Review: Winter Lost

Winter Lost by Patricia Briggs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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

I've been eagerly anticipating the next Mercy novel since the very second I finished the last one. If you remember correctly, the last one left Mercy's spiritual self a little damaged, and this one picks up that story thread. It also brings back the story threads involving her Coyote heritage, including her brother Gary. Throw in some seriously cool (cold joke, see what I did there?) Norse mythology, along with the addition of a new (to the series at least) Native/Indigenous American spirit.

We get a lot of Mercy and Adam's relationship, which is great, but we also get little Interludes that give a little more interaction with some of the other major characters, from the Pack especially, including an absolutely hilarious and awesome moment for Warren and Sherwood.

I loved this one, and now begins the long, long wait until the next Mercyverse novel from Patty Briggs. I believe it's going to be an Alpha & Omega one, too!

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Review: Incidents Around the House

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Del Rey for the pre-release copy. Below is my honest review.

This one was almost impossible to put down. The point of view is that of the child who is seeing this entity who told her to call it "Other Mommy" and its growing presence in her life. And boy does the tension build! Absolute page turner of a novel, and every page made me say "okay just one more." I can't really say more because I don't want to spoil a single ounce of your potential enjoyment, but I also can't recommend this one enough for fans of horror.



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Review: Horror Movie

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for the pre-release copy. Below is my honest review.

This one was a real treat. I am really impressed by Paul Tremblay in this one. I've previously only read one - The Cabin at the End of the World - and enjoyed it, but this one was a major step up. I'd go so far as to call it a Master Class in horror. It's got the perfect amount of slow burn tension buildup, hints dropping left and right about what happened in the past and intermingled in between stuff going on in the present.

I loved the format - there were "Now" sections and "Then" sections, and some of the passages were scenes cut out of the screenplay for the titular Horror Movie. I loved that you're left wondering throughout the book what's happened, what is the driving force, and I loved that the end really nailed the landing.

Highly recommended for fans of horror, horror movies, slow burns with the perfect amount of tension, and really compelling vibes. 5 stars.

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Review: Red Star Falling

Red Star Falling by Steve Berry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central for the pre-release copy of Red Star Falling. Below is my honest review.

I'm a long-time fan of Steve Berry and his Cotton Malone series, and I was super pumped when I found out that side character Luke Daniels was going to get his own spinoff trilogy, co-written with Grant Blackwood.

This one takes Luke into the heart of Russia, working with a turned asset to rescue an old friend. As Luke and this asset get deeper into the plot, their path begins to steamroll towards a Russian political battle that has the potential for massive, global fallout.

I really like Luke as a main character. I think he's got that something that it takes to lead a series, and I actually really hope we get more than three of these co-written books. For a second book in a trilogy, this one was still top notch. Usually book two in a trilogy can have some serious "filler" vibes, but Berry and Blackwood didn't slow down on the gas for this one, and it kept the same punch.

Looking forward to the third, and hoping that's not all we get of Luke - at the very least, fold him back into the main series, please!!!

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Review: Tidal Creatures

Tidal Creatures by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Tor for the early copy of Tidal Creatures by Seanan McGuire. Below is my honest review.

The latest entry in the Alchemical Journeys follows manifestations of the moon goddesses from all sorts of cultures around the world. They follow the night sky over the Impossible City, shining their light over the City's residents. They also have their own special entryways into the Everything, providing paths to their Windows that let them perform their shining duties. Unfortunately, the alchemists have figured that out and are trying to find a way to use those moon goddesses to get access and claim the Impossible City.

Luckily for the rest of the world, a handful of misfits find their way to each other, including some major deals like, oh, the living embodiments of the Doctrine of Ethos.

I really enjoyed this one. It took a while to build, but once it did, we got to learn a TON about the alchemical world and met some really cool characters. I can't wait for the next one!

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

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