shawna_reads's Reviews (471)

"If you're not aware of the transcendent, if you're not awake to the glorious mystery of life and death that you're lucky enough to be part of - if that doesn't fill you with joy and strike you with awe... you might as well not be alive." 

There is a death at Cambridge University sparking alumni Mariana to check on her niece and investigate what happened. Evidence points to Edward Fosca, a popular, charismatic professor in Greek Tragedy. He is adored by many, and followed by a secret society of students called the Maidens. When another member of the Maidens is found murdered, Mariana becomes determined in proving Edward is the killer. 

I try not to go into books with high expectations because I hate to be disappointed, but that is exactly what happened here. I personally loved The Silent Patient so I figured I would love this one too. Well, it was determined that was a lie! 

The good - The story was a little twisty with all the red herrings so I wasn't expecting the murderer reveal, although I briefly had my suspicions. I don't follow a lot of Greek mythology, but the way it was described wasn't lost on me and I learned some new things (I've forgotten them now, but it was nice knowing in the moment 😂). 

The bad - Everything else 🤷🏾‍♀️ The characters were bland, annoying, and repetitive. Somehow every single clue related to the MC's life, and her obsession with the Greek professor was exasperating. I didn't care much for any of it, but I needed to know who the killer was lol 

"We may not always be aware of the energy we force upon the world, but that doesn't release us of our responsibility to it." 

Josie is recently divorced and grieving the death of her father. She copes by following a routine of work, playing with her dog, and ending the nights drinking. Her life suddenly changes when a shrub in her backyard grows into a yard of vines and propped on a throne is a talking skeleton named Skelly. At the same time, a new neighbour next door won't leave her alone until Josie realizes she might know something about her bizarre visitor. 

Josie was a bitter, sardonic character that I loved. Someone who isolated herself away from everyone after the death of her father, her divorce, and the strained relationship with her mother. All she had left was her dog, Po, her job to keep her mind busy, and lots of alcohol. 

Until a magical skeleton popped up in her backyard and her strange neighbour, Sue, appeared, sending her over the edge. I mean, who wouldn't think they're going crazy if a talking skeleton suddenly appeared? Who wouldn't be annoyed at a persistent neighbour? Vines that could grow and move by its own accord? 

I loved Skelly and the conversations between her and Josie. What started off as fun, sarcastic banter eventually turned into something deeper. I wasn't expecting the direction the story went, but it worked well. 

I don't know how I came across this book, but I'm so glad I did because I loved it so much. Don't go into this book expecting horror because it's not. It was more of magical realism, which I wasn't expecting but loved anyway. This was a unique, weird, funny, reflective, and magical story.

"Gods cannot be contained inside walls." 

Jess McMachen is a single mom struggling to make ends meet. She accepts a job caring for an elderly patient named Flo at her vast home, Nerthus House. The home is dark, filled with pagan artifacts, and holds secrets. Malevolent secrets that have come to life as soon as Jess and her daughter, Izzy, cross the threshold of Nerthus. Now she must fight for her sanity and save Izzy. 

This novella was very atmospheric as it was eerie and ominous. I felt a constant sense of dread as I was turning the pages, anticipating every possible bad thing to happen to Jess and her daughter. 

Flo was one creepy old lady, and the way she treated Jess was horrible, however, she appeared elated whenever Izzy was present. It made it even more sinister with the sudden changes of emotions and the strange goings-on in the house. 

It felt like I was reading a screenplay for a movie as I could picture the story so vividly. Then I read the author's note at the end stating that it was a screenplay turned novel, which explained why it felt so realistic to me with the characters' feelings and dialogue. 

This was my first book by Adam Nevill and certainly not my last. It was creepy and mysterious!

"How can you go on living when you've now been lived in? When you've been invaded? How can you tell a joke and enjoy laughter without hearing the one laugh that owns every root in you now? How can you accept air into your lungs from the very perennials whose life you've taken?" 

A violent serial rapist named Maude is on the loose as she hunts for men in bars, online chatrooms, and in their homes. There are no leads as the men face turmoil, doubt from the police, alienation from their loved ones, and media sensation. They soon join together to share their stories and support one another. 

Wow. This book is unlike anything I have ever read. It is vulnerable, powerful, emotional, and thought-provoking. It explores sexual violence and the way rape culture is viewed through a societal lens. The way people want to understand and advocate for justice, while at the same time exploiting the victims for likes/views. The denial and disbelief that victims face. Specifically in this case, male victims as "men can't be raped". 

The story follows alternating POVs of four male victims. It includes mixed media, diary entries, and poetry, which made for a profound reading experience given the context. The prose is stunning and invokes so many emotions. 

This book is very important and truly powerful in its message. I don't think I will ever forget it. 

"How can you end your own suffering, without ending completely? How can you accept touch? Or walk through your life, a lived wound, forever avoiding some terrible, inevitable wind."

"Everyone wants to feel special, but nobody wants to feel different." 

