The Mary Shelley Club Goldy Moldavsky Published by: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) Publication date: April 13th 2021 Genres: Thriller, Young Adult
New York Times-bestselling author Goldy Moldavsky delivers a deliciously twisty YA thriller that’s Scream meets Karen McManus about a mysterious club with an obsession for horror.
When it comes to horror movies, the rules are clear:
x Avoid abandoned buildings, warehouses, and cabins at all times. x Stay together: don’t split up, not even just to “check something out.” x If there’s a murderer on the loose, do not make out with anyone.
If only surviving in real life were this easy…
New girl Rachel Chavez turns to horror movies for comfort, preferring stabby serial killers and homicidal dolls to the bored rich kids of Manhattan Prep…and to certain memories she’d preferred to keep buried.
Then Rachel is recruited by the Mary Shelley Club, a mysterious society of students who orchestrate Fear Tests, elaborate pranks inspired by urban legends and movie tropes. At first, Rachel embraces the power that comes with reckless pranking. But as the Fear Tests escalate, the competition turns deadly, and it’s clear Rachel is playing a game she can’t afford to lose.
Genre: Mystery, Scary, Suspense, Teen--
Rachel survived a horrible incident a year before and now she is trying to have a normal senior year in a new school and forget her past. Her only escape is the thrill of horror movies, something her mom and therapist don't think is great for coping. When Rachel attends a party and witnesses a great prank that nobody wants to take ownership of, her curiosity will not let her stop her pursuit for answers. Little did Rachel know is that her new school has its own scary movie fans and they are watching her now.
Ok, this review will be short because I do not want to ruin anything but I can honestly say that I was shocked. I was reading this book and enjoying what it was and then like 70% in all of a sudden the plot twisted and I never saw it coming and the story went somewhere else. Basically, I want everyone to go forth and read this story and then get back to me so we can chat about it.
This is a perfect read for anyone who likes the fear and adrenaline of scary movies, appreciates the nuances of horror movie classics, who likes surprises and twists as well as the most complicated of characters. The ending of the story did not really feel like an ending and if that is the case, count me in for a sequel. As said best in the movie Scream:
“Everybody dies but us. We get to carry on and plan the sequel, 'cause, let's face it, baby, these days you gotta have a sequel.”
Author Bio:
Goldy Moldavsky was born in Lima, Peru, and grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where she lives with her family. She is the New York Times–bestselling author of Kill the Boy Band and No Good Deed. Some of her influences include Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the esteemed works of John Irving, and the Mexican telenovelas she grew up watching with her mother.
The Dark In-Between Elizabeth Hrib Published by: Swoon Reads Publication date: May 5th 2020 Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult
Action-packed and emotionally powerful like big- and small-screen hits such as The Sixth Sense and Supernatural, The Dark In-Between by Elizabeth Hrib is sure to stay with you long after the lights go out.
Something lurks in the shadows between life and death.
A terrible accident brings sixteen-year-old Casey Everett’s life to a halt—literally. Pulled from the water, Casey is rushed to the hospital and miraculously revived. But her sudden return to the living is shadowed by the drowning of her best friend, Liddy.
Overcome with grief, Casey returns home for the summer only to find the memories of the accident won’t let her go. Shadow-drenched nightmares. Whispers in the back of her mind. Her friend’s screams. Casey thinks she’s losing it… until she watches a boy fall from the sky.
Red—an angel fallen to earth to regain his wings—takes her to Limbo, a place that exists somewhere between the living and the dead. Now, in order to save her best friend, Casey must learn to walk these mysterious and dangerous paths or else risk losing Liddy’s trapped soul to something worse than death.
Genre: Angels, Another-World, Ghosts, Scary, Supernatural, Suspense, Teen--
Casey is struggling to come to terms with the loss of her best friend, overwhelmed with guilt that the accident was her fault. When a boy falls from the sky in front of her and claims to be an angel, Casey has no idea what is going on. It seems that something happened to Casey during the accident and now her friend's soul is trapped, with only Casey to hear her cries.
I was pretty certain that this was going to be a forbidden romance between a certain elusive fallen angel (who was always hungry) and an angsty depressed girl when I was just a few chapters into the story but I was happy to be proven wrong. Instead they were reluctant partners in a battle to reach a life or death goal. That being said, there was a touch of romance in the story that I was completely behind. I loved the relationship dynamic between Casey and her other best friend Evan, he was the happiness and love that she never knew she needed.
Overall this was a really interesting concept about life and death and moving on, filled with some scary encounters and a lot of heartbreak. I am also a fan of the fact this is a standalone read so you don't have to wait for another book to continue. If you are looking for an emotional read with angels, lost souls and learning to forgive yourself, then this is the perfect option. This would be the good next read for fans of the Hush Hush series or The Fallen series by Lauren Kate.
Author Bio:
Elizabeth Hrib was born and raised in London, Ontario where she studied nursing at Western University. She now calls the East Coast home, where she works as a nurse in Halifax. When she’s not working or writing, she can be found at the piano, planning her next Netflix binge, or attempting to keep her small, windowsill garden alive.
A Feast of Phantoms Kat Ross (Lingua Magika, #1) Published by: Acorn Publishing Publication date: February 18th 2020 Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Steampunk
Lingua Magika is Kat’s latest series, a fast-paced Western steampunk fantasy with a dash of romance and adventure! A Feast of Phantoms is Book #1, with at least two more to follow.
THE JOB
It was supposed to be simple.
Help Marshal Sebastian Hardin escort his prisoner one stop on the railway to Charter Oak.
Just one stop.
But when that prisoner is a savant who talks to ghosts, even the simplest plans have a way of falling apart.
THE LAW
Sheriff’s Deputy Ruth Cortez always does the right thing. Lucky Boy is a company town, dependent on the rich and powerful Carnarvon family. Besides which, the charismatic Sebastian Hardin isn’t an easy man to say no to. When his transport derails in the middle of the prairie, Ruth begins a relentless manhunt that leads straight into the dark heart of the Carnarvon empire.
THE FUGITIVE
Lee Merriweather favors sharp suits and fast trains – especially when he’s stealing them. At the ripe old age of 18, he’s managed to become the most wanted criminal in three territories. Lee can’t resist playing cat and mouse with a small-town deputy, but what starts as a game becomes deadly serious.
THE FIXER
Sebastian Hardin is the Carnarvons’ right hand, loyal to the death and willing to keep any secret to protect the family. They want Lee alive, but with the young savant’s disturbing abilities it won’t be an easy proposition. Whoever catches Lee gets the keys to the kingdom and the Carnarvons aren’t the only ones hunting him down. Sebastian has enough problems without falling for Deputy Cortez – but you can’t always choose who you love.
THE PHANTOMS
They terrorized the settlers until Calindra Carnarvon learned to speak their language. Her empire relies on controlling their telekinetic powers, but Lee Merriweather could destroy it all. And not even Lee suspects the shocking truth of the phantoms’ real nature.
Genre: Another-World, Ghosts, Scary, Steampunk, Supernatural--
The story is narrated by Ruth, the most morally grounded character that I think I have ever met. There is no gray with this woman, only black and white and you will always find her on the true and moral side. I really enjoyed getting to know her and see how she reacts in every situation, how she chooses her actions with her calm demeanor and no frills attitude. I loved watching her relationship dynamics with the other characters, be it Doc who we never get to see and tries to educate Ruth, the stoic marshal who is not sure what to make of her or Lee, the charming yet devious mastermind. I will say though that I am curious to see if anything or anyone might be capable of shaking this girl up.
There are just so many cool details that the author used to create the story, seemingly subtle but well placed and important. Linguists are people who can speak to the spectral entities, using all kinds of sounds and speech patterns depending on the entities classification. And the phantoms are what help to power most things, be it a train or a city in general, given orders (suggestions?) by a linguist specializing in that certain tongue. It was honestly such a cool mix of Wild West gunslinger, meets steampunk world building meets the horror element of ghost and overall supernatural.
Also, the title is explained in the book and it really was super witty.
