New Release Tuesday

The Haunting of Hill House meets Knives Out in a bid for an inheritance that will leave Helen Vaughan either rich...or dead.

Helen Vaughan doesn't know why she and her mother left their ancestral home at Harrowstone Hall, called Harrow, or why they haven't spoken to their extended family since. So when her grandfather dies, she's shocked to learn that he has left everything—the house, the grounds, and the money—to her. The inheritance comes with one condition: she must stay on the grounds of Harrow for one full year, or she'll be left with nothing.

There is more at stake than money. For as long as she can remember, Harrow has haunted Helen's dreams—and now those dreams have become a waking nightmare. Helen knows that if she is going to survive the year, she needs to uncover the secrets of Harrow. Why is the house built like a labyrinth? What is digging the holes that appear in the woods each night? And why does the house itself seem to be making her sick?

With each twisted revelation, Helen questions what she knows about Harrow, her family, and even herself. She no longer wonders if she wants to leave…but if she can.

HAPPY READING!!

Book Mail

Okay, yes I did just go on vacation and come back with several new books. That is not the point. What is the point is I was out getting stuff for the battle jacket I'm going to make for a concert at the end of the month. In the process of get the jacket part, I found a little gem.

I mostly bought this because the cover is cool and I love cryptids. So from the outside this looks like a win.

I'm really hoping this book will just be ridiculous in the best way. There are plans to read this pool side, or beach side, as I soak up the last of the summer the PNW has to offer!

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

   

They say don't judge a book by its cover, but we all know we do it. Sometimes it's the cover that originally catches our eye, drawing us to give a book a closer look. It's the first thing we see, our first impression. Every Sunday I'm going to post some of my favorite covers of books coming soon!

Fairy tales have been spun for thousands of years and remain among our most treasured stories. Weaving fresh tales with unexpected reimaginings, At Midnight brings together a diverse group of acclaimed YA writers to breathe new life into a storied tradition.


Fifteen celebrated authors reclaim classic fairy tales for a new generation:


Dahlia Adler, “Rumplestiltskin”
Tracy Deonn, “The Nightingale”
H.E. Edgmon, “Snow White”
Hafsah Faizal, “Little Red Riding Hood”
Stacey Lee, “The Little Matchstick Girl”
Roselle Lim, “Hansel and Gretel”
Darcie Little Badger, “Puss in Boots”
Malinda Lo, “Frau Trude”
Alex London, “Cinderella”
Anna-Marie McLemore, “The Nutcracker”
Rebecca Podos, “The Robber Bridegroom”
Rory Power, “Sleeping Beauty”
Meredith Russo, “The Little Mermaid”
Gita Trelease, “Fitcher’s Bird”
and an all-new fairy tale by Melissa Albert


Once upon a time . . . 

HAPPY READING!!

Mercy - Review

Author: Mirka Andolfo

Genre: Horror / Graphic Novel 

Format: Paperback

Pages: 176

I liked this. It was super weird and grotesque, both are wins in the book. While I originally picked this up thinking it was a vampire book, I was wrong. Kind of, these creatures share similar characteristics but that's about it.

This book also gave me a little bit of Umbrella Academy vibes with the creepy Uncle/Butler characters. I was a little disappointed he didn't get a more bitter ending. I'd of loved to see him turned inside out or something. He really was the worst.

As a whole, I really liked the main story. There were some great little twists, and side stories along with the main plot. I got attached to several characters in this. Especially the younger little street urchin. Each character was solidly written for better or worse. I love when a writer makes a character so vile you physically hate them. The butler in this, at first you like he's alright and then you want his head to be torn off. It was wonderful.

So was the artwork in this. For a graphic novel based around something so dark, I love that the author chose a brighter palette. The use of purples and pinks within the creature's bulbs with a more warm Victorian palette for everything else was really great. The details in each panel were amazing. It's one of those books where you scour each page for every detail. 

I was glad to have a long car ride so I could take my time with this one. 

My only complaint, and the reason I didn't give it a hiring writing is for two reasons. The first is that I wish this could have been a little longer. While I really did enjoy the story, at times it felt rushed. I would have loved to get at least one more volume with the main story before the wrap-up. There were so many moving parts to the first half of the story, I would have loved the author to have at least one volume to expand it.

