Book Review: Carl’s Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman
Posted on November 7, 2024 13 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Carl’s Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman
Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction
Series: Book 2 of Dungeon Crawler Carl
Publisher: Ace (September 24, 2024)
Length: 384 pages
Author Information: Website
I’m enjoying the Dungeon Crawler Carl series so much that I’m really trying to savor each book rather than give in to the temptation of power through the series all at once! Carl’s Doomsday Scenario is a sequel that pulled me even deeper into this bizarro addictive world, keeping up with the first volume’s dark humor and crazy twists. It’s definitely an experience worth basking in, and this second book continues to raise the stakes in wild, entertaining ways.
To recap our adventure, protagonist Carl and his cat Princess Donut have found themselves trapped in a nightmarish game-like reality with the remnants of humanity after an apocalyptic event destroys the Earth. The competition turns out to be all part of an intergalactic entertainment network designed for the amusement of alien spectators, where contestants are forced to KILL! KILL! KILL! their way through increasingly difficult levels of a massive, RPG-inspired subterranean dungeon. Additionally, because of the televised—or “tunneled”—format of the dungeon-crawl, there’s the social media factor to consider. Crawlers who are savvy enough to amass high view counts, favorites, and followers will therefore have a significant advantage.
After surviving the first two levels, Carl and Donut (and her pet velociraptor Mongo) advance to level three, where the world of the game gets a major shakeup. Every three levels in this dungeon, the setting shifts into more of an open-world format—picture an MMORPG environment with sprawling cities, NPCs living out storylines, quest givers, other players running around, and more. At this point, crawlers must also specialize by selecting a race and class, choices that will shape their abilities, strengths, and strategies going forward. Our protagonists waste no time in exploring this new level, initially with the goal of gaining as much experience as possible. However, their plans are just as quickly shot to hell as they stumble into one deadly quest after the next, leading to plenty of unexpected shenanigans.
For fans of the first book, Carl’s Doomsday Scenario was one hell of a follow-up! Just as fun and crazy, in some ways even more so, than its predecessor. As for world-building—or more accurately, I should say, dungeon-building—this sequel builds a lot more upon the foundation of RPG mechanics while staying true to the offbeat charm and spirit of the series. The story shifts into one more resembling a quest narrative, featuring Carl and Donut working through a string of mini side adventures.
Of course, one downside of this is that we get less crawler-to-crawler interaction in this book. For me, many of the highlights from Dungeon Crawler Carl involved the characters’ friendships with potential allies like Brandon, Chris, Imani, or even their animosity towards “crawler killers” like Maggie and Frank. In this book, our protagonists are pretty much on their own, and the entire novel takes place on the third level. In fact, for much of the first of the book, Carl is even forced to go solo without Donut. Instead, their more memorable interaction were with nonplayer characters like Signet, or those involved in the production of the dungeon crawl, like Mordecai.
Still, by the end of this book, I was convinced that everything that happened is only going to make the series stronger. Clearly, Dinniman has a grand plan all worked out in his head, and things are just going to get better and better with each installment. I suspect the conflicts taking place in the universe at large involving Borant, Skull Empire, etc. will gain more significance, but so too will the main storyline following Carl, Donut, and Mongo that takes inside the dungeon, if that totally INSANE ending is any indication.
Certainly, taking my time with this series has been extremely difficult, but I still maintain that it is simply too good to rush through. That said, I probably won’t wait too long to get to the third book, The Dungeon Anarchist’s Cookbook, which I already have ready to go! The litRPG genre is absolutely my scene, and I’m loving Matt Dinniman’s blend of irreverent humor, thrilling adventure, and unique characters. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Carl and Donut.
#SciFiMonth 2024
Posted on November 2, 2024 12 Comments
When I look outside, I still can’t believe it’s November. The weather’s been unseasonably warm, but the calendar doesn’t lie–and Sci Fi Month is here! It’s once again that time of the year where the blogosphere celebrates all things aliens, spaceships, time travel, and everything in between. In 2024, the event is being hosted by a rockstar team of imyril of There’s Always Room for One More, Annemieke of A Dance With Books, Mayri the BookForager, and Lisa of Dear Geek Place!
