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Someone is always watching….:Reviewing Mister Magic by Kiersten White

Hello everyone! I wish it hadn’t taken me so long to get back to you with a review. Nothing major happened. You all know how it is: life gets in the way sometimes. I must work if I want to afford more books. If I get more books, you all get more reviews and you all seem to enjoy my opinions. I am definitely going to start reading more horror books with October being just around the corner. I always get so excited for this time of year. Early fall just feels wonderful, in my opinion. Now, let’s get to it and talk about Mister Magic.

Content Warning: Some harsh language, Religious Trauma, Child Abuse and Child Death, Some discussions of homophobia

Val Barrett had a nice life carved out for herself as a camp counselor. Everything was idyllic until her father passes away. At the funeral, a group of people show up claiming to be Val’s childhood friends. Not only do they say they were her friends, they also claim that they were all a part of a tv show called Mister Magic. Val, however, has no memory of her childhood or being a part of a mysterious tv show that seems to have never existed. Val and her friends decide to unravel the mystery of who Mister Magic really was and what happened that caused the show to seemingly vanish. The more she investigates, the more Val realizes that some things might be better off forgotten.

I will admit that my initial excitement for this book came from my love of “creepypastas,” which is the blanket term for a specific genre of fictional horror stories published on the internet. There is an entire subgenre dedicated to “corrupted” children’s shows or missing children’s shows that were actually more sinister than everyone remembers. (Candle Cove, anyone?) Kiersten White does seem to tap into this genre as the book is broken up with well-crafted mock internet posts that helped flesh out the world of the novel. It’s refreshing to come across an author who actually understands how the internet works and what it looks like. With all this being said, the novel did underwhelm me a bit. To encroach on spoiler territory (don’t read any farther if you don’t want to be spoiled): the whole book is essentially a giant metaphor for leaving a cult. In this instance, the cult in question was Mormonism. In the notes at the end, White does mention how she is ex-Mormon. While I can appreciate the intention of this novel, I felt that this aspect actually took away some of the horror elements for me. I would even argue that, outside of children being harmed, this book wasn’t even that scary and the initial intrigue fell apart at the end for me. Now, I have never experienced a situation like being involved in a religious cult so maybe I lack the experience to truly appreciate this book. I can safely say I didn’t dislike the book but I didn’t love it either. While it wasn’t my favorite book, I did appreciate what the goal was and I hope that someone out there can appreciate it in a way that I did not.

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I swear myself to you and none other: Reviewing A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland

Hello everyone! Two reviews in one weekend! I know, it’s a lot but I am feeling productive with my TBR pile. I have some sequels to books I have previously read that I have been just itching to get around to. Today’s particular novel was brought to you by “Book Tok.” I’ve been finding really great suggestions through some of the people I follow there and I have a fairly comprehensive list of books I intend to read in the future. Enough chit-chat, though. Let’s finally discuss A Taste of Gold and Iron.

Content Warning: Some Violence, Some Mildly Graphic Descriptions of Bodily Injuries, Some Harsh Language, Mild Sexual Content

Prince Kadou of Arast is typically shy and soft-spoken, preferring to keep away from the court and politics. An altercation, though, puts him under the scrutiny of the royal court, his sister, and the father of his niece. In order to put himself back in the good graces of the court, Kadou takes it upon himself to lead an investigation of a break in at one of their guilds. At his side is a new bodyguard, a handsome and proper man named Evemer who was personally assigned to him by his sister. Kadou uses his ability of touch-tasting, which allows him to discern precious metals. Soon, Kadou and Evemer uncover a conspiracy that threatens the entire royal court and it is up to them to stop it.

A Taste of Gold and Iron is an enjoyable fantasy that weaves together a lot of fun tropes into Rowland’s own intricately created world. While I am not a huge fan of royal court fantasy, I did find myself enjoying how Rowland uses that setting to create so much delicious tension. The romance between Kadou and Evemer was such a good slow burn that was equal parts steamy and romantic. I know some people really love the “bodyguard romance” subgenre and this fits squarely into that trope as well. Romance that relies on specific tropes can be very tricky as sometimes it just comes across as cliche. Alexandrea Rowland includes just enough cliche to satisfy the romance part of the novel while balancing it out with an intricate fantasy setting. A Taste of Gold and Iron was certainly a great fantasy read that you won’t want to put down.

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Disposable and Finite and Vulnerable: Reviewing Dead Astronauts by Jeff Vandermeer

Hello everyone! I am finally back after being gone for longer than I would have liked. There is also a chill in the air and I have a pile of horror novels that I am itching to read. I am pacing myself a bit because I want to save all of the spooky stuff for October. That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop reading the weird and creepy stuff. This is not my first time reading a book by Jeff Vandermeer so make sure to check out my other reviews of his books. Now, it’s time to talk about Dead Astronauts.

