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You will soon come to know that I am what you make me: Reviewing Lord of Eternal Night by Ben Alderson

Hi everyone! It’s good to be back. I feel like I’m struggling a bit to keep up with this blog. I tend to underestimate how fast I can go and how much I can get through in a short time. You’ll have one more horror novel review before Halloween. Everything else may just roll over into November. I’m sure you won’t mind. This time, I picked something a little spicy and a little spooky. It’s time to review Lord of Eternal Night.

Content Warning: Violence, Explicit Sexual Content, Explicit Language, Some Gore

Jak was born with a purpose. He is the most powerful witch born into his coven in 100 years. His mission is to kill a cursed creature and restore magic to his fellow witches. To succeed, Jak must get close to this beast that looks like a handsome man. As time passes, Jak realizes he has not been told the whole truth about his mission. Now, with new feelings blossoming, Jak must choose between his family and his newfound love.

I have had a lot of trouble finding a good dark romantasy novel that checks all the boxes for me. Lord of Eternal Night hits that perfect sweet spot of spooky and spicy. Ben Alderson’s writing and pacing is perfect for this kind of story. It was just slow and tense enough, with plenty of steamy scenes to keep the reader satiated. While this is clearly inspired by Beauty and the Beast, I felt that the additional world-building that Alderson did helped to make the story its own. I was thoroughly titillated from beginning to end. I will, though, be honest and offer some constructive criticism. There were some editing errors and typos that I found distracting. There weren’t so many that it was unreadable, but I felt that this might have needed some addtional editing. That, however, doesn’t take away from the overall enjoyable experience I had reading this novel. I say that as a bit of advice to indie authors. With all of that being said, if you want something steamy and spine-tingling to read on Halloween, I would highly recommend Lord of Eternal Night.

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I have not felt my soul for a very long time: Reviewing Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito

Hey everyone! I’m back again with something that’s perfectly horrifying. This book was recently adapted into a movie of the same name. I haven’t gotten a chance to watch it, so I can’t give any opinions on it yet. If I do, I will let you know. For now, let’s talk about Victorian Psycho.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Disturbing Imagery, Child Death, Animal Death, Explicit Language, Misogyny and Sexism, Self-Harm

Winifred Notty has recently been hired by the Pounds family as a governess. Mr. and Mrs. Punds are dreadfully dull. Her charges, Andrew and Drusilla, are just as dull as their parents. To entertain herself, Winifred finds fun and creative ways to terrorize the children. All of this is to bide time until Christmas. Winifred has big plans for the holiday, and the residents of the Pounds house are in for a day they will never forget.

Victorian Psycho is a macabre, tense, and darkly funny novella. It certainly pays homage to its predessor of a similar name (American Psycho), but is much more brisk in its pacing. I also appreciate that the narrative does not seek sympathy for its narrator, Winifred Notty. Typically, female killers are often shaped whereas male killers just are. That is not to say that Winifred isn’t sympathetic. There is plenty of period-typical sexism throughout the novel. Feito doesn’t hold back in her thinly veiled critiques about gender roles. With that being said, I wouldn’t call this a “feminist novel,” and that is fine. Victorian Psycho is more akin to a “splatter punk” novel. When it gets gorey, it gets very gorey. Feito is oddly poetic about it, and I quite enjoyed the contrast between the bloody murders and the elegant prose. Victorian Psycho is a punchy, bloody good time for the adventurous horror fans.

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One has to control something in the face of the great uncontrollable: Reviewing The September House by Carissa Orlando

Hi everyone! I’m back, and I have a properly spooky book to talk about! I always get so excited for this time of year. All of the Halloween decorations are up, the weather is just cold enough, and everything just feels right. I won’t wax poetic about October for too much longer. Let’s talk about The September House.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Domestic Violence, Disturbing Imagery, Explicit Language, References to Self-Harm, Alcohol Abuse, Body Horror

After years of searching, Margaret and her husband Hal found their perfect home. It was everything they could have ever wished for. It is, however, severely haunted. Every September, the various ghosts make their presence known and terrorize the occupants. Margaret is willing to accept this small price so that she can continue to live in her dream home. Hal, on the other hand, reaches his breaking point and disappears after an argument. Margaret tries to brush this off, but her daughter, Katherine, learns about her father’s disappearance and immediately begins her own investigation. Margaret must keep her daughter in the dark about the house’s true nature, but the things lurking in the dark no longer want to hide.

