The BiblioSanctum

Book Review: The Handyman Method by Nick Cutter and Andrew F. Sullivan

Posted on August 29, 2023 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.

The Handyman Method by Nick Cutter and Andrew F. Sullivan

Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Gallery/Saga Press (August 8, 2023)

Length: 304 pages

Author Information: Nick Cutter | Andrew F. Sullivan

If there’s one thing I learned from reading Nick Cutter/Craig Davidson is that he is not at all subtle, and with the lack of nuance being especially true with The Handyman Method, co-written with Andrew F. Sullivan, I imagine that has something to do with why I struggled. The story relies too much on the shock factor when delivering its horror, going about it by trying too hard to make you angry or gross you out. More and more, I just think I’m becoming inured to this routine.

The story opens with a family moving into their dream home, which should have been pristine given that it is a new construction. But right away, husband and father Trent Saban finds a large crack in a wall of the master bedroom closet. A former lawyer by trade with no DIY experience, he nonetheless decides to take care of the problem himself, turning to the YouTube channel of someone he found called Handyman Hank for advice. Before you know it, Trent finds himself down the rabbit hole of home improvement, becoming eerily fixated with Hank and his “Handyman Method.”

Meanwhile, Trent’s disaffected wife Rita becomes increasingly aloof in the face of their big move and this subsequent flurry of activity, but does her distancing have anything to do with her husband’s new obsession or is it something more sinister? What’s clear is that neither of them are paying much attention to their son Milo, who begins having many of his own disturbing encounters. Unbeknownst to his parents, the young boy’s attention has been captured recently by a YouTube channel he himself has been frequenting, one owned by a seemingly innocuous kid-friendly influencer called Little Boy Blue.

Credit where credit’s due, The Handyman Method turned out to be a very different kind of “haunted” house story than what I was expecting. The concept was definitely interesting, taking and melding elements from such classic horror as It or The Shining, making something unique out of its results. That said, this isn’t quite Stephen King. In fact, it’s hard to pin down what exactly this is. At times, it reads like a satirical take on lives consumed by social media, or a scathing jab at toxic masculinity. Whatever it is though, by the second half, the book transforms into something else entirely, changing the overall tone of the plot. It does make me wonder if it has something to do with this being a collab.

Then there was the lack of subtlety I mentioned. Trent was so unlikeable to the extreme, he was practically a caricature checking off every item on the “Build-A-Character You Hate” kit. It’s one thing to make me dislike a protagonist, it’s another to make me not take him seriously at all. Then there was the gore factor and one particularly gruesome scene involving an animal death (I have a pet turtle that was a rescue, so the unpleasantness of that scene hit me especially hard). There’s a time and a place for this type of over-the-top and in-your-face horror, and I know an audience for it exists, but personally I think I am over it.

The ending was also a bit confusing, like somewhere along the chain a link went missing because I had a hard time connecting all the plot’s many scattered dots. Again it occurs to me that multiple authors might have played a role in this, but I don’t know. Just like I don’t know what to make of the ultimate revelation of the house and the special connection it had with the family. I think the book could have gone in a very good direction, but somehow things didn’t come together as well as they should have.

All in all, I would consider The Handyman Method to be a middle-of-the-road horror. I wanted a bit more, but it’s a good read if you enjoy a good bloody gorefest.

Book Review: Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi

Posted on August 28, 2023 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.

Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi

Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Nightfire (July 11, 2023)

Length: 352 pages

Author Information: Website

Boys in the Valley is an exceptional historical horror novel that takes place in turn of the century Pennsylvania at the St. Vincent Orphanage for Boys. Taking full advantage of the claustrophobic confines of this setting, author Philip Fracassi delivers a gripping and atmospheric supernatural chiller that weaves together the elements of suspense, mystery, and terror.

