The Reader Bee: Horror

Showing posts with label Horror. Show all posts

Friday, November 13, 2020

My Thoughts: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Audiobook)

An isolated mansion. A chillingly charismatic aristocrat. And a brave socialite drawn to expose their treacherous secrets. . . .

From the author of Gods of Jade and Shadow comes a novel set in glamorous 1950s Mexico.

After receiving a frantic letter from her newlywed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find - her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region.

Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.

Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemí but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.

And Noemí, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind. (Goodreads)

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia was one of my Halloween reads for October, and I am so glad that I read this book! I didn’t initially have the book on my TBR, even though I definitely wanted to read it, but after seeing so much love for the book on Instagram, I decided to give it a shot. I am SO glad I did!

Let me get this started by telling you that Mexican Gothic was not at all what I was expecting. I don’t think I have ever read a book with a storyline like this before, but I very much enjoyed it, and definitely want more! The book was mysterious, and very creepy, which is not usually my kind of read, but it felt like the perfect book to read this season.

I was pretty much fascinated by everything in this novel. Noemí was such an interesting character, and was probably my favorite in the whole book. The storyline for how she goes to find her cousin had me hooked, as did the setting for the book. As I said above, it was very creepy, and left me wanting to read more gothic stories.

I also want to add that while I own a copy of the book, I opted to listen to the audiobook after listening to a sample of it. I am so glad I did! Frankie Corzo was the narrator, and she did a wonderful job of telling me the story. I definitely want to check out more books narrated by her soon!

Overall; Mexican Gothic was not at all what I expected, and not my usual kind of read, but I really, really enjoyed the book! SO much more than I expected to. I definitely need more books like this in my life, and I am now super excited to check out more books by this author!

Monday, October 1, 2018

My Thoughts: Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38139409-sawkill-girls

Beware of the woods and the dark, dank deep.

He’ll follow you home, and he won’t let you sleep.

Who are the Sawkill Girls?

Marion: the new girl. Awkward and plain, steady and dependable. Weighed down by tragedy and hungry for love she’s sure she’ll never find.

Zoey: the pariah. Luckless and lonely, hurting but hiding it. Aching with grief and dreaming of vanished girls. Maybe she’s broken—or maybe everyone else is.

Val: the queen bee. Gorgeous and privileged, ruthless and regal. Words like silk and eyes like knives, a heart made of secrets and a mouth full of lies.

Their stories come together on the island of Sawkill Rock, where gleaming horses graze in rolling pastures and cold waves crash against black cliffs. Where kids whisper the legend of an insidious monster at parties and around campfires.

Where girls have been disappearing for decades, stolen away by a ravenous evil no one has dared to fight… until now. (Goodreads)

I was super excited to dive into Sawkill Girls, not only because it sounded really awesome, but also because it is written by Claire Legrand! I read Furyborn by Claire earlier this year, and really enjoyed the story, so I was super curious to see what this new book was about. If you read no future than this, then let me just say… This. Book. Was. Awesome!

If you haven’t yet read the summary for the book, you should totally do that now. It has just enough information to lure you in, but once you actually start reading the book, the story is SO much more than you will ever expect. I don’t want to say too much to give anything away, but the storyline was both completely engrossing, and, at times, absolutely terrifying as well. I’m not much of a fan of horror, and, to be honest, I didn’t realize that this was a horror story until I got a little way into the book, then had to stop and look. So, yeah, it’s not usually much cup of tea, but with this book, I absolutely couldn’t stop reading it! I don’t want to say anymore, so do check it out!

I also want to say that this book has some really great characters as well. The story is told from the three main characters, Zoey, Marion, and Val’s, viewpoints. It was interesting to read the book this way, as all the girls were interesting, yet so similar in thoughts as well. Following along on this insane adventure was both nerve-wracking, yet completely engrossing as well. I also love the diversity in the book as well.

Overall; If you don’t already have Sawkill Girls on your TBR, you definitely want to add it now! The story is completely captivating, and it will draw you in and leave you leave you hooked as you fly through the pages. It will make a great addition to your Halloween TBR!! Check it out, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!

Thursday, July 26, 2018

My Thoughts: Contagion by Erin Bowman

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35068650-contagion

It got in us

After receiving an urgent SOS from a work detail on a distant planet, a skeleton crew is dispatched to perform a standard search-and-rescue mission.

Most are dead.

But when the crew arrives, they find an abandoned site, littered with rotten food, discarded weapons…and dead bodies.

Don't set foot here again.

As they try to piece together who—or what—could have decimated an entire operation, they discover that some things are best left buried—and some monsters are only too ready to awaken. (Goodreads)

Contagion is the very first book I’ve read by Erin Bowman, even though I’ve had quite a few of her previous books on my TBR for the longest. I was beyond thrilled to finally read something by her, and even though this book scared the daylights out of me, I’m really looking forward to reading more by her soon!

So let’s talk about Contagion! The first thing that drew me to this book was the awesome cover. (In case you didn’t already know, it’s SUPER hard for me to resist an awesome cover. Sigh.) Then I read the summary and discovered that the book was set in space. SPACE! Yes, give me all the books set in space, please! If you’re not totally hooked by this point, then keep reading because this book also has SO MUCH DEATH, as well as a contagion that kills just about everything. Does this sound like something you’d want to check out?? Yep, I thought so!

Contagion is told from the viewpoint of a few different characters in the novel, and this is my most favorite thing ever, because with SO many different viewpoints, we get SO much more information. (The contagion itself even has a viewpoint, which was a little creepy!) The storyline for this book was super addictive, and highly suspenseful. I’m a pretty big chicken when it comes to thriller books, but I kind of love that this book freaked me out so much. I definitely flew through the pages, and since the book ends on a pretty big cliffhanger, I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for information on the next book, which I can’t wait to get my hands on.

Overall; if you love a good suspenseful thriller, do check Contagion! I don’t read books like this often, but I’m really glad I decide to read this one. I was hooked on the story, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book, which is currently untitled, but set to release sometime in 2019. I’m also even more excited to read some of Erin’s previous books now, and I’m trying to decide if I want to read the Taken series or the Vengeance Road series first. So many choices! I can’t wait to read them both.

Friday, April 6, 2018

My Thoughts: Dread Nation by Justina Ireland (Audiobook)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30223025-dread-nation

Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville—derailing the War Between the States and changing America forever. In this new nation, safety for all depends on the work of a few, and laws like the Native and Negro Reeducation Act require certain children attend combat schools to learn to put down the dead. But there are also opportunities—and Jane is studying to become an Attendant, trained in both weaponry and etiquette to protect the well-to-do. It’s a chance for a better life for Negro girls like Jane. After all, not even being the daughter of a wealthy white Southern woman could save her from society’s expectations.

But that’s not a life Jane wants. Almost finished with her education at Miss Preston’s School of Combat in Baltimore, Jane is set on returning to her Kentucky home and doesn’t pay much mind to the politics of the eastern cities, with their talk of returning America to the glory of its days before the dead rose. But when families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is caught in the middle of a conspiracy, one that finds her in a desperate fight for her life against some powerful enemies. And the restless dead, it would seem, are the least of her problems. (Goodreads)

Dread Nation has been on my radar for quite a while now, and I was extremely curious and excited to finally get my hands on the book. I had an e-Arc of the book, but then a physical copy arrived on my doorstep, so I took that as a sign that I needed to get started on the book right away. I'm SO glad I did. This book, you guys... this book deserves ALL the stars! I'm so glad I read it!

Let's get this started by talking about the storyline for Dread Nation. Wow, there's so much to say about the storyline for this book. To say it was interesting would be an understatement. I, admittedly, am not the biggest fan of zombie stories, (even though Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a particular favorite of mine), but that didn't stop me from reading this book for even a moment. 'Two days after Jane's birth, the dead began to walk again?' If that doesn't draw you in to the story, I don't know what will. I was hooked. The book also deals with a lot of issues that are rampant in the world today; including racism and oppression, and these parts of the book both broke my heart and made me completely rage. So while this book is an entertaining read, it also has a message. A big one, which I hope you take something away from should you read the book. (And you should totally read the book.)

Now let's talk about the characters. If you haven't noticed, bad-ass heroines are my favorites, especially when they are the super snarky ones. When we first meet Jane in the beginning of the book, she's in finishing school that trains not only in etiquette, but in weaponry as well, because you have to know how to fight the zombies. So, yeah, Jane can totally take care of herself, which she proves over and over again throughout the story. I love that heroines like Jane are popping up more and more in books lately, and that the youth of today are reading these books with these amazing young ladies, and they see that they can be a Jane as well. It's awesome!

