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Southern Hospitality to Die for: Reviewing A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

Hello everyone! I am wishing you all the best, as always. Just because it’s hot outside, doesn’t mean we can’t still be spooky. Before I get started with this review, feel free to check out my other reviews of T. Kingfisher’s books. This is now the fourth one of hers that I have read so it is safe to say I am a fan. I have also mentioned before that I love Southern Gothic novels and find the genre to be very underrated. I was then excited when one of my newest favorite authors was covering the genre. Now, let’s get a little dark with A House with Good Bones.

Content Warning: Disturbing imagery, Bodily Harm, Depictions of Child Abuse

Sam Montgomery is excited to return home for an extended stay with her mother. Well, she is only kind of excited. Sam’s brother, Brad, warned her that their mother seemed to be a little off lately. Sam brushes it off, trying not to overthink it. The longer she stays in her childhood home, however, the longer she starts to think something is terribly wrong. Sam’s mom repainted her colorful walls, took down her favorite art, and reverted it back to how it looked when Sam’s grandmother owned the house. She also notices her mom being paranoid of the house itself. Despite Sam’s best efforts to remain logical, strange occurrences like vultures circling the house and a jar of teeth buried in the backyard all lead to something much dark lurking in this seemingly normal house.

I would definitely begin off by labeling this book as a “cozy horror.” It wasn’t particularly scary but T. Kingfisher does a great job creating a foreboding atmosphere. I liked the humor and snarky wit that Sam as the narrator brings to the table. I especially like the way that Kingfisher incorporates nature into supernatural horror. I will say, though, that this probably isn’t my favorite novel out of the other books I have read by Kingfisher. That isn’t to say it isn’t enjoyable; it didn’t have the same impact as a book like What Moves the Dead. It is still a fun spooky read, especially for the summer so, if you’re looking for a quick and cozy horror then add A House with Good Bones to your TBR.

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They know God; they know terror: Reviewing Pew by Catherine Lacey

Hi everyone! I hope you are enjoying the lovely warm weather. Something I should mention about my literary preferences is that I love weird/surreal books. I realize that certain books I read may not be for everyone, which is fine. However, I love books with plots that use strange and bizarre elements. I also love going into books with as little information as possible, which makes reading all the more interesting. With all of that being said, I am going to talk to you about Pew.

Content Warning: Discussions of Homophobia, Discussions of Racism, Discussions and Depictions of Violence, Religious Trauma

A stranger is found asleep on the pew of a church in a nameless town in the American South. The locals don’t know what to make of the stranger. No one can even tell the stranger’s gender, ethnicity, or age. They take to calling them Pew and Pew becomes a fixture in the community. Pew also chooses not to talk. As Pew lives with different families over the week, they begin to learn about the deep secrets hidden amongst the locals. Pew’s arrival also happens to coincide with the Forgiveness Festival. As the day of the festival gets closer, the town becomes more wary of their arrival and suspicions grow into paranoia. In the process of finding out about Pew’s identity, the townspeople must face even larger, more uncomfortable truths about their lives.

This book was an interesting mixture of surrealist and Southern Gothic literature. Catherine Lacey manages to take the seemingly ordinary circumstances that Pew experiences and turns them into something both profound and even sinister at times. I loved the use of ambiguity in the novel as there are multiple mysteries at play but it is unclear whether the answers are there or if they would even be satisfying. This book wasn’t necessarily a mystery or horror novel but it did have many impactful and shocking moments. Pew is a short but dark novel with plenty of complex characters and a foreboding atmosphere.

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Go forth and find the one who calls your name: Reviewing The Sun and The Star: A Nico Di Angelo Adventure by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro

Hello everyone! Happy Pride Month to all! I hope every single one of you feels loved and accepted for who you are! This is actually the perfect book to kick off Pride Month with. As you might know, I don’t read young adult books that often (if at all), but I have been invested in the Percy Jackson universe for a long time. You are more than welcome to check out my reviews for the Trials of Apollo series. I know another Percy Jackson book is coming out sometime this year, and I will obviously review that one when it comes out. In the meanwhile, let’s talk about the latest entry to this universe, The Sun and the Star.

Nico Di Angelo is no stranger to darkness or despair. As the son of Hades, Nico has been surrounded by death, has been to the Underworld more times than he’s cared for, and struggled with his identity. His wonderful boyfriend and son of Apollo, Will Solace, has been a ray of light (literally) in his life. The two can get through just about anything together. Nico,, though, has been plagued with nightmares lately. A prophecy from Camp Half Blood’s Oracle, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, confirms Nico’s worst fears: he must venture into Tartarus and free Bob, the reformed Titan. Will insists on coming along but has no idea what the deepest part of the Underworld holds for them. Together, Will and Nico must face dark forces that threaten to tear them apart and face their pasts once again.

The Sun and the Star is a great addition to the Percy Jackson universe and a great chance for some fan-favorite characters to shine. Rick Riordan has always done a great job with character development. Mark Oshiro brings sensitivity and understanding when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation. Together, the two do a wonderful job balancing the adventure aspects of the novel and the more serious topics, like struggling with one’s identity and coping with trauma. I’m really glad that young adult audiences are getting well-written and in-depth representations nowadays. Nico Di Angelo is easily one of my favorite characters in this series and I am glad that both he and Will Solace (another fan favorite) were given the spotlight. Percy Jackson fans of all ages will love this thrilling adventure featuring everyone’s favorite demigods.

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I am blood. I am death. I am vengeance: Reviewing The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne (Book 1 of The Bloodsworn Trilogy)

Hi everyone! I am back and have not forgotten the blog, I promise. I have just been getting through some longer books. I do pride myself on being a fast reader, but I also read four to five books at any time. There are some novellas sitting in my TBR if that is more your speed, though. I did notice I got quite a few new followers recently so, if you’re reading this, thank you so much for reading my reviews. I do this for fun in my spare time because I am a bookworm and I love to share my thoughts with others. Now, let’s get into what you all came here for. Here are my thoughts on The Shadow of the Gods.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Graphic Bodily Injuries and Death, Harsh Language, Discussions and Depictions of Slavery, Harm Towards Children, Animal Death, Battle Scenes

The gods fought and killed each other. What remained was their bones and their descendants. War looms over the land of Vigrid and the gods might not be as dead as everyone thought. Three warriors, all with different paths, find themselves entangled by fate. Elvar, a young warrior, is determined to earn her battle-fame as she seeks out the land of the gods. Orka, a noblewoman, is on a quest for revenge after her husband is killed and her son is taken. Varg, an escaped thrall, joins the elite Bloodsworn warriors in hopes of finding out who killed his sister. They soon find themselves facing a threat that could tear apart their land and must fight to survive, no matter the cost.

This was an incredible fantasy adventure and I loved every page of this book. Heavily inspired by Norse mythology, The Shadow of the Gods is a truly epic tale that unputdownable. I do have some experience with Norse sagas and this novel jogged my memory, taking me back to all of those tales I read in the past. John Gwynne introduces elaborate world building, along with a narrative that comes together in a satisfying way. The fight scenes were also so well written (albeit very gruesome). Every character was well fleshed out with great development along the way. This first book really set the tone for this trilogy and I will absolutely be getting the next book soon. Any fan of fantasy adventure novels must go pick this up immediately.