Review: Cocktails & Chloroform

Cocktails & Chloroform by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Subterranean Press for gifting me an early copy of this novella in one of my favorite Kelley Armstrong series.

This shortie really packs a punch. It's clear that Armstrong was going for some development of Alice and her relationship with Mallory/Catriona, and it was a wild success, in my opinion.

The story felt complete without feeling rushed, without feeling like it left anything out or should have been longer. It was just right.

And luckily, it was a perfect little morsel in the long wait for the next release in the main series.

Highly recommended, but I'd suggest you pick up books one and two in the main series first, as this takes place after book two and does provide minor spoilers for the first two books.

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Review: That's Not My Name

That's Not My Name by Megan Lally
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for gifting me an early copy. Below you'll find my honest review.

This is how you write a thriller. I don't care if it's YA or adult, supernatural or fully realistic - this is how you do it. Absolutely unputdownable, totally just-one-more-chapter-able until the wee hours of the morning, and really, really compelling.

You're immediately invested in BOTH of the stories that are running through this novel, and I can't really say much else without spoiling the story. Let's just say... "invested" isn't a strong enough word.

Highly recommended!!! Read this one!

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Review: Good Girls Don’t Die

Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for providing me with an early copy of this novel. Below you'll find my honest review.

Christina Henry is a pretty much guaranteed amazing read... EVERY. DANG. TIME.

This one is no exception! This one weaves themes of misogyny, sexism, and toxic masculinity in with a genre-bending, plot-twisting romp following the lives of women who find themselves in very... interesting situations.

The three major players each wake up in a strange place, dropped into situation that isn't normal. One finds themselves smack dab in the middle of a cozy mystery, another in a slasher movie, and a third in dystopian death-games type story. But not all is at it seems, as these situations might be part of something much larger, and when it comes down to it, their lives might just be on the line.

This one was so hard to put down. Seriously, I read late into the night, trying to race to the end to find out what was going on. And honestly, I was both thrilled and frustrated each time the story for one woman ended and a new one started, because each new beginning sucked me right in.

Highly recommended for fans of mixed genres, strong women, and really great twists and turns.

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Review: Where He Can't Find You

Where He Can't Find You by Darcy Coates
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for giving me an early copy of this novel. Below you'll find my honest review.

I read my first Darcy Coates horror story earlier this year, and was really excited to get my hands on this one. It did not disappoint!

This one drops you right into the thick of it, into the town of Doubtful. It lets you know that it's a bad place where bad things happen. It tells you the rules you must follow to have the best chance of staying alive, so the Stitcher doesn't take you. It doesn't explain what's going on, why these things are happening... it just lets you discover all of that as the story unfolds.

And unfold it does... when one of the main characters' sister is taken by the Stitcher, vanishing into the night, they do the unthinkable... they decide to fight back and try to save her.

The bonds of friendship, the isolation of only depending on each other as the town has given up trying, and the constant fear of the Stitcher - man or monster?, intertwined with the weird effects on wildlife and electronics and the empty, dead feeling of the town, really push this novel into true horror. The atmosphere is set up perfectly. The hook is set deep inside. And the action drives it forward.

My one complaint is that I'd have loved a little more detail of how things became the way they are. The explanation is satisfactory, but I'm craving more information on this well-painted world.

Absolutely loved this one. Highly recommend.

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Review: The Olympian Affair

The Olympian Affair by Jim Butcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for gifting me an advanced copy. Below you'll find my honest review.

I'm really torn on this one. The parts I loved were definitely worthy of 5 stars - mostly Abigail's storyline, the interactions with Folly, and everything involving Bridget/Benedict/Rowl/Fenli. I also liked the redemption ARC of a certain character, and the masterful development of some of the characters.

But there were a lot of places that felt like they needed more editing. There were sections that felt very repetitive, storylines that built and then were dismissed with no payoff, and lots of scenes that just weren't necessary to really push the story forward. This book could have lost probably 50-100 pages and been better off for it. So for those sections, which I still enjoyed for the most part, I'd have to give 3 stars.

That averages out to 4 stars. I really like the world, and absolutely adore some of the characters - the cats especially.

Recommended for those who enjoyed the first one and can deal with a little rambling.

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Review: West Heart Kill

West Heart Kill by Dann McDorman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Knopf for gifting me a pre-release copy. Below you'll find my honest review.

I'm really torn on how to rate this one, because it's absolutely unique and brilliant in its own right, but some of that uniqueness turned it sour for me.

I liked the characters - it felt very much like an old-timey, Agatha Christie era murder mystery story. I liked that the characters weren't really all that likeable half the time, even the detective, and I liked that there were a lot of twists in who people really were on the inside.

I liked the mystery - a death, another death, another death, they just kept coming. I liked that one of those deaths was completely and entirely unexpected for me and subverted my expectations.

I liked the unique style choices the author made - at one point, the novel becomes a screenplay, which was a very clever and interesting way to show the scenes.

BUT, all of that being said, the non-stop style choices, the swaps between tenses, the jumping into lessons on the history of mystery writing, the charming-at-first bits about how the reader interacts with the story and has certain assumptions/guesses/etc.... these things all became tedious and distracting. Every few pages, you're pulled out of the story for another aside, and after a while, it just became hard to stay engrossed in the actual mystery.

Couple this with a highly unsatisfying ending, and I just couldn't say I loved it like I wanted to when I started. I still enjoyed the novelty and clever shtick for much of it, so I will give it a solid, yet average, three out of five stars.

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Review: The Innocent Sleep

The Innocent Sleep by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and DAW for gifting me an early copy of this SECOND October Daye book releasing this year!

This one, best read immediately after SLEEP NO MORE, is the first full length novel in the series that isn't Toby's POV. It's Tybalt's POV, following the same events leading out of BE THE SERPENT.

We've been in Tybalt's head before, in some of the Patreon shorties and some of the freebies, but this one really gave us some deeper insights into our favorite King of Cats. We get to see his true feelings on the people around him, the people in their lives, whether friend, acquaintance, or begrudging ally.