Following the murder-suicide of his parents, our protagonist Peter first came to St. Vincent’s as a little boy. Now sixteen years old and one of the orphanage’s older wards, he has taken on the role of big brother for many of the younger children. Recognizing Peter’s leadership skills and compassion, his mentor Father Andrew has even started preparing him to become a priest one day. Yet deep in his heart, Peter isn’t so sure it’s what he wants. Over the past seven years, on the frequent trips with Father Andrew to run errands at the nearby Hill Farm, Peter has befriended the farmer’s daughter Grace. As his feelings for her have deepened over time, Peter now wonders if Grace might be his future instead of priesthood.

Then one night, the local sheriff shows up at the door of the orphanage with a group of his men and a wounded captive in tow. The injured prisoner, ranting and raving in a frenzied and unnatural way, was said to have been shot and captured during a satanic ritual. Upon removing his clothes to view his injuries, strange symbols are also revealed to be carved into his skin. Despite the priests’ attempts to treat the prisoner and exorcise his madness, the man dies, unleashing an evil upon the orphanage that seeps into the boys of St. Vincent like a poison.

Reading Boys in the Valley, I felt like the plot was divided into three phases. In phase one, Fracassi sets the stage and prepares readers for everything that follows, beginning by introducing Peter and those around him. There are many residents at the orphanage, but among them are several who stand out and play major roles in the story: David, who, like Peter, is one of the older boys but is much more misanthropic; Brother Johnson, a bad man with a criminal past who works at St. Vincent; Bartholomew, one of the orphans who…well, actually, let’s leave him as a surprise for readers going into the book! As well, this part of the story also paints a picture of the grim life at the orphanage. The head priest is a controlling and rigid disciplinarian whose word is law, and any boy who goes against it is thrown into “the hole”, a deep pit dug into the cold grounds of the property to serve as a prison cell.

The arrival and death of the injured prisoner kicks off the next phase, in which Peter beings to notice disturbing changes come over his fellow orphans. But even with a gruesome killing in this section that ratchets up the heart-pounding tension, I have to say this was my least favorite part of the book. First, I felt the plot dragged on for longer than was necessary while the boys started to divide and conquer and take sides in Lord of the Flies fashion. Second, here we also lose some of that delicious and eerie atmosphere as the narrative leans slightly more heavily on graphic violence and gore to get its kicks.

The third phase though, was by far the best. I have seen the Boys in the Valley compared to the Midnight Mass, and if you are familiar with that show and its final episodes, then you too might be able to understand the comparisons and why they feel so fitting. Peter and his boys’ final fight for survival was just insane, and all the pressure that has been building up now has nowhere else to go but to explode in a spectacular way. While I am neither Catholic nor religious, I also felt deeply moved by the ending, the path which Peter ultimately chose to pursue as well as the meaning in the aftermath of that choice.

In fact, I would love to see this book be made into a movie. Philip Fracassi’s prose was both descriptive and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the eerie orphanage and the terrors unleashed within. As a horror novel, it was certainly effective, but the story also shone as an exploration of friendship and courage, of salvation and sacrifice. Whether you are a fan of horror or historical fiction, or are simply hankering for a captivating story, Boys in the Valley will thrill and haunt you.

Bookshelf Roundup 08/27/23: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads

Posted on August 27, 2023 30 Comments

Bookshelf Roundup is a feature I do every weekend which fills the role of several blog memes, like Stacking the Shelves where I talk about the new books I’ve added to my library or received for review, as well as It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? where I summarize what I’ve finished reading in the last week and what I’m planning to read soon. Mostly it also serves as a recap post, so sometimes I’ll throw in stuff like reading challenge progress reports, book lists, and other random bookish thoughts or announcements.

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I’m back! Actually, we got back earlier in the week but there was a mountain of things I had to take care of before hitting the books, though henceforth things should be getting back to a regular schedule. There will be a ton of reviews incoming, because who’da thunk it, I managed to get a lot of reading done onboard what turned out to be a very relaxing Alaskan cruise. We had an amazing time. Days were spent on excursions at port (Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan) or on the balcony while at sea, enjoying the picturesque sights. I even got to cross off one biggie on my US National Park bucket list: Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.

