songcatchers's reviews
803 reviews

'Ever wonder what happens to those final girls?'

Lots of action and twists and turns. Final girls from decades past have to fight for their lives once again when their support group is targeted. I like how they each coped with their trauma in different ways. It made for an interesting group dynamic.

''We're the women who kept fighting back no matter how much it hurt, who jumped out that third-story window, who dragged ourselves up onto that roof when our bodies were screaming for us to roll over and die.'

'I died this evening. A hard, bad death. Not the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.' - The Blood in My Mouth

These chilling stories are set (mostly) in Alaska and are (mostly) a mix of supernatural horror and Lovecraftian. The writing here is particularly poetic and smart, while the stories feel fatalistic and desolate. 'The Alaska they don’t show you on the travel brochures.' There’s not much comfort here, except for the dogs. I did feel and appreciate the author's love of our canine companions.

'Whatever, whichever, however: the world shows you its dark side, you take notice.' - American Remake of a Japanese Ghost Story

'They’d rung the doorbell unannounced on a chilly Friday night.'

This book is harrowing. Eve lets a family of strangers into her house, which, as an introvert, filled me with unease.Then things get deeply unsettling! It's a deep-seated, visceral type of dread that doesn't stop. I felt like I was in The Twilight Zone.

'The strangers on Eve Palmer’s doorstep seemed harmless enough.'

'The residents weren’t the 1 percent. They weren’t the .01 percent. They were the .000001 percent.'

Fantastic blend of speculative fiction, mystery/thriller, and folk horror. It's a very bleak near future where the lucky(?) few live in seemingly idyllic company towns. When a new family arrives in Plymouth Valley, the status quo is tested, town secrets revealed, and the results are insane! This book was front of mind, even when I wasn't actively reading it. 

'“It’s a test, to be honest. The whole year’s a test, to make sure you fit, and also to get you to fit,” he said.'

'Two strangers who only just met. About to get married.'

Misery is the Vampyre bride (who is very funny). Lowe is the Werewolf groom (who is noble and gruff). It's an alliance that's not supposed to work. But through forced proximity and a mystery they both benefit from solving, they start to bond.This is so much more than the paranormal romance I was expecting. It's also an action thriller with a lot of levity. 

'He's as harmless as a land mine. He could destroy entire galaxies with a stern look and a growl.'

'“It’s February of a leap year,” he said. “Nothing makes sense till March.”'

Seductive and time-bendy. Modern-day Harlem is superimposed over the 1920s Harlem Renaissance, with its jazz music and speakeasies. The way Ricki and Ezra are brought together through time is romantic, mysterious, and a little magical. And there are some great side characters!

'Hadn’t she been drawn to Harlem, too? The same way Ezra claimed to be pulled back every February of every leap year.'

'Because life isn’t fair, and you can’t make people like you. But you can get revenge.'

What an explosive conclusion to this Poe inspired duology! Stunning, no-holds-barred carnage. Amontillado, Ohio is the setting of disappeared parents, a prowling panther, and '...tigers, marijuana, and dead girls, oh my!' This author doesn't pull any punches, and that's why she's become my favorite for YA thrillers.

'What I need is to not have Felicity Turnado’s blood on my hands. I need a panther put back in his cage and for my wounds to close.'

'When in doubt, cause chaos. That’s the motto of terriers everywhere, and it’s always served us well.'

Toto has a voice, and he's not afraid to use it! This Dorothy and Toto come from a modern-day Kansas with 'pocket screens', Netflix, and Tik Tok. Their time in Oz is charmingly familiar, though, while also being different and fresh. Toto is brave, scrappy, and hilarious. Whether he's a Good Dog or Bad Dog, he's very lovable, and I enjoyed seeing the world through his puppy dog eyes.

'What is it with this place? I wanted to scream but chose not to— barely. Why is everything a goddamn side quest?'

'Books are always better when read rather than explained.'

This book is wonderful and weird and full of magic and mystery. The rich storytelling had me sinking down into the labyrinthine depths right along with Zachary. Some incredible imagery has been painted in my mind and will be stuck there for a very long time, I'm sure, because this book isn't like the others.

'"Everyone wants the stars. Everyone wishes to grasp that which exists out of reach. To hold the extraordinary in their hands and keep the remarkable in their pockets."'

'It should have been obvious what they were, but then I wasn’t looking for the incredible buried in the ordinary.'

Epic and awesome. A glorious love story that expresses the powerful bonds between family and pack. Set in modern-day Green Creek, Oregon with werewolves, witches, and humans and their complicated relationships. Emotional and extraordinary. I'm so glad this is a series because even after more than 500 pages, I'm not ready to leave these characters. 

'He said, “There are things far greater out there than you or I, Ox. Both good and bad. The world is bigger than you could possibly imagine..."'