Book Review: Dark Pattern by Andrew Mayne

Posted on October 17, 2019 21 Comments

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

Dark Pattern by Andrew Mayne

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

Series: Book 4 of The Naturalist

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer (October 15th 2019)

Length: 316 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

These Naturalist books tend to be “one day reads” for me, and Dark Pattern, which got devoured in two reading sessions over a matter of hours, was definitely no exception. I love this series so much, and I just knew this novel would be another unputdownable mystery, which is why I’m glad I had the foresight to clear my schedule to devote an entire afternoon to reading, because bloody hell, this one was addictive.

Once again, Dr. Theo Cray is on the case, though he’s had a lot more on his mind since the last time we saw him. If you have not caught up to this point in the series yet, please bear in mind this review may contain some spoilers for the previous books. While each novel features a self-contained story, the events in them do add up to affect the protagonist in a big way, as evidenced at the beginning of Dark Pattern, which sees Theo fretting over his exposure to a dangerous virus at the conclusion of Murder Theory. While his reputation for catching serial killers has all but destroyed his prospects in the educational and research fields, at least he still has his logical mind and moral compass—for the time being, anyway. And he’s going to need all his wits about him if he’s to solve his next big case, brought forth to him by a nursing professional concerned that a corrupt local hospital system may be shielding the activities of a serial killer nurse who is targeting patients.

Following this tip leads Theo to several families who have lost their children to routine hospital care, with the cause of death a mystery. The one common factor is a nurse who has worked with or around the children immediately prior to their deaths, and the pattern is enough to make Theo suspicious and take a closer look. But what he ends up uncovering is so much worse, including corrupt bureaucrats who knew something fishy was going on but refused to do anything, as well as the manipulation of patient statistics to hide the truth.

Gosh, the stuff you read in this book will send chills running down your spine, and what’s even more frightening is how much of the bad conditions are based on truth, if news you see on corruption in healthcare or my own experiences working in hospitals are anything to go by. Dark Pattern is up there as one of the darker novels in the series, both because of story’s themes and what happens to our main character. Being hospitalized is unpleasant enough as it is, but it’s also a place where people should be able to put themselves and their loved ones in the trust of healthcare workers who are supposed to help heal them. The plot’s premise of a serial killer stalking along the antiseptic halls looking for his prey among the ill, the old, and little helpless children made my skin crawl.

And then of course, we come to Theo. He’s been slowly losing it for a while now, pushing his luck (and limits) when it comes to how far he’s willing to go to solve a case. He continues this trend in Dark Pattern, but now his methods and actions have become even bolder and more extreme. While his heart is still in the right place, you can really tell Theo is well on his way down a slippery slope. While this concerns him, the irony is that he’s probably worried for all the wrong reasons, and without revealing too much about the ending, I have to say his lack of perspective and eventual loss of grip on the situation really surprised me.

Which brings me to the elephant in the room. Let’s just say I loved this book for the most part, and was all prepared to throw it a five star rating until the last few chapters happened. Again, without spoiling anything, I’ll just say that this section didn’t quite jive with everything that came before. The conclusion itself was rather underwhelming, and it also almost felt as if the author suddenly ran up against a hard deadline and had to rush through the rest of the book. I can’t deny this was a bit disappointing, though to tell the truth, this bizarre shift made me feel more confused than anything. This is because in a way, the end of Dark Pattern felt like a sort of “soft reset” for Dr. Theo Cray. It pretty much places the series at a place where the story and character can go in any number of new directions, so I suppose just about anything can happen now.

It gives me great hope for a fifth installment. While Dark Pattern didn’t exactly wow me with its ending, the rest of the book and its mystery plot was solid. I look forward to seeing where The Naturalist series will go next.

More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of The Naturalist (Book 1)
Review of Looking Glass (Book 2)
Review of Murder Theory (Book 3)

Waiting on Wednesday 10/16/19

Posted on October 16, 2019 19 Comments

“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme that first originated at Breaking the Spine but has since linked up with “Can’t Wait Wednesday” at Wishful Endings now that the original creator is unable to host it anymore. Either way, this fun feature is a chance to showcase the upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!

Mogsy’s Pick

The Last Human by Zack Jordan (March 24, 2020 by Del Rey)

As you know, I’m always on the lookout for my next favorite oddball sci-fi, and this one caught my eye earlier in the week.

“The last human in the universe is on the run from a godlike intelligence in this rip-roaring debut space opera.

Sarya is the civilized galaxy’s worst nightmare: a Human.

Most days, Sarya doesn’t feel like the most terrifying creature in the galaxy.

