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drakaina16's reviews
2101 reviews
Taaqtumi: An Anthology of Arctic Horror Stories by Thomas Anguti Johnston, Cara Bryant, Gayle Kabloona, Ann R. Loverock, K.C. Carthew, Repo Kempt, Jay Bulckaert, Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley, Aviaq Johnston, Richard Van Camp, Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
What a cool anthology! I always love collections in which I can learn about other cultures - not only in day-to-day life, but in legends and folklore. The stories run the gamut from zombies and cryptids, to the supernatural and human monsters. 4.25 stars
Iqsinaqtutalik Piqtuq: The Haunted Blizzard by Aviaq Johnston ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Door by Ann R. Loverock ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wheetago War II: Summoners by Richard Van Camp ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Revenge by Thomas Anguti Johnston ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lounge by Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley & Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley ⭐⭐⭐
Utiqtuq by Gayle Kabloona ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sila by K.C. Carthew ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The Wildest Game by Jay Bulckaert ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Strays by Repo Kempt ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Iqsinaqtutalik Piqtuq: The Haunted Blizzard by Aviaq Johnston ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Door by Ann R. Loverock ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wheetago War II: Summoners by Richard Van Camp ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Revenge by Thomas Anguti Johnston ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lounge by Sean Qitsualik-Tinsley & Rachel Qitsualik-Tinsley ⭐⭐⭐
Utiqtuq by Gayle Kabloona ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sila by K.C. Carthew ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The Wildest Game by Jay Bulckaert ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Strays by Repo Kempt ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Chopping Mall: The Novelization by Joshua Millican
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Thank you to BookSirens and Encyclopocalypse Publications for providing a review copy.
I love this new version of Chopping Mall by Joshua Millican! Millican's movie novelizations are so, so good. He always manages to capture the spirit of the original movie, and definitely succeeds in doing so again with Chopping Mall. It's one of my favorite crappy little movies, and the novelization did it so much justice. 5 stars
I love this new version of Chopping Mall by Joshua Millican! Millican's movie novelizations are so, so good. He always manages to capture the spirit of the original movie, and definitely succeeds in doing so again with Chopping Mall. It's one of my favorite crappy little movies, and the novelization did it so much justice. 5 stars
A Comedy of Tragedies: An American Memoir for the Completely Dysfunctional by Steve “Uncle Creepy” Barton
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Thank you to BookSirens and Encyclopocalypse Publications for providing a review copy.
Having been a horror movie fan since I was 3, of course I knew who Uncle Creepy is. What a life he's led. This book is chock full of stories about some of my horror idols. Steve Barton has been through a lot in his lifetime and I find his tenacity inspiring. This memoir is a love letter to horror and I quite enjoyed it. 4 stars
Having been a horror movie fan since I was 3, of course I knew who Uncle Creepy is. What a life he's led. This book is chock full of stories about some of my horror idols. Steve Barton has been through a lot in his lifetime and I find his tenacity inspiring. This memoir is a love letter to horror and I quite enjoyed it. 4 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Try Not to Die: In Arcranium: An Interactive Adventure by Daemon Manx
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to the authors for providing a review copy.
I had such a good time with Arcranium when it came out that I knew this book would a blast. The first time I read through a TNTD book, I play honestly and always go with my first instinct. I died a few times as I played through the story, but I ended up doing really well towards the end. The second time I play through, I purposely choose the wrong answers so I can see all them possible endings. There's a lot of creativity in the world of Arcranium, in both the story and the deaths within. 4.5 stars
I had such a good time with Arcranium when it came out that I knew this book would a blast. The first time I read through a TNTD book, I play honestly and always go with my first instinct. I died a few times as I played through the story, but I ended up doing really well towards the end. The second time I play through, I purposely choose the wrong answers so I can see all them possible endings. There's a lot of creativity in the world of Arcranium, in both the story and the deaths within. 4.5 stars
Hotel Macabre Volume 1: Tales of Horror by Joe Mynhardt
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you to Crystal Lake Publishing for providing a review copy.
