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therivingtonreader's reviews
237 reviews
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
3.0
I don't know where to start with this review because I have a lot of thoughts. I had really high expectations going in, which I think may have led to most of the disappointment I have in this book. There were definitely things I loved in this story, but there was a lot I didn't like as well.
THE GOOD:
The scary scenes are SCARY. Other Mommy is horrifying, especially through the lens of a child. The little girl POV really added to the creepy factor.
I also enjoyed the format. It really felt like I was reading a child's thoughts/experience of events.
THE BAD:
Bela's parents are insufferable, especially Ursula. I get that maybe there's an underlying message here about the burden of motherhood or whatever, but as a mom she honestly just pissed me off.
So much of the dialogue was unnecessary. Why are there inspirational monologues from every character aimed at this young, haunted child?
Overall, I think this would have done much better as a novella for me. Cut some of the extra dialogue out, let the spooky stuff shine, and it would've been an easy 5 stars 😭
THE GOOD:
The scary scenes are SCARY. Other Mommy is horrifying, especially through the lens of a child. The little girl POV really added to the creepy factor.
I also enjoyed the format. It really felt like I was reading a child's thoughts/experience of events.
THE BAD:
Bela's parents are insufferable, especially Ursula. I get that maybe there's an underlying message here about the burden of motherhood or whatever, but as a mom she honestly just pissed me off.
So much of the dialogue was unnecessary. Why are there inspirational monologues from every character aimed at this young, haunted child?
Overall, I think this would have done much better as a novella for me. Cut some of the extra dialogue out, let the spooky stuff shine, and it would've been an easy 5 stars 😭
We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer
3.0
Listen, maybe I'm a hater, but this book was just okay. I was really expecting to get the shit scared out of me but there were only a couple of parts that were creepy, in my opinion.
This book isn't bad. The story was interesting, and there is a twist at the end that felt worth reading. As a debut novel, it was good.
However, my biggest issue with it is much of the story felt disconnected. After the twist is revealed, I believe the author was going for an ambiguous ending, but it felt more unfinished to me. There are documents at the beginning of the book that have one tiny connection at the end that's mentioned in one line by a character.
I would have loved to see this be more of a found footage type book, where we're given details about the story through the documents/interviews and not just meaningless info that may or may not connect to something at the end. There was too much detail in some parts and not enough details in others.
I didn't hate this, I just wish the execution was better. I also really didn't like Charlie 😭
This book isn't bad. The story was interesting, and there is a twist at the end that felt worth reading. As a debut novel, it was good.
However, my biggest issue with it is much of the story felt disconnected. After the twist is revealed, I believe the author was going for an ambiguous ending, but it felt more unfinished to me. There are documents at the beginning of the book that have one tiny connection at the end that's mentioned in one line by a character.
I would have loved to see this be more of a found footage type book, where we're given details about the story through the documents/interviews and not just meaningless info that may or may not connect to something at the end. There was too much detail in some parts and not enough details in others.
I didn't hate this, I just wish the execution was better. I also really didn't like Charlie 😭
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay
3.5
This was an odd one for sure. Tremblay definitely knows how to write tense scenes that leave you at the edge of your seat, and I'm looking forward to reading more from him.
I enjoyed the jumping between reading the screenplay and the different periods of significance throughout this story that eventually all came together at the end. The build up to the big "kill scene" at the end of the screenplay had me very anxious and it was extremely well written.
What I didn't love was the seemingly lack of motivation for all of the things that happened in the story. Why were they doing this? What was the reasoning for the teens doing anything in the screenplay? It was definitely meant to be ambiguous, but a little too much was left unexplained for me.
I enjoyed the jumping between reading the screenplay and the different periods of significance throughout this story that eventually all came together at the end. The build up to the big "kill scene" at the end of the screenplay had me very anxious and it was extremely well written.
What I didn't love was the seemingly lack of motivation for all of the things that happened in the story. Why were they doing this? What was the reasoning for the teens doing anything in the screenplay? It was definitely meant to be ambiguous, but a little too much was left unexplained for me.
Gate of the Feral Gods by Matt Dinniman
5.0
Another 5 star rating from this series?? Is anyone shocked? And what a cliffhanger too 😭
I haven't devoured a series like this since I read Twilight when I was 13. I'm putting these 500+ page books under my belt like they're nothing.
Anyway, more of the same praise for this book like the others. I've recommended it to everyone that will listen to me 😂
I haven't devoured a series like this since I read Twilight when I was 13. I'm putting these 500+ page books under my belt like they're nothing.
Anyway, more of the same praise for this book like the others. I've recommended it to everyone that will listen to me 😂
The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook by Matt Dinniman
5.0
These books have all been incredible, but this one has been my favorite so far. It was crazy and amazing, and genuinely left me shocked.
If you're even slightly considering reading this series, just pick up the first book. Listen to the audiobook. Something!!! Because it's seriously incredible 😭
Also something about this series puts me in a mood to listen to Coheed and Cambria 😅
If you're even slightly considering reading this series, just pick up the first book. Listen to the audiobook. Something!!! Because it's seriously incredible 😭
Also something about this series puts me in a mood to listen to Coheed and Cambria 😅
Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman
5.0
I'll be surprised if any of these books aren't 5 stars. I'm so obsessed with the story, all the action, and the absurd moments and dialogue that make me laugh out loud.
Shit is really hitting the fan now on the 3rd floor of the dungeon, and book 2 picked up right from where book 1 ended. I finished this one and didn't even hesitate to download book 3.
If you need me, I'll be busy enjoying living in Dungeon Crawler World 😍
Shit is really hitting the fan now on the 3rd floor of the dungeon, and book 2 picked up right from where book 1 ended. I finished this one and didn't even hesitate to download book 3.
If you need me, I'll be busy enjoying living in Dungeon Crawler World 😍
Panic Playhouse by Remy Oliver
5.0
I loved this. It was gruesome, gory, and filled me with dread the whole time. I have no notes aside from just wishing there was MORE. I could've read another 200 pages about Panic Playhouse 😅