Book Review: Outlaw Planet by M.R. Carey
Posted on December 27, 2025 5 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Orbit (November 18, 2025)
Length: 465 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
There was a time when picking up a new M.R. Carey novel was almost always a safe bet for me, but admittedly his work in recent years has been more hit-or-miss. That said, this is because he’s always pushing himself to try new ideas, which I admire, even when it doesn’t always click for me as a reader. His sci-fi in particular has grown increasingly cerebral and info-dense, packed with mind-blowing concepts that I can still appreciate on an intellectual level while struggling with the reading experience itself.
Outlaw Planet is once again Carey taking a big swing at something different, this time a genre mashup blending space opera and classic Western into a story that’s ambitious and strange, interesting even if it didn’t always hold my attention. As a note, while the novel is technically set in the same universe as his Pandominion books, it works perfectly well as a standalone, and no prior knowledge is required to jump right in. The sentient, bipedal characters featured here are animal-descended beings evolved from various Earth mammals in different parallel worlds, and the plot focuses primarily on Elizabeth Indigo Sandpiper, a canid-descended schoolteacher who journeys far from home to settle in a rough fronter town on the edge of the State’s Union. But when a brutal raid destroys her home and kills the woman she loves, Elizabeth joins a rebellion force, becoming the feared and infamous outlaw known as Dog-Bitch Bess.
Alongside Bess’s journey, the novel also introduces a second thread occurring in another timeline that follows Vel Esten, a military engineer involved with a Pandominion strike team that gets stranded on an unfamiliar world whose inhabitants are being enslaved and subjected to terrible experimentation. Our two storylines eventually converge, as Bess picks up an unlikely traveling companion in the form of sentient weapon of mysterious origin. Calling itself Wakeful Slim, the “smart gun” soon proves to be both the outlaw’s most powerful and faithful ally as well as one of the most intriguing aspects of the book.
As the author gradually pulls together the connections between his story threads and characters, they reveal a bigger picture with much to say about the hardships and injustices of a world caught in a forever war. A lot of this is accomplished through the world-building, portraying the setting as a harsh product of its history marked by centuries of colonialism and slavery. Its inhabitants are described as anthropomorphic animals, though their behaviors, motivations, and personalities are so similar to ours they might as well be humans. Not surprisingly, given the book title, Western tropes also abound with an overall sense of lawlessness with bandits, gunslingers, and dusty frontier towns.
That said, the sheer amount of content to digest means Outlaw Planet is not an especially fast or light read. The pacing is mixed, with some parts coming at you fast in erratic bursts while others drag, particularly the middle stretch when readers are still trying to figure out how everything is related. During those sections, there’s not much happening on the page while big movements are unfolding beneath surface. If it weren’t for the characters, I might have thought about putting this one aside, but Bess proved emotionally engaging enough that I felt invested in what happens to her. Every time we returned to her perspective, I felt invigorated again with my interest in the story renewed. Carey does a careful and meaningful job of showing Bess’s transformation through the different stages of her journey, and her relationship with Wakeful Slim manages to become humorous and unexpectedly moving all at once without it feeling gimmicky.
In the end, Outlaw Planet didn’t always hold my attention as strongly as I’d hoped, but it made up for that with some big ideas and standout characters. While it’s not even close to being my favorite novel by M.R. Carey, it’s also a solid and memorable one from him that I enjoyed. It’s perfect for readers looking for unique genre mashups and stories that aren’t afraid to explore some heavy, uncomfortable themes. As long as you’re prepared and willing to power through some slow moving bits, this book is an adventure worth checking out.
Book Review: Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree
Posted on December 24, 2025 6 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 2 of Legends & Lattes
Publisher: Tor Books (November 11, 2025)
Length: 336 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
After how much fun I had with Legends & Lattes, I was more than happy to return to Travis Baldree’s cozy fantasy world for Brigands & Breadknives. I’ll say up front though, somehow I missed Bookshops & Bonedust, the prequel novel that was released in between, which involves a prominent character in this one. Thankfully, that never became an issue, as apparently all the books in this series can be enjoyed as standalones. I never felt like I was missing anything crucial, and what Baldree delivers here is once again a low-stakes character-driven fantasy, though I found I loved it even more with the increased action, journeying, and contemplation.
In Brigands & Breadknives, we follow Fern, a rattkin bookseller who, despite running a shop in the city alongside her best friend’s thriving coffeehouse, finds herself deeply unsatisfied and increasingly restless. She knows she should be happy with her comfortable, charmed life. Business is booming, she’s surrounded by people who care about her, and everything seems to be going right. And yet, Fern can’t shake the feeling that something is missing. And so, acting on a drunken impulse one night, she secretly stows away on the wagon of Astryx One-Ear, a legendary elf adventurer turned bounty hunter, only to wake up far from home on a rickety road with a pounding headache and no small amount of regret.
