DNA

 

Upgrade by Blake Crouch

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

My Review on Goodreads

This felt a lot like a blockbuster sci-fi action movie, and I'm not mad about it. I really liked the scientific foundations for everything and how there is credible science behind the plotting. I know that some of the changes induced by genetic modification are probably a bit far-fetched, but it doesn't feel like it when I was reading the book. It felt very plausible. My career background is science, so I like a story that has some good science foundations, if it's supposed to be a science fiction book. I get the impression that Crouch did his homework.

I liked that Logan was a bit of an unlikely hero who has to step up to the plate when the occasion and his unique identity puts him in that situation. If I had a few qualms, I feel like the secondary characters, even pivotal ones, feel a tad under-developed. I definitely think Crouch put more thought process into the science and the plotting than the characterizations. In my mind, a very crucial character had so many opportunities to be so much more than what they were, especially considering the situation they were in and the deeper motivations the characters struggled through. To me, the best villains are the ones who and layered and complex, giving me more opportunities to ponder their POV, at least a little. Honestly, I ended up putting this down for a week or three because I got less involved after a fairly good start. I'm glad I picked it up. It was great listening to this as I tromped around my neighborhood through the foot of snow that fell a few days earlier. I wasn't previously that enamored with the narrator, but he grew on me as I got move involved with the story.

I think this story says some pretty profound things in an unassuming package. This would make a really good popcorn movie, but also give the viewers a lot to think about at the same time. I gave this four stars for that reason, but I would have liked deeper characterizations to go along with the very interesting science and overall involving storytelling.

I have heard from others that this isn't his best book, which makes me enthused to check out his other sci-fi books, if they are better liked.

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Halloween Frights

 

Haunted Nights Anthology by Various Authors

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

My Review on Goodreads

I finished this on December 1st to round out my Spooky Season Reading. I started a new idea of November Frights because October just isn't long enough to dedicate to horror/scary reading. Sadly, I didn't finish it soon enough for it to qualify. I expected to like this more than I did, honestly. The anthology included the following stories. I will attempt to make comments on the stories as best as possible, and my brain fog is real.

“With Graveyard Weeds and Wolfbane Seeds” by Seanan McGuire
-I liked this story. It plays with the concept of kids making mischief on Halloween in/on abandoned houses. Maybe there are spirits there that don't like their abodes being abused. It was more on the cozy side of horror, which I like. 3.5 stars

“Dirtmouth” by Stephen Graham Jones”
-One of the darker stories in this volume. It's really sad and grim. The narrator was so good at inhabiting the character and getting the reader engaged in his story that he is telling. I had a quake in my stomach as I read. 3.5 stars

“A Small Taste of the Old Country” by Jonathan Maberry
-I really enjoy Maberry's writing. This was suspenseful. The plot builds and I could feel the tension rising in me as I read. The climax was really well executed. 4 stars

“Wick’s End” by Joanna Parypinski
-This has a classic horror/folklore inspired bent that I enjoyed (although it also has some modern trappings.) Nicely chilling. 3.5 stars.

“The Seventeen Year Itch” by Garth Nix
-I think this was the scariest book in the collection. It really got me. I am glad I didn't read this at night. For some reason, it reminded me of some of the dark, twisted villain origin stories in the Batman comics. 4 stars.

“A Flicker of Light on Devil’s Night” by Kate Jonez
-I dnf'd this story. I didn't like where it seemed to be going. There's a type of horror I avoid and I had a feeling it was going in that direction, so I didn't continue it.

“Witch-Hazel” by Jeffrey Ford
-This story really made my skin crawl. I have a fear of contagion that got triggered by this story. It had a unique feel and made me think of folk horror. I love stories with that edge of folklore/dark legends/stories associated with certain places. 4 stars.

“Nos Galen Gaeaf” by Kelley Armstrong
-This story had a mean spirit vibe to it that I didn't enjoy. I disliked the narrator intensely, and his motivations eluded me. There is definitely a sense of justice to the ending though. 3 stars.