Before I wrap this up, I also want to mention that I opted to listen to the audiobook while I read the physical copy, and it made the experience even more memorable. I've done this for a few books now, and I love having someone read the story to me while I read along with the book. (Seriously, try it sometime!) The audiobook is narrated by the awesome Bahni Turpin, who did such an amazing job of narrating the story to me. This is the second audiobook that I've listened to that Bahni has narrated, the first being Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi , which was also amazing. I'm really looking forward to listening to more audiobooks by her soon, including The Hate U Give, The Sun is Also a Star, and They Both Die at the End! If you have the opportunity to listen to something narrated by her, you should totally do so!

Overall; If you can't tell by my super gushy review, I really, really loved Dread Nation! I will most definitely be spending the next year pining away for the next book in the series, which is currently untitled, but set to release sometime in 2019. I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more information on that book, and I can't wait to get my hands on it. Add Dread Nation to your TBR, and read it as soon as you can! I promise you won't regret it.

Monday, September 25, 2017

My Thoughts: There's Somone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15797848-there-s-someone-inside-your-house

There's Someone Inside Your House
by Stephanie Perkins
Website | Twitter | Instagram

Publication Date: September 26th 2017
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Pages: 289
ISBN: 9780525426011
Genre: Young Adult | Horror
Source: Review Copy/Own

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Available for Purchase:
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Scream meets YA in this hotly-anticipated new novel from the bestselling author of Anna and the French Kiss.

One-by-one, the students of Osborne High are dying in a series of gruesome murders, each with increasing and grotesque flair. As the terror grows closer and the hunt intensifies for the killer, the dark secrets among them must finally be confronted.

International bestselling author Stephanie Perkins returns with a fresh take on the classic teen slasher story that’s fun, quick-witted, and completely impossible to put down. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
There's Someone Inside Your House was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, because, well... it's Stephanie Perkins, y'all! I've loved everything that I've read by her so far, so I knew I would love this new book as well, even though I'm SO not a fan of horror stories. But, I pushed through and read the book despite my dislike of creepy stuff, and I'm so glad that I did!

There are a lot of interesting characters in the story to keep up with, but I'll warn you not to get too attached to anyone, because you never know who the next victim will be. And though this is a thriller/horror story, there was still some romance in the storyline that was super sweet as well, and it was classic Stephanie Perkins. I think I loved that part the most.

The storyline for the book definitely excelled with the creep factor, but it really wasn't anything I couldn't handle. (Ok, ok... Some of the descriptions of the murders were gross, and I had to set the book down for a moment, but that's about it.) There was a pretty good bit of suspense throughout the story, and that definitely kept me interested. This book was a really quick read, not only because it came in at just under 300 pages, but also because the story completely grabs your attention, and you'll definitely want to know what happens next.

Overall; If you're a fan of horror stories, you should definitely have There's Someone Inside Your House on your reading list! It would also be great for your Halloween TBR as well, as the story is set in the Fall season, which makes it a great Halloween read. Do check it out!

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

My Thoughts: Dreamfall by Amy Plum

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31371729-dreamfall

Cata Cordova suffers from such debilitating insomnia that she agreed to take part in an experimental new procedure. She thought things couldn’t get any worse...but she was terribly wrong.

Soon after the experiment begins, there’s a malfunction with the lab equipment, and Cata and six other teen patients are plunged into a shared dreamworld with no memory of how they got there. Even worse, they come to the chilling realization that they are trapped in a place where their worst nightmares have come to life. Hunted by creatures from their darkest imaginations and tormented by secrets they’d rather keep buried, Cata and the others will be forced to band together to face their biggest fears. And if they can’t find a way to defeat their dreams, they will never wake up. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
I absolutely couldn't wait to get started reading Dreamfall by Amy Plum because, you guys, it's AMY PLUM! It's been a while since I've read a book by Amy, so I was really excited to read something new by her. Dreamfall was not at all what I expected, but I did find it to be an interesting read!

