atomicbbgum's reviews
170 reviews

Man Made Monsters by Andrea L. Rogers

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

Man Made Monsters is a generational tale of horrors that haunt a family’s bloodline with literal and metaphorical  monsters. We have some tales told in first person POV, and in others we get told a two-sided story of written letters between family members of their preoccupations at the times, all carefully intertwined. We get tales, we get absolutely amazing illustrations, lore about the Cherokee tribe and their struggles throughout generations, including supernatural monsters and, of course,the worst of all, humanity. This was a fascinating read, where I had some parts that were really enthralling and others where it fell flat. I struggled at times to finish a part of the story and had to go back and reread others. It was enjoyable, but it was work. I was given the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review by NetGalley. 

The Afters: Book Two by Christopher O'Connell

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

The Afters: Book Two as the name states is book two of a dystopian post-apocalyptic book series, where we have “zombies” or infected, but with a twist. In the book we follow the life and survival of our found family Charlie, Kalila, Trey and sweet Ellie as they navigate the eastern coast of what's left of the USA and find themselves in trouble during a storm. Where they escape what could have been a possible hurricane they find themselves in a new place, and we are introduced to an array of new characters, places and feelings, oh so many feelings.

If you have read book one and thought damn this is good, the sequel is never any better… WRONG! This book is honest proof that the son is better than the father! We have new characters to fall in love with, new characters to absolutely hate and wish the earth could just swallow them up and give them slow, painful and agonizing death and we have sweet, sweet Ellie, who can do no wrong and must be protected at all costs.

I’ve laughed, I’ve had my adrenaline kick in with the action pack and fast pace at times and most importantly I’ve cried, and I haven’t cried like this over fictional characters in a while, whereas I’ve shed a few tears here and there with other books I’ve read I bawled my eyes. All I know is that I need a book three expeditiously, because I cannot go on without it. So please Chris, may I call you Chris? No? I’m going to anyway ... I NEED BOOK 3. 

I was given the privilege to read this absolute gem of a sequel by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I ordered my physical copies of both book one and two, absolutely recommend these books! What are you waiting for? Go on!

Fears: Tales of Psychological Horror by Ellen Datlow

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

4.0

 

Fears tales of psychological horror is a cornucopia of curated horror short stories, where some of them are straight chilling, others leave you wondering what the hell did I just read? Personally some could’ve been a whole small novel on their own, whereas in others I was lost for words, in a literal sense. It’s a roll the dice kinda book, you might get your lucky number and read a really good one or you might just be left wondering at what time you should take a nap this upcoming weekend. Overall I enjoyed this book, some of the stories that stood out to me the most are as follows:

Bait by Simon Bestwick- A bar onlooker keeps witnessing another pub patron stalk and possibly do unspeakable things to inebriated gals as they’re leaving the bar, he finally decided to take action one night and he’s met with the switcheroo of his life. 

The Pelt by Annie Neugebauer- A young couple living semi off grid in a plentiful land find a pelt of an unknown animal left by an anonymous somebody and things start to not add up.

The Donner Party by Dale Bailey - Mrs. Breen life is elevated to a new level in the higher class society when Lady Donner invites her to partake in a rather unorthodox dinner, but things can go awry if you so much decline an invitation and later she learns there is a high price to pay to enjoy such a tender and succulent meal.

Back Seat by Bracken MacLeod - A little girl and her Dad navigate the harshness of life while being homeless and while trying to score a bit of change, the change is delivered via a back seat find.

Cavity by Theresa DeLucci- How many times have you walked by a killer and not known?

21 Brooklands: next to Old Western, opposite the burnt out Red Lion by Carole Johnstone

Some people have really fucked up families, and family friends, but things change when there is a power outage and there is a stranger in the house. 

There are a few others that are notable and great reads but in the fear of turning this into a complete essay or spoiling some of the fun we will leave it at that. I do recommend this if you enjoy different perspectives of the human mind and what makes us the most terrifying monster in the dark. I received this e-book via NetGalley to read and give an honest review and I do thank them since some of these tales have left a sour taste in my mouth, and with horror, what is better than to be left with an aftertaste?