I have not always been great at following reading plans in previous years, or like…ever. But is that going to stop me from making a reading list? Heck no! Granted, science fiction isn’t making up most of my diet these days, but I do have some books I’ve been saving up for the occasion. I’ve put together a mix of new releases, books that came out earlier in the year, and even backlist titles, and I’m hoping I’ll be able to get to most of them:
If you’re interested in participating as well, simply hop on over to the sign-up form and be sure to also check out all the exciting features the organizers have put together like giveaways, readalongs, and reading challenges. Everything about this event is super casual, low-pressure, and just plain fun, so grab your jetpacks and join dozens of other bloggers, authors, and readers as we blast off into another year of Sci-Fi Month. Let me know what your plans are and what you’re reading!
Book Review: Devils Kill Devils by Johnny Compton
Posted on October 31, 2024 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.
Devils Kill Devils by Johnny Compton
Mogsy’s Review: 3 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Tor Nightfire (September 24, 2024)
Length: 288 pages
Johnny Compton’s Devils Kill Devils is his second novel following his debut, The Spite House, which I enjoyed for its haunting atmosphere and premise. Devils Kill Devils, on the other hand, feels a bit more scattered. While it packs in a ton of supernatural elements, they don’t always come together cohesively. Overall, the author’s ambitious endeavor was somewhat marred by the fact that all these different ideas frequently clashed, making it an uneven read.
The story follows Sarita, a woman who has been protected from harm all her life by what she and her family believes is a guardian angel. They named him Angelo because of the way this imposing, enigmatic figure always seems to appear at critical moments to save Sarita from certain death. The first time, she had been just a child, swept away by a riptide during a family vacation at the beach. Then, Angelo seemingly came out of nowhere to carry the drowning girl out of the waves. These rescues continued through her teens, college years, and into adulthood—always unexpectedly, but with an eerie consistency that gave Sarita a strange comfort knowing that no matter what happened, Angelo would be watching over her, keeping her safe.
However, this faith is shattered on her wedding night, when Angelo reappears and brutally kills her new husband in cold blood. Stunned and traumatized, Sarita wonders just how she could have misjudged her so-called guardian angel so badly. As she turns to friends and family to delve deeper into her past encounters with Angelo, they uncover some disturbing new information that suggests his origins are anything but angelic. With these revelations, Sarita suddenly finds herself pulled into the dark world of ancient prophecies, secret cults, and supernatural forces.
The novel’s intro is strong, positing the idea that guardian angels may in fact be working towards a more sinister agenda when they are ostensibly protecting their charges. These early chapters were filled with suspense and a sense of dread, and I loved them! Given the fact Angelo seems to have no qualms about using violence to safeguard Sarita’s life, this should have been a huge red flag from the start, but when the moment comes when he suddenly turns on her in the most shocking way, the horror still hits like a punch in the gut.
Unfortunately, the plot began to lose its intrigue as things progressed. This happened as the focus on Angelo started giving way to a more sprawling narrative with multiple sub threads involving a crap ton of additional supernatural entities that distract from the central story. What initially was a tightly wound mystery unraveled as we branched into a broader but less coherent exploration into secret cults, other realms, and even vampires! In short, I feel the author was trying to do way too much in too few pages.
The characters themselves were hit-or-miss. I liked Sarita, who starts out as sympathetic and relatable, especially in her grief and confusion following Angelo’s brutal attack. But along with the main storyline, character development grew rougher and more convoluted as the chaos of the plot took over. No spoilers here, but by the time another character named Cela enters the picture, I felt I barely had any more attention to give.
In the end, Devils Kill Devils featured good ideas, even taking on some classic horror themes with new twists, though the story ultimately lacks the focus to maintain them. Still, although this is a flawed novel, Johnny Compton’s writing is strong, and his creativity makes me curious to see where he’ll go next as he continues to hone his storytelling.
Book Review: The Queen by Nick Cutter
Posted on October 26, 2024 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.
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Gallery Books (October 29, 2024)
Length: 384 pages
Author Information: Website
It’s been ten years since I read my first Nick Cutter book, The Troop—which I still think is one of his best. With that, I was introduced to his visceral brand of horror, and I knew when I picked up his latest novel The Queen that it would not shy from the psychological twists and grotesque imagery that has made him popular with body horror fans. The good news is, the book did not disappoint in these areas. However, it also didn’t quite hit the mark in the ways I’ve come to expect from the author.
