heddas_bookgems's Reviews (490)

When I picked up "Year of the Reaper," it turned out to be something entirely different. I was anticipating a story about a reaper, but it was rather about a person who experienced trauma and additionally can see ghosts from the plague. Most of the characters are intriguing, with flaws and depth. The slow burn romance in the book is quite endearing. And the concept of exploring the resilience of people in overcoming a pandemic is fascinating. Although it doesn't quite hit the mark, it's still definitely worth a read.

Dorothy Daniels is a food critic with a ravenous hunger. Food has been her love and aphrodisiac, from thick tomato slices to, white truffles, Whoppers from Burger King and an ice pick into her lover's neck. And now she’s ready to share her psychopathic journey. But be warned, you might get a taste for your lover sautéed with shallots and mushrooms deglazed with a little red wine.

Sometimes a cover just draws you in. A Certain Hunger did just that for me. This cover, a painting by Bernardino Mei from 1622, represents Ghismunda; a character from The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio. It tells the story of the daughter of Tancredi, who poisons herself, drinking from her lovers heart, after her father has murdered him. Brutal you say? Well, so is this book. But quite easily digestible because of its sweet, satirical sauce.

So yes, this is not for the lighthearted as it gets bloody brutal with this raw languaged, raging, sexy woman with a high appetite for men. But I couldn’t stop reading it once I’ve started it. It’s gory, but juicy and blood chilling but also hilarious. These extremities of this psychopath are awful, but also very comical.

Despite her extremes, you might just end up liking Dorothy. If it’s not because of her humor or philosophical musings about feminism, it’s maybe her honesty or tragic life.

Highly recommend it for the ones with a strong appetite for the unhinged girlies, but be warned, you might get hungry.

So this was weird. Like eerie, spooky weird, but also fun, even somewhat cute (it’s got a tabby cat) and extremely atmospheric. I mean, if taxidermy isn’t setting a perfect gothic mood, what is?

Not only is this atmospheric and beautifully written, with just the right dose of prose (not too flowery), it’s also spills with sarcastic and dark humor. Which, is an acquired taste, but is really my kind of humor.

Was this what I expected? Maybe not. I thought this would be bloodchilling horror with loads of jump scares, and it for sure has some real gory horror scenes, but it was more a how-twisted-is-your-imagination kind of horror.

Still, it spooked me quite a few times, made me feel anxious quite a bit and had me rooting for Carrot, her sidekick Simon and most of all for the tabby cat, Beau. So, if you’re looking for an atmospheric read with horrific moments and dark humor, look no further.

“Lee is the ultimate final girl. Right behind Neve Campbell. Michael Myers can choke.”

Charity is the final girl - the one who survives the night - at her summer job at Camp Mirror Lake. She having the best time frightening paying customers in a full-contact terror game experience. Suddenly the game turns too real, when her co-workers are disappearing and they find a dead body.

This fast paced book is the perfect read for a grey, rainy day. You will be hooked from the start as it jumps into slashers action, without any intro, and finish it easily in a day or two.

It had everything I want from a slasher book. It was scary, but not too scary and had a late 70s, beginning 80s vibe to it with many references to classic slashers, like Halloween and Scream.

Next to it being spooky, this book lays heavy on solving mystery and group dynamic. With its diverse cast of friends, that have loads of banter too, you’re trying to solve the mysteries of Mirror Lake with them; talking to old grannies to discover the history of the camp. And it has some history, it appears. Be ready to get ping-ponged, because this book has some major plot twists. Yes multiple!

The ending might not be the strongest point of this story, but despite that, this is guaranteed for a thrilling and enjoyable read.

The Goblin Emperor is a story about Maia, the youngest son of the Emperor. He has lived his whole life in exile Until his father and three half-brothers in line for the throne are killed in an "accident" making him the rightful heir to the throne. He must navigate through the deadly intrigues of the Imperial Court, surrounded by sycophants while also being aware of the danger to his life. The new Emperor must learn how to adapt to his role, make friends, and even find love, all while being vigilant against hidden enemies that threaten his his life.

