Review: The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Alender

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Jenn
Review: The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie AlenderThe Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Alender
Published by Point on August 25, 2015
Genres: Horror, YA
Pages: 336
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
When Delia's Aunt Cordelia passes away, she's surprised to hear she has inherited her home.  It isn't your typical home, of course.  The Piven Institute for the Care and Correction of Troubled Females, nicknamed Hysteria Hall, was once the home, and ultimately the resting place, for dozens of women and children.  Some of these women were too defiant and strong-willed for their time, but there were others who were, in fact, quite disturbed.  Forced to live out their final years in an insane asylum, some died naturally. Others...not so much.

Delia is certain Hysteria Hall is haunted.  Her parents and younger sister brush off her claims as typical teen drama.  Until, that is, she becomes one of the many ghosts that roam the floors of Hysteria Hall.  Now trapped, Delia learns that Hysteria Hall has quite the sordid history.  Some deaths were covered up while others were written off as suicide.  They were all tied together, connected to a darkness that has lay buried for all this time.  Delia soon realizes that her aunt's decision to will her this home was intentional. She is the only one who can uncover the secrets hidden within the walls of Hysteria Hall, the only one who can set free the dozens of innocents trapped there.

I’m all about horror novels set in asylums. I mean, ghosts are pretty spooky as is, but ghosts of the insane? Terrifying.

Though this title wasn’t as terrifying as I would have hoped (I really wouldn’t classify it as a horror, but a thriller or suspense with ghosts!), I did appreciate the feminist undertones.  It’s no secret that women were once (and sometimes, still!) considered insane for desiring more in life, things that extend beyond what men deemed appropriate.  This is definitely a novel that has the reader contemplating things far deeper than the storyline itself.

Although Delia is a typical 16 year old girl with age-appropriate feelings and emotions, she’s strong-willed and determined to beat her fate, to help save her loved ones.  She refuses to accept the limits placed upon her, instead forgoing all risk to put an end to the evil that resides within Hysteria Hall.

I actually really enjoyed this read, despite the fact it didn’t terrify me in the least. I think this is actually a good selling point! If you are a reader looking for something spooky, but not too spooky, to read this Halloween, this is the perfect title for you. Highly recommended.

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Review: Brother by Ania Ahlborn

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Jenn

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Brother by Ania AhlbornBrother by Ania Ahlborn
Also by this author: The Devil Crept In
Published by Gallery Books, Simon & Schuster on September 29, 2015
Genres: Thriller
Pages: 336
Format: Paperback
Source: the publisher
The Morrows live in a dilapidated farmhouse in Appalachia; their closest neighbor is miles away.  No one visits, no one knows of their exact location. When young girls go missing, the police don't question them. This is a benefit, for they often have to rely upon...unconventional means to feed their family.

Michael Morrow, nineteen, is unlike the rest of his family. He does as he is told, often forced to clean up after a hunt.  He dreams for a life outside of rural West Virginia.  That spark to leave is intensified when he meets a young girl working in a record shop in a nearby town. When he visits her, he forgets the life he lives in that remote farmhouse. However, just when he thinks he has a chance at a new life, his brother Rebel reminds him of his roots, of the monster that resides within him despite his attempts at normalcy.

I don’t exaggerate when I state Ania Ahlborn is the queen of horror.  Truly.  I’ve been reading her work for some time now; I consider her to be an “auto-buy” author because everything she produces is pure brilliance.  Brilliance on a dark and grim level, but that doesn’t deter from just how profound it is.

You can read the summary and realize that this isn’t going to be a book full of rainbows and unicorns and puppy dogs. In Brother, Ahlborn takes a break from her typical supernatural horror and instead produces a thriller that is far scarier than any horror she’s written.  Humans are capable of producing a terror far more devastating than any supernatural creature that exits, and Ahlborn uses this novel to prove that.

It’s obvious that the Marrows aren’t your typical family.  They’ve existed for years in a home full of abuse, not an once of love or compassion resides within that home.  Every taboo act imaginable has taken place in this home. It’s certainly not a storyline many are drawn to, yet Ahlborn focuses on the sociological aspect, how the systematic and continuous abuse alters the most “normal” of individuals.  Nature vs. nurture most definitely plays a big role in this tale.

Additionally, Ahlborn uses flashbacks to show readers the slow progression to madness this family followed. As we learn more and more about the family’s history, the build-up of dread for what is to come dramatically intensifies.

