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Craven Manor
Craven Manor
Darcy Coates | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Horror
8
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Craven Manor by Darcy Coates ended up as the first pick for the #spookyfriendsbookclub, a buddy read group I started initially on Litsy – a social media app for readers. When we selected it, I only knew that we’d be reading a haunted house story and of course, I was excited. Haunted houses are, after all, my first love when it comes to horror. In that regard, Coates doesn’t disappoint.

Craven Manor tells the story of a long-forgotten house and a similarly forgotten town hidden away in the woods. With an elaborate backstory woven into its history, she pens an intricate plot that, once you think you’ve got it figured out, she quickly tells you otherwise. When young Daniel Kane ends up employed at the Manor to clean it up, the mystery quickly unravels and what has been forgotten is soon remembered.

The characters are just as unique, with none of the cast fitting into any one stereotype – which is a much welcomed change from many of the books I’ve read lately. Although, I can say that I thoroughly disliked Daniel’s cousin, Kyle. He an asshole, and I think anyone who has read this book will agree with me on that.

Coates clearly masters the creepy in her work and I certainly look forward to reading more of her work. If you haven’t checked her out, I highly recommend it.
  
A Whole New World
A Whole New World
Liz Braswell | 2015 | Young Adult (YA)
8
7.0 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
Pros:
▪ Strong storyline
▪ Loveable characters
Cons:
▪ White pages
▪ Some gore
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this from the start, it grasped my interest and held onto it throughout. The story line is brilliant and keeps it's high standards throughout.
Honestly it made me fall in love all over again with Aladdin, Jasmine, Abu, the Genie and of course new names.
This has definitely been retold for the interest of adults, reason I say that is because there are quite a few parts that contains violence and grim details so I wouldn't recommend it for young readers, don't be falled by it being Disney!
The only other con I had for this was that the pages are white, when I first opened it, it took my eyes some time to adjust to the black on white contrast, I have vision problems so the general standard of cream pages are much more easy on the eyes. The white pages do look much more brighter and clean though in terms of overall presentation.
  
My Sister, the Serial Killer
My Sister, the Serial Killer
Oyinkan Braithwaite | 2018 | Crime, Thriller
8
7.8 (12 Ratings)
Book Rating
The problems of a serial killer's older sister....
Short, snappy chapters, satire oozing out of every page (and murder!). This story is about Korede covering up her sister, Ayoola's, penchant for 'offing' her boyfriends: "Femi makes three, you know. Three and they label you a serial killer".
Korede feels a responsibility for her younger sister - something which seems odd to do given the circumstances, but is explained later in the book.
Korede is quite a sad character, really. Ayoola is the beautiful sister, she is not. Yet she still protects her and keeps her safe, stops her from posting on Instagram after her boyfriend goes 'missing'. Ayoola certainly has issues - she has no problem with the murders she commits, no guilt. She gets on with her life, on to the next man, and Korede is left to clean up and worry. The eternal problem of the older sister (usually minus the murders, mind you!).
I really enjoyed this, and it seemed to end very quickly. It's well worth reading.
  
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