In The Queen, we follow Margaret, a teen who one day finds an iPhone left for her on the porch. On it, she finds a text message from Charity, her friend who has been missing for more than a month. But even though the two girls were close, what Margaret soon learns about Charity is beyond anything she could imagine. Sent down a path of no return, Margaret discovers her friend has been the subject of a secret, long-standing experiment under Project Athena, a controversial gene manipulation initiative headed by tech mogul Rudyard Crate. Charity, designated Subject Six, has been closely monitored by the organization, just waiting for the inevitable day her genetically modifications would be activated.
And activate they did, following a traumatic event, as Margaret learns. Charity wants someone to know the real story, leaving Margaret a trail of clues to follow that would reveal everything that has happened to her. Along for the ride is Margaret’s friend Harry, as the two of them are drawn deeper into the mystery surrounding Project Athen, which will eventually lead to the dark truth behind Charity’s disappearance.
First, the good: The Queen delivers a solid mix of unsettling sci-fi elements and the author’s signature brand of visceral horror. Reminiscent of The Fly, the novel explores the idea of pushing human limits with insectile themes. It’s a combination I’ve always found disturbing and, of course, leave it to Cutter to tap into our primal fears by doing it with lots of gross imagery related to bugs and parasites. Like The Troop, there’s also something extra shocking and creepy about it when children are involved, the way this story subjects its teenage characters to the most horrific scenarios on top of experiencing traumatic coming-of-age drama.
Now, the not so good: My main issue with The Queen was how confusing and disjointed the story felt. I think the plot tried to do too much, trying to tell a sci-fi, horror, and psychological suspense story all at once, but doesn’t quite manage to balance all the parts. This left little time to dive deeply into the characters, and as a result, I was constantly questioning the plausibility of Margaret and Charity’s so-called friendship since both girls were underdeveloped. While attempting to keep the mystery under wraps for as long as possible, the narrative also felt frustratingly vague and slow at offering up satisfactory answers.
These issues almost made me give up on the book early on, especially because Margaret’s voice grated on me. After all, without a strong connection to the protagonist or her motivations, all the horror and gore is just superficial shock value. And yet, despite the obstacles, I pressed on because I was still curious enough to see where the story was headed. So even though it took me a long time to feel invested, to the novel’s credit, my interest was piqued.
All told, while this was not one of Nick Cutter’s strongest works, it does feature some fascinating ideas and insect-based horror that’s undeniably brutal and disturbing. Character development could have been better, but if you’re a fan of the author and have an interest in his style of writing of the type of themes he uses in this book, The Queen is a suitably hair-raising read this spooky season.
Book Review: An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson
Posted on October 23, 2024 14 Comments
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Ace Books (September 17, 2024)
Length: 464 pages
Author Information: Website
Before I begin, I’m prefacing this review with the caveat that I can be extremely tough on my critique of dark academia and magic school fantasy. While I love the genre, I’ve also become very picky and demanding on account of having read so much of it. Keeping this in mind, it’s possible I would have enjoyed An Academy for Liars a bit more if I hadn’t expected so much, but what didn’t land for me might actually work for you.
The novel follows Lennon Carter, a young woman struggling to keep her life from unraveling. She keeps falling for the wrong people and for the wrong reasons, and is about to commit her life to living a mistake when a mysterious phone call interrupts her pity party for herself in the middle of an empty parking lot. The voice on the other end of the line sounds like her own, inviting her to Drayton College, a hidden school of magic accessible only to those identified to possess special abilities. Drayton boasts a curriculum that enables its students to tap into and hone their talents in the dangerous art of persuasion—a technique that involves using one’s mind to exert their will over others.
With nothing to lose, Lennon accepts Drayton’s offer and comes under the guidance of Dante, a young but highly skilled professor. She is quickly thrown into the cutthroat environment of the academy, where students viciously compete for limited opportunities to advance. Tensions rise further when it is discovered that Lennon possesses the rare ability to open portals, a skill crucial for transportation. This new revelation makes her both valuable and a target, as some members of Drayton’s council believe she’s either too reckless or unprepared for such a huge responsibility. In order to gain control over her powers and avoid being kicked out of school altogether, Lennon must endure grueling tests of skills and determine who she can truly trust.
