Review: Ghost Camera

Ghost Camera by Darcy Coates
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the pre-release copy of Ghost Camera. Below is my honest review.

This one was a collection of novellas and short stories, which somehow I missed when I requested an ARC. I have to be in the right mood for an anthology, so I went in with some trepidation.

I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed most of the stories more than expected. Most of them had some really cool concepts, even if a few felt like retellings of movie plot lines that we've seen - they at least had much different takes on similar concepts.

Overall, I quite enjoyed this one, but not as much as the full-length novels of hers that I've read.

So, 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Recommended for Darcy Coates fans and horror anthology fans.

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Review: I Was a Teenage Slasher

I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Saga Press for the pre-release copy of I Was a Teenage Slasher. This is my honest review.

This was my first Stephen Graham Jones, and it definitely made me want to pick up the Indian Lake Trilogy sooner than my planned schedule. (Yes, I plan my reads. Yes, I have a spreadsheet. Don't judge me.)

The concept and execution of this one are really interesting. Honestly, the twists are made known straight from the beginning, but getting there is quite entertaining. I loved the whole "slasher is an infection" idea, and Jones really nailed a great story, which is shocking when so much information is revealed right at the start.

I don't want to spoil much, but I think if you like slasher movies and horror, you'll enjoy this one.

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Review: The Astrology House

The Astrology House by Carinn Jade
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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

This was a fun twisty little thriller, set in the coastal B&B known as Stars Harbor Astrological Retreat, where astrologer Rini hosts groups looking to find the star-sun-moon-and-planet connections to their lives. Of course, this group has some secrets, and they're all trying to keep them hidden.

Did I enjoy this one? Absolutely. Was it anything ground-breaking? Not particularly. The big twists were pretty easy to guess ahead of time, and overall, it was just very predictable.

It was an entertaining read, but I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it. Three stars.

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Review: Portrait of a Shadow

Portrait of a Shadow by Meriam Metoui
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Henry Holt for the pre-release copy of Portrait of a Shadow. Below is my honest review.

I really enjoyed the concept of this novel - magic painting, mysterious disappearances, road trip with cute stranger boy next door. It reminded me of an episode of Charmed that revolved around a similar painting.

Alas, the execution felt a little lacking. The twist was predictable, as was the real situation surrounding the disappearances, and the ending was not satisfying. But I didn't hate it, and I was entertained still.

I liked the author's writing style, so maybe I'll try a future novel and see if there has been some growth.

Recommended with caveats mentioned above.

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Review: Bury Your Gays

Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Tor Nightfire for the pre-release copy of Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle. Below is my honest review.

Camp Damascus was a change of pace for Mr. Tingle, but it was really good. This one stepped it up even more.

I really loved the concept *AND* the execution in this one. The setup is really good, and the buildup is expertly done. The monsters coming after Misha and his friends were intriguing and well-developed - just enough creepy and just enough explanation to really make them believable without taking away from the storyline.

I also loved the message, about how we can and should overcome the tropes and should be pushing for happy, wonderful, queer joy stories.

Definitely recommended for LGBTQIA+ fans and horror fans.

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