At least once a week I ask myself, “What if The Lighthouse was good?” Maiden attempts, but does not quite succeed in answering the question. Although, for a decent portion of the book I was reminded strongly of classic haunted house stories, which are perhaps my favorite subgenre. Think Darcy Coates’ The Carrow Haunt: a …
When you’re approaching a story about a sentient, malevolent pig, as a reader or writer, the first question you have to ask is: Is this going to be a self-aware approach, or take itself completely seriously? It’s a question Malerman never seems to find the answer to. On the one hand, there are many scenes …
We all have our blind spots, so I have to admit that until a few days ago I thought We Need to Talk About Kevin was a nonfiction book and its accompanying film a documentary. I suppose I’m glad the titular Kevin doesn’t really exist. My first instinct was to say “I loved this book,” …
Book Review: We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver Read More »
I’ll never say that someone else’s opinion is “incorrect,” but I am finding myself at a total loss at the hype surrounding this new release. I did want to like it, but almost from the jump I found it on all counts abrasive. That’s the word that came to mind most often while reading: abrasive. …
Book Review: The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward Read More »
Before I begin, I should be honest: I’m no fan of Grady’s and I am very outspoken about it. I only read this because A) there was no wait for it at the library, and B) a friend was reading it, giving me live updates, and I couldn’t justifiably tear it apart without at least …
Book Review: The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix Read More »
Someone needs to call HR on Bentley. Look, I’ve been a casual fan of the author since I first read his work, but never a defender. That means that I know what I’m getting into with his fiction. Fast-paced, bluntly-written tales of insidious takeover that fits more or less the same mould: an evil new …
I have been looking forward to re-reading this one for a long time, but I knew I had to save it for summer. The first time I read it, I was left with the same impression most everyone is: the oppressive southern heat acting as a character in itself, often times so ominous and powerful …
At first, I wasn’t entirely sold; While humorous, snappy horror is totally fine, it’s not usually my cup of tea. Think Grady Hendrix, A Head Full of Ghosts, The Hollow Places (except that one’s genuinely bad). Furthermore, I wasn’t sure I wanted to spend so much time with an insufferable character like Jack Sparks. I needn’t …
Book Review: The Last Days of Jack Sparks by Jason Arnopp Read More »
If there’s one thing to be said for Tiffany McDaniel, it’s that she’s consistent. Five pages into The Summer that Melted Everything, and I was immediately transported through the writing back to my reading Betty. I felt I could’ve picked this book up blind and guessed the author, or at least proclaim “this reminds me …
Book Review: The Summer That Melted Everything by Tiffany McDaniel Read More »