Content Warning: Disturbing Imagery, Some Harsh Language, Discussions and Depictions of Abuse, Animal Abuse, Animal Death, Discussions and Depictions of Severe Mental Illness, Violence, Medical Experimentation

Different stories unfold, begin, end, and some never get a chance to be told. A blue fox travels through time and space to complete a mysterious mission. A woman who is haunted by a demon finds a mysterious journal that changes her life. Three astronauts fight in a war against a powerful corporation that has destroyed and twisted nature. A madman wanders the desert, followed by a monster of his own creation whose purpose and name he cannot remember. All stories begin and all stories end, but not always in the way that they should.

Dead Astronauts is a captivating yet disturbing mixture of prose and poetry revolving around a cosmic battle between man and nature. Jeff Vandermeer’s brand of eco-centric sci-fi remains unlike anything else I have read. He does not hold back when exploring an apocalyptic future where nature fights back against humanity’s attempt to tame it. (He some how manages to make a duck into a very creepy character.) From what I can tell, Vandermeer’s books all exist within the same universe, which makes it more interesting. I love how he delves deeper into this topic and isn’t afraid to be abstract. I like when novels blend together different styles of writing to enhance the overall themes and messages. If you love surreal literature, particularly surreal sci-fi, then look no further than Jeff Vandermeer and definitely give Dead Astronauts your attention.

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Who wants to be a nice girl anyhow?: Reviewing Reluctant Immortals by Gwendolyn Kiste

Hello everyone! I’m finally back with a review after trying to get through some of the longer books I am reading. Now that the weather is finally cooling down and fall is slowly making its presence known, I will definitely be reading more horror novels than usual. I personally think there is a difference between “summer horror” and “fall horror” but that is just me. One might even argue that there is such a thing as “winter horror” and “spring horror.” That is just me. I mostly pick books based off of my current mood. This book, however, has been on my TBR list for a long time so let’s finally talk about Reluctant Immortals.

Content Warning: Violence, Graphic Bodily Injury, Discussions of Domestic Violence, Some Harsh Language

It’s in 1967 in Los Angeles. Lucy Westerna and Bertha Mason (who goes by Bee) are both immortals who are on the run from the men who ruined their lives. Just as everything seems to have settled down, Rochester and Dracula make a shocking return. They team up to destroy the women who escaped from them and find new “wives.” Lucy and Bee make the decision to face down the men who killed them once and for all, even if it means dying once and for all.

If there is anything you need to know about me, you need to know that two of my favorite books are Dracula and Jane Eyre. I was practically ecstatic when I read the premise of Gwendolyn Kiste’s unique Gothic novel. I did write an entire essay about Bertha Mason’s horrendous treatment as “the madwoman in the attic” and I could also go on about how Lucy Westerna’s tragic fate has been overly glamorized in modern adaptations of Dracula. Kiste beat me to both of these and I appreciate her for it. This novel is a fast-paced, visceral exploration of the literary legacies of these famous characters. I appreciate how Kiste theoretically gives both of these women power in their stories and allows them to have closure. This was such a great reading experience and has easily become one of my new favorite books. Who knew that California in 1967 could be such a great setting for a Gothic thriller? Go pick up this book immediately, especially if you are a fan of Dracula and/or Jane Eyre.

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Never presume to know the journey of another: Reviewing Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton

Hello everyone! Yes. I am back sooner than I anticipated. Like I said, I’m a fast reader. I also just really excited to share a new book with you all. Thank you for your continued support on my little hobby. Now let’s talk about Hollow Kingdom.

Content Warning: Graphic and Disturbing Imagery, Violence, Harm towards Animals, Animal Death, Harsh Language

S.T. is a plucky, fast-talking domesticate crow who loves his owner Big Jim, Cheetos, and Big Jim’s other animal companion: a dopey dog named Dennis. Life is going smoothly for S.T. until Big Jim begins to fall apart…literally. His eyeballs pop out of his head. Despite S.T.’s best efforts, he has to come to terms with the fact that his owner is a goner. With Dennis at his side, the sarcastic crow begins a journey into a world where humans are behaving like animals and animals are reclaiming the land. S.T. learns that he has an important role to play in this new fight for survival and must use his vast knowledge of human culture to save his fellow animals from possible extinction.

This was such a fun and unique take on a pretty classic zombie apocalypse story. Kira Jane Buxton’s writing is sharp, funny, lyrical, and heart-warming as she tells a story about the apocalypse from the eyes of various animals. I laughed out loud and got pretty sad while reading this book. I have a soft spot for animals of all kinds so this book was very endearing to me. This was such a fun reading experience, despite its sad moments. Go get this book and then get lost in the wonderful and poignant narrative about the power of nature and friendship.