Still, turning back didn’t feel like an option. At least, not yet. For one, she’s curious about her traveling companions, which, in addition to the stoic Astryx, includes her current bounty who is a strange and erratic goblin named Zyll. Determined to prove that she’s made of sterner stuff, Fern decides to stick around and see where this reckless decision might lead. Very quickly, however, the journey proves more dangerous than she anticipated, even for someone who thought she knew what she was getting into. Bandits, rival bounty hunters, and a prisoner who refuses to stay put are all complications that upend their plans. As Fern travels farther away from home and from the friend she left behind, with only the piles of unsent letters to mark the days, she’s forced to confront some uncomfortable truths about herself, her choices and dreams, and what she truly wants out of life.
If you loved Legends & Lattes, there is a very good chance you will enjoy Brigands & Breadknives as well. That said, there is a noticeable shift in vibe as things take a sharp turn away from the familiar routines of a slice-of-life fantasy, diving headfirst instead into the more action-oriented and quest-focused side of the genre. Personally, I loved it. While I can certainly find myself appreciating a story that focuses on the mundane and everyday experiences of characters, I’ll also never say no to higher stakes and a faster pace. And to put it simply, this sequel felt like a rollicking fantasy road trip. Granted, it’s not like Fern, Astryx, and Zyll are on some grand, world-saving mission, but still I delighted in the more traditionally adventurous tone this story exhibited. Plus, the fun and approachable style of Baldree’s writing continues unchanged, and it’s so easy to relax and slide right back into the easy prose.
But as ever, the characters are the best part. Fern is good at what she does, and she’s built a life around what she thinks she wants, only to find herself burned out in a way she can’t quite explain. That confusion leaves her feeling guilty and a little lost, especially since, from the outside, her life looks just about perfect. Running away from her problems probably isn’t the smartest choice she’s ever made, but it’s easier than facing the disappointment she imagines on the faces of the people she loves back home. Then there’s Astryx, a tough, no-nonsense bounty hunter who’s been doing this long enough that very little rattles her anymore. She moves through life with competence but also a kind of weariness that suggests she’s seen it all. Finally, throw in Zyll, the wild card of the group, who is random chaos incarnate. Oh, and there’s a breadknife too! The result? Instant mayhem with a surprising amount of heart.
In the end, Brigands & Breadknives offers a slight shift in tone from Legends & Lattes universe, but it’s definitely not an unwelcome one. It’s still a lot of fun, warm and character-focused…just with more swordfights! A very enjoyable read and I’m happy to keep coming back to this world.
Book Review: The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow
Posted on December 19, 2025 9 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Tor Books (October 28, 2025)
Length: 320 pages
Author Information: Website
Obviously, Alix E. Harrow is a writer I admire; I wouldn’t have read so many of her books if I didn’t. But there’s just something about The Everlasting that feels different. Not only is it a huge step forward in both execution and ambition, it’s also on a whole other level for the author.
The story follows Owen Mallory, a former soldier whose recent life choices seem to have only deepened the disappointment of his devoted but demanding father. After returning home from war, Owen decides to try his hand at being a scholar, inspired by his lifelong fascination with the legendary lady knight known as Una Everlasting. It is said that Sir Una’s gallantry and sacrifices helped establish the great nation of Dominion when she fought alongside its founder, Queen Yvanne. Over the centuries, however, these stories have become further ingrained into the country’s culture and mythology, blurring the lines between truth and fiction, thus inspiring Owen to uncover who the true Una was behind the songs and tales.
Out of nowhere, he catches a huge break. A surprise arrives for him in the form of an artifact so rare that its existence is almost mythical, a book called The Death of Una Everlasting, which is supposedly a firsthand account of what happened to the knight in her final days. Then, upon his examination of the book, Owen receives another shock: contained within its pages is a means of sending him back to the distant past, to the time when Una Everlasting still lived. Of course, it’s not every day a man gets to meet his hero, but soon, he discovers there may be more to his role than simply being an observer. History is fluid, and there are forces insisting that it flows a certain way, even once Owen and Una find each other and try time and time again to forge the future that they want for themselves.
Quite simply, The Everlasting is a gorgeous story, displaying a complexity and confidence I hadn’t seen from Harrow until now, and honestly, not from many authors at all. This novel genuinely surprised me, the way it took bold risks with its structure and a unique approach to its themes. Inspired by chivalric lore but also involving time traveling elements, it shines a light on the way readers look at stories themselves. Like, what versions of history survive, and why? And what gets left behind when that is decided?
Of course, the time travel aspect can be disorienting, but then again, time travel almost always is. What makes The Everlasting work despite this dizzying confusion is how unapologetically it embraces it. The repetition and time loops are woven into the shifting POVs, reinforcing the book’s questions about free will and sacrifice. Yes, this story demands patience and, granted, I wasn’t always in the most patient mood, but I’m glad I stuck it out because the payoff is massive as patterns started emerging and earlier scenes took on new meanings.
Also, no review of The Everlasting would be complete without mentioning the phenomenal character work. The love story at the heart of this book wouldn’t be so powerful if our protagonists weren’t written so well. Owen, who begins as a stuffy scholar with an unhealthy obsession, gradually comes into his own, growing into someone capable of real courage and passion with the heart of a hero. Una, meanwhile, transforms from the symbolic and distant figure we know from Owen’s time into a fully realized human being once we meet her in the flesh, complete with hopes and dreams. Already aware of the legend she is destined to be, and struggling under the weight of those expectations, she and the starstruck Owen start off awkwardly at first, but pretty soon that relationship slowly builds toward trust and comfort. Eventually, their bond deepens to the point where their struggle to hold on to one another, even as fate works relentlessly to pull them apart, is what makes the story so gut-wrenchingly emotional.
By the time I reached the final page, it was clear this is Alix E. Harrow’s best work yet. It’s no exaggeration to say this is a novel that stays with you. It is melancholic and touching, exploring the messy relationship between love and difficult choices. It is also a story that feels classic and timeless, both thematically and in tone. In that sense, it reminded me strongly of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, another story that buried me in an avalanche of feels. Suffice it to say, every glowing review you’ve seen for The Everlasting is on to something. This is one I wholeheartedly recommend.
Book Review: The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers
Posted on December 15, 2025 8 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Redhook (November 18, 2025)
Length: 374 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
I can never say no to a book about books, especially when its concept involves a magical bookstore complete with dangerous bargains and secret societies. The Bookshop Below by Georgia Summers boasts all the right ingredients on paper, so it was no surprise it drew me in. That said, it also moved more slowly than I would have preferred, which is probably why it failed to fully click despite its lovely atmosphere and gorgeously written prose.
The story follows Cassandra Fairfax, a former protégé of Chiron, the enigmatic owner of a magical bookshop hidden below the city. Some years ago, however, a rift formed between them, and she was cast out from the only home she ever knew. Left to fend for herself, Cass became a book thief to survive, using her intimate knowledge of powerful ink magic to earn money through less-than-legal means. But when word reaches her that Chiron has died under suspicious circumstances, leaving the bookshop in her name, she is pulled back into the world she thought she’d left behind.
At first, our protagonist is content to settle back into the honest life, selling books legitimately as the new owner of her mentor’s old shop. Soon, though, she realizes she may be in way over her head, especially when unpleasant surprises like rivals start showing up on her doorstep. One of them is Lowell Sharpe, an infuriatingly polished and arrogant (but also very handsome) fellow bookseller who seems determined to force Cass out and seize her bookshop for himself. As Cass struggles to reestablish herself, she finds support from Byron, her own protégé, even as secrets from their uneasy history threaten to surface. Still, with signs that the magical river powering the entire network of hidden bookshops is starting to fail, they may all have bigger problems on their hands.
First, the positives. For me, the writing is easily where The Bookshop Below shines the brightest. Summers tells this story with a soft, almost delicate touch that is a perfect match for the novel’s magical realism themes. From the hidden river of magic to the idea of ink having the immense (and sometimes deadly) power to change someone’s life, there’s a subtle darkness underlying the whole premise which I found appealing. Yet, there’s a caveat. Magical realism as a genre has always been a bit hit-or-miss for me, and the world-building here goes all in on the whimsical elements without really going into the details. Readers who prefer a little more explanation into the ins-and-outs will likely feel starved for more answers.
Still, another area in which the book excelled was character development and dynamics. Cass herself is a solid and interesting lead whose complex personally meshes convincingly with her morally iffy past. She’s strong and independent, and even though she has every reason to wallow in self-pity, she refuses to let her past mistreatment drag her down. By the time Lowell Sharpe enters her life, their enemies-to-lovers relationship is all but expected, but nevertheless I found their developing romance engaging. Lowell’s lovable pomposity ultimately grew on me, and watching his back-and-forth banter with Cass had to be some of my more enjoyable moments.
