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morganjanedavis's Reviews (396)
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Grady Hendrix was right on the money when he described this title as " 'Salem's Lot but with more Uzis.". Nightblood contains all the silly goofiness you'd expect from an 90's horror title paired with a masculine flare, relying on TOUGHNESS delivered by the main character, Chris Stiles, to defeat evil for good and rid Isherwood of its vamps. The consistent war terminology (thankful for the one war flashback and not multiple), gun lingo, and general vibe of testosterone oozing from the prose is normally enough to make me DNF a book but, this worked for me.
The MANLY MAN moments are counterbalanced by Chris and his brother Alex's relationship, bringing sentimentality to the plot that feels genuine. This relationship is then paralleled via Bart and Del, which elevated the connections throughout. Although the brothers' relationships allowed for character development over time, Billie's character was posed as a two-dimensional prop, seemingly only to serve as Chris' love interest and Bart and Del's mother. Yes, I'm aware this is a cheesy 90's horror novel but, I would've appreciated it if Billie played a more integral and less predictable role.
While Martindale's style isn't distinctly unique, the imagery conjured from the scenes throughout is impressive. Specifically, the interactions (FIGHT SCENES MAINLY) between the vampires and humans were wholly engaging.
Nightblood is fun, heavy on the cheese, and although was a little after its time releasing in the early 90's, fits right in with the books penned during the mass market paperback horror boom. Reccommend if you're in the mood for gun slingin', vamp huntin' foolery.
The MANLY MAN moments are counterbalanced by Chris and his brother Alex's relationship, bringing sentimentality to the plot that feels genuine. This relationship is then paralleled via Bart and Del, which elevated the connections throughout. Although the brothers' relationships allowed for character development over time, Billie's character was posed as a two-dimensional prop, seemingly only to serve as Chris' love interest and Bart and Del's mother. Yes, I'm aware this is a cheesy 90's horror novel but, I would've appreciated it if Billie played a more integral and less predictable role.
While Martindale's style isn't distinctly unique, the imagery conjured from the scenes throughout is impressive. Specifically, the interactions (FIGHT SCENES MAINLY) between the vampires and humans were wholly engaging.
Nightblood is fun, heavy on the cheese, and although was a little after its time releasing in the early 90's, fits right in with the books penned during the mass market paperback horror boom. Reccommend if you're in the mood for gun slingin', vamp huntin' foolery.
Imaginative and sharp, Milk Teeth follows a family who worships a demon, outlining the lengths they will go to express their devotion. This story is wholly unique, bringing horror elements to life in a fantastical way. The backwoods setting and bold (ok ya and I guess deranged) characters pulled me into the story and took a strong hold, even in places where the plot seemed stagnant. The progression felt anticlimactic overall but, the nightmarish energy is present throughout.
Henrietta and Junior live simple lives. They enjoy their existence on remote farmland. It’s quiet, predictable, dependable. This routine becomes interrupted by a stream of green headlights blasting through the upstairs window of their farm house late one evening. Junior has been selected, he doesn’t have a choice, he must go. He takes solace in the fact that Hen won’t be left alone, she’ll be looked after, cared for by someone who can do almost as good as he can personally. No need to fret, she’ll be left in company.
Atmosphere and tone drive Reid’s works, with Foe being no exception. He has a way of making the plot feel conspiratorial: everyone is in on the secret except for the main character and the reader. Feelings of impending doom are cemented through Junior’s inner dialogue, watery timelines that are easily manipulated, and Terrence’s character as a whole.
The farm fosters feelings of bleakness and isolation, nurtured so thoroughly they shine clearly through Henrietta’s thoughts and actions. Domesticity isn’t a topic I expected to be explored within Foe but, I’m glad it is. It elevates the experience, highlighting the subjective nature of what it means to be content.
IFoe isn’t a book of quick scares or incessant plot twists. It slowly yet steadily closes in on you, becoming more unsettling as time elapses, a slow-building horror that’s building all the same.
Atmosphere and tone drive Reid’s works, with Foe being no exception. He has a way of making the plot feel conspiratorial: everyone is in on the secret except for the main character and the reader. Feelings of impending doom are cemented through Junior’s inner dialogue, watery timelines that are easily manipulated, and Terrence’s character as a whole.
The farm fosters feelings of bleakness and isolation, nurtured so thoroughly they shine clearly through Henrietta’s thoughts and actions. Domesticity isn’t a topic I expected to be explored within Foe but, I’m glad it is. It elevates the experience, highlighting the subjective nature of what it means to be content.
IFoe isn’t a book of quick scares or incessant plot twists. It slowly yet steadily closes in on you, becoming more unsettling as time elapses, a slow-building horror that’s building all the same.
The Laws of the Skies follows a group of first graders and three chaperones on an educational endeavor to explore the woods freely, gather knowledge from what the forest has to offer. What begins as an innocuous camping trip quickly sours, turning into a carnage-filled frenzy that highlights the depravity of human nature found in unexpected places.
This isn’t for the faint of heart. Body horror drives this book from start to finish, relishing in the gory details through beautifully crafted prose. Courtois’ eloquence and timing lends to the story perfectly, counterbalancing the savagery just so, leaving me anticipating a glimmer of hope, safety, refuge. It didn’t come.
The Laws of the Skies is dark, bleak, BLOODY. Read if you’re in the mood for some serious slashing.
This isn’t for the faint of heart. Body horror drives this book from start to finish, relishing in the gory details through beautifully crafted prose. Courtois’ eloquence and timing lends to the story perfectly, counterbalancing the savagery just so, leaving me anticipating a glimmer of hope, safety, refuge. It didn’t come.
The Laws of the Skies is dark, bleak, BLOODY. Read if you’re in the mood for some serious slashing.
Addy is reclaiming her life. Following a divorce from her belittling and controlling ex, she’s decided she’s living for herself. To celebrate, she’s traveling to a horror convention to hang with friends and commiserate over their love of the macabre.
While on the road, a miscalculation leads to being caught in the eye of a snowstorm. She’s left at the mercy of icy roads, with little to no hope of navigating independently. Luckily, good samaritan Mack comes to the rescue offering a CB radio and guidance through the treacherous terrain.
Until Mack flips, careening off a cliff into darkness like no other. Addy must make a choice: stay put or slink down into the unknown, facing what awaits Below.
Atmospheric and eerie, Below starts strong and doesn’t let up. Vivid imagery paired with multiple horror elements creates a claustrophobic environment where nothing can be trusted. Hightower’s prose is hypnotic, allowing the story to flow effortlessly despite the business of the plot. Although the ambiguity let my mind wonder, some aspects would’ve been more impactful if elaborated upon.
My only qualm is I wish it were longer :-( highly recommended!
While on the road, a miscalculation leads to being caught in the eye of a snowstorm. She’s left at the mercy of icy roads, with little to no hope of navigating independently. Luckily, good samaritan Mack comes to the rescue offering a CB radio and guidance through the treacherous terrain.
Until Mack flips, careening off a cliff into darkness like no other. Addy must make a choice: stay put or slink down into the unknown, facing what awaits Below.
Atmospheric and eerie, Below starts strong and doesn’t let up. Vivid imagery paired with multiple horror elements creates a claustrophobic environment where nothing can be trusted. Hightower’s prose is hypnotic, allowing the story to flow effortlessly despite the business of the plot. Although the ambiguity let my mind wonder, some aspects would’ve been more impactful if elaborated upon.
My only qualm is I wish it were longer :-( highly recommended!