b_readsalot's Reviews (700)

Batman: The Killing Joke Deluxe (New Edition)

Alan Moore

4.25

dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Memoria De Mis Putas Tristes

Gabriel García Márquez, Gabriel García Márquez

2.75

reflective fast-paced

Haunters at the Hearth: Eerie Tales For Christmas Nights

Tanya Kirk

2.75

dark tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: N/A

Strong character development: N/A

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

Hell Bent

Leigh Bardugo

5.0

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

What a phenomenal follow up to Ninth House. I had honestly forgotten how much I had enjoyed reading Ninth House, until I picked this up at the library and just felt like I was pulled straight back into this compelling story and world.

Alex Stern is probably one of my favorite contemporary heroines, flaws and all. But, all of the characters really in this book are so well written and likable (or so very unlikable).

The world Bardugo weaves at this Yale is so rich and realistic, which to me is a sign of true success in a modern-type fantasy. It’s equal parts dark, sinister, tragic, and at times, very funny. I can’t wait for the next installment.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Suzanne Collins

4.0

dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Monstrous: A Transracial Adoption Story

Sarah Myer

4.5

dark emotional funny fast-paced

Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology

Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.

4.0

dark funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: N/A

Strong character development: N/A

Loveable characters: N/A

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

This book 100% sold me onto anthologies and now I feel like I’ve been missing out! I loved the variety of stories presented in this book, some resonating more than others for me. But I guess that’s what beauty of anthologies and collected short stories! I am so looking forward to checking out more, especially those collecting stories written by POCs. I’ve had my eye on Jordan Peele’s Out There Screaming, Night of the Living Queers, and Through the Night Like a Snake, so I’ll have to check those out. Any other recommendations of horror anthologies?

My favorites from this collection included: