atmospheric

Review: Wildewood by Jessica Thorne

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WildewoodWildewood by Jessica Thorne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Wildewood follows Alex as she returns to her ancestral home, Wildewood, after the passing of her twin brother, Theo. Alex has made it a point to stay away from the family’s sprawling gothic estate, and this is her first visit in years.

She lost her father there, and now her brother, both in mysterious circumstances. She wants nothing to do with the property, and just plans to assess it and sell it. It would certainly be a desirable location for a luxury hotel.

Arriving at the property, she encounters Nick, the handsome groundskeeper and her late-brother’s best friend. Nick seems determined to stop Alex from selling the property, but what business is it of his anyway?

After Nick saves her from a near fatal fall, Alex begins to feel an unnatural pull towards the man. It’s like whispers in her ear, thoughts suddenly in her head, it’s overwhelming.

As Alex digs into her family history, and the history of the house, she makes some disturbing discoveries. She may be forced to face some dark truths, and will Nick end up being a help or a hindrance? Time will tell.

This is a good story. I don’t real a lot of Fantasy Romance, but I thought I would give this one a try because of how prominent it sounded like Wildewood, the property, was in the plot. I do love unsettling gothic stories where a place becomes a character unto itself.

This definitely checks that box.

The property itself was very well developed, and included a dark, mysterious forest surrounding the house. I loved the atmosphere and the way unsettling things start occurring during Alex’s stay, increasing as each day passes.

Alex started to feel unmoored, and she was anxious to figure out what was going on with this house, and I liked the mystery surrounding that. The aspect that lost me was unfortunately, the romance. It was okay initially, but then just got a bit heavy-handed for my tastes.

And I hear you, maybe I shouldn’t read Romantasy then, and while I mostly agree with you, I have found some Romantasy novels that I’ve loved, so I know it’s possible. I think it just all depends on the romance itself. Once it borders into cheesy territory, I’m out.

Nevertheless, I know a lot of people are going to love this. Particularly, if you’re more into Paranormal-type Romance stories. This property is very creepy, and Thorne does deliver that atmosphere and sense of uncertainty.

Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. The audiobook is very well narrated. Aoife McMahon’s voice and style of narration was perfect for this story.

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Review: We’re All Going to Die Tonight! by Veronica Bane

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We're All Going to Die Tonight!We’re All Going to Die Tonight! by Veronica Bane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We’re All Going to Die Tonight! is a fun and engaging YA Thriller, with a classic set-up and plenty of twists. We follow a debate team, traveling home from an unsuccessful meet. Since it’s a long journey, they’ve booked an Airbnb for the night, courtesy of one of their wealthier teammates.

The isolated mansion is perched atop a high hill and is said to be an exact replica of the Vandamm House from Hitchcock’s North by Northwest.

Before they can quite reach the house though, their van gets a flat tire, stranding them in the middle of nowhere in a heavy storm. They’re close though, so they decide to walk through the woods to the house.

Once they arrive, they’re drenched and tired, and honestly, pretty sick of one another. With 7 teammates, and 3 chaperones, even this mansion feels too small.

The storm increases and ends up knocking out the power, because of course it does. As the teens stumble around in the dark, trying to figure out what’s going on, they discover a severed landland, one of their friends unconscious after an attack, and a dead body outside.

The night has spiraled out of control, and with no idea who the killer might be, tension reaches an all time high. They have no idea who they can trust? Is the killer one of them, or is there a stranger lurking somewhere on this property?

This was a quick and entertaining read. I loved the set-up and the setting of the secluded mansion. I did find the outcome a little predictable, but still had fun, nevertheless.

The group of characters is super messy. There’s so much drama amongst them all, not just with the kids, but with the chaperones as well. I was sitting back with my popcorn just taking it all in.

I did feel like Bane maybe showed her hand a little too early, as far as who was behind it all, but maybe that’s just me coming at it with a lot of years of Horror experience.

