Review: Where the Chill Waits

4 stars! I spent 75% of this absolutely terrified for the dogs, even skimming certain parts, until I finally caved and looked it up (thanks, Reddit!). So, so relieved - overjoyed, even - that I don't have to dock a star for this one. It would've been almost forgivable considering that sort of thing was maybe less of a trope when the book was published, but I wouldn't have budged. A rule is a rule.

Three men are invited by their boss on a fishing trip, a sort of corporate tradition he utilizes to measure up a man's worth. It's all very toxic CEO of him, and the men are worried about repercussions if they refuse. It gets even worse when he spontaneously switches their destination and declares it a hunting trip instead - in a remote part of Canada he bought sight unseen to connect with nature. Or something. The men are met by a local guide and venture into the woods. It's not long before things start to go wrong. 

I'm a huge fan of forest horror, and wendigo horror, and Where the Chill Waits exquisitely checks both of those boxes. It's a classic and should be more widely-read. Reminded me of King at times, with its deep characterization and amusing details. And, also like some of King's older works, it betrays its age with an annoying female character, and some questionable culture-clashing. But it earns top grades for premise, pacing, and entertainment factor.

I would honestly love to do a deep analysis of how the plot escalates episodically. I just want to talk with someone about some of the scarier moments and insane imagery and the individual character arcs. The book is begging for that type of exchange: "how brutal was it when XYZ..." "can you believe he did this or that..." "OMG when so-and-so turned into the so-and-so..." "the part with the arm..." "the END!!!" 

Truly some of the best writing I've encountered. Crisp and fast-paced, the author really succeeds at driving the story along lightly - incorporating some lovely nature writing, too! I mentioned the female character - I personally can't stand worriers, and Janet is a particularly self-righteous one - to a distracting degree. The Native American lore would earn some major hand-wringing today, but I think it's still worth reading with a discerning eye.

I can't wait to revisit this on a road trip, or a camping trip, or a hike. Around a campfire, or on a couch in a cabin in the woods. It's easily up there on my favorites list. Spread the word!

"Hell, he thought, here even the stars take you off-guard. If you can stand and stare skyward with your jaw hung in wonder, how can you dismiss anything?"

Where the Chill Waits on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: The Silent Companions

You know what? 5 stars. I was pretty much dead set on 4 until I reached the ending, which left me a little bit breathless and extremely satisfied. I'm very excited to read more by this author, who put together a really beautiful Gothic story here, employing a lot of fun and familiar tropes while managing to keep things fairly unpredictable. AND - I don't have to dock a star for a UDD - in this case - UCD! Small blessings.

There are two narratives here - well, almost three. In 1865, newly married Elsie Bainbridge must travel to her husband's isolated rural estate outside of London when he passes away unexpectedly. She is accompanied by her late husband's cousin, Sarah, and is met by an unwelcoming town and an unpleasant household staff. Even worse - the house itself is troublesome, and Elsie begins hearing things and seeing things that seem impossible. You know the drill.

Meanwhile, we are supplied with the journal of an ancestor, who lived on the estate in 1635. She and her husband are overjoyed to receive a royal visit, until things go horribly wrong - revealing an evil that may or may not be connected to Elsie's experiences over two hundred years later.

Yes, this does seem a bit like the same-old haunted house story... but it really does take some delightful twists and turns. Scarier than The Little Stranger I'd say, but in a good way. The writing is super lively, the plot is very well-crafted/well-paced, the ending is brutal, and the setting is perfectly spooky. The characters are pretty unlikeable, especially at first, but everything comes across as intentional. I am a little frustrated by some of the loose ends - I need more lore! And I could use a sequel! - but I was truly transported and enjoyed myself.

I will say too - at first, I found Hetta's ... instruments, shall we say ... extremely cheesy and not scary at all. Maybe a little gimmicky? Despite some fantastic imagery and vivid descriptions of their appearances and expressions, I think I just had some trouble crossing the bridge into fear. I kept getting caught up in the physics of it all - picturing them... glide across the floor or whatever. Also, where the F did they come from in the first place? A mysterious, disappearing shop out of nowhere on top of everything else?! So much going on.

Overall, though - an instant horror classic. Must be read in front of a crackling fire during a blizzard, wind howling against the windows.

The Silent Companions on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: North Woods

5 stars. Lives up to the hype, I fear. Of course, this checks a lot of personal boxes for me: woods, ghosts, art, landscape, the way history sits on top of itself... deep but palatable character studies. I went in with a skeptical eye (I'm sure there are a ton of things any reader could pick apart and criticize, as with all books-of-the-moment), but truthfully, I couldn't put it down. It's immersive and very well-written and satisfying. Also, it's very horny. You'll know what I mean when you read it.

There's that word coined a few years ago that went viral: sonder. The realization - or sensation - that everyone, including (especially) strangers around you, has a life and consciousness as complex and rich and layered as yours. North Woods takes this and applies it to the history of a house and the sequence of its inhabitants, starting with a young Puritan couple and making its way to modern times. It is a love letter to the woods, the specific nature of New England, the land, time, fate, history, and humanity - with all our fights and faults and feelings and connections and errors. It did make me think about the very full, complex, rich lives lived by the previous owners of my home and what they might think of mine.

I'm a bit at a loss as to what further commentary I can offer: I think it's one of those books you just have to read. That being said, I'd be overjoyed to read the critical commentary of others. This is a very full book, and I'd love to take a class on it. I respectfully request a supplemental reading list, a playlist, and a comprehensive list of all the connections and clever throwbacks. I'm happy to own it - it's the type of book I'll want to revisit, and annotate, and breathe in.

North Woods on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Heart-Shaped Box

3 stars. I can see why this is so popular, and considered one of Hill's very best. It's hardcore horror with a lot of flavors: rock and roll, road trips, occult artifacts; along with bigger themes about abuse, justice, punishment, retribution, heaven and hell and all that fun stuff. Jude makes a helluva main character, full of rebellion and rage and a kind of a dark stubbornness that triggers - and resolves - the evil at the center of the story.

An aging rock star, Jude is tempted via the internet to "buy a ghost." He purchases a haunted suit for his collection of occult items, and haunted it turns out to be. As the spirit of his ex's stepfather (lol, it's complicated) makes his life a living hell, Jude is forced to make a journey: into the unknown, into the depths of his own trauma and psyche, into the past. He thrives in the dark, after all.

Technically, this is a wonderful book. It's well-written - better than NOS4A2, I think. I didn't find it to be particularly scary - Craddock is just a teensy-weensy bit too cartoonish for me (the tip of the hat, for ex), but I really, really loved him as a threat. He's a very classic, powerful, ghostly villain and I especially loved his introduction. I also enjoyed the references to heavy metal and the surprisingly unusual exploration of an aging rock star. Jude is adorably cliche and ugly and menacing with a solid core.

It really is a very, very fun story. I'm giving it 3 stars because I would've given it 4 and was forced to dock for not one but two UDDs. In fact, I basically skimmed 4 entire chapters because of it. I know, I know - it's my trigger, my problem. But this sort of thing just doesn't seem creative to me, anymore. It's trope-y and cheap.

I have no regrets. I read a lot of horror and I really respect this one - I call it great. A very hearty, tasty, classic-feeling snack. First read of 2023 down.

Heart-Shaped Box on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

2023 in Reading

— Y E A R I N R E V I E W —

What can I say? 2023 flew by. As always, I made some discoveries (noise cancelling headphones, Chat GPT, spicy mayo), grew up a little, regressed a little, established some good habits and didn’t shake some bad ones. Read some books in between. Let’s get to it:

Classic and Lovely: O Caledonia
Subtle, Scary, Satisfying: A History of Fear
The Main Character did WHAT: Waif
Plot Twist Party: The Pale Blue Eye IYKYK
Stranger Than Fiction: The Wager
Fuck Yeah Feminism: Maggie’s Grave
Biggest Disappointment: Exiles
Best Discovery: Preston & Child
Biggest Mindfuck: Penpal
Most Satisfying Reread: TIE - The Fisherman + Night Film
Tried Too Hard: Hidden Pictures
Quintessentially Kelly: Winterset Hollow - horror for lifelong readers
No Regrets: Hex

NEW CATEGORY OF RECOGNITION: Most Memorable

Sometimes books really stick and others fly out of my head the instant I finish them. I never know until months later, or at the end of the year when I’m looking at everything as a whole. Memorable doesn’t mean technically the best, or technically a favorite. Here are the stickiest from 2023:

• Company of Liars - maybe because this book is so long, and I spent so much time with the characters, but I think about it constantly… especially the ending.

• The Last Days of Jack Sparks - there are a couple of really insane, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it full circle moments in this story that I’m still not over.

• No One Gets Out Alive - this book includes several mindblowing sequences, and I found it to be incredibly unpredictable, which I think is why I keep coming back to it… the “reveal” of the Big Bad OMG *shudders*

TOP 5: 

5) Wounds by Nathan Ballingrud is in here mainly due to The Butcher’s Table, which blew me away. Very excited to venture into this author’s other stuff early next year.

4) Stolen Tongues by Felix Blacktongue truly scared me (so rare these days but I keep chasing the feeling). Is it perfect? Absolutely not, but it is an absolute banger of a book and a must-read for horror fans.

3) Krampus by Brom is basically perfect. From premise to plotting to setting to execution to subverting and including the very best tropes, it’s just really fucking fun.

2) Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McCammon - from my review: “This is by far one of the best books I've ever read. Most well-written, most enjoyable, most entertaining, most impressive, most well-plotted... it really tops the lists for all of those categories. It'll be in my best of the year list, and also my forever favorites.” And here we are.

1) A Lush and Seething Hell by John Hornor Jacobs takes the top spot! For imagery and themes and trust me when I say this book has style. 

Listen, It’s an angsty, topsy-turvy time. Very heavy. Crushing, sometimes. I really love fresh starts, and I want to believe 2024 will bring good things. But truly the only certain thing is that books will keep providing escape, and I’m grateful for that.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Review: The Great Alone

Unrated, because honestly, I essentially skimmed the entire second half. I can't give what is clearly a well-written, well-researched, interesting and resonant book a low rating knowing I didn't actually give it a full, clean chance. I didn't connect with it, on multiple levels, but it's giving season - I feel like being generous. (Full disclosure: I read a full chapter-by-chapter summary so I do know how things unfold, and how it ends.)

It has a fascinating premise. The Allbright family, consisting of Cora, veteran Ernt, and young daughter Leni, travel to Alaska for a fresh start. Ernt suffers from PTSD and abuses Cora frequently, unable to settle or provide properly for his family. Alaska - harsh, isolated, promising death at every corner - gives them a chance for happiness, he feels. The community welcomes them, helps them, teaches them, and prepares them for survival. But winter is coming, and the tension that rattles Ernt never fully fades.

The story dragged, for me. I kept thinking I had read the climax and then realized I still had most of the book to go. I also found the young people - Leni and especially Matthew - to be written without any sense of realism. It's really rare to find an author who can write pre-teen and teenage boys even semi-realistically, so maybe I should be more gentle, but both struck me as way too... articulate, open, in touch with their emotions and able to express them. I'm also not a huge lover of the true love of it all, and the unfolding of that just solidified my incredulity about the two.

I commend the author, though, for painting such a harsh and true portrait of domestic violence. Almost a little too textbook, honestly, though I realize that makes me seem hypocritical. My favorite parts were the passages about Alaska itself, the homestead lifestyle, the community, their initial discovery of their new home and their determination to inhabit it. Alaska was the  most fascinating character, to me, and I would love to travel there to get even a taste of what the author describes so vividly. 

I can see why this book is so popular. I'm not NOT recommending it. Frankly, there's enough going on in my life right now that I suspect my reaction is timely and not book-specific. This is a very dark, disturbing story, and my heart was in my throat most of the time while reading it. The themes are incredibly important and are worth a good, long chew before swallowing. But yeah, truthfully, I wasn't feeling it. 

The Great Alone on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Old Bones (Nora Kelly #1)

3 stars. Nora Kelly has grown from her Utah days, and so did these authors. This one is much shorter, punchier, and to the point than the previous two NK books, but it also, IMO, lacks a lot of the warmth and soul as well. It's very procedure-y (from both a detective/mystery standpoint and an archeological one), and somehow makes the fascinating legends surrounding a truly crazy, horrific true story dry as a bone (lol).

Nora returns to her Institute in Santa Fe after the loss of her husband. She's approached by a historian who wants her to lead an expedition to find the Lost Camp of the ill-fated Donner Party. Everything - the trip out, the initial excavation, the discovery of the camp and the bones left there - is straightforward. Until, of course, it isn't, and new bodies start turning up. Also - there's treasure!

It should have hooked me. All the ingredients are there. The Donner Party is one of my favorite rabbit holes. I enjoy a crunchy, contained crime spree with insane motivations. I love treasure. But this just wasn't my favorite. I never became emotionally invested in any of the characters - not Corrie Swanson (I have a hard enough time proving myself in the workplace IRL), not Clive Benton, not Peel or Maggie or the other hollow members of the team, not Nora Kelly. It felt rushed. It felt a little like reading Dan Brown. The heart just wasn't there.

Still - I basically couldn't put it down. This style of writing here is so, so refreshing to me. Straightforward, intentional, precise. I really loved that aspect and I look forward to continuing on with the series. The plot drives you onward as needed and there are even a few appearances by beloved characters from past encounters. If you're a fan, go for it. Slightly disappointed but I have zero regrets. 

Old Bones on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: The Cabinet of Curiosities

4 stars. I am INTO THESE BOOKS. Surprise of the year and I couldn't be happier about it. I'm about to buy the rest in the Nora Kelly series and see where I land after that in the giant Pendergast Universe. So glad there are so many to choose from! I loved how different this was from Thunderhead, with similar history-mystery-mysterious-museum-archeological vibes. (These books remind me of the National Treasure movies, my favorite of all time, so keep in mind I am someone who would be super into them. Right up my alley.)

