed and haunted houses, but never like this. If you are a fan of horror then I cannot recommend this enough.

TW: violence, gore, unsettling imagery

Out July 19, 2022

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher 🌟 Arc Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!

I don’t believe I’ve ever read The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allen Poe but there is a large possibility I did when I was growing up and just can’t remember. (I loved Poe and any scary stories when I was growing up). This retelling, however, is something I will never forget. It began with the mystery of the situation and evolved into being truly horrifying.

Easton is a soldier and is visiting an old friend and their sister, Madeline, after receiving a letter calling for help. Soon Easton learns of Madeline’s sickness in the ancient House of Usher. However, there is a strangeness to this sickness and an even stranger quality to the hares in the surrounding countryside and the near lake. Soon it becomes clear that nothing in and surrounding the House of Usher is as it seems.

This story gave me chills and is going down as a new favorite horror story for me! I highly recommend this!

Out July 12th!

Black Tide by KC Jones 🌟ARC Review 🌟

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Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!

This book is described as sci-fi/horror and if you are in the mood for that then this is the perfect read.

It’s just another day and then it’s the end of the world. This was a great read for me because it gave me exactly what I wanted without any of the confused explanations that are in longer apolypse style stories. I really wanted a fast-paced horror and that’s what I got and I couldn’t ask for more.

This book features a few interesting main characters that drive the story forward and a whole lot of action! Definitely recommend this one!

Out April 31st!

🌟 Arc Review 🌟 Dark Stars edited by John F.D. Taff

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Thank you Netgalley for this incredible arc!

Dark Stars edited by John F.D. Taff is a great anthology of horror short stories which is perfect for this time period bc horror is in.

The main thing that stuck with me about all these stories was not only how unique they each are but how easily they each slide into strange and horrific ideals. So many different types of disgusting to terrifying scenarios that really made me think of not just that specific story and it’s characters but the big picture as well. Looking at life through a haunting lens which brought out many different feelings for me.

I definitely recommend this as an entrancing horror read. I personally love short stories of the horror genre. It seems to make the point of each story even more powerful.

Lots of trigger warnings here. Sexual, emotional and physical harm. Prepare yourself.

Out on March 22nd!

🌟 Arc Review 🌟 The Ravenous Dead by Darcy Coates!

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Thank you Netgalley for this wonderful arc!

This book and this series has such a great vibe to it. I feel so at home reading this horror, murder/mystery style book. It’s the perfect series to curl up with at night and enjoy a glass of wine or cup of tea or whatever! Your beverage of choice, ya’ll.

The small town fills with gossip as Keira becomes more well known, for better or worse (but mostly better). She is living in a cabin by the graveyard and trying to use her abilities to help the ghosts pass on. Things quickly escalate when not only does she find an evil ghostly presence near the graveyard, but also when her past comes back to haunt her threatening to take away her new life.

I love the friendship between Keira, Zoe and Mason. Zoe cracks me up with her conspiracy theories and Mason is endearing with his calm and caring attitude. This book gave me everything I need; thrills, chills and laughs and love. I definitely recommend this series!

Out March 15th!

🌟 Arc Review 🌟 The Last House On Needless Street by Catriona Ward

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Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan, Tor/Forge for this incredible and intense arc, The Last House On Needless Street by Catriona Ward.

Okay….. ooookkkkaaaayyy… honestly ya’ll, I’m having difficulties figuring out where to start with this book bc it literally led me in every direction possible and impossible alike. And, I mean that in a good way!

Meet Ted. Ted is quite strange. Not only does he eat really unique food combinations but his daily life/habits are quite questionable. He has a daughter named Lauren…. he also has a homosexual cat named Olivia. The living arrangements seem a little off, just not clear on where everybody spends their time. Definitely awkward… creepy.

The reader will have different narrators each chapter, Ted, sometimes Lauren, Olivia the cat… also Dee. Dee is an interesting character. She is searching for her little sister lulu who has been missing for some time. And all of this is connected but probably not at all in a way you might presume.

This story, horror story, is bizarre and full of secrets within secrets like those Russian wooden dolls… always more to see than meets the eye! I was completely shocked over and over again. I could have sworn I knew what was really going on and still, another twist and another turn!

This story truly speaks on survival and hope. The way a mind copes with fear and suffering. I highly recommend this read. It is truly unlike anything I’ve read before. Treat yourself to this mind bending ride this Halloween/fall season!

Expect this on Sept. 28th!

🌟 Arc Review 🌟 When Things Get Dark by Ellen Datlow

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Thank you Netgalley and Titan Books for this incredible arc!

When Things Get Dark is a compilation of stories (18) that were inspired by the Brilliant Shirley Jackson. And, yes, every single story in this book is a perfect fit with Jackson’s style. Perhaps more modern, not the literal exact style, but really the ideas. It’s in my opinion that Shirley Jackson’s work was so frightening because it made me so curious, curious about the characters minds, my own ability to grasp her full meaning and how she left me thinking, always thinking.

There are some great authors involved, Seanan Mcguire and Paul Tremblay to name a few. This book was compiled and edited by Ellen Datlow who always produces remarkable collections of short stories.

I definitely had a few favorites but I loved every piece of this book. I felt an unease at times, some making me face the strange and unnatural, and some that were simply brilliantly terrifying.

I can not recommend this more for fans of Shirley Jackson and really, fans of all horror. This is a perfect read to get you in the mood for Fall weather and a spooky Halloween 👻

Look for this on Sept. 21st!