I’ll be honest—An Academy for Liars was ambitious entry into the dark academia genre, but it didn’t exactly blow me away. While I was drawn to the dark atmosphere, the premise itself felt somewhat lacking in originality, to the point that it gave me feelings of déjà vu. I was hit with the nagging sense that I’ve read this story before, or one of its many variations, the most recent one coming to mind being Olivie Blake’s The Atlas Six (which was already quite derivative). Even Drayton’s specialty, the art of persuasion, is a concept I’ve seen crop up a lot in fantasy, and the novel didn’t offer much new depth or insight into it as a magic system.
That said, the world-building had its moments. The bulk of the story takes place within the confines of the college, which admittedly restricts its broader connection to the outside world, but the internal drama and intrigue help make up for some of these limitations. High levels of conflict and the ever-shifting alliances between students keep things on edge, introducing chaos, fierce rivalry, and cruelty. As you would expect, things go horribly wrong. And violently bloody.
In terms of characters, my feelings were mixed. For one, Lennon was not a very likeable protagonist. She’s impulsive and stubborn, and not in a charming way, making ill-considered decisions and questioning authority like an obnoxious child. It’s hard to feel any sympathy for her when she has been repeatedly warned about her behavior and doesn’t seem to learn from her mistakes. I was also skeptical of Dante, who is a more interesting character but still gave me ick vibes. I really wish the romance between him and Lennon had not been so prominent, as it was a distraction from the main storyline and dragged down the pacing.
All in all, An Academy for Liars was a “solidly okay” book. Though it wasn’t bad, nothing about it wowed me either. Still, I think it would be a great pick for casual readers who enjoy the dark academia genre, especially those looking for a more mature spin on the school of magic trope. The characters and world-building didn’t exactly click for me, but your mileage may vary, and ultimately, the book ended up being an interesting if somewhat uneven read.
Book Review: The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen
Posted on October 21, 2024 17 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 Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Romance, Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The Crucible
Publisher: Red Tower Books (September 3, 2024)
Length: 509 pages
Author Information: Website
I’ve always said that I can only do romantasy in small doses. While it’s a genre I enjoy, it’s also not one I can dive into all the time, but when the mood strikes, it can be just what I need! The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen was a novel that hit that sweet spot. Providing a nice break from my recent binge into dark fantasy and horror, this book was a refreshing change of pace. Apparently, action-packed mythological escapism was a perfect fit for the mood I was in at the time.
Set in modern-day San Francisco, the story is inspired by Greek mythology especially the Twelve Labors of Heracles. Every hundred years, the pantheon consisting of all the main gods hold a contest call the Crucible to determine a new ruler to ascend the throne of Olympus. Each god selects their own champion to represent them in a number of trials, which results in an entertaining spectacle for the whole world to watch.
Something is different this year, however. Hades, the King of the Underworld—who has always stayed out of the Crucible—suddenly announces that he, too, will select a champion. That champion is none other than Lyra, a young woman with a rebellious streak who works for the Order of Thieves. Cursed by Zeus at birth to be unlovable, Lyra has spent her life feeling isolated and disconnected from others. Now, she must not only prepare herself for the deadly trials ahead, but also face the great gods on a very public stage where both her physical and emotional limits will be pushed to the breaking point. Then there are her complicated feelings for Hades, her patron who has placed this huge responsibility on her. A mutual attraction growing between them adds an extra layer of tension, confusion, and longing to an already dangerous situation.
While I ultimately had a lot of fun with The Games Gods Play, the book and I didn’t exact get off to the best start. The opening felt chaotic, with lots of characters and world-building thrown at me all at once, making it difficult to envision this peculiar setting that blends the ancient and the new. You could also say Lyra’s smartass attitude didn’t immediately endear her to me. More often than not, her impulsiveness and wise cracks came across as more annoying than charming.
Then there was the instalove. Lyra’s first meeting with Hades did nothing but turn me off, with her acting like a belligerent child and him being a patronizing sleazebag by giving her a cheesy pet name within the first five minutes. Ugh. Overall, the romance arc felt rushed and did not provide the emotional build-up I was hoping for, and Lyra’s sarcastic and smart-mouthed personality didn’t make her very convincing as the kind of love interest that the King of the Underworld would fall for.
