Review: Dear Amy by Helen Callaghan

Dear Amy by Helen Callaghan

My Rating:


I received a free copy of Dear Amy from the publisher in return for an honest review.

I found Dear Amy to be lacking in many ways. While the concept really appealed to me it failed to hold my attention. I kept finding myself drawn out of the story as certain reactions and situations just seemed too far fetched and implausible and I was unable to suspend belief enough to enjoy the book completely.

There wasn't the mystery, suspense or thrills I would have expected, if anything I found the twists to be rather predictable and I knew pretty much right away where the story was going from the get go.

Everything revolves around Margot, which is understandable she's the main character, but other characters suffered because of this. A girl is missing but  it feels like everything is Margot this and Margot that. All the events surrounding Margot felt superficial compared to the plight of the young girl being held against her will. There was a huge missed opportunity to really ramp up the tension, more focus was needed on the missing girl to really push the fear of her situation to the reader. It felt like she was forgotten for most of the book.

Despite the fact that I found it to be lacking I did enjoy the writing style and it was an OK read but not one I would recommend. It started out well but it failed to reach my expectations.



Reviews also posted to my blog: Scarlet's Web
Facebook | Twitter | G+ | BookLikes

Review: Resthaven by Erik Therme

Resthaven by Erik Therme

My Rating:

I received a free copy of Resthaven from the author in return for an honest review.

Resthaven was a little slow to begin with but once the pace picked up it improved greatly. There was always something happening or something right around the corner ready to jump out. The suspense and tension built up nicely throughout the story and is largely what made this an enjoyable read. The setting gave off a really creepy atmosphere and created a feeling of foreboding and apprehension that you just knew wasn't going to end well for everyone involved.

Where I feel the story lacked was with the characters and the conclusion. There wasn't much about the characters that appealed to me, they all felt too similar to each other. Each characters background was more or less the same and I think the whole my parents are dead thing was over used. The conclusion felt a little rushed. After the tension and the big final event, where things are being put back together, it didn't feel complete. I would have liked to have had a little more detail to round the whole story off a bit better.

All in all Resthaven was a pretty decent read but in my opinion it came across a little too juvenile for todays standard of young adult reads.




Reviews also posted to my blog: Scarlet's Web
Facebook | Twitter | G+ | BookLikes

Review: The Shadow Of All Things by Allen Houston

The Shadow Of All Things by Allen Houston


 My Rating:


I received a free copy of The Shadow Of All Things from the author in return for an honest review.

Having previously read The Nightfall Gardens trilogy by Allen Houston and enjoyed them immensely, I was really keen to read his new release. The Nightfall trilogy, being dark fantasy, fit nicely into the fantasy genre but this new one is a bit different. The Shadow Of All Things is a mix of fantasy, urban fantasy and sci fi but at the same time is set in the real world as we know it.

The opening chapter drew me in right away. You won't find that slow drawn out character introduction and world building that you come across all too often in fantasy here. Instead the reader is thrown right into the action from the very start and it's consistent throughout the whole book. There's always something happening and the characters on both sides, good and evil, are well written.

The characters cross into multiple parallel universes that really capture the imagination. The characters in these universes feel very Alice in wonderland: strangely dressed, quirky, creepy but also larger than life in terms of appearance. Although these characters were predominantly on the evil side, and as a reader we hate to like the bad guys, I have to say that these characters really appealed to me. I enjoyed the vivid descriptions and the visuals the writing created in my mind.

I have to say though that I much preferred The Nightfall trilogy over this one but that's more of a personal preference thing as dark fantasy is something I enjoy more than urban fantasy. It was still a 4 star read though and definitely one I would recommend. It was unique and fun and I'm looking forwards to the next instalment.




Reviews also posted to my blog: Scarlet's Web
Facebook | Twitter | G+ | BookLikes

Review: Paper Butterflies by Lisa Heathfield

Paper Butterflies by Lisa Heathfield

My Rating:



I received a free copy of Paper Butterflies from the publisher in return for an honest review.

Lisa Heathfield has the ability to take me from feeling happy, smiling and full of hope to sobbing like my heart just can't take any more, all in just a few pages. The characters she creates are so real, their lives so tragic yet at the same time they see the beauty in all things. Her words remind me how important life and family is and to always have compassion and regard for others. Quite simply I'm in awe of how easily her words reach inside me and turn my emotions upside down.

Paper Butterflies is a tragic, beautiful and heart breaking read. I was doubtful when picking it up that it could come anywhere close to Lisa's previous book Seed, which is one of my favourite books, one that has stuck with me and that I recommend to almost everyone, since I read it back in November 2014. I wasn't disappointed and Paper Butterflies has joined Seed on my favourites shelf.

The book covers sensitive topics like Seed but at the same time is so different. The characters feel real and genuine and I got to know and love many of them and will miss them now I have finished the book. The story is told from the point of view of June, a young girl who experiences abuse at the hands of her step-mother. You can feel her hurt, her anger and feelings of hopelessness and you just want to reach inside the pages and make everything better.

I couldn't put the book down. I was up all night, my emotions all over the place, hankie at the ready and trying to sniff quietly in case I woke anyone. I experienced everything from joy, anger, tears, hope, every emotion you could possibly imagine and the world around me faded out of existence while the book was in my hands.

