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morganjanedavis's Reviews (396)
Andi is jealous of the vultures that circle her home. She longs to live their life: eating rotting flesh, soaring through the skies, freedom. Andi knows this is weird…she shouldn’t want to gobble up dead things. Blood should make her stomach churn not growl. Good thing she has her girlfriend, Luna, and her therapist Dr. Fawning to keep her thoughts positive and healthy…but is that enough? What happens when Andi lets go of all her inhibitions; lets the hunger become her? Andi only wants to be free.
What a unique novella. Andi’s condition was unlike any I’ve read about before. No detail was spared, reading about her wants made me feel nauseous at times. The writing was poetic, Tantlinger did an exceptional job describing disgusting scenes in a way that made them seem acceptable and/or like our main character HAD TO give into this. I wasn’t sure how the story was going to play out and the ending came out of left field entirely. I was under the impression Andi had more self control than she truly did, leading to the surprises to be gristlier than I could’ve anticipated. Because this is a super short read, I don’t want to give too much away but I highly recommend this one! To Be Devoured is available on Kindle Unlimited, check it out if you’re looking for a psychological novella with blood n guts elements
Hazel will do anything in order to become a surgeon. Being a high-society woman in 18th Century Scotland has put a damper on these dreams but, she’s persevered. With her parents being absent, she can more or less do as she pleases to work towards her goal. When her initial plan to sneak into the all male surgical school becomes unveiled, she begins to seek out resurrection men of the city for practice; enter Jack Currer. Jack is able to get bodies for Hazel so that she can pass the board anatomy exam to become an actual surgeon. All is well until Hazel notices some of the bodies of the dead (and living) are missing vital organs. Is someone getting to the bodies before her or is something more sinister at play?
I’m not normally a YA reader. By normally I mean hardly ever; as an adult the content is corny most of the time. Admittedly, this was a cover/hype buy and I was nervous that I wouldn’t enjoy it. I’m happy to report that I loved! Anatomy was endearing. I felt the love and heart that Schwartz put into the story, especially in developing Hazel’s character. She absolutely flourished, blossoming off the page with nuanced character traits and ambitions. The plot was well developed and I enjoyed the little pieces of information placed throughout the story for the reader to complete the puzzle. It did get a tinge predictable towards the end, but it didn’t spoil the reading experience. The historical fiction aspect was very well done. I felt as if I was brought back in time and it’s evident that the way of life throughout this time period was heavily researched. Because of the ending, I’m hoping Schwartz continues Hazel’s story with a sequel. She’s a fictional pioneer of her time and I’d love to keep up with where her gifts will take her…and to figure out what happened to a certain someone
I’m not normally a YA reader. By normally I mean hardly ever; as an adult the content is corny most of the time. Admittedly, this was a cover/hype buy and I was nervous that I wouldn’t enjoy it. I’m happy to report that I loved! Anatomy was endearing. I felt the love and heart that Schwartz put into the story, especially in developing Hazel’s character. She absolutely flourished, blossoming off the page with nuanced character traits and ambitions. The plot was well developed and I enjoyed the little pieces of information placed throughout the story for the reader to complete the puzzle. It did get a tinge predictable towards the end, but it didn’t spoil the reading experience. The historical fiction aspect was very well done. I felt as if I was brought back in time and it’s evident that the way of life throughout this time period was heavily researched. Because of the ending, I’m hoping Schwartz continues Hazel’s story with a sequel. She’s a fictional pioneer of her time and I’d love to keep up with where her gifts will take her…and to figure out what happened to a certain someone
Amy is lives a run of the mill life in suburbia. Her and her husband moved from Chicago to a neighborhood where everyone knows everyone, PTA rules all, and the hottest gossip involves who brought store bought cupcakes to the function. This isn’t really Amy’s style. Luckily, she’s found her micro-community within Whispering Farms. Amy, Liz, Jess, and Melissa find solace in one another and use their bond to decompress from the rigid social standards placed onto suburban stay at home moms. All is well, until the most meek, level-headed, calm member becomes…different. After digging up a spot for the women’s she-shed and unearthing a horrible stinky nightmare Liz morphs into a self-centered being. She has no interest in her family or friends, she lives to look hot and act as a recluse. Determined to get to the bottom of what’s going on, Amy leads her friends down the rabbit hole, uncovering secrets they wished they didn’t have to in order to save Liz.