Most days, she’s got other things on her mind. Like hiding her identity among the hundreds of alien species roaming the corridors of Watertower Station. Or making sure her adoptive mother doesn’t casually eviscerate one of their neighbors. Again.

And most days, she can almost accept that she’ll never know the truth–that she’ll never know why humanity was deemed too dangerous to exist. Or whether she really is–impossibly–the lone survivor of a species destroyed a millennium ago.

That is, until an encounter with a bounty hunter and a miles-long kinetic projectile leaves her life and her perspective shattered.

Thrown into the universe at the helm of a stolen ship–with the dubious assistance of a rebellious spacesuit, an android death enthusiast on his sixtieth lifetime, and a ball of fluff with an IQ in the thousands–Sarya begins to uncover an impossible truth.

What if humanity’s death and her own existence are simply two moves in a demented cosmic game, one played out by vast alien intellects? Stranger still, what if these mad gods are offering Sarya a seat at their table–and a second chance for humanity?

The Last Human is a sneakily brilliant, gleefully oddball space-opera debut–a masterful play on perspective, intelligence, and free will, wrapped in a rollicking journey through a strange and crowded galaxy.”

Book Review: The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher

Posted on October 15, 2019 34 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 Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher

Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Saga Press (October 1, 2019)

Length: 400 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

The Twisted Ones was a fun novel featuring the perfect blend of humor and horror, with the first element provided mainly in the form of the main character’s incredibly infectious voice, while the second came via the setting’s creeptastic atmosphere. You’ve got an old house in the middle of the woods, filled with decaying trash and other ghastly things like scary baby dolls. Meanwhile, the locals also know better than to go wandering among the trees, for it is said the laws of reality work differently here, and unwary travelers might suddenly find themselves stumbling through a veil into another world. Not to mention, the woods is home to monsters—strange, grisly creatures made from dead bodies and grinning skulls.

But of course, being a newcomer, Mouse was unaware that any of this awaited her as she rolled up to her late grandmother’s house, at the behest of her father who wanted to see if anything could be salvaged from the property. One look, however, was enough to tell Mouse the answer. Dear old granny was a mean, miserable bitch in life (no, seriously, she was a real piece of work), and in her last days, seemed to have become quite the recluse and hoarder as well. The place is filled from top to bottom with useless junk, but being the dutiful daughter, Mouse decides to stick around and help clean it out. Together with her loyal coonhound Bongo, the two get ready to settle in for the long haul.

But soon, during her walks in the woods with Bongo, Mouse starts coming across impossible things, like a grassy hill where none was supposed to be, or odd stones carved with unnerving pictures and symbols. And then came the most frightening discovery of all—a gruesome effigy made of animal bone and body parts, hanging from a tree. Mouse knows she shouldn’t let her imagination get away from her, and yet she can’t help but feel the thing might have been alive—watching and waiting. Worse, among her grandmother’s cluttered belongings, Mouse finds an old journal that belonged to her step-grandfather. To anyone else, the old man’s writings would have sounded like the nonsensical ravings of a disturbed mind, but after seeing what she did in the woods, Mouse has reason to believe her step-grandfather must have been terrorized by the same horrors plaguing her now.

Be sure not to let the cheery, affable nature and tone of the narrator fool you into thinking this is a light and airy novel, because this one was downright CREEPY. In particular, there was a scene around halfway through that made me regret my decision to read this book after dark, as I ended up having a bit of trouble falling asleep that night, my attention drawn constantly to the window to make sure nothing was peering inside. Anyone who’s read The Twisted Ones will probably know exactly which scene I’m talking about.

But let’s back up and talk about how this book captured my attention and love immediately, starting with the first page when readers were introduced to Mouse, a middle-aged editor who just got out of a bad relationship and is in desperate need of a distraction. Right away, you knew this was a strong and independent lady who knew how to take care of herself, and who wouldn’t let a setback stop her for long. In the end though, what I adored most about Mouse, and what made her so relatable, was her easygoing and funny personality, and I lost track of the number of times where she said something that made me burst out laughing.

To be sure, finding this balance between fright and fun was the best surprise, and what I loved most about The Twisted Ones. And I guess seeing such a strong, vivacious and easygoing character like Mouse go to pieces with terror at the things she sees in the woods also somehow emphasized the novel’s horror for me.

Other aspects I enjoyed include the side characters, like Foxy and Tomas, and of course, who can forget sweet, goofy Bongo, who brought so much bounce and joy and to this story—to the point where I would insist horror fans who are also dog lovers must read this book. In terms of criticisms, I honestly can’t think of much, though I suppose if push comes to shove, I would say the ending might have been a tad on the weaker side due to some disjointedness.