While the end of this one is a quick recap of the end of SLEEP NO MORE (just through Tybalt's eyes), the rest was a glorious glimpse into the catman we love so much.

Yet again, McGuire finds a way to keep me on my toes waiting for the next one to come out. It's one series I really hope continues a long, long time.

As has become the trend lately, this one includes a novella that adds to the Octoberverse, this time from Helmi, Dianda's Cephali handmaiden, and jumps through time, tracing life in Saltmist from before Dianda's birth up until the events of SLEEP NO MORE/THE INNOCENT SLEEP. It's a cool peek into more of Saltmist and their traditions and peoples.

Highly recommended, but please do yourself the favor of reading the rest of the series first. You won't regret it.

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Review: Under the Smokestrewn Sky

Under the Smokestrewn Sky by A. Deborah Baker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Tor for gifting me an early copy of this novel. Below you'll find my honest review.

I adore Seanan McGuire, and everything she writes is gold. This isn't my favorite of the Up-and-Under tales she's written as A. Deborah Baker to build up the lore for the Middlegame world, mostly because the end left me dissatisfied, but it was still a great story. There were a few obvious reveals, and some things that felt rushed in this one. There was just a little something more I was left wanting.

Overall, a fun little adventure tale in four parts that I still highly recommend for fans of Alice in Wonderland or the Tales of Oz, fairy tale worlds, and really creative characters. Four stars from me!

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Review: Long Past Dues

Long Past Dues by James J. Butcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the early copy of this one! Below you'll find my honest review.

The author has definitely honed his craft some more!!! This one was fantastic, and really delivered a solid plot, moving at just the right pace, with just the right reveals. It continues some of the storylines set up in book one, pushing them forward and leaving just enough threads dangling for you to know there's more to come without the plot of *this one* feeling unfinished.

The villain in this one was clever. I figured it out early on, but didn't figure out the connections to the main and side plots, so that was a nice surprise.

I really like the character of Wudge. Wildly entertaining, that one. I also love how Grimsby fights for Mayflower as well. And Rayne's story from the first gets amped up in this one, too, as all the storylines head for a big crash into each other near the end.

Recommended for fans of urban fantasy, but please read book one first. :) Can't wait for book three!

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Review: An Inheritance of Magic

An Inheritance of Magic by Benedict Jacka
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for providing me with an early copy. Below you'll find my honest review.

I'm really struggling to review and rate this one, as there were so many pros but a few big cons as well, so bear with me.

First, the good things: I liked the main character. I could relate to his struggles and his feelings of isolation and inadequacy. I also liked some of the other characters, especially the cat and the priest. I also loved the uniqueness of the world-building and the magic system. I felt by the end that I had a good grasp on it. I also loved the first 10% and the last 15% of the book.

Unfortunately, there were quite a few big issues I had with the book. It was a lot of world building but not much character building. Most of the characters felt underdeveloped and lacking depth. I also felt like the explaining of the magic system was a little repetitive, and in addition, from the 10% mark to the 85% mark, very little actually happened. Go Well hunting, build/try a new sigl, comment about needing money, repeat.

You know how Patricia Briggs started her Alpha & Omega series with a novella that felt full and complete, but was edited well and still built the characters and the world appropriately? I feel like this story was all setup without much payoff.

All in all, I like the world and the magic system, and I'll definitely read the next one to see what happens next and if, now that the world is developed, we get more out of book two.

Three stars. Recommended to fans of urban fantasy who like unique magic systems and rooting for the underdog. Not recommended for readers who don't like slow burns and lots of world building/quasi-info dumping.

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Review: Let Him In

Let Him In by William Friend
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me an early copy of this novel. (Well, early for the US!) Below is my honest review.

This novel had a great hook - grief, twins, lost parent/partner, mysterious entity. We never know what we can trust the whole time. Is Black Mamba real? Is he imaginary? Is he a demon? Are the girls making him up? It makes for a fun, compelling read, as events keep pushing Alfie, the twins' widowed father, and Julia, the twins' aunt, towards a confrontation with the thing known as Black Mamba... and each other.

All in all, I found it to be a hard to put down read. The short chapters are split by Julia and Alfie POVs, and we learn a little more of the story from each - both past and present - as things are slowly revealed. But each chapter makes you want to read just one more, which is the sign of a great book.

I did say, the ending didn't leave me fully satisfied, and I really wish that they'd kept the UK title ("Black Mamba") for the novel. Of course, it wasn't a bad ending... I just had felt so compelled to keep reading that when I got to the end, I wanted more.

All in all, four stars. Recommended for horror fans and fans of tales of grief and rebuilding.

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Review: Black River Orchard

Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine - Del Rey for gifting me an early copy of Chuck Wendig's Black River Orchard. Below you'll find my honest review.

If you're a fan of Stephen King, then I'm going to recommend you immediately get your hands on a copy of Black River Orchard. Chuck Wendig is an incredible writer, and some of his other novels have been very reminiscent of King, especially The Book of Accidents. But this one is a masterpiece, and comparing it to King is the highest praise I can think of for someone in the genre.

It starts with a slow burn - introducing the town, the characters, their histories, and of course, the apple. Obviously, you know the apple isn't going to be a good thing, and as you watch each character have their choice to take a bite, you pray they make the right decision.

As things heat up, and the apple's magic begins its work, the book goes directly into "almost impossible to put down" territory.

So go on, pick up this book and take a bite. You won't regret it... but beware the apple.

HIGHLY recommended.

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Review: Black Sheep

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the advanced copy of this book. Below is my honest review.

Hello, fellow readers. I have to admit something. I've turned down ARCs of Rachel Harrison before. I know, I know. You're seeing that and thinking, "What's wrong with him? He should have jumped at the chance!" I know that now, and I'm here to make amends.

I picked up Black Sheep because it seemed like it would be a fun horror cult story. And it was. I mean, it was fun for me. It wasn't really fun for Vesper. It was brutal for her. It was so fun, in fact, that I read it in two sittings. I would have read it in one sitting, had I not started it at 1:30am or so after finishing another ARC and not being ready to sleep yet. I read 26%, felt myself crashing, and called it a night. Then, the following evening, I picked it back up and tore through the rest, reading until 3am. It was dang near impossible to put down.

