shawna_reads's Reviews (471)

"Hold still. It hurts less when you're worry-free. In fact, when you don't worry, there is no pain. Ever. Remember that."

Baker and his mother live a nomadic lifestyle, constantly moving from one town to the next. Until they settle in Long Lake, Georgia where Baker becomes friends with Seb. Their lives soon change when they meet Cassandra, a mysterious girl with a penchant for trouble. One who has captured Baker's heart and is leading him down a dark path.

Lutzke and Meyer weaved together a beautiful coming of age story. What started as newfound friendships soon turned into one of obsession, love, and blood. The characters were well developed as the reader got to know Baker, Seb, and Cass. Baker was my favourite, just a sweet boy looking to fit into a normal life, but ended up going down the wrong path due to love.

And that twist? I definitely did not see that coming! I was wondering what everything was leading up to based on the titles of the chapters. It was wild and bloody.

Overall, a great collaboration and a great coming of age tale.

"Keep the door locked night and day so Tommy can't come out to play."

Becky's mother disappeared 40 years ago without a trace. She loses all hope in finding her until she finds something strange that could lead to her discovery - three unmarked videotapes found in the walls of her childhood home. As she watches the tapes, long forgotten nightmares are unlocked as she is drawn into a horrifying mystery and a creature that goes by the name Rotten Tommy.

This book was a lot of fun as it was very creepy, compelling and, you named it, bloody! Imagine a bizarre, haunted children's TV show that never saw the light of day as everyone involved in it died only to be discovered years later unleashing havoc. Rotten Tommy was reminiscent of your typical slasher villain that I wouldn't want to come across in any circumstance 👀

There were characters I loved and characters I hoped would die (wish granted 😆 Not a spoiler!). Sodergren also included a FMC with autism, which was great. You don't see autistic representation often, or at least I haven't come across many books with it, so it was nice to see the inclusivity. 

Rotten Tommy was a fun horror filled with bloodshed. As is every book by Sodergren! 

"Storytelling is an art form, and it belongs to no one." 

Essentially You've Lost a Lot of Blood is a story within a story. The reader follows Martyr Black and Ambrose as Martyr tells his narrative in the form of transcripts, poems, and stories. I know that doesn't really describe the plot, but there isn't much of a synopsis on the book itself and this was one of those books that you go into blind. 

I had absolutely no idea what to expect going into this one. I was confused and surprised as there was a lot going on and it felt a little disjointed, but I found myself enjoying it. I was really invested in the story within, but I also liked the poems and transcripts. It was violent, shocking, and gripping with beautiful prose. 

I don't know what more to say as I read it almost two months ago 😅 It felt different so I think it should be experienced for yourself. This was definitely an imaginative, unique novella!

"A lot of times love doesn't work out. Yet even when it fails, it connects you to others and, in the end, that is all you have, the connections." 

Kya Clark aka the "Marsh Girl" lives alone on Barkley Cove as her family abandons her one by one over the years. She learns everything she needs to know from the marsh and has enjoyed a life of solitude until she yearns to be loved. However, in 1969, popular Chase Andrews is found dead nearby and the locals claim Kya did it. 

This was a coming of age murder mystery told through dual timelines. We followed Kya from childhood to adulthood, as well as the police investigation in present day. The way the poor girl was abandoned by everyone she loved and grew into a beautiful, resilient woman was simply amazing. She went to school for one day of her life, yet taught herself so much to survive on her own. 

This book was beautifully written as I found myself emotionally invested from start to finish. The plot was fantastic as the murder investigation had me playing detective trying to figure out the narrative. It was very atmospheric, and I loved how the author incorporated her knowledge of animals into the story. Kya was my favourite, but all the supporting characters were amazing as well. 

I remember seeing this book everywhere when it first came out thinking it wasn't up my alley. Boy was I wrong! I absolutely loved everything about this book ❤️

"Ben did not believe in God. He believed in chaos." 

