Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
This is a fantastic collection from Rebecca Rowland. Each story seems to get more twisted as you go through them and there are some creepy tales in here! Below are my thoughts on a few of my favorites:
It starts with "It Comes Around", a lovely ghost story where Rowland doesn't hit the reader over the head with ghostly descriptions, but prefers to let the actions of the characters speak to it.
Then you have "Bent", a dueling-POV story with extremely complex and interesting characters.
"Annabel, Me" is some twisted writing. How Rowland gets into the head-space of a guy like Bradley and can come out the other side back to her normal self is beyond me. Unless...Rowland is a secret sociopath? Probably not. Maybe. Regardless, Bradley might be my favorite character in the whole book.
"Open House" is so full of tension and dread from the very beginning, it's probably the fastest I've ever read. I needed to know what was happening to those kids!
"Interlopers" is a wonderful tale of revenge and the universe settling a score. Reminiscent of King's "Thinner", my only complaint is that I wanted it to be longer so I could live in it a little more.
"The Munchies" is probably the most unique story of the bunch. DO NOT read it whilst snacking on anything. This might be the perfect thing to get a reader to lose a few pounds... they won't want to eat again for a long time afterwards. My favorite line from this is, "If you believe that, I have a windowless van full of candy and puppies I'd like to give you a ride in. Climb inside and take a gander. While you're in here, does this paper bag smell like ether?" I mean...it's just wonderfully written.
"Just a Taste" is my favorite of the collection. Sadie is such a complex character, and Mads just loves her, not necessarily blindly, because he knows what she is... but in spite of it. Even when she does unforgivable things.
"Deja Vu" has a wonderfully cold quote that I read a few times to savor: "Maybe this meant there would be less mess: you know, all the scrambled brains just blown up against the skull, nice and contained. Charlie would be dead, but shaken baby dead. Tidy."
This is the first I've read of Rowland's work, and I look forward to seeing more from her. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would.
It starts with "It Comes Around", a lovely ghost story where Rowland doesn't hit the reader over the head with ghostly descriptions, but prefers to let the actions of the characters speak to it.
Then you have "Bent", a dueling-POV story with extremely complex and interesting characters.
"Annabel, Me" is some twisted writing. How Rowland gets into the head-space of a guy like Bradley and can come out the other side back to her normal self is beyond me. Unless...Rowland is a secret sociopath? Probably not. Maybe. Regardless, Bradley might be my favorite character in the whole book.
"Open House" is so full of tension and dread from the very beginning, it's probably the fastest I've ever read. I needed to know what was happening to those kids!
"Interlopers" is a wonderful tale of revenge and the universe settling a score. Reminiscent of King's "Thinner", my only complaint is that I wanted it to be longer so I could live in it a little more.
"The Munchies" is probably the most unique story of the bunch. DO NOT read it whilst snacking on anything. This might be the perfect thing to get a reader to lose a few pounds... they won't want to eat again for a long time afterwards. My favorite line from this is, "If you believe that, I have a windowless van full of candy and puppies I'd like to give you a ride in. Climb inside and take a gander. While you're in here, does this paper bag smell like ether?" I mean...it's just wonderfully written.
"Just a Taste" is my favorite of the collection. Sadie is such a complex character, and Mads just loves her, not necessarily blindly, because he knows what she is... but in spite of it. Even when she does unforgivable things.
"Deja Vu" has a wonderfully cold quote that I read a few times to savor: "Maybe this meant there would be less mess: you know, all the scrambled brains just blown up against the skull, nice and contained. Charlie would be dead, but shaken baby dead. Tidy."
This is the first I've read of Rowland's work, and I look forward to seeing more from her. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This collection of short stories is excellent. The characters will have you in a chokehold and will not let you go! Read only if you are brave of heart.
The Horrors Hiding in Plain Sight is a collection of short stories, each one featuring a human monster. People suck sometimes. Let's face it. But some people are dark, depraved animals preying on the innocent. The normal, everyday people who just happen to suck sometimes. Each story in this collection will introduce you to one of those horrific monsters pretending to be human. From teenage bullies to abusive fathers, and everyone in between, there's at least one story here that will resonate with readers.
Some of my favorite stories from the collection include:
It Comes Around - a story about karma
Open House - a strange story set during Halloween
The Munchies - a story about pregnancy...and cravings
Just a Taste - a true "bedtime story" with a twist
Deja Vu - a story about Russian Roulette
I actually found Deja Vu to be the saddest story in the book, strangely enough. It's a bit horrific, but also kind of depressing. And even though Just a Taste is super messed up, I think it's my favorite of the bunch. I knew that twist was coming, but still. Ugh. So good.
Fans of short horror stories, especially ones grounded in reality rather than featuring fictional monsters, will enjoy The Horrors Hiding in Plain Sight.
4 stars!
Some of my favorite stories from the collection include:
It Comes Around - a story about karma
Open House - a strange story set during Halloween
The Munchies - a story about pregnancy...and cravings
Just a Taste - a true "bedtime story" with a twist
Deja Vu - a story about Russian Roulette
I actually found Deja Vu to be the saddest story in the book, strangely enough. It's a bit horrific, but also kind of depressing. And even though Just a Taste is super messed up, I think it's my favorite of the bunch. I knew that twist was coming, but still. Ugh. So good.
Fans of short horror stories, especially ones grounded in reality rather than featuring fictional monsters, will enjoy The Horrors Hiding in Plain Sight.
4 stars!