Did I guess one of the big reveals? Yeah, but I'm not entirely sure it was supposed to be a shock to us as the reader. I think we're supposed to know about it and be watching for her to pick up on the clues that lead her to the revelation (see what I did there? Apocalypse pun!).

The author knew just how to end each chapter to make me say, "Okay, fine, I'll read ONE more" deep into the night. She plotted it almost perfectly, really made you feel connected to some of the characters.

I own my past mistakes - Rachel Harrison, please forgive me! I promise I'll make it right by reading your entire back catalogue as soon as humanly possible.

Absolutely and highly recommended to any and all horror/horror adjacent/urban fantasy fans. This was a total diamond of a story! Five stars!

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Review: The Stranger Upstairs

The Stranger Upstairs by Lisa M. Matlin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine - Bantam for the early copy of this novel. Below you'll find my honest review.

I'm majorly impressed. You guys, this is a DEBUT novel, and it reads like a seasoned pro wrote it. Seriously... it's got the right pacing, the right character depth, the right amount of horror and reality, the right plotting, the right balance of darkness and hope, the right point of views and perspectives. I can't help but be jealous, as an aspiring writer myself, of what Lisa Matlin has created here. I also can't wait to be able to say I was a fan from before day one, and follow her works for years to come, because trust me, she's going to be one to watch.

This novel was almost impossible to put down. I read it late into the night, finishing it and then being unable to sleep afterwards. It has the perfect chapter endings for that "just one more chapter" compulsion that leads to one or two sitting reads, and it definitely, absolutely paid off in droves for the time I invested into it.

I also loved how real she was in her acknowledgements at the end. It really inspired me to keep pushing on with my writing.

Highly recommended for fans of horror, thriller, haunted house, neighbor drama, relationship issue, secrets and lies revealed slowly kind of books. Heck, I recommend this for everyone who loves a good story. Pick this one up and you won't be disappointed.

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Review: Hemlock Island

Hemlock Island by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for gifting me with an early copy of this novel. Below you'll find my honest review.

Kelley Armstrong is one of my immediate go-tos when it comes to books. Pretty much everything she writes is a resounding YES from me, and Hemlock Island is no different.

Kelley's first foray into full-length horror (she has a history of horror shorts in anthologies) is gripping and tense, dark and atmospheric, with a pace that will drive you to keep on reading late into the night.

While I must add some content warnings here (sexual assault, gore), the book is a typical horror in that it doesn't shy away from tough subjects, and in King-esque fashion, really builds on the history of who these characters are, deep inside, to push the story forward.

I did feel a little unsatisfied with certain aspects of the ending, so it was a four star read for me, but if you're a fan of horror, Kelley Armstrong, or well-developed characters in an absolutely perfect setting, then this one is for you. Definitely recommended.

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Review: The Sight

The Sight by Melanie Golding
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane for gifting me an early copy of this book. Below is my honest review:

This is my second book by Melanie Golding. I loved Little Darlings so much, and was really excited about this one. Apparently, I somehow missed getting my hands on The Hidden, so I'll have to remedy that as soon as possible.

The Sight involves a character named Faith who, since childhood, has had the ability to see how people are going to die when she makes eye contact with them. It causes strife on the family run circus she works for, both as a child and as an adult, when the powers are used. Most of the circus workers feel like it's an evil curse and not a gift, so they treat her very poorly over the years.

As the story progresses, we see her come to grips with her gift, learning not to shun it. Of course, it takes a long time, most of the book, for real progress to be made.

I wasn't pleased with one aspect of the ending, so I had to cut a star. I can't mention it here, because I don't want to spoil.

Included in that star reduction is my confusion as to the first time her powers showed up - did it happen while she was sleeping, rather than when she made eye contact? My curiosity towards that inconsistency was hard to shake.

All in all, another win for Golding. I can't wait to catch up on The Hidden and very much look forward to whatever great tale she comes up with next.

Definitely recommended, especially for fans of dark, horror-adjacent-but-not-quite-horror paranormal tales that have deep characters and gripping plots.



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Review: Sleep No More

Sleep No More by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and to DAW for gifting me an early copy of this book and its followup, The Innocent Sleep. You'll find my honest review below. If you haven't read the rest of the series, especially Be the Serpent, please skip this review. I'm avoiding spoilers, but it might still reveal a little more than you'd want to know.

I don't even know where to begin... after the cliffhanger that Seanan McGuire so cruelly left us with at the end of Be the Serpent (I can still hear her maniacal laughter, unless that belongs to The Summer Queen...), I have been living in a state much like Toby - blurred, unreal, and going through the motions. This book brought me back to reality in all the right ways.

First, we have an entirely new world, thanks to You Know Who, evil jerk that she turned out to be... or do we? It seems that a few territories have been affected by magic, changing those who live inside them to who She wants them to be - to get the inconvenient ones out of her way, to trap her enemies where they don't question her, and to remake some parts of Faerie over into the one she always wanted. Of course, her magic isn't entirely capable of all of that, but that doesn't mean she is without a plan. Thankfully, not everyone is as vulnerable to illusions as the rest, but alas, dear Toby is VERY entrenched in her new life and new reality.

Cue the outsiders rocking her world.

This one was a romp through Toby's history, through the world of Faerie as we know it - and as She made it anew, and towards Toby's future.

Highly recommended for urban fantasy fans, folklore fans, Fae story fans... but PLEASE, I BEG OF YOU, start at the beginning. Don't just jump in here. You'll regret missing SO MUCH.

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Review: All the Dead Shall Weep

All the Dead Shall Weep by Charlaine Harris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery/Saga Press for gifting me an early copy of this novel. Below is my honest review.

I'm not sure what's up with this one, but it feels... unfinished. It feels like the middle of a larger book, with lots of random action but no real plotline driving the story forward. Honestly, it felt like an episode of a TV show where some of the season-long main storyline is progressed a little bit, but there is no start or finish to a storyline for the specific episode.