Still, as you can probably tell, I had a great time with The Twisted Ones. This was my first experience with Ursula Vernon, who is writing here as T. Kingfisher, but it certainly wouldn’t be my last! Overall, I loved the mix of creepiness and humor, and after a string of horror books that failed to leave much of an impression this October, I’m also relieved and happy to finally read one that didn’t disappoint! Highly recommended if you’re looking for a spine-chilling read this season that’s also tremendously entertaining.

Guest Post: “7 Secrets to Making Fascinating Monsters” by Laurence MacNaughton

Posted on October 14, 2019 13 Comments

Today, we’re pleased to welcome back author Laurence MacNaughton to the BiblioSanctum to celebrate the release of Forever and a Doomsday, the fourth book in his Dru Jasper urban fantasy series! In this latest installment, our eponymous protagonist has found herself in possession of the powerful apocalypse scroll, an ancient artifact that can bring about the end of the world. To keep the scroll out of demonic hands, Dru and her friends must crack a millennia old mystery, follow its clues to a lost city in the netherworld, and unearth a crystal older than the Earth itself. I’ve been enjoying this series so much and I can’t wait to dive right back in to continue the adventure! In the meantime though, Laurence has so kindly written us a guest post on creating fascinating monsters, and what a fitting topic for October as we start ramping up for Halloween! We hope you enjoy his post, and be sure to check out the Dru Jasper series and Forever and a Doomsday, available on sale October 15!

7 SECRETS TO MAKING FASCINATING MONSTERS
by Laurence MacNaughton

What would fantasy, science fiction, and horror be like without monsters? A well-crafted monster not only scares us, but also fascinates us. It captures our curiosity. It makes us want to peer deeper into the darkness that should make us want to run away.

An interesting monster has to be more than just terrifying — it also has to make a twisted kind of sense. The more real a monster seems, the deeper it affects us, because it grows into something more complex. It may even reveal a darker truth about human nature in general, and by extension, you and me in particular.

So how do writers go about creating truly unforgettable monsters?

Every writer is different. But I like to start with the word itself: M-O-N-S-T-E-R. Believe it or not, those seven letters spell out everything you need to know to make your own monster.

M is for Mind

Let’s say you’re creating a monster for your own story or game. You probably have a hazy idea of what sort of monster you want to create.

First question: how smart is your monster? How well does it think?

Is it dangerously cunning? Self-aware? Or just a mindless monstrosity?

There is no right or wrong answer here. You could go any way you choose.

Dumb monsters are most frightening if they are also incredibly dangerous, and single-minded in their pursuit of the heroes. Think of Jaws, for example.

Smart monsters are terrifying when they outwit our heroes, learn from mistakes, and lay traps for those who underestimate them. Think of something more like Predator.

O is for Origin

Where does your monster come from? What is its origin story? There are generally three kinds of monster origins, and they can have a strong impact on the theme of your story:

Monsters from the past (such as prehistoric creatures) remind us that human beings are not necessarily the apex predator of the world. If there’s something bigger and badder out there trying to eat us for dinner, that strikes us with a primal fear.

Monsters from another world or another dimension (such as ghosts, demons, or aliens) remind us that the universe is bigger than we think. These sorts of monsters destroy our sense of security and make the normal world around us feel unsafe.

Monsters that we create (sometimes in a laboratory, sometimes by accident) remind us that we can’t control the world around us. It turns the advantages of our technology into our biggest enemy. That’s frightening on many levels.

N is for Need

Let’s face it: monsters that exist solely to kill the heroes are pretty uninspiring. Sure, they can be scary, but they are utterly forgettable. What if your monster has a need beyond mere bloodthirstiness?

What if it’s trying to guard its territory? What if it’s trying to find or build a new nest? Reproduce? Defend or feed its young? Destroy competition for limited resources? Rejoin others of its kind?

Figure out what your monster really needs, and suddenly it becomes a fascinating creature.

S is for Sketch

If you have any artistic skills at all, why not draw a picture of your monster for inspiration?

If not, sketch it out with words. Think about what your monster looks like. Visualize it in your mind. Picture it moving through different environments.

How large or small is it, exactly? Does it have an angular head, long legs, wings, or other unusual features? Describe it.

What covers its body: fur, leathery skin, armored plates? Is it an unusual color or texture?

What does this monster sound like? What does it smell like?

How does it move? Does it slither, scuttle, or creep?

Write all of these things down. But here’s a super secret ninja author trick: whatever you do, don’t reveal your entire monster to the reader until much later in the story. Provide only glimpses here and there to build the suspense. People fear the unknown.

T is for Take On

At some point, this monster is going to come into direct conflict with the heroes. How can they take it on? How can they fight it? Or, failing that, how can they escape?