Hope you enjoy the pics! From left to right, top to bottom: A stand of Sitka spruce in Tongass National Forest; the sunrise that greeted me outside my window when I woke up on the first morning of the cruise; Nugget Falls in Juneau by the Mendenhall Glacier; the early mists rising off the water in Skagway; a fiery sunset after a day of rain captured off the coast of Ketchikan; and a shot of the blue sky and ocean off the port side of our ship.

The weather was extremely random and changeable while we were there, sometimes it felt as though we experienced all four seasons in one day. But as you can see, Alaska is beautiful, and I fell completely in love with the land and am already dreaming of the day I can go back.

Received for Review

With thanks to Titan Books for:

Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson, a dark gothic horror about an obsessive romance that sparks between two women who chance to meet at a farmer’s market.
The Pale House Devil by Richard Kadrey, a horror noir about two detectives—one dead, one living—who are hired to banish a demon from a haunted mansion.

With thanks to Tordotcom for:

The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang, a finished copy of which I found waiting for me upon my return. While on my trip, I didn’t get a chance to fit in this historical fantasy inspired by the Chinese classic Outlaws of the Marsh, but will hopefully be dipping into it real soon.

With thanks to Berkley for:

The September House by Carissa Orlando, following a couple who move into a large Victorian mansion they purchased at a shockingly reasoning only to find it—surprise, surpise—haunted. We’re being overrun with haunted house horror novels this season, and I’m loving it.

With thanks to Tor Books for:

Devil’s Gun by Cat Rambo, the second book in the Disco Space Opera series following the crew of the You Sexy Thing on another adventure as they attempt to set up a pop-up restaurant business while running from a vengeful space pirate-king. I enjoyed the first book and I hope this sequel is as bonkers as it sounds.

With thanks to Del Rey for:

The Art of Destiny by Wesley Chu, the follow-up to The Art of Prophecy and a continuation of The War Arts Saga, an epic fantasy inspired by the martial-chivalric traditions of the Wuxia genre. Strangely, the series has not been getting the attention it deserves but hopefully the release of this sequel will bring more to it.

With thanks to Subterranean Press for:

Winter’s Gifts by Ben Aaronovitch, which I just about screamed when I received. Sure, it’s not a new novel in the Rivers of London series, but it’s the next best thing: a novella set in the same world, following up with Special FBI Agent Kimberly Reynolds on a new paranormal case that takes her to snowbound town in northern Wisconsin.

With thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for:

Holly by Stephen King, a new novel marking the return of Holly Gibney, beloved by fans for her roles in Mr. Mercedes, Finders Keepers, and finally in The Outsider where she shone as a private detective. I haven’t been this excited for a King book in a long time.

With thanks to Hachette Audio for:

A Haunting on the Hill by Elizabeth Hand. What was I saying about the abundance of haunted house books? Here comes the ultimate haunted house book this October, the first-ever authorized novel to return to the world of Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House.

With thanks to Listening Library for:

Midnight at the Houdini by Delilah S. Dawson, who has been quite busy apparently. This YA fantasy follows a girl who discovers a surreal hotel where no one ever leaves, and she’ll be stuck there forever too unless she breaks free of the magic before the clock strikes midnight.

Reviews

Highlighting a couple reviews from the beginning of the month:

Recent Reads

Whoo-wee, that’s a lot of books I finished, but then again, it’s been three weeks. I’ll be working on catching up with reviews for the next little while.

Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read!

On Vacay…

Posted on August 11, 2023 14 Comments

Every summer, my family takes one last big vacay before the start of school for the kiddos, so for the next week and a half I will be away on the road and on the seas! For this reason, I imagine my access to reliable internet will be limited and my presence online will also be pretty sparse as I take this opportunity to unplug. As such, while I’m away there will be no posts, and I also want to apologize in advance for not being able to visit or comment on your blogs during this time, though I promise to catch up with everything once I get back! Have a fun rest of the summer, and see you all again real soon!

Waiting on Wednesday 08/09/23

Posted on August 9, 2023 7 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

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen (February 27, 2024 by Del Rey)

“A shield maiden blessed by the gods battles to unite a nation under a power-hungry king—while also fighting her growing desire for his fiery son—in this Norse-inspired fantasy romance from the bestselling author of The Bridge Kingdom series.