In addition to this, there is some conflict between Lizbeth and Eli that makes absolutely no sense. It felt forced and contrived, and I wasn't a fan of it, especially considering it's bashed in your face the whole book.

There's also one part where it's just like "Oh, dead, okay." I was taken aback that it was so nonchalant.

And I wasn't pleased with how the Native American character felt extremely stereotypical and tropy, rather than realistic or respectful.

There were pros to this book though. Lizbeth and Felicia's relationship takes front and center, and they grow closer as sisters. We also get to see more of Lizbeth's mother and stepdad and friends in her hometown. We get to see the extent of Felicia's abilities, and we get to meet quite a few potential suitors for her for the upcoming Wizard Ball, where she might be expected to find a husband. And let's not forget the mention of Agatha Christie, or the name drop at the end that sets up some serious implications for future books.

I still enjoyed the book overall, mostly because it does push the story forward and I have enjoyed the rest of the series, so I'll definitely pick up the next book when it comes out. But I can't recommend this one nearly as much as the earlier ones in the series. It just wasn't as strong.

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Review: The September House

The September House by Carissa Orlando
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for gifting me an early copy. Below you'll find my honest review.

I am absolutely floored by the quality of this debut! I will definitely be keeping an eye on Orlando's career and reading her future novels.

This one is a horror novel, yes, but it's one of those that you're never quite sure what's going on - is it in her head, is it real, are we even following actual events - all of those usual questions involved with a psychological horror story.

I won't spoil the truth, but I will say, regardless of whether they exist or not, Orlando has created some amazing secondary characters in the forms of the spirits, including the supposed antagonist of the novel. Then she goes about setting up the "is it real or not" angle perfectly. It made the book really hard to put down, as it was compelling.

Highly recommended for horror fans. I will definitely be on the lookout for news of subsequent novels from Carissa Orlando, as this one was a gem!

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Review: Secrets Never Die

Secrets Never Die by Vincent Ralph
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's/Wednesday Books for gifting me an early copy. Below you'll find my honest review.

This one was an absolute roller coaster. I love when a book has short chapters coupled with great chapter ends, because it really feeds my "one more chapter" behavior and I can tear through them.

Secrets Never Die really built the tension well, starting off a bit slowly on the weird happenings, and then speeding up fast. Have you ever ridden Rock 'N' Roller Coaster at Walt Disney World? If you haven't you load into the vehicle, then pull around a corner and wait about 25 seconds. You get a 3 second countdown, and then you rocket from 0 to 60 in mere seconds. That's kind of how this book went. We had a brief set up, and then BAM - you need to know what's going on, what's happening, what everyone's secrets are so you just keep doing one more loop (reading one more chapter) until it's 5am and you have to be up in two hours.

I did have to give this one four instead of five stars. I wasn't entirely satisfied with the explanation/ending, and felt like it needed a little bit more. Maybe more hints dropped throughout the book so there was a tiny chance of figuring it out?

All in all, highly recommended fun YA mystery/thriller/suspense read. I'll definitely be adding the author's other books to my TBR.

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Review: Dead Mountain

Dead Mountain by Douglas Preston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for gifting me an early copy. Below you'll find my honest review.

Everyone who follows my reviews know that I am *huge* Preston & Child fans - their individual books and their co-written ones. Pendergast is one of the series I have followed the longest, and this is the fourth book in a spinoff of the Pendergast series starring two breakout characters who have played key roles in Special Agent Pendergast's cases, Nora Kelly and Corrie Swanson.

These two are a fantastic duo. They have their areas of expertise, and they mesh them together really well to solve cases. They always have some tension, as they have certain areas of their jobs that require following certain protocols, and that can be frustrating to the other party. Corrie has grown so much since we first met her in Still Life with Crows, and Nora's introduction in non-Pendergast (but Smithback-including) "stand-alone" Thunderhead seems ages ago in her development as well. They've both come so far, personally and professionally, and been through so much. I love watching them work together to solve cases.

I also really enjoy the secondary characters in this spin-off series. Agent Sharp, introduced in this book, is a fresh new face with a lifetime of experiences that really drive his character. Nora's brother Skip is present, of course, and always finding himself getting into hot water somehow. Homer Watts makes an appearance again, and I really adore the growing relationship he has with Corrie. Some other characters are mentioned, along with events of both prior Nora/Corrie books AND some of their histories (like Still Life with Crows and Thunderhead). I really loved that their pasts are mentioned, as long-time followers of the Preston & Child "Pendergast-verse" will appreciate the references and feel nostalgic, like I did.

All in all, a strong entry in the series, though I felt a little like the Sheriff Hawley/Skip situation felt like it was tacked on and not necessarily vital to the story, other than to just provide a storyline for Skip... but to be fair, that could also be setting up for future confrontations, so might just be some extra world building.

I'd give it a 4.5 out of 5, rounded up to 5.

Highly recommended, but with the caveat - start where you want, but you will be spoiled on a dozen books' worth of character development and a MAJOR event from the Pendergast series if you start here. I'd suggest reading every single one of them! They're worth your time and money.

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Review: Tides of Fire

Tides of Fire by James Rollins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to William Morrow for gifting me an early copy of this novel. I really appreciate it! Below you'll find my honest review.

Sigma Force never fails me. Every single one of their books gives me the adventure and high stakes thrills that I am looking for out of an adventure/techno thriller, super high quality and with characters I really love (or love to hate).

This one had some seriously global stakes involved, and explored a place that humans have yet to venture far into - the ocean. It's stated that we only have mapped a small percentage of the ocean floor enough to see things the size of the plane crash... like 0.5% of it. That means we know more about space than we do about the hidden depths on our own planet.

This book posits some explanations for some gaps in science in a way that I absolutely enjoyed - the creation of the moon and the pieces left behind, the evolutionary track record of octopi, life-form bases other than carbon, what coral and symbiosis can do. It also delves deep into the human psyche, showcasing both heroes who will do what it takes to save the world and villains who will do whatever it takes to prove themselves, based on their insecurities, to be the superior creatures they want to be. It shows the depravities people are willing to undertake to gain advantages, and the destructive forces that can be led by nationalism.

