drakaina16's Reviews (2.21k)

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.

Oh, this book. The bright colorful cover catches your eye, then the book ensnares you with lush, candy-sweet words, all with a thread of something sinister running underneath. Much like a carnival or funfair itself. I cannot overstate how beautifully written this book is. The fact that it is the author's debut novel is mind blowing. Freakslaw is gloriously, unapologetically queer. It is so very rare, especially in the types of books that I read, to have characters that celebrate and revel in their differences. Gretchen Etcetera embodies trans joy, and that is so refreshing to see. It's a slow burn, but I delighted in my time at the Freakslaw, even when terr

Right off the bat - this is not my favorite Kaplin book. I've been reading a ton of cult books lately, and this one missed the mark a bit for me. The addition of the Nephilim was really cool and interesting. Nephilim aren't something I've read about in horror fiction. While I enjoyed the book overall, the ending felt a bit rushed and unsatisfying, and I didn't really connect with any of the characters. 3.25 stars

Just couldn't get into it

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy. 

This is a very refreshing zombie novel. It takes a lot to get and keep my attention with zombies these days, but Janitors vs. the Living Dead was so much fun. The book reads like an action movie, and has a root cause I don't think has been explored much in zombie fiction. These zombies are grosssss, y'all. Zombies are objectively disgusting anyway, but these zombies are even worse than usual. Trust me. Overall, the book has some really cool ideas executed very well. I was unfamiliar with the authors, but am delighted to see they have an extensive back catalog, so I'll definitely be checking those out. 4 stars

I have been reading some very heavy books lately, so picking up this fun slasher was sorely needed. It's witty, funny, and gory, never taking itself too seriously. It's giving 90s slasher vibes, to borrow a phrase from one of the characters. I also loved all queer rep and the folklore behind the killer. Even though quite a few of the characters are essentially cannon fodder, they all had really cool back stories, which I appreciate. You don't always get a lot of character development in a slasher, but The Namaste Slasher excels here. 4.25 stars

Thank you to the author for providing a review copy. 

This is a fun one that can be read in one sitting. I did have the feeling I was maybe missing out on some backstory, as this is the first I've read by the author. I was definitely intrigued, as the writing is good and I wanted to know more. If you like Splatterpunk (and regular punk), this should be up your alley. 3.25 stars

Thank you to the author for providing a review copy. 

Mark Matthews weaves a family saga in not-so-many pages, but I really loved the lore in this book. Lucas Lamia is one of the most detestable villains I've read in a long time. No spoilers, but what he does is truly reprehensible. Torch Lake itself has its own interesting lore, and the stories come together in a spectacular way. I really loved the ending as well. 4.25 stars

I really enjoyed William F. Gray's two newest books, so I decided to read his debut novel. The Man Behind the Door is quite impressive for a first effort. I will admit the time jumps and the changes in perspective between the characters was a little confusing and jarring at first. But as the timelines converge, things come together quite nicely, and the ending managed to surprise me a bit. Gray has managed to craft characters that are sympathetic, despite the people they've become and the choices they make. Although a bit chaotic at first, stick with it. You'll be glad you did. 4.25 stars

This is my new favorite Eric LaRocca book. I've always found the premises of his books intriguing, and, although he tells me terrible things, the prose is gorgeous. There are two stories-within-a-story here, which seems to be a common thing with this author, and something I quite enjoy. I found the whole thing extremely compelling and read it in three sittings. 4.75 stars

The Mobius Door has a lot of characters, and a lot of moving parts, and all of this was handled very deftly (especially considering this is a debut). Although there are a lot of characters, I never felt lost as to who was whom, as sometimes happens with a large cast. The whole concept of the book is, frankly, very upsetting. Even moreso when the pieces start to come together and the cosmic horror really kicks in. A very impressive debut from Andrew Najberg. 4.25 stars