Jul 24, 2023
From Our TBR Pile

Review — The Spite House by Johnny Compton

The Spite House
By: Johnny Compton
Release Date: February 7, 2023
Publisher: Tor Nightfire
Rating:


Author Johnny Compton is perhaps best known for his short fiction and contributions to the fiction podcast world, appearing in podcasts such as Pseudopod, The No Sleep Podcast, and certainly not least, his own podcast Healthy Fears. Debut novel The Spite House is Compton’s first foray into long-form fiction. Like his previous works, this debut novel falls solidly within the horror genre, with plenty of gothic elements for fans of the subgenre to sink their teeth into.

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May 23, 2023
From Our TBR Pile

Review — The Cloisters by Katy Hays

The Cloisters
By: Katy Hays
Release Date: November 1, 2022
Publisher: Atria Books
Rating:


Art historian and author Katy Hays’s debut novel The Cloisters is an intensely gothic, gripping tale that oozes suspense. Protagonist Ann Stilwell finds herself in New York City at the Metropolitan Museum of Art with an internship lined up for the summer. Unfortunately, these plans fall through when she learns her would-be boss is off in Europe. Despite the unexpected circumstances, Ann still has a coveted internship, though not at the MET proper.

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Nov 15, 2022
From Our TBR Pile

Review — Rooms by Lauren Oliver

A house with a large tree sprouting from it and roots underneath it. Rooms
By: Lauren Oliver
Release Date: September 23, 2014
Publisher: Ecci
Rating:


Gothic horror has seen something of a revival in recent years, with many modern additions to the genre able to stand strong against past generations’ great authors of the genre. Rooms by Lauren Oliver is one such gothic horror. However, it doesn’t always manage to hit its mark, instead being a little too scattered with a few too many ongoing plots that don’t get the focus and attention each deserves. Yet, there is something here that draws in the reader, that makes you want to know more.

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Aug 03, 2022

Review — Dreaming Darkly by Caitlin Kittredge

A skull made of smoke hovering over a manison Dreaming Darkly
By: Caitlin Kittredge
Release Date: April 9, 2019
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Rating:


Gothic horror holds a special place in many people’s hearts. Examples of the genre can be found everywhere, from popular TV shows to classic literature and, of course, young adult fiction. Caitlin Kittredge’s Dreaming Darkly is a great example of young adult gothic horror. All of the staples of the genre are present—an old house that’s both huge and spooky, family secrets, odd happenings that could be either natural or supernatural occurrences, and old mysteries that haunt the present.

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Mar 23, 2021
New & Upcoming Releases

Review – All the Murmuring Bones by A.G. Slatter

All the Murmuring Bones
By: A.G. Slatter
Release Date: April 8, 2021
Publisher: Titan Books
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


The newest novel by A.G. Slatter, All the Murmuring Bones, is a tale that spans a wide gamut of genres and themes neatly packed into a pretty, blue cover whose curling motif hints at the churning ocean waves that permeate the tale. Slatter is no stranger to fiction, with several other books already under her belt, such as Vigil and Corpselight, as well as compilations of her short fiction. She is also quite the decorated author, with a World Fantasy Award, a British Fantasy Award, a Ditmar, six Aurealis Awards, and an Australian Shadows Award.

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Feb 28, 2020
New & Upcoming Releases

#BlogTour – The Golden Key by Marian Womack

The Golden Key
By: Marian Womack
Release Date: February 18, 2020
Publisher: Titan Books
Received From: Publisher
(All reviews are our own, honest opinions.)
Rating:


Traditional Victorian gothic is mixed with elements of mystery and fantasy in The Golden Key by Marian Womack. In this, as of yet, standalone novel, the supernatural clash against psychology and detective work. Underneath that lies something more than the Victorian indulgence for séances and tarot readings. There’s something uncanny happening, something that can’t be explained by normal measures but can be felt and seen nonetheless.

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Oct 29, 2019
Throwback Thursday

Review – This House is Haunted by John Boyne

This House is Haunted by John Boyne This House is Haunted
By: John Boyne
Release Date: April 25, 2013
Publisher: Doubleday
Rating:


This House is Haunted by John Boyne is a wonderful, slow read filled with all of the wonderful bits of traditional gothic horror. Set in 1867, the story is told by Eliza Caine, a young woman who works as a teacher for young girls. When tradgedy besets her and her father, Eliza takes up a new position as a governess to two children living in a country manor. The children are odd, their parents are missing, something is wrong with the house, and none of the townsfolk will talk about any of it.

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