book-reviews – Pleasant Nights

Title: Black Sheep

Author: Rachel Harrison

Genre: Horror

Thank you, NetGalley, for this book.

I’ve only read Cackle by Rachel Harrison and loved it. But because it was more of a cozy horror book, I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy her more hard-core horror, but this book was insanely fun. Once the fun twist is revealed (about 20% in), I was hooked and flew through this book.

Vesper has left her religious cult family behind and is living on her own in NYC. She works at a restaurant, lives a pretty boring life, but at least she can follow her own rules. However, her cousin is getting married and Vesper is invited back for the event. This is rare because once someone leaves the cult, they never get to come back. Vesper decides to attend, and the reader fully understands just what the cult is about.

This book was excellent. Vesper is a great main character, funny, strong, cynical, and sure of who she is. But her family is also strong, so she struggles with wanting to be a part of their lives but trying to distance herself from the cult. Loved this book.

Maeve Fly

Title: Maeve Fly

Author: CJ Leede

Genre: horror

Thank you, NetGalley, for this book. Wow!! This book is super intense, and graphic, and I could not put it down. I loved it. This book is on the final Stoker ballot for best debut novel. I’ve read three of the books now (the others being The Spite House and Edenville) but this one was the best of them. I plan on reading the other two nominees as well, but I’m having a hard time thinking those will top this one.

Maeve is Princess Elsa at Disneyworld. She lives with her grandma, Princess Anna (played by Kate) is her best friend, but Maeve has a dark side. Kate’s brother comes to town and becomes involved with Maeve, but little does he know when Maeve’s dark side comes out, bad things happen. This book is a modern-day take on American Psycho. It’s definitely graphic, but nowhere near as bad as AP, which is one of the most difficult books I’ve ever had to read. I had to skim a lot of that one, but I was glued to Maeve and her intensity.