Dreamfall is full of a lot of interesting characters, and they meet because they all have one thing in common; sleep disorders. When an experimental procedure they are all participating in goes terribly wrong, they are thrust into a shared dreamworld, with absolutely no idea how they got there. Interesting, right? The story is told from a few of the characters different perspectives, and I really liked that in this story, because there were SO many different viewpoints to see the story through.

Coming in at just 288 pages, this book was a really quick read for me. I wasn't sure that it would be, because I did not know until after I started the book that it's a horror story. I, admittedly, am not a big fan of horror, mostly because I'm a big ole chicken, but I'm pretty proud of myself for actually finishing the book. I actually almost put it aside at one point, because... there are a lot of nightmares. And they are probably going to give ME nightmares. (I see lots of cute kitty videos in my future.) Also, the end of the book seriously left me asking, WHAT?! I'm really curious to see what's going to happen next.

Overall; Although I'm a big chicken when it comes to horror stories, I thought Dreamfall was a really interesting read! I'm curious to see where the story will go in the next book, Neverwake, which is due to release in 2018. And again, it was super nice to read something by Amy Plum again!

Thursday, October 27, 2016

My Thoughts: A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (Audiobook)

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8621462-a-monster-calls

The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.

But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming…

This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.

It wants the truth. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
A Monster Calls is the very first book I've read by Patrick Ness, although I have quite a few of his books on my TBR at the moment. I decided to include the book in my Halloween Reads week, because the cover for the book looks amazingly creepy, and also because I recently watched the movie trailer, and I was super curious about the story. I am SO glad that I decided to read this book. I loved it, and I just know that it's one of those books that I will remember always.

It was SO easy for me to relate to the main character in the story, Conor. I've been in his shoes more times than I care to remember, although not with a parent, but with other family members that have been more like parents to me. Conor was really a great kid, and I felt bad for him for what he was going through. The Monster in the story is not at all what I expected, but I absolutely loved him as well.

I didn't really read much about the book before I started it, so the storyline was completely different that what I thought it would be. I loved it regardless, and I was completely engrossed in the story. It's definitely one that so many people will be able to relate to in some form or another, and the story will stick with you long after you've closed the last page. Coming in at just 216 pages, some of which included beautiful illustrations, this book was a really quick read. I flew through it faster than I anticipated, and I was really sad when the book came to an end. But, I loved the story, and I can't wait to see how the movie compares.

I didn't find out until after I had read the book that the audiobook is narrated by Jason Issacs! I wish I had known this sooner, as I really love the sound of his voice, and I'll definitely be checking out that audiobook as soon as possible.

Overall; I don't feel like I've done a very good job of expressing how much I loved A Monster Calls, but I'm hoping you get the point. I really, really enjoyed everything, from the characters to the storyline, and I'm definitely excited to read more by Patrick Ness as soon as possible. If you decide to check out A Monster Calls, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Review: Nightstruck by Jenna Black

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25659436-nightstruck

It starts with a cry in the night.

Becket, walking her dog one winter evening, fears it’s an abandoned baby left out in the cold. But it is something else—something evil—and it tricks Becket into opening a doorway to another realm, letting a darkness into our world, a corruption that begins transforming Philadelphia into a sinister and menacing version of itself…but only at night.

The changes are subtle at first, causing Becket to doubt her senses and her sanity. But soon the nightmarish truth is impossible to deny: By day, the city is just a city, but at night it literally comes alive with malevolent purpose. Brick and steel become bone, streetlights turn into gallows, and hungry alleys wait to snare mortal victims. Terrified citizens huddle indoors after dusk, as others succumb to the siren song of the night, letting their darker sides run wild.

Once, Becket’s biggest problems were living up to her police commissioner father’s high expectations and a secret crush on her best friend’s boyfriend. Now she must find a way to survive and protect her loved ones…before the darkness takes her as well. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
I was pretty excited to read Nightstruck, as I'd always wanted to read something by Jenna Black. I have a few of her previous books on my bookshelf, but haven't had a chance to get to them, so I jumped on the opportunity to read this new release from her.

Becket was an interesting main character. The girl had been through a lot in the past year, with her parents divorcing and her mom moving away. Living with her super strict police commissioner dad has not been easy, and it gets even more difficult one night when Becket reports a cry she heard in the dark, that wasn't exactly what she thought it was to begin with. For all this girl had been through, she managed to keep her head throughout, even when most people would have given up. I definitely admire her for that.

The storyline for the book was really interesting. The first few chapters of the book were a little slow placed, but once the story picked up, I was hooked. I can see now why this story was listed under horror, as some of the things that happened were pretty brutal. And, there were lots of creepy parts as well, some that made me a little paranoid. I don't usually read this type of book, mostly because I'm a big chicken, but I found myself getting more and more into it as the story went along, and I really enjoyed it!

The book ends with a pretty massive cliffhanger, which kind of confused me because I went into this book thinking it was a standalone, not part of a series. So I'm curious to see if that is just how the book was supposed to end, or if is, in fact, part of a series.

Overall; I thought Nightstruck was a really interesting read. I'm super curious to know if it's a series that will be continuing along, as after that ending, I'd love to know what's going to happen next!

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Review: Shallow Graves by Kali Wallace

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22663629-shallow-graves

Shallow Graves
by Kali Wallace
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: January 26th 2016
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 368
ISBN: 9780062366207
Genre: Young Adult | Horror | Paranormal
Source: Edelweiss

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Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

For fans of Holly Black and Nova Ren Suma, a gripping, hauntingly atmospheric novel about murder, revenge, and a world where monsters—human and otherwise—lurk at the fringes.

When seventeen-year-old Breezy Lin wakes up in a shallow grave one year after her death, she doesn’t remember who killed her or why. All she knows is that she’s somehow conscious—and not only that, she’s able to sense who around her is hiding a murderous past. In life, Breezy was always drawn to the elegance of the universe and the mystery of the stars. Now she must set out to find answers and discover what is to become of her in the gritty, dangerous world to which she now belongs—where killers hide in plain sight and a sinister cult is hunting for strange creatures like her. What she finds is at once empowering, redemptive, and dangerous.

Tense, complex, and wholly engaging, Shallow Graves is a stunning first novel from Kali Wallace. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
To be honest, the first thing that drew me in to Shallow Graves was the cover. I can't help it, I LOVE a gorgeous cover, and this book definitely has one. Once I read the storyline for the book, my curiosity was piqued, even though this was listed as a horror story, which I am generally not a fan of. However, I was too curious about the book not to read it, so I did.

The story is about 17 year old Breezy Lin, a girl who wakes up one night in a shallow grave a year after she had been buried there, not knowing how she got there or why she's come back to life. Or why she can now sense when people are murders. As she sets out to discover what she really is, she finds that things are not what they seem, and this new life that she has awoken into can be extremely dangerous.

One of the things I loved most about Breezy was that she was a huge space nerd. She loved the stars and space, and wanted nothing more than to one day be an astronaut on a journey to Mars. She wanted this so much, and it was sad to see that dream slip away from her. I rooted for her throughout the story, hoping that she would find out what happened in the past to make her the way she is now.

The storyline for this book was intense. Seriously, I was on the edge of my seat throughout most of the story, waiting to see what was going to happen next for Breezy. The world she woke up to was definitely a dangerous place for the creature that she has become. But it didn't have to be, as long as she could control what's inside herself.

Overall; While I'm not usually a fan of horror novels, I really, really enjoyed Shallow Graves. From the characters to the addictive storyline, I was hooked. I'm really looking forward to reading more by Kali Wallace in the future, as I definitely want to read more!

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Review: Shutter by Courtney Alameda

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20757532-shutter

Shutter
by Courtney Alameda
Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publication Date: February 3rd 2015
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9781250044679
Genre: Young Adult | Horror
Source: Publisher

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Available for Purchase:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Horror has a new name: introducing Courtney Alameda.

Micheline Helsing is a tetrachromat—a girl who sees the auras of the undead in a prismatic spectrum. As one of the last descendants of the Van Helsing lineage, she has trained since childhood to destroy monsters both corporeal and spiritual: the corporeal undead go down by the bullet, the spiritual undead by the lens. With an analog SLR camera as her best weapon, Micheline exorcises ghosts by capturing their spiritual energy on film. She's aided by her crew: Oliver, a techno-whiz and the boy who developed her camera's technology; Jude, who can predict death; and Ryder, the boy Micheline has known and loved forever.

When a routine ghost hunt goes awry, Micheline and the boys are infected with a curse known as a soulchain. As the ghostly chains spread through their bodies, Micheline learns that if she doesn't exorcise her entity in seven days or less, she and her friends will die. Now pursued as a renegade agent by her monster-hunting father, Leonard Helsing, she must track and destroy an entity more powerful than anything she's faced before . . . or die trying.

Lock, stock, and lens, she’s in for one hell of a week.　(Goodreads)

The first thing that caught my eye when I discovered Courtney Alameda’s Shutter was the book’s cover. How can you resist something that disturbing?? I knew this book was going to be a wild right, and boy was I right! This book definitely did not disappoint.

The main character in the story, Micheline, is one of the last descendants of the Van Helsing lineage. She’s trained since she was a young girl to capture the undead that plague the living. She has a great team with her three comrades who make up her crew; Ryder, a Harley-riding Aussie who Micheline has loved for forever, Jude, who has a rare ability to predict someone’s death, and Oliver, who is the brains of the group. Working as a team, these four soldiers are a great threat to the undead, not only because of their loyalty to each other, but because of their determination as well.

I have to say, I love every single thing about these four characters. Micheline is quite the badass, pardon my French, but there is really no other way to describe her. She is an excellent leader and her crew respects her. The bond between them is unbreakable. That’s one of the things I loved most about these characters; they are more than comrades. They are close enough to be family, even closer than siblings, and I adored the relationship that they had between the four of them. They were there for each other in a way that a lot of people will never get the chance to experience, and that bond was so special. I loved so much about these four characters, they were pretty awesome. (Although, I think I loved Ryder the most, because he pretty much stole my heart the moment I met him, and because he rides a motorcycle and is Australian. Swoon.)

The storyline for this book was really creative and very fast paced. I’m not a huge reader of horror books, but I love the few that I have read. This book was really scary to read. At one point I was reading before bed, and I had to put the book away because I was afraid I would have nightmares! I loved it! The suspense and tension kept me on the edge of my seat as I flew through the pages. The twist and turns, ghosts and downright horror will keep you hooked. I’m not sure if there is going to be a sequel to this book or not, but if the author does write one, it will definitely be on my to-read list. I feel like there was enough left open at the end of the novel so that there definitely could be a sequel, even though I thought the ending of the book came together very nicely.

Overall; I really, really enjoyed this book, SO much more than I expected to! If you love a good horror story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you should definitely check out Shutter. For this to be Courtney Alameda's first novel, I think she's off to an amazing start! I can’t wait to read more from her in the future!

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Shutter on Instagram:

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Halloween Read Week: Ten by Gretchen McNeil

SHHHH!
Don't spread the word!
Three-day weekend. Party at White Rock House on Henry Island.
You do NOT want to miss it.

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury.

But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

Suddenly people are dying, and with a storm raging, the teens are cut off from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine. (Goodreads)

Ten by Gretchen McNeil is the second book I read for my Halloween Reads Week! This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but now I’m definitely interested in reading more.

Ten is about a group of kids that are invited to an island for a weekend full of partying and luxury. It seems their weekend is off to a great start, until people suddenly start dying. With no way to contact anyone back home, it’s up to Meg and her fellow housemates to figure out who the killer is, and stop them, before there is no one left.

There were a lot of characters in this book, but the story was told from Meg’s perspective. Meg was a very likable character, not only by me, but by the other kids in the house with her as well. I love that she is super quick to come up with ideas to help them in their situation. T.J., who is Meg’s crush in the story, seems to be a really good guy, and he really cared for Meg. There were more than a few characters in the book that I really didn’t care for, Meg’s best friend Minnie being one of the main ones. I found her extremely annoying and I found the relationship between the two to be extremely unhealthy. I didn’t like the way she treated Meg at all. The rest of the secondary characters were pretty much average teenagers, not much to say about them.

The best part of the book is that it kept me guessing. I really didn’t catch on to who the killer was, and I pleasantly surprised in the end that it wasn’t anyone that I expected. McNeil holds nothing back when she writes the murders, often they are done in an extremely brutal way. I honestly didn’t expect there to be quite as many involved as there were, but the more I read, the more it happened. This book was a really fast paced, and it definitely had the creep factor going for it, which made it a great Halloween read.

Overall; I didn’t know what to expect when I started this book, but I definitely got more than I bargained for. This book was super creepy and mysterious, and I really enjoyed reading it for one of my Halloween Reads!

Happy Reading!