Book Review: In the Hour of Crows

Tags

Dana Elmendorf, Fantasy, In the Hour of Crows, Magic, mystery, Netgalley, Suspense

She had me at crows . . . but the more the story rolled out, the deeper I was pulled in. Such an intriguing concept and, while I don’t absolutely need everything tied up with a sweet little bow, I certainly enjoy when it does happen. The end pretty much answered all my questions and I really, really enjoyed the journey.

Magic, suspense, folklore, mystery, very real human emotions and well-drawn characters made it hard to dislike In the Hour of Crows.

In the beginning, I nearly docked this book a star because a couple of things threw off this slightly autistic Georgia girl—we Georgians would never say, “make our way over to Nashville” as it’s always north. Up to, maybe? Also, this is clearly North Georgia and sugar cane plantations can only be found in middle and south Georgia. Fortunately, by the middle of the book, I was more than willing to suspend my disbelief because it didn’t really matter. And I am glad that I did because I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Dana Elmensdorf

GoodReads says:

In a small town in Appalachia, people paint their doorways blue to keep spirits away.
Black ferns grow where death will follow.
And Weatherly Opal Wilder is a Death Talker.

When called upon, she can talk the death out of the dying and save their lives; only once, never twice. But this truly unique gift comes at a price, rooting Weatherly to people who only want her around when they need her and resent her backwater ways when they don’t.

Weatherly’s cousin Adaire also has a gift, she’s a Scryer and can see the future reflected back in dark surfaces. Right before she is killed in an accident, Adaire saw something unnerving, and that’s why Weatherly believes she was murdered—never thinking for a moment that it was an accident. But when Weatherly, for the first time, is unable to talk the death out of the mayor’s son, the whole town suspects she is out for revenge, that she wouldn’t save him.

With the help of clues Adaire left behind and her family’s Granny Witch recipe box, Weatherly sets out to find the truth behind her cousin’s death, whatever it takes.

Imbued with magic, witchery, and suspense, Dana Elmendorf’s In the Hour of Crows is a thrilling tale of friendship, identity, and love.

Book Review: Woodworm

Tags

Fiction, Horror, Layla Martínez, Netgalley, Spain, Spanish, Spanish Literature, Woodworm

This is the translation of the novel Carcoma by Layla Martínez. It takes place in Spain though it could very easily have been Mexico or any other place where those who live in poverty alongside those who distrust and look down on them (yet need them so they can be rich [read: the oppressed] along with a constant and overt misogyny. Okay, that’s pretty much everywhere. This is one of three novels I’ve been reading that involved people, mostly women, barely surviving, which makes it hyper real in some ways.

It is a short novel that is both raw and visceral. Martínez wrote it with a viciousness and power and an almost demonic anger (despite the saints and angels) that is reflected via some truly intense female characters. This book has a unique style both in the writing and in the narrative, in which you will find a lot of criticism and social denunciation. Add to that the folklore, the supernatural tone, and the excessive hatred of the women for their position in life, as well as the things that compel them to do what they do, and you will find yourself cheering them on. Definitely a satisfying read.

Layla Martínez

GoodReads says:

The house breathes.

The house contains bodies and secrets.

The house is visited by ghosts, by angels that line the roof like insects, and by saints that burn the bedsheets with their haloes.

It was built by a small-time hustler as a means of controlling his wife, and even after so many years, their daughter and her granddaughter can’t leave.

They may be witches or they may just be angry, but when the mysterious disappearance of a young boy draws unwanted attention, the two isolated women, already subjects of public scorn, combine forces with the spirits that haunt them in pursuit of something that resembles justice.

Layla Martínez’s eerie debut novel Woodworm is class-conscious horror that drags generations of monsters into the sun.

Book Review: Bear

Tags

Bear, Fiction, Julia Phillips, Literary Fiction, Netgalley

But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain;
The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
Gang aft agley,
An’lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,
For promis’d joy! —Robert Burns

Just ask Sam. She can tell you. Sam and Elena are sisters and Sam absolutely adores, perhaps worships, her older sister, Elena. But things are always more complicated than they seem and add to an already complicated life a needy grizzly bear and you’ve got a twist on that Brothers Grimm classic: Snow White and Rose Red.

This novel is so sad and so real. Having dipped my toes in the frigid waters of insanity a time or two myself, I absolutely understand how easy it is to hang on to one’s delusions, one’s magical thinking.

Like Sam, I ended the book thinking, “what if, what if what if?” But reality has no room for “what-ifs” and but hopefully, this book will leave you prepared to always look a little deeper and be a little less selfish and a little more caring.

Julia Phillips

GoodReads says:

A mesmerising novel of two sisters on a Pacific Northwest island whose lives are upended by an unexpected visitor — a tale of family, obsession, and a mysterious creature in the woods, by the celebrated, bestselling author of Disappearing Earth.

They were sisters and they would last past the end of time.

Sam and her sister, Elena, dream of another life. On the island off the coast of Washington where they were born and raised, they and their mother struggle to survive. Sam works long days on the ferry that delivers wealthy mainlanders to their vacation homes while Elena bartends at the local golf club, but even together they can’t earn enough to get by, stirring their frustration about the limits that shape their existence.

Then one night on the boat, Sam spots a bear swimming the dark waters of the channel. Where is it going? What does it want? When the bear turns up by their home, Sam, terrified, is more convinced than ever that it’s time to leave the island. But Elena responds differently to the massive beast. Enchanted by its presence, she throws into doubt the plan to escape and puts their long-held dream in danger.

