Mindy's Book Journey

  Title: Necessary Poisons Author: Andrea Blythe Genre: Horror Poetry Published: October 7, 2024 by Interstellar Flight Press I received a copy for review from the publisher through NetGalley.         Necessary is a collection of found poetry published by the wonderful Interstellar Flight Press. This collection has a lot of emphasis on poisonous plants and manuscripts. The poems were created by taking pages of The Plant by Stephen King, which is an unfinished epistolary novel, and blacking out words until a new poem emerges. I really find the way that the poetry was created really interesting, and I would love to try this method.       It must be difficult to create poems only using the words of others. Some of the poems were not as impactful, because of they seemed to lack a central story. This is the tricky part of only using the words on a single page. However, there were a few poems that were unbelievably good and inspiring.     If you are interested to see poems created from a

  Title: Chopping Spree Author: Angela Sylvaine Genre: Horror Published: 9/24/24 by Dark Matter Ink I received a copy for review from the author.   16 year old Penny works at Thredz in the Eden Hills Mall that her father owns. When someone starts some mischief killing people off Penny and her friends will need to stop the killer before disaster strikes. This is a fun 80s style mall slasher that is completely unpredictable. There is some great commentary on consumerism and greed as is appropriate in a mall. Penny makes a great final girl to rout for. If you like slashers with 80s vibes and YA protagonists than I would recommend checking this one out. My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

  Title: House of Bone and Rain Author: Gabino Igesias Genre: Horror/ Crime Thriller Published: 8/6/24 by Mulholland Books  I received a copy for review from NetGalley.  After Bimbo's mom is murdered by a drug lord in San Juan, Puerto Rico he and his friends go on a quest of vengeance. Taking on a drug lord and all his men is no easy task especially while Hurricane Maria is causing havoc on the island. Similar to Igesias' last novel, The Devil Takes You Home, this novel is a mix of crime thriller with the supernatural mixed in. In the midst of really bad decisions, there are beautiful messages of friendship and family. The story is incredibly brutal and bloody. Although the characters are committing crime they are also very sympathetic. Having the story told by Gabe, Bimbo's best friend, was a great way to get insight on why this group of 5 friends would go to such great lengths to help there friends with very bad things. I would recommend this book to

  Title: Crypt of the Moon Spider Author: Nathan Ballingrud Series: The Lunar Gothic Trilogy Genre: Science Fiction Horror Published: 8/27/24 by TOR Nightfire I received a copy for review through NetGalley.   In 1923, Veronica is sent by her husband to The Barrowfield Home for Treatment of the Melancholy on the moon. The facility is surrounded by forests covered in spider silk. That description sets up the unique setting for this fantastic first novella in a trilogy. Match that with incredible gothic atmosphere and body horror gives you one creepy strange ride.  I recommend this one for fans of strange stories and science fiction horror. It is a great one. My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

  Title: The Chamber Author: Will Dean Genre: Mystery/Thriller Published: 8/6/24 by Atria Books I received a copy for review through NetGalley. Six saturation divers living at high pressure inside a small hyperbaric chamber in order to work on the sea floor are thrown into the middle of a murder investigation when one of them turns up dead. In the four days until they can be released from the chamber they will be stuck in a high pressure situation in more ways than one. This book has a super intriguing premise, you can't do better with a closed door mystery than a sealed hyperbaric chamber. Learning about life in the hyperbaric chamber is fascinating, but can be a pass for those that don't like any science in their books. This book was full of tension and felt claustrophobic with such a small enclosed setting.  I would highly recommend The Chamber to those who like who done-it mysteries with a bit of science. My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

  Title: The Drowning House Author: Cherie Priest Genre: Horror Published: 7/23/24 by Poisoned Pen Press I received a copy for review through NetGalley.   The night the house washes up on shore on an isolated island Mrs. Culpepper dies, and Simon Culpepper goes missing. It is up to Simon's childhood friends, Melissa and Leo, to find out the mysteries of the house and their friend's disappearance. The Drowning House has a fantastic premise, a mysterious house washes up on the shore. Who can resist such a unique setup. This book is a bit of a slow burn, but that gave the time to develop a wonderful friendship between Simon, Melissa, and Leo. Plus, their strong connection to Mrs. Culpepper. Ultimately, this book was a fun read with magic, ghosts, and friendship. I would recommend this novel for those that like a haunting, mysteries, and don't mind a slow burn. My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars