Mini Thoughts
Hello, all!
Henry's books are hit or miss for me, but I liked this one. The writing was fast-paced and engaging. I liked Harry as an MC. She was strong and resilient, and I liked her relationship with her son. I'm also a sucker for a haunted house story, so I loved the setting of Bright Horses. It was spooky and had all the paranormal vibes I was hoping for. My main complaints were that the ending felt very rushed, and the twist was predictable. But I still had fun reading it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys lighter horror.
I've read a few books by White that I've found disappointing, so I honestly didn't have high hopes for this one. I'm pleasantly surprised to say I liked it a lot. It was a fun, fresh take on Dracula. I loved White's take on Lucy and was impressed with how she breathed new life into this undead character. Lucy goes through hardships throughout the story, but her growth by the end is satisfying. The relationship between her and Iris was very insta-lovey, but I expect that in vampire stories, so it wasn't as annoying as usual. I enjoyed getting both POVs, though I liked Lucy's more. I thought the writing was lush but too long, and I guessed the twist early on, so it wasn't as impactful. Despite that, I thought this was a solid read that would be perfect for the spooky season.
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Pub Date: 5-14-24 Adult - Horror |
The House That Horror Built- Christina Henry: Harry Adams is a single mother trying to keep herself and her young son afloat. As a lifelong horror movie lover, Harry is excited to land a job as a house cleaner to the famed director Javier Castillo. Javier's home, Bright Horses, is packed with props, costumes, and awards from his time making movies that have scared the masses. At first, Harry is excited to spend her days surrounded by the macabre memorabilia, but then she hears a voice behind a locked door pleading for help. Javier keeps his personal life locked up tight after a scandal involving his wife and son, and Harry can't help but wonder if there's more to the story than Javier lets on. Harry knows that part of her job responsibilities is to keep her head down and not ask questions, but when Bright Horses sets its eyes on her son, Harry will stop at nothing to dig up its secrets.
Henry's books are hit or miss for me, but I liked this one. The writing was fast-paced and engaging. I liked Harry as an MC. She was strong and resilient, and I liked her relationship with her son. I'm also a sucker for a haunted house story, so I loved the setting of Bright Horses. It was spooky and had all the paranormal vibes I was hoping for. My main complaints were that the ending felt very rushed, and the twist was predictable. But I still had fun reading it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys lighter horror.
Rating: 3/5
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Pub Date: 9-10-24 YA - Horror |
Lucy Undying- Kiersten White: Lucy Westenra was a spoiled, naïve young girl who never had a say in life. She was molded into whatever shape fit those around her while screaming for freedom on the inside. Lucy eventually got her freedom, but not in the way she expected. When Lucy gets bitten by Dracula, she realizes it isn't a curse but a gift. Once she breaks free of Dracula's thrall, Lucy goes on a journey of self-discovery that takes her around the world. But her undead life takes an unexpected turn in the present day when Lucy meets another woman determined to break free of her overbearing family. Iris Goldaming's family built a healthcare empire on the back of a disturbing secret, and they're not above going to dangerous lengths to stay on top. The connection between Lucy and Iris is immediate, but their blossoming relationship gets threatened, forcing Lucy to face her past once and for all.
I've read a few books by White that I've found disappointing, so I honestly didn't have high hopes for this one. I'm pleasantly surprised to say I liked it a lot. It was a fun, fresh take on Dracula. I loved White's take on Lucy and was impressed with how she breathed new life into this undead character. Lucy goes through hardships throughout the story, but her growth by the end is satisfying. The relationship between her and Iris was very insta-lovey, but I expect that in vampire stories, so it wasn't as annoying as usual. I enjoyed getting both POVs, though I liked Lucy's more. I thought the writing was lush but too long, and I guessed the twist early on, so it wasn't as impactful. Despite that, I thought this was a solid read that would be perfect for the spooky season.
Rating: 4/5
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Pub Date: 6-11-24 Adult - Thriller |
That Night in the Library- Eva Jurczyk: It's the night before graduation, and seven students have gathered in the basement of the campus library. Students aren't allowed in the library after hours, but amongst the ancient texts is the best place for them to perform their ritual-- one that the Greeks said would free those from the fear of death, but within moments, something goes wrong. As the body count rises, the group must figure out how to survive the night trapped in the stacks before the murderer claims its next victim.
This premise sounded right up my alley: A locked-room murder mystery set in a campus library? That has my name written all over it. I was expecting eerie, dark academia vibes that'd keep me on the edge of my seat. What I got was insufferable characters and a ridiculous plot. We read from multiple POVs, and I didn't care about any of them. None of the characters had any redeeming qualities, so I wasn't rooting for any of them. I also had issues with the plot. I never fully understood why they were doing this ritual in the first place, and most of the characters were drugged out of their minds, which didn't make for a coherent narrative. Then there were the murders, which could've saved the plot but were over the top. It had so much potential, but it fell flat.
This premise sounded right up my alley: A locked-room murder mystery set in a campus library? That has my name written all over it. I was expecting eerie, dark academia vibes that'd keep me on the edge of my seat. What I got was insufferable characters and a ridiculous plot. We read from multiple POVs, and I didn't care about any of them. None of the characters had any redeeming qualities, so I wasn't rooting for any of them. I also had issues with the plot. I never fully understood why they were doing this ritual in the first place, and most of the characters were drugged out of their minds, which didn't make for a coherent narrative. Then there were the murders, which could've saved the plot but were over the top. It had so much potential, but it fell flat.
Rating: 2/5
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