But now, we go into why I found myself a bit frustrated with this book, and as you can probably guess, it had a lot to do with the pacing. Granted, I get that the story unfolds at a leisurely pace by design, letting the atmosphere do all the heavy lifting, but this sometimes left me feeling disconnected with the world, scattering my focus as a result. I also really wish there had been more emphasis on the idea of the bookshop, but because we’re in Cass’s head so much, and because she commands such a dominant presence, it’s like we’re expected to just shut up and go along with it all without asking too many questions, so don’t get your hopes up about receiving more clarity or having any vagueness dispelled.
In the end, The Bookshop Below is a well-written, thoughtfully constructed fantasy novel that had a lot of great ideas but didn’t quite live up to its full potential for me. Of course, your mileage may vary, since I admittedly struggle with slower-paced and more abstract magical realism. I can see it working better for other readers who don’t have that difficulty, and especially if atmospheric vibes and strong characters are important for you, this one may be worth checking out.
Book Review: The Sound of the Dark by Daniel Church
Posted on December 11, 2025 7 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The Sound of the Dark by Daniel Church
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Angry Robot (October 28, 2025)
Length: 400 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
The Sound of the Dark is one of those books with a setup that makes you think you know exactly where it’s going…until suddenly, you don’t! This is my third Daniel Church novel, and I’m still amazed by how he can pull the rug from under you in the best way possible. What begins as a straightforward true-crime investigation gradually warps into something far stranger and darker than it first appears, and I found myself hooked even when I wasn’t sure what kind of story I was walking into.
The book follows Cally, host of a well-received but small-time true crime podcast called You Like it Darker, but life hasn’t been too kind to her lately. Dealing with depression and a failing relationship with her boyfriend, the things that used to give her joy and purpose just aren’t cutting it anymore. So, when a listener writes in with a tip suggesting she look into a lesser known 1983 case in which a mild-mannered family man suddenly snapped and murdered his wife and children in cold blood, Cally hopes this new project will spur her to get back on her feet.
Her research leads her to Warden Fell, a creepy abandoned military installation which has long since become the subject of whispers and urban legends in the area. It was reported that the man at the center of her case had gunned down his entire family after visiting this site, pointing to a possible connection. But interviews with others familiar with the investigation, including the killer’s sister and the medical examiner who remembers autopsying the bodies reveal details that are far stranger. Eventually, Cally catches a break in the form of the killer’s audio journals, discovered after visiting the old scene of the crime. However, at this point of no return, Cally begins to understand that she isn’t simply retracing the path of a man’s decent into madness. Rather, she’s quite literally becoming a part of it.
I loved the first half of this book, which reads almost like a straight mystery, following our protagonist as she dives headfirst into the nuts and bolts of investigative work. The pacing here is measured but deliberate, giving readers enough time to pick through the clues. We also get a clearer sense of who Cally is in this section: her frustrations at not being heard, the feeling of being stuck, and her struggle to find a sense of purpose. It makes her obsession with the strange aspects of the case feel that much more believable. After all, how does a husband and father who is by all accounts a gentle and nonviolent man suddenly decide to slaughter the people he loves in such a horrific way? Walden Fell is also wonderfully eerie once Cally gets there, an early sign that things are about to shift into something much darker, and indeed, this is just the beginning.
That said, the middle part of the book gets a bit shaky as we shift into the next phase. Here, the plot turns sharply into territory bordering on conspiracy theory fiction with a generous helping of supernatural and cosmic horror. At this point, I do think the author’s control slipped a little, as he tried juggling all these moving parts while still keeping Cally’s reactions true to her character and convincing. But on the flip side, the horror elements are fantastically well done, vivid and unsettling and full of grotesque body horror imagery. I had no idea Church had this talent in his writer’s toolbox.
And once the plot reaches full throttle, the book becomes hard to put down. A huge part of this is due to character work, both with Cally and the supporting cast. Stella, the eccentric actress we meet early on in the investigation, is a true standout and impossible not to like. Her scenes and dialogue with Cally are some of the best in the novel. Ellen, the young police officer who briefly becomes romantically involved with Cally also brings a steady, down-the-earth presence even if their relationship feels a bit rushed. Still, the dynamic between the three women in the final act is what makes the events of the ending both so chaotic and exciting, watching them come together to take down the big bad.
Final thoughts? The Sound of the Dark is a moody, slow-burn supernatural thriller that isn’t afraid to take its readers down some wild and twisty roads. Even though the plot gets a little tangled in places, it’s still an absorbing read that is undoubtedly memorable. And honestly, that’s what I look for in a book—something that leaves a strong lasting impression long after I’ve turned the last page.
