​A girl is cursed from birth to be a carrier for a demon of death.  The parents know that death will follow the girl around and she will be a burden on the family.  So the parents ignore the girl, tell her she is worthless and instead put all of their resources into their son.  The girl knows that there is something different about her and especially her family.  As the girl goes through school, she strives to be the best in order to win her parent's affection, to no avail.  The demon makes itself known to the girl at the right time and tells her of her Filipino ancestors' history with Death and what it will mean for her when she embraces the demon inside. 

The Girl was a unique thriller documenting the childhood and young adult years of a Girl fated to carry a demon of death.  The device of never using the Girl's name made her seem ever more like a forgotten object.   Since her family knew of this curse, they ignored, abused and made her feel worthless.   Most of the story focused on the Girl's childhood and young adulthood growing up with this demon's voice in her head while dealing with her family's abuse.  It was very difficult to read about the Girl's abuse, but it was well written and realistic.  The Girl's methods of dealing with her situation were interesting to read, especially as she grew and matured, understanding more about what her family was doing.  Sprinkled throughout the story were foreshadowing of when the Girl and demon finally embrace one another and meet at the end of the book. I would have loved to see the full potential of the Girl and the demon working together.  I also enjoyed learning about the Girl's Philippine heritage and the battle of Lapu- Lapu and Magellan as the origin story of her family history with the demon.  I'd love to see what's next for the Girl. 
 
This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

Jack Kelly wakes up from a coma believing he is a married man with a wife and kids.  However, when Jack wakes up he is a thirteen year old child with vivid memories through adulthood and the accident that he believed that his brother suffered is now his own.  Along with the brain injury, Jack can now read people's minds, feel their emotions and see the ghosts and demons that linger in the city and pull people into the next world.  With an introduction to others like him, Jack begins to refine his gift and hones into one particular ghost in the apartment building across from his school.  The ghost and Jack have a connection, but the ghost does not want to leave.  A supernatural fight ensues as Jack tries to convince the ghost to move on.  


From the beginning, Jack's story pulled me into this intriguing supernatural thriller.  From the start, the demons and ghosts in the shadows were gripping, creating an intense and foreboding atmosphere.  I was very interested in Jack's family as an adult and how that experience shaped how he came back as a child.  Jack's reintroduction to life and his childhood after his coma were fascinating. Jack's character held the duality of being in a child's body with the memories and emotional control of an adult.  The writing switched between the points of view of Jack and the ghost, Kasper Greenstreet.  I was equally attracted to Kasper's storyline as Jack's.  Being able to read about Kasper's life and death created him as a full person.  I loved reading about his artistic process and the passion he put into his work.  As Jack's interactions with Kasper increase, so does the suspense, culminating in an exciting ending.  With many questions still unanswered, I can't wait to dive into the next book in the series.


This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

​A year ago, Jack Kelly woke up from a coma with a special set of abilities.  With those abilities, he was able to spiritually battle an enraged ghost in his friend's apartment complex.  The battle took a toll on everyone involved and Jack's friend, Peter, ended up in a psychiatric unit.   After returning, Peter decided he could no longer stay in the apartment, especially with the painting the ghost had completed in life.  While Jack knows that the ghost is no longer around, the painting still seems to have a strong pull and is receiving a lot of attention from a mysterious Mr. Phillips who insists on having the painting as his own.  Fifteen year old Jack knows that Mr. Phillips is not human and will use the painting for nefarious means.  Now, Jack must try to keep the painting safe and away from Mr. Phillips.  

The Book of Demons is a fast-paced sequel to The Book of Souls. I would definitely recommend reading The Book of Souls first in order to understand Jack's history, his abilities and his connection and the history of the painting. I was immediately pulled into the story from Mr. Phillips point of view and how he came to receive his strange powers.  I was excited to get back to Jack's story and see how he was dealing with life after the spiritual battle.  It was interesting to see him dealing with everyday high schooler issues alongside battling a necromancer and protecting the painting.  I actually would have liked to read more from Mr. Phillips point of view to know more about his powers and what he wanted in the painting. The ending wrapped up pretty quickly, and while I was happy for Jack, I wanted to know how he was able to return. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

​"...myths are created by people, for their own reasons; a monster is a shadow cast by a human."


Virgil is sent to clean out their Aunt Deb's house.  Aunt Deb died of COVID, unlike many of Virgil's other family members who have just seemed to have disappeared. As Virgil begins to clean out Aunt Deb's attic, they begin to unravel the mystery surrounding the woods of the house.  There's something strange about the woods by the house and it might be coming for Virgil next.  

Family Curse-Field Notebooks (1880-2020) is a delicious bite of a horror story.  I absolutely wish that this was longer, and enjoyed that the story does lead you to think of the many possible routes for the lights in the woods. I adore writing in the form of journal entries and Family Curse does not disappoint with a turducken of journals from three family members and notes from Virgil.  It was interesting to see each family member's take on the disappearances and the lights in the woods- a serial killer, fairies, or aliens.  I was also intrigued by Virgil's family and how different neurodivergencies and gender non-conformities have presented and been tolerated throughout the years and how those people have seemed to attract whatever is in the woods.  

