Night Worms Unboxing

 

November Theme: Creatures in the Dark

Nothing but upsides about this month's Night Worms package. It didn't have to go on an adventure through USPS warehouses to get to me, and I've had one of these books on my TBR since I saw it on NetGalley. The other is by an author who owns several of his books, and yet, I still haven't read a single one. But that feels like a conversation for another time. Creature features have been a favorite of mine for a long time. So I'm super excited that we got a creature Night Worms theme. And, super excited about both of these books.

I was having technical difficulties on my end with the third photo I wanted to upload. But there was a goodie bag; it was amazing. I totally know the perfect spot for those stickers. Also, thank you for reminding me that now that it's tea season, I need to dig out all my hot beverages from the summer for after-work tea! So, a huge thank you to the ladies who run Night Worms for getting these books and goodies into my hands!! While it takes me a while to read them, just know there are two readers in the house, and we both thank you!

HAPPY READING!!

Mini Reviews

This was absolutely adorable! ADORABLE! It's all about Gunnar being tired of his current life and eating his boring fish and rocks. Then one day he discovers the magic of pizza. Which I think we can all agree is pretty magical. So he goes home and tries to recreate this pizza. The only problem is that he has no idea how to make this pizza, and the results are rather messy. But Gunnar doesn't give up, and he finally figures it out and shares it with all of his friends. Also, at the end of the book is the recipe for Gunnar's pizza. So kids can make the pizza at home, or the adult reading it for the whimsy can give pizza-making a go! 

I want to get back into this series since the novel was announced. It seemed like it was time for a re-read because so much happens in the first few volumes. Six years have passed since I read the original volume, and it was fun to pick it up and realize how much I love this universe. Erica is the perfect hero in all the things that make her imperfect. I love how creepy this monster is, how this kid is both scared and fearless, and I absolutely forgot about the stuffed octopus from Hell. I cannot wait to catch up back up on this series so I can read the volumes that have been waiting for me to read them. Including the prequel series!

This was okay. I saw where they wanted to go with this, and I think it was a good idea. Somewhere toward the middle, it fell apart for me. Mostly, I just stopped caring who did it. I just wanted to know why we were collecting all these things. Even one of the characters seemed forgotten until the very end. While everyone else got a backstory, a connection, our Japanese bidder was just left out. For a second, she was a suspect that was quickly proven false. Then she was forgotten for the rest of the book until the end, where there was a throwaway line about her. So yeah, just okay. Happy to have snagged this library, and very glad it's a standalone. I don't think this is a universe I'd be jumping into.

HAPPY READING!!

Waiting on Wednesday

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we haven't yet read. Generally, they are books that have yet to be released, but don't have to be. It is based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous folks at Breaking the Spine.

Former yakuza leader Hisahide Matsukata gave up his wild ways for a life of quiet solitude and retirement. Peace eludes him, however, once a new opponent shows up at his turf—a fearsome…stray cat! Matsukata’s home is turned upside down as this boss cat unleashes chaos and cuteness, and there’s no mercy in sight!

Every house has its rules, and guests should always show their host proper respect! So why is this cat knocking things over and drinking Matsukata’s water?! Matsukata has spilled blood for less, but first things first—what fittingly fierce name should he bestow on this feral feline?

HAPPY READING!!

Swamp Thing is Killing the Children - Review

 

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Author: James Tynion IV

Genre:  Horror

Format: Advance Reader Copy

Release Date: February 24, 2027

I don't normally give full reviews for comic books or graphic novels. However, this one is special. Because Swamp Thing is Killing the Children isn't out on shelves yet! When I saw this gem on NetGalley, my ban on not asking for any more advance copies went right out the window! This is hands down one of my favorite ongoing series, and James Tynion IV is one of my favorite authors. In fact, anytime I see something is going to be out by him, instantly added to my TBR. Rarely do I not like something he's created.

So when I tell you I freaked out when I got the chance to read this early, I might have lost my mind just a little bit.

This was absolutely everything I wanted from this comic. Erica has been sent to hunt down this monster whose shape changes depending on the kid it's hunting. It slipped through her fingers, only to latch onto the youngest of two brothers still grieving the loss of their father. Both of them use comics to keep them connected to what they lost. Until, shockingly, the older brother scared the crap out of his little brother when he learned the Swamp Monster poster freaked him out.

So after they fight, the little brother runs off, and then this thing finds him. Enter Erica, who just happened to bump into the older brother. And exactly what I wanted to happen happened.

What I love about this comic is you don't have to read Something is Killing the Children to be able to read this. This stands completely on its own. There are so many battles that Erica fought before volume 1 that I'd love to get a serial arc of some of the monsters she's fought. It would be a wild ride that I would totally buckle up for!

If you've been wanting to pick up this series but aren't sure. Or, if you're already a huge fan of the original series, pick this up. It's fun, creepy, and Erica does kick ass! 

Swamp Thing is Killing the Children hits shelves Feb. 24th, 2027!

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

   

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but we all do. Sometimes the cover catches our eye and draws us to take a closer look at a book. It's the first thing we see, our first impression. Every Sunday, I'll post some of my favorite book covers. Coming soon!

At eight years old, Juliet Godfrey was violently possessed by Bedlam, a vicious demon with a penchant for arson. After several failed exorcisms and a fiery tragedy of the demon's making, Juliet was sent to the gothic halls of the Godfrey Home for Demonic Children and entrusted into the care of famed exorcist Luther Godfrey. There, under Luther's careful instruction, she learns to form an uneasy truce with the demon inside of her.