Ben is grieving after the death of his father and his mother taking off. He feels alone until he finds a book that brings forth a shadowy horned figure. As he offers her gifts, he receives comfort in return. It seems easy enough until she craves more. 

This is a dark coming of age story filled with grief, pain, and pleasure. With his father gone and his mother abandoning him, all Ben wants is someone to make him feel safe and comforted. He eventually comes across a book that beckons him. A book that shouldn't dare be touched. Yet it offers him things no one else can.. 

I honestly don't blame Ben for the choices he makes. I mean, a lone teen grieving the loss of his father with pent up anger towards his mother. Of course, he feels lonely and abandoned and craves nothing but love and attention. Something the horned figure gives him easily under her influence, but she needs gifts in return and soon these gifts involve blood and sacrifice. 

I'm not going to say anything else to spoil the story. At just over 130 pages, this novella packs a punch and I absolutely loved it. If you enjoy stories about grief and coming of age, then you must read this!

"Anticipation is a gift. Perhaps there is none greater. Anticipation is born of hope. Indeed it is hope's finest expression. In hope's loss, however, is the greatest despair." 

Soren Johannson is a Mormon who believes in reuniting with his family after death. Until one day he dies and wakes up in a vast library that is known as Hell. The only way to escape is to find the book containing the story of his life. 

This novella explored existential dread like no other. It was very thought-provoking and emotional as we followed the MC into the infinite abyss of hell trying to find meaning in this afterlife. 

Imagine being stuck in hell and the only way out was to find the book of your life. But here's the catch - the books are full of nonsense barely containing any words and it could take you thousands, if not millions, of years to find. Sounds exhausting to me! And that is how Soren felt as he needed to create personal meaning in an infinite place to make it all worth it. Until he found love and lost it, creating a new sense of dread. 

This was a short, interesting, and emotional depiction of hell. 

📚 Book review 📚 

"Those with more hate than love in their hearts will burn." 

Fork-in-the-Road, Any State is a quiet place to live, where families are raised and everyone is friendly. Life is good for 15 year old Aiden until the local bully catches him holding hands with another boy and ends up telling his father, Reverend Andrew, about the acts of sin. At the same time, a strange boy turns up in the forest saying only one word - "Up". Things are about to change for everyone. 

For under 100 pages, this novella sure packed a punch. The relationship formed between Aiden and Matt was sweet, and I loved how much their families wanted to protect them in such a conservative and, ultimately savage (despite appeareances), town. So savage that the Reverend wanted nothing but bloodshed for sinners. 

The forest adventures with the boys and their friends were fun up until they found the mysterious boy. Strange things started happening at the arrival of his presence. He was definitely ominous and creepy. 

My only problem with this story was that it wasn't enough! I know it was meant to be a quick read, but I felt like the story could have been fleshed out more. A little more about the town, the boys and their relationships, but mainly more background to the Reverend because he was a right dick. However, I still enjoyed it!

"All our lives are symbols. Everything we do is part of a pattern we have at least some say in. The strong make their own patterns and influence other people's, the weak have their courses mapped out for them." 

16 year old Frank lives in a remote Scottish village with his father. His mother abandoned them years ago, his brother Eric is in a psychiatric hospital, and his father measures everything in their lives. Frank finds comfort in his daily rituals of strange acts of violence until news gets out that his brother escaped from the hospital. 

The Wasp Factory is a slow burn character study told in first person narration. We follow Frank's day to day rituals, his interactions with his father and brother, and essentially, his psychopathic tendencies. His experiences are disturbing and shocking, and for someone who's behaviours aren't necessarily rational, he is very sure of himself. Frank definitely makes for a very interesting, remorseless character. 

I wasn't expecting the shocking reveal at the end, although I had a *slight* suspicion a few pages right before it. It really put things into perspective, but I wish it was explored more as I felt the story ended abruptly after that. 

Overall, this was a dark, disturbing story.