What could hurt this monster? What could scare it off?

Take some time at this one. Brainstorm. Think outside the box. This will lead you to new and interesting story possibilities that will keep your readers guessing.

E is for Eat

Why do so many monsters have long, gnashing teeth? Because getting eaten is one of our most basic fears. A monster that tries to devour you is instantly terrifying.

What’s in your particular monster’s diet? Maybe it doesn’t eat people. Maybe it drinks blood. Maybe it devours human souls. Or maybe it feeds on fear. It’s up to you.

R is for Relationships

It might be strange to think of “monsters” and “relationships” in the same sentence, but stick with me here. Even monsters have some sort of relationship to others of their kind. Are they loners, or do they form a pack? Do they have some kind of hierarchy?

Does this monster belong to someone? Does it obey them? If so, to what extent?

Could this monster control or rule over someone or something else?

Any of these could give you new story ideas.

Making Monsters for the Dru Jasper Series

In my Dru Jasper urban fantasy series, every book sees the heroes (all with strange and unique magic powers) fighting to save the world from the coming apocalypse. The latest book, Forever and a Doomsday, squares them off against the worst threat they’ve ever faced: a horde of undead wraiths who can walk through walls and kill with a mere touch.

Here’s how I created them with my M-O-N-S-T-E-R method:

M is for Mind

These wraiths aren’t some kind of mindless undead. They are (or were) some of the smartest and most powerful sorcerers on the planet. If they weren’t ghastly creatures of the night bent on destroying the world, they’d probably make fascinating dinner party guests. That crafty intelligence makes them formidable opponents.

O is for Origin

These creatures actually chose to become undead, for their own nefarious purposes. I can’t give away their big secret, but suffice to say they come from beyond our world. That makes the heroes realize that there are plenty of important things they don’t know, which makes the situation much more dangerous.

N is for Need

Although these wraiths can drain your soul with a mere touch, that’s not their ultimate goal. They’re actually trying to get their hands on a powerful magical artifact, the apocalypse scroll, which would give them the power to destroy the world. Since the heroes have it, the wraiths will pursue them relentlessly.

S is for Sketch

Here’s what the heroes first see:

A slender, luminous figure slipped through the night. It didn’t walk so much as glide through the darkness, and the eerie movement made her skin crawl. As if sensing her gaze, it jerked its head to look straight at her. But there was something hideously wrong with its face. It had no eyes. Nothing but twin pools of impenetrable blackness.

T is for Take On

How do you fight something that has no physical body? You can’t shoot it or punch it. In this book, the main character is a crystal sorceress, and must find a crystal that can affect them. (I won’t give away the answer, but here’s a hint: since the wraiths come from beyond this world, the crystal must, too.)

E is for Eat

What do these wraiths “eat”? Your soul. Nuff said.

R is for Relationships

These wraiths are actually a tightly-knit team of villains. Back when they were alive, they were radical movers and shakers of the 1960s, doing everything they could to make the world a better place. When all of their efforts crashed and burned, they became so disenchanted that they set a plan in motion to destroy the world, wipe the slate clean and start over. And they are perilously close to succeeding.

Your Turn: Make a Monster

Remember, take time to think about each element and brainstorm new ideas. You don’t necessarily have to do them in order, but you should think about all of the elements. And above all, have fun making your own monsters!

I often teach this method as a workshop at writing conferences. If you have any questions about it, or you would like a free copy of my monsters guide and worksheet, just contact me through my author website at http://www.LaurenceMacNaughton.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laurence MacNaughton is the author of more than a dozen novels, novellas, and short stories. He writes fast-paced books with spooky monsters, sweet romance, wry humor and outrageous car chases. His novels have been praised by Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Library Journal, and Kirkus Reviews. Laurence grew up in a 200-year-old haunted farmhouse and sold his first magazine article at age 19. Before he became a full-time writer, he worked as a professional prototype vehicle test driver. He lives in Colorado with his lovely wife and too many classic cars. Try his stories free at www.LaurenceMacNaughton.com

CONTACT

Website: https://laurencemacnaughton.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6421258.Laurence_MacNaughton
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008YIX5HA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurence.macnaughton
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LMacNaughton

YA Weekend Audio: The Tenth Girl by Sara Faring

Posted on October 13, 2019 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.

The Tenth Girl by Sara Faring

Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 2 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror, Young Adult

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Macmillan Audio (September 24, 2019)

Length: 15 hrs and 35 mins

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Narrator: Frankie Corzo, Mark Sanderlin

I guess I’m just not having the best luck with my horror reads lately. The Tenth Girl was the latest to disappoint, and this one stings especially, considering how it started off leading me to believe I was going to fall in love with this book. Somewhere along the way though, everything started unraveling.