“We’re Never Inviting Amber Again” by S. P. Miskowski
-The husband in this story was a major tool. Honestly, if I married a guy and he didn't like my sister, that would be a dealbreaker for me. Hard to feel sympathetic for this guy. I found the open ending intriguing, but I wish there was more comeuppance for the husband. 3 stars.

“Sisters” by Brian Evenson
-This was a weird story. Interesting, and I have lots of questions. 3 stars.

“All Through the Night” by Elise Forier Edie
-What a sad story. I loved the Irish folklore aspects of it. It reminded me of one of the narratives in the American Gods season one storylines. I wish things were better for that poor girl though. 4 stars.

“A Kingdom of Sugar Skulls and Marigolds” by Eric J. Guignard
-I loved this story. I am a sucker for Latin American folklore and this book was so rich and beautifully described in its depictions of Dia de Los Muertos and how it has a particular and personal meaning for the lead character. I would get this a 4.5 stars without reservation.

“The Turn” by Paul Kane
-Short and really brutal in execution but there was a tiny seed of hope in the whole situation. 3.5 stars

“Jack” by Pat Cadigan
-Another story rich with folklore. Interestingly, this has some similar themes to "Wick's End", but reads very different. I loved the twist. 3.5 stars

“Lost in the Dark” by John Langan
-If a reader is into found footage and metafiction, this is your thing 100%. I found it an interesting listen, and there are some genuinely hair-raising parts in this story. It has a documentary feel that adds to the metafictional narrative in an intriguing way. Normally, this wouldn't necessarily be my thing, but I liked it a lot. 4 stars

“The First Lunar Halloween” by John R. Little
-I wasn't a big fan of this story. It was too short and there's not enough depth to capture my emotions. The concept of Halloween on the moon and a sci-fi story was good in theory, but its execution doesn't catch me. 2.5 stars

My overall rating is 3.5 stars for this anthology. I think it was an enjoyable read. Although the stories are mostly set around Halloween, it could be read at any time.

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Lesson in Love

 Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

My Rating: 4.5/5.0 stars.

My Review on Goodreads

I read this shortly after I finished Get a Life, Chloe Brown, and it's a completely different kind of love story, but that makes sense as Dani is very different from her sister, and her approach to life and point-of-view is very distinct. I honestly didn't connect to Dani in the same way as I did to Chloe. Having said that, I became very engaged in Dani's story and it really helped to see her viewpoint in so many ways. Dani seems really tough and edgy, very confident, but interestingly, she is quite vulnerable. The choices she makes are not always decisive, but quite a few are reactionary and have put this very free spirit in a box in ways that one would not think was possible. She was so funny and silly, but also really brilliant. I really came to care about her. She's basically a big marshmallow with bad bitch energy.

I'd be lying if I didn't admit I fell in love with Zafir first. I had never heard of the term "cinnamon roll hero" until 2021 (from Booktube), but I mean, if those haven't been my favorite heroes since forever, other than lethal heroes (who are soft for their heroine)? Well Zafir fits the bill to the tee. He's a big and scary looking guy, but he is the biggest sweetheart on earth. He's so caring and I loved, loved his interactions with his family--mom, sister-in-law, and niece. He would probably move the earth for them (he probably could, he's a very big strong guy). A former professional Rugby player, he's been hiding from life since a tragic loss, and nursing a crush on Dani (seeing her come through the hallway everyday is the highlight of his day). When people think they're dating, they're thrown together in a way that gives them both a chance to explore the sexual chemistry on both sides, but it is much more than that. It's an opportunity to feel valued and be in a comforting relationship. Also, Dani, who has not believed in relationships for reasons can experience what it's like to be cherished by someone who wants more from her than just an orgasm.

When I was listening to this book, I could see a lot of self-sabotage in Dani. She's brilliant and capable, but it's like her self-confidence hides a lot of vulnerability and she's taught herself not to need or expect better from others. In the process, she's also hurt people who care about her. Sometimes she frustrated me with her choices and her blindness about things. But she definitely grew as a person, which I appreciated.

