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I don’t fear death…but they do: Reviewing The Haar by David Sodergren

Hi everyone! I’m back with another spooky book review. I have at least one more to read for October, and then it’s back to the other series I have started. I hope you all have been enjoying these so far. It’s been a pretty good year for reading, in general, for me. Hopefully, I have a couple more good reviews for this blog. Before we get to those, though, we must talk about The Haar.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Self-Harm, Disturbing Imagery, Graphic Violence, Strong Language

Mrs. Muriel Margaret McAuley has lived her entire life in the sleepy town of Witchhaven in Scotland. She is content with her quiet life, even though she misses her dear and departed husband. Her peaceful existence is threatened by an American billionaire who intends to tear down the town and build a golf course. Muriel stubbornly refuses to leave her home, but mysterious deaths and large sums of money are making it difficult for her to remain. Just when Muriel considers giving up, a mysterious fog known as the haar engulfs the land. Along with this fog comes a creature that may be Muriel’s one hope at a serene life. She will have to come to terms with the bloody price she will have to pay.

David Sodergren has been on my radar for a minute now, and I am so glad that I finally read one of his books. The Haar was such a fun little gore-fest with a surprising amount of heart. I went into this novel expecting something like a splatterpunk book, but it was a bit more than that. It was a book about grief and acceptance. There was a surprising romance in the novel, albeit a twisted and bloody one. That being said, the descriptions in the book did turn my stomach a bit. You’ve been warned if you’re on the squeamish side. The violence, though, didn’t take away from tender moments. I found Muriel to be a well-written protagonist who was easy to sympathize with. Even with everything that happens, I found myself hoping for the best for her. There is a level of ambiguity that, I think, is necessary for most horror novels, and Sodergren does a great job incorporating that uneasiness through the narrative. I am going to recommend The Haar immediately and will be picking up another Sodergren novel sooner than later.

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Without faith, there is no refuge: Reviewing The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica, translated by Sarah Moses

Hey everyone! I hope your October is going well. As I write this, the temperature has dropped, and all of the Halloween decorations are up. I think it’s time for another creepy book review. If you would like to, you can check out my review for Tender is the Flesh, also by Agustina Bazterrica. It’s time, though, to talk about The Unworthy.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Sexual Assault, Disturbing Imagery, Animal Death, Religious Trauma, Psychosis

The world has ended. Sea levels rose, fires burned, and the population was all but wiped out by their own doing. The survivors grouped together to find some sort of salvation. One particular survivor joined a cult called the Sacred Sisterhood. Deemed one of the unworthy, she goes by unseen during the day but hopes that she might become one of the Enlightened. At night, she secretly writes her story in the hopes that someone will read it. One day, an enigmatic and charming woman named Lucia arrives, and the survivor is inexplicably drawn to her. As she develops a relationship with Lucia, the survivor reconsiders her past and realizes that she can no longer ignore the danger that lies within the Sacred Sisterhood.

Agustina Bazterrica is nothing if not intense, morbid, and profound in her writings. Much like Tender is the Flesh, The Unworthy is a speculative tale of a ruined world and desperate people. Unlike Tender is the Flesh, this novel is a bit more abstract in its prose. Bazterrica’s choice to have the nameless survivor as the narrator makes it all the more immersive. What drew me to the novel was Bazterrica’s use of religious imagery juxtaposed with stark images of a world ruined by humanity. With that being said, I can’t say I liked this more than Tender is the Flesh. The prose was a little too choppy, and there wasn’t enough “showing” for me. Just when I thought I was going to see something shocking or exciting, the novel would jump to something else. There was so much lore in this book, and it was packed very tightly into 175 pages. I would have loved a full novel of this book. With all of that being said, you may consider this my soft recommendation if you want something disturbing and atmospheric.

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When things felt right, it only meant there was so much more that could go wrong: Reviewing We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. Life has happened. Things have changed. This blog remains. That’s my quick summary of how events have unfolded for me recently. I’m doing fine and have a lot to look forward to, but transitions are rarely easy. Thankfully, I have books as my steadfast coping mechanism. There are plenty of spooky books to read this October. It’s time the newest addition, We Used to Live Here.