Suburban Hell is a campy horror delight. Kilmer’s ability to inject comedic relief between the women’s woes is reminiscent of Grady Hendrix’s writing style (I’ve seen Suburban Hell compared to My Best Friend’s Exorcism—hard agree) and I couldn’t get enough. The women are painted as they should: multidimensional people who long to be labeled as something else besides MOM. The struggles they face in Whispering Farms, the place where being a “good mom” is made to be a competition with multiple requirements are real and reflect the unrealistic societal standards that mothers are held to. Community and reliance on one another were strong themes presented throughout the novel, which reigned true until the very end.
The paranormal elements were sporadic, catching me off guard at times, intertwining with the elements of suburbia seamlessly. My only qualm is that the build up was there but, the ending felt it was missing something compared to all the activity that took place to get to that point. All in all, I highly recommend this suburban spooker. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this title!
Suburban Hell is a campy horror delight. Kilmer’s ability to inject comedic relief between the women’s woes is reminiscent of Grady Hendrix’s writing style (I’ve seen Suburban Hell compared to My Best Friend’s Exorcism—hard agree) and I couldn’t get enough. The women are painted as they should: multidimensional people who long to be labeled as something else besides MOM. The struggles they face in Whispering Farms, the place where being a “good mom” is made to be a competition with multiple requirements are real and reflect the unrealistic societal standards that mothers are held to. Community and reliance on one another were strong themes presented throughout the novel, which reigned true until the very end.
The paranormal elements were sporadic, catching me off guard at times, intertwining with the elements of suburbia seamlessly. My only qualm is that the build up was there but, the ending felt it was missing something compared to all the activity that took place to get to that point. All in all, I highly recommend this suburban spooker. Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this title!
Abby longs for a good mother. Her own mother is out of
the question and her mother in law has been nothing but
cold and callous. Ever changing moods, passive aggressive
tendencies, and genuine disdain for Abby has driven them
apart. Until Lauren dies. A new chapter is waiting for Ralph
and Abby now. A fresh start. Abby needs this, this
opportunity to be a functional family and ultimately, to be
mother (NOT A MOTHERTHING), a good mother, a great
mother. Her plan is put into place and seems to be
working…but a mother(THING)'s love knows no bounds.
Lauren is back. Driving Ralph into a dangerous depressive
state, driving Abby to madness. Abby has to act. She has
to stop Lauren, this MOTHERTHING, from destroying her
chance at normalcy; not every mother knows best.
Motherthing is contemporary horror. Sharp, unsettling
energy and visceral imagery guide you on a slow and
steady creep towards insanity.
Hogarth's writing style is hypnotic: I couldn't unpeel myself
from Motherthing. I'm in awe of her ability to articulate the
most mundane events in a way that adds layers of emotion
EVERYTHING adds to the plot so that it becomes heavier,
thick, more pointed as each chapter passes.
The love/bond/wrath of Motherthing is inescapable and
although that feeling is there from the beginning, it festers
and morphs into an oozing (mother) THING that is
smothering, all-encompassing, horrific.
Total annihilation
feels inevitable, and it is.
Motherthing is perfect, a perfect baby. Read it please.
Thank you so much @netgalley & @doubledaybooks for
approving me for one of my fave reads of the year!
the question and her mother in law has been nothing but
cold and callous. Ever changing moods, passive aggressive
tendencies, and genuine disdain for Abby has driven them
apart. Until Lauren dies. A new chapter is waiting for Ralph
and Abby now. A fresh start. Abby needs this, this
opportunity to be a functional family and ultimately, to be
mother (NOT A MOTHERTHING), a good mother, a great
mother. Her plan is put into place and seems to be
working…but a mother(THING)'s love knows no bounds.