Labeled a gothic psychological thriller, The Tenth Girl follows 18-year-old protagonist Mavi who arrives at Carmela De Vaccaro’s elite finishing school for girls, to which she had given false information in order to gain a teaching job. Said to be cursed, the isolated boarding academy sits in an icy region of Patagonia which has seen much political unrest, resulting in the ousting of its local peoples. It is the 1970s, and Mavi herself has come to this remote part of the continent from her home of Buenos Aires following the death of her activist mother at the hands of the military regime, hoping to find some refuge in the mountains.

What she did not expect to find, however, was even more trouble. At the school, Mavi is introduced to its nine students, though if the whispers are true, there is a tenth girl who is missing, but everyone is tightlipped about that. Things are certainly creepy enough at Vaccaro’s without the disturbing rumors flying about, with its foreboding headmistress and dire warnings not to go wandering on the grounds at night. Whispers of phantoms and ghostly possession also plague the school halls, which have seen their fair share of tragedy and devastation. As Mavi learns more about the dreadful history of the academy, she also finds out about the mysterious Others through one of their members, a spirit boy named Angel.

One incredibly jarring thing about The Tenth Girl is its structure. The narration flips between perspectives, mainly those of Mavi and Angel, and the novel also appears to be told via more than one timeline, though seeing how that is one element of the ultimate surprise, I’m not going into too much detail about that. I think my biggest issue with this book is the ending. On the one hand, it had a great twist, one that should have been right up my alley due to certain elements I am unable to reveal. Unfortunately, though, I was not a fan of the way it was handled. Since I can’t really talk about it due to spoilers, I’ll say this: it felt like a copout, and I didn’t like the sudden shift in how it made readers view the world. All that delicious gothic atmosphere that I was enjoying? Completely destroyed.

The ending was also implemented in a way that felt out of place and broke any kind of connection I was having with the story up to that point, making me look back at the first three-quarters of the book with mistrust and more than a few eyerolls. Here’s the thing: twists that make me feel shocked and blindsided are fine, but twists that make me feel cheated and robbed are not. I bring this up because I suspect readers will fall into one of these two mindsets once they reach the end, and that will ultimately determine how you feel about this book.

And really, it’s just such a shame when looking back, because the author clearly has a good grasp of the gothic horror tradition, as evidenced by how well she created the perfect mood for her haunted school story. While billed as a thriller, the novel’s pacing is more of a slow-burn—which was exactly what the plot required. The characters were also intriguing, and I immediately took to Mavi and the heartbreaking history of her family, while the personalities and behaviors of the students, staff, and Others at the Vaccaro school added extra layers to the mysterious sense of the place. All this and more contributed to the fantastic historical setting, and if anything, that was what made the eventual bait-and-switch feel even more frustrating, adding to my regret.

Still, kudos to Sara Faring for taking such a bold risk here, with one of the most extreme and daring twists I’ve seen in a while. I certainly don’t resent the twist itself, and might have even enjoyed it had it been handled better, but I think that would have required a very different book. Ultimately, The Tenth Girl didn’t work too well for me, but I believe others might do better with it. So if you’re willing to take the chance, it could be worth a look.

Audiobook Comments: Of the two narrators for The Tenth Girl audiobook, Frankie Corzo probably did the better job reading as Mavi, while Mark Sanderlin voice sounds way too young for someone like Angel, hence his chapters were somewhat distracting and not as good.

Novella Review: The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht

Posted on October 12, 2019 21 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 Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht

Mogsy’s Rating: 2 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy, Horror

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Tor.com (September 24, 2019)

Length: 160 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

This is probably going to be one of my shorter reviews, because as much as I wanted to love The Monster of Elendhaven, unfortunately that just didn’t happen. That said, neither did I dislike it. Once more, as it so often tends to happen with me and novellas, I’m left with a sense of coldness and indecision when it comes to my feelings on this book.

Things started well enough. In the beginning, readers are introduced to the grimy city of Elendhaven, a foul setting of darkness and evil founded upon a bloody battlefield corrupted by magic and violence. In other words, the perfect place for a monster to make its home.

That monster’s name is Johann. He can’t remember where he came from, but he knows he’s unnatural. Natural men can be hurt and die, but he can’t. He also discovers he has a talent and taste for killing. And thanks to his immortality, nothing can stop him as he stalks the streets of Elendhaven, preying on his victims and growing in power.

But then he meets Florian Leickenbloom. Florian is a sorcerer, and Johann realizes that by working. together they can unleash even more chaos and devastation upon the unsuspecting masses of the city.