Book Review: Turns of Fate by Anne Bishop
Posted on December 8, 2025 9 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of Isle of Wyrd
Publisher: Ace (November 11, 2025)
Length: 528 pages
Author Information: Website
As a big fan of Anne Bishop’s The Others series, anytime I see her return to the paranormal and urban fantasy genre, I’m immediately on board. And as it so happens, even though Turns of Fate introduces a brand-new world with brand-new characters, it carries that same uncanny atmospheric vibe that made The Others so memorable, and in many ways feels like a spiritual successor.
The story follows multiple perspectives, but the linchpin character holding it all together is Detective Beth Fahey, the newest member of Precinct 13’s investigative squad. Her department is in charge of liaising with the otherworldly residents of the Isle of Wyrd, a mysterious hidden realm that humans can only reach by taking a ferry to a controlled zone called Destiny Park. Beyond that is the Arcana, a place where the rules of our reality don’t always apply, and visitors enter at their own risk. Here, the laws of the Isle reign supreme, and breaking them can have dire consequences.
Still, Beth’s first assignment seemed straightforward enough, at least initially. Clues to a horrific murder-suicide case leads her to the Isle of Wyrd to inquire about a “ghost gun,” but of course, nothing about this place is ever simple. Her investigation ends up serving as a doorway to a strange chain of events that weave together the lives of several strangers, from a desperate woman seeking refuge from her abusive boyfriend to a teenager caught up in a dangerous game.
What struck me most about Turns of Fate was how character-driven it is despite its broad scope and multiple POVs. Sure, there are times when Beth feels like one side character of many, but even as the plot bends this way and that, it’s the people who anchor us to the bigger journey. The supporting cast is huge, but each character has a memorable role to play, especially as they showcase the different parts of the Arcana and the interactions that regular humans have with their inhabitants.
However, my favorite aspect of the book was the world-building, which is Bishop’s forte, after all. Much like in The Others, the world of Turns of Fate is one where humans coexist uneasily with beings far more ancient and powerful than they are, yet some are still foolish enough to test their limits. The Isle of Wyrd maintains its own boundaries and codes with a focus on bargains and contracts but is still willing to help visitors who come in good faith, opening Destiny Park to curious tourists who want to sightsee or to have their fortunes told. That said, Isle residents are extremely unforgiving when it comes to people trying to take advantage of their hospitality, and when you end up on the wrong side of their justice, no one can save you.
The world itself also feels oddly alive with its own unique logic. Time behaves differently, for example, and the Isle is also much larger than it appears, with trains that run forever and portals that lead to elsewhere. One gets the sense that, even if you had a lifetime, there would be no way to uncover all its secrets. And that’s exactly why the pacing works, with each chapter revealing just enough to keep your interest piqued, even when links between different characters may feel tenuous, or when some of the POV switches feel more like short vignettes. The narrative never feels unfocused, thanks to the overarching influence of the Isle of Wyrd which grounds the different storylines and ties them all together.
In conclusion, Turns of Fate is an excellent start to a new series, filled with the kind of richly imagined world-building that made me fall in love with Anne Bishop’s writing all over again. While the novel may share some themes with her previous work, it still feels fresh with touches that are comfortably familiar. Easily one of my favorite reads of the year, and I can’t wait to return to the Isle of Wyrd, so here’s hoping this marks the beginning of a long, exciting series.
Audiobook Review: The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong
Posted on November 29, 2025 7 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The Haunting of Paynes Hollow by Kelley Armstrong
Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Macmillan Audio (October 14, 2025)
Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Narrator: EJ Lavery
Kelley Armstrong has long been a must-read author for me, even if I can never quite keep up with how much she writes. She’s also incredibly versatile, jumping comfortably between genres like fantasy, sci-fi, thrillers, and horror, but I’ve always thought her darker stories are where she shines the most. The Haunting of Paynes Hollow absolutely falls into that category, and it’s one of her best.
The story follows Samantha Payne, whose life changed forever fourteen years ago when she caught her father burying the body of a local boy on the grounds of their family vacation property. However, he killed himself before he could face justice, leaving Sam to grow up in the shadow of his heinous crime—the daughter of a child murderer. Now, deeply in debt and struggling to pay for her ailing mother’s medical bills, the last thing she needs is another obligation on her plate. But when her grandfather passes away, she has no choice but to attend the reading of his will, despite being certain the miserable old man didn’t leave her a single penny.
In that, though, she was wrong. Instead of being cut out, Sam inherits the family’s valuable lakefront property, the very site of the incident that shattered her innocence and tore her family apart, provided she satisfies a number of conditions. Mainly, she will be required to stay on the estate for a whole month, wearing an ankle monitor to ensure that rules are being followed. At first, Sam’s instinct is to walk away, knowing full well that forcing her back to the place where she’ll have to relive her worst memories is her grandfather’s way of sticking it to her one last time. And yet, the property’s value, should she sell it, would be enough to solve all her financial woes, which ultimately proved too tempting to resist.
