nwreader's review against another edition
4.0
A solid horror novella about grief, regret, growing old and relationships.
It follows the life of a guy who had a terrible, abusive childhood after his younger sister does from an accidental drowning. He goes through life with that regret and once he is in his 70's he believes he is in contact when his young sister again through reincarnation. Maybe he can make it up to her and get solace.
I thought this was pretty good and successfully tells a full story in a short number of pages. I flew through it pretty quickly and was actually tickled at the fact reincarnation was brought up since I've been recently reading more books on the topic. The main character is a tragic one so the ending was getting imo.
Again, this was pretty good. Reminded me of a Tales from the Crypt episode. I was entertained.
It follows the life of a guy who had a terrible, abusive childhood after his younger sister does from an accidental drowning. He goes through life with that regret and once he is in his 70's he believes he is in contact when his young sister again through reincarnation. Maybe he can make it up to her and get solace.
I thought this was pretty good and successfully tells a full story in a short number of pages. I flew through it pretty quickly and was actually tickled at the fact reincarnation was brought up since I've been recently reading more books on the topic. The main character is a tragic one so the ending was getting imo.
Again, this was pretty good. Reminded me of a Tales from the Crypt episode. I was entertained.
erinmae's review against another edition
5.0
Another amazing story from Ducharme. This book disturbed me in ways that even extreme horror novels did not. Bonus points on the mention of the Adrienne Forest from “Come Forth in Thaw”.
theseliterarydelights's review against another edition
4.0
This novella was quite well-written and I quickly devoured it in a single sitting. While not particularly horrific until the final pages, the story does a wonderful job of creating visceral responses within the reader throughout the narrative. Del is a survivor of severe trauma and abuse by his parents and lives his years feeling guilty, lonely, and worthless. It is easy to feel sympathetic toward Del, even when his delusions and madness reach their most despicable and tragic depths. I very much enjoyed reading Alessa’s Melody and encourage you to pick up a copy when it’s released on October 6th, as well as check out Ducharme’s other novella, Ceremony of Ashes.
Thanks so much to Jayson Robert Ducharme for sending a copy my way!
Thanks so much to Jayson Robert Ducharme for sending a copy my way!
curiosityboughtthebook's review
4.0
Louis Delacroix is an old man haunted by his past. He lost his little sister some 50 years prior and has never gotten over her death. Now, he works as a butler for a steel tycoon, who also happens to be one of his best friends. As they prepare for his boss’ families arrival to the estate, Louis knows his friend will soon be leaving this world. Soon, Louis finds himself faced with a young girl, who seems way too familiar and he finds himself spiraling out of control.
Louis himself is one heartbreaking character, and I truly felt for him. His retelling of his childhood was dreadful and sad. His mental breakdown and spiraling was quick and effective, I just wish it would have been a bit slower. It was hard reading about him going from so caring and thoughtful, to so violent in such a short time frame. But, I know this was most likely done on purpose, to make it seem more drastic. I just wish it would have been fleshed out a bit more.
Jayson Robert Ducharme has every right to label his novella Alessa’s Melody as Gothic horror. I’ve noticed in the past, that some books labeled as such don’t fit into the genre at all. But after reading Ducharme’s work, I fully endorse this description. It has the perfect gothic atmosphere and his writing style is dark and dramatic.
Thanks to the author for providing me a copy of the book for review! Also, thanks so much for including me in the acknowledgments for the launch team.
Louis himself is one heartbreaking character, and I truly felt for him. His retelling of his childhood was dreadful and sad. His mental breakdown and spiraling was quick and effective, I just wish it would have been a bit slower. It was hard reading about him going from so caring and thoughtful, to so violent in such a short time frame. But, I know this was most likely done on purpose, to make it seem more drastic. I just wish it would have been fleshed out a bit more.
Jayson Robert Ducharme has every right to label his novella Alessa’s Melody as Gothic horror. I’ve noticed in the past, that some books labeled as such don’t fit into the genre at all. But after reading Ducharme’s work, I fully endorse this description. It has the perfect gothic atmosphere and his writing style is dark and dramatic.
Thanks to the author for providing me a copy of the book for review! Also, thanks so much for including me in the acknowledgments for the launch team.
michaelrgoodwin's review
4.0
In this novella by Ducharme, we follow Louis Delacroix, an old man who has isolated himself after a tragic accident when he was a boy. When the past appears to have circled back in his old age, he struggles to accept the truth and finds that his reality is incrediblly fragile.
