The Final Girl Support Group, By Grady Hendrix ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Horror, LGBTQ, Mystery, Serial Killers, Slasher Movies, Thriller

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: July 13th, 2021

352 Pages

Synopsis: A fast-paced, thrilling horror novel that follows a group of heroines to die for, from the brilliant New York Times bestselling author of The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires.

In horror movies, the final girl is the one who’s left standing when the credits roll. The one who fought back, defeated,the killer, and avenged her friends. The one who emerges bloodied but victorious. But after the sirens fade and the audience moves on, what happens to her?

Lynette Tarkington is a real-life final girl, who survived a massacre twenty-two years ago and it has defined every day of her life since. And she’s not alone. For more than a decade she’s been meeting with five other actual final girls and their therapist in a support group for those who survived the unthinkable, putting their lives together, piece by piece. That is until one of the women misses a meeting and Lynette’s worst fears are realized—someone knows about the group and is determined to take their lives apart again, piece by piece.

But the one thing about these final girls is that they have each other now, and no matter how bad the odds, how dark the night, how sharp the knife, they will never give up. (Goodreads)

Remember how popular “slasher” movies were in the late 70s, 80s and 90s? Well picture a world where there are real life Final Girls, and those movies were based on the horrifying events that occurred in their lives. This is the premise of Grady Hendrix’s clever, highly entertaining The Final Girl Support Group. It’s a wild ride right from the beginning, and although it took me a little while to warm up to Lynette, once I learned more of her backstory I completely understood her over-the-top actions.

While the subject matter is admittedly dark, this has all of Hendrix’s trademark black humor as well. In between the chills, thrills, and yes, chuckles, are some thoughtful looks at how our society not only treats victims of violence, but the perpetrators themselves. There are fans of these monsters which at first seem unbelievable until you remember the devoted worshipers serial killers like Ted Bundy and Charles Manson had.

In this twisted tale you’ve got six traumatized survivors who for much of the book, aren’t exactly supporting each other, despite the title. They’re all dealing with the physical and emotional scars that their ordeals have left them in different ways which doesn’t leave much left over for anyone else. I spent a good portion of the book second guessing whether Lynette or one of her fellow survivors had finally gone over the edge and turned monster here, and there were enough twists to make my poor head spin. The last few climactic chapters are a kick-ass display of sisterhood and the ending was brilliant!

The Final Girl Support Group is perfect for horror fans looking for a fresh take on the slasher horror sub-genre. And unsurprisingly, it’s already been scooped up by Annapurna Pictures who will be developing it into a tv series. I can’t wait to see what they do with this story. Meanwhile, if you’re a fan of film franchises like Halloween, Friday the 13th, Nightmare On Elm Street, and Scream, you’re going to want to read this book. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

The Dead and the Dark, By Courtney Gould ~ 4.5 Stars

Tags

Coping With Loss and Grief, Homophobia, LGBTQ, Mystery, Small Towns, Supernatural Fiction, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: August 3rd, 2021

352 Pages

Synopsis: Courtney Gould’s thrilling debut, The Dead and the Dark, is about the things that lurk in dark corners, the parts of you that can’t remain hidden, and about finding home in places—and people—you didn’t expect.

Something is wrong in Snakebite, Oregon. Teenagers are disappearing, some turning up dead, the weather isn’t normal, and all fingers point to TV’s most popular ghost hunters who have just returned to town. Logan Ortiz-Woodley, daughter of TV’s  ParaSpectors, has never been to Snakebite before, but the moment she and her dads arrive, she starts to get the feeling that there’s more secrets buried here than they originally let on.

Ashley Barton’s boyfriend was the first teen to go missing, and she’s felt his presence ever since. But now that the Ortiz-Woodleys are in town, his ghost is following her and the only person Ashley can trust is the mysterious Logan. When Ashley and Logan team up to figure out who—or what—is haunting Snakebite, their investigation reveals truths about the town, their families, and themselves, that neither of them are ready for. As the danger intensifies, they realize that their growing feelings for each other could be a light in the darkness. (Goodreads)

The Dead and the Dark is a thoroughly creepy tale that more than lives up to its title. The first few pages immediately captured my attention and wouldn’t let go until I reached the end. This is both a character and plot driven novel, and both are equally well done. In addition to the supernatural and mystery elements is a thoughtful exploration of: homophobia, grief, and loneliness.

While much of the book is indeed very dark, there are some light-hearted moments centered around Logan and her witty snark. She’s the type of character that readers are automatically drawn to like moths to a flame. She hides her vulnerability and insecurity behind a veil of sarcasm that’s completely relatable. She’s intensely loyal to those she cares about, yet is also determined to do the right thing for her. Ashley initially comes off a little flatter, but soon you discover she has quite a bit of hidden depth. The pairing of her with Logan is perfect as they bring out the best in one another.