Content Warning: Violence, Some Gore, Disturbing Imagery, Some Strong Language

Eve and her girlfriend Charlie bought an old house to renovate and resell. Eve finds the old house unsettling, but reminds herself that this is only temporary. One night, when Eve is alone in the house, she finds her dealing with some unexpected guests. A man who claims to have once lived in the house wants to give his family a tour. Despite her worry, Eve decides it wouldn’t be so bad to let this man take a trip down memory lane. Once the family sets foot in the house, everything goes wrong. The youngest child goes missing. The layout of the house changes. A ghostly figure appears. Terrified, Eve tries to get the family to leave the house but they don’t seem to want to leave. Worst of all, Charlie goes missing. Eve fears that she is going insane as her reality begins to change and the house won’t let her go.

We Used to Live Here is such an interesting take on the classic “the house is wrong” trope. It’s part liminal space horror, part supernatural horror, and part internet mystery all wrapped up in a dynamic narrative. Marcus Kliewer does a great job toying with ambiguity throughout this novel. That, to me, is what makes a story truly scary, or unsettling, at least. There is just enough in the material to give you a good idea of what’s happening, but there is not enough to give you any certaintly as to what is actually happening. There’s also these random little mysteries planted throughout the book, like Morse code lines, that make it all the more intriguing. It combines a lot of the things I like about online “creepypastas” without being obnoxious or heavy handed. It’s safe to say that I truly enjoyed We Used to Live Here and think you should add it to your TBR pile ASAP.

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I am no garden, but the woods, and if you ever come near me again, every bit of wildness in me will rise up to bite you: Reviewing Grey Dog by Elliot Gish

Hi everyone! Happy October! We are officially in spooky season! I wanted to kick it off with something interesting. There will be plenty of horror reviews coming up soon. I hope you are all excited! Let’s talk about Grey Dog.

Content Warning: Violence, Gore and Mutilation, Sexual Content, Sexual Assault, Miscarriage and Stillbirth, Child Death, Animal Death, Psychosis, Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny

1901. Ada Byrd accepts a position as a school teacher in the tiny, rural town of Lowry Bridge. Eager for a fresh start, Ada quickly integrates herself into the town. She develops friendships, teaches her students about nature, and begins to feel confident in herself. Lowry Bridge, though, is not what it seems. Ada begins to experience strange things. She hears a disembodied voice. She sees animals mutilate themselves. Ada begins to believe that a mysterious entity, called the grey dog, is the one causing these disturbing things. Ada fears she is slowly unraveling after doing everything she can to hold herself together. One’s true nature, though, can only be hidden for so long.

Grey Dog is a slow-paced, atmospheric tale of oppression, madness, and the power of nature. Gish does a wonderful job building tension and creating uncertainty throughout the novel, which is told through Ada Byrd’s diary. She captures the spirit of rural Gothic horror with unabashed, gory detail. There is an underlying commentary, though, about the oppression experienced by women and the extreme lengths we have to go through to “unlearn” society’s standards. With that being said, it is also a bit of a cautionary tale against losing oneself completely. Grey Dog is ambiguous enough to allow the reader’s imagination to run wild, without avoiding the grotesque and macabre. This book would be the perfect way for you to kick off spooky season. I would hate for Grey Dog to go unrecognized so I implore you to read this novel as soon as possible.

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I’m in your blood and your are in mine: Reviewing Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna Van Veen

Hey everyone! It’s time to get a head start on spooky season! I was going to hold off on this book until October, but I got too excited. I’ll have plenty of other books to review if you aren’t interested in horror. If you want some thrills and chills, then stick around. It’s time to talk about Blood on Her Tongue.

Content Warning: Blood and Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Disturbing Imagery, Loss of a Child, Grief and Mourning, Mental Health Crises, Discussions and Depictions of Misogyny

Lucy is living a quiet life as a lady’s companion. Her peaceful existence is disrupted when she receives disturbing letters from her twin sister, Sarah. Soon after, she receives word that Sarah has fallen ill. In her delirious state, Sarah keeps rambling on about a strange old corpse that was found on her husband’s estate. Lucy must figure out how this discovery ties to Sara’s condition. Sarah, though, suddenly becomes violent. To protect her beloved twin, Lucy must work quickly to figure out what happened to her sister. In doing so, she will confront the darkness that lies in her sister and herself.

Blood on Her Tongue was absolutely not what I expected, and that is what I loved about this novel. I thought this was going to be a Gothic vampire novel. It is, indeed, a Gothic novel. Johanna Van Veen does a wonderful job creating a dark, tense atmosphere full of blood and secrets. It is, however, not a vampire novel, and that surprised me in the best way. I won’t spoil the “twist,” but I will say that I loved how this book steered away from being predictable or trope-laden. I loved the little bits of dark humor and all of the subversive scenes that are sprinkled throughout this novel. It does fall in the realm of “Good for her” horror, in the same way that Midsomar does. (If you know, you know.) I really don’t want to give away too much because this is a book that simply must be experienced. If you are going to choose any book to read for spooky season, I implore you to choose Blood on Her Tongue.

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Death is kind. It’s only life that holds suffering: Reviewing The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Geisbrecht

Hi everyone! I promised I would be back soon and I kept my promise. Happy Memorial Day to my fellow Americans. As for everyone else, I hope you are having a good day. After this review, don’t be shocked if you don’t hear from me for a while because the other books I’m currently reading are pretty long. As much as I love long books, I am also an impatient person. That is why I needed a novella or two to throw into the mix. Regardless of that, I have something for you. So, let’s talk about The Monster of Elendhaven.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Disturbing Imagery, Strong Language

Elendhaven is a town shrouded in darkness, nestled between a black sea and a silver mountain. In the town lurks a monster named Johann who cannot die. He amuses himself by killing at a whim. One day, Johann meets a wealthy and reclusive man named Florian. Florian has a secret and a plan that he needs help with. Johann is more than happy to join him in his quest for vengeance. In doing so, he might finally find out the nature of his peculiar condition. With a sinister pact made, the two monsters plot to bring Elendhaven the bloody justice it deserves.

The Monster of Elendhaven is darkly funny and morbidly gripping with every page. The book felt much longer than its 159 pages and I mean that in a good way. Jennifer Geisbrecht manages to pack in so many interesting ideas and concepts into this fast-paced novella. At the heart of this book, though, is a twisted love story between two characters who only want to find their purpose in the world. I just loved the Gothic atmosphere and detailed (albeit gorey) descriptions that pain a vivid picture. Needless to say, this was such a fun and gross read that I am going to strongly recommend, especially if you need to get out of a reading slump.

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I bite at myself, tear my skin off, but I never quite die: Reviewing The Deep by Nick Cutter

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I’m getting ready to wrap up some books so I can get to my summer reading. I’ve had good luck at some local second-hand bookstores. I’m sure you can all relate to lacking impulse control when it comes to books. At least, I hope it is not just a “me problem.” I think that is enough rambling for now. Let’s talk about The Deep.

Content Warning: Violence and Gore, Disturbing Imagery, Animal Death and Mistreatment, Domestic Abuse, Child Abuse, Body Horror, Claustrophobia, Thalassaphobia

The apocalypse started quietly. People began forgetting small things, then big things, they simply forgot how to function. Scientists discovered a strange disease, dubbed the ‘Gets, was causing the slow demise of humankind. The only hope for a cure is a strange substance called “ambrosia” that can only be found eight miles below the Pacific Ocean. The underwater lab goes quiet after sending out a strange message meant for one man and one man only. Luke Nelson’s brother, Clayton, is one of the scientists tasked with unlocking the secrets of this mysterious substance. Desperate to find out what happened to his brother, Lucas ventures deep below and encounters a darkness that no human mind can fathom.

