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marshalls_library's reviews
180 reviews
Cranberry Cove by Hailey Piper
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Homesick for Another World by Ottessa Moshfegh
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Wyrd and Other Derelictions by Adam L.G. Nevill
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Human Sacrifices by María Fernanda Ampuero
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
McSweeney's Quarterly Concern Issue 71: The Monstrous and the Terrible by Brian Evenson
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
How the Skin Sheds by Chad Lutzke
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Small Town Horror by Ronald Malfi
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Remnants by E.H. Regan
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I recently read Remnants, the debut short story collection by E.H Regan (@books_nooks_spooks), in its entirety in a single day. With a slew of previous anthology appearances under her belt already, and more to come in the very near future, she's clearly staked out her position as an author to be watched.
The best collections in my opinion are ones that speak with a clear and distinctive voice, but can still tackle different subgenres and tropes in a captivating way. Throw in a particularly adept ability to land a surprising twist at the end, and I'm sold.
From the opening titular story all the way through to the soul crushing finale, Remnants takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster that will have you gagging, snickering, and crying at different points throughout.
Reel Movies has been mentioned by a lot of reviewers already and for good reason with a lightning quick shot of splatter punk extreme horror, but the stories that resonated with me the most were Eye of the Beholder and The Day I Died. Both of those stories tackle social media in very different ways, one that made me laugh out loud, and the other gave me that painful, sick feeling in my stomach. You know that one right? When an author gets you to that place, it feels very real.
I loved this collection so much and I can't wait to see what she does next. Getting to read it felt like a perfect early birthday present and a great way to say goodbye to 42 on Friday.
The best collections in my opinion are ones that speak with a clear and distinctive voice, but can still tackle different subgenres and tropes in a captivating way. Throw in a particularly adept ability to land a surprising twist at the end, and I'm sold.
From the opening titular story all the way through to the soul crushing finale, Remnants takes the reader on an emotional rollercoaster that will have you gagging, snickering, and crying at different points throughout.
Reel Movies has been mentioned by a lot of reviewers already and for good reason with a lightning quick shot of splatter punk extreme horror, but the stories that resonated with me the most were Eye of the Beholder and The Day I Died. Both of those stories tackle social media in very different ways, one that made me laugh out loud, and the other gave me that painful, sick feeling in my stomach. You know that one right? When an author gets you to that place, it feels very real.
I loved this collection so much and I can't wait to see what she does next. Getting to read it felt like a perfect early birthday present and a great way to say goodbye to 42 on Friday.
Pew by Catherine Lacey
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0