Any way you look at it, The Monster of Elendhaven is one dark and gloomy book. And I think for me, that was part of the problem. Don’t get me wrong; I certainly don’t mind at all when my stories are grim and dreary, but still, I need to know why I care. The issue with Elendhaven is that author Jennifer Giesbrecht has so successfully painted such a wretched and irredeemable place, that I really couldn’t have given two hoots if the surrounding seas had opened up and swallowed the city and everything within it whole.

Then there were the characters. Neither Johann or Florian had any personality to speak of, and I believe when your book stars such despicable protagonists, they’d damned well better have a spark of charisma, however small, for me to connect with them. Unfortunately, while each had their own unique quirks and fascinating modes of speech and behavior, that simply made them eccentric, not real.

To be fair though, Florian had a compelling backstory, which proved to be one of the stronger aspects of this tale. The other interesting element was the romance, if you can even call it that. I love unconventional takes on relationships, and this one was most definitely on the strange and twisted side. That said—and I think this becoming a common refrain—when it comes to romance, I prefer that it not become the dominating factor of a non-romance genre book, and I felt that in some respects it received too much focus here, to the point of distraction.

And speaking of common refrains, here’s another one: I wish this novella had been just a tad longer. I think it would have addressed many of the issues, including building the setting and the characters up to be more sympathetic and interesting. On the whole, I also think the author made a few faulty judgment calls, being too concerned with being edgy when her focus should have bene on developing more pertinent aspects of the story.

In sum, The Monster of Elendhaven will probably work well for many, but it didn’t for me. I did enjoy the concept of the novella, but sadly I just wasn’t a fan of the execution, and all in all, the story and characters lacked the hook I look for in a book.

Friday Face-Off: Inn

Posted on October 11, 2019 30 Comments

Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a weekly meme created by Books by Proxy! Each Friday, we will pit cover against cover while also taking the opportunity to showcase gorgeous artwork and feature some of our favorite book covers. If you want to join the fun, simply choose a book each Friday that fits that week’s predetermined theme, post and compare two or more different covers available for that book, then name your favorite. A list of future weeks’ themes are available at Lynn’s Book Blog.

This week’s theme is:

“And, though there should be a world of difference between the smile of a man and the bared fangs of a wolf, with Joss Merlyn they were one and the same.”
~ a cover featuring an INN

Mogsy’s Pick:

The Shining by Stephen King

Halloween is almost here! To celebrate, I’ll be featuring the classics on Friday Face-Off for the full month of October. This week, we shine the spotlight one of the most infamous haunted hotels to have graced the horror genre and the big screen. Here’s a selection of some of the more interesting covers, many of which I chose because they featured interiors and exterior scenes of the Overlook:

From left to right:
New English Library (1980) – Random House Mondadori (2001) – Hodder & Stoughton (2011)

Anchor (2008) – Cemetery Dance Publications (2017) – Subterranean Press (2013)

Hodder (2007) – Portuguese Edition (2009) – Hungarian Edition (2018)

Romanian Edition (2019) – Russian Edition A (2012) – German Edition (1985)

Swedish Edition (2014) – Chinese Edition (2012) – French Edition (2000)

Thai Edition (2015) – Danish Edition (2006) – Dutch Edition (2012)

Winner:

I have a clear favorite this week: I just love the Swedish edition! Not only is it visually arresting, it calls to mind one of the scenes from The Shining movie.

But what do you think? Which one is your favorite?

Book Review: The True Bastards by Jonathan French + Series Giveaway

Posted on October 10, 2019 29 Comments

***The giveaway is now over, thank you to everyone who entered!***

I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

The True Bastards by Jonathan French

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Book 2 of The Lot Lands

Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (October 8, 2019)

Length: 592 pages

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Jonathan French takes readers back in the saddle again, with the follow-up to his explosive debut The Grey Bastards which was the winner of 2016’s Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off hosted by Mark Lawrence, in which yours truly had the distinct privilege of being a blogger on the judging panel. Short version, I and a bunch of others adored the novel, which ended up being snapped up by a traditional publisher following its well-deserved victory, and the rest was history. And so, you can probably imagine the sheer giddiness I felt when I found out about The True Bastards, and the fact that it was going to star one of my favorite characters from the first book. The anticipation was practically unreal.