Bound in an unwanted marriage, Freya spends her days gutting fish, but dreams of becoming a warrior. And of putting an axe in her boorish husband’s back.

Freya’s dreams abruptly become reality when her husband betrays her to the region’s jarl, landing her in a fight to the death against his son, Bjorn. To survive, Freya is forced to reveal her deepest secret: She possesses a drop of a goddess’s blood, which makes her a shield maiden with magic capable of repelling any attack. It was foretold such a magic would unite the fractured nation of Skaland beneath the one who controls the shield maiden’s fate.

Believing he’s destined to rule Skaland as king, the fanatical jarl binds Freya with a blood oath and orders Bjorn to protect her from their enemies. Desperate to prove her strength, Freya must train to fight and learn to control her magic, all while facing perilous tests set by the gods. The greatest test of all, however, may be resisting her forbidden attraction to Bjorn. If Freya succumbs to her lust for the charming and fierce warrior, she risks not only her own destiny but the fate of all the people she swore to protect.“

Book Review: Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong

Posted on August 8, 2023 10 Comments

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

Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong

Mogsy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Book 1 of Flesh and False Gods

Publisher: Gallery/Saga Press (July 18, 2023)

Length: 372 pages

Author Information: Website

I’m always fascinated with authors who migrate from genre to genre or, in Chloe Gong’s case, jump from writing YA to adult fiction. When I heard that she would be releasing her adult fantasy debut, and that it would be inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, I was immediately intrigued.

Note that “inspired” is the operative word here. In truth this is in no way a retelling, even a loose one, but what it does is explore the classic play’s theme of enduring obsessive love in a very unique way. After all, I suppose anything would be “enduring” if your characters were immortal, or effectively so. In a world where some individuals can jump bodies at will, transferring their qi from one vessel to another, the best jumpers who are also good at preserving their life force can theoretically live forever. But life is also miserable in the kingdom of Talin, where this story takes place. In the capital twin-cities of San-Er, poverty is widespread amongst the general populace while the members of the monarchy live lavish, decadent lives. People are so poor and their morale so low, the only thing they have to look forward to every year are the gladiatorial-style games where competitors with the ability to jump bodies fight each other to the death. The winner would be awarded riches beyond their wildest dreams and be invited to join the upper echelons of society.

When you have nothing to lose, the games are worth the risk. For Anton Makusa, an exiled aristocrat who has already lost almost everything, the prize money would be enough to save the only thing left he has to live for—his comatose lover who needs expensive medical care to survive. He’s also confident that he’s the best of the 88 contestants in this year’s games, having honed himself into a deadly weapon with years of body jumping experience. However, what he didn’t count on was Calla Tuoleimi, herself a princess in hiding. Years ago, she killed her own parents in a bloody massacre and has been planning on ending the oppressive monarchy ever since. To do that though, she would have to assassinate the king, and the only way to get close to him would be to win the games. With the help of Prince August, who wants to overthrow his father, Calla enters the fray under a disguise. Eventually, she faces off with Anton and recognizes in him a worthy ally. However, only one can win the games, and in spite of herself, Calla finds herself falling for Anton, making her mission to be the final victor much more difficult.

Let me just start by saying Immortal Longings wasn’t a bad book, in that I found it entertaining enough, and that I can honestly say I was never bored. That said, it had a lot of issues, starting with the fact that, violence and graphic sex scenes aside, this didn’t feel much like an adult novel. Everything from the writing style to the level of depth in the plot and characters suggest a work of YA with just older protagonists. There’s simply too much that doesn’t hold up to even the lightest scrutiny, and as I’m reviewing this as a piece of adult fiction, I’m going to be a lot less forgiving.

First of all, while I am definitely one to appreciate complexity in magic systems and world-building, I’m just not completely sold on either the concept of body jumping or the book’s setting which is supposedly inspired by the historical area of Hong Kong known as the Kowloon Walled City. To the author’s credit, her descriptions of the surroundings are quite ample to the point of effusive, and yet I was still never able to picture the world of Talin clearly in my mind. On the socioeconomical and political levels, details were also painted with a broad brush and very sparse, and the time period was likewise confusing.

