headinbookishclouds

[headinbookishclouds]

God's angel

[headinbookishclouds]

“it’s starting to smell like pumpkin spice!”

“it’s starting to smell like scary movies!”

no.

it’s starting to smell like, the snow in the mountains was melting and bunny had been dead for several weeks before we came to realize the gravity of our situation.

[headinbookishclouds]

[headinbookishclouds]

Mysterious Ways by Wendy Wunder

I honestly picked up this book because I thought the cover art was a reference to Anne of Green Gables.

To be perfectly honest, I don’t know how to feel about this book. The concept of being able to know everything about anyone is such a unique idea for a contemporary YA book but the style of the book was a let down. For starters, I wasn’t a fan of the character vignettes that were scattered periodically throughout the book and the overall plato was weak. There wasn’t much happening unfortunately and I wish Maya’s (the main character) unique abilities weren’t explored enough.

In the beginning, I did feel there was a realistic consequence of this ability which did help to ground the book however there could have been a lot more that could have been done. I think the main issue is that the overall plot is so weak and disconnected.

3/5

See my review on GR!

[headinbookishclouds]

Dearest by  Jacquie Walters

Dearest by Jacquie Walters was such a good read! With the main character being a new mom, I was a little hesitant about this book but it proved me wrong and I’m so glad.

Flora is a new mother and she’s overwhelmed, well that would be an understatement. With no help and her husband deployed, Flora is struggling immensely but lo and behold, her estranged mother comes to help her. Now that she is here, things have taken a sharp turn for the worse.

With so many authors using the post-partum trope for horror books in a way to dismiss any supernatural elements, I was happy that this book did use those elements. Reading it however, you’re not outright sure that something paranormal is happening but then the intensity starts to pick up quickly. It was spooky and terrifying; the way the author used the main character’s blurring lines between what was real and what was not was an excellent way of introducing and maintaining tension effectively. I also enjoyed the ending as well!

4/5

See my review on GR!

[headinbookishclouds]

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

Oh, to finally be free from my exams!

I’m shocked it's almost 2025 - I confess I’m not ready. I have a lot of book reviews to power though, so hopefully that can be done. Starting with the first one I have neglected to do, We Used To Live Here by Marcus Kliewer is a strong contender for my favourite 2024 read.

It starts off pretty mundane - a family passing by rings Eve’s doorbell. The husband claims it used to be his childhood home and he couldn’t resist the opportunity to show the family his home. A simple enough task that Eve reluctantly obliged but things just start becoming weird when they basically refuse to leave.

I honestly didn’t know where Kliewer was going to take the story. The first few parts could have been a murder mystery or something similar. There’s a lot of confusion and chaos in the book where I struggled to follow along, especially near the end. However, it did start making sense although for some sections I honestly cannot understand. Besides the confusion, We Used To Live Here did such a great job in creating tension and a moody atmosphere - I was pretty much nervous the entire time reading it. The end is inconclusive but with what was going on, I think it makes sense even though I was slightly disappointed.

3/5

See m review on GR!

[headinbookishclouds]

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

“I see her every night,” Teddy says. “She sleeps under my bed so I can hear her singing.”

Without many job options, Mallory agrees to interview for a nanny job for a wealthy couple for their little son. Sure she’s failed, she’s ecstatic she’s got the job. Teddy is an adorable little boy who’s easy to care for. Thrilled, Mallory aims to do the best however things take a turn when Teddy starts drawing disturbing pictures, ones that keep getting worse and worse. Convinced something is haunting Teddy, Mallory is determined to put a stop to it no matter what. 

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak was such a captivating novel. I feel like it is pretty similar to a lot of other books because the plot boiled to its basics is pretty common. However, the storytelling itself really drew me in immediately with the first page discussing Mallory’s state of mind. As well, I loved the inclusion of the pictures. The images were so creepy and I loved that they were included, it was incredibly easy to visualise the urgency of what Mallory was experiencing.

I feel like there was a disconnect with the characters. They didn’t really register with me, oddly enough. I was more interested in the plot and what was happening rather than the characters. Even now, I can only recall a few of them. I’m not sure what would have made them more memorable but this wasn’t a deterrent to me at all. I enjoyed the mystery and the storytelling was really easy to get into.

3/5

See my review on GR!

[headinbookishclouds]

What Feats at Night by T. Kingfisher

I loved What Moves the Dead so I am truly disappointed What Feats at Night didn’t hold up to my expectations. However, aside from my pesky expectations, I still think Kingfisher delivered a solid sequel. 