This leads into my second issue, there were times when I got a little flipped turned around. Several timelines are running at once, and a couple of times when several plot lines were starting to connect I was getting confused about when and where we were.

But, I did really enjoy this read and I'm excited to read the next installment of this story. 

 

HAPPY READING!!

August Spotlight

 

I grew up in the era of Buffy and Angel. They were the first shows I really got into, where I was part of fandom, and despite all of his flaws (and there were many), Spike was my favorite character. In fact, he was the start of a long line of me digging the villains in the story. The moral grey characters. And, while I never read the comics after the show ended, I'm excited to pick up this book and get a little of Spike's backstory.

Bloody Fool for Love from New York Times best-selling author William Ritter marks the beginning of an all-new series that explores prequel stories about fan-favorite Buffy characters.

Spike just wants to enjoy the spoils of his new badass reputation. He’s now a legendary slayer-killer, and he’s returning to London―the greatest city in the world. Unfortunately, his new abode is far from ideal (mostly a dank basement), and the rest of his strange little “family” is reeling from the fact that their patriarch, Angel, abandoned them. Spike’s love, Drusilla, seems especially heartbroken over the loss and spends her time lost in her tarot cards and planning their next gruesome family dinner when they all can be reunited.

Desperate to break Dru out of her melancholy, Spike vows to steal a powerful relic that will help her focus on their dark future together. It’s the perfect plan―that is until a monster named Gunnar, leader of the demon underworld of London, steals the relic first. Forced to form his own ragtag group of mercenaries, Spike plans an epic heist against a ruthless gang of undead criminals. Confronted with paranormal plots, royal black ops, and tea (they may be abominations, but they’re British abominations, thank you very much), Spike soon realizes that his homecoming is about to get bloody.

This rompy, action-packed novel inspired by one of Buffy’s most infamous bad boys is part Bonnie and Clyde, part Sherlock and Watson, with just a bit more bloodsucking.

Bloody Fool For Love comes out Aug 2!

HAPPY READING!!

July Wrap Up

Happy August! Last month was an adventure, that's really the only way I think to describe it. During the first half of last month, I wasn't really in the mood to read. Because things at work had me beyond stressed out. Then that little problem got fixed, and then I was helping keep work running smoothly. Then I took a more permanent position at work to continue doing what I was doing. Then I went on vacation where I proceeded to read several books. Now we're in August, and I've been gone for a week. So my brain is still on vacation mode and has not been ready to go back to work.

Books Read: 5
BINGO Books: 0

Pages Read: 784

Currently Reading: They Hunger by Alma Katsu 

 I think I will do something for Bout of Books this month! What that something is, I don't know yet. Work keeps me pretty busy during the week, so it won't be anything heavly involved. It might just be being better about reading before bed. Something small and easy to sleep into my new routine. 

So many new books this month! I had to go back and make sure I didn't miss anything!

HAPPY READING!!

Waiting on Wednesday

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to 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 at Breaking the Spine.

When Springville residents—at least the ones still alive—are questioned about what happened on prom night, they all have the same explanation . . . Maddy did it.

An outcast at her small-town Georgia high school, Madison Washington has always been a teasing target for bullies. And she's dealt with it because she has more pressing problems to manage. Until the morning a surprise rainstorm reveals her most closely kept secret: Maddy is biracial. She has been passing for white her entire life at the behest of her fanatical white father, Thomas Washington.

After a viral bullying video pulls back the curtain on Springville High's racist roots, student leaders come up with a plan to change their image: host the school's first integrated prom as a show of unity. The popular white class president convinces her Black superstar quarterback boyfriend to ask Maddy to be his date, leaving Maddy wondering if it's possible to have a normal life.

But some of her classmates aren't done with her just yet. And what they don't know is that Maddy still has another secret . . . one that will cost them all their lives.

Why I'm Waiting: Because Tiffany D. Jackson is re-telling one of my favorite horror movies, and I've heard really great things about this author recently. So I'm excited to crack this one open!

HAPPY READING!!

New Release Tuesday

Spike just wants to enjoy the spoils of his new badass reputation. He’s now a legendary slayer-killer, and he’s returning to London―the greatest city in the world. Unfortunately, his new abode is far from ideal (mostly a dank basement), and the rest of his strange little “family” is reeling from the fact that their patriarch, Angel, abandoned them. Spike’s love, Drusilla, seems especially heartbroken over the loss and spends her time lost in her tarot cards and planning their next gruesome family dinner when they all can be reunited.