I am genuinely glad I get to kick off the spookiest time of year with The September House. This novel stretches the classic “haunted house” story to its limits. Carissa Orlando brilliantly blends together a harrowing ghost story and the story of a woman’s inner turmoil as she is confront the reality of her situation. It was a surprisingly empowering story (aside from the gore). As the POV character, Margaret delivers her inner thoughts with wry, dark humor and dignity. It is always refreshing to have an older woman as a protagonist, especially in a horror novel. The narration was well-paced and layered. Orlando certainly knows how to craft a plot twist and create a satisfying pay off. I won’t continue on because I don’t want to venture into spoilers. The September House is a must-read for this Halloween season, especially if you want a fresh take on the “haunted house” story.

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The sensation that the world is slowly dying feels good: Reviewing Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata, Translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori

Hi everyone! I am sorry for the unnecessarily long delay. To be fully transparent, I have finished some books. I simply didn’t have time to review them. There were things I wanted to say, but they slipped my mind once life’s responsibilities got in the way. It pains me to be away from this blog for too long. I like rambling about whatever I have read recently. With October just around the corner, I fully intend to deliver you all some spooky book reviews. I figured that this book would be a good one to warm up my reviewing skills once again. This is now my second time reading a novel by Sayaka Murata. If you feel so inclined, please check out my review of Earthlings. Now, let’s talk about Convenience Store Woman.

Content Warning: Explicit Langauge, References to Sexual Assault

Keiko Furukura has always known she doesn’t fit in. She has no desire to marry or have children. She has no friends, nor does she want any. At eighteen, she found her true purpose at Smile Mart. Keiko loves her job as a convenience store worker and has no desire to be anything else. At thirty-six, she is comfortable with her monotonous life. Her family and co-workers, though, think something is wrong with her. Keiko begins to feel societal pressure to marry and reproduce. All she wants is for everyone to leave her alone. When she encounters a strange man who also rails against societal norms, she thinks that she may have found her answer. Is it the only answer?

Convenience Store Woman is a punchy little novel that interrogates what it really means to not fit in. Murata’s novel celebrates those who merely want live by their own terms. As a main character, Keiko has plenty of unique quirks that reflect in her inner monologue. I would even argue that she is neurodivergent. To me, Keiko is representative of a specific portion of people who enjoy their repetative jobs. Murata’s prose is concise in its philosophy. Some people try so hard to be different that they circle back around to being like everyone else. Certain responsibilities are simply unavoidable in life. There are many different paths for a person to take, and that path might lead to a job in a small convenience store. I am continually impressed with how Murata writes unassuming women who hold multitudes of such interesting thoughts. I really adored this novel and its messaging. This is a novel for the unconventional rebels. I highly recommend Convenience Store Woman for anyone who needs a good “weird girl” book.

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Hunger is all I am and all my life is: Reviewing The Glutton by A.K. Blakemore

Hey everyone! I hope you are all doing well. Summer is slowly but surely turning into fall. Other things are changing too. They are exciting changes, though, and I’m feeling optimistic about the near future. For this book review, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try some genre fiction. Despite my preferences, I am a fan of historical fiction, and this once sounded particularly interesting. It’s also an interesting rabbit hole to delve into, if you feel like doing some random research. That said, let’s talk about The Glutton.

Content Warning: Explicit Language, Violence, Child Death, Sexual Content, Animal Death, Disturbing Imagery, Discussions of Sexual Assault

In a small hospital room in Versailles, a nun named Sister Perpetue sits with an ailing patient. This patient is considered dangerous, and the unpleasant task of watching him falls to the novice nun. This patient is a man named Tarare. His life began out unremarkably, in a tiny village outside of Lyon. Tarare’s young life is changed after a violent altercation, and he is forced out of the only life he has ever known. Soon after, he develops an insatiable hunger that drives him to extremes to satisfy it. Tarare’s journey ends up being one of peril, deceit, and gluttony. Amidst a political upheaval, Tarare is forced to navigate a strange world and his own dangerous cravings.