This is most certainly not the book for everyone. It’s dark and disturbing.  It will continue to send chills down your spine days, weeks, after reading it. Yet, it’s addictive, for you fear not knowing what will happen if you don’t continue, just as you fear what will happen with the turn of a page.  Highly, highly recommended (with warning)!

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Murder, Monsters & Mayhem Discussion Post: Halloween Traditions

Posted on October 25, 2015 by Jenn
Photo credit: Emily Ellsworth

Photo credit: Emily Ellsworth

I may have mentioned somewhere that Halloween is one of my favorite holidays.  It’s the dressing up, the decorations, the spooky movies. Ok, and the candy too.  Growing up, we had Halloween traditions I continued with my own family.  This includes the obvious, of course: the carving of pumpkins, etc.  Our traditional dinner? Tomato soup and macaroni, served with grilled cheese. This was sometimes served before trick-or-treating, sometimes after, depending on how hectic our schedule was that night.  After trick-or-treating, we had mugs of cocoa to warm us.  It’s traditions like these that I hope the boys continue with their families like I did with them.

What about you? What were some of your Halloween traditions?

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Review: Maplecroft by Cherie Priest

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Jenn
Review: Maplecroft by Cherie PriestMaplecroft by Cherie Priest
Series: Borden Dispatches
Published by Roc on September 2, 2014
Genres: Science Fiction, Supernatural
Pages: 448
Format: eBook
The Lizzie Borden name is not an unfamiliar one.  We're all aware of the poem:

Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother forty whacks; and when she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty-one....

After the brutal deaths of her father and stepmother, Lizzie and her sister Emma have used their inheritance to move to Fall River and buy a new home, Maplecroft.  The people of Fall River fear Lizzie; she can't escape the past that now tarnishes her reputation. Yet they don't understand the real evil that caused not only the deaths in the Borden home, but are now cropping up around them.  An evil that resides in the depths of the ocean, it now causes an epidemic that transforms its victims into horrific creature.  The one thing that can put an end to this...thing...is the very ax that took the lives of Mrs. and Mrs. Borden.

I’ve had an unnatural obsession with Lizzie Borden most of my life. Perhaps it incited and inspired my interest in the monsters that walk among us.  So, when I learned of this title I knew I had to have it.

A year after it’s original publication, I decided to read it again (especially since a second book in the series, Chapelwood, was just released!).  My interest and fascination in this book had not waned, instead it grew with intensity. There have been a quite a few spinoffs of the Lizzie Borden story, both in television and in literature, yet by far this has to be the most unique.  A creature that lives within the depths of the ocean, taking over its victims with an evil that incites murderous acts? How could I not love it?

In Maplecroft, we see another side to both Lizzie and Emma.  Lizzie doesn’t deny that she killed her father and stepmother; her reason for such a brutal act is self-defense. Yet the Lizzie in this novel is drawn to the strange and supernatural, she uses wards of various sources to ward her home from the dark evil that torments it.  Emma, suffering from consumption, is wholly dependent upon Lizzie for her care.  Weakened due to her condition, she is used to having Lizzie to herself, as though she benefited from the act that ostracized the sisters from the public around them.  Secondary characters play an active role in the attempt to seek answers that might explain the heinous acts that seem to follow the Borden sisters.

Fans of the infamous Lizzie Borden, as well as those intrigued by urban fantasy, are certain to be captivated by this richly crafted, wholly unique spin on an infamous murder case.  Highly, highly recommended.

 

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Review: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Jenn
Review: Carry On by Rainbow RowellCarry On by Rainbow Rowell
Published by St. Martin's Griffin on October 6, 2015
Genres: YA
Pages: 528
Format: Hardcover
Simon Snow, an orphan, is in his last year at Watford School of Magicks.  As if that isn't pressure enough, he's been declared "the Chosen One," yet can't seem to get much right.  The majority of the time he can't get his wand to work properly. Frankly, he's a clumsy, bumbling mess.  To make matters worse, his girlfriend of the last few years has broken up with him, his mentor (the Mage) is out of pocket and ignoring Simon, and his arch-nemesis the Insidious Humdrum, is causing havoc and destruction, all while appearing to look like Simon at age eleven.

When his roommmate, Baz, a vampire who hasn't quite yet admitted to what he is, doesn't show up for the start of the term, Simon begins to wonder if something is up. It's not like he's Baz's biggest fan, afterall. They don't get a long, at all, and Simon is certain that Baz is going to drain him in his sleep. These recent activities have the Families on edge; something big is simmering and ready to boil over. As the Chosen One, Simon should be the one to put an end to it all.  He can't do it without help, however. He must rely on friends (and some unlikely allies) to save those he cares about the most, including himself.