Desperate to break Dru out of her melancholy, Spike vows to steal a powerful relic that will help her focus on their dark future together. It’s the perfect plan―that is until a monster named Gunnar, leader of the demon underworld of London, steals the relic first. Forced to form his own ragtag group of mercenaries, Spike plans an epic heist against a ruthless gang of undead criminals. Confronted with paranormal plots, royal black ops, and tea (they may be abominations, but they’re British abominations, thank you very much), Spike soon realizes that his homecoming is about to get bloody.

This rompy, action-packed novel inspired by one of Buffy’s most infamous bad boys is part Bonnie and Clyde, part Sherlock and Watson, with just a bit more bloodsucking.

HAPPY READING!!

Book Haul

Yesterday was my last full day of vacation. Now it's back to train, planes, and automobiles to get home again. It was great visit, and of course I got to hit three bookstores. Because of course! What else am I going to do?!

One bookstore is my favorite in my hometown that I visit almost every time I'm back. The other two where in South Dakota. Naturally I found treasures at both!

The book by Ann Rule was a blind date with a book, and I couldn't have picked a better option! And, I've been trying to rebuild my Christopher Pike collection for about a year. So these were hands down my favorite find of the trip!

HAPPY READING!!

Cover Runway Sunday

 

They say don't judge a book by its cover, but we all know we do it. Sometimes it's the cover that originally catches our eye, drawing us to give a book a closer look. It's the first thing we see, our first impression. Every Sunday I'm going to post some of my favorite covers of books coming soon!

When Springville residents—at least the ones still alive—are questioned about what happened on prom night, they all have the same explanation . . . Maddy did it.

An outcast at her small-town Georgia high school, Madison Washington has always been a teasing target for bullies. And she's dealt with it because she has more pressing problems to manage. Until the morning a surprise rainstorm reveals her most closely kept secret: Maddy is biracial. She has been passing for white her entire life at the behest of her fanatical white father, Thomas Washington.

After a viral bullying video pulls back the curtain on Springville High's racist roots, student leaders come up with a plan to change their image: host the school's first integrated prom as a show of unity. The popular white class president convinces her Black superstar quarterback boyfriend to ask Maddy to be his date, leaving Maddy wondering if it's possible to have a normal life.

But some of her classmates aren't done with her just yet. And what they don't know is that Maddy still has another secret . . . one that will cost them all their lives.

 

HAPPY READING!!

House of Slaughter Vol 1 - Review

Author: James Tynion IV

Genre: Horror / Graphic Novel 

Format: Paperback

Pages: 144

THIS! THIS!! I've been so excited about this. Listen I know we didn't get a lot of Aaron Slaughter in the original series, but we got enough that I quickly fell for him. I've always been a sucker for sad side characters. And, there was something about the way they spoke, and handled, Erica that had me wondering a bit about their back story.

So I was beyond excited that Aaron Slaughter was finally getting his own story.

This did not disappoint. Aaron isn't like the other kids in the Order. He isn't a robot, he feels on a level that none of the other initiates. It's a nice foreshadowing that between him and Erica they are going to change the way the Order function.

It does however deepen the pain of the fact that Aaron is dead. Though, maybe, just maybe he's not as dead as we think. Doubtful, but now there is a shred of hope.

Honestly, I liked this just as much as the original series. It was nice to get to see more into the inner working of the Order. This first volume did leave me with some questions. Like what really happened to the House of Butcher. Did the Order slaughter them all?

Order, did they kill themselves with all the in-fighting?

I definitely think the Dragon could have done it. Though he seems to have a soft spot for Erica, he gives me creepy uncle vibes.

House of Slaughters has everything that I love about Something is Killing the Children. With the bonus of seeing little Aaron grow into the man, we see in the first series.

My only complaint about this series is a personal one. I had a little bit of trouble keeping track of the timeline. Because this story jumps back and forth between fifteen years. Every so often the panels would jump and I'd get a little flip turned around. But, that was probably more of my thing, than a continuity problem.

Either way, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'd love to get more of teenage Aaron. Even more so see what happened to Jace after the "death" of Aaron.

HAPPY READING!!