The Glutton is an intense, visceral, and eloquent imagining of Tarare, a man whose life is a mystery to this day. Blakemore’s prose is interesting because it feels stream-of-consciousness, even rambling, at times, but she cleverly circles back to the main narrative every time. The writing may not resonate with everyone, but it certainly presents a unique approach to such a unique story. Blakemore’s prose is poetic, sympathetic, and darkly funny at times, but doesn’t let go of Tarare as a tragic figure amongst the other odd characters in the novel. There was a distinct focus throughout the novel that helped ground this story in reality. That being said, this writing style may not resonate with everyone. At times, I had a bit of a hard time keeping track of the main story. The writing, though, is so captivating, and it was easy to get sucked into the story. Overall, The Glutton stands out as a historical reimagining of a story that most people probably don’t know about. If you are looking for a historical novel. I highly recommend checking out this one.

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How do you untangle madness from reality?: Reviewing The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. The weather is finally nice, and I am eager to begin my summer reading. There are a ton of books coming out this year that I am so excited to read. Before I get to those, though, I must get through what I have. This is now the second time I have reviewed a novel by Caitlin Starling. You can check out my review for The Death of Jane Lawrence. Now, its time to talk about her newest novel: The Starving Saints.

Content Warning: Violence, Gore, Disturbing Imagery, Sexual Content

It has been six months since Aymar Castle has been under siege. Food has become scarce, and people are growing desperate. Phosyne, a young and skeptical nun, has been tasked by the king to perform a miracle to feed his people. The king’s most loyal knight, a terrifying woman named Voyne, doubts that this nun can accomplish such a feat but must watch her to ensure that she at least tries to help them. Meanwhile, a young woman named Treila is torn between escape and vengeance. Just as everything seems entirely hopeless, the most divine Constant Lady and her fellow saints arrive at Aymar. They promise salvation and relief from the famine. Phosyne, Voyne, and Treila all suspect that this is not the miracle that the people have sought for so long. As the castle descends into madness, the women must figure out if they can save everyone or else be consumed by the darkness spreading throughout the land.

Let me begin with a few compliments. The Starving Saints has such an interesting concept and aesthetic that immediately intrigues the reader. The novel was well-written, doing an excellent job capturing the visceral horror of cannibalism. I like the religious aspect of the horror, too. With all of that being said, I simply couldn’t enjoy The Starving Saints. It felt entirely too long for me. All of the interpersonal drama was entirely too dragged out and the horor wasn’t showcased in a way that made it interesting. For me, the novel was missing out on plenty of key moments that needed something shocking. I also felt that the novel was lacking the necessary ambiguity that comes with horror. It was immediately apparent that the saints were the villains, and it took away any suspense. They were also entirely too corporeal as antagonists. There was nothing compelling about them and I was mostly annoyed at how cartoonishly evil they were at times. The protagonists weren’t much better. I enjoyed the dynamic between Phosyne and Voyne, but Treila felt superfluous to me. There was a romance subplot that felt too forced to me. It just muddied what could have been a compelling storyline about being torn between duty and survival. I was also annoyed by world buildig because there was no real explanation or speculation as to who or what actually showed up at castle. Overall, I wasn’t satisfied with The Starving Saints. I am not going to say to not read it, but just know that I didn’t feel it was an enjoyable reading experience.

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Power is not given. It is taken: Reviewing I, Medusa by Ayana Gray

Hi everyone! I hope you are doing wonderfully. I don’t have a ton to say before beginning this review. If you have been keeping up with my blog, you might note that this is not the first retelling of the myth of Medusa that I have read. You can check out my review of Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes. It is time, however, for a new take on the classic myth of Medusa. With that being said, it’s time to talk about I, Medusa.

Content Warning: Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny, Sexual Assault, Consensual Sexual Content, Violence, Some Gore, Domestic Abuse

Meddy is the youngest daughter of two minor sea gods. She is also the only mortal in her family. Meddy has spent her whole life on her family’s island, wondering if there was anything for her outside of her sheltered life. When Meddy catches the eye of the goddess Athena, she finds herself presented with an opportunity she had never dreamed of before. She is sent to Athens to train to be one of Athena’s priestesses. Athena, though, is not the only god drawn to Medusa. Poseidon, the king of the ocean, irrevocably alters Medusa’s fate. With snakes for hair and eyes that turn men to stone, Medusa must reckon with her new purpose and decide who she is before anyone else can.

I, Medusa is a refreshing take on a myth that has been told time and time again. Ayana Gray provides an exceptionally crafted narrative that stands out in the sea of Greek myth retellings. Gray’s Medusa is a young woman struggling to figure out where she fits in the world. She is easy to sympathize with and relatable in many of her decisions. The prose is elegant, but painfully honest when it needs to be. This story is a tragic one, with complex characters and characters whom I simply couldn’t stand. That is a testament to Gray’s writing. The best retellings are the ones that make you dread the ending even if you already know it. I was dragging my feet reading this because I didn’t want to be sad, if I’m being honest. With that being said, this was a beautifully written tragedy. I am going to strongly recommend this novel. Go pick it up immediately. You won’t regret it.

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But I’ll find a way, because I need to, and I’ll walk barefoot through hell for what I need: Reviewing Starling House by Alix E. Harrow.

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I’ve been dragging my feet a bit to review new books. Instead, I’ve made a point to re-read some of my favorites. I re-read Wuthering Heights in spite of the newest movie adaptation, and I’ve re-read Project Hail Mary because I’m excited for the new movie adaptation. I plan to reread Jane Eyre because it’s been a while, and I plan to reread The Odyssey because I am tentatively excited about the movie adaptation coming out this summer. All of that is neither here nor there, though. You are all here for my newest review. I have been meaning to read another Alix Harrow book since I read The Once and Future Witches some time ago. Feel free to check out that review. After so long, I am finally delving back into the world of Harrow. With that being said, let’s talk about Starling House.

Content Warning: Fantastical Violence, Sexual Content, Discussions and Depictions of Racism, Discussions and Depictions of Hate Crimes, Discussions and Depictions of Slavery, Strong Language, Forced Marriage, Domestic Abuse, Incest

The small, simple town of Eden, Kentucky, hides a dark secret. Among the failing businesses and coal mines, Starling House waits with darkness in its many rooms. No one would dare approach this home. Opal, though, isn’t just anyone. She dreams of the house every night and finds herself insatiably curious about why Starling House is seemingly calling to her. Starling House also just so happens to be the former home of Eleanor Starling, the author of Opal’s favorite childhood book, The Underland. When Opal is allowed to finally know the secrets of Starling House and earn money for her brother’s education, she jumps at the opportunity. Unfortunately for her, that means dealing with the manor’s enigmatic and standoffish owner, Arthur Starling. The longer she spends in Starling House, the more Opal learns about the true history that lies beneath the home. For once, Opal won’t run away. Instead, she’ll fight for a chance to finally live and overcome her own dark past.

Starling House is a darkly fun blend of Gothic vibes, fairy-tale allusions, and magical realism. I saw many different story elements here, such as Beauty and the Beast, the myth of Hades and Persephone, and a dark take on Alice in Wonderland. All of this is wrapped up in an interesting (albeit dark) story of American history. It is a bit of a slow burn, but that helps establish that dark atmosphere that seeps through every page of this novel. I appreciate Harrow’s sharp, atmospheric prose and her talent for building tension. Her characters are complex and endearing. I particularly enjoyed Opal’s bravery, wit, and kindness. She made for a compelling heroine and the ideal underdog. I also appreciated that the story was pleasantly unpredictable. I didn’t know where the story was going, and that was what made it such an enjoyable experience. There weren’t any sharp plot twists or intense reveals, but I didn’t know what to expect, which made it all the more fun. I think you can guess my overall thoughts at this point. I definitely recommend Starling House and plan on reading more Harrow books in the near future.

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If you take her bones, carve her name, so she is not alone: Reviewing On the Savage Side by Tiffany McDaniel

Hi everybody! I hope you are all doing well. I’ve been in a bit of a funk lately. The weather where I live is erratic, so it’s hard to plan anything. I have had some good days, so that counts for something. I then, however, turn around and read some of the most depressing novels I have read in a bit. Before I even give my usual content warnings, I will say that this book is also a heavy read that covers a lot of dark topics. If you are unsure, I will give the content warnings, and then you can decide if you want to proceed. If you are a curious soul and comfortable with discussing such topics, then feel free to stick around. Let’s talk about On the Savage Side.