This anthology is chock full of flash fiction, short stories, dark poetry, and even a couple of comic strips. The wide variety makes my ADHA brain happy. Many of the names in the collection were familiar to me, but I also ended up finding a couple of new authors to check out. 4.5 stars
The Cage by Alessandro Manzetti ⭐⭐⭐.5
For Beth by Derek Odom ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Anatomy of a Killer by Wil Dalton ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Scritch, Scritch, Scritch by A.K. McCarthy ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Night of Fevers by John Claude Smith ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Room 636 by Bridgett Nelson ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Summer People by Tom Deady ⭐⭐⭐.25
Wendigo Hunter by Colleen Anderson ⭐⭐⭐.5
Chain Smoking at Bus Stops by Devin M. Anderson ⭐⭐⭐
The Birdcage by Michael Lawrence ⭐⭐⭐.25
The Empath by John Palisano ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Do Not Tempt Her with Apples by Diana Olney ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Lingering Taste of Your Last Supper by Matthew R. Davis⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Fear of Missing Out by Dylan Wells ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Day Tripper by John Meachen ⭐⭐⭐.75
This Was Not the End We Were Promised by Maxwell I. Gold ⭐⭐⭐
-in case the chloroform wears off by Jennifer Osborn ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Red Tent by Chris Phelon ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Message from the Past, A Message from the Future by Jonathan Gensler ⭐⭐⭐.5
Burial Day by Stephanie M. Wytovich ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Saving Face by Sean Eads & Josh Viola ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vultures by Naching T. Kassa ⭐⭐⭐
A Clown at Midnight by Mia Dalia ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Suspension by Brandon Wills ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Hello by Karen Bayly ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Philly's Little Boy by Linda D. Addison ⭐⭐⭐.25
Ashes in Wood by Jonathan Winn ⭐⭐⭐
A dramatic video reading of “Taking the Piss” by Jasper Bark ⭐⭐⭐⭐
All We Endure by Grant Longstaff ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
On a Swing by Patrick Malka ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Hell Come Home by Amanda M. Blake ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nothing Funny About a Clown After Midnight by Mark Allen Gunnells ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Growing Gardens by Nick Roberts & Chrissy Winters ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Unsolicited Advice from a Witch Who's Been There by Diana Olney ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Batsquatch Lives! by Larry Hinkle ⭐⭐⭐.5
All the Children are Inside by Jamal Hodge ⭐⭐⭐
Smile by Robin Brown ⭐⭐⭐.5
Goodbeak by Gregg Stewart ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Hug by Gary McMahon ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Dullahan’s Reckoning by Claire Davon ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Little Thief by Esteban Vargas ⭐⭐⭐.5
Check-In/Check-Out by Pixie Bruner ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
This anthology is chock full of flash fiction, short stories, dark poetry, and even a couple of comic strips. The wide variety makes my ADHA brain happy. Many of the names in the collection were familiar to me, but I also ended up finding a couple of new authors to check out. 4.5 stars
The Cage by Alessandro Manzetti ⭐⭐⭐.5
For Beth by Derek Odom ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Anatomy of a Killer by Wil Dalton ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Scritch, Scritch, Scritch by A.K. McCarthy ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Night of Fevers by John Claude Smith ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Room 636 by Bridgett Nelson ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Summer People by Tom Deady ⭐⭐⭐.25
Wendigo Hunter by Colleen Anderson ⭐⭐⭐.5
Chain Smoking at Bus Stops by Devin M. Anderson ⭐⭐⭐
The Birdcage by Michael Lawrence ⭐⭐⭐.25
The Empath by John Palisano ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Do Not Tempt Her with Apples by Diana Olney ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Lingering Taste of Your Last Supper by Matthew R. Davis⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Fear of Missing Out by Dylan Wells ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Day Tripper by John Meachen ⭐⭐⭐.75
This Was Not the End We Were Promised by Maxwell I. Gold ⭐⭐⭐
-in case the chloroform wears off by Jennifer Osborn ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Red Tent by Chris Phelon ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Message from the Past, A Message from the Future by Jonathan Gensler ⭐⭐⭐.5
Burial Day by Stephanie M. Wytovich ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Saving Face by Sean Eads & Josh Viola ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Vultures by Naching T. Kassa ⭐⭐⭐
A Clown at Midnight by Mia Dalia ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Suspension by Brandon Wills ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Hello by Karen Bayly ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Philly's Little Boy by Linda D. Addison ⭐⭐⭐.25
Ashes in Wood by Jonathan Winn ⭐⭐⭐
A dramatic video reading of “Taking the Piss” by Jasper Bark ⭐⭐⭐⭐
All We Endure by Grant Longstaff ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
On a Swing by Patrick Malka ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Hell Come Home by Amanda M. Blake ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Nothing Funny About a Clown After Midnight by Mark Allen Gunnells ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Growing Gardens by Nick Roberts & Chrissy Winters ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Unsolicited Advice from a Witch Who's Been There by Diana Olney ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Batsquatch Lives! by Larry Hinkle ⭐⭐⭐.5
All the Children are Inside by Jamal Hodge ⭐⭐⭐
Smile by Robin Brown ⭐⭐⭐.5
Goodbeak by Gregg Stewart ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
The Hug by Gary McMahon ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Dullahan’s Reckoning by Claire Davon ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Little Thief by Esteban Vargas ⭐⭐⭐.5
Check-In/Check-Out by Pixie Bruner ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Icelandic Folk Tales by Hjörleifur Helgi Stefánsson
dark
funny
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
After reading a horror book with short stories based on Icelandic legends (What Protects Our Heritage and Other Aberrations by Villimey Mist), I was interested enough to try out a book of Icelandic folklore. The tales here are told with wit, but I found some of them quite boring. I think maybe I was looking for something a bit more creature heavy. 3.25 stars
Feeding Lucy by Mo Medusa
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Thank you to BookSirens for providing a review copy.
