readbyashleyd's reviews
2224 reviews

Why did I wait so long to read this book and how is it so good?! Anyone who knows me knows I adore Poe and so this was basically tailor made for me. From page one I was hooked and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, I desperately needed to know what was going to happen next. Everything about this book is perfection, it’s just so deliciously creepy and checks ALL my boxes! 

Oh fuck YES! This was dark and delicious and creepy as hell and I adored every second of it. It’s quite unlike anything I’ve ever read and it had me wrapped right around its weird little finger. I don’t want to say too much and spoil the story because it’s really one that you need to discover for yourself as you read it. It sinks into your bones in the most delicious and gruesome way and I need more stories like this in my life. Just absolutely brilliant! 

I was a little disappointed with this one if I’m being honest. I was hoping for more religious mania than financial mania. Don’t get me wrong, the financial manias were quite interesting but I have a soft spot for religious manias and cults and fanatics. Still an interesting read despite my slight disappointment! 

Riley Sager never fails to deliver with the nonstop twists and turns! Every time I think I have it figured out everything gets flipped on its head and my jaw finds itself hitting the floor. I love reads that can grip me and surprise me like that and Sager always delivers it! 

I always enjoy when fiction is based on reality, it adds an extra element to the story knowing that there’s elements of truth to it. I had never heard of the Benders before despite my obsession with true crime so it was nice to be introduced to a new story. But something was missing from it for it to be perfect for me. I wanted more blood and violence and gore and less trickery! Still an excellent read though! 

This was weird and strange and gruesome and I absolutely loved every single page. I was instantly hooked and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, I read the whole dang thing in one setting! I don’t want to say too much about it and give anything away, just read this treat of a folk horror story yourself. 

I had such high expectations for this one and I’ve put it off for so long because it’s held in such high regard by so many. But I just found it so stale and it left me wanting so much more. It just felt so bland to me and didn’t hold my attention like I wanted it to. 

I’m always a BIG fan of a good middle grade story and even more so when you make it spooky! I loved this story from start to finish, it was the perfect mix of spooky and heartwarming. You know it’s good when it warms my cold, black heart! Kidding aside, this story is really fantastic. It’s got heart and it’s got scares and it’s got cryptids and it’s got diversity. I’m not sure what more you can ask for! I really can’t recommend this one highly enough, both for adults and younger readers. 

Not my least favourite Jackson novel but definitely not my favourite one either. It kind of just hit right in the middle for me. I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it, it was more of a casual indifference. Nothing about it grabbed me but I wasn’t wishing for it to be over either. 

I’m kind of sad about this one because I was really looking forward to it and the concept sounded SO good! But it just lacked Malerman’s usual spark and didn’t grab me like his work normally does. It wasn’t bad and I did enjoy it for the most part but I was definitely expecting more from this one.