Equally interesting is the relationship between Logan’s two dads, Alejo and Brandon, and how they went from being strangers despite  growing up in a tiny town, to falling in love and becoming ghost hunters. It’s also compelling how despite them leaving Snakebite, they’re still tied to it for both supernatural and real world reasons.

The mystery element was a tad predictable, but honestly, with all the other positives this book offers, including a fantastic conclusion, that’s a very minor complaint. Overall, The Dead and the Dark is an exciting debut from Courtney Gould that has me looking forward to seeing what her next book will be.

Flash Fire (The Extraordinaries #2), By TJ Klune ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Coming-of age, Humor, LGBTQ, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Social Issues, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Teen for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: July 13th, 2021

384 Pages

Synopsis: Flash Fire is the explosive sequel to The Extraordinaries, by USA Today bestselling author TJ Klune!

Nick landed himself the superhero boyfriend of his dreams, but with new heroes arriving in Nova City, it’s up to Nick and his friends to determine who is virtuous and who is villainous. Which is a lot to handle for a guy who just wants to finish his self-insert bakery AU fanfic.

One thing I need to address before starting my review for Flash Fire is the controversy regarding the decided pro-police slant in the previous book, which many readers understandably took issue with. The most glaring example of this was Nick’s father, Aaron, who’s a police detective. He also punches a witness who was provoking him. You would expect him to be fired, but instead, he’s demoted, and by the end of the book he’s not only promoted, but it’s to a higher position. To be fair, The Extraordinaries was written before the murder of George Floyd, however there had already been numerous instances of well-publicized police misconduct and brutality. After many readers expressed their dismay, Klune addressed this in a letter: https://www.tjklunebooks.com/new-blog/2020/7/29/a-message-about-the-extraordinaries

As you can see, it’s a thoughtful message from an author who obviously cares about his fans. I’ll be honest and say I personally didn’t have a huge issue Aaron, because there were extenuating circumstances concerning the altercation in question, but I can understand why others did. The important thing is that Klune not only personally addressed this, but also portrays the police in this sequel, much more realistically, and not just through Nick’s sixteen-year-old hero-worshipping eyes. Just like in real life, there are good cops, and ones who abuse the power that comes with their badge.

As for the rest of the book, it’s filled with the laugh-out-loud humor, embarrassing yet somehow endearing sexual conversations between Nick and Aaron, and witty dialogue that was found in the previous book. Due to the backdrop of the police, as well as Nick’s discovery of a long hidden family secret regarding himself and his deceased mother, the story also takes a more serious tone. Nick continues to struggle with his ADHD and panic attacks, but with the support of his father, friends, and boyfriend Seth, shows a lot of character growth in this sequel. There are some new Extraordinaries in Nova City, which adds a new layer of excitement and mystery, and Klune skillfully juggles these with a very realistic exploration of four diverse gay teens coming-of-age, in today’s world.The ending is a whopper of a cliffhanger, and has me eagerly awaiting the conclusion to this trilogy. 

With Flash Fire, once again Klune has crafted a thoroughly enjoyable tale filled with humor, heartbreak, witty dialogue, and memorable characters. I can’t recommend it or its predecessor highly enough for older teens and adults who are looking for an science fiction read.

The Nature of Witches, By Rachel Griffin ~ 3.0 Stars

Tags

Climate Change, Contemporary Fantasy, Diversity, LGBTQ, Romance, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: June 1st, 2021

362 Pages

Synopsis: For centuries, witches have maintained the climate, their power from the sun peaking in the season of their birth. But now their control is faltering as the atmosphere becomes mor erratic. All hope lies with Clara, an Everwitch whose rare magic is tied to every season.

In Autumn, Clara wants nothing to do with her power. It’s wild and volatile, and the price of her magic—losing the ones she loves—is too high, despite the increasingly dangerous weather.

In Winter, the world is on the precipice of disaster. Fires burn, storms rage, and Clara accepts that she’s the only one who can make a difference.

In Spring, she falls for Sang, the witch training her. As her magic grows, so do her feelings, until she’s terrified that Sang will be the next one she loses.

In Summer, Clara must choose between her power and her happiness, her duty, and the people she loves…before she loses Sang, her magic, and thrusts the world into chaos.

