Tag: Review

CONSTANT READER REVIEW – Salem`s Lot by Stephen King

Aimeeeliz

“…small towns have long memories and pass their horrors down ceremoniously from generation to generation.”

Ah, the sleepy, charming town of Jerusalem’s Lot. Some say it might be dying (oh boy) because the population hasn’t grown much over the years. The residents seem normal enough, some are friendly. But the air is thick with the fog of secrets and tragedy. We learn a little bit about a lot of characters, quickly realizing that there are some terrible people in ‘salem’s Lot.

“A house was a house – board and hinges and nails and sills. There was no reason, really no reason, to feel that each splintered crack was exhaling it’s own chalky aroma of evil.”

The Marsten House is terrifying. Half Shirley Jackson’s Hill House, half precursor to The Overlook Hotel, every bit of it is sinister. Left vacant after a horrific murder-suicide some years ago, the Marsten House still looms over the town.

“Understand death? Sure. That was when the monsters got you.”

There are some CREEPY sections in this book (sometimes just a line or two is enough to give you the chills). King has perfected the literary jump scare – he settles you in to the story, and then delivers a horrifying slap to the face when you least expect it.

“…it all seems more real after dark, doesn’t it?”

If you strip the book down to it’s basic story, it’s a really effective, bleak retelling of Dracula. It takes the best parts of the classic and throws in the quintessential dread and grittiness that comes so naturally to King. I would recommend reading both – pick up Dracula first, and don’t wait too long to read Salem’s Lot.

The ending surprised me – I was not expecting it to go the way it did, and oh man is it HAUNTING.

“The town kept its secrets, and the Marsten House brooded over it like a ruined king.”

REVIEW – Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin

Aimeeeliz

This book has so many layers – it starts off as an almost external examination of the relationship between sisters. There are surface observations of different families enjoying their vacations in paradise.

Then Alison disappears. And her body is discovered a few days later. The narrative shifts into a heartbreaking exploration of a family’s terror and grief. Most importantly, grief from the perspective of a little girl.

We move quickly into the (near) present. Little sister Claire is how an adult, but her sister’s mysterious death shapes her entire life. As she uncovers more details about her older sister, she also learns more about herself.

This does slow down a bit towards the middle and, at times, Claire is a very unlikable character, but the story is unique and compelling and complex. This will likely be a very popular pick for book clubs in 2020!

Thank you Celadon for providing me with a copy of this book.

REVIEW – Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Aimeeeliz

“Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.”

Oh man. Victor is the WORST. He’s melodramatic. He’s a total jerk. He doesn’t take any responsibility whatsoever for what he’s done.

“…but am I not alone, miserably alone?”

And the monster? It’s hard not to feel bad for him (despite the…murders…) He just wants love, acceptance and companionship.

“Accursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust?”

This is a classic for a reason. It’s not spooky, or terrifying, but it is pretty heartbreaking. Victor’s inability to care for his creation, and his choice to not warn his friends and family that they might be in danger, makes him 110% liable for every terrible thing that happens in this book.

REVIEW – Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky

Aimeeeliz

“We can swallow our fear or let our fear swallow us.”

This book is WILD – which is both good and bad. It started off strong, atmospheric and creepy. It had me wondering where the heck the story was going to go. Clearly it kept me interested enough to read all 700 pages.

But it’s so damn repetitive. And it feels like it’s going to end and take another direction numerous times, but it just kind of keeps going. There’s no explanation for some of the major plot points.

As someone who loves thrillers/horror, but isn’t the biggest fan of fantasy, I found the synopsis of this book misleading. It definitely leans more into the fantasy genre than horror. The imagery is “scary” but it’s over the top and in your face, not the subtle bump in the night that sticks with you long after you’ve closed the book.

You can tell that Chbosky draws inspiration from Stephen King, but then dismantles the themes that makes some of King’s best work so memorable and so effective.

CONSTANT READER REVIEW – Doctor Sleep by Stephen King

Aimeeeliz

“There came a time when you realized that moving on was pointless. That you took yourself with you wherever you went.”

In a word, Doctor Sleep is great. It’s FUN (I mean, a lot of the subject matter and imagery is pretty horrific, but the reading experience is a thrill).

“The world wasn’t a Hospice with fresh air, the world was the Overlook Hotel, where the party never ended.”

If you’re looking to compare this to The Shining, I would say that Doctor Sleep has a faster pace with a less…explosive ending.

“We are the True Knot. What is tied may never be untied.”

Rose the Hat is a compelling villain who, somewhat unfortunately in my opinion, becomes more human as we progress through the book.

“Because the past is gone, even though it defines the present.”

The references to The Shining were frequent (but not so much that they dominated the story) and subtle at times – if you’ve read The Shining recently, don’t wait too long to pick up Doctor Sleep.

“Once a little boy lived here… A little boy waiting for his daddy to come home from his job interview at the Overlook Hotel.”

REVIEW – Dracula by Bram Stoker

Aimeeeliz

“Listen to them – the children of the night. What music they make!”

Dracula is a spooky, gothic classic (duh). Stoker’s writing is incredible and covers every little detail. His terrifyingly vivid descriptions conjure up the sights, sounds and smells (seriously, SMELLS) of our journey from Castle Dracula to London and back again.

“…God seems to have deserted us.”

I audibly gasped multiple times while reading this book. Sometimes due to the horror within, and other times due to the amazing writing. There’s a scene in the first 50 pages that might be one of the most chilling things I’ve ever read. And if you think it will be relatively tame due to the era in which it was written, don’t worry. There’s no lack of blood in this book.

“But we are strong, each in our purpose; and we are all more strong together.”

The book includes a pretty solid cast of characters, and we get the perspective of each throughout the course of the book. Van Helsing and Mina were the most fascinating and best developed, in my opinion.

“Every breath exhaled by that monster seemed to have clung to the place and intensified its loathsomeness.”

There were moments throughout the book that reminded me of modern horror (and fantasy) novels. I wouldn’t be surprised if books like Silence of the Lambs, IT and even the Harry Potter series drew inspiration from Dracula, or vampire lore in general.

“…it all seems like a horrible tragedy, with fate pressing on relentlessly to some destined end.”

Dracula is not without its faults. It does drag a bit towards the middle (one character’s plot feels repetitive at times) and I found the ending to be a bit anticlimactic, but it’s still a solid classic that horror fans will enjoy.

REVIEW – Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Aimeeeliz

“Why was I always suffering, always brow-beaten, always accused, forever condemned? Why was it useless to try to win any one’s favor?”

What can I say about Jane Eyre that hasn’t already been said? This book has it all – romance, suspense, a large cast of interesting characters, a complex, interesting heroine. There’s an underlying theme of feminism and independence. Even almost 175 years later, this book is relatable. Jane’s emotions and inner thoughts stand the test of time.

“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being, with an independent will.”

Poor Jane can’t seem to catch a break for awhile – from her horrible childhood at Gateshead to the sadness at Lowood, Jane struggles to find her place. She settles in as governess at Thornfield, and falls in love – but then a horrific secret tears everything apart.

“Do you think because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! I have as much soul as you, and full as much heart!”

She experiences her lowest point after fleeing Thornfield, but only to be embraced by a family and community.

“…and yet, while I breathe and think, I must love him.”

As I got closer to the end, I was hoping Jane would ultimately get the happy ending she deserved. (Reader, she did.)

REVIEW – The Light Over London by Julia Kelly

Aimeeeliz

The Light Over London is primarily about one woman’s experience during WWII – I loved reading about the gunner girls and the whole crew.

I would categorize this as light historical fiction (well, half historical, half contemporary) that’s easy on the history but heavier on the romance. It’s a great read for anyone who’s looking for something set in WWII without the disturbing, gory details. It’s emotional, but not overly sad.

I thought the ending was a little too quick and wrapped up a little too neatly, but it was still an enjoyable book!

Thank you Gallery for the NetGalley copy!

REVIEW – The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

Aimeeeliz

“Why did I think it would nonetheless be business as usual? Because we’d been hearing these things for so long, I suppose. You don’t believe the sky is falling until a chunk of it falls on you.”

The Testaments picks up approximately 15 years after the events in The Handmaids Tale. Told from the perspectives of three different women affected by Gilead, The Testaments gives a more detailed look into the day-to-day workings of the region (and the lies and deceit that run below the seemingly pious exterior).

“She, too, has been alone in the dark, I thought…She, too, has gazed into herself, and has seen the void.”

Much like The Handmaids Tale, The Testaments is uncomfortable and disturbing to read, especially given our current political climate. I would recommend that readers wanting to pick up this book also check out the series on Hulu – The Testaments references plot points from both the original book and the show.

“It was always a cruelty to promise them equality, since by their nature they can never achieve it. We have already begun the merciful task of lowering their expectations.”

Overall this is good. It’s a somewhat satisfying conclusion to the original book, but can be predictable and almost cliche at times. I also feel that the show is going to have to take a certain path now that the fate of some characters has been revealed in this book (unless it will be like Game of Thrones and the show will end up in a different direction).