Overall, Sigma Force is one of my longest-followed series, and will continue to be so, because Rollins knows how to write a darn good novel.

And guys... the end of this one... explosive. I can't believe we have to wait for the next. I needs it now!

Highly recommended, and always, caveat: if you haven't read the rest of the series, you're missing a lot of plot and character development, so do yourself a favor and catch up. :)

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Review: Mister Magic

Mister Magic by Kiersten White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and RHPG Ballantine Del Rey for gifting me an early copy. Below you'll find my honest review.

I absolutely loved Hide, so when I got news of Mister Magic, I was so excited! This one is a little less horror and a lot more paranormal mystery, with sides of trust issues, childhood trauma, and blocked memories.

I really loved the characters in this one - you could feel their bonds (and the wounds to those bonds) through the pages. You knew that you both could and couldn't trust any of them, which made for a really fun read.

Honestly, one of the things I loved about it is the allegory that it is to the author finding her way out of a very controlling and strict religion, and how it was subtle in the story and then made obvious in her acknowledgements.

Highly recommended, and I'll read any more of her adult books the instant I can lay my hands on them. I also want to catch up on her YA catalogue.

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Review: Dark Corners

Dark Corners by Megan Goldin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the gifted early copy. Below is my honest review.

I really like Rachel Krall! This is the second book about her from Megan Goldin and the fourth Goldin book I've read overall. Loved them all!

In this one, Rachel finds herself pulled into a seemingly random investigation due to the words of a random prisoner doing time, who also happens to be a suspected serial killer. FBI agent Joe Martinez brings her into, hoping her presence will get the prisoner to talk in another case. Of course, things go completely bonkers from there, and it turns out that the web is much more tangly than previously suspected.

The killer in this one is terrifying and disgusting, and it really makes you think about how often you trust strangers.

Definitely give this one a read. I don't feel like it really gave anything away from the first in the series, but I always recommend reading all books in a series first. I think you could get away with not reading it in this case, but why would you skip the first one when it's good too?

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Review: None of This Is True

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria books for gifting me an early copy of this book. Below you'll find my honest review.

This was my first novel by Lisa Jewell, and it will NOT be my last. This story was a total mind-screw in all the good ways. You didn't know who to trust. You could see the characters get sucked into a world of crazy, completely oblivious to the impending doom (or completely ignoring all the red flags).

There are some potential trigger warnings for this one, including things that involve kids and older adults, domestic violence, alcoholism, etc.

Overall, this one was sufficiently twisty and turny, and a really compelling read. Once I get about 40% of the way in, it got extremely difficult to put down until I had finished.

Absolutely smashing success at creating a gripping thriller. Definitely will read more of hers, and highly recommend this one to thriller/suspense novels.

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Review: Their Vicious Games

Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for gifting me an early copy of this novel. Below you'll find my honest review.

I loved this one! Adina was easy to root for, as she held her ground, did her best without compromising her morals, and fought hard for her future. There weren't a ton of likeable characters in this one - that was kind of the point, I think - but a few that stood out to me, other than Adina, were Pen, Saint, and Graham. They all had their flaws, but they were still interesting and deep characters to read about and find room to like them. Most of the others are purposefully awful.

The Finish was wild. I am not sure how so many people could be involved without questions regarding the deaths, but then again, wealth breeds security and freedom to do as you wish.

I loved the minority representation - there were POCs (including the main character) and a gay character, as well as multiple social classes. Obviously, the author is a POC, so it was done with respect and done well.

Highly recommend this one for those who like books like Hunger Games, One of Us is Lying, semi-horror/semi-thriller YA books. It was REALLY hard to put down.

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Review: Camp Damascus

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Tor Nightfire for gifting me an early copy of this book. Below you'll find my honest review.

The internet knows Chuck Tingle as the writer of very strange, very specific erotic fiction... until now. This short novel will make everyone realize that he's not just a weirdo (which he is), but he's also much, much deeper.

This book revolves around the lengths religion will go to in order to change people it sees as "bad" even at the cost of stepping outside ethical or moral bounds or being hypocrites themselves. And as a gay man raised in the Bible Belt, I could completely identify with this situation.

My biggest gripe with this one is that, in the end, I needed just a bit more. I needed some more closure. I needed to understand how things were going to be moving forward in this world, and I didn't get that. But the rest of the book? Yeah, it was a masterful fictionalization and hyperbolic/fantastical revelation of what many of live on a daily basis because of the actions of "Christians" who "love us." (Please notice I put quotation marks for a reason.)

All in all, a powerful book that will put Chuck Tingle on the "normal" side of the literary map. But for the world's sake, I hope he continues writing both the "normal" and the "weird." The world needs more people pushing boundaries in good ways.

Highly recommended.

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Review: Dead of Winter

Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me an early copy. Here's my honest review:

Darcy Coates, you hooked me with this one. I'm going to have to go back and read the rest of the stuff you've written! You have a new fan.

I absolutely loved this novel, and definitely would love to see it translated to the big (or small) screen somehow. The characters are fantastic, and the setting is perfection. The storm and the cabin and the neverending snow almost feel like a second antagonist, creeping in around the characters, holding them hostage, aiding the Butcher to take them out, one by one. It's got a very Agatha Christie kind of vibe - the "locked room" type mystery, the cast of easily suspect-able characters, the confusion around every turn. While it's a little more graphic than a Christie, it's definitely drawn some inspiration from the Empress of Enigmas, the Mistress of Mystery, the Queen of Crime.

I'm not going to lie - I figured out a lot of what was going on early. That's one of the pitfalls of reading lots of mysteries and thrillers and way too many movies. But that really didn't stop my enjoyment watching it play out, and having Coates nearly convince me I was wrong a few times.

Absolutely recommend. This was a gem!

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Review: The St. Ambrose School for Girls

The St. Ambrose School for Girls by Jessica Ward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for gifting me an early copy. Below is my honest review.

This one has some content/trigger warnings: mentions and depictions of suicide attempts/suicidal thoughts, mental illness/bi-polar disorder, bullying.