Highly recommend and another book that will stick with me long after I finished reading.



Reviews also posted to my blog: Scarlet's Web
Facebook | Twitter | G+ | BookLikes | Leafmarks

Review: The Hatching: A Novel by Ezekiel Boone

The Hatching: A Novel by Ezekiel Boone

My Rating:


I received a free copy of The Hatching from the publisher in return for an honest review.

Why do I keep doing this to myself, I hate spiders! I swear the little furry creatures were coming out the woodwork to pounce on me the whole time I was reading this book! One actually landed on my daughter while I was reading nearby and she flew off the couch like her bahookie was on fire. You can imagine how on edge I was for the rest of the night lol.

The Hatching was a great read, it was also an extremely creepy and itchy read. The pacing kept me on the edge of my seat and the terror of the events occurring seeps into you. I could easily imagine the fear and destruction that was taking place. There are quite a few characters in this book as events take place all over the world but despite the many different characters, each is very well written and fleshed out and relatable in their own way.

Spiders have been done many times in horror but The Hatching is one that stands out amongst all the others. These spiders feel real, the threat seems plausible and that just makes it all the more scary to read. I could feel those hairy little legs scuttling over my skin the whole time I was reading.

Definitely one I would recommend, it was everything I was hoping for and more.

Man eating spiders who think and move like a hive, out thinking and out smarting their prey.

There's no escape.



Reviews also posted to my blog: Scarlet's Web
Facebook | Twitter | G+ | BookLikes | Leafmarks

Review: Die Dog or Eat the Hatchet by Adam Howe

Die Dog or Eat the Hatchet by Adam Howe

My Rating:


I received a free copy of Die Dog or Eat the Hatchet in return for an honest review.

Die Dog or Eat the Hatchet is a collection of three novellas: Damn Dirty Apes, Die Dog or Eat the Hatchet and Gator Bait.

Damn Dirty Apes is easily my favourite of the collection. It was such a fun read and packed full of hilarious scenes and sarcasm. I had a smile on my face the whole time I was reading.

Die Dog or Eat the Hatchet is a really gruesome story and had me on the edge of my seat. The pacing, horrific scenes and atmosphere make this a nail biting and disturbing read.

Gator Bait was my least favourite. I didn't enjoy this one as much as the others. I didn't like the characters and I think that's what spoiled it for me.

All in all a great trio of stories and well worth the read.



Reviews also posted to my blog: Scarlet's Web
Facebook | Twitter | G+ | BookLikes | Leafmarks

Review: Kids - A Dark Chapter Press collection of horror shorts

Kids

My Rating:


Another great collection from Dark Chapter Press.

I tend to be over critical when it comes to short stories, I'm really fussy, but this is a decent collection and has something for every horror fan. There are quite a few 4 and 5 stars reads in this collection in my opinion but my favourite has to be Omens by Chantal Noordeloos, I'll definitely have to look into more of her work.

1 - Bad Little Boys go to Hell - James Walley - 3 stars

This was a good wee story, it created a feeling of isolation and I liked the twist at the end.

2 - The Bones of Baby Dolls - Fiend Gottes - 2.5 stars

I enjoyed this one but it felt a little choppy and was weirdly worded in places.

3 - The Boy in the Apartment - Josh Pritchett - 3 stars

An original little story although the dialogue a few times came across as rather Cor blimey old chap, almost fell down the old apple and pears, which didn't feel natural.

4 - Little Angel - Sharon Higa - 5 stars

This is one of my favourites from the collection. It gives the reader just enough to allow the imagination to fill in the gaps. Very creepy and ominous.

5 - The Apothecary's Hiccup - Douglas F Dluzen - 4 stars

I really enjoyed this one, it felt like a much longer complete story, a hard thing to do when writing a short story.

6 - Raw - Erica Chin - 2 stars

Wasn't really a fan of this one. It felt random and without reason.

7 - Twins - Andrew Lennon - 4 stars

One nasty child is bad enough, but two?!

8 - The Ladder - Pete Clark - 5 stars

Another one of my favourites from the collection, very imaginative and disturbing.

9 -Born Bad - Mark Parker - 4 stars

And I thought my neighbours were bad.

10 - Milk - Michael Bray - 5 stars

Revenge is a dish best served cold!

11 - Anna - Mathew Hickman - 4 stars

Another excellent story of revenge.

12 - Dig - Alice J Black - 3 stars

Decent enough story but I knew where it was going very early on.

13 - Omens - Chantal Noordeloos - 5 star

My favourite of the whole collection.

14 - The Box - Gary Pearson - 3 stars

Poor kid, no wonder he flipped.

15 - Social Sacrifices - Shawn Dixon - 2 stars

Not so keen on this one, the story was decent I just didn't like reading about the poor animals.

16 - The Butcher's Apprentice - David Basnett - 3 stars

Good little story but the accent thing felt a bit silly.

17 - The Seventy-Five Percent - Brian Barr - 3 stars

What a horrible opinionated man.

18 - Pregnant With Freedom - Christopher Ropes - 3 stars

That was rather bizarre.



Reviews also posted to my blog: Scarlet's Web
Facebook | Twitter | G+ | BookLikes | Leafmarks