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The Lottery and Other Stories
The Lottery and Other Stories
Shirley Jackson | 2009 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (10 Ratings)
Book Rating
Jackson is the queen of turning normal people's lives into a horror show. This short story is dark, disturbing and chilling.

Written and published just after WWII, this clearly sends out as message to all those involved in the Holocaust. Just because something is being done by the masses, and has become a sort of tradition, doesn't mean its moral and right. This message translates to today's times too. As another reviewer perfectly put it, "there is value in tradition but beware blind faith".

This in no way surprised me, it's not that I've seen spoilers for it, I just happened to get it very early on, but that doesn't take away the effect of the horrific ending.
  
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
1993 | Animation, Family, Sci-Fi
Claymation (0 more)
Look: If you're going to talk about art and cinema, you're going to have to mention NMB4C. It's simply a fact.
The time and effort that went into the movie, coupled against the beautiful storytelling make Tim Burton's classic film worth the watch. This reviewer has been a long-time fan, and continues to watch it at least 2x times per year. Why? Because it's just that fun. Not to mention that Oingo Boingo's front man (and epic composer) Danny Elfman does the singing voice for Jack Skellington. It's simply got a season run between Halloween and X-mas that make the film utterly enjoyable and fun. It's OOAK, and you'll be hard pressed to disagree.
  
D(
Deathwish (Cal Leandros, #4)
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fourth book in Rob(yn) Thurman's Cal Leandros series, I found this one to be both slower moving and harder to get into than the previous novels in the series.

This, I believe, is also the first book in which Thurman splits the narration between the two brothers: the problem with that being, as another reviewer rightly pointed out, that both brothers 'sound' exactly the same, meaning that (quite often) it's easy to get confused about who is narrating! Would have worked better if each of the brothers had their own tone more than they do, rather than sound like clones of each other (which they are emphatically described as being not) ...
  
Mirrorheart (Ash & Blue, #2)
Mirrorheart (Ash & Blue, #2)
Stormy Sto Helit | 2022 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!


This is the second instalment in the Ash and Blue series and I found it thrilling. There has been a lot of research gone into this book and it has a very easy flow to read. You can feel the emotions that the characters are going through and the conflict that Ryan feels with some of the decisions he has to make.


It definitely captured me from the first page and I couldn't wait to find out what was going on.


I'm not sure if there will be another one but I would certainly like to see one


** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
  
The Anarchist's Wife
The Anarchist's Wife
Margo Laurie | 2022 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!


I found this novella extremely interesting. There was a lot of information to take in. It's been written from the wife's point of view and you can't seem to work out 100% for guilty or innocent. My first instinct is yep, of course, he's guilty, he's bound to be but then there are little things that could say he's innocent.


I've enjoyed reading this and recommend you read it too.


** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

 

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
  
Only Ghouls and Horses
Only Ghouls and Horses
Dan Harris | 2022 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!


This story tells the tale of poor Tom and how has been recruited by Unit 13, the bureau of a paranormal detective agency. He's been happy with his desk job, but when one of his colleagues goes on maternity leave, he's thrown into the field and he doesn't have a lot of experience.


This book was an absolute howl. It's a paranormal book with a lot of humour thrown in. I really enjoyed the take that Dan has taken on it and delivered. The style very much reminded me of Terry Pratchett. I'm looking forward to reading more.


** same worded review will appear elsewhere **