Believe me, there’s a lot more I could go into here, but I don’t want to risk spoiling the plot for anyone, as there’s just so much in The Haunting of Paynes Hollow that’s best experienced firsthand. What I will say is that Kelley Armstrong once again does an expert job building tension and mystery, and she is a natural when it comes to working in the psychological thrills and supernatural elements. Pacing was as perfect as can be, slow-building but relentless, which kept me on edge at all times. The world created around Sam is as intriguing as it is unsettling, especially when local folklore is injected into the plot, including the story’s own take on the legend of the Headless Horseman.
The writing itself is immersive and easy to get into, and Armstrong’s ability to layer suspense while developing her characters makes every twist hit harder, and there were indeed plenty of surprises. A strong supporting cast also helped draw me in emotionally despite how risky it is to become invested, since no one is truly safe when it comes to the author’s horror and thriller novels. By the time the story reaches its climax, you’re not only invested in the mystery but in Sam and those around her. And when all the answers finally come, the conclusion nails it with a mind-blowing reveal that has stayed with me long after finishing the book.
The audiobook format only made the experience even more enjoyable, capturing Sam’s escalating anxiety and fear the longer she stays on the cursed property. Narrator EJ Lavery’s performance was excellent, capturing the emotions of the character at just the right moments. For fans of isolated settings with a touch of otherworldly folklore, I can’t recommend this one enough.
All in all, The Haunting of Paynes Hollow balances atmospheric horror with a well-paced mystery, and the result is a story that grips you tightly and refuses to let go. Kelley Armstrong’s ability to blur the lines between the psychological and the supernatural makes this novel one of her most memorable in years.
Book Review: Ship of Spells by H. Leighton Dickson
Posted on November 24, 2025 16 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Ship of Spells by H. Leighton Dickson
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Series: Book 1 of Ship of Spells
Publisher: Red Tower Books (November 4, 2025)
Length: 512 pages
Author Information: Website | X
I’ve always found it hard to say no to a maritime fantasy, especially one that promises a magical ship, a scrappy crew, and adventures on the high seas. So, it’s really no surprise that Ship of Spells by H. Leighton Dickson completely sold me with its description. On paper, it sounded exactly like what I would enjoy: a pirate-themed voyage with a heavy dose of romance, the kind of setup that carries a nostalgic, old-school feel but with a modern twist. And for a while, it seemed like the book was going to deliver, but by the end, I confess my feelings for it became a lot more complicated.
The story follows Ensign Honor Renn, a Bluemage with the Oversea Navy until her ship was destroyed in a battle with an enemy vessel. Left stranded in the ocean clinging to a piece of wreckage, she is relieved when rescue finally comes, but not in the form she was expecting. The crew that pulls her out of the water is from none other than the mysterious and fabled Touchstone, the Ship of Spells long whispered of in seafaring lore. Its captain, Thanavar, comes from the southern region of the world known as the Nethersea, whose people wield a volatile magical substance called chimeric. He commands a diverse crew of outcasts who have found a home on the Touchstone, among them a faun, a minotaur, a harpy, and various other supernatural beings.
Renn is initially wary of Thanavar, both because she serves the Oversea Navy and because she does not trust the volatile nature of chimeric magic. But as she travels with him and his crew, she begins to uncover their larger purpose and the true stakes of the long-standing conflict between their peoples. Renn eventually realizes that she has been dropped into in the middle of a fragile political situation tied to the Dreadwall, a barrier that has kept their two sides from open war for generations. And now that peace is about to crumble. The same disaster that sunk Renn’s ship had also awakened an unpredictable magic within her, and Thanavar may be the key to helping her control it. Caught between her former loyalties and her growing connection to the Touchstone, our protagonist must adapt quickly to her abilities and her new life at sea if she hopes to prevent the tensions from erupting into full-scale war.
If a mix of high fantasy and naval grit is your thing, Ship of Spells will not disappoint. Dickson packs the novel with wall-to-wall atmosphere and classic maritime fixtures, and for me that remains the book’s true standout. The Touchstone itself is the highlight, along with its magic-touched crew whose diversity and quirks bring much of the story to life. So much so that I often wished we had more background on the cast to match how memorable they are on the page. For while the nautical aspects are excellent and clearly where most of the author’s attention went, the rest of the worldbuilding doesn’t always reach the same level. The setting is filled with magic, creatures, and intriguing ideas, but many of these elements feel dropped in rather than built from a strong foundation, as in they don’t quite feel lived-in or grown from within the context of the world.
