horror

Review of Tea & Alchemy by Sharon Lynn Fisher

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Synopsis:
A tea leaf reader in nineteenth-century England falls in love—and in danger—with a reclusive alchemist in an enthralling historical fantasy by the author of Salt & Broom and Grimm Curiosities.

Cornwall, 1854. The people of Roche have always whispered about the recluse in the black granite tower that looms above the moorland. But one young woman is driven to discover the truth behind the old tales.

Her life overshadowed by family tragedy, Mina Penrose escapes her lonely days by working at The Magpie, a cozy tearoom on the village’s edge. Lately she’s been seeing shapes in the sodden leaves that hint at the future. After one such omen, Mina stumbles upon a murdered man on the heath. Villagers immediately suspect Harker Tregarrick, a living, breathing mystery who never ventures beyond the bounds of his centuries-old estate.

Until the day after the murder, when the handsome and compelling recluse visits The Magpie…leading to a meeting that will change both their fates. Captivated by a man around whom danger and rumors of death swirl, Mina has never felt more alive. Can she uncover Harker’s heartbreaking history—and the truth about the murder—before tragedy strikes again?

Review:
“I may not have spent much time around other people, but I’ve read more books than I can count, and I think if there’s anything that defines us as human, it’s wanting things that we shouldn’t.” (Page 179)

Ah, this book was so intriguing! Mina and Harker have such interesting pasts and separate lives, and I loved how they managed to entwine. I really enjoyed the added touches of mysticism with Mina’s predictions and Harker’s potions. What really struck me as unique was the creature and way in which so much of this began; something so unique like the way the beast appears in Disney’s version. The familial connections gave this a very deep and different feel than the book it takes some inspiration from–Jack can be so frustrating and yet you know he’s really trying. I also quite loved Mrs. Moyle, especially her ideas such as, “Being a woman is not excuse for being uninformed.” (Page 5)

All in all, I think this is an excellent book of Romantasy, for those that like the dark and mysterious, and retellings that turn an original story upside down.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of What Stalks the Deep by T. Kingfisher

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Synopsis:
The next installment in the New York Times bestselling Sworn Soldier series, featuring Alex Easton investigating the dark, mysterious depths of a coal mine in America

Alex Easton does not want to visit America.

They particularly do not want to visit an abandoned coal mine in West Virginia with a reputation for being haunted.

But when their old friend Dr. Denton summons them to help find his lost cousin—who went missing in that very mine—well, sometimes a sworn soldier has to do what a sworn soldier has to do…

Review:
“And now we were talking about feelings. I would almost rather he had poured the burning oil on me.” (Page 154)

I could not put this book down! I loved all Alex’s quips on life and keeping to themselves, and poor Dr. Denton and his cousin. I really enjoyed seeing Angus get on with Dr. Denton’s equivalent–very capable people all around. I adored how Alex internally reasoned and tried so hard to not let fear get the best of them, because, you know, they certainly aren’t afraid. I absolutely adore the writing style and voice of this novel; it’s a big part of what ensnares you, because it is almost like a journal written in first person as you go along on the adventure with everyone.

“Christ’s blood, now what?” I asked. Kent appeared and pressed coffee into my hands. I blessed him and all his kin and swore undying fealty to his house. I took several sips of coffee before I realized I’d been speaking Gallacian, which was probably just as well. (Page 76)

This was certainly a different type of paranormal than the last two books, and I quite enjoyed the novelty of it as I haven’t read of anything of the sort before!

Highly recommend for those who enjoyed Mexican Gothic, and enjoy Gothic Horror/Fantasy in general. It’s one that will leave you waiting for another adventure to come along, though I am certain Alex wishes they were done with that life, thank you very much.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher

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Synopsis:
After their terrifying ordeal at the Usher manor, Alex Easton feels as if they just survived another war. All they crave is rest, routine, and sunshine, but instead, as a favor to Angus and Miss Potter, they find themself heading to their family hunting lodge, deep in the cold, damp forests of their home country, Gallacia.

In theory, one can find relaxation in even the coldest and dampest of Gallacian autumns, but when Easton arrives, they find the caretaker dead, the lodge in disarray, and the grounds troubled by a strange, uncanny silence. The villagers whisper that a breath-stealing monster from folklore has taken up residence in Easton’s home. Easton knows better than to put too much stock in local superstitions, but they can tell that something is not quite right in their home. . . or in their dreams.

Review:
“Something bad happened to both of us, too. We don’t deserve to fall apart either.” (Page 146)

This world has my heart locked in a way that not many books do. From the very beginning, you area locked in a tale that is being both told and shown to you. It seems that mystery and the paranormal are to follow Easton as they make their way across the land. There were so many good parts of this book, however short it is, that it will be hard to fit it into one review. I adored the descriptions of the land, and especially the silence within the forest, and how country living compares to city living. As someone who grew up in a log cabin in the woods, literally, I have never been a big fan of city noise, even in town noise, and it’s something that I find people who have never lived the other way rarely understand.

