ripxw's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Homophobia, and Domestic abuse
wickedlovely's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death of parent, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia and Racism
amandaakerman's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Grief, Gore, Death of parent, Cursing, Sexual assault, Racism, Pedophilia, Outing, Kidnapping, Violence, Child death, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Racial slurs, Lesbophobia, Blood, Alcoholism, Murder, and Addiction
sdsmith80's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
<strong>Creepy Halloween Tale</strong>
I love Halloween. My whole family does really. Right from the first few pages, I identified with the Barbosa family. My husband has an extensive history in the haunt industry, and I helped him run the makeup room for a season at one as well. So reading about Chloe and her dad setting up their home haunt in the woods behind their house, I was immediately hooked.
The story picks up quickly, weaving the stories of the different neighbors' lives wonderfully. The author wastes no time with the creepy elements showing up even as he is giving us the backstory of each character, and the small (or large) dramas going on in their lives.
Very soon we're off and running, with twists and turns around every page. I was kept guessing as each element was introduced, making for a thrilling read. The thing I enjoyed the most though was Christopher Golden's creation of the mythology in this world. I'm very curious to know how much is based on actual lore, if any.
This book is absolutely perfect for anyone who loves Halloween, and the stories that surround it.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love Halloween. My whole family does really. Right from the first few pages, I identified with the Barbosa family. My husband has an extensive history in the haunt industry, and I helped him run the makeup room for a season at one as well. So reading about Chloe and her dad setting up their home haunt in the woods behind their house, I was immediately hooked.
The story picks up quickly, weaving the stories of the different neighbors' lives wonderfully. The author wastes no time with the creepy elements showing up even as he is giving us the backstory of each character, and the small (or large) dramas going on in their lives.
Very soon we're off and running, with twists and turns around every page. I was kept guessing as each element was introduced, making for a thrilling read. The thing I enjoyed the most though was Christopher Golden's creation of the mythology in this world. I'm very curious to know how much is based on actual lore, if any.
This book is absolutely perfect for anyone who loves Halloween, and the stories that surround it.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Body horror, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Death, Blood, Cursing, Hate crime, Child death, Child abuse, Gore, Murder, Homophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Physical abuse and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs
theknitterwithabook's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
☠️ 📖 BOOK REVIEW 📖☠️
ALL HALLOWS by Christopher Golden
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Coming out January 24, 2023
Disclaimer: I would like to thank @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
☠️☠️☠️
Wwwoooohh!! That was intense!
I must admit, I requestes this books weeks ago and remembered vaguely the synopsis. So, I went in maybe half-blindly. The first 2/3 of the book felt like ambiance horror. The setting is creepy, weird things are happening, strange characters appear, etc. You're not sure what it is but you get this overwhelming feeling that something is not right and will happen at the next turn of the page. Then, all of a sudden, the book turns into vivid horror and becomes nightmarish. Watch out for the body count! 😱
Told in multiple point of views, the story focuses on the Parmenter's street families. It's the night of Halloween but they are all going through some intense drama and trying to put on a mask to hide what's going on. They are dysfunctional and the neighbours are not all nice. It makes you think the neighbours could actually be the real monsters.
Gradually, we are introduced to strange kids tagging along and asking for help. They want to come in until midnight and seem afraid of The Cunning Man. It's not clear who they are, where they are from, what era they are from! But it's clear they are not from this street.
At the 70% mark, fastened your seat belt! The story increase speed and the book becomes unputdownable! It's full on horror. Nobody's safe. I almost screamed a huge "Wtf!" in the middle of my subway commute. 😂
I would have loved that part to come up a little earlier and to extend certain part of the story and explanations but it was overall an excellent novel! Even though it's an Halloween setting, the books comes out in January. So, mark your calendar and add it to your list!
Please check TW before reading!
#horrorbookrec #arcreview #bookreview #bookreviewer #allhallows #christophergolden #netgalley #stmartinspress
ALL HALLOWS by Christopher Golden
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Coming out January 24, 2023
Disclaimer: I would like to thank @NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for a copy of this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
☠️☠️☠️
Wwwoooohh!! That was intense!
I must admit, I requestes this books weeks ago and remembered vaguely the synopsis. So, I went in maybe half-blindly. The first 2/3 of the book felt like ambiance horror. The setting is creepy, weird things are happening, strange characters appear, etc. You're not sure what it is but you get this overwhelming feeling that something is not right and will happen at the next turn of the page. Then, all of a sudden, the book turns into vivid horror and becomes nightmarish. Watch out for the body count! 😱
Told in multiple point of views, the story focuses on the Parmenter's street families. It's the night of Halloween but they are all going through some intense drama and trying to put on a mask to hide what's going on. They are dysfunctional and the neighbours are not all nice. It makes you think the neighbours could actually be the real monsters.
Gradually, we are introduced to strange kids tagging along and asking for help. They want to come in until midnight and seem afraid of The Cunning Man. It's not clear who they are, where they are from, what era they are from! But it's clear they are not from this street.
At the 70% mark, fastened your seat belt! The story increase speed and the book becomes unputdownable! It's full on horror. Nobody's safe. I almost screamed a huge "Wtf!" in the middle of my subway commute. 😂
I would have loved that part to come up a little earlier and to extend certain part of the story and explanations but it was overall an excellent novel! Even though it's an Halloween setting, the books comes out in January. So, mark your calendar and add it to your list!
Please check TW before reading!
#horrorbookrec #arcreview #bookreview #bookreviewer #allhallows #christophergolden #netgalley #stmartinspress
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Pedophilia and Child abuse
More...