Practical Magic meets Twister in this debut contemporary fantasy standalone about heartbreaking power, the terror of our collapsing environment, and the ways we unknowingly change our fate. (Goodreads)

I liked the cover of The Nature of Witches, and the premise captured my attention as well. Unfortunately, try as I might, I found myself unable to connect with any of the characters, especially Clara. While I felt for her at times, there was just very little development with her. The romance between her and Sang was sweet, but nothing truly earth-shattering. Thankfully there were several aspects I did enjoy. I thought the magic itself very imaginative, and the setting and world building beautifully detailed. I also appreciated the creative way the author blended contemporary fantasy with climate change and social commentary. The book was also a quick read and I easily finished it in less than two days. So, for me, The Nature of Witches didn’t quite live up to my expectations, but I didn’t find it a chore to read either. And I have to point out that this is receiving a lot of 4-5 star reviews on Goodreads, so it could be just me. If the premise intrigues you, I recommend you give this a try.

Spells Trouble (Sisters of Salem #1), By P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast ~ 2.0 Stars

Tags

LGBTQ, Supernatural Fiction, Suspense, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: May 25th, 2021

320 Pages

Synopsis: Double double, twins spell trouble…

Hunter and Mercy Goode are twin witches, direct descendants of the founder of their town of Goodeville. As their ancestors have done before them, it is now time for the twins learn what it means to be Gatekeepers—the protectors of the gates to different underworlds, ancient portals between their world and realms where mythology rules an nightmares come to life.

When their mother becomes the first victim in a string of murders, the devastated sisters vow to avenge her death. But it will take more than magic to rein in the powerful mythological monsters who’ve infected their peaceful town.

Now Hunter and Mercy must come together and accept their destiny or risk being separated for good. (Goodreads)

I’ve enjoyed previous books by this mother-daughter duo, including their New York Times bestselling House of Night series, and having lived in Danvers, MA, aka Salem Village most of my life, I’m always interested in books that include the Salem Witchcraft Trials as a backdrop. In the case of Spells Trouble, I liked the plot and thought it was very creatively done, however, the dialogue was surprisingly flat and worse, while a good portion of the book reads like a middle grade novel, there’s language and sexual scenes that are definitely geared more for older teens. This leaves me at a loss as to who I’d recommend this to even if I were so inclined. While I’m still a fan of P.C. and Kristin Cast, in my opinion Spells Trouble isn’t one of their better books, and I don’t believe I’ll be continuing with the series.

Ace of Spades, By Faridah Àbiké-Íyímídé ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Homophobia, LGBTQ, Mystery, Racism, Suspense, Thriller, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group/Feiwel & Friends for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: June 1st, 2021

432 Pages

Synopsis: When two Niveus Private Academy students, Devon Richards and Chiamaka Adebayo are selected to be part of the elite school’s senior class prefects, it looks like their year is off to an amazing start. After all, not only does it look great on college applications, but it officially puts each of them in the running for valedictorian, too. 

Shortly after the announcement is made though, someone who goes by Aces, begins using anonymous text messages to reveal secrets about the two of them that turn their lives upside down and threatens every aspect of their carefully planned futures. 

As Aces shows no signs of stopping, what seemed like a sick prank quickly turns into a dangerous game, with all the cards stacked against them. Can Devon and Chiamaka stop Aces before things become incredibly deadly? 

With heart-pounding suspense and relevant social commentary, comes a high-octane thriller from debut author Faridah Àbiké-Íyímídé.

Ace of Spades is one of the best debuts I’ve read and I believe it will be one of the most buzzed about books of 2021! The author brilliantly spins a complex web of lies and betrayals with timely social issues including: being LGBTQ in the black community, socioeconomic status, and institutionalized/systemic racism. I can tell you after reading countless books that attempt to be both issue-driven and suspenseful, it’s extremely difficult to do without one or the other suffering. That’s certainly not the case here. I literally could not tear myself away and despite this being over 400 pages, I easily finished it in one sitting. Chiamaka and Devon are flawed yet relatable and sympathetic characters, and my heart ached at the things they were forced to do to fit in and get ahead. While there were certain parts I guessed at early on, there were a couple of head-spinning twists that were utterly insane, especially the last one which resulted in me not being able to go to sleep after finishing. Ace of Spades is a book that is a must read for teens and adults. If I was still a children’s/YA librarian/ I’d be preordering multiple copies for my collection. This is a pitch-perfect book that not only entertains, but makes you think about the systemic racism that’s so prevalent in society and what people of color are forced to put up with day in and day out. A blurb likens it to Gossip Girl meets Get Out, and I certainly would go along with that. I encourage everyone to mark their calendars and preorder this or put it on hold at your library ASAP. I read in Newsweek that twenty-two-year-old Faridah Àbíké- Íyímídé received a seven figure advance from the publisher for her debut and a second as yet untitled book, and I can certainly understand why. I can’t wait to read her next novel.