What Feats at Night continues Easton’s adventures into her home country. Easton is being accompanied by Angus to her hunting lodge. However, when they get there, they find it not tended to despite Easton paying for a caretaker. Things take a turn for the worse when she learns that her lodge’s caretaker is dead with a rumour that something supernatural caused the caretaker’s death. Staying at the lodge, things start taking a turn for the worse and that’s where things get interesting. 

Of course, the same vivid description accompanied the second book. I just love how Kingfisher writes. There’s a sprinkle of humour with the creepy atmosphere - it’s so jolting, it’s actually humorous. What is different this time is that the mystery doesn’t seem satisfying. The way What Moves the Dead did it wrapped up the story in a good way even though there were some unanswered questions. The same formula is also seen in What Feasts at Night however the mystery left me super confused. There wasn’t a sense of closure unfortunately. 

Also, why is Easton having such a hard time believing after what happened with the Ushers, who are continually brought up! Easton has no reason not to believe, in fact I found her lack of belief quite irritating. Ultimately, I am still excited for the third sworn soldier book where Easton’s adventures with Denton will continue!

3/5

See my review on GR!

[headinbookishclouds]

Tell me Your Secrets by Mel McGrath

I should have learned never to read another domestic thriller.

I mean I already know this: I do not enjoy domestic thrillers for the most part, apart from a few. To me, domestic thrillers are boring. I will admit, some are very good but Tell me Your Secrets by Mel McGrath is incredibly boring and everything about this book does not scream thriller.

The overall premise of the book could have been interesting. But it was muddled by the day to day thoughts and interactions the main characters went through. It was 200 pages too long. Also, the only thing that truly interested me was the missing girl plotline but that was a side plot which was not expanded on at all.

Such a disappointing read.

1/5

See my review on GR!

[headinbookishclouds]

Diavola by Jennifer Thorne

Anna Pace’s annual family vacation starts great, or as great as it can be considering she and her family just don’t seem to get along. And, there is something wrong with the house they are vacationing at. Random doors open and close, the family keeps seeing things even though they all deny seeing them and the villagers are terrified of the house. So clearly, relaxing doesn’t seem to be a variable option, increasingly as the house seems determined to get something or someone. 

Diavola by Jennifer Thorne was an interesting read. I have been on a horror grind recently so I definitely had to pick this book up. Intermingled with the family drama, the first half of the book didn’t do well with the horror elements. The first half was quite slow - a lot of details about Anna’s family and their treatment of her. But, I get it that Anna is the black sheep in her family and I don’t need another reminder. The dynamic the characters had was clearly established pretty much in the beginning so there wasn’t a need for all of the repetition. I didn’t really care for any of the characters so the family drama was getting on my nerves. Because of the overemphasis on the family drama,I  felt the first half of the book was lacking the horror elements. While there was a gradual buildup (which I actually liked), it was mogged down by the family drama. 

The second half of the novel was better. There was a lot of fast-paced action happening and once Anna was separate from her family, I think that’s where the horror elements were made much more apparent. However, there were a lot of things that just were glossed over that were either never addressed again or briefly mentioned. It didn’t really make sense to have them present. 

I enjoyed the ending and wanted an expansion of Anna’s ending but I think it was a satisfactory ending. 

3/5

See my review on GR!

[headinbookishclouds]

Sadie by Courtney Summers 

Told through a dual narration of 19 year old Sadie, the titular protagonist and a podcast transcript, the book is a heartbreaking story about the lengths someone would go for someone they loved and the impacts left behind doing so. 

Sadie by Courtney Summers was hard to get into. I enjoyed the podcast sections and I think it contrasted well with Sadie’s sections. However, the narration style of Sadie’s was not clicking with me. As well, it was pretty slow which unfortunately made it even harder to be invested. Toward the middle point, did Sadie’s section become more riveting but I felt the story-telling of her section hindered it a lot for me. It read extremely plainly unfortunately. The podcast section read super well and I felt it was more engaging. 

The actual story is quite devastating. Sadie’s little sister was murdered and Sadie is planning on killing the person responsible. The intersecting story of both the podcasts provided an interesting approach to the story: Sadie’s felt more personal and in the moment, the podcast was a few steps behind her. I felt the podcast was great at pulling my heartstrings surprisingly. I loved reading about Sadie’s mother, her grandmother and all the other characters that Sadie interacted with. It was interesting seeing how others saw Sadie.

The ending was just devastating but I liked how ambiguous it was.

3/5

See my review on GR!

[headinbookishclouds]

Incidents around The House by Josh Malerman

Incidents around the house scarred me. I finished the book late into the night so when I was getting ready to sleep, I kept eyeing the closet in my room. Imagining the terrors that poor Bela faced terrified me. Utilising the perspective of an 8 year old child was such a unique method of navigating the monster in the book, ultimately enhancing the urgency and hopelessness the characters felt. 