Content Warning: Drug Abuse, Addiction, Prostitution, Child Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Miscarriage, Strong Language, Misogyny, Grief and Mourning, Overdoses, Disturbing Imagery

Arcade and Daffodil are twins, sharing fiery red hair and mismatched eyes. The sisters use their imaginations to retreat into fantastical worlds. With the guidance of their grandmother, they begin to imagine a life outside of their small town of Chillicothe, Ohio. Unfortunately, the generational curse of addiction catches up with them. Arcade tries her best to be strong for her family, but must contend with her own trauma. When young women like Arc and Daffy start to go missing, Arc is forced to face the reality that a killer is targeting women who are already ignored by everyone. Despite everything she has been through, Arc is determined to keep herself, her sister, her mother, and her aunt safe. She might, however, not be able to escape the “savage side.”

On the Savage Side is a dark and harrowing novel about the cycles of addiction and the harsh reality of those who struggle with it. This was a hard read, but I’d argue it is a necessary read. Tiffany McDaniel’s prose is both elegantly metaphorical and fiercely unflinching in the face of such dark topics. The book is actually written in tribute to six young women who were killed in Chillicothe, which makes it all the more necessary to read. Small towns, like Chillicothe, are often overlooked in every sense. McDaniel’s novel is as much a love letter to the town and the people who live there as it is a rallying cry to the tragedy that lies in towns ravaged by drugs. Everything about this book was written with great care. Arc, as a main character, is as tragic a figure as they come. All of the characters, particularly the female characters, are so beautifully humanized by McDaniel. As the reader, you only want the best for them, but are forced to contend with the realities of drug addiction. On the Savage Side is a difficult read, I’m not going to lie. It is something I needed to read, though. I think it’s important that we, as readers, have a responsibility to read about difficult topics. It’s the only way we can develop empathy and understand the wider world around us, including the tragedies. On the Savage Side is a powerful novel that is worthy of your time.

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…Proof that no matter how far you ran, you always ended up back where you started: Reviewing Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I’m not sure about you all, but January was rough. It felt like it was never-ending. It didn’t help that we go slammed with snow too. I’ve been surviving off of large mugs of tea, hot cocoa with tons of marshmallows, and plenty of good books. I debated not reviewing this one but, after the end, I decided I needed to talk about this. I heard a lot of good things about Karin Slaughter so I had to see for myself. With that being said, let’s talk about Pretty Girls.

Content Warning: Discussions and Depictions of Sexual Assault, Disturbing Imagery, Strong Language, Discussions and Depictions of Substance Abuse, Graphic Violence, Torture, Discussions of Misogyny, Self-Harm, Suicide, Sexual Content

Twenty-four years ago, Julia Carroll disappeared while on a late night walk through her college campus. Her disappearance shattered her family. Her father became obsessed with solving her case, even though it cost him his health. Her mother tried desperately to move on, and her sisters stopped talking to each other. Claire married a millionaire and Lydia made a life for herself after recovering from her addiction. They are forced to face the past when Claire’s husband, Paul, is killed in a robbery gone wrong. Whne the sisters reunite, they begin to realize that Paul’s death and Julia’s disappearance are somehow connected. As they work together to solve these seemingly random cases, they discover an ugly truth that will change their lives forever.

Recently, I have been hesitant to pick up any crime thrillers. It seems as though the market is saturated with books that follow the formula of “these people had seemingly perfect lives but something strange happened and now everyone is being weird about it.” Like I said in the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I was going to review this because I didn’t think Karin Slaughter could stand out. Thankfully, I was proven wrong. Pretty Girls is an intense, tragic, and twisted tale of revenge and reconciliation. It is a book that faces many grotesque horrors head on, but does not do so in a salacious manner. I appreciated the fact that this book does not rely on ambiguity or coincidence to move the plot along. Slaughter masterfully crafts a mystery that, while not enjoyable to solve, is satisfying to resolve. There’s so much palpable emotion between the two main characters, Lydia and Claire. They felt real and capable. They used logic and strength to solve their problems, but they showcased plenty of flaws that readers can find relatable. Nothing in this book felt too unrealistic, which is what I appreciated the most. I am going to recommend this book if you enjoy crime thrillers, but I implore you to heed my content warnings. This was a great read, but it was upsetting at times. Karin Slaughter, though, handles the subject matter better than most. With that being said, this one has my stamp of approval and I would be interested in reading other Karin Slaughter books in the future.

Picture from @sweetenerobert from Pinterest