ashliesydel's Reviews (1.54k)

I came across this graphic novel while looking for a good AAPI horror book to read. AAPI stands for Asian American & Pacific Islander and May is the Heritage Month for this subgroup of individuals. 
And since I LOVE me some DEI and celebrating DIVERSITY and uplifting marginalized communities who are proven to be overlooked within the reading and publishing community, I'm going to do my part in actively seeking out AAPI Authors YEARROUND in addition to their specified month of celebration and awareness. 

So back to this story. Ya'll.... this graphic novel was so incredibly beautifully scary. Our FMC is an American Muslim woman who is living with her Non-Muslim Fiancé, stepdaughter, and his mom. 
It sounds like they moved in with the mom to help out in her old age. Anyways the building they moved into was previously the site of a terrorist attack which led to multiple deaths. 
Ever since moving in our girl has been experiencing nightmares and visions. Long story short the building is haunted and the evil spirits feed on hate. Also, there's some cult background and Ghostbuster references which I enjoyed. 

I really enjoyed this. It was a quick read (176 pages) the images were powerful, and the storyline was intriguing. Now before you say, OMG this is so typical of Leftist making white people the villains.  I'm finna stop you right there. This book explores racial bias in EVERYONE.  Glob knows I was shookith when the Asian lady said what she said like what?!?  Et tu Gracie?? 

The author is Thai American and NOT Muslim so you can't claim it's a Muslim Author looking for public sympathy. Oh no, Islamophobia is very real and dangerous. But this story, this story right here is explorative in social interactions, race, political correctness, and dangerous rhetoric. 

I Highly Highly Recommend ESPECIALLY as I have confirmed the rights have been sold for a Movie Deal.

 This is probably my favorite story by Grady which is a bit concerning because I've read 4 full length stories by him and he's a good writer. But this is probably the first time I didn't HATE his MC. I didn't love her but she didn't piss me off. This starts off with this chick "bragging" about her summer vacation home and then it's like um... bish you and your community is crazy ain't no way in hell I'd EVER risk my life or the lives of my children just to sit on the beach. 

This one hurt my mother's heart. A woman returns to the scene where she lost both her husband and son with the intentions of ending it. Supernatural shit goes down and the events that lead to their death are shown and I wanted to cry. This was soo good, but it was a lot. You have been warned. 

Book Recs - Soo... I'm gonna say it. I like Catriona MORE than Frieda McFadden. I think Frieda is good, no hate but I feel like she's over hyped. Catriona's work really knocks the wind out of you. 
Sundial: This follows a mom who was raised on a compound that gave doomsday religious vibes. She takes her young daughter there because she finds out her kid is killing small animals which is a major serial killer red flag. We see her go back and forth between her childhood and current day. We get multiple POVs including the little girl and the voice she hears. 

The Last House on Needless Street: I did not want to read this. My friend suggested this, and I sat on it for 2/3 years because we get the POV of a cat. I was like who tf wants to read a book where there's a talking cat?!  Ya'll the cat doesn't talk, gives its pov but it's not Salem from Sabrina. This story is soo crazy. Lots of twist and turns. When everything comes out you are going to need to pick your jaw up off the floor because OMG What?!

 I didn't really know where this story was going. This chick had a vision that leaves her on edge.  Stephen Graham Jones is a fking beast. He is the king of storytelling. I love him soo much. But I think being limited to a short story really hurt him.  It ended just as it started to get good. 

 Disgraced Professor is staying in Air BNB. He takes something that he shouldn't and now there is a killer tree on the loose. I was not impressed with the MC and rooted for the tree. Non pun intended lol 

 This escalated quickly. It wasn't funny but I lightweight laughed when shit went down. One minute this dude is on a date next thing you know... well yeah. I'm going to think twice before getting out of bed in the middle of the night. 

 Couple moves from NYC to Maine after experiencing a miscarriage. The husband becomes obsessed with a baby carriage. Quick, creepy, bloody, I have no complaints. 

 The MC finds himself in a situation where he's able to purchase luck but at a cost to others. The twist at the end was good.