Mindy's Book Journey

  Title: Sundial Author: Catriona Ward Genre: Horror Published: 3/1/22 by TOR Nightfire I received a copy for review from the publisher through Netgalley. Rob is a wife and mother of two. It seems like such a normal life until you look a little bit closer. Her daughter Callie is showing troubling signs like collecting animal bones and talking to imaginary friends. Rob takes Callie to Sundial, where she grew up with her family, to face the past. A great sense of mystery and foreboding fills every chapter of this novel. The characters are not likable, but they are fascinating. The Mohave Desert setting of Sundial provides an atmosphere of death and isolation. Hot days and cold nights leave the desert feeling as inhospitable as the eerie events involved in the story. This book started slow, but finished strong. It took a while to get into  the story, but then it got more compelling as the story went on. I recommend Sundial to fans of psychological horror stories featuring charac...

  Title: The Kaiju Preservation Society Author: John Scalzi Genre: Science Fiction/Adventure Published: 3/15/22 by Macmillian TOR Forge I received a copy for review from the publisher through Netgalley. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic Jamie Gray is having trouble making ends meet when he is offered a great job with an animal rescue. The only catch is that the animals are not on our Earth.  The Kaiju Preservation Society is a fast paced, fun, and humorous read. This book had me laughing out loud throughout. Going to a new world with huge Kaiju creatures as well as a vast array of unknown animals to encounter was endlessly entertaining. It had a great mix of science, laughs, and adventure. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a feel good, exciting, and fun read that will keep you smiling throughout. Great for fans of science fiction and adventure novels.  My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

  Title: The Justice of Kings Author: Richard Swan Series: Empire of the Wolf #1 Genre: Fantasy/Mystery Published: Feb.22,2022 by Orbit Books I received a copy for review from the publisher through Netgalley.      This fantastic debut follows Sir Konrad Vonvalt, a Justice in The Empire of the Wolf. As a Justice he has some particularly interesting abilities that help him to discover the truth in matters. In this first novel in a new trilogy Vonvalt and his team need to investigate the murder of an aristocrat and uncover more than just a murderer.      This was a very original feeling epic fantasy. It is set in a vast well realized world that was reminiscent of medieval Europe. What sets this fantasy apart from the rest is that it is a murder mystery set in this fantasy world. This book provided a great introduction of Vonvalt the Justice and his protege Helena and their other allies. All the characters were very likeable which made them easy to ro...

  Title: Beneath the Stairs Author: Jennifer Fawcett Genre: Thriller/Haunted House story Published: Feb. 22,2022 by Atria Books  I received an advanced copy from Atria through NetGalley for review. Octagon House has a dark past. The original family that lived there met a horrible violent end. Now it sits empty. Venturing into this house ends up being a traumatic experience for Clare and Abby. Twenty years later, Abby is in a coma after going back into the house. Abby comes back to be with her friend and find out why she she would go back to Octagon House.  I really enjoyed the mix of thriller and horror elements. This was an engaging story with interesting characters that had just enough of the spooky atmosphere that I love. I really enjoyed learning more about the main characters lives as teens and adults as well as the history of the haunted house. This is a great story of overcoming fear and trauma. The house scenes felt very claustrophobic in the best creepy way. If y...