Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for a review.

An Irish comedian, Patrick, with dreams of the big stage finds himself needing to flee his hometown sooner (and more permanent) than anticipated due to his role in the death of a bigot. But as it often is, he simply managed to jump from the frying pan into the fire and in his quest for success finds himself courted by a powerful organization. They might be the Mob, or they might be something much, much darker. Either way, they are not taking no for an answer and so he soon finds himself working for them, always waiting for the other shoe to drop. But there is also a spark of joy to be found. A nice man he met at his first night at a bar (Lorenzo?) and who might, like him, be interested in a different kind of relationship. But even here, the question remains, can he really trust anybody?
The novella wonderfully showcases the ever-present dread of not only being a newcomer in an unfamiliar place and having to find your way amidst new people, but also of having a secret (or in Patrick’s case two) dogging your every step. The characters are often from marginalized backgrounds, and I really enjoyed the way the story made sure to present a varied and diverse cast, without falling into the trap of respectability politics, where we need to be perfect to be acceptable. Instead, the characters are often flawed and for that vastly more interesting. While I admit that I found myself wondering how everything was going to come together when the supernatural aspects were introduced to the story, I do think the payoff and the conclusion was more than worth it.
I particularly enjoyed the writing style and the use of time-accurate vernacular as it made the story feel different and intriguing. You just can’t help but root for Patrick and wonder how he is going to survive all this. I also liked that the novel allows for marginalized rage to take such a front and center stage and so even though I found myself a little bit bored during the set-up, the pay-off was more than worth it and I really enjoyed that I could accompany Patrick on his trip through Vegas.
Marginalizations examined in this novel are mainly poverty, homophobia and race-based (Latinx, Native American and Black) but it also touches on gender, transphobia and ableism in ways that made my heart ache and rage. If you enjoy marginalized anger and also sometimes just want to see the world burn, do yourself a favor and check this book out and enjoy the ride!

tw: homophobia, past suicide, murder, violence, being burned alive, ableism, racism

Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC from netgalley in exchange for a review.

This novel promises to follow a young woman, Jenna, who witnessed the traumatic death of her mother on a lone forest road as a teenager, when evil comes after her once more. This description piqued my interesting and I was excited to pick it up. I also really enjoyed the first chapter and the dread it built.
However, this novel suffers for two reasons: It is too long and the summary does not even hint at a major change in plot at around the 25% mark of the book. As some other reviews have mentioned and which I wish I had read before requesting a review copy of this book, the summary could use some rewording to let readers know which direction the story will go. While the first chapter is really well written and delivers the dread I was hoping for, the story soon switches to that of a pregnant woman kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend and locked up with intention of forcing her to deliver his baby (which is not something I would have picked up had I known as it is not the type of story I enjoy). While it does ultimately tie together with the overall supernatural plot of the story, it was not what I was expecting at all and so definitely negatively influenced my enjoyment of the book.
When the first escape attempt immediately starts after she gets kidnapped, it was clear that one was doomed from the beginning and it was really interesting to read. However, due to the sheer quantity of running away and hiding and running and hiding (and on and on and on) it soon became too much and felt repetitive and tiring. From around 30% to 60% of the story I found myself very bored, as most of it was focused on (a variety of) escapes and particularly the second escape attempt dragged out even longer due to constant POV switches. Despite the many changes in scenery the actions of the villains as well as Jenna’s actions are soon repetitive as well. In the last quarter of the book my attention was piqued once more, as finally the lore was being revealed and we learned more about what exactly was going on and why all these things are happening to Jenna specifically. While I found that part interesting again, at that point unfortunately it was not enough to raise my opinion of this book higher.
I found the heavy inclusion of British vernacular intriguing and enjoyed reading the dialogue. I also liked the short flashbacks to the Templar’s which show which past events caused all this. In general, I think this could have been a fascinating horror story if it was shortened and the description revealed what can actually be expected of the story. All in all, I cannot give this story more than 2 stars.

Tw: slight fatphobia, death of parent, violence and injury, forced confinement, kidnapping, imprisonment, threats of rape, impregnation through deception (hole in condom), forced birth, threats of forced medical impregnation, gun violence, murder, forced institutionalization, graphic attempted suicide, homophobia, (past) bullying, violence, burning alive

Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for a review.

You’re a young adult in a small town waking up in an unfamiliar place after a bender. And soon you will have to decide how your life continues. For now, all you know is you’re a drummer without a band, who still lives with his parents (and your dad is the local preacher). Depending on your choices you travel down on different paths, but all of them will lead to you preparing for the gig that might finally get out of here. And you desperately want and need to get out of here. So, no matter how much of a dick your lead singer Austin is or how weird the house he is urging you to preparing for your black metal church is there is really no way you can say no.
This novel presents you with a really fun exploration of small town life and teenage rebellion, including the tension between suburban normality and wanting any kind of different life, but also the ways people in subcultures can and do often fall into infighting as their own personal goals diverge. The characters are interesting and the horror is intense. I also loved that towards the end of my first route (the people pleasing one), my agency disappears further and further, really forcing the reader to go along on the path they have picked for the character. One thing I also quite enjoyed with the different routes I’ve played so far is that you get to interact with different bandmembers and learn different things about their lives, which adds a lot to the experience (and at points made me quite sad as well). While I haven’t been able to finish all routes just yet (only had time for three rereads so far, which was great because I did manage to spend time will all three bandmembers in turn, but it also means there are still a few choices left unread!) I really enjoy what I’ve read so far and can only recommend this book to anybody who enjoys black metal, cults, blasphemy and one fucked up house.

tw: drugs, graphic injury, past suicide attempt & jokes about suicide, death by being burned alive, murder

Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This here is a very special short story. We meet Kaya, young woman, living in a very restricted society. Masturbation is forbidden and she is forced to work hard by her guardian. Her parents are dead. There may or may not be other cultures outside of this small, rigid town.
If you’re looking for a fluffy romance or great world building: you won’t find it here, sorry. If you’re looking for a 30-page long erotica, with lesbian tentacle sex (lots of it), well you’ve come to just the right place.
I was expecting something completely different when I picked the book up (something longer for example) so I am kind of disappointed in this? The writing is nice too, but the sex scenes feel a bit repetitive in the end (they do make up most of the novel too, and while they were nice to read, they were just too much for me). It also moves really fast, there is barely any world building and we don’t get to know the characters well at all. I liked that it the story came full circle in the end, which was a really nice ending, but all in all I have to say this book wasn’t really for me.