Then we have the characters. In a nutshell, they read like stereotypical YA archetypes, and when you add in the Hunger Games-esque premise, that feeling is even more pronounced. Each of them can be summed up in a couple sentences, their motivations shallow and predictable. Again, this might be par for the course when it comes to YA, but in this instance I wanted more. Frankly, it’s also bewildering why Gong based her characters on Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian/Augustus in the first place. All this does is place unrealistic expectations on our protagonists, frustrating readers when they fail to meet them, and Anton, Calla, and August certainly fell short on the mark in my eyes. It feels as though Gong only managed to scratch the surface when it comes to their character development, prioritizing the throwaway thrills of action sequences over meaningful depth.

In sum, Immortal Longings started off as a promising adult debut from Chloe Gong, but perhaps it might have been too ambitious. While it had its share of interesting ideas and some genuine highs, on the whole its story, character, and world-building elements feel too superficial and undeveloped for the novel to earn more than a middling rating.

Book Review: The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec

Posted on August 7, 2023 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 Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec

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

Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Ace Books (July 25, 2023)

Length: 368 pages

Author Information: Website

A Viking tale of a different sort, The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec is a lovely, lyrical adventure about the bonds of sisterhood and female friendships. Last year, I had the chance to read the author’s debut, The Witch’s Heart, in which she reimagined the story of the jötunn Angrboda by giving readers a personal, intimate look at the life of the mythological giantess who was also a driven woman and a fiercely protective mother. True to form, this time Gornichec has written a magical take on another Old Norse figure, the quasi-historical character known from the Icelandic Sagas as Gunnhildr Gormsdóttir, Mother of Kings.

The story takes what little is known about Gunnhild, as she is called here, painting a picture of her childhood and eventual rise to become a witch and the wife to Prince Eirik, future ruler of Norway. As a young girl, she had two very close friends, sisters Oddny and Signy. Although their family was far less wealthy than her noble one, Gunnhild had always envied the siblings. Their farming life may be a hard one, but the girls were loved by their parents and vice versa. Gunnhild, on the other hand, despised her cold-hearted mother and her father was never around. Spending time with Oddny and Signy was the only joy she had to look forward to, and the three girls ultimately made a blood pact to always be there for one another, no matter what.

Later, finally at her wits’ end with her mother’s cruelty, Gunnhild ends up running away to forge her own destiny and to learn the ways of witchcraft. But then, the unthinkable happens. Back at home on their farm, a Viking raid separates Oddny from Signy, who ends up being kidnapped by their attackers. Devastated by the loss of her family and determined to save her sister, Oddny seeks help from Gunnhild, who has become a talented witch in her own right. Together, the two women are reunited to do everything in their power to bring back the missing member of their blood-sworn trio.

Given the minimal information available about the real Gunnhild, The Weaver and the Witch Queen was an impressive work of historical fantasy in which Gornichec takes limited recorded details and weaves them into a narrative of her own creation. A full-bodied novel which features well-developed characters and a vibrant historical setting, the story explores themes of retribution and sacrifice as well as love and betrayal. While it certainly contains some darker elements, like the brutality of raids or the constant threat of death by violence, on the whole this is very different book from your average Viking tale, dealing more with personal journeys of growth, self-discovery, and connection to others.

Hence, like most works of this kind, the plot is never as simple as it seems. As our characters pursue their quest, they run into Eirik and his traveling party, and readers aware of the significance of their meeting know how in this moment Gunnhild and the future king’s fates will be forever entwined. While the women may be the focus of this novel, the men in their lives play an important role too. The Weaver and the Witch King features romance and plenty of political intrigue, a lot of manipulations and powerplays set in motion while emotions flow deeply and all over the place.

