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chunky_punks_kindle
Thank you to NetGalley & Daphne Press for this eARC.
The Hunting Moon picks up pretty much where The Luminaries ended, with Winnie waking up in the Hospital following her valiant efforts to survive her 3rd and final trial to become a hunter, something she's strived her whole life for. But as the saying goes, 'be careful what you wish for' as this life that Winnie has always dreamed off really isn't what she wants. She's battling with everyones ability to detach from the grim reality of their life, something she finds difficult. She's chasing her Dad's scavenger hunt to get to the truth of the Dianas as well as fighting for people to believe in The Whisperer. Will she find the answers she seeks? Unfortunately, I don't know as I DNF'd this at around 48%
I enjoyed The Luminaries and was excited to read the sequel, but unfortunately it just fell flat for me. I don't doubt Susan Dennard as an author, I've read reviews of her previous series and they sound very good. I just think this series is a bit meh. Winnie is too, well, whiney, and for the 100th time, we know what Jay smells like. Dennard definitely doesn't struggle with world building and scene setting, it is very dark and atmospheric as was The Luminaries.
I tried to stick it out but I've been reading it for a month now and just keep putting it down, I might come back to it in the New Year, but I'm really not sure my feelings will change, I just feel a bit bored with this one now.
The Hunting Moon picks up pretty much where The Luminaries ended, with Winnie waking up in the Hospital following her valiant efforts to survive her 3rd and final trial to become a hunter, something she's strived her whole life for. But as the saying goes, 'be careful what you wish for' as this life that Winnie has always dreamed off really isn't what she wants. She's battling with everyones ability to detach from the grim reality of their life, something she finds difficult. She's chasing her Dad's scavenger hunt to get to the truth of the Dianas as well as fighting for people to believe in The Whisperer. Will she find the answers she seeks? Unfortunately, I don't know as I DNF'd this at around 48%
I enjoyed The Luminaries and was excited to read the sequel, but unfortunately it just fell flat for me. I don't doubt Susan Dennard as an author, I've read reviews of her previous series and they sound very good. I just think this series is a bit meh. Winnie is too, well, whiney, and for the 100th time, we know what Jay smells like. Dennard definitely doesn't struggle with world building and scene setting, it is very dark and atmospheric as was The Luminaries.
I tried to stick it out but I've been reading it for a month now and just keep putting it down, I might come back to it in the New Year, but I'm really not sure my feelings will change, I just feel a bit bored with this one now.
I've been a big fan of Christina Henry for a long time so I was very happy to be accepted for an e-arc copy of Good Girls Don't Die thanks to NetGalleyUK & Titan Books.
I really enjoyed this book, it's the perfect thriller broken up into 4 sections making it easy to follow along. It's gory but not so much that it's off putting.
First, we meet Celia, a murder mystery fan who wakes up in a house that isn't hers, living with a husband and daughter she doesn't recognise and no memory of who she is at all. When she suddenly finds herself at the centre of a small town murder, will she solve the case before it's too late?
Then, we're introduced to Allie, a college student with a love of horror movies. Ready to celebrate her 21st birthday at the beach with her girlfriends, she suddenly finds her weekend highjacked by the boyfriend who takes them to an isolated cabin in the woods instead, when a killer starts picking them off one at a time, can Allie escape and find help?
And finally, Maggie. A YA dystopia reader, a mother and domestic abuse survivor, who wakes up in a shipment container with 9 other women who are given only 12 hours to escape 'The Maze', with her daughter being held hostage will Maggie be the last survivor of this deadly game?
The most intriguing thing about this book for me was each chapter beginning with snippets from various web chats, setting the premise for what was to come and leaving you guessing who the instigator may be. The fact that each section ends on a cliffhanger made me rush through to section 4 'All together now' as I was so desperate for answers. I thought the character depth of everyone within the book was good, especially loved how stereotypical Allies friendship group were and how perfectly they fit the 'Kids in a horror movie' trope.
There are references to each of these genres throughout which were like little Easter eggs for me. You really get a sense where Henry pulled her influences and inspiration from for this book. There's just so much to love about this book for me.
I really enjoyed this book, it's the perfect thriller broken up into 4 sections making it easy to follow along. It's gory but not so much that it's off putting.
First, we meet Celia, a murder mystery fan who wakes up in a house that isn't hers, living with a husband and daughter she doesn't recognise and no memory of who she is at all. When she suddenly finds herself at the centre of a small town murder, will she solve the case before it's too late?
Then, we're introduced to Allie, a college student with a love of horror movies. Ready to celebrate her 21st birthday at the beach with her girlfriends, she suddenly finds her weekend highjacked by the boyfriend who takes them to an isolated cabin in the woods instead, when a killer starts picking them off one at a time, can Allie escape and find help?
And finally, Maggie. A YA dystopia reader, a mother and domestic abuse survivor, who wakes up in a shipment container with 9 other women who are given only 12 hours to escape 'The Maze', with her daughter being held hostage will Maggie be the last survivor of this deadly game?
The most intriguing thing about this book for me was each chapter beginning with snippets from various web chats, setting the premise for what was to come and leaving you guessing who the instigator may be. The fact that each section ends on a cliffhanger made me rush through to section 4 'All together now' as I was so desperate for answers. I thought the character depth of everyone within the book was good, especially loved how stereotypical Allies friendship group were and how perfectly they fit the 'Kids in a horror movie' trope.
There are references to each of these genres throughout which were like little Easter eggs for me. You really get a sense where Henry pulled her influences and inspiration from for this book. There's just so much to love about this book for me.
I enjoyed this book. It didn't blow me away, but it wasn't terrible, just good. I tend struggle with 1st person so I got the audiobook version and thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. Ell Potter reads it so well and gives it a lot of character. It really brought it all to life for me.
It has a subtle sunny/grumpy romance which I enjoyed seeing develop, along with the growing friendships with the locals. I did feel like the story was a bit all over the place, feeling like I'd skipped a chapter at one point, so there was a lot of going back a page or two to catch up with where I was. But I suppose that's the point of a journal style book?
NetGalley have kindly sent me a copy of the sequel and I'm already excited to get stuck in!
It has a subtle sunny/grumpy romance which I enjoyed seeing develop, along with the growing friendships with the locals. I did feel like the story was a bit all over the place, feeling like I'd skipped a chapter at one point, so there was a lot of going back a page or two to catch up with where I was. But I suppose that's the point of a journal style book?
NetGalley have kindly sent me a copy of the sequel and I'm already excited to get stuck in!
The Haunting Season: Ghostly Tales for Long Winter Nights
Imogen Hermes Gowar, Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Elizabeth Macneal, Andrew Michael Hurley, Jess Kidd, Bridget Collins, Laura Purcell, Sara Collins, Natasha Pulley
No in depth review for this one, just a spooky little anthology full of wintery ghost stories, beautifully atmospheric and festively gloomy
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My biggest criticism of this book is the trigger warnings are at the end. This seems bizarre to me.
Other than that I thoroughly enjoyed it! It's not for the faint of heart, not quite horror but definitely some more gruesome and sordid details.
The book is driven by Henry's dialogue of the events, intertwined with his own struggles and thoughts of what he is doing, his character made me feel uncomfortable and frustrated, which I think was intentional. Louise on the other hand, her character is beautiful, caring and independent. The interrogations and trials of the witches were very detailed and clearly well researched. As a woman I felt deeply saddened and honestly horrified by the end of this book, knowing what they went through for simply being women, how easy it was for them to be taken from their families, tortured and murdered.
Catherine Fearns is a fantastic writer and I urge anyone who has an interest in the European Witch Craze to read this book.
Other than that I thoroughly enjoyed it! It's not for the faint of heart, not quite horror but definitely some more gruesome and sordid details.
The book is driven by Henry's dialogue of the events, intertwined with his own struggles and thoughts of what he is doing, his character made me feel uncomfortable and frustrated, which I think was intentional. Louise on the other hand, her character is beautiful, caring and independent. The interrogations and trials of the witches were very detailed and clearly well researched. As a woman I felt deeply saddened and honestly horrified by the end of this book, knowing what they went through for simply being women, how easy it was for them to be taken from their families, tortured and murdered.
Catherine Fearns is a fantastic writer and I urge anyone who has an interest in the European Witch Craze to read this book.