First of all, can we take a moment to appreciate how gorgeously creepy this Christy Aldridge cover is? It is what immediately made me want to read the book, and luckily the book is as good as the cover. Feeding Lucy is an ice cold fever dream, seasoned with family secrets and queer themes. The writing is lush and atmospheric, drawing you into the tale. 4.75 stars
First of all, can we take a moment to appreciate how gorgeously creepy this Christy Aldridge cover is? It is what immediately made me want to read the book, and luckily the book is as good as the cover. Feeding Lucy is an ice cold fever dream, seasoned with family secrets and queer themes. The writing is lush and atmospheric, drawing you into the tale. 4.75 stars
The Horror that Represents You by S.D. Vassallo
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for providing a review copy.
I love a good themed anthology. It's so interesting to me how different authors interpret a theme. So an anthology about what scares you most or represents you as a person is right up my alley. I feel like I got to know the authors a bit, while enjoying some top-notch horror. 4 stars
The Craving by Vivian Kasley ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Khotoum by Sridhar Shankar ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Folie à Deux by Koji A. Dae ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
This Side of the Moment by Megan M. Davis-Ostrum ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
In the Darkness, We Dig by Nicole M. Wolverton ⭐⭐⭐.25
Two Heads, One Body by Scott J. Moses ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
One Star, Would Not Recommend by Anya Leigh Josephs ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Skin by KC Grifant ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why I Wear the Mask by Samuel McQuall ⭐⭐⭐
Blood and Dust by Fred Furtado ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Something Blue by Anna Fitzgerald Healy ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
It Calls at Night by Samantha Lokai ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Grandmothers That We Leave Behind by Christine Lucas ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The Visitor by Hiro Finn Hoshino ⭐⭐⭐.25
A Lesson in Obsolescence by Christopher O’Halloran ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Low Contact by Simo Srinivas ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Last Train by Jen Mierisch ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mad Lullaby by Ray Pantle ⭐⭐⭐.5
Someone Who’s Not Me by Micah Castle ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just Lucky by Patricia Miller ⭐⭐⭐.75
Monster Spray, Monster’s Prey by Shella Massie ⭐⭐⭐
Wire Laurel by Stephanie Parent ⭐⭐⭐
Adrift in the Salish Sea by Bebe Bayliss ⭐⭐⭐.75
I love a good themed anthology. It's so interesting to me how different authors interpret a theme. So an anthology about what scares you most or represents you as a person is right up my alley. I feel like I got to know the authors a bit, while enjoying some top-notch horror. 4 stars
The Craving by Vivian Kasley ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Khotoum by Sridhar Shankar ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Folie à Deux by Koji A. Dae ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
This Side of the Moment by Megan M. Davis-Ostrum ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
In the Darkness, We Dig by Nicole M. Wolverton ⭐⭐⭐.25
Two Heads, One Body by Scott J. Moses ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
One Star, Would Not Recommend by Anya Leigh Josephs ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Skin by KC Grifant ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Why I Wear the Mask by Samuel McQuall ⭐⭐⭐
Blood and Dust by Fred Furtado ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Something Blue by Anna Fitzgerald Healy ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
It Calls at Night by Samantha Lokai ⭐⭐⭐.5
The Grandmothers That We Leave Behind by Christine Lucas ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
The Visitor by Hiro Finn Hoshino ⭐⭐⭐.25
A Lesson in Obsolescence by Christopher O’Halloran ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Low Contact by Simo Srinivas ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Last Train by Jen Mierisch ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mad Lullaby by Ray Pantle ⭐⭐⭐.5
Someone Who’s Not Me by Micah Castle ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just Lucky by Patricia Miller ⭐⭐⭐.75
Monster Spray, Monster’s Prey by Shella Massie ⭐⭐⭐
Wire Laurel by Stephanie Parent ⭐⭐⭐
Adrift in the Salish Sea by Bebe Bayliss ⭐⭐⭐.75
The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have to say, I'm not *quite* sure this lived up to the immense hype around it. Don't get me wrong, I quite enjoyed it, but I think maybe I had built it up in my head too much. Even so, this is a story very much worth reading. I liked the MC probably way more than I strictly should have. She's objectively a terrible person, but I couldn't help but root for her. 4 stars
The Space Person by Catherine Kuo
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Thank you to BookSirens for providing a review copy.
I'm a big fan of space horror. Mostly because space, as a concept, is vast and terrifying on its own. Add the claustrophobia of a spaceship and an unknown entity, and you have the makings of a good story. This story is good, very bleak and fast-paced. My only complaint is that the vast majority of the characters are kind of insufferable and there are so many of them that it got confusing. Especially because the author switched back and forth between using first and last names and the book wasn't long enough to really make them stick in my mind. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the story. 3.25 stars
I'm a big fan of space horror. Mostly because space, as a concept, is vast and terrifying on its own. Add the claustrophobia of a spaceship and an unknown entity, and you have the makings of a good story. This story is good, very bleak and fast-paced. My only complaint is that the vast majority of the characters are kind of insufferable and there are so many of them that it got confusing. Especially because the author switched back and forth between using first and last names and the book wasn't long enough to really make them stick in my mind. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the story. 3.25 stars