Writer of (mostly) speculative fiction Author of Lipstick Covered Magnet Bookworm, elder emo, self-proclaimed film critic Find me here: amberherbert.com/ Or here: linksta.cc/@amberherbert
This link opens in a pop-up window
Carolanne wanted a perfect wedding, a perfect husband, a perfect family. She carefully performs her …
This book isn't anything special. There's plenty of modern feminist themes, most of which have been overdone in various other works in the last decade. I picked it up because it was nominated for a Bram Stoker award. I'll admit I don't fully understand the appeal.
This is just a story. It can't hurt you anymore.
Since she was three years …
Overgrowth is a sci-fi horror novel about what it means to be human narrated by Stasia, an alien plant wearing a human skin suit. The novel, while being about an impending invasion on the surface, has a beating heart that delves into the nuances of found family, identity, human rights, and marginalization. The prose is inviting and free of frills, and the characters are diverse and eclectic. If you love descriptions of alien ships, biology, and telepathic communication, you're in for a real treat.
My only complaint refers to the repetition throughout; quite a few plot points are heavy handed in their distribution, being spelled out over a dozen times each. While this isn't an inherent issue, as the story is told from Stasia's point of view and spotlights the repetition of actual thought processes, I would have appreciated less redundancy.
If you're looking for a story akin to War …
Overgrowth is a sci-fi horror novel about what it means to be human narrated by Stasia, an alien plant wearing a human skin suit. The novel, while being about an impending invasion on the surface, has a beating heart that delves into the nuances of found family, identity, human rights, and marginalization. The prose is inviting and free of frills, and the characters are diverse and eclectic. If you love descriptions of alien ships, biology, and telepathic communication, you're in for a real treat.
My only complaint refers to the repetition throughout; quite a few plot points are heavy handed in their distribution, being spelled out over a dozen times each. While this isn't an inherent issue, as the story is told from Stasia's point of view and spotlights the repetition of actual thought processes, I would have appreciated less redundancy.
If you're looking for a story akin to War of the Worlds or Little Shop of Horrors, this is for you.
Thank you to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for the ARC.
Imagine a Door intersperses craft insights, case studies, and checklists with personal stories about publishing …
A solid book about publishing and authorial mindset. If you're feeling stuck in your writing journey or struggle to identify exactly why you write or what you want out of a writing career, this book is for you. It also has tons of information on different publishing paths, various levels of distribution, and career options.
“If you’re a fan of Stephen King and Stranger Things, then this is the book …
Armstrong is a strong writer, with prose that's easy to immerse yourself in and characters crafted with nuance and care. Unfortunately, the subject of the story itself didn't do a whole lot for me; that's likely to do with my lacking interest in arcade games and the technological prowess required to analyze them. I believe this will appeal to a great deal of readers, it just wasn't a good fit for me.
Part One was not enough to grip me. Scenes of intrigue were written in such a way that I cared little for the characters or the strange but poorly described happenings. Not worth the slog when I have so many other books to read.
Blackfeet author Stephen Graham Jones brings readers a spine-tingling Native American horror novella.
Walking through …
Mapping the Interior is my introduction to Stephen Graham Jones's work. The story is short, odd, and full of Native American mythologies and beliefs that are introduced through the lens of a twelve-year-old protagonist. When Junior's father comes back from the dead, he struggles to explain the phenomenon, grasping at theories only a child would. The mechanics of his father's reappearance is strange, ominous, and unique—a facet that kept me engaged and theorizing 'til the end. Mapping the Interior is a solid novella full of voice, character, and heart.
I recommend this to anyone seeking a quick supernatural read.
*Thank you to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for the reprint ARC.
A work-from-home comedy where WFH meets WTF.
Told entirely through clever and captivating Slack messages, …
If you've ever had the displeasure of using Slack or Discord to converse with your coworkers, this book's for you. It's equal parts hilarious and thought provoking. Well worth the short read!
Jim Crow Florida, 1950.
Twelve-year-old Robert Stephens Jr., who for a trivial scuffle with a …
The Reformatory might be marketed as a horror/thriller, but it's much more than a tale of terrors in the Jim Crow South. Told from multiple perspectives, usually sticking to Gloria and Robbie Stephens, Due provides a nuanced and honest story of family, friendship, injustice, prejudice, and human rights. While there are horror elements, the novel would sit more comfortably in historical fiction. Many of the terrors are monstrous (and delivered by men) but others are supernatural, lending a magical realism to the narrative that wouldn't be there otherwise. Despite the content and tone, Due provides hope and light.