My only criticism would have to be the pacing, which is slow to start but also uneven in places. As a result, I had a hard time getting into the story initially because the intro ran long and the setup was a bit dry. However, as more developments unfolded and the character relationships fell into place, I began to enjoy myself a lot more watching their interpersonal dynamics take center stage. Gunnhild and Eirik’s paring made for some entertaining interactions, sparks of passion and of fury flying as these two strong personalities clashed. But while Oddny’s journey was somewhat less tumultuous, it was also quite fascinating as she finds herself drawn to someone whom she has every reason to hate.

If you enjoy historical fantasy featuring compelling storylines and empowered women, The Weaver and the Witch Queen is definitely one to watch. Fans of Norse mythology and magic will especially be enthralled, and I will be keeping an eye our for Genevieve Gornichec’s future projects.

Bookshelf Roundup 08/05/23: Stacking the Shelves & Recent Reads

Posted on August 6, 2023 7 Comments

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With a blink of an eye, July is over and August is upon us! I still can’t get over how quickly 2023 seems to be zipping by. At the end of next week, my family will also be jetting off on our summer vacation before school starts, so right now I’m also dealing with a lot of pre-travel jitters as I try to get everything squared away before our trip, ahh! As such, just a heads up there will be no Bookshelf Roundup next Sunday, though I do hope to get a couple of reviews up in the next few days. Anyway, moving on to the books:

Received for Review

With thanks to Tordotcom for:

Wild Spaces by S.L. Coney, an eldritch Lovecraftian inspired tale (if the tentacles on the cover aren’t enough of a hint) about a boy whose creepy grandfather comes to visit. Hard to believe this wasn’t on my radar before, but I’m definitely glad to receive this book.

With thanks to Blackstone Publishing for:

Dark Moon, Shallow Sea by David R. Slayton, another surprise arrival but also very intriguing. I’m not sure how well I’d like this one, given the story and its themes sound very abstract, but fans of mythological fantasy should check this one out.

With thanks to Del Rey Books for:

Dreambound by Dan Frey, who also wrote The Future Is Yours which I enjoyed immensely. This is one of my most anticipated fall releases and I was so excited when the ARC showed up.

With thanks to Berkley Books for:

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas, a supernatural western which pits vampires against vaqueros (in reference to cowboys in areas where Spanish is spoken) on the Texas-Mexico border. I’m always up for original and fun takes on vampires and this definitely sounds like it!

With thanks to Ace Books for:

Medusa’s Sisters by Lauren J.A. Bear, a reimagining of the Gorgon myth of Medusa and her sisters, Stheno and Euryale, from before they were transformed into monsters.

With thanks to Minotaur Books for:

The Trade Off by Sandie Jones. I have been following the author’s books for a while, and it was a nice surprise when a finished copy of her upcoming thriller about the cutthroat world of tabloid journalism showed up.

With thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for:

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus, a thriller survival tale about a scuba diver who has been swallowed by a whale, with only an hour to escape before his oxygen runs out. The thing about this that intrigues me most is the description that it’s supposed to be scientifically accurate.
The Last One by Will Dean, also known as The Last Passenger in the UK. A woman goes on a cruise with her new love and wakes up after the first night to find she is completely alone on the ship. I first learned about this one from Lynn’s blog, and the twists just sound so crazy!

Reviews

Recent Reads

I certainly didn’t expect to finish this many books, but earlier this week I spent a whole day repainting my daughter’s bedroom and a couple of great audio listens kept me company and just made the time fly by. You guys, Delicate Condition was SO AMAZING. Let me just say I love being a mom but I didn’t particularly enjoy being pregnant because I was stressed out the whole damn time. Reading this brought back some of those anxieties and what the character went through was absolutely horrifying, but suffice it to say I devoured this book in one session. The other standout was Boys in the Valley. It’s one of those books where when you are done you look back on it and think, holy crap, that was spectacularly well done and put together. Also, someone really ought to make it into a movie.

Have you heard of or read any of the books featured this week? What caught your eye? Any new discoveries? I hope you found something interesting for a future read!

Book Review: Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle

Posted on August 4, 2023 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.