I gave this one four stars. I took a star off because I figured out the killer really early, even though the murder doesn't occur until very late in the story. I also felt like the story moved pretty slowly and focused a lot on Sarah's mental illness. I appreciate that the author worked very hard to depict bipolar disorder in an accurate and respectful manner, but sometimes the long bunny trails into Sarah's imaginary meanderings became a distraction from the actual story for me.

Overall, I was really impressed with Jessica Ward's ability to switch from her usual PNR worlds to this realistic and intense dark academia story. I'd definitely recommend this one to anyone who likes a gritty, dark, boarding school type story with a mystery thrown in.

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Review: The 9th Man

The 9th Man by Steve Berry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central for gifting me an early copy. Below you'll find my honest review.

What a wild ride! I've loved Luke Daniels since he was introduced in Berry's long-running Cotton Malone series as a side character, and I'm really happy he got his own novel (and according to the authors, two more upcoming sequels!).

This one tackles the assassination of JFK, and spins a tale surrounding what actually happened that day in November 1963. As Luke and his old friend Jillian race around the world, following bread crumbs, their lives oare seriously on the line. While obviously Luke has plot armor, the stakes still seemed really high. It was a lot of fun, and I definitely can't wait to pick up the next one.

You don't really need to read the Cotton Malone series before reading this one, but if you like this one, check those out while you wait for the second Luke book!

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Review: His Accidental Cowboy

His Accidental Cowboy by A.M. Arthur
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Carina Press for gifting me an early copy. Below you'll find my honest review.

I'm really enjoying the Woods Ranch spinoff of Clean Slate Ranch, and this one was no exception. There's an age gap in this one, but they both seem to fit each other so it's not as big of a deal. There's a lot of history that causes issues and drama in this one, both their individual trauma sneaking up on them, and the actual history of Wyatt's parentage.

Mostly, I loved Jackson's sexy dominant but not abusive in any way gravitas. I absolutely would. LOL!

Not required to read the rest of the series, but does spoil some of the previous books, so up to you, but definitely recommended for MM and cowboy romance fans.

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Review: Zero Days

Zero Days by Ruth Ware
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery/Scout Press for gifting me an early copy. Below you'll find my honest review.

This was quite a change for Ruth Ware - it was more technothriller/fugitive mystery than her typical Christie-adjacent flare. Honestly though? I enjoyed it. It was a little obvious who the killer was, in my opinion, and the pacing had some issues that could have been adjusted, but all in all, I really liked it. Just keep in mind that it's different than her usual stuff, and go in with an open mind.

Four stars! Recommended for fans of Ruth Ware, Dan Brown, technothrillers, etc.

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Review: Demons of Good and Evil

Demons of Good and Evil by Kim Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the gift of an early copy. Below you'll find my honest review.

This one was INSANE. It was a total rollercoaster, and completely shook the world of the Hollows, down to the very last words. It had demons, weres, witches, pixies, vampires, politics, danger, love, family, death, and sooo much more.

And the way this one set up for the next one? Let's just say I'm not pleased to have to wait!!! I need it NOW!

Highly recommended, but also not recommended if you're jumping in here. There is WAY too much history in this one that won't make sense without reading the series. If you haven't read this series yet, why not? Get started!!

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Review: Murdle: Volume 1

Murdle: Volume 1 by G.T. Karber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for gifting me an early copy of this book. Below is my honest review.

I love logic puzzles, and this book was a lot of fun. The mysteries are quick and somewhat challenging. My only gripe is that it's difficult to read this one in the ebook format. The solutions are at the end (without links set up to jump around), and they're one right after the other, so you can easily see the solution to the next one on accident.

Otherwise, it's a fun book full of great mini-mystery logic puzzles, just like the Murdle daily puzzle website.

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Review: The Night in Question

The Night in Question by Kathleen Glasgow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Delacorte for gifting me an early copy of The Night in Question. I absolutely adored it! Below is my honest review.

I'm obsessed with Agatha Christie, just like Alice. I love the first one in this series, so I was thrilled to find out there would be another, and even more excited to get an advanced copy.

This story has a nice slow burn... after an explosive beginning. It starts with a party at the eponymous castle of Castle Cove, CA, where someone is injured very badly, and things go nuts. Then, slowly, the plot begins to unfold, tied inextricably to the history of the Castle and the fatal fall of Hollywood starlet Mona Moody over half a century before. As our heroines Alice and Iris uncover the history of Mona's death, the modern mystery also unfolds around them, and danger is lurking.

While I kind of guessed the "Person X" early on, the story was so great. I just read a lot of mysteries! I can't help it!

I hope this series gets a third book. I feel like it's going to... *fingers crossed.*

Highly recommended for mystery and YA fans.

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Review: The Poisoner's Ring

The Poisoner's Ring by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press - Minotaur for gifting me an early copy. Below is my honest review.

This one was a rollercoaster! I had my suspicions of the killer, then changed my mind, then changed it back, then changed it again, then... over and over. Armstrong had me spinning and I love that!

It was an intriguing mystery, surrounding a confidence scheme, an interesting new poison, and some major players in Mallory's new locale.

I think my favorite part of this book was actually the development in character relationships that Mallory has, along with some new ones that have some familial ties to her current situation.

Honestly, I have to admit... I really am not rooting for Mallory to find a way home. I like her where she is now. Hash-tag shame on me, right?

Highly recommended, but please read the first one before picking this up.

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Review: Scarlet

Scarlet by Genevieve Cogman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for gifting me an early copy. Below is my honest review.

I'm a huge fan of the Invisible Library. I was devastated to find that the last book was indeed, the LAST book. But then Scarlet popped up on Netgalley, and I was intrigued. I remembered the story of the Scarlet Pimpernel from high school World History class, and I loved Cogman's other series, so for me, the request was a no brainer. And I'm really glad I got my hands on a copy.

The world building was so good in this one. You really delve into the French Revolution and the mindsets of the people at the time, seeing a little of both sides of the coin - the aristocrats AND the revolutionaries. But the fun twist? Yeah, VAMPIRES. That's right. It's Historical Urban Fantasy, and I. AM. HERE. FOR. IT.

