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motherhorror's review against another edition
5.0
The Secret Life of Insects by Bernardo Esquinca
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: A story in The Valancourt Book of World Horror Stories
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/9781954321960
Release Date: October 3rd, 2023
What You Need to Know: Translated, illustrated, short, horror fiction collection.
My Reading Experience: A short story collection with illustrations? Sold. I read Bernardo Esquinca previously in a collection of world horror stories from Valancourt. His story stood out to me; it was memorable. Esquinca has a flare for building suspense and tension in his stories. Here is my reading activity as I moved through this rich collection.
May 26, 2023 –
8.0% I loved the in-depth foreword from Mariana Enríquez. The first story THE SECRET LIVES OF INSECTS hooks you right in.
“Two things: (1) Today I'm going to talk to my wife for the first time in two years. (2) My wife is dead. She passed away two years ago under strange circumstances.”
May 26, 2023 –
10.0% THE WIZARD’S HOUR- a new father suddenly realizes he is losing blocks of time in his memory. He finds himself doing strange, uncharacteristic activities
June 2, 2023 –
13.0% Where I’m Going, It’s Always Night—THIS STORY! A masterclass in tension and suspense
June 2, 2023 –
21.0% So this author is a new favorite. This last story was about a man plagued by nightmares. He learns that authors, like himself create a work, a story and that is the norm but sometimes, a Work creates an author, and when the story is finished, so is the author
June 3, 2023 –
25.0% A little haunted house story
June 5, 2023 –
42.0% A love spell went horribly wrong
June 5, 2023 –
60.0% So I’ve never imagined being in a bathtub full of cum, lol
This story was one of the longer ones and quite strange
June 5, 2023 –
67.0% A creepy doll story!
June 8, 2023 –
84.0% That was an intense thriller!
June 9, 2023 –
89.0% Loved that zombie story!
June 9, 2023 –
95.0% Mmm that was maybe my favorite story
Final Recommendation: All of these tales are unique and cover a wide range of sub-genres, subjects, and tones. The illustrations add so much to the overall enjoyment. This author loves to explore themes of sexuality so if a lot of talk about sex acts makes you uncomfortable, there are a few you can skip, and you’ll know right away. This is a new favorite collection with some singular stories that stand out as some of the best short fiction I’ve read.
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: A story in The Valancourt Book of World Horror Stories
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/9781954321960
Release Date: October 3rd, 2023
What You Need to Know: Translated, illustrated, short, horror fiction collection.
My Reading Experience: A short story collection with illustrations? Sold. I read Bernardo Esquinca previously in a collection of world horror stories from Valancourt. His story stood out to me; it was memorable. Esquinca has a flare for building suspense and tension in his stories. Here is my reading activity as I moved through this rich collection.
May 26, 2023 –
8.0% I loved the in-depth foreword from Mariana Enríquez. The first story THE SECRET LIVES OF INSECTS hooks you right in.
“Two things: (1) Today I'm going to talk to my wife for the first time in two years. (2) My wife is dead. She passed away two years ago under strange circumstances.”
May 26, 2023 –
10.0% THE WIZARD’S HOUR- a new father suddenly realizes he is losing blocks of time in his memory. He finds himself doing strange, uncharacteristic activities
June 2, 2023 –
13.0% Where I’m Going, It’s Always Night—THIS STORY! A masterclass in tension and suspense
June 2, 2023 –
21.0% So this author is a new favorite. This last story was about a man plagued by nightmares. He learns that authors, like himself create a work, a story and that is the norm but sometimes, a Work creates an author, and when the story is finished, so is the author
June 3, 2023 –
25.0% A little haunted house story
June 5, 2023 –
42.0% A love spell went horribly wrong
June 5, 2023 –
60.0% So I’ve never imagined being in a bathtub full of cum, lol
This story was one of the longer ones and quite strange
June 5, 2023 –
67.0% A creepy doll story!
June 8, 2023 –
84.0% That was an intense thriller!
June 9, 2023 –
89.0% Loved that zombie story!
June 9, 2023 –
95.0% Mmm that was maybe my favorite story
Final Recommendation: All of these tales are unique and cover a wide range of sub-genres, subjects, and tones. The illustrations add so much to the overall enjoyment. This author loves to explore themes of sexuality so if a lot of talk about sex acts makes you uncomfortable, there are a few you can skip, and you’ll know right away. This is a new favorite collection with some singular stories that stand out as some of the best short fiction I’ve read.
christhedoll's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this collection of short stories!
I recommend!!
I just reviewed The Secret Life of Insects and Other Stories by Bernardo Esquinca, Mariana Enriquez. #TheSecretLifeofInsectsandOtherStories #NetGalley
I recommend!!
I just reviewed The Secret Life of Insects and Other Stories by Bernardo Esquinca, Mariana Enriquez. #TheSecretLifeofInsectsandOtherStories #NetGalley
bourtney's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
ghostboy_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lovest's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
tiffannieboyd's review against another edition
4.0
The stories are clever, suspenseful, creepy, and mind-boggling, featuring both beautiful and eerie illustrations. These tales blend horror and mystery, delving into visions and nightmares that blur the line between fiction and reality. Translated from Spanish by James D. Jenkins and illustrated by Luis Pérez Ochando, the collection presents a unique reading experience.
The first tale explores the enigmatic lives of insects and their mysterious purposes. The second tale follows Dragan, who experiences mind control and bizarre behaviors. The third tale involves a husband witnessing his wife's strange sleepwalking and her erotic fascination with octopi, leading to a chilling conclusion. The fourth tale merges literature with supernatural elements, creating nightly hauntings. The fifth tale reminisces childhood memories, a haunted house, and a secret cave. The sixth tale chronicles the odyssey of a writer and a monk. The seventh tale features suitors under an unusual spell. The eighth tale centers on four high school friends reuniting after twenty years to uncover a long-buried demonic truth. The ninth tale involves cursed dolls, possessions, sinister stories, and a creepy mystery. The tenth tale addresses nightmares, childhood trauma, regret, secrets, beliefs, and marriage life. The remaining tales explore strange occurrences, peculiar cases, and a one-eyed woman.
The first tale explores the enigmatic lives of insects and their mysterious purposes. The second tale follows Dragan, who experiences mind control and bizarre behaviors. The third tale involves a husband witnessing his wife's strange sleepwalking and her erotic fascination with octopi, leading to a chilling conclusion. The fourth tale merges literature with supernatural elements, creating nightly hauntings. The fifth tale reminisces childhood memories, a haunted house, and a secret cave. The sixth tale chronicles the odyssey of a writer and a monk. The seventh tale features suitors under an unusual spell. The eighth tale centers on four high school friends reuniting after twenty years to uncover a long-buried demonic truth. The ninth tale involves cursed dolls, possessions, sinister stories, and a creepy mystery. The tenth tale addresses nightmares, childhood trauma, regret, secrets, beliefs, and marriage life. The remaining tales explore strange occurrences, peculiar cases, and a one-eyed woman.
mljsk's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25