Twenty years after her possession, a steely-eyed Juliet travels the country as an exorcist, removing powerful (and often violent) demons from their human hosts, and occasionally referring the rare children like her, who are infected with particularly dangerous demons, to Godfrey House.

When Luther Godfrey dies following the disappearance of Seth, one of his troubled young charges, Juliet returns home for the first time in many years to attend his funeral. But upon her arrival, Juliet discovers that Luther left Godfrey House, and the care of all its students, to her ex-boyfriend, her ex-best friend, and her. With the fate of Godfrey House hanging in the balance, the three must set aside their differences, protect Luther's legacy, and find Seth before he attempts a dangerous exorcism that could end his life.

HAPPY READING!!

November Spotlight

 

Nora Pacetti is a new stay-at-home mother, tired but coping while caring for her happy, healthy baby Olivia. But then one morning, something that looks like a feather starts growing out of Olivia's arm. Or at least, that’s what Nora’s mother, Giulia, thinks. Nora thinks her mother has probably spent too much time watching conspiracy videos on YouTube.

Nora’s husband thinks Olivia needs tests, specialists, hospitals. But Nora senses that whatever is happening to her daughter needs to be concealed—and a mother’s intuition is never wrong. Soon sinister people begin asking questions about Olivia, and Nora starts to wonder if there really is something wrong with her baby. But she’s determined discover the truth about her daughter…no matter the cost.

HAPPY READING!!

Waiting on Wednesday

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we haven't yet read. Generally, they are books that have yet to be released, but don't have to be. It is based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous folks at Breaking the Spine.

An ex-yakuza leader or a tenacious stray cat—who will be the ultimate boss of the house?!

Former yakuza leader Hisahide Matsukata gave up his wild ways for a life of quiet solitude and retirement. Peace eludes him, however, once a new opponent shows up at his turf—a fearsome…stray cat! Matsukata’s home is turned upside down as this boss cat unleashes chaos and cuteness, and there’s no mercy in sight!

Every house has its rules, and guests should always show their host proper respect! So why is this cat knocking things over and drinking Matsukata’s water?! Matsukata has spilled blood for less, but first things first—what fittingly fierce name should he bestow on this feral feline?

HAPPY READING!!

New Release Tuesday

Twenty nightmarish horror tales featuring folkloric beasts, apocalyptic disasters, and psychological terrors are brought together in a collection sure to keep readers up at night, from the very best voices in contemporary Nordic fiction.

Nightmarish tales of mystery and horror, from the best voices in contemporary Nordic fiction.

You know them from the stories whispered around the campfire. Sometimes, they’re dark creatures from tall forests or murky bogs, luring their victims to their death, or the apocalyptic roar of a volcanic eruption. Other times, they’re closer to home: an unsettling new neighbour, or the overly friendly people you meet on the train, or the bureaucrat who thinks he's saving the world.

Nordic Nightmares opens a window into the horror landscape of the Nordic countries, from Finland, Denmark, Greenland, The Faroe Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The anthology is expertly curated to showcase the work of twenty modern masters of horror – the majority appearing in English for the first time – to keep you company during long, cold nights.

HAPPY READING!!

October Wrap Up

So many books this month! Most of them spooky, but a few not so spooky books as well. There were a couple of kids' books that I had on hold that I absolutely wanted to get my hands on. One because it's one of my favorite books as a kid, told from my favorite characters point of view. So I was so excited to get my hands on it. The other was a book I wanted to see if my Gremlin needed for their book collection. They do! 

I also hit my reading goal this month! As of the time of writing this, I've surpassed my goal of 75 books! I'm still working on my page count goal. I'm so close to hitting it this year, and I have high hopes I'll hit it by the end of the year. Also, another BINGO square hit; childhood favorite is officially off my board! I'm so close to clearing the whole board. There are only four squares to go. It's do-able. The question is: can I do it?

  

Books Read: 9
BINGO Books: 1

Pages Read: 1040

Hours Listened: 13 hours 38 minutes

That's the childhood favorites crossed off, and a little trauma left behind. Because what even was that book? That was so much to unpack, but it was another BINGO for me! I'm so close this year. Do you think I'll finish the board?

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

   

They say you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but we all do. Sometimes the cover catches our eye and draws us to take a closer look at a book. It's the first thing we see, our first impression. Every Sunday, I'll post some of my favorite book covers. Coming soon!

Protactinium-231 is a body-snatching alien whose crew have burned through the galaxy conquering planet after planet—or at least, they've been trying. They haven't been very successful.

While attempting to conquer the Canada (of all places), Protactinium gets on the wrong side of a god, who strips him of his mind-control powers, transforms him into the weedy, useless Prince Proculo, and sends him to rule over a fantasy kingdom. With no powers, no physical prowess, and no allies, Proculo is forced to put aside his plans for world domination and join the battle between humans and half-human monsters that is ravaging his new home.

After capturing the half-human, half-spider Tantalus, Proculo falls desperately in love with his bristling muscles and sharp fangs. And Tantalus is an eager ally in Proculo's mission to conquer the world. Together, they will be an unstoppable force—against new enemies and old friends alike.

HAPPY READING!!

Happy Halloween!

 

It's my favorite time of the year! I hope everyone has an absolutely lovely and safe Halloween. May you only receive treats, instead of tricks! And it's filled with only the correct amount of spooky. I'll be passing out candy at work to our block party! Then I'm off to watch Halloween on the big screen for the very first time! And then maybe a few spooky movies after! 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!