Although I found it to be an enjoyable read, I'm hesitant to categorize it as a cozy fantasy book. While grief is a beautiful literary theme, it doesn't quite fit within the cozy fantasy genre.

Additionally, keeping track of all the characters can be daunting, as the book features a large and diverse cast, each with their own backstory and personality. If you're finding it difficult to remember who's who, don't worry – many readers share your struggle.

The book's political intrigue and backstabbing caught me off guard – it's much more focused on politics than I initially thought. The main character - his serenity - experiences a rough journey.

Despite the slow pace, the writing style is straightforward and easy to follow. Overall, I would still recommend "The Goblin Emperor" as an enjoyable read.

Bastian Balthazar Bux's journey begins when he stumbles upon an old bookstore and steals a book called The Neverending Story. Little did he know, the book would transport him to a magical world where he must embark on a quest to save it. As a child, I frequently watched the movie adaptation but never had the chance to read the book until now.

The book is filled with adventure, brave heroes, monsters, magic, and quirky characters that resemble those of Alice in Wonderland.

Through its exploration of metafiction, it made me aware of the enchantment of reading and its unparalleled ability to transport us to different worlds. It allowed for a deeper engagement with the text, as I became more aware of the author's craft and the layers of meaning that were uncovered through close reading.

Although the plot became somewhat dragging and repetitive towards the end, I still enjoyed the book's nostalgic feel. It reminded me of the power of literature able to create a connection with readers, allowing us to escape reality and explore our imaginations.

While it may not be my absolute favorite, The Neverending Story is undoubtedly a treasured book.

Meet Mika Moon, a witch who has lived a secretive and isolated life ever since she was orphaned at a young age. Despite the fate that all witches undergo, Mika has had to conceal her magical powers except for her social media platform, where she pretends to be a witch. But then, everything changes when she receives a message asking her to teach three young witches. Breaking all the rules, Mika decides to accept the offer, leading her on an unexpected journey.

Upon arrival, Mika is warmly welcomed by an eclectic bunch of characters, including an archaeologist, a retired actor, and two long-suffering caretakers. She finds a new home with her newfound family, but Jamie, the prickly and handsome librarian of Nowhere House, sees her arrival as a threat.

What unfolds is a whimsical, warm hug of a book, featuring a group of quirky, humorous, lovable, kind, and nice characters. The story is filled with numerous cute scenes with children that will remind readers of House at the Cerulean Sea, and plenty of comedic moments that will have you laughing out loud.

This novel doesn't shy away from exploring the melancholy aspects of life, including old hurts, vulnerability, and loneliness. But it also takes readers on a spicy adventure that will keep them on their toes. This book is the perfect choice for anyone in search of a sweet and magical novel to cozy up with during the fall and winter seasons.

Emily Wilde, a faerie folklore and fae magic expert, is a distinguished professor at Cambridge. Her work on the first-ever encyclopedia on faerie lore leads her to Hrafnsvik, a small town where she intends to work and not make friends. She is accompanied by Shadow, her black dog, and plenty of books. However, the arrival of her rival, Wendell Bambleby, disrupts her solitude.

Despite her initial annoyance, Emily and Wendell come together to uncover the secrets of the Hidden faeries. The Cozy SFF Readathon's "Dancing with Faeries" prompt inspired me to read this delightful tale. Emily was an excellent dance partner, leading me through a whimsical world filled with real, threatening faeries, cozy landscapes, and adorable companions.

The story's use of "older" language and diary entries as chapters added a lovely touch to the Jane Austenesque world, where faeries are real. However, I recognize that this narrative style may not appeal to everyone.

My only complaint was the plot twists towards the end, which were slightly tedious and far-fetched. Despite this, it was an enjoyable read, earning a solid 4.5-star rating from me.