Lauren is back. Driving Ralph into a dangerous depressive
state, driving Abby to madness. Abby has to act. She has
to stop Lauren, this MOTHERTHING, from destroying her
chance at normalcy; not every mother knows best.
Motherthing is contemporary horror. Sharp, unsettling
energy and visceral imagery guide you on a slow and
steady creep towards insanity.
Hogarth's writing style is hypnotic: I couldn't unpeel myself
from Motherthing. I'm in awe of her ability to articulate the
most mundane events in a way that adds layers of emotion
EVERYTHING adds to the plot so that it becomes heavier,
thick, more pointed as each chapter passes.
The love/bond/wrath of Motherthing is inescapable and
although that feeling is there from the beginning, it festers
and morphs into an oozing (mother) THING that is
smothering, all-encompassing, horrific.
Total annihilation
feels inevitable, and it is.
Motherthing is perfect, a perfect baby. Read it please.
Thank you so much @netgalley & @doubledaybooks for
approving me for one of my fave reads of the year!
3.5
Loved the representation, depictions of trans sex, and inclusivity.
Did not love how muddy the plot was, how confusing the jumps from character to character could be, and ultimately how the story ended. The elements for a great gory spooker were there but, they weren’t delivered in a way that was able to be followed in an enjoyable way.
Loved the representation, depictions of trans sex, and inclusivity.
Did not love how muddy the plot was, how confusing the jumps from character to character could be, and ultimately how the story ended. The elements for a great gory spooker were there but, they weren’t delivered in a way that was able to be followed in an enjoyable way.
Cosmic horror doesn’t normally work for me but it did here. The processes of grief depicted were intense but necessary. I loved this so much!
Teenage Grave is a tiny 68-page thing, comprised of 4 tales of disgust and depravity. Each story brings a unique element to the anthology, leaving the reader with the heebie jeebies one way or another. Here’s what I think of each one individually (without divulging a lot bc these are rlly short):
Stale Air by Jo Quenell:
A touching family reunion, solidified by the presence of something supernatural (and stinky). Loved the imagery surrounding the supernatural element + the implication that Jason better get ready to fill his dad’s shoes. Nice.
I Know Not the Names of the Gods to Whom I Pray by Sam Richard:
A cycle, repeating, forever. The body horror depicted was impactful for such a short story. The prose creates its own aesthetic, which is only amplified by the gore.
Apate’s Children by Brendan Vidito:
Guilt over betraying a loved one alone is hard to bear. What if another force was there to ensure you paid the price? Apate and her children were terrifying to visualize, but I loved doing it all the same.
Start Today by Justin Lutz:
Join a support group to rid yourself of your insecurities! Become a REAL MAN. What could go wrong? What a wild concept, I wasn’t expecting what lie ahead for Miles and I never would have. Gross and very fun.
Buy this book! The cover is sick and the stories are sicker. If you’re unsure about horror anthologies but, want to get into them, I’d go with this quick one to start.
Stale Air by Jo Quenell:
A touching family reunion, solidified by the presence of something supernatural (and stinky). Loved the imagery surrounding the supernatural element + the implication that Jason better get ready to fill his dad’s shoes. Nice.
I Know Not the Names of the Gods to Whom I Pray by Sam Richard:
A cycle, repeating, forever. The body horror depicted was impactful for such a short story. The prose creates its own aesthetic, which is only amplified by the gore.
Apate’s Children by Brendan Vidito:
Guilt over betraying a loved one alone is hard to bear. What if another force was there to ensure you paid the price? Apate and her children were terrifying to visualize, but I loved doing it all the same.