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle

Mogsy’s Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Nightfire (July 18, 2023)

Length: 256 pages

Author Information: Website

Suffice it to say, the kind of stories and books Chuck Tingle is known for aren’t the kind you’d find in a conventional big box bookstore or featured on traditional book lists. While Camp Damascus is proclaimed as a horror debut, it is perhaps more accurate to say it is his first mainstream novel and as such I am probably a bit more critical than I would be with an author completely new to publishing.

High in the mountains of Montana is a small town named Neverton. It’s a picturesque community and a peaceful place to live, though its main claim to fame is Camp Damascus, touted as the most successful gay conversion camp in the country. Some of Neverton’s residents are part of the organization that runs it, the cultish Evangelical Christian organization known as the Kingdom of the Pine, which includes our protagonist Rose Darling and her family. All her life, Rose has been raised under the Kingdom’s strict beliefs, completely devoted to their teachings and to God. It’s a comfortable, harmonious existence, one that Rose knows will guide her to the perfect future where she will live in accordance with the teachings of her church, which she loves.

But then one day at the dinner table, Rose starts vomiting up mayflies. Understandably, this causes her much distress, though her parents seem to brush it off. She then notices that her bedroom lacks a door, but her father insists that this has always been the case. Next, she starts seeing a mysterious woman seemingly stalking—haunting?—her, and the stranger’s terrifying decayed appearance both rouses and frightens Rose, not least because visions of this demonic presence only seem to manifest when she is having impure thoughts. And admittedly, she has been having more of those lately, especially about a pretty girl in her social circle. As more cracks begin to develop in her happy, idyllic life and Rose realizes there are gaps in her memory, she takes it upon herself to investigate, starting with breaking into the office of her therapist who helps her with her autism. In his files, she finds out the shocking truth—that her name is on the list of those who have attended Camp Damascus—leading her on a mission to dig deeper to discover what other secrets the Kingdom and Neverton have kept from her.

More than this I will not reveal, because that would be giving away some of the best parts of the book. What I will say though, is that the plot does a good job setting up plenty of questions to be answered. Many of the story’s details, both minor and pivotal—such as Rose’s memory loss, her visions of the demonic figure, the effectiveness of Camp Damascus and the very methods they practice to achieve such a high success rate—will come into play at some point to form the full picture. I’m also genuinely impressed by some of the ideas in here, among them the unique angle used to illustrate the struggles of queer youth as well as the power behind the metaphors used to take on these themes.

But when analyzing Camp Damascus as a horror novel, I am somewhat more conflicted. While Chuck Tingle may have quite a stunning bibliography, that experience does not necessarily translate to stellar writing—or at least, stellar horror writing. Don’t get me wrong, the writing is certainly not bad here, but it’s also noticeably more tell than show, robbing a lot of the terror and anxiety from what should be legitimately scary scenes. Much of the gruesome violence, brutality, and sheer disgustingness that goes on in this book are in-your-face, and while there’s nothing wrong with thrills of that nature (like, especially if you are a fan of body horror), personally I just prefer a little more finesse and atmosphere.

Then there were the characters. To the book’s credit, Rose herself was an excellent protagonist and superbly written, though unfortunately, almost nobody else was. Sure, there were a few standout supporting characters, such as Rose’s dad or her metalhead friend, but the rest of the cast was rather forgettable. Still, I suppose that’s better than the caricature villains who were as nuanced as a wrecking ball, but maybe that just comes with the territory when writing about cults.

Now, looking back at what I’ve written, I realize I may sound a little harsh, but the truth is, I did enjoy this book. Even though the horror aspects may not have worked for me, the overall premise of Camp Damascus was intriguing and thought-provoking. Chuck Tingle tackles some tough subjects but handles them with great care and tact, demonstrating life’s many complexities where there are no simple answers and not everything is cut and dried. Here I will reiterate once more what a great character Rose is, as the author manages to translate the essence of all this through her experiences.

All told, Camp Damascus is a good story, and is an important story. Despite some aspects of it falling flat for me, I liked it overall, and I can see it working for a lot of others for whom the novel’s themes might resonate.