Why yes, this does sound a lot like Harry Potter meets Twilight, doesn’t it? Admittedly, when I read the premise I thought the same myself.  As I started to read, I was wary of the similarities but my faith in Rowell as a write won me over and I continued.

Rather than recreating the story from the beginning (we all know the Harry Potter and Twilight storylines, after all), Rowell dives deep into the story, leaping forward to the final year of magic school. There are flashbacks and instances in which we learn about what transpired in years past, enough to catch us up on what has transpired.   From the get-go, though there are similarities, Rowell crafts a completely unique and moving story of her own.

I’m going to be as vague as I can be, for this is a book that each reader must experience and embrace on their own, revealing bits and pieces of the story independently, free from spoilers.  What I will say is that it is truly magical and not only in the most obvious ways. Rowell appreciates what is wanted and what is also missing in the world of books, and she makes it her goal to not only showcase it but celebrate it, complete with glitter and rainbows and unicorns.  She embraces and celebrates diversity in characters and she does so with a genuine appreciation and reverence for differences. She didn’t just add a token person of color or a gay individual just for show or to check of a box, she made them well-crafted and developed characters.  They were far more than the categories they might be placed in.  They were true and genuine individuals.

Additionally, Rowell crafted a brilliantly moving story of friendship, of love (both romantic and familial), and discovering and coming to terms with one’s self. It is overflowing with characters you’ll love, love to hate, and root for. A truly awe inspiring and inspirational read. Highly, highly recommended.

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Review: Asylum #3: Catacomb by Madeleine Roux

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Jenn

I received this book for free from personal copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Review: Asylum #3: Catacomb by Madeleine RouxCatacomb by Madeleine Roux
Series: Asylum
Published by Harper Teen, HarperCollins on September 1, 2015
Genres: Horror, YA
Pages: 336
Source: personal copy
Dan, Abby, and Jordan have barely survived their senior year.  That isn't an exaggeration; the incidents that took place in Brookline Dorm (a former psychiatric hospital) at New Hampshire College Prep nearly took their lives.

To celebrate the end of senior year, the trio decides to take one final road trip together.  Jordan is moving in with his uncle in New Orleans; this seems like the perfect getaway.  Abby is thrilled to join in; she's working on a project photographing historical sites and buildings. Dan is more than willing to join in on the fun as well.  The excitement is diminished when Dan begins receiving messages from a friend...who passed away last Halloween. Add on to this the strange photographer that seems to be following the trio on their road trip, it isn't unreasonable for the trio to be suspicious.

Of course, the strangeness doesn't end once they reach New Orleans. Instead, it intensifies.  Dan learns that the horrific events that transpired last year may not have been random, but fate.  His biological parents were tied to a dark and mysterious group called the Bone Artists.  With a name like that, it's obvious they are up to no good.

Using found photographs, the Dan, Abby, and Jordan dig deep through the past to get answers about the mysterious messages, the unidentified photographer, and Dan's family history.

Let me start off by saying I adore everything about this trilogy of books (starting with Asylum and Sanctum).  It has become tradition for me to read them during the October read-a-thon and feature them as part of Murder, Monsters & Mayhem.  When this conclusion to the trilogy was released, I could not wait to start it. Each and every one of these books is unique in that the author uses chilling photographs as found footage to help progress the story.

This most recent installment is no different. Yet, in this case, the photographs are beautiful in their creepiness. This time, it’s a combination of photograph Abby has taken and those they have found on their hunt for answers. Here’s just one example:

unnamed

Additionally, this title succeeded in wrapping up the various storylines that began in previous books, interconnected characters that were apparent, but the depth to that connection was completely unknown. I do love me a trilogy that is wrapped up and tidy, and this one most certainly does, not without a suspenseful and bone-chilling ending, of course.

While it doesn’t have the ghosty haunted premise of the previous books, the fact that it is set in New Orleans makes the reader quite aware that there will be more of a voodoo feel to it. Though I wasn’t as chilled or terrified as the previous books, this one was so well executed, with a pacing that kept me engaged enough to read this in one sitting, made this a completely memorable read.  I do implore you to check out the previous two books. Must reads for this time of year! Highly, highly recommended.