The Thursday Murder Club is investigating a decades old case involving a murder with no body and no leads. At the same time, Elizabeth is visited by a man who wants her to kill or be killed. The gang races to solve the mystery and save Elizabeth before it's too late. 

This is the third installment in the series and I had just as much fun with the gang as I did the first two books. Once again, this book has it all - great characters, new villains, action, mystery, and lots of humour. Osman's writing is really entertaining and engaging, and the character development keeps getting better and better. 

I'm not going to go into too many details as it is the third book. I advise everyone who enjoys cozy murder mysteries to pick up the first book, love it, and continue the series 😂

"The world is a scary place for a kid. It's even scarier when you're forced to watch your back because those who are supposed to protect you are those you should fear the most." 

Jake and his little brother want nothing more than to escape their abusive father as they plan on running away to reunite with their mother. Their plan kicks into action one day when they take a trip to the family cabin. However, the Sheriff is snooping around after a fight between Jake and his bully, and his bully and his father have plans of their own. 

I loved everything about this novella - the characters, the setting, the action. I absolutely loved Jake and Matthew. Their sibling relationship felt so real and it was so heartwarming as Jake protected his little brother and tried to change their lives for the better. 

There was so much tension as things didn't go as planned, as well as a shocking reveal. I found myself heavily invested in this story from start to finish. The abuse the boys faced, their fight for survival, and their bravery of trying to start a new life. Their father made me so angry that I wanted nothing but the best for the brothers. 

For a book only 130 pages long, Newman and Steensland managed to weave a beautiful, seamless story as their writing blended together so well. This was a well executed coming of age horror that evoked so many emotions. 

"What makes you say 'poor' spirit?"
"Isn't that what these apparitions are - the desolate souls of those unfortunates who have left their earthly bodies in traumatic, or perhaps even tragic circumstances?" 

David Ash is a paranormal investigator, but he isn't your ordinary investigator. He doesn't believe in the paranormal and lives to debunk theories. Until he gets a job investigating a haunting at Edbrook house - three nights of horrifying games, puzzles that don't make sense, and revealed secrets of his past before the real nightmare comes. 

This book had a great premise so I had high expectations going into it, however it fell a bit flat. Don't get me wrong, I did like it for the most part, but I felt like there could have been so much more to it to make it better. 

The setting was perfect. The story mostly took part at Edbrook house which was very creepy and atmospheric. The supernatural events were shocking and eerie, and you could really feel David's emotional torment. 

The characters didn't have enough depth and there was a lot of back and forth between the present and some memories between David and his colleagues. I normally like this, but the way it was done didn't flow well and caused a bit of confusion while trying to follow along. 

Overall, I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it. This book is part of a trilogy, so maybe one day I continue on with it.

"Death is hopeless. If the human race stopped trying to find meaning in death, they'd find more meaning in life. We'd grow up and find our purpose." 

David, Deacon, and Beth are reunited at the funeral of their childhood friend who committed suicide. As children, they survived a religious cult at the isolated mountain of Red Peak. After years of suppressing trauma and resurfaced memories, the survivors want to find out what really happened to their families by returning to where it all ended. 

I'll start off with what I liked. The chapters alternated between present day and flashbacks to their time in the cult to gain an understanding of the characters and their development over time. The isolated setting was chilling in a sense and the ending was interesting, although not what I was expecting. 

What I didn't like - it was a slow burn that felt like it was reaallly drawn out. I found it kind of boring when the characters kept to themselves in like 75% of the book because a whole lot of nothing happened imo. It was very worshipy and it reminded me of the days when my parents made me go to church and I was bored out of my mind. Perhaps that had an impact on my reading experience lol 

Overall, I'm sad to say that I wasn't a big fan of this book, but please don't let that deter you from it if you're interested in religious cults. I've also seen a ton of positive reviews for DiLouie's other books, so I definitely plan on giving him another chance. This book just wasn't for me.

2.5⭐️ rounded up.

"All I’m saying is that trauma doesn’t get you a lifelong get-out-of-jail-free card. It also doesn’t necessarily confer wisdom, or the right to pontificate."

Greta is a transcriber for a sex therapist when she becomes enamoured with the disembodied voice of a client she calls Big Swiss. One day, Greta bumps into her at the dog park and soon they become entwined in a relationship that will change their lives.

This was an unconventional love story that had me captivated. I'm not big on romance, but I am in my weird girl lit era and this book delivered! 

I really enjoyed the characters and their personalities. Greta was a 45 year old woman with a don't-give-a-shit attitude and crude humour, whereas Big Swiss aka Flavia, was a 28 year old woman who appeared to be prim and proper. Both women experienced trauma in their lives, so it was interesting to see how it effected them differently and how it shaped who they were.

I liked the setting as a lot of it took part in a crumbling home with a beehive (like what?) along with Greta's roommate. Also, in between some chapters were transcripts that Greta transcribed from different clients. I thought that was a nice touch.

I knocked off half a star because I wasn't a fan of the ending, but other than that, I really enjoyed everything about this book. It examined mental health, love, and infidelity, while at the same time, being clever, witty, weird, and gross.