Start Today by Justin Lutz:
Join a support group to rid yourself of your insecurities! Become a REAL MAN. What could go wrong? What a wild concept, I wasn’t expecting what lie ahead for Miles and I never would have. Gross and very fun.
Buy this book! The cover is sick and the stories are sicker. If you’re unsure about horror anthologies but, want to get into them, I’d go with this quick one to start.
Ben has been looking. He’s employed every method he could fathom: going door-to-door, chasing hunches, posting flyers. None of this has given him any good leads. Eric has been missing for 5 years, kidnapped under Ben’s nose in the local supermarket. Since Eric has gone missing, Ben and his family have dug themselves into a stagnant rut. They dance around the obvious, never confronting the horror they’ve faced resulting in strained relationships amongst the trio: Ben, his father, and his stepmother (Eric’s biological mother, who quite plainly admonishes Ben for Eric’s disappearance). Because money is tight and Ben wants to help, he takes a job at the local grocery store. The one Eric disappeared from 5 years before. As if seeing his brother’s missing posters and feeling the torment of Ben and Eric’s final moments here aren’t enough, the store is toying with him. Eric’s belongings and missing posters that were LOOKED FOR for ages start popping up. Weird symbols are found drawn in odd places. But what does it mean? Is Eric alive? Can Ben finally bring his brother home?
There’s a lot to unpack here. While the meat of Bad Man was exceptional, it took a ton of work for the reader to get those portions of the book. Auerbach sandwiched vital information in between multiple pages of trivial chatter, making it hard to want to continue reading at times.
WHAT I LIKED: The characters and their relationships were well written, capturing the complexities surrounding them perfectly. The story itself was sick. I loved the concept, the eeriness of the store, and the small hints dropped throughout the novel that pointed towards the perpetrator. The unpredictability of the conclusion left my jaw on the floor–I couldn’t think of a more full circle way to end it.
WHAT I DISLIKED LIKE SO SO MUCH: THE PROSE. This is my second Auerbach novel and the writing style throughout the first I read (Penpal) was not as unbearable as this. He included excruciating detail on the most mundane things that it almost felt as if I was reading a screenplay or script with set directions instead of a novel. What makes that all the more frustrating is that there were large portions of the story that could have been expanded on if not for the time taken to tell me someone left their seat to go to the sink. Portions of the story could have been linked together in a more cohesive way and expanded upon, making the read that much better. I’m sad this wasn’t the case.
IDK if I recommend this book or not. The story, characters, and nowhere town setting are so cool but, I’m not sure if it’s worth the time to sift through the BLEH that is the prose. I don’t regret reading this but I moved it to my donate pile with a swiftness.
There’s a lot to unpack here. While the meat of Bad Man was exceptional, it took a ton of work for the reader to get those portions of the book. Auerbach sandwiched vital information in between multiple pages of trivial chatter, making it hard to want to continue reading at times.
WHAT I LIKED: The characters and their relationships were well written, capturing the complexities surrounding them perfectly. The story itself was sick. I loved the concept, the eeriness of the store, and the small hints dropped throughout the novel that pointed towards the perpetrator. The unpredictability of the conclusion left my jaw on the floor–I couldn’t think of a more full circle way to end it.
WHAT I DISLIKED LIKE SO SO MUCH: THE PROSE. This is my second Auerbach novel and the writing style throughout the first I read (Penpal) was not as unbearable as this. He included excruciating detail on the most mundane things that it almost felt as if I was reading a screenplay or script with set directions instead of a novel. What makes that all the more frustrating is that there were large portions of the story that could have been expanded on if not for the time taken to tell me someone left their seat to go to the sink. Portions of the story could have been linked together in a more cohesive way and expanded upon, making the read that much better. I’m sad this wasn’t the case.
IDK if I recommend this book or not. The story, characters, and nowhere town setting are so cool but, I’m not sure if it’s worth the time to sift through the BLEH that is the prose. I don’t regret reading this but I moved it to my donate pile with a swiftness.