Character work is also hit-or-miss. Some crew members feel way better developed, while others drift in and out of scenes without much to say or do, leaving only the faintest impression. Renn herself is thankfully more memorable, but she pretty much fits the mold of the young, flawed romantasy heroine, meaning impulsive and stubborn—but probably not in the endearing way the author intended. I certainly like the fact that Renn is a protagonist with real agency and not a passive one sitting around waiting for things to happen, but unfortunately, her tendency to leap headlong into situations that make her look stupid feels more like a genre cliché than a unique character trait.
As for the romance, I think this area is where I feel the most torn. It’s not often I wish for more of it. Usually, my issue with romantasy leans in the opposite direction, since too much romance often overshadows the plot and everything else. Here, though, the romantic thread is barely present for much of the book. There’s a lack of chemistry between Renn and Thanavar from the start. Their dynamic reads more like one between a hardass commander and reluctant subordinate than anything else. Definitely not sexy or alluring. Ironically, Renn shares more natural rapport with several other crew members than with the supposed love interest. By the time her relationship with Thanavar finally ramps up in the second half, it falls very flat. Don’t get me wrong, slowburn romances can be incredibly rewarding, but this one never even held a spark, and a romantasy with no payoff somehow feels even less satisfying than instalove.
In the end, Ship of Spells turned out to be a mixed bag for me. The Touchstone, the crew, and the sense of seafaring adventure were all high points. The first half especially hooked me with its swashbuckling action. However, where the book stumbles is its shaky worldbuilding and an unevenly paced romance leading to a lack of chemistry. Bottom line, if the romantasy label is what draws you in, be prepared that the romance side of the equation might be a little weak, but readers looking for a maritime-themed fantasy will find it delivers an enjoyable voyage.
Audiobook Review: The October Film Haunt by Michael Wehunt
Posted on November 21, 2025 7 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The October Film Haunt by Michael Wehunt
Mogsy’s Rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Macmillan Audio (Septmber 30, 2025)
Length: 14 hrs and 42 mins
Author Information: Website | X
Every once in a while, I’ll read a book where the intro and the first half will excite me, only to run into a second half that falls flat on its face. Thankfully this doesn’t happen a lot, but unfortunately The October Film Haunt by Michael Wehunt ended up being one of those reads, where the beginning hooked me early on but the further I went the more uneven things became.
The story follows Jorie Stroud, who was once part of a close-knit group of horror-obsessed friends calling themselves the October Film Haunt. The three of them would travel to the filming sites of their favorite scary movies, geek out over the experience before sharing their thoughts on a blog read by a large following. But one night, the trio pushed their luck with the wrong film, a little-known cult indie called Proof of Demons which is infamous for a scene featuring a ritual to open the gates of hell. Following their coverage, several impressionable teens were inspired to get involved themselves, and as a result, one of them died.
The repercussions were immediate. In the aftermath of all the criticism and accusations, the October Film Haunt disbanded, and Jorie retreated to a quiet life in Vermont. There, she abandoned her film industry ambitions to instead focus on raising her young son. However, that peace is shattered when a mysterious VHS tape finds its way to her doorstep, its contents revealing that someone is attempting to make a sequel to Proof of Demons, the cursed film that ruined her life. The tape also pulls Jorie back into a world she thought she’d left behind, but like it or not, she’s suddenly back in the spotlight drawing the attention of the online horror community’s most dangerously obsessive fans. Out of options, Jorie is forced to dig up her past and reach out to old friends in the hopes of protecting her sanity and the life of her child.
Let’s start with the positives. Wehunt sets the stage well, including several elements that are considered staples of atmospheric horror like isolated cabins, demonic rituals, old videotapes of mysterious origin, etc. As the title suggests, the novel draws appropriately from classic horror movie tropes, evoking films like The Ring, but also it taps into contemporary cultural fears, such as unhealthy obsessions made worse by social media and online forums, as seen in the Slender Man case. All of this leads to an irresistible hook blending horror movie nostalgia, pop culture, and real-world fears.
When it comes to the characters, the book admittedly takes a few interesting directions with the friends-having-a-fallout-after-a-tragedy concept. Jorie carries a lot of guilt from what happened, and her retreat from the horror media world feels like a kind of self-imposed punishment. Other characters drift in and out of the story, but some of their choices can be frustrating, especially since they are supposed to be familiar with the horror genre and its fandom, yet they keep walking straight into obvious traps. Granted, these ironies might have been highlighted purposefully, but the writing doesn’t always make it obvious, nor do they always land in a good way.
