taelyr's reviews
531 reviews

The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

Well, I thought I was going to love this book about 40% of the way through. However, I feel like it ended up falling a little flat for me. I think it built up and built up, then steadily fell without a real climax or resolution. 

Wen is an autistic and adorable girl, and I love Andrew and Eric's banter. Leonard, as well at the others are all interesting characters too. The premise is AMAZING, which makes it such a bummer it fell so flat. Other then the graphic scenes, I'm not so sure this ticks the horror box for me either. I just really wanted more. 

The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

This may be my favorite Riley Sager Book. The twists in this one were so well done and perfectly timed. Although I knew one major one, everything else just blew me away. Highly reccomend!!

Deadstream by Mar Romasco-Moore
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.

I DNF this book at 10% because it is genuinely not for me. So I will not be giving a star rating. 

It is very much written in chat speak and stream speak, live as if your watching it actually happening. Time stamps and everything. I personally don't think it works, but im sure some will love it.

Never Lie by Freida McFadden

mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I read this in one sitting. A fast paced fun thriller with a fair amount of twists I did not see coming. 

This was my first Freida McFadden book and I will probably continue to read her books based on this one. The story flew by and was really fun. My only complaint is that one twist was hinted at SO MUCH, you quickly realize that's indeed not the twist. I wish it would have been more subtle, that way the payoff would have been bigger. 

Thrum by Meg Smitherman

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Wow. I absolutely loved this book. It has me on the edge of my seat and wondering what the hell was coming next. 

Ami is on a ship bound for deep space to find alien life, and boy does she find it. You follow her as she questions her sanity, her memories, and what she knows. 

A very quick read and I highly reccomend. 

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.75

This may be my favorite Sager book so far. The vibes in this story were immaculate, and with the dual stories running parallel through the book it really made it soooo hard to put this down. 

Your basically reading the novel from the book, House of Horrors, at the same time your watching Maggie experiance going back to the house to discover what was truth and what was fiction. There plenty of twists and turns, some predictable and some not. The eerie haunted house vibe was phenomenal though, it gave me the chills. 

Adored the writing, the story, and characters! 

Sour Candy by Kealan Patrick Burke

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I want you to go into this book blind. It's so worth it. I loved it. Short, sweet, freaky, and scary.

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.

I do not think the writing style is for me and I cannot stand any of the characters so far. 

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

adventurous mysterious 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? No

4.0

I saw some twists coming, but not others. As it seems to be a theme with me and Riley Sager books. Overall I really enjoyed this one! I liked the twist and what it ended up being about, but I think the characters really carried this story. 

Stephen by Amy Cross

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Sweet Moses... First I really like how this was written, basically Beryl is writing this book to us (the reader) and it worked so well. Second there were definitely some twists I did not see coming in this one. What a wild ride! This was brutal, sickening, unsettling, and good! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, and Blood