While I enjoyed the prose and found the story compelling, it went on about 150 pages too long. The characters were about 80% actualized, creating a slight disconnect between me and the Stephens children. This ultimately came down to middling arcs, a fault that could have been remedied by extending the span …
The Reformatory might be marketed as a horror/thriller, but it's much more than a tale of terrors in the Jim Crow South. Told from multiple perspectives, usually sticking to Gloria and Robbie Stephens, Due provides a nuanced and honest story of family, friendship, injustice, prejudice, and human rights. While there are horror elements, the novel would sit more comfortably in historical fiction. Many of the terrors are monstrous (and delivered by men) but others are supernatural, lending a magical realism to the narrative that wouldn't be there otherwise. Despite the content and tone, Due provides hope and light.
While I enjoyed the prose and found the story compelling, it went on about 150 pages too long. The characters were about 80% actualized, creating a slight disconnect between me and the Stephens children. This ultimately came down to middling arcs, a fault that could have been remedied by extending the span of the novel to a couple weeks or a month rather than about a week.
I recommend The Reformatory to anyone seeking stories set in the Jim Crow South or historical fiction with a dash of horror.
Jim Crow Florida, 1950.
Twelve-year-old Robert Stephens Jr., who for a trivial scuffle with a white boy is sent to …
From the acclaimed author of Mrs. March comes the riveting tale of a bloodthirsty governess …
Content warning Content-related spoilers ahead!
Feminine serial killers, particularly those with an erotically-charged fascination with the grotesque and twisted, have been trending for years. I enjoyed Victorian Psycho not for its originality but for its attention to setting and era. Having someone commit such atrocities in an era where it wasn't uncommon for children to die before their second birthday created an atmosphere more brutal than modernity. Feito used that horror and capitalized on it, never once holding back. I do not recommend this novel to anyone who can't handle depictions of infant and adolescent slaughter.
While the setting and narrative voice were great, the "reveal" halfway through was obvious from the first quarter of the novel. I would have appreciated less foreshadowing.
All in all, Victorian Psycho was a quick and engaging read. I'd recommend it to anyone searching for a quippy and descriptively vibrant femme fatale story. If you're looking for a more modern and intriguing alternative (without child deaths), I highly recommend Maeve Fly by CJ Leede.
Thank you to NetGalley and Liveright for the ARC.
When the Guardian of the West Passage died in her bed, the women of Grey …
So far so mediocre. I'm reading this for my book club and intend to push through, but damn is the prose all over the place in terms of descriptions, tone, and pacing. If I hadn't already DNF'd our January read, this one would be destined for the "abandoned" shelf.
Harry Potter #1
When mysterious letters start arriving on his doorstep, Harry Potter has never …
So far, not at all impressed. I loved Harry Potter as a kid but always enjoyed the movie adaptations more. Now that I'm reading the illustrated version to my son, I understand why I never reread the books. Disappointing.
"Following on the heels of Lisa Cron's breakout first book, Wired for Story, this writing …
As someone who already knows that characters and their internal struggles and arcs make great stories, this is a chunky book with little to offer. If you didn't enjoy Save the Cat, I don't recommend this one. While some of the initial tips might help if you're struggling to write compelling characters that propel the plot, the latter half is all about incorporating the author's outlining system. If you want another formula to follow, go ahead and give this a whirl. If you'd rather learn about how to incorporate your character's internal conflict with the big-picture turmoil of the plot, I'd sooner point you to Brandon Sanderson's lectures (free on the Tube).
Note: I read straight through page 111 and skimmed the rest.
Across the Winding River centers around three narrators who become intertwined as the story progresses. Both a story of love and war, this novel has something for every historical fiction reader.
Though the story is captivating and a breeze to get through, I didn't appreciate the two main coincidences of the plot. Some of the plot points were far too convenient, resulting in a four-star rating instead of a five.
By the time I realized the truth about Daniel it was too late. But the …
Make Me Disappear is an intriguing take on obsessive and controlling relationships. Noelle, a nurse in her twenties, realizes she needs to break away from her doctor boyfriend and plans her own kidnapping. I appreciated the dual narrative, and the prose was written well; it kept me engaged the whole way through.
My only criticism is that there were far too many coincidentals and/or unbelievable plot points. I also saw the twist coming a mile away, though that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Overall, this was a solid debut, and I look forward to reading more by Jessica Payne. I'd recommend this novel if you enjoyed the You series.