I love Eleanor, the main character, and her battles to find herself. I love the introduction of a special character that pops up midway through (you'll know who I mean). I love Sir Percy. I especially loved the reference to that silly old rhyme "They seek him here, they seek him there."

I couldn't give it a full five stars though, because while I loved the world and the character development, the plot kinda fell short for me - the resolution didn't feel like much of a resolution and felt more like this entire book was an introduction to the rest of the story.

All in all, four strong stars and a "highly recommend for vampire and historical fiction fans."

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Review: The Book That Wouldn’t Burn

The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for gifting me an advanced copy. Below is my honest review.

Mark Lawrence is one of those authors that just knows how to set up a world. This is probably my favorite of his so far.

The Library (capital intended) is a timeless repository of everything ever written. Basically, it's a bibliophile's dream come true! There are cool agents of the library, assistants who help librarians and just happen to be semi-robotic type creatures, varied in shape as humanoids and different animals.

The story also has a Magician's Nephew type aspect to it, and I'll leave it at that to avoid spoilers, but let's just say that it's a really, really good story.

My biggest annoyance? I got an early copy of book one, and I knew better than to read the first book in a Mark Lawrence trilogy this early, because now I have to wait, and wait, and wait (because they come out once a year!).

Five stars, highly recommended.

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Review: For You and Only You

For You and Only You by Caroline Kepnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for gifting me an early copy. Below you'll find my honest review.

Joe Goldberg, you are a special person. You always have been. From that very first "meet-cute" with Guinevere Beck, you grabbed my attention and held it hostage. How am I rooting for a stalker, a murderer, a sociopathic narcissist? Yet every book, you found a way to make me cheer for you.

Not since You have I felt so strongly on Team Joe. Don't get me wrong, Hidden Bodies and You Love Me still had me standing on the sidelines with pom-poms and a short skirt and a witty rhyme. But this one had me diving deep into your prose, right beside you pushing for your love and your success with you. I watched the group push you aside, put you down, poison her mind against you, and I rooted for you.

This is my favorite Joe novel, aside from the first, which was so original and visceral that it completely changed my worldview on how thrillers should go. And this one flips that on its head by altering my perception OF JOE HIMSELF. Joe shows some serious growth in this one, aside from a slip up at the beginning. He considers the consequences of his actions. He doesn't jump straight into killing. And honestly, for the first time, I think he might actually care more deeply than I realized in other books.

It's a strange sight, seeing someone as dark as Joe in a new light, and I'm here for it. Kudos to Kepnes on shifting the narrative enough to reinvigorate my love of Joe.

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Review: In the Lives of Puppets

In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Tor for gifting me an early copy of this book. I love book gifts! Below is my honest review.

I love TJ Klune. He's a master of writing gay romance that don't stray overly far into naughty territory and instead focus on delving deeply into his characters and really showing us who they are and bringing them together. He's also great at developing interesting new worlds.

That being said, for some reason, I struggled to connect with the characters in this one. It was a fun story - very Wizard of Oz meets break-in-rescue heist in a wacky, Klune, techno-weird way. But I wasn't really drawn into the character romance like I normally am. (That being said - Rambo and Nurse Ratched are two of his best characters ever and really the only two that entertained me!)

I did love the messages he was trying to get across in this one. I felt the urgency to spend time with those you care about, because you never know when life will change. I felt the burden of carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, of an obligation thrust on you that you never asked for. I felt the confusion and frustration with trying to figure out who you are and what your place is in the world.

Because of the lack of connection I felt with the majority of the characters, I can't give this one my usual Klune 5. I'm going to give it a 3.75 rounded up to 4. Recommended for Klune fans - I hope you don't have the same issue I have.

Big shout-out to Tor for their willingness to publish weird, endearing, entertaining content for gay people. In a world of hatred and vitriol, I value allies. Thank you!

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Review: The New One

The New One by Evie Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for gifting me an early copy. Below is my honest review.

Evie Green's last book, We Hear Voices, ended up being a really fun sci-fi thriller, so I had high expectations going into The New One. Green did not disappoint!

This one was a fun romp into the world of AI and cloning, very reminiscent of Orphan Black - which just so happens to be one of my favorite shows.

One thing I loved about this one is that Green didn't take the obvious route - she turned some stereotypical plot twists on their heads and did something different, which was entertaining.

Definitely loved this one and recommend it to sci-fi thriller fans. After two hits for me, Green is going on my instant-read list. 4.5 stars rounded up

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Review: Lone Women

Lone Women by Victor LaValle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House - One World for gifting me an early copy of this book. Below, you'll find my honest review.

This one starts off with a bang... Adelaide, the main character, is leaving her home and her life behind to head out west and try to start a new life on a land claim. And even her exit is eventful!

Once she hits the west, things begin to happen that have you wondering what's going on, with just enough information coming at you to keep you interested. Eventually, the trunk full of secrets is burst wide open, and the you know what hits the fan.

As Adelaide begins to let people into her heart, antagonistic forces surround her from all sides, threatening this new life she's building for herself.

I'd read The Ballad of Black Tom by this author last year, and was glad to be approved for this novel, as I've wanted to read more of LaValle's work. I'll definitely be reading the rest of his novels!

Highly recommended for horror/thriller fans, western with a twist fans, and fans of strong female protagonists.

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Review: Backpacking Through Bedlam

Backpacking Through Bedlam by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and DAW publishing for gifting me an early copy of this book. My honest review follows.

Everybody... Incryptid is awesome. Are you reading it? You should be if you aren't. If you are, high five to you!

This one picks up where Spelunking through Hell left off, so at the VERY LEAST, you should have read that one before starting this one.

Backpacking through Bedlam starts by tying up some loose ends from Spelunking, then diving back into the "our dimension"/"rest of the family" storyline. Verity's behavior, coupled with Annie's, has sparked a war with the Covenant. Who better to help with that than Alice and the gang?

I don't want to spoil too much or give away a lot of the story, but I really enjoyed the new dynamic between Alice and everyone, now that her lifelong quest is completed and things are supposed to be getting back to "normal." I can't wait to see more of the family reunions, especially James and Sally, now that they've both been adopted by the Prices - the short novella at the end of the book hinted at this upcoming storyline.