But once the story settled into its rhythm and the stakes of the Crucible became clear, I found myself more engaged with both the action and the characters. Despite the rocky start, the novel won me over in the end with its fast-paced elements. It started with the trials. As they progressed, each one tougher and more intricate than the last, I found myself looking forward to the subsequent challenges, learning more about their dangers and rewards. I became hooked on the tensions surrounding the alliances between the champions and the conflicts amongst the gods, even becoming invested in Hades’s backstory and the mysterious motivations behind his participation in the Crucible this year.
So okay, maybe the actual romance in this romantasy novel wasn’t my favorite thing about this book. Lyra and Hades never even interested me as a romantic couple. Still, this was an enjoyable read. The Games Gods Play was exactly what I needed at the time—a fast, adventurous read that took me away from the heavier stories filling my TBR lately. I had fun, and that’s what counts.
Book Review: The Narrows by Ronald Malfi
Posted on October 17, 2024 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.
Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Titan Books (October 8, 2024)
Length: 416 pages
Author Information: Website
As a huge fan of Ronald Malfi, he’s a must-read author for me whenever he puts out a new book. So, although The Narrows is an older novel, its re-release as an “author’s preferred edition” by Titan (something similar to a director’s cut, I assume) made me curious. With Malfi, I’ve found his horror stories reliably creepy and atmospheric and wanted to dive into this one to see how it stacks up.
Set in the rural town of Stillwater, Maryland, The Narrows opens on the aftermath of a devastating flood. Nestled in an area surrounded by elevated wilderness, floods are not uncommon here, but this last one appears to have brought an unwanted visitor.
Troubles began when the body of a small boy was pulled from the overflowing banks of the river, setting the residents of Stillwater on edge. Halloween is also around the corner, and while the children are looking forward to donning costumes and trick or treating, one of the few activities remaining for them in this dying town, the adults are feeling scared and anxious. Matthew’s mother has always warned her young son against crossing the highway or playing near the river, and to return home before dark. But then one day, he disappears without a trace, and soon, his schoolmate Billy is reported missing as well.
Meanwhile, police has received calls to investigate a couple cases involving brutal livestock mutilation. Ben, who works for the sheriff’s office, notes the unnatural way the cows and goats appear to have been killed with their skulls broken open and the brains eaten, or in some cases, with the entire head gone. Then there are the bats. The town suddenly feels infested with them, leading to whispers about supernatural curses and creatures. As Ben delves deeper into the mystery of the dead farm animals and the missing boys, he uncovers the source of the rot that has been feeding off the remains of his deteriorating town.
While a chilling experience is almost always guaranteed, you never know what you will get when you pick up a Malfi novel. For instance, I can’t say I expected The Narrows to be a vampire story—albeit with a twist. The author takes a more unique approach by stripping away the usual tropes, presenting ideas with a more primal and terrifying edge. The creature in this book feels more like an ancient predator—a horrifying entity that is both grotesque and nightmarish in its design—and I liked how its lore was woven into the idea of small, rural towns that are decaying and disappearing across the country.
Speaking of which, the thick and oppressive atmosphere of Stillwater was used to great effect, emphasizing the town’s overall feeling of isolation and inevitability. Once a thriving hub, most families moved away when the main plastics factory shut down, taking away jobs and leaving behind environmental degradation. Those residents that remained either stayed out of obligation or had nowhere else to go. They ended up working dead end jobs, living stagnant lives, trapped in a monotonous cycle. One gets the sense that no one would miss Stillwater if everyone and everything in it was wiped off the map. Which I suppose is the point.
However, while the setting made for an engaging story, it was never far from my mind that The Narrows is one of Malfi’s earlier works. It shows in the uneven pacing, especially in the middle, where things tend to drag. Long stretches occur with not much happening, with too many words dedicated to minor details or superfluous conversations that don’t push the plot forward. It also shows in the number and frequency of perspective changes, some of which feel disorienting or unnecessary. It seems that overall, the novel could have benefited from some polishing and trimming to keep the momentum going.
Still, I very much enjoyed reading The Narrows, which has an almost classic, retro horror vibe to it reminiscent of Stephen King. Malfi doesn’t pull any punches in making the reader squirm with both dread and unease, and as a word of caution, readers who are sensitive to graphic violence and gore might want to steer clear. Certain scenes, especially those involving the livestock mutilation and missing kids were pretty tough to read.