​On July 25th, 1969 a young black college student, Rosalie DuFreyne was murdered in Hunt's Landing, Alabama.  After a cursory investigation, she was forgotten. Now, Abbie Adams, a historian who has found her way into journalism is given Rosalie's murder as her first byline.  As soon as Rosalie begins digging into Rosalie's life and murder, she finds a connection to her former academic advisor, Frank Wexler.  Not only was Dr. Wexler the reason that Abbie's thesis was shot down, but the Wexler family controls money and power in Hunt's Landing.  As Abbie finds and interviews people who knew Rosalie and saw her that night, pieces begin to fall into place, but something is still missing.  When Abbie's witnesses begin to get killed off, she knows she is close to providing closure for Rosalie.  

The Dead Won't Tell is an exciting mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.  I was immediately taken in as the night of Rosalie's murder was described in Hunt's Landing, 1969.  The town was celebrating the NASA astronauts' successful return to Earth as Rosalie left a party at the Wexler house only to be found dead next to the Tennessee River with a train ticket in her pocket.  Abbie is a wonderfully built character as she dives head first into Rosalie's story.  With every bit of evidence Abbie uncovers, she is able to rebuild Rosalie and the accomplishments in her life.  Through investigating Rosalie's murder, Abbie is also able to come to terms with some of the damage the Wexler family has caused her as well.  The suspense builds gradually throughout the story as Abbie digs deeper.  It seems that Rosalie might be gone, but she is far from forgotten.  With an explosive and unexpected ending, The Dead Won't Tell delivers an exciting and thorough historical mystery.  


This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

​The small, uninhabited island of Kisapmata in the Philippines is known to the locals to be the home of the god, Diwata.  Diwata controls the island and it is believed that he will awaken after eight sacrifices.  Locals stay away from the island except for local caretaker, Alon.  Everything is about to change though as a Hollywood documentary crew has bought their way onto Kisapmata.  The crew members each have a different motivation for being on the island, but Diwata knows their true purpose. Alon tries to keep those who are innocent safe and warn away those that the Diwata deems worthy of sacrifice.  

The Sacrifice is a young adult thriller that jumps right into the action and doesn't let up.  I was drawn into the story as Diwata immediately shows power by moving plants around, manifesting people from the production crew's lives and showing them exactly what they came for, including corpse trees.  The mystery builds as we learn the history of the island with stolen treasure, deaths, sacrifices, cults and local lore. Alon's character was amazing and a mystery himself.  I was intrigued by his communication with Diwata and his acceptance on the island.  I loved that he and Chase formed a connection and that Diwata was interested in it.  Throughout the entire story there was a constant feeling of 'what's next?' and 'that can't be good!'  that kept me in suspense.  Overall, a great blend of Philippine folklore, suspense and horror. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. ​

​Harrison Harrison, or Harrison Squared is on his way to the small town of Dunnsmouth, Massachusetts to accompany his marine biologist mother on a research trip.  She is searching for a large squid who shouldn't be this far North.  Soon after Harrison's arrival and a very strange first day of school in a cathedral like building with unwelcoming teachers and a student body that all seems to look the same, Harrison's mother disappears at sea.  Harrison lost his father and a leg in what seems like an awfully similar accident when he was a toddler.  Since then, he has had a healthy fear of the water.  Now, Harrison is determined to find his mother, no matter what.  As he digs around Dunnsmouth, Harrison begins to discover a strange history of the town: a series of disappearances and people left in comas for no reason, a worship of an unknown set of gods and beings  that aren't entirely human.  With his new friends, Harrison is determined to find his mother and battle the monsters of Dunnsmouth.  

I have always loved Daryl Gregory's writing and how it completely envelops me into the setting.  Harrison Squared is no exception; I could easily imagine the dreary, sparsely populated coastal town and the people there.  Another brilliant aspect are the characters.  Not everyone that you would expect to be a monster is, and some of the things that should be easily identifiable as monsters aren't.  Harrison is far from perfect, he is fearful and has a short temper; yet, his determination, curiosity, and open-mindedness are perfect for the strange tasks he must complete.  Some of the side characters were amazing as well, Lydia, Lub and Aunt Sel were all great to get to know.  I liked that the horror and monsters were teased out slowly, they were so ingrained into Dunnsmouth that it wasn't obvious what to be afraid of all the time.  An intense an exciting ending only left me wanting more from Harrison and the crew.  

This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

A group of strangers convene at The Elms for their first group therapy session.  Unlike most people however, this group are all survivors of traumatic supernatural activity.  Harrison was a monster hunter in his youth, Stan is a victim of a cannibalistic family, Martin can see otherworldly creatures that came out of his augmented reality game, Barbara has messages carved on her bones from the Scrimshander, Greta is the last member of a cult that went up in flames.  Dr. Jan Sayer believes them all.  The group makes headway with their issues, but not before their monsters catch up with them. 

A complex and fast-paced horror novella about confronting your demons both internal and external.  Each of the characters has been through something horrific, gruesome and unique, something they think no one else would understand.  I was very interested in all of the characters and what they went through.  I was engaged by how they all dealt with their past trauma differently as well as how they were dealing with what was in front of them at the moment.  The connections between the characters was unexpected, especially since they all were dealing with different monsters. Greta's character seemed to take front and center as her monster caused the most trouble and led to the danger that forced the group to work together.    I feel like there is more to the story for these characters, but they were left in a place that is good for now. 

​After a whirlwind romance aboard a cruise ship, the newly married Nina Treadway, a Florida Native finds herself on the small British Island of Lute.  Nina has always struggled to fit in and is finding it difficult in the small close-knit community especially since she married Lord Hugh Treadway and she is now Lady Treadway. Now, Nina is in her seventh year on the island and is a mother of two.  The family is supposed to take a vacation on the summer solstice, but bad luck and circumstance keep the family on the island.  Lute has always had a strong tradition around the summer solstice that Nina has never quite understood.  The locals simply call every seventh summer solstice The Day.  The Day is when the island takes its tithe for good weather, good luck and overall harmony for the next seven years.  Hugh's father died seven years ago on the last Day, so Nina is no stranger to what it can bring, but still doesn't believe the superstitions of the people of Lute surrounding The Day; until now, when Nina has no choice to be part of the day as Lady Treadway. 


Lute is folk horror combining the mythology of the shining ones with a dash of Midsommar and Final Destination.  The horror and tension surrounding The Day builds slowly as Lute prepares.  The story is told through Nina's point of view alone, so everything about The Day is new and confusing as an outsider, wondering how an island could possibly make seven people die every seven years.  Then, the terror hits, sneaking, taking it's time, making your wonder what is next, questioning every move you make and if it could somehow do you in.  I was really interested in the source of The Day, a mysterious, supernatural power.  Through Nina, some of the history of the island unfolds, but I really wish there could be a deeper dive.  Intense, well-drawn characters create an even more interesting atmosphere. Nina's backstory unravels with the day as she finds her place amongst the town as a leader of  Lute while Hugh descends into resentment of his position on Lute and what it means for his family.  With all horror, the source of the worst parts aren't what you can't see, but what you can.  A surprising ending left me wanting to know more about Lute and its future.  

Maggie St. James, an author of dark children's fiction, has gone missing.  Years later Maggie's parents hire Travis Wren to find her. Travis has a unique ability to see memories of people when he is holding an object of theirs.  Travis traces Maggie through a book charm of her necklace.  He finds himself in a hidden community in the woods.  Founded in the 1970's by a group of people looking for a simpler life, Pastoral is now a closed community with a group of people who fear the woods surrounding them, afraid that the woods carry the rot that could infect them all.  As soon as Travis finds Pastoral, he too disappears.  In Pastoral, lifelong members Theo and Calla begin to find clues of Travis and Maggie's presence in their community, but their leader, Levi, assures them that Maggie and Travis are not in Pastoral.

Suspenseful, haunting and unexpected A History of Wild Places is a contemporary mystery that I could not put down.  I was drawn in by Maggie's children's book and then brought into the rabbit hole even farther with Travis' abilities to see memories through touching objects and firmly glued with the introduction of the community of Pastoral.  There are definite "The Village" vibes happening with Pastoral, but with something deeper and unknown.  The mysteries of Maggie, Travis and Pastoral itself were captivating and the writing kept pulling me in.  I was invested in watching Theo, Calla and her sister Bee unravel the mysteries as they found objects, remembered things that were out of place and watched their beloved Pastoral begin to crumble.  Atmospheric, dark with a surprise twisty ending that I didn't see coming until the end. A History of Wild Places is a complex and exciting mystery.


This book was received for free in return for an honest review. 

​After receiving a head injury while playing hockey Nick and his wife Julia are off to Venice for a romantic vacation and to potentially book Julia an art gallery showing.  While visiting the Doge's Palace, Nick is entranced by Tintoretto's painting, Paradise. While looking at the masterpiece, Nick hears a voice of a woman speaking to him from the painting.  He tries to shake the voice, but after Nick is run out of the Doge's Palace, can suddenly understand Venetian, finds that the name of the woman that he heard was a real person and is having memories of a past life, Nick can't deny the voice is real and Julia knows there is more to the painting. As Nick and Julia uncover secrets, they draw the attention of a powerful and secret Venetian Order that wants them out of the picture. 

The Prisoner of Paradise is a fast paced thriller connecting past and present through one of the largest canvas paintings, Paradise. From the beginning, I was engrossed in the story as Isabella was pulled away from her soulmate, Angelo in 1589.  In the present, Nick and Julia's story took a little more time to get into as they explored Venice and introduced some of the members of the Order. I loved the vivid descriptions of Venice that were able to transport me to the colorful alleyways and canal system.  I was fascinated by the Order with their combination of religions, belief in the justification of their actions, knowledge of the afterlife, and use of the painting to trap souls.  The danger and suspense grew slowly throughout the story until the very end as Nick and Julia uncovered more secrets.  The ending of the story left many more questions to be answered with the promise of a sequel that I will definitely be reading. 

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.