Mindy's Book Journey

  Title: This Skin Was Once Mine and Other Disturbances Author: Eric LaRocca Genre: Horror Published: 4/2/24 by Titan Books I received a copy for review through NetGalley. This collection of 4 new short stories is full of heart and anguish. Each story is hard hitting and explores loss in horrifying ways. This Skin Was Once Mine: A woman returns to her childhood home after her beloved father dies. She must confront her strained relationship with her mother and discover a dark secret about her father. 5 Stars Seedling: When a man's mother dies he goes to back home to find his father holding on to her body. They come down with a strange affliction. 4.5 Stars All the Parts of You That Won't Easily Burn: A man buys a knife for his husband, but the shopkeeper doesn't want money in return. An unhealthy obsession is ignited in him. 4.5 Stars Prickle: Two old men play a cruel game that they started in the past. 4 stars I would highly recommend this collection to fans of horror a

  Title: What Feasts At Night Author: T. Kingfisher Series: Sworn Solider Book 2 Genre: Horror/Dark Fantasy Published: 2/13/24 by TOR Nightfire I received a copy for review through NetGalley. After the events with the Ushers Alex Easton heads to their homeland of Galacia and help friends at their hunting cabin in the forest. Something very strange is happening in this area and Alex needs to take on an adversary straight out of the folklore of the area.  After the events of What Moves the Dead we follow Alex to their hometown. It was a treat to read more about Alex and their home country. The damp dark forest made for an atmospheric setting for this tale as something sinister takes hold. The horror elements were incredibly creepy. However, they did not come into play until late in the novel so it had a slower start. At less than 200 pages it was still a really quick read that did not linger too long. I would recommend this novel to those who want to know more after reading What Moves th

  Title: In Excess of Dark Author: Red Lagoe Genre: Horror Published: March 15, 2023 by Dark Lit Press I received a copy for review through NetGalley. Karina is grieving and has discovered a very dark new special ability. She can make her most horrible imaginings come true. Haunted by a mysterious shadow figure and grotesque visions she desperately tries to use her gift to bring her family back from the dead. This was a fantastic grief horror novella that follows a character in the deepest darkest pit of despair and the lengths she will go to see her family again. The characters are very believable. The horror and emotion are both incredible in this story. This is a novella I would highly recommend to all in the mindset to handle the dark content.  My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

  Title: The Djinn Waits A Hundred Years Author: Shubnum Khan Genre: Historical Gothic Horror Published:  January 9, 2024 by Viking Penguin I received a copy for review through NetGalley.   When Sana moves with her father to a Akbar Manzil, a crumbling mansion in South Africa, she is caught up in a mystery of what happened to the family that lived there nearly 100 years before.  The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years is a beautifully written slow burn slightly supernatural gothic tale in a historical setting following Indian characters living in South Africa. Most of the story focuses of on the living characters with a mix of drama, love, and tragedy. The supernatural elements of the djinn, ghost, and the sentient house play a background role that adds to the mystery and whimsy of the story. This book starts a bit slow, but catches you into the story with its undeniably interesting plot, characters, and setting. My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

  Title: That Night in the Woods Author: Kristopher Triana Genre: Horror Published: October 7, 2023 by Cemetery Dance Publications I received a copy for review through NetGalley. Five high school friends are traumatized when they go camping in the woods where young people have been committing suicide. Many years later they come back together to honor a friend and they face what happen all those years ago. The sections in the woods had great atmosphere and were creepy in a way that had the characters and me wondering what was real. Some of the book takes place on Halloween night which added its own atmosphere as well. Although I do love great character work I think there was a bit too much focus on the characters problems and relationships. I like where the story ended up leading in the end. It felt a bit more like a thriller through most of the book, but it definitely turned horror in the end. I would recommend checking out this book if you like horror book that focus on the issues

  Title: Mister Lullaby Author: J.H. Markert Genre: Horror/Thriller Published: I received a copy for review through NetGalley.   Strange things happen inside the tunnel in the town of Harrod's Reach. Mysterious murders, people found in comas, and a man becomes obsessed with the sound and voices he hears in a seashell found in the landlocked area. The door between another world and our own is weakening and monsters are trying to get through. Mister Lullaby has an interesting premise that mixes the fantastical and horrific. Despite intriguing odd occurrences happening in and around the tunnel and the possibility of a serial killer the first half of the novel is a bit disjointed and a slog. Several points of view leads to a delayed investment into the characters and their stories. Around the 50% point the stories start to converge in a satisfying way leading to a fight of good versus evil that is quite enjoyable. I would recommend this novel to those that might enjoy a mix of horro