Faithless In Death (In Death #52), By J.D. Robb ~ 5.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Cults, LGBTQ, Mystery, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: February 9th, 2021

400 Pages

Synopsis: The scene in the West Village studio appears to be classic crime-of-passion: two wine glasses by the bed, music playing, and a young sculptor named Ariel Byrd with the back of her head bashed in. But when Dallas tracks down the wealthy Upper East Side woman who called 911, the details don’t add up. Gwen Huffman is wealthy, elegant, comforted by her handsome fiancé as she sheds tears over the trauma of finding the body—but why did it take over an hour to report it? And why is she lying about little things?

As Eve and her team look into Gwen, her past, and the people around her, they find that the lies are about more than murder. As with sculpture, they need to chip away at the layers of deception to find the shape within—and soon they’re getting the FBI involved in a case that involves a sinister, fanatical group, and a stunning criminal conspiracy. (Goodreads)

I know you’re probably sick of me raving about the In Death series by J.D. Robb, aka, Nora Roberts, but it’s really one of the best mystery series out there, and the upcoming Faithless In Death is a perfect example of why.

This is the 52nd book in this juggernaut of a series, but you’ll find no retreaded plots or tired old characters here. No, instead there’s a murder that seems ordinary until it morphs into this huge sinister conspiracy that could have been ripped from today’s headlines. Of course Team Eve is all over this as they operate like a well-oiled machine. While I would have liked to have seen more of Eve’s dishy husband Roarke, I have to be honest and say that I can never get enough of him, so I’m not taking any points off. What I love, is the skillful way Robb juggles both the central mystery, with further developing her characters’ stories.

As usual, Eve and company nab the villain(s) in an exciting and satisfactory manner, leaving me sighing happily yet somewhat disappointed that I finished it too quickly. Every time I open a new book in this series, I feel like I’m reuniting with old friends, and Faithless In Death brought out those emotions as well. I’m already counting down to the next book, Forgotten In Death which sadly won’t be out until September 6, 2021. I guarantee that fans of the series will love this new entry. And for those who haven’t tried these books, despite being this far along, you could pick up here without getting lost. I don’t really recommend it though simply because you’ll miss all the characters’ backstories which help bring them to life.

Before She Disappeared, by Lisa Gardner ~ 4.5 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Immigration, LGBTQ, Mystery, Substance Abuse, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and Dutton for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: January 19th, 2021

400 Pages

Synopsis: Frankie Elkin is an average middle-aged woman, a recovering alcoholic with more regrets than belongings. But she spends her life doing what no one else will—searching for missing people the world has stopped looking for. When the police have given up, when the public no longer remembers, when the media has never paid attention, that when Frankie starts looking.

A new case brings her to Mattapan, a Boston neighborhood with a rough reputation. She is searching for Angelique Badeau, a Haitian teenage who vanished from her high school months earlier. Resistance from the Boston PD and the victim’s wary family, tells Frankie she’s on her own—and she soon learns she’s asking questions someone doesn’t want answered. But Frankie will stop at nothing to discover the truth, even if it means the next person to go missing could be her.

Before She Disappeared is Lisa Gardner’s first standalone in twenty years, and I have to say after devouring it in two nights, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that she writes more books about Frankie Elkin.

Frankie is an extremely complex woman whose traumatic backstory is tantalizingly teased out throughout the course of the story. I really connected with this troubled, flawed character who dragged herself out of the abyss of substance abuse (with help), and instead uses her demons to help look for those who have gone missing and have basically been forgotten by everyone except by their loved ones. My only criticism is that her detecting skills came off a little too expert for someone who’s a layperson, but this is a very minor complaint. The mystery itself is very compelling and I admit the final outcome caught me by surprise. In addition, the story also thoughtfully explores the inequality between how victims of crime are treated according to race and socioeconomic status. And finally, having lived north of Boston my entire life until a couple of years ago, Gardner captured the multicultural flavor of Mattapan perfectly. The ending ties everything up, but as I said, I’m really hoping that maybe this won’t be the last we see of Frankie. 

Before She Disappeared is a completely engrossing read and I believe fans of Lisa Gardner will be thrilled with it. If you haven’t read anything yet by this prolific bestselling author, this is a perfect book to start with, so treat yourself and check it out!

 

Lore, By Alexandra Bracken ~ 4.0 Stars

Tags

Contemporary Fiction, Greek Mythology, LGBTQ, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Disney-Hyperion for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: January 5th, 2021

480 Pages

Synopsis: Every seven years, the Agon begins. As punishment for a past rebellion, nine Greek gods are forced to walk the earth as mortals, hunted by the descendants of  ancient bloodlines, all eager to kill a god and seize their divine power and immortality.