I love that Easton always looks for the logic behind things, and the obvious ways that they can fix/help without immediately thinking of supernatural mediums to try to combat problems. I thought that Easton’s tinnitus was a great boon to both this book and showcasing that there are lasting things after war that one cannot simply forget. On that note, while I would never wish it upon anyone, I greatly enjoyed the continued mention of Easton occasionally having soldier’s spells (PTSD in the real world) as it was quite accurately represented. I also loved how Easton’s bright mentality helped win the day.

I highly recommend the Sworn Soldier series to those who love gothic horror. I absolutely adore this series, and will admit that there are still times that the first book in the series whispers through my head. Great job, T. Kingfisher; I cannot wait for more!!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

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Synopsis:
After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find—her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region.   
 
Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: Not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.
 
Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemí, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness. 
 
And Noemí, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.

Review:
This book was recommended to me ages ago by my good friend and cover artist of both my books Pas de Deux and The Case Files of Alessandra Clement: La Llorona, Kostis. I did pick it up both in paper and then on kindle format, but it sat, waiting, waiting, waiting… until T. Kingfisher mentioned at the end of What Moves the Dead how amazing of a gothic novel it was so I had to immediately go to it.

This book has an irresistible story. From the beginning Noemí knows what she wants and is more than willing to say the right thing to twist the situation, yet she needs all her smarts and allure to try to deal with what is happening at High Place. Though Noemí is set up to be considered a brat and someone who takes advantage of people, there is great characterization to show that she isn’t the perfect partier that everyone thinks of her as. “But it isn’t like you should have to make up your mind about everything at twenty-two, she thought.” (Chapter 1, Page 11) The atmosphere was secluded, dark, spooky, and the house itself seemed as if there could be something wrong with it. The house almost seems like there may be something very reasonably wrong with it causing issues and yet, it seems that the mystery of the family and house must slowly be riddled out from various outside connections from the town or her own ideas entirely.

I absolutely loved how Noemí found herself caught up in various dreams and realizing just how much she really disliked someone, and the sleep walking that came with it. Many of the characters were set up to be unapproachable by the townsfolk and Noemí herself and that, in many ways, made them unlikable–which considering the family’s history is unsurprising. I loved the descriptions of the landscape and that there is a big cemetery involved in the sprawling estate. Everything about this novel was gothic, spooky, and utterly perfect. I did quite enjoy the ending even though originally I hadn’t thought I would have if that possibility came to fruition.

I highly recommend this book if you like Gothic Horror/Gothic Fiction, and enjoy a good creepy dark ambiance. Once you start it, you’ll find it hard to put down! I was raving about it for quite a while after I read it!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Ancient Sorceries (and other Short Stories) by Algernon Blackwood

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Synopsis:

A beautifully produced new edition of Blackwood’s weirdest supernatural stories, including “The Willows,” highlighted by H.P. Lovecraft as “the single finest weird tale in literature”

Lauded as one of our greatest storytellers, and inspiring generations of writers from H.P. Lovecraft to Tolkien to Stephen King, Algernon Blackwood left a legacy as one of Britain’s greatest conjurors of weird and supernatural stories. Blackwood’s inimitable style puts readers right in the middle of the story, with visceral and nature-inspired fear that lies just beyond the real, often in the form of a nameless dread.

This beautifully produced edition, with a stunning cover and thoughtful design and layout to ensure the most enjoyable reading experience, features four of his most unnervingly curious tales:

  • Ancient Sorceries—a traveller stops in a remote French hill town and soon finds himself unable to leave; there is something strangely feline about the inhabitants, he notices, and they all seem to be watching him very closely…
  • The Listener—a lodging house guest feels himself observed by a malevolent presence. Soon it transpires his room’s previous occupant is watching him from beyond the grave, and is envious of the very flesh on his bones.
  • The Sea Fit—an old retired ship’s captain’s ravings build to a terrifying climax, as he offers himself up as a sacrifice to the cruel gods of the sea.
  • The Willows—two friends on a canoeing trip spend a terrifying night on a lonely willow-covered island, haunted by the strange trees and sinister shapes in the water.

Review:
Ancient Sorceries
I definitely liked this story and the constant reminder that peculiar things don’t often happen to regular people that do what is expected from life. I also like the aspect of timing and how sometimes time slips away from us, and how feelings can cause all sorts of interesting stories in our minds.

The Listener
This was by far my absolute favourite of the four stories in this anthology. I thought it was properly spooky with an amazing set up and you’re left wondering so many times between issues of insomnia, bad sleep, some sort of mental illness that requires medicine, and just so many things that it could be, and no idea what exactly is going on. At the end I was merely stunned. Absolutely adored it.

The Sea Fit
This was quite an interesting story as well, my second favourite in the anthology. It was clear that there was something a bit off about the retired ship captain, but why, exactly, were the others invited?

The Willows
This one was a longer one, and I very much felt that it somewhat dragged. I wasn’t drawn into the world the way I was with The Listener and The Sea Fit. I wanted so badly to love this as it was allegedly one of Lovecraft’s favourites of Blackwood, but while there were parts of pure uncertainty, there was a lot of paranoia and occult/supernatural versus natural phenomenon. The very end left me a bit befuddled, and I’m still uncertain how I feel about it.

All in all I quite liked this book of Algernon Blackwood and intend to add more books of his works to my collection in the future. I did buy the hardcover of this when traveling, however, it’s quite cheap if you’re looking for an e-book spooky story to read.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