Now for the negatives, which for me is really the entire second half of the book. The problem is that the story starts to sprawl. We lose that sense of mystery we started with, as well as the sense of urgency. The plot begins meandering so much, the main thread of the story is lost completely, and pacing slows to a crawl. When the climax finally arrived, it came and went without leaving much of an impact, and at that point it was also hard to care. If there was anything noteworthy, it was buried under a mountain of filler that made the book feel much longer than it needed to be. And honestly, had the book started out like this, it would have tossed immediately into the DNF pile, but being this far in already, I felt trapped by the obligation to finish.
In the end, The October Film Haunt is a mixed bag. The first half had a lot going for it, like atmosphere and plenty of moments that were genuinely clever and effective. For a while, I could see myself really enjoying this book…until the second half completely unraveled. Needless to say, this isn’t a book for everyone. It certainly wasn’t for me. Fans of meta horror and cult-film subjects might get more out of this novel than I did, but overall it’s an intriguing concept that never quite comes together.
Book Review: The Place Where They Buried Your Heart by Christina Henry
Posted on November 19, 2025 7 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
The Place Where They Buried Your Heart by Christina Henry
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Berkley (November 4, 2025)
Length: 320 pages
Author Information: Website
Christina Henry is following up The House That Horror Built with yet another haunted house-themed story, but this one seems out to hit a different nerve. While there are surface similarities, such a focus on a mother and son, The Place Where They Buried Your Heart settles into far bleaker territory and feels far more visceral, raw, and terrifying.
The story begins in a quiet Chicago neighborhood, the kind where everyone knows each other and nothing stays secret for long. There are streets like this all over the country, the quintessential example of middle-class suburbia, except for one blemish that spoils the whole picture: the McIntyre place. Twenty years ago, an evil man murdered his entire family inside, and the house has sat untouched and rotting ever since. Now it’s just another sad landmark people either learn to live with or pretend not to see, the kind that inevitably draws the curiosity of neighborhood kids. That’s what happened to Jessie Campanelli’s little brother Paul, who went inside the McIntyre house on a dare and never came out.
According to Paul’s friends, the house ate him, but adults dismissed those claims as childish imagination or trauma. Jessie knew better, however. There was definitely something wrong with that house. In his grief, her father tried to burn down the place that had taken his son, and all that did was cost him his life. The McIntyre house itself remained untouched by the flames, a constant reminder of how it destroyed Jessie’s family. Years later, she still lives in its shadow, raising her own son in her childhood home while the old house waits down the street. And when it begins stirring again, Jessie fears it will come for her boy like it came for Paul. Only this time, she isn’t going to let it win.
The author’s work tends to blend human stories with frightening themes, and The Place Where They Buried Your Heart is no exception, though every edge feels a bit sharper this time. If you enjoy the atmosphere of small-town dread, it’s the lived-in quality of the horror that will stand out the most. That’s because the McIntyre house is more than just haunted. Based on the sections revealing its full, twisted backstory, I think it’s more accurate to say the place is possessed by something genuinely evil. It feels alive and malevolent, actively seeking its unsuspecting prey. I was completely drawn into its dark history as it was revealed in immersive, relentless detail.
At the heart of the novel is Jessie Campanelli, who is initially introduced as a listless, directionless teenager carrying the weight of her brother’s disappearance. Young Jessie’s life is messy and raw, and while her outlook can be nihilistic at times, it’s believably rooted in grief and remorse. Henry shows her protagonist struggling with that guilt, as well as the subsequent breakdown of her family. This occasionally makes the first half of the book hard to get through, since the bleakness coupled with Jessie’s brooding can be a little overwhelming, but at the same time, it’s part of what makes the story feel real and grounded.
The tone shifts as Jessie matures, first into a college student figuring out her path, and then later into a mother whose child becomes the emotional center of her world. Everything she experienced in her youth feeds into the woman she becomes, the fear and loss transforming into a fierce overprotectiveness. Henry does an incredible job showing how Jessie’s relationship with the McIntyre house ultimately shapes her, giving her strength and a sense of purpose. That journey is brutal without ever feeling gratuitous, and the plot carefully maintains a balance between revealing the supernatural threat and keeping the tension sufficiently high.
In the end, The Place Where They Buried Your Heart might be one of Christina Henry’s darkest books and not just because of the scares. It’s the emotional heaviness that will stick with you, the way she follows her protagonist through years of tragedy and the lingering consequences. Speaking as a longtime fan of the author’s work, I’m delighted to see her push deeper into this kind of character-driven horror.
The BiblioSanctum 