At the end of the day, The Narrows might have its flaws, but I still found it to be an intriguing and compelling read. Pacing issues and a somewhat bloated narrative made the novel feel a little raw around the edges, certainly less polished than his later works. Nevertheless, I would recommend it for any dedicated fan of Ronald Malfi. For newcomers though, it would be best to start with his more recent works, where his writing has reached its full potential.
Novella Review: The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir
Posted on October 14, 2024 4 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 Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Nightfire (September 3, 2024)
Length: 197 pages
Author Information: Website
As with most novellas, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up The Night Guest, but I was surprised how it was able to hook me from pretty much start to finish. Translated into English by Mary Robinette Kowal, the book also impressed me with how flowing and beautifully Icelandic author Hildur Knútsdóttir’s original narrative came through.
The story follows Iðunn, a woman living in Reykjavik, who is suffering from constant fatigue but she has no idea why. After numerous doctor visits and blood tests, expert after expert has told her they can find nothing wrong with her, which leaves her feeling helpless and unseen. Not convinced that her condition can be explained by psychosomatic or stress-related reasons, Iðunn eventually decides to take matters into her own hands. Determined to live healthier by getting better exercise and more rest, she buys a wearable device to track her steps and sleep hours.
One morning, after forgetting to take off her fitness watch the night before, she wakes to an unsettling surprise. The tracker shows she had logged over 40,000 steps—all while she was supposedly in her bed sleeping. Without being able to remember anything, Iðunn can’t know for sure, but might it be possible that she has been sleepwalking? At first, the realization is a relief. By identifying a possible reason for her fatigue, she can take steps to find a solution to the problem. Soon, however, things take an even darker turn. Instead of progress, all her interventions seem to make her situation worse. Iðunn starts waking up with bruises. Ripped clothes. Dirty torn nails. Wounds on her face. Blood all over her hands. The harder she tries to unravel this mystery, the worse her fear and paranoia gets. Something terrible is happening to her after she falls asleep, and the deeper she digs, the more horror she uncovers.
While The Night Guest was a quick read, it still packed quite a punch. Better yet, it managed to do this with subtlety. Looking back, nothing about the book was overtly scary, but the vibes were definitely disturbing and…creepy. As someone who wears a Fitbit to track my own activity, the scene where Iðunn wakes up to see the tens of thousands of steps she doesn’t remember taking sent a shiver down my spine. I was transported into the character’s head and felt her alarm and fear.
I was also sympathetic to Iðunn even though I doubt she was meant to be very likeable. She’s made plenty of poor choices in her past and has clear blind spots regarding her health and her relationships. But the way the character is written as an unreliable narrator heightens the suspense. Is her strange behavior the result of the paranormal or simply signs of her rapidly deteriorating mental state? The ambiguity keeps the reader guessing, so you’re never quite sure where the story will take you next.
My only criticism is minor but concerns the ending. There just weren’t enough answers! While I can understand why an author might want to preserve a bit of mystery, in this case, a less ambiguous conclusion would have made it better and more satisfying.
Ultimately, The Night Guest is an unsettling and tightly written novella that blends horror and psychological suspense to great effect. It’s a super quick read, but solid. Full of tension and strange, dark moments, this bite-sized tale would be the perfect pick for the spooky season. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy stories that blur the line between reality and the paranormal.
2024 DNFs: Part 4
Posted on October 10, 2024 9 Comments
The summer slump may be over, but its end did come with a few more abandoned books for the DNF pile. Hopefully I can make it to the end of the year without making another one of these posts.
Once more, the usual caveat: just because I DNFed a book doesn’t mean it was bad, just that, for whatever reason, I wasn’t feeling it and saw no compelling reason to continue. But what doesn’t work for me might work for others; hopefully my perspective can assist you in determining whether you’ll enjoy it or not.
I received review copies from the publisher(s). This does not affect the contents of my reviews and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: DNF
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The Witch’s Compendium of Monsters
Publisher: Tor Books (June 25, 2024)
Length: 359 pages
For many of the same reasons I abandoned The Famliar, the story and characters of Foul Days did not stand out for me. Currently my shelves are saturated with fantasy novels inspired by Slavic folklore, and even after giving this book more than a hundred pages to grab me, nothing in it convinced me there was anything too new or exciting. The world and its concepts were quite fascinating, but the main character was rather bland and too much time spent on trivial details about her backstory also made me feel unenthusiastic about continuing her tale.