And if having another awesome Incryptid novel wasn't enough, we get a novella at the end that has two POVs in it. James is one... and the other? AN AESLIN MOUSE. They are one of the best creations in all of Urban Fantasy, and I loved this POV.

Highly recommended series. It's one of my absolute favorites. Not the best place to start, but if you haven't read the rest and choose to pick this one up, I hope that it drives you to go back and read the rest of them.

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Review: The Writing Retreat

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria for gifting me an early copy. Below is my honest review.

What a debut! This book had everything - intrigue, mystery, danger, a bit of supernatural storytelling, and a WHOLE LOT OF TWISTS.

As an aspiring writer myself, this one hit home pretty hard. Starting with the main character's writer's block, followed by the desire to lock myself up somewhere for a month and shut out the world to finish something, it felt like a dream. But it quickly turned into a nightmare.

Part of this story is watching it unfold, and I really don't feel right saying much more because it'll ruin the experience. Let's just say - this was one fun read, and totally worth picking up.

My only real complaint? The majority of the characters felt like teenagers instead of adults, and it felt kinda YA.

4.5 stars rounded up.

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Review: Murder at Haven's Rock

Murder at Haven's Rock by Kelley Armstrong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for gifting me an advanced copy. I really enjoyed the book and decided to give my honest review, which is below.

When I heard that The Deepest of Secrets was the last Rockton book, I was devastated. I LOVE that series. LOVE. But then I found out there would be a spinoff, based off of the events of Deepest of Secrets, and I was ecstatic.

This one picks up where The Deepest of Secrets leaves off, with a brief time jump forward. The new Rockton, Haven's Rock, is almost complete, but of course, that means that it's time for murder! Casey, Eric, and the gang must work together to solve a new murder in their future new home.

This one was a tangled web of plot spaghetti, but I loved it. It wasn't predictable, and it had some great "gotcha" moments.

Definitely highly recommended, and while it explains enough that a new reader could jump in here, I'd recommend reading the Rockton books first. You'll appreciate the story more with all of the history.

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Review: The Last Kingdom

The Last Kingdom by Steve Berry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the gift of an advanced copy. You'll find my honest review below.

If you've followed me for a while, you know that the Cotton Malone series is one of my long time favorites. You'll also know that installment #16, The Kaiser's Web, earned a mediocre rating from me - mostly because at the end, Cotton Malone did something completely out of character in my opinion.

Last year, we received a Steve Berry novel that wasn't in the Cotton Malone series and it was fantastic.

This year, we get installment #17, The Last Kingdom. Cotton's story takes him to Germany again, like in book 16, but this one was back to form.

The Last Kingdom had twists, turns, betrayals, revelations, and the introduction of a character that I think will end up being the in the upcoming Luke Daniels spinoff with our favorite Frat Boy.

All in all, a fun romp through Bavaria. Can't wait for more Cotton (and honestly anything else from Steve Berry as well).

Four stars, definitely recommended (but read the rest of the series first!).

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Review: Responding to the Right: Brief Replies to 25 Conservative Arguments

Responding to the Right: Brief Replies to 25 Conservative Arguments by Nathan J. Robinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for gifting me an early copy of this book. Below is my honest review.

I requested an advanced copy of this book because I wanted some quick and easy references to respond to my family members when they start political arguments at every in person visit. And it delivered. It'll be the perfect resource in those moments where I know what I believe but need to put it in a way that they will understand and be willing to listen to.

Also, I learned a lot. :)

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Review: All Hallows

All Hallows by Christopher Golden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's for an early copy. Below you'll find my honest review.

This was my first Christopher Golden novel and it will not be my last. In All Hallows, he found a way to build character depth and history into the story without taking away from the present action. All of the characters feel fleshed out and alive on the page, and the story builds at just the right pace before all hell breaks loose. Twists galore, and no punches held back, this is one brutal horror story.

Definitely gave me some things to think about on Halloween night! You'll never look at trick or treating the same way either.

Four and a half stars, rounded to four. Highly recommended for Halloween fans and horror enthusiasts.

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Review: How to Sell a Haunted House

How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for the advanced copy of this one. Much appreciated! Below you'll find my honest review.

Grady Hendrix has done it again! Yet another Stephen King-type transformation of something ordinary into something scary, gross, terrifying, and pure horror.

This one takes a normal thing - the death of parents and the subsequent "what do we do with what they left behind" and gave us a much deeper unpacking of the "what they left behind." A lifetime of baggage isn't the only thing that the Joyner siblings are having to clean up.

I don't want to spoil anything, because Hendrix's books are always a trip. But I'll never look at puppets or dolls the same way... like they weren't creepy enough already!

Definitely highly recommended for horror fans.

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Review: The Cabinet of Dr. Leng

The Cabinet of Dr. Leng by Douglas Preston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the advanced copy as a gift. I really enjoyed the book! Here's my honest review:

I made clear after the last book that I felt it was one of the weakest entries in the series thus far. I found out later that it was meant to be the start of a new trilogy within the series (a trend in the long-running adventures of Pendergast - trilogies within the series are a regular thing), and amended my review to take that information into account.

This one knocked it out of the park. Absolutely loved it. It built on the history of the series, drew in concepts from one of my favorite books of all time, prior Pendergast story Cabinet of Curiosities, and really set up some new stakes.

It did end kind of abruptly, but that's normal for the second book in a trilogy, and one thing I'm really pleased about is how the authors didn't do what I expected at all. While one thing that happened was expected, there were so many things that went the opposite way I was thinking they would - especially the end. While I fully believe that the thing I thought would end this book will still happen in the second, I love that Preston and Child totally didn't take the obvious route to get there. And the surprises in store for long-time readers will be sure to shock and delight.

5 stars, and really makes me rethink my review of the last one in context of the trilogy. Highly recommended, but really, you need to have the context of the whole series. This is book 21, and you should also read Thunderhead between Reliquary and Cabinet of Curiosities.

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