Ok, I just proved that I am a fan girl for this author and find her story crafting ability goes above and beyond what I expect- every time. Each book of hers that I have encountered gets better and better. I am 100% committed to continuing this journey with Ruth to catch the elusive bad guy (? I will go more with mischievous than actual bad) and will be back for the next book. I do hope though that there might be some kind or romance blossom in the next story (there was none here) because I am always a sucker for love and I enjoy both the two potential (in my opinion) love interests.
Overall A Feast of Phantoms was completely original and engaging, the perfect read for fans of westerns, mixed with action with danger, supernatural (can more books be cool fusions of all kinds of things like this was?), and a tough cookie of a main character.
Author Bio:
Kat Ross worked as a journalist at the United Nations for ten years before happily falling back into what she likes best: making stuff up. She’s the author of the Fourth Element and Fourth Talisman fantasy series, the Gaslamp Gothic paranormal mysteries, and the dystopian thriller Some Fine Day. She loves myths, monsters and doomsday scenarios. Check out Kat’s Pinterest page for the people, places and things that inspire her books.
The village of Krume is plagued by a haunted wood and a hungry witch. It’s been that way for as long as Hans and Greta can remember, though they have never seen the witch themselves; no one has.When men start to disappear once again in the cover of night - their bloody hearts turning up on doorsteps - the village falls into frenzied madness.Hans and Greta, two outcast orphans, find themselves facing accusations of witchcraft and are met with an ultimatum: burn at the stake, or leave the village forever. With nowhere else to go, they abandon their only home.As they venture into the strange forest, their path is fraught with horrific creatures, wild and vivid hallucinations, and a mysterious man tied to the witch's past.The Shrike is watching, just beyond the deep darkness of the woods.
My Review:
3.5 Out Of 5 Stars
Genre: Fairytale, Heart-Wrenching, Retelling, Scary, Supernatural, Werewolves, Witches--
The story is dual narrated by twins Hans and Greta (with a random chapter here and there other views), both struggling with the lives they have been dealt in very different ways. Keep in mind, this is not the version of Hansel and Gretel you think you know.
I really liked Greta, she was a little ball of sunshine. She was interesting and sweet, always thinking of others and full of optimism. She faced being lonely, see as an outcast by her own people since her parent's deaths, a so called holy man attempted to rape her and her brother is a total tool, but still she tries so hard to keep life going. I will admit I wanted her to strangle Hans and insist Greta leave him to his doom (and maybe run away with a certain brooding wolf man, just saying). She is for sure the good twin in this story.
Hans is literally the worst. I could not stand him even a little, his entire personality is motivated by his carnal desires and his jealousy over Greta liking anyone/having friends. So basically, he was a selfish manwhore who wanted his sister to be alone and codependent on him alone, while he slept with anything female and spread negative rumors about his sister as it suited his needs. In my totally judgy opinion, the Shrike can have him.
I liked the world (the plot and the world building were very unique and different from any other story I read before), making this a very dark fairytale retelling, with tons of danger and horror as well as LOTS of sex and desire (sometimes detailed and other times creepy)- with lots of imagery of both the sex and gruesome horror. The narrator did a great job of getting into both the main character's heads, making it seem like it was really them thinking, talking, responding. Overall I found this to be an interesting premise with a shocking ending leaving me questioning what will happen next.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Chantal Gadoury. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Amazon Best Selling Author, Chantal Gadoury, is a 2011 graduate from Susquehanna University with a Bachelor's Degree in Creative Writing. Since graduation, she has published "The Songs in Our Hearts" with 48Fourteen Publishing, and "Allerleirauh" with Parliament House Press, with future titles to follow. Chantal first started writing stories at the age of seven and continues with that love of writing today. Writing novels for Chantal has become a life-long dream come true! When she's not writing, she enjoys painting, drinking lots of DD Iced Coffee, and watching Disney classics. Chantal lives in Muncy, Pennsylvania with her Mom, Sister and furry-'brother' (aka, puppy) Taran.
A.M. Wright is an Ohio native, perched on the shores of Lake Erie for as long as she can remember. She is a graduate of Walsh University and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Corporate Communications, with two minors in Marketing and Writing. She has a passion for reading, writing, and drawing; and has a particularly strong love for shojo-manga and all genres of anime. When A.M. Wright isn't focused on her day job, she is sorting through submissions, writing too many stories to keep track of, and playing video games with her fiance in a townhouse that's just a fifteen minute drive from "The Roller Coaster Capital of the World."
Ryan Haugen tried to write for a long time. He has nothing to show for it - in fact this is the first time he’s sat down to write since college.Actually, he isn’t even sitting right now. He’s standing, and coming to grips with how writing has always caused him to deceive himself. So, that honest work tied to fiction would ever materialize shocks even him.As a narrator, Ryan has no formal qualifications or training.As a producer, he has an above-average grasp of Windows 10 and Audacity.As a purveyor of twist endings, he would have you know he quit his day job to pursue narration full time in his home studio after 7 months of part-time narration, and 15 books narrated.Ever engaged, passionate, and consumptive of all forms of media, Ryan floats in bewildered contentment at the notion anyone would want to listen to him speak for dozens of hours, but hopes you enjoy his youthful performances in the tales he tells, and that by now, you truly believe he is a better storyteller than he is writer."
Book Blurb:
Lights, Camera, Poltergeist. A Hollywood dream becomes a nightmare.
Called to a movie set, Red investigates a haunting that threatens to turn a Christmas flick into a slasher film. Allied with a soulmancer, she has to save the Hollywood A-Listers from a phantom that wants souls instead of autographs.
Busting ghosts is easier than laying her own personal demons to rest. With a paralyzed mentor, a sexy vampire playing hard to get, and petrifying anxiety about her own mysterious origins, Red is struggling to find the holiday spirit.
Everyone wants their fifteen minutes of fame in Los Angeles, Red has to find out who is willing to kill for it.
…Before the poltergeist takes her out first.
Long Witch Night is the second book of the Red Witch Chronicles, an urban fantasy series containing magic, paranormal adventure, and vampire mayhem along with swearing, violence, and adult situations. Perfect for fans of Kim Harrison, Patricia Briggs, Jasmine Walt, and Ilona Andrews.
Genre: Another-World, Ghosts, Mystery, Scary, Supernatural, Suspense, Urban Fantasy, Vampires, Witches--
I have been looking for another urban fantasy to jump into and I know I found the right one. Keep in mind that this is a sequel and MUST be read in order for anything to make sense, the world and characters are slowly developing across the books and the plot is ongoing so do yourself a favor and start with book 1.
“You’re trying an exorcism? Do you know who I am, little girl?” Maxwell demanded.
“You’re god of the Dreamland, blah blah blah.” Red stood, folding her arms as she lifted her chin. “Well, consider this Ragnarök, motherfucker.”
Long Witch Way was so incredibly good! The first book in the series was interesting and peaked my curiosity something fierce, confirming for me that I was going to continue the series. But, geez, I never saw the second book coming! It was non-stop action, scary scenarios, near death encounters, ghosts and witches, terrifying battles, a touch of torture, angsty relationships with a love triangle (quad??), dreamworlds, tons of mystery and surprises, the best kind of group dynamics and character building, and just a tease of the truth that both Red and I are searching for. Yep, I did not want to put the book down and the ending yet again hooked me for more!
I know that the romance is not really the focus of the story, but let's be honest, romance is almost always my focus in a story. That being said, this story has suitcases, maybe a large car truck, filled with relationship baggage. It is convoluted and complicated, to put it mildly and I am so here for it! But I am team Kristoff, gotta love his undead, unsouled heart and his understanding.
Anyway, this was such a great follow-up to a already cool world and I am so here for more. This is the perfect read for any urban fantasy lovers, and great for fans of vampires, action and mystery.
Book Blurb:
Jeff Chase is just a regular guy, surfing in his hometown of Huntington Beach, hanging with friends, cruising the ladies. At least he used to be. A few months back, he managed to get himself into a load of supernatural trouble and ended up getting bitten. By a freakin’ werewolf! So now he’s a guy with a werewolf problem, and he’s back in HB trying to make sense of it all, figuring out what it means to be a wolf; running his own tea and spice shop; hitting the waves; and meeting new girls. But there’s danger there that he never knew about. Surfer gangs, a werewolf pack...and murder. And now Voodoo seems to be a big part of his new awareness of the supernatural, with a Voodoo coven now on his radar. Or is he on theirs? And he can’t tell who’s a friend or who’s an enemy. But he’s gonna find out. Because he sure as hell doesn’t want to get blamed for murder. WereJeff may be a bad dude...but he’s NO bad wolf.
Genre: Mystery, Scary, Supernatural, Suspense, Urban Fantasy, Werewolves, Witches--
Keep in mind that this book can be read independently of the Booke of the Hidden series with it's own characters and conflicts, as well as a brand new mystery. I just don't recommend it because of all the backstory about Jeff and his WereJeff predicament as well as all the references to the coven and magic from the previous series. Also, because the Booke of the Hidden series was fantastic and I think all Urban Fantasy fans should give it a whirl!
I will admit that Jeff was not my favorite character when he first showed up in the Booke of the Hidden series. He was a total player, cheating on his ex and then thinking she would race back to his arms. But then he was turned into a werewolf and stepped up to responsibility and maturity and I really liked who he became by the end of the series. But I feel a little like he took a step back in this book, turning into Player Jeff too much for me to really like him. He slept with two different women in this story (one while on a date with another) and had feelings for a third. And it was over the course of just a couple of days of being back in town. Keep in mind, he was not dating anyone and there were no expectations, I am just afraid he is is back to man-whoring and I don't like it. He did step up in the werewolf aspect though and is taking initiative in all aspects of his supernatural/business life which I appreciate. I also enjoyed the fact he has internal monologues and references him self as Jeffy and WereJeff. I think Jeffy shows that he has potential towards the end of the book and I am intrigued to see what he becomes.
“It’s the beach, dude. Gotta have the fish.”
“Why do you call everyone ‘dude’. You said this earlier.”
“Well… like I said. It’s a California thing. Everything’s a dude. I even say it to my truck.”
As a Southern Californian (SoCal for sure!) who now lives elsewhere, this conversation is legit. "Dude" is a multipurpose word that can be used in any situation regardless of gender. I have had this exact conversation multiple times and it made me laugh to see it here. Jeff is the epitome of the California surfer bum, from his looks, personality, goals and speech. Actually the whole setting was like being back on the beach, the author gave life to the small shops, beach and pier, making everything feel very authentic. Pure beachy, mystery escapism at it's finest.
I loved the new magic aspect to the story with the introduction to Voodoo and all things werewolf! It was creepy and interesting, bringing a new dynamic to this supernatural world and I loved it. I can't wait to see what new crazy/scary will pop up next. The side characters are also very detailed and I like that Jeff has his own supernatural researcher since leaving the coven.
Overall this was a great start to a new urban fantasy mystery series and I look forward to what happens next- and I am game for more surfing werewolves.
Catch up on how Jeff became WereJeff with the Hidden Series
Book Blurb:“Westerson creates an utterly believable history of witches, demons, and magic for her claustrophobic New England village including a heroine with enough spark, smarts, and stubbornness to keep both the bad guys and the deliciously dangerous love-interest on their toes.” —Kat Richardson, author of the Greywalker series
After a relationship gone bad in California, Kylie Strange moves to rural Maine for a fresh start. But she gets more than she bargained for when she finds a supernatural book bricked into the wall of her new tea shop, Strange Herbs and Teas. As soon as she opens the Booke of the Hidden, the quiet town of Moody Bog suddenly becomes a lot more interesting.
First the mysterious and handsome Erasmus Dark shows up unannounced, claiming to be a demon and warning Kylie of untold destruction. She waves him off, until a museum proprietor turns up dead, and the sheriff targets Kylie as a suspect. With the help of Erasmus and a ragtag group of local Wiccans, Kylie unravels the Booke's secrets, and they begin to believe the culprit is someone--or something--much more sinister than a run-of-the mill human murderer.
Award-winning author Jeri Westerson crafts a tale of magic, murder, and romance, drawing us into the mystical world that surrounds Strange Herbs and Teas.
Book Blurb:Deadly Rising
A Booke of the Hidden Novel #2
by Jeri Westerson
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pub Date: 10/23/18
Things were quiet in Strange Herbs & Teas. For about a week.
Our crossbow slinging hero and her ragtag gang of Wiccans have earned some rest. But when Kylie learns that the Booke may have released not one, but two creatures of horror out into the world, it’s up to her to save Moody Bog. Again.
Calling upon the devilishly handsome demon Erasmus once more for help, Kylie’s determined to handle the mischief of the Booke and go back to a normal life. But when digging through Moody Bog’s history leads her to the ghost of her grandfather, the past she once knew is turned upside down.
Can Kylie save the town and her grandfather, or will the horrors of the Booke be too much to handle?
You can read my 5 Star review of Deadly Rising HERE
Book Blurb:Shadows in the Mist
A Booke of the Hidden Novel #3
by Jeri Westerson
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pub Date: 05/14/19
Small town tea shop proprietor Kylie Strange already has a lot on her plate. The last thing she needs is more trouble to spring up from the mystical Booke of the Hidden. Keeping one step ahead of a scheming demon, supernatural assassins, and Baphomet—an angry god hellbent on stealing the Booke—it’s all more than enough for one person to handle. And that’s without mentioning her competing affections for the handsome and human Sheriff Ed and the demon Erasmus Dark. But soon enough, Kylie and her coven hear whispers of new disturbances in Moody Bog. Strange creatures have been stalking the townsfolk through the fog and rumors of violent encounters confirm their deadly intent. Worst of all, the Booke of the Hidden is not to blame, and no one is sure who is. Kylie and her coven of wiccans need to prioritize. Which is worse? The mysterious and lethal figures in the mist, or Baphomet, who—if he gets his way—will unleash Hell on Earth onto oblivious little Moody Bog.
Book Blurb:The Darkest Gateway
Booke of the Hidden Book Four
Jeri Westerson
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Publisher: JABberwocky Literary
Date of Publication: October 2, 2019
Number of pages: 301
Word Count: 90,181“Whoever said country life was dull didn’t know Moody Bog.”
With the arrival of Samhain, the supernatural Booke of the Hidden is set to release a barrage of deadly creatures onto the hapless village of Moody Bog, Maine.
Tea proprietor Kylie Strange knows the showdown is coming and wants to end the Booke for good. But the only way to accomplish this is a journey to the Netherworld and get the help of the only being powerful enough to destroy the Booke: Satan himself. And, though the brooding and elusive demon Erasmus Dark has captured Kylie’s heart against her better judgment, she ignores his repeated warnings that the mission guarantees her doom.
Los Angeles native JERI WESTERSON is the author of twelve Crispin Guest Medieval Noir Mystery novels, a series nominated for thirteen national awards from the “Agatha” to the “Shamus”. Her fifth novel BLOOD LANCE was named one of the Ten Hot Crime Novels for Colder Days by Kirkus Reviews, and her sixth, SHADOW OF THE ALCHEMIST, was named Best of 2013 by Suspense Magazine. For BOOKE OF THE HIDDEN, her urban fantasy series, Publishers Weekly said, “Readers sad about the ending of Charlaine Harris’s MIDNIGHT, TEXAS trilogy will find some consolation in Moody Bog.” The fourth and final in the series, THE DARKEST GATEWAY, releases October 2, 2019. Jeri also writes the humorous SKYLER FOXE LGBT MYSTERIES under the pen name Haley Walsh. Jeri’s short stories were included in several mystery anthologies, including Shaken: Stories for Japan (for the 2011 Earthquake Relief Fund). Jeri was also featured on two local NPR shows, “My Awesome Empire” and KVCR-Arts. She has served two terms as president of the Southern California Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, twice president of the Orange County Chapter of Sisters in Crime, and as vice president and California Crime Writers Conference co-chair for the Los Angeles Chapter of Sisters in Crime. See more about Jeri at JeriWesterson.com, BOOKEoftheHIDDEN.com, and SkylerFoxeMysteries.wixsite.com/novels.
