Tag: fiction

Categories
books and reading

Black River Orchard

Title: Black River Orchard

Author: Chuck Wendig

Genre: Horror

Thank you, NetGalley, for this book. In my effort to read all the Stokercon final ballot books, I was pleased to see I had this one on my Kindle. I’m a big fan of Wendig’s work (see The Book of Accidents and Wanderers ) and was excited to read his newest.

I had no idea what this book was about when I read it. The fact that it was a Stoker nominee was a pretty good selling point, though. The story is told from multiple third-person perspectives: a teenage girl (Calla), a wife in a same-sex marriage, a wife in an open marriage, and a wandering man. Calla’s dad has created a new apple and soon the entire town is eating it, craving it, and will do anything to get it. Those who don’t eat the apple are witnessing terrible changes in their loved ones and friends.

This book is long, but it never felt too long. The plot is tightly written and the characters shine. Wendig is a master storyteller. I absolutely loved this book.

Categories
books and reading

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.

Categories
books and reading

Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six

Title: Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six

Author: Lisa Unger

Genre: thriller

Thank you, NetGalley, for this book.

I have read many of her books including The Stranger Inside, but this one was my least favorite. The plot was a bit too disjointed. It explores the complexities of family, secrets, and genealogy, with a focus on the characters’ personal struggles and the eerie atmosphere of the isolated cabin. In theory, this should work, but I just couldn’t get into it. This book is mysterious, dark, medium-paced, and focuses on character flaws.

Hannah is a good character but has surrounded herself with awful people- her brother is a jerk, her best friend is vapid, her husband is keeping secrets. When they all go to a secluded cabin rumored to be haunted, with a big storm coming through, things don’t go as well as anticipated. Meanwhile, there’s an entire backstory of a seemingly unrelated character. And of course, it all comes together in the end, but this one just didn’t work for me.