Review: Indian Burial Ground

Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

This one was really interesting. It's a split narrative, with one story connecting past and present, following the two perspectives of an uncle and niece, each dealing with some tragic goings-on in their own adulthood.

The story does have some paranormal twists to it, and it's a really deep commentary on the effects of colonization on native groups and how that generational trauma also inflicts personal trauma as well, extending into the present.

I don't want to say too much and end up spoiling anything, but I'd say if you're a fan of horror or horror-lite, then this book is a solid one sure to entertain.

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Review: The Hungry Dark

The Hungry Dark by Jen Williams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

Thanks to Jen Williams, now I want to read more books about "fake psychics" with actual powers, and I'm not entirely sure where to find more!

I really liked this one. It checked a lot of boxes for me - creepy old house, ghostly apparitions, mystery, powers, characters with fleshed out histories...

While I did figure out the "twist" at the end long before I got there, I still think it was well done and quite a fun book to read. There were some repetitive things and some slow paced sections for me, so coupled with figuring out the big moment, I decided to give it four stars.

I'll definitely be picking up more from Jen Williams and highly recommend this book to horror/mystery/paranormal/creepy ghost story fans.

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Review: The Book That Broke the World

The Book That Broke the World by Mark Lawrence
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the early copy. Below is my honest review.

Mark Lawrence is the master of plotting trilogies, and this middle book in his latest trilogy, The Library Trilogy, is no exception.

The last one ended with everyone scattered in the wind. This one documents them finding their way back together, but all the perils and pitfalls along the way.

I can't spoil anything for this one, but I will say - the twists and turns were wild, and I loved it. I can't wait for the final book, and I really hope we get more stories set in the world of the Library afterwards.

Highly recommended, but please read The Book That Wouldn't Burn first.

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Review: Three Kinds of Lucky

Three Kinds of Lucky by Kim Harrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the early copy of Three Kinds of Lucky. Below you'll find my honest review.

I'm a huge fan of Kim Harrison's Hollows novels - both the original series and the recent continuation. I liked her Drafter novels and was disappointed we never got the end of the trilogy.

This one was a really good series opener. She built a cool world with an interesting take on magic, along with some great characters. I did figure out the "traitor" early on, but she did set it up to be obvious to the reader.

I had trouble putting this one down and absolutely loved it - except for one thing. I'll put it at the bottom so you can choose whether or not to read it. This will slightly spoil, so look away if you're not interested in a spoiler.

All in all, definitely recommend for Urban Fantasy fans or fans of The Hollows. 4 stars.




CONTENT WARNING

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THE DOG DIES.

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Review: Murder Road

Murder Road by Simone St. James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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

A wrong turn leads a newlywed couple down a back country road where they find a bloody injured woman wandering aimlessly down the middle of the road. They pick her up and take her to the local hospital, and on the way, they're chased down by pair of headlights belonging to a speeding pickup truck. When they get there, the police show up and tell the couple not to leave town... because they're now suspects. Things go sideways when legends of a local haunting creep into their own investigation, raising the stakes much higher than anticipated.

I really enjoyed this one and will definitely pick up more by Simone St. James. The twist was a little predictable if you were paying attention, but guessing it ahead of time didn't detract from the story at all. The characters were full of depth and the story was dark and twisty.

Definitely recommended for thriller/light horror fans.

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Review: Aftermarket Afterlife

Aftermarket Afterlife by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and DAW for the prerelease copy. Below is my honest review.

I can't. There aren't words. I am struggling to write this review. Was the book good? Of course it was. It was five stars. It's Seanan-freaking-McGuire, so of course it was good. It was great. But...

It was also devastating. I wasn't prepared for this, even a little bit. I know Seanan can be brutal, but wow. WOW.

I don't want to spoil anything, so let me give you the quick rundown: All of the series leading up to this point has been about moving pieces into place. And those pieces? They're moved. And now, there is war. And neither the Covenant nor the Price-Healy clan are going to pull their punches.

Prepare yourself before reading this.

Also, this is one of those books that you REALLY need the context of the rest of the series going in, so do yourself the HUGE favor of reading all the fantastic books leading up to this one (including the three Ghost Road novels too, please and thank you). You won't regret it... though you might regret the trauma this book is likely to cause. *breaks down weeping*

HIGHLY recommended.

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Review: Rift in the Soul

Rift in the Soul by Faith Hunter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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

I love Nell Nicholson Ingram and her ragtag crew of strays that have formed not only her PsyLED team, but a little found family. This one throws them all into the middle of a very old vampire's machinations, which really gets complicated when the implications of Jane's Angel giving the vamps their souls back and removing the curse on weres comes into play. (This does beg the question - what happens to the grindylows? Because I love them!) In addition to that, Nell's connections to Soulwood *and* the creepy tree with a mind of its own also toss some crazy into the mix.

I really liked this one, and hope hope hope this isn't the end. With Jane ending last year, I'm not ready to lose Nell too. Fingers crossed!

Highly recommended, but please AT LEAST read the rest of the Soulwood series, but be warned that it does exist in the Jane Yellowrock world and is affected by events of that series as well.

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