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Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated The Blumhouse Book of Nightmares: The Haunted City in Books

Mar 15, 2018

An anthology of horror stories commissioned by producer Jason Blum ("Paranormal Activity", "Insidious", "Sinister", "The Purge"), and written by many of the people who made those films with him, sounds like a pretty genius idea. Unfortunately, it turns out to be more than a little less so in actuality. Don't get me wrong, most of the stories here are pretty decent at the very least, and many contain interesting ideas, but there is one all-important thing missing across the board: fear. While there is no shortage of creepy imagery, upsetting situations and gore, at no point did any of these actually scare me. Some of the stories were so lacking in any sense of suspense that it was hard not to wonder if they were actually even horror. All in all it's not a bad read, but it's hard not to come out of this at least somewhat disappointed.

Kudos

Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated The Iron Hunt (Hunter Kiss, #1) in Books

Mar 1, 2018

The Iron Hunt is a beautifully written book with some interesting twists on established fantasy memes. To some extent, I felt that I'd come in to the world on book 2 or 3, but as far as I know (and from what Amazon says) this is the first book of the Hunter Kiss series. There was a bit of Buffy and a little Witchblade, with other elements I'm sure I'm overlooking.

For once, it's good to see a novel in which an established couple has a seemingly-healthy relationship. Maxine and Grant have very different skills, but they work together well. That said, this is not a romance.

Edited to add: I just learned that there is, in fact, a prequel to this book in The Wild Thing anthology, which I hadn't heard of before. I'll certainly be looking for it.

Kudos

Kristin (149 KP) rated Wonderstruck in Books

Dec 7, 2018

Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'll begin by saying the cover is fantastic; I couldn't stop looking at it! That being said, it's that feeling, the one that every picture has a story to tell, that is the inspiration behind the stories in this anthology. They go from "drabbles" of 100 words to short stories and novellas, and each is as unique as the author who wrote it. It's amazing how so many people can look at the same picture and yet draw a completely different tale from it, all the while bringing those thoughts and images into reality for the reader. I hope this idea will be continued into another book (or several!), using different pictures, or perhaps with each author being given an opening line and having to write a story from that. Loved it!! =)

5 stars