Zafir also had to grow in some ways. He had some healing to do. Zafir had so much to offer and he was continuing to punish himself for something that wasn't his fault. His family and friends could see that, and wanted more for him. He just couldn't see it for himself. I was happy to see Zafir finally realize that he had the freedom to be happy.

I was happy to see the development of the loving, deep relationship between Dani and Zafir. They had a friendship that naturally became more, and sex was part of it, but not the most important thing, which was good, since Dani had a series of relationships that were just about sex. While both needed to grow, I didn't feel like either was saving each other, but in the process of relating to each other, they were growing as people for their own self-actualization. Having said that, being in relationship contributed to them both being happy and loved.

Like Chloe's book, there is plenty of laugh out loud humor, a lot of situational humor, and lovely interpersonal exchanges between Dani and Zafir and the people in their lives they love. I really appreciated having two main characters who are very diverse. Dani is upper class, highly educated (PhD), Black British, pagan, plus-sized, bisexual and Zafir is a Pakistani Muslim son of immigrants who is quite the momma's boy (in the best way).

This book was definitely worth the read. The narrator is the same from the first book, and I love her voice. I cheered when Chloe and Red were in this book (I unapologetically am president of their fan club). I also loved that Dani has her supportive sisters and family and her friend Sorcha in her corner, just like Zafir has his family and good friend in his. Also appreciated the bonding moments with his team of kids he is teaching rugby to. The steamy times were great, but for me, I think they are going more towards spicy territory than my personal tastes. It makes sense for Dani's personality , and I have to say that Zafir is one hot dude! I would love to see who they cast for them if a movie is ever made (pretty please!).

I think this one sits at 4.5 stars for me.

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Ghost Talking at Midnight

 

 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

My Review on Goodreads

I love a good dark urban fantasy with ghosty goodness and a health dose of "what am I reading." This fits the bill. There's also a great, and unique lead narrative voice. This had a post-apocalyptic feel, after some event that caused civilization as we know it to decline. Ghosts roam around freely, and Ropa has the ability to communicate with them. For a price, she will help them achieve what they are lingering around for. A desperate, recently dead ghost asks for Ropa to help her child, but has no way to pay. Ropa is supporting her grandmother and sister, so she doesn't work for free. However, she is convinced to help the spirit, finding a sinister far-reaching conspiracy of missing children.

This is a very unique feeling young adult story with a variety of textures. Huchu's writing is very sensorial, immersing the reader in the world he had created, mostly bad with a little bit of good. There are some genuinely scary moments, along with lots of intense, thrilling sequences. While I had some ideas about where things were leading, I didn't predict the way this story was going to play out at all.

I would recommend the audiobook for this one, because it really adds to the experience. Dark, atmospheric, complex, and suprisingly humorous in parts, I enjoyed this book quite a bit.

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The Ocean is Full of Memories

 

The Deep by Rivers Solomon

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

I view The Deep as a story designed to provide therapy for historical trauma.  The Middle Passage is the stretch of the Atlantic Ocean at the heart of the journey of ships participating in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade from Africa.  Atrocities beyond imagining occurred as millions of humans were stacked in holds of those ships with no light, little food and no care to be taken too European colonies as enslaved labor.  Many died from disease.  Often, they were thrown overboard alive when the slavers realized they would not recoup their investment.  Many drowned or were eaten by sharks. Some committed suicide to escape the horrors of being raped and abused or giving birth to children who had nothing to look forward to but the bleak future of being enslaved, and unbearable emotional trauma of being stolen from their homeland. I did some research, and almost two million people died as a consequence of the Middle Passage.  The level of trauma and horror about those events lies heavy on the minds of many whose ancestors almost assuredly were enslaved, and truthfully, it should be horrifying to every human being.  

The Deep reimagines the consequences of the Middle Passage. Instead of all of those people dying, some become different. The magic of the water changes them into beings who are at home in the deep.  This transformation occurs in the womb, affecting the unborn.  They establish colonies deep in the waters.  Specific members of their society are selected to revisit and retell the memories of their ancestors and to guide the people through their remembrance.  It is extremely taxing for the memory keeper. Yetu is the latest, and she finds her role nearly intolerable, bringing her to a difficult choice.  Should she continue to bear this impossible burden for the good of her people, or seek an escape for her own survival?

