Review: Greasepaint by David C. Hayes

Greasepaint by David C. Hayes

My Rating:

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

So many of my horror friends say that clowns are terrifying. I don't see it. That doesn't stop me from trying to find one that will have an effect on me, but I didn't find it in Greasepaint.

The book moves at an incredible pace, the reader is thrown into the action almost right away and it continues right to the last page. It's packed full of grisly scenes and events but I just wasn't feeling it when it came to characterisation. Sure the clown was a mean mother and there are sensitive topics covered in the story but the characters felt flat and I didn't feel pulled into the story itself. I wasn't a fan of the way it was written in present tense and I think this put me off quite a bit also.

Maybe it's just me. I kind of find clowns more cliché than scary when it comes to horror. Perhaps it's a case of "It's not you, it's me" when it comes to this book, but I wasn't feeling it at all.

 
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Review: The Dover Demon by Hunter Shea

The Dover Demon by Hunter Shea

My Rating:


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

I'm pretty fussy when it comes to books covering the topic of aliens. They tend to be a hit or a huge flop. The Dover Demon was, I'm pleased to say, a hit.

The characterisation in The Dover Demon is what really stood out for me. I feel like I got to know all the characters, their personal stories and histories created nicely fleshed out characters with a depth that made them easy to relate to and to become invested in their journey throughout the pages.

The dialogue was realistic and the plot was a lot of fun to read. The author creates a great atmosphere throughout the book, from the creepy feeling of being watched or stalked and the claustrophobia in the underground scenes, to the chilling cold environment.

If I remember correctly this is now the third Hunter Shea book that I have read and I've enjoyed them all. I will definitely be reading more of this authors work.


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Review: Under Ground by S.L. Grey

Under Ground by S.L. Grey

My Rating:


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

I was really drawn to the cover of this book. It's simple, eye catching and piqued my interest.

I found myself getting into the story pretty quickly and I enjoyed meeting and getting to know all the characters as they settled in, but I found it starting to drag a little in the middle. I'm not sure what it was that made it feel that way for me, perhaps the characters reactions to what was going on just didn't resonate. I didn't feel the sense of panic or action that I would have expected from the situation, their reactions weren't particularly what I would imagine happening. There was a lot going on but at the same time it didn't seem like there was enough going on considering their situation. The dialogue didn't feel natural, it was stilted and didn't come across as realistic at times. Very few of the characters had enough depth for me to really care about their outcome.

It started to pick up again nearer the end. The ending although it worked just kind of came out of nowhere. The guilty party just didn't sit right with me, it came out of the blue and had me thinking... What?

That being said, the atmosphere created worked well and I could imagine the claustrophobia and helplessness of being in such a situation but I am left with mixed feelings about the book. It held my attention in parts but other parts I just couldn't relate to or care about at all.



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Review: Moving by Jenny Eclair

Moving by Jenny Eclair

My Rating:



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

It wasn't until I had finished reading this book that it suddenly clicked with me that it was by "The" Jenny Eclair. I am more familiar with Jenny the comedian/actor and had I realised this before picking up the book, I would probably have had a preconceived idea of what I would expect her writing style to be and it would have been very different from what I actually read.

I really enjoyed Moving. A house is such a personal space, we invest time and energy into making it our own, filling it with love, memories and personal items from our lives. The author does a wonderful job of expressing just how attached we become to our house and how our memories are intertwined with the different rooms and to the every day objects within.

Jenny creates some very realistic characters in this tale, ones that are not easily forgotten and that I feel I really got to know while reading. I have to admit though, Edwina has to be my fav character, it was very easy to get attached to her, she was real, complex and full of depth. I particularly liked the format that her part took, how her memories were being awakened room by room as she showed the estate agent through her house.

The plot is full of family secrets and betrayals that are all slowly revealed as the book progresses, the story told from three different points of view. I have to admit that when it switched from Edwina to another character I was rather disappointed. I wanted to stick with Edwina and I wasn't enjoying the switch at first but I was drawn in and before I knew it I was engrossed in the next characters tale.

The interaction between the characters and the history and personal stories behind their actions makes Moving a very enjoyable read. Things are not always what they seem and Moving takes you behind the scenes, giving you a glance at the deeper picture.

Highly recommended.

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Review: Goblins by David Bernstein

Goblins by David Bernstein

My Rating:



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

I couldn't get into this to start with, the whole baseball thing was off putting. I get that it was there to introduce the first character but it really didn't need all the detail. It felt very YA/coming-of-age rather than setting the scene for a good horror. Once I got past that part though I was really drawn into the story.

Goblins is full of monsters, violence, blood and gore. There was many a scene that had me flinching, the description of sounds at times turning my blood cold like nails on a blackboard would. The author pulls on your heart strings as well as playing on your fears and it creates a mix of emotions that has you on the edge of your seat, both wanting to turn the page but also apprehensive of what will happen next.

Goblins is the stuff of nightmares and is an easy and fast read for horror fans. There's no having to read between the lines, everything is there in great gory detail, it grabs you and takes you along for the ride.


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Review: The Devil's Detective: A Novel by Simon Kurt Unsworth

The Devil's Detective: A Novel by Simon Kurt Unsworth

My Rating:


I received a free copy of The Devil's Detective: A Novel from the publisher in return for an honest review.

This is a DNF for me, I just can't get into it at all. The Devil's Detective is a heavy and bleak read. The author paints an oppressive, dark and depressing picture and the world building is done extremely well, but the characterization is where it's dragging for me.

A huge part of what I enjoy in a book is being able to experience the story through the characters and that's not happening here. I can't connect with them and there is nothing about them that makes me care what's happening to them or for their outcome.

For me this book is too much about the world building and the visuals and is lacking in characterisation. I feel like I'm just reading words rather than immersing myself and experiencing the story.


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Review: Moon Bayou by J.R. Rain, Rod Kierkegaard Jr

Moon Bayou by J.R. Rain, Rod Kierkegaard Jr

My Rating:


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

Having previously read many of the Vampire for Hire series I was looking forwards to reading more about Samantha Moon in Moon Bayou. Moon Bayou looks to be a spin off series from the Vampire for Hire books and I have to say that picking up Moon Bayou without having read the Vampire for Hire ones, especially as it references many of the stories/characters from the series, could get it bit confusing.

I found this to be a quick and easy read but there was nothing about it that stood out for me. The characters felt a little shallow and unintimidating, especially considering they are vampires, werewolves, voodoo practitioners etc. There was also parts of the story that felt rather repetitive. One example being Samantha's rings... I know she has the rings and I get what they do but the author felt the need to keep reminding me of this fact way too often, so often that it actually started to irritate me.

I'm not a fan of cliffhangers, though if done right I can overlook them. Moon Bayou however ended way too soon. The ending felt abrupt, it left me feeling like I only had half the book and the second half had somehow not been downloaded. Instead of rounding the story off and leaving an avenue open for more to come, it just stops mid story. It feels like I'm being forced to have to get the next book in order to just finish this one and if I am honest that just makes me not want to read more.


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