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We lovers fear everything: Reviewing A Game of Gods (Book 3 of the Hades saga) by Scarlett St. Clair

Hello everyone! I hope y’all are holding up. I’m going out of town soon so that will be a nice change of scenery and I’ll definitely get some reading done during the car ride. My TBR stack is pretty hefty right now so I’ll have plenty of content coming soon. I am pretty set on only reading physical books. This isn’t me throwing shade at anyone who reads e-books. I just struggle to pay attention when the book is digital. The same goes for audiobooks. I prefer to have the physical book in my hands because it feels like I can absorb the content better. Now, let’s end my rambling and talk about A Game of Gods.

Content Warning: Explicit Sexual Content, Violence, Some Graphic Bodily Injury, Attempted Sexual Assault, Harsh Language, Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny

Hades, the God of the Dead, has done everything to protect his beloved Persephone and guarantee their marriage. While they are both excited, they are also aware that Persephone’s mother Demeter will stop at nothing to tear them apart, even if it means hurting others. Demeter is not the only threat to Hades and the rest of the gods. Theseus, a son of Zeus, is gaining allies as his plan to overthrow the gods is starting to come to fruition. Despite the danger, Hades is determined to make Persephone his bride and is willing to play increasingly dangerous games where anyone can be an enemy and allies are far from guaranteed.

This book was by far the thickest addition to this series and had the most plot by far. I do appreciate the balance between the plot and the main point of this book: the adult content. I personally really enjoyed how “involved” this book was this multiple points of view and an interesting subplot that was a bit of a re-telling of the myth of Dionysus and Ariadne. I also appreciate that Scarlett St. Clair admits that this book is meant to be a bit of a soap opera because it delivers in the most enjoyable way. This series has been a fun and sexy time. I’m certainly looking forward to seeing how this continues as this book ended on a cliff hanger and I need to know what happens next.

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Survive, whatever it takes: Reviewing Earthlings by Sayaka Murata

Hello everyone! I hope everyone is doing well. I have said this before in previous reviews, but I want to preface this by saying I fully understand that some books I’m reading aren’t for everyone. A lot of the books I read deal with uncomfortable topics that you reading might not want to read about. I understand my limits and have adapted to reading books about sensitive topics. This is why I’ve been leaving content warnings in my reviews because I too don’t like to surprised by graphic content. Typically, I know what I’m getting into when I choose a book and I want you all to know what you are getting into. If you have stuck around for my ramblings, then you are clearly just as weird as me so let’s talk about Earthlings.

Content Warning: Graphic Sexual Content, Graphic Violence, Depictions of Non-consensual sex/Sexual Assault, Harm and Neglect towards Children, Incest

As a child, Natsuki believed that she was an alien who was sent to Earth on a special mission. Her closest friends were her plush hedgehog named Piyyut, who came from the planet Popinpobopia, and her cousin Yuu. Natsuki and Yuu formed a close relationship and pledged to each other to survive in order to get back to their home planet. After a series of tragic events, Natsuki and Yuu are separated but Natsuki still held onto their promise. Now an adult, Natsuki lives a quiet life in her unusual, but comfortable marriage. When her husband suggests they take a vacation to her grandparents’ old home in the mountains, Natsuki agrees in hopes of finally getting away from the pressure from her family. To her surprise, Yuu is still living in the family home where Natsuki spent most of her childhood. Now, away from society, Natsuki, her husband, and Yuu all bond together and found out what it really means to survive, no matter what it takes.

I’ve read quite a few unhinged books in time and this one definitely just entered my “top ten most unhinged books” list. Sayaka Murata masterfully depicts the different ways people cope with trauma and how society often desensitizes itself to trauma. The writing was as surreal as it was heartbreaking at times. This book does delve into some very uncomfortable topics but does so unflinchingly. I also found it interesting that this book was as much about the dangers of nonconformity as it was about conformity. It is almost hard to articulate how I feel about this book without giving you a ten-page essay because there is so much I want to say. I couldn’t look away from Earthlings and I honestly do recommend this if you want a surreal, yet shocking book that you won’t be able to put down.