Long ago, Lore Perseous fled that brutal world in the wake of her family’s sadistic murder by a rival line, turning her back on the hunt’s promises of eternal glory. For years she’s pushed away thought of revenge against the man—now a god—responsible for their deaths.

Yet as the next hunt dawns over New York City, two participants seek out her help: Castor, a childhood friend of Lore believed long dead, and a gravely wounded Athena, among the last of the original gods.

The goddess offers an alliance against their mutual enemy and, at last, a way for Lore to finally leave the Agon behind forever. But Lore’s decision to bind her fate to Athena’s and rejoin the hunt will come at a deadly cost—and still may not be enough to stop the rise of a new god with the power to bring humanity to its knees.

Before I start this review, if you’re getting a sense of deja vu, or see that you’ve already written a comment, that’s because this is an updated post I did a few months ago on the chapter sampler of Lore. I apologize for being lazy, but instead of writing out the entire synopsis again, I thought I’d just update my original review now that I’ve had the opportunity to read the entire book.

What do you get when you combine bestselling YA author Alexandra Bracken with Greek gods? A surefire blockbuster is what I’m thinking! Except for Madeline Miller’s phenomenal Circe(2019), once Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series ended, there haven’t been many Greek mythology-based books released, so I had high hopes for Lore. Well, it starts off with a bang and plenty of blood, gore, and even a decapitation. One word of warning, the violence continues throughout the book, including two scenes involving the murder of little girls. These two particular sections relate the murders in the third person, and compared to other parts, aren’t terribly graphic, but they still made me squirm, and may make some readers uncomfortable as well. While the storyline may sound similar to previous series, like Percy Jackson and The Hunger Games, let me assure you that this is completely unique. There are a lot of characters but they’re easily remembered because they each have an integral part to play. The romance is a bit ho-hum, but that’s okay because there’s so much else going on. The pacing is insane, and I flew through this in two days despite it being just under 500 pages. The only reason why I rated this 4 stars is because there are some rough passages, especially in the first fifty or so pages where the reader is being introduced to the history and rules of the Agon. I’ve been a voracious reader of Greek Mythology since I was a child and I consider myself fairly well-versed in the stories and characters involved, but there were a few times I was left confused and frustrated. Thankfully things became clearer the deeper I got into the story. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Lore and unhesitatingly recommend it to my fellow mythology enthusiasts who are looking for a refreshing take on the old legends.

Notorious (Rebels of the Ton #1), By Minerva Spencer ~ 4.0 Stars

Tags

Adult Fiction, Diversity, Historical Mystery, LGBTQ, Regency England, Romance, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: November 24th, 2020

352 Pages

Synopsis: The cure for a willful wife…

Drusilla Clare is full of opinions about why a woman shouldn’t marry. But that doesn’t stop the rush of desire she feels each time her best friend’s brother, notorious rake, Gabriel Marlington, crosses her path. So imagine her dismay when she finds herself in the clutches of a scoundrel, only to be rescued by Gabriel himself. And when Gabriel’s heartless—and heart-pounding—proposal comes, it’s enough to make Dru’s formidable resolve crumble…

…is a smitten husband.

She’s sharp-tongued, exasperating, and due to one careless moment—about to become his wife. Still, something about Drusilla has Gabriel intrigued. First there’s the delicious flush of her skin every time she delivers a barb—and then the surprising sensual feel of her in his arms. Gabriel even finds himself challenged by her unusual philosophies. And when he discovers a clandestine rival for Dru’s affection, his temperature flames even hotter. But the real threat to their happiness is one neither of the newlyweds sees coming. If they’re to save their future—and their very lives—they’ll need to trust in each other and their growing love.

I have to confess that for the first few chapters I thought Notorious was going to be the second book in a row that would turn out to be a disappointment. I thoroughly disliked the shrewish Drusilla, and after a brief scene where Algerian born Gabriel, victim blames (he almost immediately apologizes), her, I wasn’t overly fond of him either. But then, much to my surprise they started growing on me. What begins as a cold marriage of convenience realistically develops into a true love match which was pleasurable to follow. The secondary characters are equally interesting, notably the villainous Godric Fleming, Earl Visel. Having done his best to torture Gabriel from the beginning of the book, his backstory is revealed about halfway through, and it makes him much more complex and sympathetic. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next book, Outrageous, which will feature him and Gabriel’s stepsister and Dru’s best friend, the impetuous Lady Eva de Courtney. Overall, Notorious is a thoroughly entertaining Regency romp with surprisingly diverse characters.