It is for a YA audience, and perhaps some of the clues may not seem as obvious to someone just getting into the genre, or with a bit less insight into how these scenarios tend to play out. Maybe I’m just that good. ((LOL))

I didn’t need to be surprised by the outcome to enjoy it though. It was still a thrilling ride, and I loved the complicated, OTT-character dynamics. There was plenty of motivations for murder flowing around this group.

I’ve never read anything from this author before, but she’s definitely been added to my list of YA Thriller authors that I keep on my radar. I’ll never get too old for YA Thrillers, or Horror. I love the captivating stories that can be found within these genres in this age group. They’re generallly a bit less serious than novels in the Adult space, but no less enjoyable, IMO.

Thank you to the publisher, Delacorte Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I would definitely recommend this to other YA Thriller fans. It’s a great time!

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Review: I Am the Monster Under the Bed by Emily Zinnikas

~ megs14malloy

I Am the Monster Under the BedI Am the Monster Under the Bed by Emily Zinnikas
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars**

I Am the Monster Under the Bed is an Adult Horror novel following an MC named Willa. When she was a child, she had an invisible entity living under her bed. She would talked to it and about it, saying a lot of creepy things that had her parents frazzled.

Through past perspective chapters, the Reader learns a bit about that time in Willa’s life, and how those experiences shaped the adult she would become.

Another formative experience for Willa occurred when she was a Senior in high school. She went into the woods with six other teens and was the only one to walk out. That’s right, the other six died in the woods that night.

This incident devastated their small town of Rapture, Maine, and Willa took the brunt of the blame, becoming a social pariah in an instant. She was always considered strange, but that night catapulted her to a new level of infamy.

The case went unsolved, with most locals thinking Willa was responsible for the deaths. They considered her a killer. Willa left town and started a career as an artist under a different name. She’s tried hard not to look back.

In the present perspective, Willa is now 32-years old. She’s been successful in her pursuits as an artist, though she lives a reclusive life. After an expose exposes her as the sole survivor of the Rapture Mystery Slayings, it seems Willa’s wall of privacy has been shattered.

In the midst of all this, she receives a call from an old classmate that her beloved art teacher has passed away. This is a woman who changed her life, and Willa feels compelled to return to Rapture to pay her respects.

With a great amount of trepidation, Willa returns to the small town she thought she’d never see again. The reception is mediocre, at best, and hostile at worst.

The narrative shifts back and forth between past and present, filling out the whole picture of Willa’s life and the truth of the goings on in Rapture. I did like this. It’s a good story, but I’ve been torn on how to rate it.

My experience with the novel could best be described as unbalanced. There were moments Zinnikas had me completely dialed in and then others when I was slightly rolling my eyes. I was also confused at times, which I attribute more to the way the story was put together than to the actual plot, or characters.

I feel the audiobook production could have done more to make the past/present perspectives more distinctive from each other. It was tough in the audio to really feel grounded within the story, but yeah, it was still good.

I’m so torn. My heart says round up to 4-stars, but my head is saying 3.5-stars is a more realistic rating based on my experience. The concluding bits also dipped a wee bit into eye-roll territory, which is never a good thing.

Overall, I did love the concept of this story, as well as the building of tension. I also really enjoyed Willa as a main character and thought that she had a compelling backstory.

What let me down was the execution of the past/present perspectives as a whole, and the concluding action scenes. I am pleased with the experience for the most part though, and will pick up any future works by Zinnikas.

Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. This is a great read for the Spooky Season!

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Review: We Are for the Dark by Gretchen McNeil

~ megs14malloy

We Are for the DarkWe Are for the Dark by Gretchen McNeil
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars**

We Are for the Dark is an Adult Religious Horror novel from Gretchen McNeil. I’ve never read and Adult novel from McNeil, and actually mistakenly went into this believing it was YA. You might ask, didn’t you read the synopsis?

And my answer to that would be, no, I did not. I’ve had enough success with McNeil in the past to jump on anything new she has releasing.

That assumption was quickly corrected based on the content and perspectives given at the start of the story, and I was excited to see how McNeil would deliver in this age group.

The story is set on a remote Newfoundland island and I was instantly drawn into that setting. I live on an island and love island set stories in general.

We follow two characters, Miriam Rideout, a Junior Constable from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, and Father Shane Ryan, a FBI Agent turned Catholic Priest.

Father Ryan gets summoned to the island by His Eminence Cardinal Jacobs. Father Ryan is newly-ordained and he has no idea why this man of prominence would want to meet with him. It becomes clear that His Eminence is aware of Ryan’s past in the FBI, and he needs his help investigating the mysterious disappearance of a local priest.

Weeks prior, Constable Miriam Rideout fielded a call from the island, a frantic priest begging for help. During the call the line went dead, leaving Rideout very unsettled. No further reports or calls came in from the island and Rideout was left scratching her head.

She appeals to her higher-ups for permission to travel to the island and do a wellness check on the caller, but her appeal is denied. After which, Rideout decides to take some vacation time and books her travel to the island. She feels like something is wrong, and she’s not going let her boss deter her from helping someone in need.

Rideout and Ryan’s paths end up crossing once they’re on the island. The outsiders amongst a sea of locals. It’s clear to both that something is very off with the island, but what? And are Rideout and Ryan now in danger too?

Though they don’t trust each other at first, neither one of them is a dummy and they know their alliance is necessary. Something ancient lurks on this island, an entity to which the locals may be in service, and they have no intention of letting these newcomers leave.

This was good. I really enjoyed the setting and the atmosphere was great, but there were also aspects that I wasn’t as crazy about. Some of the action towards the end became a little muddled as the paced increased, but overall it’s a solid story.

I liked the working relationship between Rideout and Ryan, but even that went too far after a certain point. To me, it didn’t make sense, especially considering the circumstances they were facing, but what do I know. I’ve never been trapped on an island by crazy islanders before. I am in the crazy islander. ((kidding, kidding))

I would recommend this for Readers who enjoy Religious Horror, or Horror Thrillers in general. Particularly if you’ve enjoyed things like Harrow Lake and The Wicker Man. The atmosphere is where it’s at with this one, so Atmosphere Girlies, like myself, so definitely check it out.

Thank you to the publisher, Recorded Books and DAW, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I’m happy to see McNeil in the Adult space and am looking forward to further releases in this lane.

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Review: Black Point by Jacqueline West

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Black PointBlack Point by Jacqueline West
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars**

Black Point follows Lucia Sorenson, a teen living in a small Wisconsin town set on the banks of the Mississippi River. Lucia’s Mom has been pushing her hard to apply to colleges for next year and to get out of town as soon as she can, but Lucia doesn’t want to leave.

Lucia’s aging Grandfather runs a local Viking Museum that houses a record of the town’s history and Norse traditions. Lucia feels it’s important for her to remain in town and to help keep the Museum running.

There’s no doubt the town is changing, and Lucia wants to do her part to help keep the memory of where they came from alive. One significant change is the fact that the Black Point Hotel, a 150-year old landmark property, that’s been vacant for decades, has recently been purchased by an outsider (boo, hiss) and is being renovated.

Lucia meets the new owner’s teenage nephew, Max, and they have a bit of an instant attraction. As the two grow closer, chatter around town increases about these newcomers. That’s sure to happen in a small town, but Lucia finds getting to know Max a fascinating prospect. Maybe the outside world does have something to offer afterall.

Max ends up discovering some unsettling things within the hotel, but Lucia doesn’t want to believe her beloved town could be harboring sinister secrets. As the river rises though, more secrets are brought to the surface, and it’s clear the town’s dark past can no longer be denied.

Will Lucia ignore the truth, or will she finally be the one to bring it to light? And will her new friend help her, or end up being her biggest liability?

This was good. I found it entertaining and enjoyed the classic creepy town vibes that West delivered. I liked the characters and overall concept, but would have like almost everything to be a bit more well-developed. It felt a bit too surface level, especially in the later half, IMO.

I feel like West could have leaned even more into the development of the mysteries of the town, and actually even more into Lucia and Max’s new friendship. It all went very, very quickly, and then the concluding bits got slightly muddled once the action picked up.

At the end of the day though, it was an entertaining read targeted perfectly for the YA crowd. I think a lot of Young Readers will really enjoy this one, particularly those who already enjoy Horror Fiction.

I do actually think this could translate well to the big screen. I’d definitely watch this movie. I think the atmosphere alone could make a fun flick. Maybe that’ll happen someday. Great concept; not my favorite execution, but a really strong showing, nevertheless.

Thank you to the publisher, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, for providing me with a copy to read and review.

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Review: Thoughts Be Bloody by Auden Patrick

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Thoughts Be BloodyThoughts Be Bloody by Auden Patrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars rounded up**

Thoughts Be Bloody is a Queer Hamlet retelling with a lush Dark Academia atmosphere, full of magic and mischief. While greatly outside of my comfort zone, I’m not a Dark Academia girlie, the concept caught my attention, as did the title and gorgeous cover.

This novel follows Horatio Bithersea, as he navigates school, magic, complicated friendships and identity. We learn the previous year, Horatio walked in on golden boy, Carson Hamlett, cradling the dead body of his father, a professor, in the University library. The death was ruled an accident, but a lot of mystery surrounds the incident still.

When the ghost of Hamlett’s father appears to Horatio, he believes he’s been cursed. Driven to figure out what actually happened to Hamlett’s father, and the reasons for it, Horatio and Hamlett become very close. The two work together to solve the mystery and possibly get revenge for the murder.

I liked this. I really did. I was torn on how to rate it based on my personal experience. My head says it’s a 3, or a 3.5-star, but my heart says to give it less than a 4-star isn’t doing it justice. This is an ambitious novel, and though it had moments that were stronger than others IMO, overall, I do think it’s a great book.

I found the magic very interesting, how there were different types of magic, and Horatio’s was very unique. I also liked the mystery behind what happened to Hamlett’s father, and Horatio’s visions involving his ghost.

I did feel it was ofttimes confusing, however. There’s a lot to do with mind magic, and dreams, and visions, and people being trapped within their own minds, and while I think those are fascinating concepts, they’re really challenging to execute on the page in a concise and clear manner.

Particularly in the later half, as we approach the conclusion and the action picks up, it became difficult to follow. It also, just in general, did take a minute to get used to the rhythm of the narrative. It’s definitely different, but interesting.

The highlights for me were the dynamics among the characters, specifically Horatio, Hamlett and Lia, and the dark academic setting, which I feel Patrick knocked out of the park. There was just a foreboding tone throughout that I found really enjoyable.

Thank you to the publisher, DAW, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Even though this isn’t my typical read, I’m so glad to have picked it up, and to have been introduced to a new author.

I’d definitely read more from Auden Patrick!

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Review: The Hill in the Dark Grove by Liam Higginson

~ megs14malloy

The Hill in the Dark GroveThe Hill in the Dark Grove by Liam Higginson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Hill in the Dark Grove is a debut Folk Horror novel that has stuck with me long after I turned the last page. This story is deep, dark and honestly, sort of devastating.

We follow an older couple, Carwyn and Rhian, who’ve lived a quiet life as sheep farmers in the remote Welsh moutains. The land they live on, and work, is a family legacy, having been in Rhian’s family for generations.

Over the years, Carwyn and Rhian have found their social circle shrinking, as they’ve lost many friends and neighbors to old age and the pull of the city, and greater world. For the most part, they keep to themselves, grumbling about rising prices and the influx of English tourists.

Before you go thinking they’re just old people complaining about a changing world, they’re really not. For them, from their perspective, the changing world is threatening their way of life, and their land that they’ve poured blood, sweat and tears into over the decades.

Their world has become very small, but how long will they be able to maintain even that? And once they can no longer, what will become of them then?

When Carwyn finds a peculiar stone head in a little used corner of the farm, he believes he’s uncovered something remarkable. He soon realizes the artifact is just a small part of something much larger from deep history.

Even though Rhian urges him to leave it be, Carwyn becomes obsessed with uncovering the object, all while his daily farm chores go neglected. When sheep start falling ill, and an accident makes it even more challenging for the couple to survive, Carwyn insists uncovering the object and learning its original purpose could be the key to solving everything.

Something he didn’t consider though, is perhaps it’s buried and stayed that way for a reason. Perhaps the ancestors of the past have intended for it to be so. What’s gonna happen when he actually digs it up? What exactly is he unearthing?

I haven’t stopped thinking about this novel since I finished it a couple of weeks ago. There’s something very The Tommyknockers about it, whilst also being completely its own thing. I really liked it, even though I’m confident I didn’t pick up on everything the author intended.

I’m in awe. It’s not really a complicated story, but there are layers, and there were moments that I was a little unclear on where we were in time, and who exactly I was following.

One thing that never changed though was the pace and rhythm of the story. The writing is lush and beautiful. Higginson is an artist with words and The Hill in the Dark Grove does feel like a work of art.

I loved the unsettling atmosphere of the story. The uncertainty in Carwyn and Rhian’s life channels through the pages directly to the Reader. I felt for them. They were isolated and facing some real daunting challenges, and at such a time in their lives. It was difficult to read at times.

Aging, and what happens to us as we age, the way a person’s world can shrink, these are real world horrors that I think can be scary for a lot of us to think about. Though there was more going on in this story than that, I did appreciate Higginson’s exploration of those topics.

The incorporation of Welsh folklore and the mystery surrounding this object, and it’s pull on Carwyn, were also so compelling. Overall, it’s a great story.

I feel like I need to get a hard copy for my collection, so I can read it again and annotate. I would recommend it for fans of Gothic Fiction, or Folk Horror, but really I feel like it’s a story that could enjoyed by Readers of any genre.

Thank you to the publisher, Hogarth, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I’m looking forward to more from Liam Higginson.

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Review: The October Film Haunt by Michael Wehunt

~ megs14malloy

The October Film Haunt: A NovelThe October Film Haunt: A Novel by Michael Wehunt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars**

The October Film Haunt is a fascinating novel, but really hard to rate. I was so interested in the content and ideas being explored here, but also felt unmoored in the story and frequently confused (not in a good way).

I listened to the audiobook and it was a great production. There’s dual narration, with effects, and creepy voices for the monsters. The atmosphere, as well as Wehunt’s ability to get under my skin in certain moments, were my favorite aspects of this, enhanced via the audio format.

I did really enjoy Jorie’s perspective. Her life in Vermont with her young son was compelling, as were her reasons for being there. I found her perspective the easiest to track by far and also found the creepiest moments centering around what was happening to her in the present.

I also enjoyed the other perspectives and sections that Wehunt included, but they did feel more like vignettes and each time one would arise it would sort of kick me out of the story and then I had a difficult time recentering myself.

I think maybe the most effective way for me to have read this would have been to immersion read it; listen to the audio while following along in my hard copy. This was the method I used for Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay and I feel like that was such an exceptional experience. It definitely could have helped me here as well.

I believe this was Wehunt’s first full length novel. I could be wrong on that, but that’s my understanding. I know he’s had great success with his short fiction, and I am planning to check some of that out. I do own his collection, Greener Pastures, which I’ve heard excellent things about.

I feel like this had so many great things going on, but perhaps too much. A bit more focus on Jorie and the main events, with glimmers of what led her there, could have been a more successful construction for me.

Overall, I did enjoy this. I’m jazzed to read more from Wehunt, because clearly he has a passion for Horror and a limitless imagination. The imagery is also excellent. Should I round up? I’m gonna think on it. I might. Don’t be surprised if you see an update on this at some point in the future.

Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I put off reading this for a while due to some early mixed reviews, but I’m so happy to have finally picked it up.

I’m looking forward to Wehunt’s upcoming release, Nightjars, and plan to read it soon. It sounds amazing. I have no doubt Wehunt is going to deliver all the creepy vibes!

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Review: House of Margins by Tlotlo Tsamaase

~ megs14malloy

House of MarginsHouse of Margins by Tlotlo Tsamaase
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

**3.5-stars rounded up**

House of Margins is a story of multiple parts. We follow Ranewa, whose sister, Anaya, went missing whilst participating in a very exclusive writer’s residency program in Cape Town, South Africa. Anaya was a rising star in the literary world, and went missing just prior to the announcement of the Günter Prize.

We also get excerpts from a True Crime podcast, created and hosted by another writer who had been in the writer’s program with Anaya, as she tells the story of the events leading up to Anaya’s disappearance. It’s sensationalized, hugely popular, and ends up attracting Ranewa’s attention.

We also get Anaya’s perspective, relaying her time in the residency program and the relationships formed there. It’s mysterious, serious and tackles some heavy topics. I respect that Tsamaase didn’t shy away from the difficult things, and the way the story evolves is compelling.

I loved the incorporation of the writing residency program and the feel of Günter Huis, the colonial mansion where the writer’s stay during their residency. It had such a eerie feel and did become an entity unto itself.

Admittedly, there were aspects I found difficult to track, and I’m sure I missed some details because of that.

I feel like the audiobook could have been better served with more variation amongst the audio narrators. There were three narrators involved in this production, which was well done, but honestly, their tone was all very similar.

I’m sure that’s me, but it did make it challenging to differentiate between the podcast, Anaya’s portions and Ranewa’s portions. The podcast was the easiest to differentiate out of the three, because it did incorporate normal podcast elements, like outros and intros, likes, comments, etc.

Regardless of anything I may have missed, the author’s intent and the topics explored still make this a memorable and fascinating read. I liked the more surreal elements as well, and the way the house became involved in what was happening to Anaya.

I would recommend this. It’s a tough one to explain as far as genres. It could really be categorized as so many different things. I would say Literary Horror could be a strong fit, so if that’s the kind of thing you’re into, you should absolutely give this one a go.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Erewhon Books and RB Media, for providing me with copies to read and review. Tsamaase put a lot of heart and passion into this story and it shows. I would love to read more from her in the future!

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Review: The Whitechapel Full Moon Society by Elizabeth DeLozier

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The Whitechapel Full Moon SocietyThe Whitechapel Full Moon Society by Elizabeth DeLozier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Whitechapel Full Moon Society follows Caroline Foster as she travels to London in search of her brother, Charlie. Caroline grew up in a wealthy family, but unfortunately that family unit has crumbled to nothing.

After the recent death of her father, Caroline has been left alone and the family estate sold off. Caroline’s deepest connection in the world now is with Charlie, who she’s only spent sporadic time with over the course of her life.

Following clues from his correspondence, Caroline ends up at the Whitechapel Full Moon Society, a dilapidated building currently serving as a gentleman’s boarding house.

After an appeal to the landlady, Caroline, under slightly false pretenses, is hired on as the Full Moon’s maid in exchange for room and board. She’s hoping locating Charlie after this will be easy, but we all know, nothing is ever easy.

There are very strict rules at the Full Moon, at least for Caroline. She’s not to ask the residents personal questions, or to enter the iron-barred room on the second-floor, and oh yeah, she must remain locked in her bedroom from sundown to sunup on full moon nights.

Even though to most of us, these rules may be suspicious as heck, it doesn’t phase Caroline in the slightest. When she finds no signs of Charlie though, and when she finds out that the previous maid was brutally murdered, she starts to suspect the Full Moon may be more than your average boarding house.

This novel is set in Victorian London during the time of the Jack the Ripper slayings, and those historical crimes, as well as the corresponding fear that permeated the city, play a large role in this story.

I loved the inclusion of that, and how the author wove in those historical elements, it made the story feel that much more realistic. The atmosphere was oozing off the page, and as an atmosphere girlie, that was something I truly appreciated. I could picture everything perfectly.

I was actually surprised how immersed I became in this novel. This is far from my typical read, but I was swept up into it. She’s a slow burn, it’s true, but just such an enjoyable read nevertheless.

DeLozier’s writing is very pleasing and engaging. It’s straight-forward and accessible for Readers who don’t read a lot of historical fiction, like myself. I was drawn to this because of the cover and the inclusion of the Jack the Ripper slayings, but ended up really impressed by the full package.

Thank you to the publisher, Dutton, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I’d definitely be interested in pick up DeLozier’s future works!

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