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We keep striking. We keep going. We keep fighting: Reviewing The Blood Gift (Book 2 of The Blood Gift Duology) by N.E. Davenport

Hi everyone! I am really speeding through my TBR much faster than I would like. I’ve been really wanting to finish this sequel, though. I try to stick to standalone reads, mostly because I don’t have enough shelf space for multiple series. I recently heard via the internet that it takes a thousand books to make a library. I am curious but I do not feel like counting my collection any time soon. Now, let’s talk about the highly anticipated sequel to The Blood Trials.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Graphic Bodily Injury, Explicit Sexual Content, Discussions and Depictions of Racism, Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny, Harsh Language

After facing the ultimate betrayal at the hands of the Tribunal Council, Ikenna Amari finds herself on the run with her fellow “deserters” and hopes that one of her Grandfather’s allies might back their rebellion. Ikenna also must get her overwhelming powers under control and she is running out of time. The Blood Emperor has launched a full-scale attack against Mareen and nothing will stop him from killing everyone in his way. Ikenna and her must team must defeat the Blood Emperor to bring an end to his destruction, but that is not the only challenge they face. With war erupting and alliances falling apart, Ikenna must find where her loyalties lie in order to take out the greatest threat against her world.

I absolutely loved The Blood Trials (please check out that review) and The Blood Gift did not disappoint. It was just as intense as the first book but had a dash more political intrigue that helped flesh out the world that N.E. Davenport has so carefully crafted. Ikenna “Kenna” Amari is the perfect example of how to write a strong female character without reducing her to any one category. I actually appreciated how Davenport incorporated romance and other themes of love into the novel without taking away from the incredible battle scenes and a rather realistic look at warfare. This book is so well-balanced and well-paced. I did not want to look away, even when it got gruesome. For those of you who loved The Blood Trials, worry not because The Blood Gift lives up to the hype.

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To fear, to hope, and to desire once more: Reviewing Pandora by Susan Stokes-Chapman

Hello everyone! Yes, I am back sooner than ever with a review. It is sweltering where I live, so I am not motivated to leave the house. I’ve also had some downtime at work so I steal chances to read. I’ve mentioned it before but I tend to read fast. It’s a skill I developed at a young age. Before anyone wonders, this novel is inspired by Greek mythology but not about Greek mythology. I know I read a lot of Greek myth books. If you like those, then stick around for this. It’s time to talk about Pandora.

Content Warning: Some Harsh Language, Graphic Injury, Graphic Death, Abuse, Animal Death

Dora Blake is an aspiring jeweler living in the antique shop that is run by her resentful uncle. The once respectable shop had fallen into disrepair since Dora’s parents died and is mostly used by her uncle to sell cheap forgeries. One day, a large Greek vase is delivered to the shop and it is unlike anything Dora had ever seen. She also notices her uncle behaving strangely and decides to investigate. She seeks the help of aspiring antiquities scholar Edward Lawrence to find out what makes this vase so important. The vase, as it turns out, is the key to finding out what really happened to Dora’s family. As Dora and Edward continue their investigation, they quickly discover secrets that change their lives forever.

This book fits squarely in my Venn Diagram of interests, falling in between “Victorian England” and “Greek Mythology.” I may come across as biased in this review but I did truly enjoy this fast-paced, enticing novel. Susan Stokes-Chapman blends together mystery, drama, and a little bit of romance in this clever retelling of the myth of Pandora. Only this time, I like what I found when I opened this metaphorical box. The book was well-paced and the mystery at the heart of it was handled well. This is definitely a good summer read that will keep you hanging on until the very end.

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Love is rife with body parts: Reviewing A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers

Hello all! I was not expecting to be back so soon with a review but here I am again. I am still going through my “weird girl” TBR. I think you’ve all gotten a good sense of what I’m interested in at this point. I don’t question it at this point and neither should you. It only took someone comparing this book to Hannibal, one of my all time favorite shows, to want to read this book. If you know what I’m talking about, then you can tell this book is going to be a spectacle. Let’s talk about A Certain Hunger

Content Warning: Explicit Sexual Content, Graphic Violence, Discussions of Harm towards Animals, Harsh Language, Graphic Bodily Injury

Dorothy Daniels is a sharp-witted, intelligent food critic at the height of her career. Dorothy loves two things as much as she loves food: sex and murder. It didn’t take much for her to want to try something a little more “exotic.” With a long string of lovers, Dorothy has her pick of delectable men to choose from. One unfortunate day, her luck ran out and now she has to spend the rest of her life in prison. During this time of solitude, Dorothy decides to tell her side of the story and let the world in on her sordid little secrets.

Chelsea G. Summers delivers a decadent novel about love, murder, and some of the best descriptions of food I have read in a while. This book reminded me so much of Hannibal with its balance of violence and artistry. What sets it apart, though, is the commentary on feminism, consumerism, and ethical consumption. Granted, nothing Dorothy does is ethical but she is enjoyable as a semi-unreliable narrator. This is not the book you want to read on an empty stomach, partially because of the murder and partially because the meals Dorothy makes from her victims sound way tastier than they should be. This was an intense and fascinating thriller for anyone who wants a twist on a crime novel.