The Deep is an adaptation of an award-winning song by rap group Clipping called “We Are in the Future.”  The audiobook was nominated by actor/musical artist Daveed Diggs, who is a member of the group.  I enjoyed his narration.  He has a soothing voice that kept me listening. However, I can’t say I enjoyed this book.  It is a traumatic read, yet an important read.  Important history that needs to be remembered is highlighted in this book.  I appreciate the value of that.  Having said that, admittedly, this feel like a chore to read and I didn’t enjoy listening to this book very much.  I did like the romance between Yetu and a fisherwoman she meets, and I liked the ending and the meaning behind this story.  It’s a short read, and I would recommend it in the sense that again, it’s an important retelling of a true historical tragedy that imparts a sense of hope where only despair would live.  I would say that reading this as a mermaid story alone is not going to engender that sense of enjoyment for fans of the legendary creature. Instead, it’s focused on what could be based on what was lost. The mermaid folklore is used as a device to speculate on how the deliberate murder of enslaved peoples could have led to their evolution into a new kind of water dweller.  It also has some vital themes about community, self-sacrifice, self-love, and loving and valuing others.  

Tales for Spooky Season

 The October Country by Ray Bradbury

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

My Review on Goodreads

I really wanted to finish this in October.  Sadly, I finished it on November 1st.  I love Ray Bradbury, but I was a bit underwhelmed with this collection. Honestly, I disliked the first few stories intensely.  As I got further along I found I did start to like some of the stories.  It was so weird, because I normally eat up Ray Bradbury's prose, but some some reason, the audiobook narration was not working for me.  Maybe it was the narrator.   For sure, a bad narrator fit to the story can definitely mess up a reading experience.  The reader did capture the feel of the Early 20th Century to Mid-Century, which is the setting for the build of these stories, but he was a bit, I don't know, dry for me.  It could have been my mood as well.

I won't go through all the stories, because the ones that I didn't like, didn't impress me at all. I'll talk instead about the ones I appreciated the most.

"The Lake"

A sad story about regrets.  3 stars.

"The Emissary"

I really liked this story.  There are unanswered questions that make you think about the story long after it ends.  4 stars.

"Touched With Fire"

Wow, this story is timely for the particular era we live in.  3 stars.

"The Small Assassin"

Very dark, but I loved it.  The thought is so scary!  Why don't people listen to women?  5 stars.

"The Crowd"

This one was super creepy!  3 stars.

"Jack-in-the-Box"

Very fanciful in a characteristically Ray Bradbury way.  3.5 stars.

"The Scythe"

I liked epic scale of this novel. It goes to some truly existentially dark places. 4 stars.

"The Man Upstairs"

This was weird and kind of creepy.  I don't know whether to be more afraid of the man or the boy!  5 stars.

"There Was an Old Woman"

I loved this story. It has a really good sense of humor that had me chuckling.  5 stars

"Homecoming"

I liked the Addams Family vibe to this story. I need to check out the full-length novel based on these characters.  3.5 stars.

My overall impression of this volume is disappointment.  I wish I had read it instead of listening to it.  I have it on my Kindle and a paperback copy stored away, so I'll try to reread the book without the audio and see how I like it in the future.  I could see these as vignettes in a tv series.   Perhaps some were on the Ray Bradbury show back in the day.

I'd have to give this one <b>3.5 stars</b>.

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Once Upon a Tale of Terror

Slasher Girls and Monster Boys Anthology

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

My Review on Goodreads

I really should have taken notes as I listened to this, but I did not. So my review will be a bit slapdash. I had very low expectations for this because I don't like slasher movies at all. However, I do enjoy a good anthology and I wanted something to continue my spooky reading into November. I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised. I think pretty much all the writers in this collection are very good at what they are doing. There are some stories that are just plain beautiful. Even though the subject matter wasn't always to my taste, the writing was so good, I was transfixed. Another thing I really liked is every single story is different. While the name of the collection is a good heads up, you would find so much more than the title suggests.

I admit I ended up not finishing "Sleepless" because I really triggered on a personal level by the content. But I listened to all of other stories.

"The birds of Azalea Street" / Nova Ren Suma

What a start to this anthology. It was so weird and ugly and beautiful at the same time. 4 stars

"In the forest dark and deep" / Carrie Ryan

I liked and hated this one. It was twisted and disturbing and almost dream/nightmare-like. I didn't like the ending, so I took off a star because of that. As an Alice in Wonderland acolyte, I did get a kick out this interesting take on the story. 3.5 stars

"Emmeline" / Cat Winters

I wasn't that impressed with this one, to be honest. I love a good ghost story, but this one didn't work for me. 2.5 stars

"Verse chorus verse" / Leigh Bardugo

What a creepy story. It's a twisted look into the stage mom/mother manager and star daughter take. I have questions that didn't quite get answered. If you like vibes and the dark feel of a story more than a story that lays everything out clearly, you'd like this one. I feel like it ended too soon. I think it should have been a novella and not a short story as there are plot-lines that weren't developed that really needed more page time. 3.75 stars

"Hide-and-seek" / Megan Shepherd

This was one of my favorites. I loved the heck out of this story. I am crazy about Applachian folklore based stories and the atmosphere was immaculate. Also the story keeps moving along with no drags or pacing issues. I definitely want to read more from this author. 5 stars

"The dark, scary parts and all" / Danielle Paige

If Carrie and The Omen had a baby pretty much sums this one up. It was hard to take this one seriously. It had an almost "Is this supposed to be funny" kind of feel like the new Sabrina show on Netflix. It wasn't bad, it just didn't have that much of an impact on me other than for obvious reasons. 3 stars

"The flicker, the fingers, the beat, the sigh" / by April Genevieve Tucholke

This story was so beautiful and heartbreaking. The imagery is as exquisitely rendered as Jung Hoseok's face. This will stay with me for a long time. 5 stars

"Fat girl with a knife" / Jonathan Maberry

I love Jonathan Maberry's Joe Ledger series, and there are aspects to this story that make it feel like a cousin to that series. It was a bit too short for my tastes, but I really liked what was there. I would like more from this character. 4 stars.

"Sleepless" / Jay Kristoff

I didn't finish this one because I was triggered by the subject matter. It's a me thing based on my own family dynamics. You might like it. Not Rated

"M" / Stefan Bachmann

Loved, loved, loved it! I hate bullies, and I appreciate books where the predator becomes the prey. Hope that's not a spoiler. So well written and the setting and storyline hits me in my Gothic-loving soul. 4.5 stars

"The girl without a face" / Marie Lu

I wasn't that keen on this story. It's well done and I like the twist in plotting. It just had a yuck factor with the main character I couldn't get past. 3 stars

"A girl who dreamed of snow"/ McCormick Templeman

Unique story that is completely unpredictable. It's such a divergent turn in this collection. 4 stars.

"Stitches" / A.G. Howard

Absolutely loved this story. It has a Southern Gothic/Rural dark fantasy feel that always sucks me in. There's something so beautiful about the tale, even with some ugly subject matter. It feels like a fairy tale. 5 stars

"On the I-5" / Kendare Blake

So many times, I thought I knew where this was going, and I was so very wrong. It reminded me of the movie Freeway. I am not a big fan of the movie overall, but Reese Witherspoon's character was awesome. This just had a bit of that feel with the character, but it's so unique. It was really dark and twisted, and I loved it. 4.5 stars.

I was so impressed by this collection. I'm glad I got the audiobook because the narrators were excellent, and listening to the collection added so much more to the experience. I definitely recommend this volume to dark fantasy and horror lovers. There's little of everything in here with consistent quality throughout the collection. That's what I look for in a good anthology.

I'd give this an overall rating of 4 stars.

 

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