This one takes place in New York, after a giant pit of bones turns up at a construction site. FBI Special Agent Pendergast takes a special interest in the case, and involves Nora Kelly and her journalist boyfriend, Bill Smithback. Kelly is now working at the New York Museum of Natural History and becomes embroiled in a tangled web of politics, that very specific NY-style of greed, jurisdiction fights, workplace pitfalls and - unfortunately, the biggest threat of all: MURDER. 

Okay - that's a terrible summary. But these books actually go really deep. They're complex! There are multiple characters with multiple motivations and POVs. There are a lot of conflicting themes and clues and avenues for our heroes to investigate, and somehow - though they are racing against the clock - it feels like they take their time. It's a hearty narrative, one you can really sink your teeth into. And no part of it felt sloppy or lazy or worth skipping.

I was a little disappointed with the final "twist" (there were a few too many "reveals," I think) but I was totally glued to the page as the action ramped up and the stakes got REALLY high. I can only double down on my admiration of these authors and I'm so excited to have something that's perfect to read on a plane, on a train, on the beach, while brushing my teeth because I can't look away... 

The Cabinet of Curiosities on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Hidden Pictures

3 stars. Hmmmm hahahaha. This kept my attention - I read it in less than 24 hours; I'd definitely describe it as a crisply-written thriller - but it didn't blow me away at all. I'm kind of surprised, actually, about all the hype. 

Mallory Quinn is a young athlete in recovery who takes a job as a babysitter for a seemingly perfect, well-off family to watch their 5-year-old son, Teddy. She settles in and the summer is enjoyable - until Teddy starts presenting her with some mysterious drawings. Drawings that are way too advanced for a 5-year-old, depicting some very dark, mysterious images. Between a psychic neighbor, odd noises, and some strange behavior from Teddy's parents, Mallory begins to realize the genuine danger she faces, and resolves to get to the bottom of things and save Teddy if she can.

Regarding the controversy around the depiction of gender: I am fortunate enough to not be easily-triggered by this sort of thing. If you are sensitive to such issues, avoid. I could give the whole spiel - depiction does not equal endorsement, etc. and agonize over what is harmful and what is not... but there are folks far more informed and articulate than I who can speak on that, and I highly encourage you to seek them out. (I will say the references to Harry Potter made me extremely suspicious.)

So here's what I'd say: read it if you're in the mood for a compelling page turner with supernatural elements and a few twists. I would barely describe it as horror. I would even put a YA label on it - it gave me those vibes more than once. I think it kind of frustrated me that the first chapter was a real banger, and had me totally hooked before things kind of took a few... odd turns. 5-star opening chapter, 3 star book as a whole. I didn't totally find Mallory plausible, nor did I fully believe Ted's ultimate inclinations. Adrian was too good to be true... so yeah. 3 stars. 

Hidden Pictures on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Wakenhyrst

4 stars. Absolutely wonderful! This is a super refreshing piece of horror that takes a ton of familiar and beloved Gothic elements and weaves a beautiful, textured, spooky tapestry. It's sort of three stories in one, with Big Themes such as guilt, oppression, religion, secrets, coming-of-age, patriarchy, and rage. There's a bit of a mystery but this book is definitely more about the journey - the slow build, the creeping dread, the eerie setting, the rising tension - than the answers. I loved it.

A young girl, Maud, lives with her parents in a large manor house in Suffolk. Her mother is constantly with child, and her father is rigid, repressive and strict. After her mother passes, Maud is left lonely and finds comfort in the nature and beauty of the nearby Fens. But something stirs in the reedy green depths... something old but not forgotten, something that will trigger a reckoning, changing the lives of Maud and her father forever.

There's a whole lot wriggling around and among the many layers of this story. It reminded me of O Caledonia a bit. Maud's father seemed a bit cartoonish to me at times, but I think that's because I can't quite grasp that that's sincerely how men treated women back then. It made his comeuppance all the more satisfying. And I really, really loved the character of Maud. As a stubborn grudge-holder myself, I couldn't help but admire the way she sharpened her resentment into the nastiest of blades. I felt for her and rooted for her. 

It may not be the scariest of horror novels, but it's very atmospheric, and it scratched the itch for me. (And I'll admit, I jumped a few times seeing shadows walking the dog at night after reading.) I couldn't put it down, and like I said - refreshing! A very unique tale. It felt well-researched, and I loved the bits about history and art history and the glimpses of the town and the superstitions and folklore. I recommend it.

Wakenhyrst on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads