borderlinebookwhore's review against another edition
4.0
This book starts out with a traumatic event being witnessed/heard by three teenaged siblings (of a poor and unpopular small-town household), and follows them in the aftermath, which was quite shocking and unexpected.
I read this in one sitting, which leads me to my biggest critique- I wanted this to be much longer.
The drastic change in family dynamics was surprising and it seemed almost as if the brothers became deranged from grief itself... Regardless, I know it was thoroughly enjoyable to read and that's good enough for me, without diving deeply into the young and damaged psyches of these teens. The main character wasn't unlikeable nor was she particularly likeable but she was the one keeping everything together from the get go and I command her for that.
The ending was actually exactly what I wanted (if it were to end at this time point- as I said, I would have loved to read more) because it's what I would do for my siblings... returning for them regardless of my own well-being, not the killing spree of course. If you have close relationships with your brother/sister you will probably understand how content I am with the ending.
I enjoyed this story much more than the short story compilation from this same author and am glad I gave his work another go, this was much more my style. A great quick read!
I read this in one sitting, which leads me to my biggest critique- I wanted this to be much longer.
The drastic change in family dynamics was surprising and it seemed almost as if the brothers became deranged from grief itself... Regardless, I know it was thoroughly enjoyable to read and that's good enough for me, without diving deeply into the young and damaged psyches of these teens. The main character wasn't unlikeable nor was she particularly likeable but she was the one keeping everything together from the get go and I command her for that.
The ending was actually exactly what I wanted (if it were to end at this time point- as I said, I would have loved to read more) because it's what I would do for my siblings... returning for them regardless of my own well-being, not the killing spree of course. If you have close relationships with your brother/sister you will probably understand how content I am with the ending.
I enjoyed this story much more than the short story compilation from this same author and am glad I gave his work another go, this was much more my style. A great quick read!
pbanditp's review against another edition
4.0
Tragedy leaves three siblings alone, Dev(17), Marina(16), and Samuel(15). Survival is the only thing Marina strives for as she tries to keep food on the table and nosey neighbors away from the farm. She’s the strong one while her brothers close themselves off and act like they are from The Lord of the Flies.
Slasher masks, machete, buried bodies, fear of discovery, fear of starvation, and a tension blended with humor combine for a fun read.
“I laughed his question off because that’s what you do when you interact with people who have existed for more than eight decades on this planet.” -Marina
She really is the star of this show, as Marina is so well written. She is country smart and has spunk. She does what needs to be done to get by. At least she hopes she’ll get by.
Slasher masks, machete, buried bodies, fear of discovery, fear of starvation, and a tension blended with humor combine for a fun read.
“I laughed his question off because that’s what you do when you interact with people who have existed for more than eight decades on this planet.” -Marina
She really is the star of this show, as Marina is so well written. She is country smart and has spunk. She does what needs to be done to get by. At least she hopes she’ll get by.
books_nooks_spooks's review against another edition
4.0
This insane little novella starts with a bang! You just stumble into a private and crazed moment between a family and continue to witness them completely breakdown, taking dysfunctional to the next level. This mesmerising story was written for the morbidly curious as you need to know how it’s going to play out. I won’t lie, I was nervous the whole time but I loved how Marina girl bossed her way through the entire treacherous situation.
nikneedsnovels's review against another edition
4.0
Quick read with fun nods to 70s horror movies. I really enjoyed it and hope the story continues.
darktowerr's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Really enjoyed the pacing of this book and the general concept! I found Marina a bit unlikeable. Many people like unlikeable characters, I struggle with them but it didn't ruin the story for me. I wish this was longer I wanted even more!
exorcismparty's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Death, and Murder
stephaniieemoon's review against another edition
5.0
When I heard there was a new novella by E.C. Hanson I immediately knew I HAD to read it. Wicked Blood is a fun, fast-paced novella that tells the story of an extremely dysfunctional, and twisted family.
Mom and dad are dead, it’s the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and Marina is left to fend for herself as well as her younger brothers, Dev and Samuel who have their own demented version of a good time. Desperate for money, Marina has an idea for a haunted house. But this haunted house is more so a house of horrors and no one, including Marina is safe.
I read Wicked Blood in one sitting, literally scrolling page after page, needing to see what happens to Marina and her brothers. Hanson writes interesting and realistic characters that the reader connects with. I particularly like Marina and her witty thoughts and comments. I also enjoyed the overall setting. What’s creepier than terror in a small town during a worldwide pandemic?
Hanson brought all kinds of nostalgia. Whether it be the references to our favorite 80s slashers or penny candy, I was definitely feeling the vibe, bringing me right to my childhood where my love for horror began.
Oh and let’s not forget there is blood, lots of wicked blood.
Mom and dad are dead, it’s the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and Marina is left to fend for herself as well as her younger brothers, Dev and Samuel who have their own demented version of a good time. Desperate for money, Marina has an idea for a haunted house. But this haunted house is more so a house of horrors and no one, including Marina is safe.
I read Wicked Blood in one sitting, literally scrolling page after page, needing to see what happens to Marina and her brothers. Hanson writes interesting and realistic characters that the reader connects with. I particularly like Marina and her witty thoughts and comments. I also enjoyed the overall setting. What’s creepier than terror in a small town during a worldwide pandemic?
Hanson brought all kinds of nostalgia. Whether it be the references to our favorite 80s slashers or penny candy, I was definitely feeling the vibe, bringing me right to my childhood where my love for horror began.
Oh and let’s not forget there is blood, lots of wicked blood.
ericarobyn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Wicked Blood by E.C. Hanson is a vivid and unsettling tale of a family falling into chaos. With one part slasher and one part struggling family dynamic, this story is fast-paced and unputdownable!
Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book from the publisher on behalf of the author in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my rating in any way.
This story begins with this passage that sets the tone:
Had I known what would happen to my family in October of 2020, I might have done something to stop it.
What a killer opening line! Right away, we know that this won’t end well… Even so, while reading I couldn’t help but hope that it would have a happy ending.
In the first chapter, we meet three teenagers that are witnessing the fight to end all fights between their parents. When their mother announces that she is leaving their father, that escalates the fight even further. Before anyone can step in, an action occurs that changes the trajectory of these kids lives forever.
Needless to say, this starts with quite a bang! The rest of the plot is so intense! I’m not going to discuss what happens next as the fun lies in experiencing that yourself! But boy, am I glad I wasn’t in this poor girls shoes…
With all the pop culture references and perfectly written action and gore, this one will suck you right in!
One last note before we move on to the next section, E.C. crushes the timeline here with the light references to the pandemic. We see N95 masks mentioned, while shopping the arrows on the floor are followed, an elbow is used to open a door, and a couple times, the six-feet guideline is referenced. If authors are looking for ways to set the timeline in their stories in regard to COVID-19 without overdoing it, take note of the work here!
My Favorite Passages from Wicked Blood
Had I known what would happen to my family in October of 2020, I might have done something to stop it.
I traveled through a series of zigzags until I located my brothers, still in masks, mind you. They both snored in the corner of the room. It concerned me that they would wear these rubbery things throughout the day. The fact that they slept with them on spoke to the condition of their mental state.
We were going through hell and we, like it or not, had to keep going.
My Final Thoughts on Wicked Blood
If you’re a horror reader that enjoys tales that play out like films while reading, this one is going to be a hit for you! Reading this tale is like watching a scary movie through your fingers; you’ll be terrified of what is to come, but you also can’t wait to see it all play out!
Go preorder your copy of this today!
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