Review: Of Monsters and Madness

Of Monsters and Madness
Author: Jessica Verday
Publication Date: September 9th 2014        
Publisher: EgmontUSA
~A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review~

A romantic, historical retelling of classic Gothic horror featuring Edgar Allan Poe and his character Annabel Lee, from a New York Times best-selling author.Summoned to her father's home in 1820's Philadelphia, a girl finds herself in the midst of a rash of gruesome murders in which he might be implicated. She is torn romantically between her father's assistants-one kind and proper, one mysterious and brooding-who share a dark secret and may have more to do with the violent events than they're letting on.

 

I'm not going to pretend I know anything about the poem of Annabel Lee. I know it, of course, but I've never studied it, and although I do like poetry, it's not exactly my favourite thing in the world. I've seen Mary Lindsey's Ashes on Waves that made me want to read it, so when I saw Of Monsters and Madness I couldn't resist (I mean, have you read that title? Of. Monsters. and. Madness. It practically screams read me!) Besides, In the land of Gods and Monsters...I had Lana Del Rey's Gods & Monsters in my head the whole time (don't ask why, my brain doesn't know. And we're not talking about my love for Lana Del Rey, we're talking about the book, right? No more music talk.)

Review: Amity (Just Say No)

Amity
Author: Micol Ostow
Publication Date: August 26th 2014         
Publisher: EgmontUSA
~A copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review~

For fans of Stephen King and American Horror Story, a gruesome thriller suggested by the events of the Amityville Horror.

Connor's family moves to Amity to escape shady business deals. Ten years later, Gwen's family moves to Amity for a fresh start after she's recovered from a psychotic break.

But something is not right about this secluded house. Connor's nights are plagued with gore-filled dreams of demons and destruction. Dreams he kind of likes. Gwen has lurid visions of corpses that aren't there and bleeding blisters that disappear in the blink of an eye. She knows Amity is evil and she must get her family out, but who would ever believe her?

Amity isn't just a house. She is a living force, bent on manipulating her inhabitants to her twisted will. She will use Connor and Gwen to bring about a bloody end as she's done before. As she'll do again.

Alternating between parallel narratives, Amity is a tense and terrifying tale suggested by true-crime events that will satisfy even the most demanding horror fan.

 

So, I'm keeping this short because 1) there's not much to say about it and 2) it's hard to even know what to say because not much actually went on.

If anyone asked describe Amity in one word it would be disturbing. Because if I said this was disappointing, my house might kill me. Firstly, let's talk about the false marketing shall we? It sounds like an Amityville Horror retelling, looks like an Amityville Horror retelling, the house is described like Amityville and It's even called Amity, so guess what it is?

Review: Sleep No More

Sleep No More
Author:  Aprilynne Pike

Publication Date: April 29th 2014        
~A copy was provided by HarperTeen  and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review~

 

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The blockbuster film Inception meets Lisa McMann's Wake trilogy in this dark paranormal thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Aprilynne Pike. This novel is also perfect for fans of Kelley Armstrong, Alyson Noel, and Kimberly Derting.


Charlotte Westing has a gift. She is an Oracle and has the ability to tell the future. But it doesn't do her much good. Instead of using their miraculous power, modern-day Oracles are told to fight their visions—to refrain from interfering. And Charlotte knows the price of breaking the rules. She sees it every day in her wheelchair-bound mother and the absence of her father. But when a premonition of a classmate's death is too strong for her to ignore, Charlotte is forced to make an impossible decision: continue following the rules or risk everything—even her sanity—to stop the serial killer who is stalking her town.

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My head did not sign up for this. I probably won't even rate it until I finish this review, whereas I normally know around the 3/4 what rating it's going to be.

I'm not sure where to start, hell, I'm not sure if this is a positive or negative review right now, but I'll start with something simple. Sleep No More. Quite accurate. I'd never want to sleep again either. Now, this lovely comes from Goodreads, " Lisa McMann's Wake trilogy meets the blockbuster Inception" In a way, okay. But in five words? Hell to the fucking no. It's so misleading, because this is powerful and more personal than anything and that makes it sound like it's this epic rollercoaster ride.

Review: Don't Look Back

Don't Look Back
Author:  Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publication Date: April 10, 2014      

 

 

 

What cover do you prefer?

 

 

 

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Samantha is a stranger in her own life. Until the night she disappeared with her best friend, Cassie, everyone said Sam had it all-popularity, wealth, and a dream boyfriend.

Sam has resurfaced, but she has no recollection of who she was or what happened to her that night. As she tries to piece together her life from before, she realizes it's one she no longer wants any part of. The old Sam took "mean girl" to a whole new level, and it's clear she and Cassie were more like best enemies. Sam is pretty sure that losing her memories is like winning the lottery. She's getting a second chance at being a better daughter, sister, and friend, and she's falling hard for Carson Ortiz, a boy who has always looked out for her-even if the old Sam treated him like trash.

But Cassie is still missing, and the facts about what happened to her that night isn't just buried deep inside of Sam's memory-someone else knows, someone who wants to make sure Sam stays quiet. All Sam wants is the truth, and if she can unlock her clouded memories of that fateful night, she can finally move on. But what if not remembering is the only thing keeping Sam alive?

 

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 I actually really love both covers, they give the creepy atmosphere it deserves and they both fit the story perfectly.

 

 

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Two disappear. Only one comes back.

Don't Look Back was one of my most anticipated of 2014 for multiple reasons, psychological thrillers are my type of book. I just love everything about them and of course, Don't Look Back delivered, and let's be honest,  Jennifer L Armentrout never disappoints.