 

Photo credit: Emily Ellsworth

Photo credit: Emily Ellsworth

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Review: Mary: Unleashed by Hillary Monahan

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Jenn
Review: Mary: Unleashed by Hillary MonahanMary: Unleashed by Hillary Monahan
Series: Bloody Mary
Published by Disney-Hyperion on September 8, 2015
Genres: Horror, Middle Grade, YA
Pages: 256
Format: Hardcover
Friends Shauna, Kitty, and Jess barely survived Mary's attacks. They lost a dear friend and now continue to shield themselves from any and all reflective surfaces.  Just when they thought it couldn't get worse, Jess reveals that she's unleashed Mary into the world, breaking her from the bonds of her mirror.  Putting all anger and animosity aside, the girls must bound together to finally put an end to Mary's murderous rage.  To do so, they must go to the heart of Mary's past, where it all began: Solomon's Folly.  They must finally put Mary's soul at rest.  To do so, they have to piece together the mystery surrounding not only her death, but the death of many of those close to her.  They are running out of time; Mary is on the hunt and now anyone is a potential victim.

This is the second book in the Bloody Mary series by Hillary Monahan.  The first, Mary: The Summoning was a terrifying book that took me back to my youth, where groups of friends attempted to call upon Bloody Mary.  In that book, we learned a little about Mary’s backstory but, in this most recent novel, we learn a great deal more about what caused Mary to be a murderous ghost.

Monahan could have followed the tradition of sequels and simply rehashing or doing a replay of the events of the previous book. Instead, she takes readers to the heart of the story, immersing us in a chilling tale of murder, jealousy and deceit.  She expands upon what was already revealed in the previous book and takes it to a whole new level.  She gives credence to the history of Mary’s death, bringing in urban legends and local lore to craft a truly haunting tale.

Though I didn’t find this one to be as chilling and terrifying as the previous novel, I adored it for the background info on Mary and why she chose to haunt/stalk who she did. Oftentimes, authors craft their own urban legend without providing a reason why, or an origin story.  Monahan does so, doing an exceptional job of using local history to tell the tale. I’m hesitant to reveal more; you truly need to read the books to discover on your own.

If you are looking for a haunting series to read this Halloween season, let it be this one. Highly, highly recommended.

 

Photo credit: Emily Ellsworth

Photo credit: Emily Ellsworth

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Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-thon (October 2015): Update Post

Posted on October 17, 2015 by Jenn

dewey

 

It’s here! It’s here! Dewey’s 24-hour read-a-thon.  Ok, I lied. Technically, it’s Friday night and I’m writing this post so I can get off to a good start on Saturday morning.

This post shall serve as my read-a-thon update post.  I don’t do posts for each and every update.  Instead, my “live updates” are done on Tumblr.  I then link those Tumblr posts below.  Also, I don’t update every hour (I feel it breaks up my concentration), instead posting an update when I finish a book, or after a break, etc.  Read more about it on my read-a-thon post from yesterday.

So, while it looks like there is nothing happening here on the blog, there is. Just scroll down to see updates.  I’ll also be updating on Twitter & Instagram.

Each update will follow the following format:
Currently Reading:

Books Finished:

Pages read since last update:

Running total of pages read:

Snacks:

 

I use a spreadsheet to do all my calculations, so every update should take less than 5 minutes, allowing me to get back to my reading! So, without futher ado…

8:00 AM: Kick-off Post!
10:00 AM: Update #1
12:00 PM: Update #2
4:00 PM: Update #3

Sunday 10 AM

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Dewey’s 24-Hour Read-a-thon: October 2015

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Jenn

dewey

 

Tomorrow I will be taking part in Dewey’s 24 Hour read-a-thon, a wonderful community event that, this year, will bring together over 1,000 readers!  Like the title suggests, participants have the option of reading for 24 hours.  I won’t be reading for that long (you don’t want to see me if I haven’t received my mandated 8 hours of sleep), but plan to read a majority of the time.  This year, since we have a wedding to attend tomorrow night, I’ll be making up for lost time by continuing to read through Sunday while everyone else is sleeping!

As I started to write this post, I wanted to find out how many of these read-a-thons I’ve participated in.  My first seems to be the Spring/April read-a-thon in 2009.  Since then, I’ve participated in every read-a-thon but one, bringing my total to 11 read-a-thons.  Looking at that post, I see that I joined roughly 100 readers; this year we are topping 1500! If I had the time and patience I’d calculate the total number of books I’ve read.  Instead, since I average about 5 books per read-a-thon, that means I’ve read approximately 55 books.  Quite impressive, I must say.

The October read-a-thons are always my favorite. The cool weather, crisp smell of leaves on the wind.  Oh, and the fact I have an excuse to curl up with some dark and spooky books is quite appealing!

Below is my initial read-a-thon TBR pile.