Featuring a new protagonist, The True Bastards can probably be read as a standalone sequel. But honestly, why would you deprive yourself the amazing experience of reading the first book? Having The Grey Bastards under your belt will also help orientate you to the incredible universe of the Lot Lands series, which has orcs, elves, halflings, centaurs, and more. But don’t make the mistake of imagining a Middle Earth inspired world and Tolkien’s brand of heroic high fantasy! Instead, what we’ve got is a wasteland in which all of its resident creatures must struggle to eke out a harsh, miserable, and violent existence. It’s difficult to say who has it the worst under such circumstances, but the half-orcs might have a legitimate claim. Hated and shunned by all the other races, the various groups of former half-orc slaves, called hoofs, are left to fend for themselves. And the last time we saw the Grey Bastards hoof, the clan at the center of these books, their home was utterly destroyed by the orc invasion, and Jackal, the main character from the previous novel, has left on a journey to track down the dastardly wizard who betrayed them.

This leaves a new chief to take up the reins of a newly found hoof called the True Bastards, as well as to tell this tale, and it is none other than Fetching, who was one of the most memorable and endearing characters for me from the first book. As the only female rider in the Lot Lands, winning her position certainly did not come easy for Fetch, and even now she has to prove herself every day to the other half-orc chieftains who doubt and scorn her. Unfortunately, in the year since taking up the mantle, her hoof has not fared too well either. Finding enough resources for her growing clan of misfits, mercenaries, and foundling orphans has become a problem, and new foes also seem to be cropping up at every turn, encroaching upon the Lot Lands and threatening the half-orcs. Fetch knows she must take drastic action—and soon—if she and her people are to survive.

The True Bastards feels slightly different in tone and style from the first book, which roughly follows a quest narrative complete with magical mysteries to discover and obstacles to overcome. The Grey Bastards was not a light story by any means, but still, it did offer a fair bit of adventure. This sequel, in contrast, is feels vastly more oppressive, serious, and bleak. Poor Fetch can’t seem to catch a break! For the entirely of this novel, she’s besieged with problems on all sides and her troubles never let up. In addition, this volume feels like a more personal character study, delving into the history and background of our protagonist. Expanding upon the world-building and adding to our understanding of half-orc society, French reveals a lot more about the magic and lore of the world that we did not know before. Some of it is very complex, and at times disturbing.

Speaking of which, the author holds nothing back when it comes to portraying the brutality and grimness of life in the Lot Lands. Expect a lot of explicit language and unrestrained violence and death, though if you’ve read the first book, none of this should be a surprise. With Fetch at the helm, there’s also a shift in the types of issues the story deals with, including vulgar names and crude comments aimed at our protagonist because of her sex. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: this isn’t a series for the fainthearted.

But on the whole, I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing this new adventure from Fetch’s point of view. She’s a lot more prudent than Jackal, which makes her lack a lot of his spontaneity as well as a certain fun spark. However, this reflects what I love best about these books—the fact that each half-orc character possesses a special and unique personality. Like Jackal, Fetch is a product of her own background and individual experiences, and they’ve shaped the way she views the world and deals with challenges thrown her way. There’s more darkness in her, but that’s okay; her tale is another piece of the puzzle that help us understand the life and ways of the Lot Lands.

All told, The True Bastards is a fantastic sequel, full of action, intrigue, and surprises. I think if you enjoyed the first book you will find lots to love about this one too. I had a great time returning to the world of this series, and Jonathan French continues to impress and lead the charge when it comes to dark and gritty epic fantasy. I hope we’ll be seeing more from the Lot Lands.

More on The BiblioSanctum:
Review of The Grey Bastards (Book 1)

The Lot Lands Series Giveaway

Hopefully, I’ve been able to pique your interest in The Lot Lands because I have a couple extra books in my stash that I would love to put in your hands. One lucky winner will win both a paperback copy of The Grey Bastards and a hardcover copy of The True Bastards, so this is an amazing chance if you want to catch up with the series. With my sincerest apologies to our international readers, due to the high costs of shipping, I can open this giveaway to addresses/residents in the US only. To enter, all you have to do is send an email to bibliosanctum@gmail.com with your name and valid mailing address using the subject line “THE LOT LANDS” by 11:59pm Eastern time on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 and we’ll take care of the rest.

Only one entry per household, please. The winner will be randomly selected when the giveaway ends and then be notified by email. All information will only be used for the purposes of contacting the winner and sending them their prize. Once the giveaway ends, all entry emails will be deleted.

So what are you waiting for? Enter to win! And remember: Live in the saddle, die on the hog! Good luck!

Waiting on Wednesday 10/09/19

Posted on October 9, 2019 26 Comments

Mogsy’s Pick

The Book of Koli by M.R. Carey (April 14, 2020 by Orbit)

What’s this? A new book coming out by M.R. Carey? Well, you know that’s going straight onto the TBR!

“The first in a gripping new trilogy, The Book of Koli charts the journey of one unforgettable young boy struggling to find his place in a chilling post-apocalyptic world. Perfect for readers of Station Eleven and Annihilation.

