night_shift's reviews
73 reviews

Monsters We Have Made by Lindsay Starck

challenging reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

The First Time I Saw Her by Jae Mazer

challenging dark mysterious sad fast-paced

4.5

In this intense, bloody, and sometimes nauseating coming-of-age tale, we follow Anna and her mother who arrive in a secluded, forested commune fleeing a dark event and running directly into another.
I was really drawn in by the mystery here, the strange characters that revolve around Anna, the witchy vibes, and most importantly, the bad-assness of Anna's mother and their strong relationship (which was super refreshing). That climax was so distressing and is absolutely not for the faint of heart. 
Anna was an interesting character to follow and I'm really interested in seeing where she goes in the next two of this trilogy.
Also, thanks to HellBound Books for the free copy!

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix

dark funny tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Exploring family bonds and secrets and generational trauma manifest, this follows Louise who's home to bury her parents and to settle affairs with her brother, Mark. One such affair is selling their parent's house, which they find particularly difficult due to the walking, talking, violent puppets.
Enjoyed this one a lot, loved seeing Louise and Mark repair their sibling bond and absolutely some of the creepiest puppets I've ever read about haha Another bangers from Hendrix! Can't wait to get to Witchcraft for Wayward Girls!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail

A Lonely Broadcast: Book One by Kel Byron

adventurous dark reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

Dug this concept a lot. The forest was a nightmare, loved it. Wish we got more of the why, but enjoyed watching the characters grow.

The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington

adventurous dark 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? Yes

3.5

Pretty entertaining YA horror with a fun cast of characters (I especially dug Gael, being a horror movie buff myself) that were really diverse and I loved seeing how they interconnected and developed. This would be a cool one to see on screen! I'll say, I'd guessed the demon itself was one of two people although I couldn't figure how by the in book logic, but then the ending reveal had me reeling because I didn't fully buy that? It was hilarious, but still.

Brainwyrms by Alison Rumfitt

challenging dark medium-paced

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

3.5

It took me forever to read this because some parts are just so disgusting (or just difficult to read when it's pages and pages of run-on blocks of texts that literally gave me anxiety reading lol). But I loved the jab at certain TERFs and what a bonkers ending 😵‍💫

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Sexual content, and Transphobia

Cranberry Cove by Hailey Piper

dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Definitely very dreadful, in a good way. Pretty bummed about my dude, what a way to go.

The Only Safe Place Left Is the Dark by Warren Wagner

dark emotional 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

3.5

I really liked the zombies here because woof would that be terrible and terrifying, but felt this could've been fleshed out more. It didn't give you enough time with the characters and things just seem to happen, in consequence. I fully cringed at a lot of the survival things that went on here. You're not gunna want to dig out shotgun pellets with plyers, that's only going to make it worse. Please don't use gun powder to try and cauterize a wound that's a very good way to go septic and die.
I did like the bit with them at the 'cult' but that definately felt the most rushed of everything.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Loop by Kōji Suzuki

adventurous informative mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

So weird. I haven't watched all the Ring movies, but I highly doubt they go in this direction. Genuinely surprised as to how this story played out! It definately morphed from horror into scifi though, which isn't super my jam..

Notice by Alan Garganus, Heather Lewis
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.

I dunno man. Personally, couldn't push through. Just not in the right head state, I'll give.