Review: Fantasticland

3 stars. I have a LOT to say, so let's dive right in.

Fantasticland tells the story of a group of young amusement park employees who, after being trapped in the park by a hurricane, divide into "tribes" and essentially go to war with each other until they are rescued. It's a brutal, outlandish, fantastic premise. Think: heads on spikes. Violence for the sake of it. Tribe "rules"; a twisted Fight Club sense of honor. Girls being taken. Scarcity mindset despite ample resources. Archers. Stabbings. Bystander apathy. Groupthink. 

It's also an epistolary novel - each chapter transcribes an interview with a survivor. So it's vaguely found footage-y and gives us multiple angles from which to examine the tragedy. We hear from park personnel, park guests who escaped in time, the rescuers, the park owner, and ultimately members of each "tribe." Each chapter is a fascinating snack.

I really did enjoy it. It's a must-read for horror fans as it comes across as pretty refreshing and quirky and fucking fun. Some of the details are truly outstanding and make the whole book worthwhile. The ideas behind each "tribe" are super effective, and the nods to pop culture and social media and other famous theme parks are interesting.

I think, though, that this is a case of iffy execution. It sort of felt like the author wrote his central thesis - Lord of the Flies in Disneyworld. Then he did a writing exercise: anticipate every hole a reader could poke in the plausibility of this thesis. Then he spent the entire book attempting - not always successfully - to fill those holes. Some of the details he included, I swear, it was like I could hear a beta reader or an editor asking "but what about phones" and "why would there be tunnels," resulting in explanations that often felt tedious or worth editing. Sometimes you just have to trust that a reader will suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride. So to speak. 

I would also point out that a lot of the character voices were indistinguishable to me. If you're going to write multiple POVs, you'd better lock down - and practice utilizing - clear and distinct features for each one, because throwing in a few slang words, abbreviations, jokes, or curse words won't really cut it. Many of the young people - I really hate to say. this- just didn't sound that young to me.

Finally, I did have to do a lot of referencing back. I dunno if my memory is shot and tired right now or something, but I could not keep track of the names. Many times I felt like I was being thrown an Easter Egg, but I couldn't quite recognize it or piece things together.

I think a lot of this just indicates that it's a story begging for a rework, maybe even an adaptation. The whole thing read like it was sort of ... almost there, adjacent to the real story, but not quite what it could have been. Gaps, weak perspectives, a bland ending, etc. But it really is - truly - a bloody fun time. I would love to see it in film format. Or a miniseries. Or a Last of Us type thing with a different character focus each episode. 

ANYWAY. 

Yes, thank you for asking, I would join the Circus Freaks. Those are my people, without a doubt.

Fantasticland on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Silver Nitrate

3 stars. It took me forever to get through this - I should've been absolutely clawing at my Kindle to read just one more chapter, but ultimately the style never really pulled me in. I agree with the reviews that call this a rough draft, even if that was the author's intention - the whole thing felt very sketchy, and repetitive, and frankly very odd at times. The "scary" moments are few and far between, I could barely grasp the "rules" of the magic system/some of the worldbuilding, and honestly sometimes I had trouble paying attention - especially toward the end, when the random instances of lengthy exposition got more frequent. 

I also agree with the reviews that praise this book's premise. It truly is an inspired, wonderful concept/idea, with layers and layers of delicious lore to explore. It's what got me interested in the first place; and, having read and loved Mexican Gothic, I was pretty excited to dive into something from the same author. It's about two best friends, Montserrat and Tristan, who are recruited by the latter's mysterious neighbor - a former horror director - to help him complete a film, thus closing the loop of a magic spell he opened back during the initial filming. Cue unexpected consequences, side effects, a crash course in rune magic, nefarious characters, and an undead Nazi cult leader.

Sounds pretty wild, right? Yes, all the elements of this story are wild and interesting and out there and full of amazing, Old Hollywood vibes. Montserrat and Tristan are easy to root for and classic horror references abound. But somehow, when all of these elements come together, the mixture reads incredibly dry, dusty, and bland. I don't know how to put my finger on it - it just doesn't deliver on the writing front. It snags and catches where it should flow and glisten.

I think this story would've been better-suited for a tv series, or even just one single episode of X-Files or The Twilight Zone or something. Maybe it would've been a great short story, part of an anthology. As a book, it really needs some editing, or reworking, or something. I'll say, though, that I really admire this author for the idea, and for going for it. It's ballsy, with a wonderful setting and a few great sequences - and I was even pretty charmed by the end. Can't wait to read more of her work. 

Silver Nitrate on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Blacktop Wasteland

4 stars. Heart needs to slow down! So glad I read this insane, fast-paced crime thriller - S.A. Cosby is one of the few authors who can attract me away from my usual horror/sci-fi/fantasy. I've read three of his amazing books, and while this was my least favorite, it was an incredibly satisfying, thought-provoking, crunchy reading experience that I'll hype to anyone willing to listen.

The premise here is really simple: an ex-con family man went straight, only to have to navigate a system that is, essentially, rigged against him. Isn't that just so... American? He needs money, so he decides to do "one last job" as a getaway driver, though he has a brain for planning heists as well. Things go horribly wrong, and, like every other review of this book, I'll stop it right there.

It really starts off with a bang, and kind of continues that crazy pace through the end. There are stunning, anxiety-inducing action sequences; suitably disgusting villains you love to hate; brutal instances of tension and violence; and a well-intentioned anti-hero at the heart of it all, struggling to shake his trauma, protect his family, and find peace.

And, as always, Cosby injects the direct, dry flavor of reality into things - even if the specifics are a bit fantastical. He takes Virginia down here, no sympathies or begrudging respect to be had. But it feels less Virginian than his other books, and more focused on society as a whole. It's also a bit simpler than the other two - at least in terms of narrative, not in terms of the thorny issues around masculinity, justice, revenge, and violence it explores. 

I have to be honest - I wasn't expecting that ending. It was abrupt in a really good way. Earned a bunch of points from me. Overall, Blacktop Wasteland is kind of a harsh, stark book, but it has warmth and light and hope at the center of it. And justice. Bloody justice.

Blacktop Wasteland on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

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