The Scarlet Throne by Amy Leow
Mogsy’s Rating: DNF
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The False Goddess
Publisher: Orbit (September 1o, 2024)
Length: 432 pages
I really wish this had worked for me. I wanted originality and freshnes, and this book had it in spades. Plus, I love a morally gray protagonist. Sadly though, I was not a fan of the writing style or the main character’s voice. And for a story with such complex themes and consequences, the narrative tone felt all wrong–flippant, shallow, and juvenile. The majority of readers seemed to enjoy it though, so it’s most likely just a case of “It’s not the book, it’s me.” You’ll have a much better time if you aren’t easily put off by YA vibes.
The Gods Below by Andrea Stewart
Mogsy’s Rating: DNF
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Book 1 of The Hollow Covenant
Publisher: Orbit (September 3, 2024)
Length: 528 pages
It’s hard to believe this is the same author of The Bone Shard Daughter, a book I loved. However, The Gods Below lacked the same interest, charm, and drive. I read more than half of this in the hopes the story or the characters would eventually win me over, but it did not. The plot went nowhere fast, the characters were difficult to connect with, and the pacing felt flat. I really tried, but in the end, I cut my losses. The novel just didn’t have the depth or intrigue to keep me invested.
Novella Review: Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker
Posted on October 9, 2024 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.
Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker
Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror, Paranormal
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Tordotcom (September 3 2024)
Length: 161 pages
Author Information: Website
This was a quick read, thank goodness. Haunt Sweet Home by Sarah Pinsker had a fun premise featuring a crew of a haunted house reality TV show mixed up in some family drama, but truth be told, if this novella had gone on any longer it would have worn out its welcome. The story provided some intrigue and suspense but fell short on delivering the spooky vibes I’d been hoping for.
The book follows protagonist Mara, a twenty-something who has spent years aimlessly trying to find her footing in life. She finally gets her chance at another fresh start when her famous cousin Jeremy offers her a job as a night-time production assistant on his ghost-hunting/house makeover mashup reality program. At first, she has no idea what to expect. Mara shows up at her first shift on set and is met by the others on the night crew, who give her the rundown of their responsibilities. Jo, a fellow production assistant whom she befriends, reveals that most of the show is about manufactured scares. While the day crew go about interviewing the homeowners about their renovation plans, the night folks help stage exaggerated and straight-up phony ghostly encounters to make the show more interesting.
Yet, despite being aware of these behind-the-scenes secrets, Mara begins noticing some strange happenings occurring around the set, things that can’t be explained by production tricks and special effects. Still, as she becomes more involved, our protagonist finds her confidence improving, leading to introspection about the role she plays in her large family. Her interactions with a co-worker’s sharp observations may also provide the impetus for her to finally decide what to do with her life.
This rundown shows how eventually the creepy and potentially supernatural elements give way to an emotional journey and an exploration of family relationships. While this offered a well-developed character study of Mara as well as an interesting look at her workplace dynamic, as previously noted, I still find it hard not to feel shorted on what I’d initially signed up for. Needless to say, the plot, which began with so much promise, did not end up being the kind of ghost story I wanted. A horror aspect never truly materialized even though it was teased for quite a while, and the moments that sent the thrills spiking were too few and far between.
That said, I enjoyed the unique angle of the reality TV show setting, especially from the production side of things. Maybe it wasn’t quite enough to jump start the plot, but I found a good rhythm and a lot of amusement in reading about Mara’s night shifts and certain shenanigans certainly not found in the official job description, such as setting up hidden fog machines in the woods of faking a ghost encounter by throwing books around the house in the middle of the night. These funny moments and Mara’s own unperturbed reactions to them made this an easy read.
In the end, the fact that this book was such a short read became a factor in its favor (and you know me, I’m not typically one to praise novellas for their brevity). It’s obvious that more would have led to monotony, and ultimately, I don’t believe there was enough content for a longer book anyway. The author’s main goal appears to have been to write about Mara’s personal growth and self-discovery, and that was definitely accomplished—no need to drag things out.
Overall, I confess I was slightly disappointed, for I was expecting something a little heavier, a little more atmospheric, a little more ghostly. But a full-on haunted house story, this was not. However, for readers looking for a breezy, character-driven story with just a light touch of the paranormal, Haunt Sweet Home might be for you.
The BiblioSanctum 