This story is beautifully written. It is tragic, haunting, and painful. You cannot help but feel the loneliness and pain the main character has endured throughout his life, and I found myself hoping that this poor man would finally receive some resolution in the sunset of his life. The ending was brutal but understandable, a stark resolution of reality.
ALESSA'S MELODY is highly recommended, and I look forward to reading more by this author.
This story is beautifully written. It is tragic, haunting, and painful. You cannot help but feel the loneliness and pain the main character has endured throughout his life, and I found myself hoping that this poor man would finally receive some resolution in the sunset of his life. The ending was brutal but understandable, a stark resolution of reality.
ALESSA'S MELODY is highly recommended, and I look forward to reading more by this author.
theseliterarydelights's review
4.0
This novella was quite well-written and I quickly devoured it in a single sitting. While not particularly horrific until the final pages, the story does a wonderful job of creating visceral responses within the reader throughout the narrative. Del is a survivor of severe trauma and abuse by his parents and lives his years feeling guilty, lonely, and worthless. It is easy to feel sympathetic toward Del, even when his delusions and madness reach their most despicable and tragic depths. I very much enjoyed reading Alessa’s Melody and encourage you to pick up a copy when it’s released on October 6th, as well as check out Ducharme’s other novella, Ceremony of Ashes.
Thanks so much to Jayson Robert Ducharme for sending a copy my way!
Thanks so much to Jayson Robert Ducharme for sending a copy my way!
booklovingcatmom's review
4.0
This little novella packs a huge emotional punch and I’m still thinking about it even after returning the book to the shelf.
It’s horrific but also very moving and I wish there were more pages to it. Jayson Robert Ducharme is a name to remember and I’m already on board for whatever he is writing next. And check out that fabulous cover by the one and only elderlemon design
It’s horrific but also very moving and I wish there were more pages to it. Jayson Robert Ducharme is a name to remember and I’m already on board for whatever he is writing next. And check out that fabulous cover by the one and only elderlemon design
nwreader's review
4.0
A solid horror novella about grief, regret, growing old and relationships.
It follows the life of a guy who had a terrible, abusive childhood after his younger sister does from an accidental drowning. He goes through life with that regret and once he is in his 70's he believes he is in contact when his young sister again through reincarnation. Maybe he can make it up to her and get solace.
I thought this was pretty good and successfully tells a full story in a short number of pages. I flew through it pretty quickly and was actually tickled at the fact reincarnation was brought up since I've been recently reading more books on the topic. The main character is a tragic one so the ending was getting imo.
Again, this was pretty good. Reminded me of a Tales from the Crypt episode. I was entertained.
It follows the life of a guy who had a terrible, abusive childhood after his younger sister does from an accidental drowning. He goes through life with that regret and once he is in his 70's he believes he is in contact when his young sister again through reincarnation. Maybe he can make it up to her and get solace.
I thought this was pretty good and successfully tells a full story in a short number of pages. I flew through it pretty quickly and was actually tickled at the fact reincarnation was brought up since I've been recently reading more books on the topic. The main character is a tragic one so the ending was getting imo.
Again, this was pretty good. Reminded me of a Tales from the Crypt episode. I was entertained.
roxiethebookslayer's review
2.0
Title: Alessa's Melody
Author: Jason Robert Ducharme
Synopsis: Having been responsible for the death of his sister fifty years before, the lonesome and grief-stricken Louis Delacroix works as the butler of a mountain estate belonging to a dying steel tycoon. His fragile world falls to pieces upon the arrival of a young girl, who possesses a special and familiar talent that threatens to drive Louis over the edge.
Publisher: Self-published
Rating: ⭐⭐
Publishing Date: October 6, 2020
Alessa's Body is a fairly standard gothic novella about a man who is haunted by survivor guilt. I didn't hate it, but I didn't really like it either. I know! I hate saying that, I wanted to love it, but it felt very cliche at times and I was often told rather than shown by the author.
Thank you to the author for a gifted copy of "Alessa's Melody" in exchange for a honest review.
mymidnightbooks's review
2.0
I probably didn't get this book, seen the amount of good reviews on here. But this for me wasn't a horror story. No tension, nothing creepy, just an old sad man who is haunted by his past and in the end loses his mind. I was expecting more, although it was not a bad story, just not a psychological horror...
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