Mindy's Book Journey

  Title: Silent Key Author: Laurel Hightower Genre: Horror Published: 10/10/23 by Flame Tree Press I received a copy for review through NetGalley.  Cam Ambrose leaves her job as a detective with the NYPD after her husband is murdered. She moves to her late uncle's house along with her daughter Samantha and her best friend/ adopted brother Dimi. Strange things start to happen in the house leading to an investigation to save the lives of the ones she loves. Silent Key is full of mystery, dread, and chilling moments. This is a haunted house story unlike any other. Cam is a strong main character who is a great mom and friend while figuring out the mystery behind the supernatural happening that are plaguing her family. There are elements of haunted house and water horror. This is a great story with compelling characters and plot. I highly recommend this novel to fans of horror. My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

  Title: Frost Bite Author: Angela Sylvaine Genre: Horror Published: 10/10/23 by Dark Matter INK I received a copy for review from the author.  Frost Bite is about a meteor carrying alien worms that infect animals in a small North Dakota town in 1997. This story was 100% pure fast-paced fun. It had some silliness with infected prairie dog attack along with a doomsday cult and alien worms. It also provides many 90s references and nostalgic moments. This would be the perfect winter read as it takes place in the middle of a frozen North Dakota December. There is not a dull moment in this story with its amazing pacing throughout.  If you are looking for a wintry fast-paced thrill ride with all the 90s vibes that steps way out of the norm then Frost Bite is a must read. I recommend it to fans of the thrilling and strange. My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Title: Spin a Black Yarn Author: Josh Malerman Genre: Horror/Speculative Fiction Published: August 15, 2023 by Random House I received a copy for review through NetGalley.   Spin a Black Yarn is a collection of 5 novellas that have memorable new spins on common genre norms. Malerman takes on a haunted house, a serial killer, space travel, dangers of AI, and revenge. These are very familiar yet his stories are wholly unique and surprising as these themes are turned on their head. These are novellas I will not soon forget. Half the House is Haunted explores a brother and sister's relationship growing up in a house that was half haunted. What does that mean? Which half? 4 stars Argyle follows a dying man's confessions of dark twisted desires that he never acted on. This was really disturbing and effective story despite his lack of actual murder. 5 stars Jupiter Drop is about a man dealing with a tragic accident that decides to take a vacation to Jupiter where he will be able to...

  Title: Nine of Swords Series: Fynneas Fog Book 1 Author: Brooklyn Quintana Genre: Fantasy  Published: May 15, 2021 Thank you to Brooklyn Quintana for providing a copy for review.  Nine of Swords is the first book in the Fynneas Fog series about a prince who is destined to defend his house in the military. He faces a tragedy before being sent to Morancy Academy of Military Arts.   Nine of Swords is a fantasy with a lot of heart and unforgettable characters. It is so wonderful to watch the relationships between all the students at the academy grow to found family status throughout the book. The plot moves quickly, and feels like a fast read despite its length. The world where a few characters have magic, but most do not. There are magical creatures around the academy, but not throughout the rest of the world. If you are a sucker for fantasy books with school settings and the chosen one trope done right than the Fynneas Fog series is certainly one to check ou...

  Title: Thanks for the Memory Author: James Flynn Genre: Science Fiction Published: October 1, 2023 Thank you to James Flynn for providing a copy for review. Thanks for the Memory follows Reed Blagden, a stand up comedian, who uploads a sexually explicit memory on a new social media platform to revive his career. It works, but then he finds out the price of posting your life on social media.  This novella tackles the issues of social media addiction, and the trouble with posting everything in your life for the world to see. The new social media in this story, NeuroStar, is a fascinating concept that people can upload the memories straight from their brains using brain sensors. The story is written as a first hand story from the mouth of Reed, the main character. The story is told in a very meta way as he speaks to the reader personally. As a comedian, it is also told in a really humorous way. This narration style along with the social media ideas to ponder was made this n...

  Title: Bridge Author: Lauren Beukes Genre: Thriller/Speculative Fiction Published: 8/8/23 by Mulholland Books I received a copy for review through NetGalley. Bridge is mourning the loss of her mother Jo to brain cancer. She is working on cleaning out her mom's house when she finds a "dreamworm", a drug that can help you visit alternate realities. This starts Bridge figuring out the mystery of dreamworm, and her mother's obsession with it. However, there are other  dangerous people searching for the dreamworm as well. Bridge's biggest strength was its' amazing premise. The mixture of speculative fiction elements within the thriller was very compelling. Bridge, Jo, and Dom were all great characters. Dom, Bridge's best friend, supports her on her path to discovery. The middle of the book felt a bit long with the best thriller moments not happening until about 70% in. Other than this issue with pacing this is one fascinating book. I would recommend this ...

  Title: Riding the Nightmare Author: Lisa Tuttle Genre: Horror Short Story Collection Published: 8/22/23 by Valancourt Books I received a copy for review through NetGalley.  This new collection from a Lisa Tuttle collects stories previously published between 1986 and 2017 with a new expanded version of 'The Dragon's Bride'. The stories seem to fit together in that they all explore unconventional types of relationships from the female prospective. The plots themselves are varied. Some worked better for me than others. This is a great release from Valancourt Books from this great author of Nest of Nightmares and Familiar Spirit. Ride the Nightmare:   Being second to a man in an open marriage isn't easy. For Tess it brings on a prophetic nightmare.The nightmare imagery is great. 4 stars Bits and Pieces: A woman realizes the men that leave her life leave parts of themselves behind. In the pursuit of creating a perfect man she goes to great lengths to get what she wants....