A story about the bonds of sisterhood and the mysteries of the animals that live among us — and within us — Bear is a propulsive, mythical, rich novel from one of the most acclaimed young writers in America.

 

Book Review: Horror Movie

Tags

Horror, Horror Movie, Netgalley, Paul Tremblay

What a creepy, disturbing read! So much so, that the night after I finished it, I had a dream in which I woke up thinking, “I just pulled a “Thin Kid” on them!” Yikes! You’ll have to read the book to find out what that means, but it ain’t good. The format of the book was really well done with the narrator “The Thin Good” interspersing past and present in addition to the script of the movie. Sometimes the script seemed so real that it was hard to distinguish it from the actual filming of the movie. Sometimes the narrator revealed info and hid other details. It isn’t long before you start question the reliability of the narrator but yet he keeps insisting he’s telling the truth. Definitely not a book I will forget any time soon!

But it wasn’t just “The Thin Kid” who was fascinating. Cleo and Valentina (the script writer and director) and even Karson, all who also have parts in the movie, have you guessing about their motives. The first film, a super-low-budget production never makes it to the theaters (or tape or DVD, for that matter), but 30 years later, it’s got a huge fanbase and Hollywood wants a re-make. And that’s both good and bad. I’ll let you see why.

Loved it! Maybe even more than “The Cabin at the End of the World”, which was also a good movie. I’d love to see “Horror Movie” become a horror movie.

Paul Tremblay

GoodReads says:

A chilling twist on the “cursed film” genre from the bestselling author of The Pallbearers Club and The Cabin at the End of the World.

In June 1993, a group of young guerilla filmmakers spent four weeks making Horror Movie, a notorious, disturbing, art-house horror flick.

The weird part? Only three of the film’s scenes were ever released to the public, but Horror Movie has nevertheless grown a rabid fanbase. Three decades later, Hollywood is pushing for a big budget reboot.

The man who played “The Thin Kid” is the only surviving cast member. He remembers all too well the secrets buried within the original screenplay, the bizarre events of the filming, and the dangerous crossed lines on set that resulted in tragedy. As memories flood back in, the boundaries between reality and film, past and present start to blur. But he’s going to help remake the film, even if it means navigating a world of cynical producers, egomaniacal directors, and surreal fan conventions — demons of the past be damned.

Book Review: Worth Fighting For

Tags

Christianity, Essays, John Pavlovitz, Netgalley, Non-fiction, religion, Worth Fighting For

This collection of Pavlovitz’s writings (with a few new essays) from the past few years are well written and well-conceived. In my case, he was preaching to the choir. I pray, though, that this book can reach those who have a chance of being converted by his logic and by the truth he speaks.

These essays are both timely and they address important issues, as well. In the current fraught political climate, Pavlovitz addresses ways to remain true to the Christian faith while reminding us of what is worth fighting for—the very future of the world we hope to live in.

John Pavlovitz

GoodReads says:

John Pavlovitz has inspired millions to keep boldly loving both neighbors and strangers throughout the years of Trump’s hate-mongering campaign and presidency and continues to be a voice of sanity and urgency when so much is still at stake. It’s a scary time for America, with rights for women and transgender people being rolled back, the truth about Black history and experience being silenced, and unrestricted gun violence on the rise. People who value inclusion, compassion, and the common good are understandably anxious and angry―but we can’t give up hope. We need motivation to keep fighting for justice. This inspiring volume features Pavlovitz’s most important writing from the past several years alongside brand-new essays to provide the encouragement, stamina, and direction we need to keep going, even when things feel bleak.

Book Review: Tiny Threads

Tags

Book Review, Fiction, Horror, Lilliam Rivera, Netgalley, supernatural, Tiny Threads

To be published: September 24, 2024

I have to admit that halfway through this book I felt like I was watching a trainwreck in slow motion as Samara began to spiral more and more out of control. But it turns out that she absolutely needed to do so in order to get her to a place where she both heal and be healed. I don’t know what working in the world of high-power fashion is like, but I imagine as with everything, one does not become famous or make a lot of money with oppressing someone. And despite just how very aware we are of those oppressions these in this day and age, we still can’t seem to fix the system. I love the way Rivera uses supernatural suspense to further open Samara’s eyes and the alcohol she consumes to numb those nightmares only serves to break her down instead. An excellent read!

Lilliam Rivera

GoodReads says:

In this gorgeously sinister novel of supernatural suspense, a young woman gets her dream job working for a famous designer—and discovers the dark side of the glamorous world of fashion. 

Fashion-obsessed Samara finally has the life she’s always dreamed A high-powered job with legendary designer Antonio Mota. A new home in sunny California, far away from those drab Jersey winters. And an intriguing love interest, Brandon, a wealthy investor in Mota’s fashion line. But it’s not long before Samara’s dream life begins to turn into a living nightmare as Mota’s big fashion show approaches and the pressure on her turns crushing. Perhaps that’s why she begins hearing voices in her room at night—and seeing strange things that can’t be explained away by stress or anxiety or the number of drinks she’s been consuming. And it may not be just Samara imagining things as her psyche unravels, because she soon discovers hints that her new city—and the House of Mota—may be built on a foundation of secrets and lies. Now Samara must uncover what hideous truths lurk in the shadows of this illusory world of glamour and beauty before those shadows claim her.