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Cyn Armistead (14 KP) rated The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance in Books
Mar 1, 2018
Actually, I read a few stories by authors I know, skimmed some others, and decided that "mammoth" translates to "too big and therefore not choosy about what gets included." If you're into romance far more than fantasy or horror, you'll probably like the book much better than I did.
Lenard (726 KP) rated Fantasy Island (2020) in Movies
Feb 24, 2020
Much like the recent adaptation of the Banana Splits Hour, Blumhouse's Fantasy Island took a show from my childhood and added horror elements to the premise. Five strangers land on an island where their fantasy is granted. The island is overseen by a mysterious Latino named Mr. Roarke, played by master monologuist Michael Pena. As you may have seen in the trailer, two are given everything that they want (money, sex, a mansion), one plays soldier, one is given a fresh start, and one gets revenge on a middle-school bully. However, a fantasy can easily become a nightmare and the island does not distinguish. As the five strangers are slowly brought back together, they learn that the island did not randomly select them. Someone else has their own nightmarish fantasy to live. I will not spoil the secret, but the mysterious person behind it all makes precious little sense unless he or she had a traumatic brain injury before and during the plot of the movie. Some scenes were very good and it could have been a good horror movie if it had just left the storylines separate like the tv show managed to do.
Heathski (173 KP) rated Scar Night in Books
Feb 10, 2019 (Updated Feb 10, 2019)
Brilliantly written (1 more)
Twisted and dark
Deliciously dark and macabre
While this is not my usually fantasy book to pick up, I found myself being drawn into the nightmare unable to look away. The characters, while not very likeable, are interesting, and you do care where their story will end. It's been compared to Goremenghast, which I haven't read so can't compare, but it is well written. It's gothic steampunk, grim, dark fantasy, melancholic tragedy with horror sprinkled on top. I loved it and felt sad I'd finished it, but couldn't wait to get the next in the series.
Peter G. (247 KP) rated Pan's Labyrinth (2006) in Movies
Jun 17, 2019
I must have been one of a handful of people who thought this War/horror/fantasy film although having a good story and typical Del torro fare was just very good and doesn't make it as far as being a great film.
Inventive monsters make this one stand out somewhat, however I felt the pacing was a little off, a very magical effort nonetheless.
Inventive monsters make this one stand out somewhat, however I felt the pacing was a little off, a very magical effort nonetheless.
David McK (3219 KP) rated Down Among the Dead Men (Forest Kingdom, #3) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Essentially a horror novel within a fantasy setting, this is set in the same world as Simon Green's earlier novels "Blue Moon Rising" and "Blood and Honour"; albeit about 10 years on from "Blue Moon Rising", with the odd reference to the events of that (better) book.
It's also pretty much rote stuff: there's nothing really outstanding about this book that would make it stand out from the crowd.
It's also pretty much rote stuff: there's nothing really outstanding about this book that would make it stand out from the crowd.
Kate (355 KP) rated Locke and Key in TV
Apr 6, 2020
Gothic, supernatural series
only only four episodes in but keeping me hooked. It’s slightly gothic with the setting, a big house set on the cliff end with lots of rooms and history to it. If you are a fan of the supernatural, fantasy, slight horror ( not too much) then this probably up your street. The story line is slowly unfolding so you a,y to start at the beginning to understand the whole plot.
Kim Newman recommended The Spirit of the Beehive (1973) in Movies (curated)
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated The Lady and the Highwayman in Books
Oct 7, 2020
For anyone looking for a fun, historical fiction novel that has just a touch of romance, and even some, adventure, fantasy and horror elements, Sarah M. Eden’s latest novel “The Lady and the Highwayman” set in Victorian London might be just the thing for you. If that sounds interesting, I hope you’ll read my latest #bookreview on my blog now. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2019/09/01/three-for-the-price-of-one/
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Small Spaces (Small Spaces #1) in Books
Jul 24, 2019
Fantasy Horror Book marketed for middle school/middle grades
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Katherine Arden is best known for her adult/young adult fantasy novel, The Bear and the Nightingale. With Small Spaces, Katherine Arden ventures into writing for middle school-aged children. This creepy horror book brought me back to my childhood where I stayed up late reading Lois Duncan, Richard Peck, and Joan Lowery Nixon. Those authors, among others, wrote horror books for children that were able to scare you without being gory.
The description of Small Spaces brought to mind the movie Jeepers Creepers 2 - a school bus full of children breaks down and they are in danger of something in the night/dark. That is where the similarities end. Arden teams up 3 students who are classmates but not friends. They leave the bus for the safety of the forest...
This story is tame compared to many of the horror movies children have seen in recent years. It is the innocence of the story while being scary and suspenseful that makes it such an interesting read.
Small Spaces is the first book in her Small Spaces series. The 2nd, Dead Voices, has a release date of August 27, 2019. I preordered it and will review it as soon as possible.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 7/24/19.
Katherine Arden is best known for her adult/young adult fantasy novel, The Bear and the Nightingale. With Small Spaces, Katherine Arden ventures into writing for middle school-aged children. This creepy horror book brought me back to my childhood where I stayed up late reading Lois Duncan, Richard Peck, and Joan Lowery Nixon. Those authors, among others, wrote horror books for children that were able to scare you without being gory.
The description of Small Spaces brought to mind the movie Jeepers Creepers 2 - a school bus full of children breaks down and they are in danger of something in the night/dark. That is where the similarities end. Arden teams up 3 students who are classmates but not friends. They leave the bus for the safety of the forest...
This story is tame compared to many of the horror movies children have seen in recent years. It is the innocence of the story while being scary and suspenseful that makes it such an interesting read.
Small Spaces is the first book in her Small Spaces series. The 2nd, Dead Voices, has a release date of August 27, 2019. I preordered it and will review it as soon as possible.
This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 7/24/19.