Book Review: Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Posted on August 3, 2023 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.

Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror, Historical Fiction

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Del Rey (July 18, 2023)

Length: 323 pages

Author Information: Website

Silver Nitrate is a book that’s all over the place, but in the best way possible! Leave it to Silvia Moreno-Garcia to come up with a highly original premise with a lot going on, yet she still manages to pull it all together flawlessly.

This story takes place in Mexico City in the 90’s—a time of sea change for Mexican cinema. Protagonist Montserrat Curiel is a talented sound editor working hard to get noticed in the film industry still dominated by men, and in her personal life she has all but given up on a fairy tale ending with her best friend Tristán, with whom she’s in love with since childhood. Both of them are horror film buffs, having grown up together watching the classics on TV. Handsome and charming, Tristán ended up turning to acting, becoming a soap opera star and achieving moderate celebrity until a tragic car accident and his subsequent struggles with addiction cut short his rise to success.

One day, Montserrat gets an excited call from Tristán who has just learned that retired cult horror filmmaker Abel Urueta is his new neighbor, and that he has invited them for dinner at his place. During their visit, the legendary director confides in them an extraordinary tale behind his most famous but unfinished movie, “Behind the Yellow Wall”, whose Nazi occultist screenwriter allegedly believed in drawing his magical powers from silver nitrate stock. It all sounded too incredible to be true, but then, so too had been the claims that the project was cursed yet bad luck seemed to have befallen everyone who worked on it. Abel himself saw his career ended, but he is convinced that he can rid himself of the curse if only he can finish the movie. That’s where Montserrat and Tristán come in. Abel wants them to help him shoot a missing scene which they readily agree to, not knowing that soon, they too will be inviting a dark presence into their lives.

“The curse of the lost film” seems to be a recurring theme in my horror reads lately. Earlier this summer I read The Devil’s Playground which had similar elements—and which was also a very good read. But while both books included a mystery plot and the paranormal, Silver Nitrate sets itself apart with an original setting, a wealth of Mexican film and horror movie history, plus a deeply moving and richly portrayed relationship between the two main characters.

Montserrat and Tristán may have a lot in common, but they also could not be any more different. As children, they bonded over an interest in film and both ended up working in the industry in some way. But while small, unassuming but fiercely independent Montserrat ended up in the technical side of things, Tristán’s capitalized on his good flashy looks to become a TV star. Still, while he may have the swagger and a dashing cinematic presence, his is the fragile personality compared to Montserrat’s bold fighting spirit. By his own admission, he is a coward whose life is a mess, always counting on his friend to save him and make things right. To his credit though, he is also a sweetheart and, like a devoted puppy, is completely loyal to his “Momo.” Relative to him, Montserrat is the one who has her life together and reads like she was born to be a heroine, always coming to Tristán’s rescue and being his emotional support even if he acts like he doesn’t appreciate it sometimes. Even with its ups and downs, the frustration and stresses, theirs is clearly a friendship based on a solid foundation.

Then there was the book’s unique setting. Of course, the backdrop of 90s Mexico City was certainly different, and not only did Moreno-Garcia do a fantastic job describing the visuals, but she’s managed to pin down the uniquely 90s vibe and atmosphere. The story also takes Montserrat and Tristán through many locations in the city, so much so that the milieu becomes as much a fundamental part of the story as the characters and plot.

In terms of the story, Silver Nitrate starts off at a slow-burning pace, gradually introducing the different elements, layer by layer, until the main premise is established. As such, if I had to give one caveat, it’s that a fair bit of patience may be required for the first half of the book. There’s just so much going on—a haunting, Nazi occultism, both the real and fictional magical properties of silver nitrate film, just to name a few things—it won’t be immediately clear how any of it is connected until much later.

However, I can promise that once all the puzzle pieces come together to form the full picture, it is absolutely worth it. Not only that, things wrapped up with a chef’s kiss of an ending. One thing’s for certain—I sure won’t let any more Silvia Moreno-Garcia books pass me by again. Highly recommended.