Beyond the walls of the small village of Mythen Rood lies an unrecognizable world. A world where overgrown forests are filled with choker trees and deadly vines and seeds that will kill you where you stand. And if they don’t get you, one of the dangerous shunned men will.

Koli has lived in Mythen Rood his entire life. He knows the first rule of survival is that you don’t venture beyond the walls.

What he doesn’t know is — what happens when you aren’t given a choice?”

Review: Violet by Scott Thomas

Posted on October 8, 2019 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.

Violet by Scott Thomas

Mogsy’s Rating (Overall): 3.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror, Mystery,

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Inkshares | Audible Studios (September 24, 2019)

Length: 448 pages | 16 hrs and 45 mins

Author Information: Website | Twitter

Narrator: Cassandra Campbell

Two years ago, Scott Thomas thrilled and chilled me with Kill Creek, which has become one of my favorite books about haunted houses. Now he has a new novel out, in which he’s whisking readers off to yet another creepy and rundown old home, this time on the placid shores of Lost Lake in rural Pacington, Kansas. Compared to his first novel, Violet is definitely more of a moody affair, toning down the blood and violence in favor of a more psychological horror and paranormal vibe. The result is a slower and more measured approach to storytelling, which requires a fair amount of patience, but the second half makes up for it by regaining momentum with a fast and furious comeback.

As the story opens on the quiet lake town of Pacington, we are introduced to a small community that guards its secrets closely. After all, with the economy already killing the tourism industry, the last thing its residents want is to air their grief. Still, for Kris Barlow, who experienced her own tragedy when she was a little girl in the summer of 1988 at her family’s cottage on Lost Lake where she said goodbye to her mother who died of cancer, the town still holds a sense of beauty and nostalgia. Now, thirty years later, a terrible loss has struck Kris once again, and she has decided to return to Pacington with her 8-year-old daughter Sadie for several months in order to heal from the trauma of what happened. Kris’ father had never sold their property there before he died, and she figured a summer spent by the lake would be the perfect place to escape her problems for a while.

Upon arrival, however, Kris is shocked to see the cottage in a state of neglect and disrepair. Her father had always been such a practical and fastidious man, but for some reason, just prior to his death, he had given strict instructions to the property manager to stop all maintenance on the house and simply let it rot away. Frustrated, Kris decides to fix up the place herself, making it her project for the summer. But soon, she starts hearing disturbing rumors around town, and people seem to act uncomfortable around her especially when they find out she has a young daughter. Sadie herself is as withdrawn as ever, still coming to terms with grief. If anything, coming to Pacington has made her even more guarded and distant, and Kris has started catching her daughter talking aloud to herself, or responding to a voice that isn’t there…

So, while Violet is technically a book with several acts, in essence it really boils down to two distinct halves—the first, dragging half where nothing much happens; and the second, more intense half where suddenly, everything becomes insane. As usual with such cases, I just wish there had been a better balance. For the first two hundred pages or so, the narrative revolved around the minutiae of moving to a new town and more detail than you could ever want about fixing up a decrepit old house. I got the feeling Scott Thomas badly wanted to give Pacington and the cottage at Lost Lake a sense of place, making the setting as much a main character as the novel’s human protagonists, but unfortunately it didn’t really work out that way. Instead, we got all the particulars but that not much substance. While I understood the purpose of showing the state of the town and of the house, the level of description carried things well past this point into frustration territory. I mean, there’s only so much of the trivialities of deck sanding, house cleaning, or yard work that I can take.

That said, the second half of the book was another story—and I mean that in every sense. The plot finally got down to the business of making things happen, and instead of focusing on the house, we got to learn more about the characters themselves. For one thing, we found out why Kris’ childhood at Lost Lake mattered, as well as how some of her past experiences paralleled Sadie’s. More detail was also revealed about why mother and daughter escaped their home in Colorado in order to hide out at Pacington in the first place. All this was juicy information I wish the author had introduced a little earlier, as it would have improved the earlier sections of the book. The second half of Violet was amazing, however. Thomas delivered all the mystery and terror that was promised, and while I still can’t understand why he took so long, I’m glad the late revelations and strong ending made this novel all worth it.

Audiobook Comments: Any long-time audiobook listener would have probably heard of Cassandra Campbell, but it has been a while since I’ve listened to something she narrated and Violet reminded me all the reasons why I love her voices. Her variety of tones and accents makes the town of Pacington feel alive with different people, and she’s also definitely got her “horror movie little girl voice” down! All told, I’m pleased I also got to experience this story in audio because the format added quite a bit of depth and immersion. Recommended.