I have to give Nick Cutter kudos for writing one of the most uncomfortable horror novels I have read in a long time. The layers of different fears make for a rather suffocating and tense reading experience. There’s body horror, aquatic horror, cosmic horror, and psychological horror all rolled into one relentless book. I am not terribly squeamish but I regretted eating dinner before finishing this book. The last 20% of The Deep had me squirming at the exquisite detail that Cutter includes throughout the climax of this book. It was a tough read but in a good way. This book will be especially difficult to read if you have a soft spot for animals. I appreciated that Cutter took the time to explore the characters’ emotions and go out of the way to endear me as a reader to them, and not just create characters who are meant to die. My only gripe about this book is that there were some discussions about sex that I felt were entirely unnecessary. With all of that being said, The Deep is definitely a book for the horror aficionado.

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This world, my love, I give it all to you: Reviewing The God of Endings by Jacqueline Holland

Hi again everyone! I’m sure you all missed me after being away for one whole day. I’m not going to ramble too much because I got that all out of my system already. I’m just going to launch into the review. Let’s talk about The God of Endings.

Content Warning: Disturbing Imagery, Violence and Gore, Attempted Assault, Self-Harm, Child Death, Animal Death

Two hundred years ago, a girl named Anna fell ill when a plague swept through her small town. After her father and brother passed away, her eccentric grandfather took her under his care. Instead of nursing Anna back, though, he granted her the gift of immortality and bloodlust. After decades of struggling with her “condition,” Anna finally found a home for herself. She took the name Collette LaSange and established a fine arts school for young children. Everything was going fine until Collette met a talented young boy with a mother who seemed to be hiding something. Finding herself inexplicably drawn to this child, Collette finds herself struggling with an overwhelming lust for blood. Now, she must come to terms with the past or present lest she let it consume her whole.

As you all know, I am a sucker (pun intended) for a good vampire book. I rarely find a book that breaks away from the classic Gothic tropes that come with vampires. Jacqueline Holland’s novel is a standout in the genre. Her prose is poetic, vivid, poignant, and dark. Seeing the world through Anna/Collette’s eyes invites many existential questions about purpose and love. It is a bit of a slow burn, but that benefits the rich narrative and dark themes that Holland explores throughout the book. Unlike other vampire books, this one doesn’t dwell as much on the supernatural elements which is rather refreshing in this instance. It is just abstract enough to leave to your interpretation, while just solid enough to understand Holland’s purpose in her writing. Maybe I am just biased and/or projecting, but I saw elements of Frankenstein and Interview with the Vampire here and there. I don’t toss around the word “extraordinary” very often, but this instance felt appropriate. Needless to say, you should go read The God of Endings.

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We were monsters once…: Reviewing And Then I Woke Up by Malcolm Devlin

Hi everyone! I got lucky and had an unexpected day off today. Obviously, that means I’m going to do some serious catching up on my TBR pile. It hasn’t been this out of control in a while. I’m not going to be out of material for a while. Now that I have finished a book, let’s talk about And Then I Woke Up.

Content Warning: Violence, Disturbing Imagery, Strong Language

The world ended when diseased monsters ran rampant and killed innocent people. At least, that’s what they were told. A disease spread across the world, but what it did was affect how people perceive reality. Spence is one of the “cured,” living in Ironside, a massive rehab facility that is essentially a prison. He decides that he belongs here, away from the guilt and shame. A mysterious new inmate named Leila asks him to help her escape so she can find her crew of survivors. Spence agrees, drawn by her enigmatic past. Now, outside of his carefully designed world, Spence must reconcile with the past and confront the reality of the horrors he faced and caused.

Someone can rarely take a genre as straightforward as zombie survival and make it new. Malcolm Devlin, though, does just that. And Then I Woke Up serves as more of an allegory about propaganda and perspective, rather than a gory zombie tale. This book is about one unreliable narrator talking to another unreliable narrator, who is also relying on other unreliable narrators for their survival. It’s a quick, punchy read with plenty of dizzying moments of uncertainty and emotional whiplash. That is what made this book so effective in its message. There are still gory details here and there, along with dramatic scenes of fighting hoards of infected monsters, Those scenes, though, are not what makes this book so interesting. It really is a character study that examines the horrors of not being able to rely on one’s own mind. With this being a shorter one, it would definitely be a great book if you need to get out of a reading slump. It’s safe for me to recommend And Then I Woke Up if you want a unique horror read.