I wasn’t aware of this choice when I started the book. When I first saw the narration style, I was pretty dismayed because the storytelling felt a little awkward to me. It did take a few chapters to get used to, so I’m super glad that I stuck around. Bela was such a charming narrator and the childness of her nativity and innocence as she interacted with Other Mommy (OM) ensured that a level of mystery was always present. Kids say pretty weird stuff all the time and so it was believable when the adults in her life didn’t take her seriously. The tension that was slowly building up was gradual but intense - I thought only Bela could see OM, but then others could hear OM and finally people other than Bela could see OM. This gradual increase in intensity spiked around the quarter mark of the book and then it got even more intense. There is basically no break for poor Bela’s family - they are constantly on the move from one point to the other, trying their best to run from OM. 

OM remains largely a mystery which I appreciated. The circumstances surrounding her as well as who or what she is remain vague. While I would have loved knowing more, I think having less answers amplified the horror aspect of the novel because the aspects that you do know are so terrifying already. The ending was also made more terrifying knowing what happened to the family but still wondering regardless. 

I highly recommend the book and if you’re unsure about starting it because of the narration style, just read it!

4/5

See my review on GR!

[headinbookishclouds]

— rhythmicrhinoceros

[headinbookishclouds]

love elizabeth s.

[headinbookishclouds]

Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen

Gone Tonight by Sarah Pekkanen is boring and predictable. I have said this a few times but I'll say it again: domestic thrillers are really not my thing. It’s honestly like any other domestic thriller in the sense that the same plot points are rehashed with nothing original to offer. I definitely get that ideas are re-used constantly but they should be at least written well. The book suffered from mediocre storytelling and I wanted to DNF it but I shouldered on. 

Essentially, 42 year old Ruth Sterling and her 24 year old daughter are close. They share locations with each other, they keep tabs on each other but more so the mother and they’re pretty emmenshed with each other. However, there’s a small problem - Catherine, the daughter, doesn’t really know anything about her mother. Once she finds her mother in a huge lie, Catherine is determined to find out who her mother really is. Trouble is, her mother seems to have a sinister past. 

So, what should have been an exciting book takes very long to become interesting. It goes on and on about their day to day life and Catherine slowly discovering who her mother is but there is just no urgency. I don’t feel it and that affects the pace. Only the end was somewhat interesting but it was way too late.

2/5

See my review on GR!

[headinbookishclouds]

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher is a twisted, atmospheric re-telling of Poe’s short story “The Fall of the House of Usher." I admit, I only have a cursory knowledge about the short story but I understand the basics. However, I don’t think you need to read it to understand What Moves the Dead, I read this book without knowing it was a retelling actually! It’s a self-contained novel that expands on the basic premise of Poe’s short story. 

Featuring Easton as the protagonist and narrator, the book chronicles as Easton visits Madeline and Roderick Usher. To Easton’s shock, the castle is in disarray and both of the Ushers are sickly looking. There’s also something wrong with the rabbits, it’s as if they are dead. What’s even worse is that there is something wrong with the Ushers themselves, specially Madelaine. When a tragedy occurs, Easton is resolved to figure out what happened and if the Ushers can be saved. 

Similar to Kingfisher’s other books, the author makes good use of the atmosphere to create visually stunning and captivating scenes. For me, it was easy to picture the lake and the castle as well as the Ushers. It also helped to build the creepy atmosphere. I felt the that the ending was a little rushed and we were left with very few answers but for the book that it was, I think that is the charm.

3/5 stars

See my review on GR!

[headinbookishclouds]

As Good as Dead By Holly Jackson

Following the events of the second novel, Pip isn’t feeling great, with feeling great being a severe understatement. With the effects of what happened in the second book continuously haunting Pip, she finds herself drawn to another mystery, another murder. However, things are different this time when she seems to be the target. 

As Good as Dead By Holly Jackson is a wonderful example of how to incorporate trauma, grief and PTSD into a murder mystery book. Oftentimes, character deaths are looked over or brushed away by authors however I felt that Holly Jackson did a great job of having Pip be haunted. There was an element of repetitiveness but I think this was needed to display how traumatised she was. 

In addition, As Good as Dead makes Pip a target and I guess the big climax of the story happened earlier than I was expecting. This allowed the after effects of the consequences of Pip’s actions to be explored fully. I will say that what happened seemed very far-fetched to what Pip was but I did see Pip’s gradual decline. 

There was an unresolved issue of the issue with Charlie Green and Stanley Forbes which I wanted to see a resolution to. So I was quite disappointed there wasn’t one. 

Ultimately, this series was enjoyable and a great ride!

3/5 stars

See my review on GR!