 

A House at the Bottom of a Lake by Josh Malerman

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was a good, fast paced claustrophobic read! In this thriller/mystery with a tinge of horror you follow a young couple blossoming their yet to be relationship, and on their first date they come about a house... in the middle of a lake... submerged... and with curiosity they investigate further on why, how and again why is this seemingly flawless house it's doing at the bottom of a lake. It's fast, it's claustrophobic,  it's a thrill.

The Black Hunger by Nicholas Pullen

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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? No

5.0

In this captivating, highly atmospheric, and engrossing gothic-apocalyptic novel, The Black Hunger, we first begin at the end. We are introduced to one of our main character John Sackville as he scribbles his odyssey and speaks his forbidden lost love, Garrett, as he unravels the tale from the beginning introducing himself at the dawn of his youth, and his academic journey as a scholar that takes him an epic journey through Asia and somehow his fate becomes intertwined with a occult buddhist cult and how they plan to bring about the end of the world. 


It starts slowly and reels you in with forbidden love in a gothic scenery, then it pulls you close and grips you with fascination of horrors to come. There are other POV in this novel that I cannot describe without spoiling the book but Jesus Christ. This has been a highly emotional, atmospheric, and enthralling book from beginning to end. I was so engrossed from the very start that I gasped audibly when I finished it knowing there was not more to be read. I wish it would be a second book to come, but things ended so beautifully that I would not blame the author for not continuing. The way the author describes the scenery, the way he introduces new characters and wraps around, and weaves in prior characters that you thought to be passing, it was masterful. 


It is an epic gothic horror novel that you MUST read this fall if you love gothic, heavy world building and fantastic horror tales! 


I was given the honor to read this before it came out via NetGalley as an e-book in exchange for an honest review, and I'm oh so ever grateful for it!  I have made my pre-order for the physical book because I loved it so much!  

Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I really wanted to like this more than I did. The premises and the story were there, but it didn't flow as well together like it needed to. Felt like a feverish dream that was rushed and the ending left too much to be wanted, I enjoyed it but felt forced. 3/5 

Houses of the Unholy by Jacob Phillips, Ed Brubaker, Ed Brubaker Sean Phillips

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Sometimes, you can't escape your past. This graphic novel was a short but good psychological thrill. I didn't know what was real or not. The art was enthralling, and the story leaves you wanting for more. I wish it was a little longer, or if there's a second book, I'm interested in reading what happens next. Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me to read this ARC. The book is out now if you want to know what's haunting Natalie Burns.

I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin

adventurous funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Buckle the fuck up because you’re in for a wild ride! Jason Pargin newest book, and stand alone novel is one hell of a hilarious thrill. We start off strong with our forum dweller, twitch streamer and alleged incel Abbott aka Abbadon is doing his side gig as a lyft driver and receives one ride request that would change the course of his life, when he arrives there is a girl hauling a large black box that offers him a large sum of cash but with a few conditions: no phones, no questions and most importantly, can’t look inside the box. This book is like a chocolate box of different points of view, it also gives you a perspective of what happens when you let the internet spin its own web of a tale and let people run with it like it is the truth. It’s hilarious, its fast paced and you can’t put it down because you need to know, WHAT’S IN THE FUCKING BOX? I already pre-ordered my book, so this was a sneak peak for me of one of my most anticipated reads of the year from one of my all time favorite authors. I want to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read this amazing ARC.

Withered Hill by David Barnett

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective 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

5.0

Let's start from the end, and meet at the beginning. In this  gem of a  folk horror novel written by  David Barnett makes his debut as a horror writer after writing other genres and he goes all in with Withered Hill! We follow our MC Sophie through an out of order tale of her life and misfortunes that have guided her to Withered Hill and with every night there's more of the mystery uncovered. Just when you think you know what's going on, it pulls the rug from under your feet and lays you flat on your ass! This book was so good! A must read for the fall! Thank you NetGalley for allowing to experience this ARC

A Haunted Girl by Ethan Sacks, Naomi Sacks

dark emotional informative reflective 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? No

5.0

A beautifully illustrated and depicted story of Cleo, our MC and her struggles with depression with a side of supernatural fuckery. It was a short and sweet comic, I wish there was more of it. The story was really good, and the art is top tier. It also gives you helpful information for people struggling with mental health. Thank you, NetGalley, for allowing me to experience this comic!