IMG_4934

 

In case you can’t see the titles they are:

  • Bloody Mary, Book 2 Mary: Unleashed by Hillary Monahan
  • Catacomb by Madeleine Roux ( the previous two books in this series were also read during read-a-thons of past!)
  • Carry On by by Rainbow Rowell
  • The Witches: Salem, 1692 by Stacy Schiff

Not pictured are a few books I have on my iPad, including Persuasion by Martina Boone and a stack of comics/graphic novels to include: Island (# 1-3), Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and more.  Though I like to have a stack of books to choose from, I’ve been known to change tactics midway and read something completely different.

Additionally, I have a nice mix of healthy/junk food lined up to sustain me as I read.  This includes:

  • Appetizers! Potato skins, mozzarella sticks, fried green beans.  I want them all!
  • Cookies: perfect to fuel that rush of energy around midnight!
  • Carrots/celery sticks: just something to munch on.
  • Cinnamon rolls! I put these on the oven & set the timer for it to start around 8 am on Sunday. No matter how successful a read-a-thon I have, at least breakfast will be waiting.

This year, I’m once again contributing prizes for participants.  This year, I’m contributing five bookmarks from my Etsy store.

I don’t blog much during the read-a-thon. I don’t want people to open their feed readers on Monday and see dozens of posts from me.  Instead, I post my updates on Tumblr, then link them back to one generic update post on my blog. Easy peasy.

Are you participating in the read-a-thon? Which books are looking forward to reading most?

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Comic Book Review: Survivors’ Club # 1 (Vertigo Comics)

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Jenn
Comic Book Review: Survivors’ Club # 1 (Vertigo Comics)Survivors Club by Dale Halvorsen, Lauren Beukes
Published by Vertigo Comics on October 7, 2015
Genres: Horror
It starts with a mysterious email. The recipients, six in total, were found on a list on the internet.  All of the other individuals on the list or missing or dead. The survivors are all in the Los Angeles area, and something horrorific happened to them in 1987.  The email suggests a meeting, which they all consent to. All but one.

One was possessed by a poltergeist. Another was trapped in a haunted house. Still another has a life-like doll with murderous intentions. Something connects them all. They are survivors of a horrific actions that took place in the late 80s.  It is only together that they can find answers that explain what happened then...and what may be happening again.

I have been counting down the days until I could hold this comic in my hands.  Originally hinted at several months ago, when I heard the great Lauren Beukes (Broken Monsters) was collaborating on a new comic series, I was sold.  All I knew at the time was this teaser: “What if 80’s horror movies were real? Where are those kids today?” DUDE.

So, I finally got my hands on this much desired comic last week. And my expectations were not only met, but exceeded. We don’t learn much about the characters in this first issue, instead more of what brought them together.  The one character we do learn about is Zira, who grew up in South Africa under apartheid. Her mother was a victim, her father turned to alcohol. She spent most of her time in an arcade.  It is there that she comes across a game called Akeron. It takes hold of her, she finally feels alive inside.  When a bolt of lightning hits the arcade, Zira believes the game is responsible. She continues to play, certain that whatever door she opened in playing it needs to be closed. The arcade burns around her, killing her father. She survives.

With reason, she becomes obsessed with this game. In doing some research online, she uncovers a game that is strikingly similar to Akeron.  The title, Happy Hero Toast, sounds less than ominous. Yet when she shows a video of the game to the “Survivor’s Club,” they are all taken back to the horrific acts in 1987. The game has an effect on them, and apparently others across the world. The occult events that transpired in 1987 are happening once again. Somehow this game, and these individuals, are connected.

Ok, so I probably gave away more than I should have, but can you understand why I am so excited about this title? Hello! 80’s horror movies! I grew up on them; they shaped my love of the horror genre.  I was a bit wary, as this whole “old is new” fad with things sometimes fails miserably. In this case it is completely the opposite. I’m sold.

survivorsclub

If you add all the other comic elements to this, you get a completely absorbing and truly phenomenal reading experience.  Two-page spreads, vividly drawn characters and an impressive and evolving color palette.  Diverse characters (including a strong, POC female character, that doesn’t seem forced or like she was thrown in there to appease readers). I can’t wait for the next issue!

STORY BY: Lauren Beukes, Dale Halvorsen
ART BY: Ryan Kelly
COLORS BY: Eva De La Cruz
LETTERS BY: Clem Robins
COVER BY: Bill Sienkiewicz

Photo credit: Emily Ellsworth

Photo credit: Emily Ellsworth

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