Bay's End by Edward Lorn

*** Rated 2 Stars ***

Warning: This review will have some spoilers. I do normally try to avoid spoilers, but in this case I feel like it was the only way to explain why I rated it so low.

This book wasn't anything like I expected when I started reading it. And I will admit that is primarily my own fault. I should have read the blurb again maybe. And read some reviews. I probably would never have started reading it, or even downloaded it, if I had known what it was going to be like.

I know pretty much every other review that I have read has rated the book really high, so I guess I will be the odd one out... But i'm ok with that, it's my review and I can only write what I thought of it. So here it goes:

Now, I have read a lot of horror. And it normally takes a lot to gross me out. This book did, but not in a good way... And I realize that it comes with a warning: "Warning: Contains graphic language and adult situations." I still wasn't prepared for what would happen in this book. If you're wondering what could be so bad, here is the spoiler: Incest and forcefully performing an abortion on a teenager was waaay beyond my comfort level. In fact I very nearly did not finish it at all.

Also I had a bit of a *facepalm* moment when **spoiler** the police woman takes the two teenagers to investigate a potential crime scene when the murderer is very likely to turn up. That doesn't seem like anything a sensible person would do?

So that's my rant over. Now to more pleasant things. There were good sides to this book. I really enjoyed the first half. It was well written with good characters.

So yea, it was a horror. But instead of being entertained I'm left with a feeling of disgust and anger. This one was unfortunately not for me.

Bird Box by Josh Malerman

*** Rated 3 Stars ***

Imagine a world where you need to keep your eyes closed. Or you might see something that will drive you crazy and you will kill those around you and then yourself. So you have to keep your windows covered, and every time you leave the house you have to wear a blindfold to make sure you will never look. Because there is something out there, something that shouldn't be seen...

I love the idea behind this book. For me the idea of having to go out into a world that is filled with creatures(?), but you have to go blindfolded or you will go mad... Knowing that they might be right next to you, and you wouldn't even know... It would be very, very freaky. So the book definitely gets points for originality. And some of the scenes described are tense and scary, making you want to keep reading to see what will happen. 

So why only 3 stars?

For me the jumping backwards and forward in time was just... too much. I don't mind getting some background story on what has happened in the past, but here it pretty much jumps for every chapter and it was just a bit too much for me. I do understand this is a way to build tension, but as I kept reading it was starting to get slightly annoying.

I also didn't like that some of the choices that were made by the characters were just... stupid and annoying. I know that people can make stupid decisions when they are under pressure, but... I still found it annoying.

And lastly: the ending. Obviously I'm not going to say a lot about it, as I don't want to ruin it for you if you want to read it yourself! But... I did not like it. There are so many other ways that the book could have ended that would have made it so much better in my opinion.

All in all a good read, and I would recommend if you're a lover of horror :)

Stuck On You by Jasper Bark and Joe Mynhardt

*** Rated 4 Horrified Stars ***

It has taken me some time to write this review. Firstly I had to recover from the shock. Then I had to try to figure out what to rate it.

This is a horrible book. But the blurb warned me of this before I started it. I guess I just though it was exaggerating. But it most certainly was not. It truly is really sick and twisted.

Now, the thing is I've read a lot of horror books. And rarely do I actually find them that horrifying. Until now. This book actually had me cringing several times, and I don't think I'll ever get some of the mental images out of my head...

(For more details on how I felt while reading this book, check out my status updates under my review at Goodreads)

Back to my rating! I was initially considering giving it 3 stars. But then I realized that it needs rewarding for actually grossing me out! So 4 stars it is!

So if you're looking for a quick read that will gross you out and stay in your brain forever, this is it. Just make sure you haven't just eaten. Or are about to eat. Or that you won't be eating pork any time soon...

But if you are in any way squeamish -  stay away from this book!!!

El Presidio Rides North by Domashita Romero

In a post-zombie apocalypse world, an almost-madman named Mercury and his newfound companion, Gaga, seek refuge in a RV-turned-mobile-fortress.

*** Rated 4 Stars ***

A zombie road trip sex comedy, anyone?

Yes please!!

This is a great read! It's funny, sweet, hot... there is even zombies in it!!

Would recommend to anyone who doesn't mind some man-on-man action! :)

X: A Collection of Horror by C.M. Saunders

Ten slices of horrifying dark fiction. Seven previously published in magazines or anthologies, and three exclusive to this collection, along with an introduction and extensive notes. Featuring exclusive cover art by Greg Chapman.

This is what happens when you 'wake up' inside a dream, when the urban myth you heard turns out to be so much more, and when that hottie you pick up in a bar springs a terrible surprise. But what do you do when your wife gives birth to something not entirely human? When your past discretions come back to haunt you? Or when a serial killer moves in next door? 

** Rated 3.5 Stars ** 

Great collection of short stories to take you out of your comfort zone.
Definitely worth the read!

Flesh by Kylie Scott

Ali has been hiding in an attic since civilisation collapsed eight weeks ago.

When the plague hit, her neighbours turned into mindless, hungry, homicidal maniacs.

Daniel has been a loner his entire life. Then the world empties and he realises that being alone isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Finn is a former cop who is desperate for companionship, and willing to do anything it takes to protect the survivors around him.

When the three cross paths they band together; sparks fly, romance blooms in the wasteland and Ali, Daniel and Finn bend to their very human needs in the ruins of civilisation.

Lust, love and trust all come under fire in Flesh as the three band together to survive, hunted through the suburban wastelands.

*** Rated 4 Stars ***

Great read! 

It's got a lot of this

And this

But also a lot of this!!

Threesomes isn't something I normally enjoy reading about, but in this case it is really sweet and romantic and fits the story.
Oh. And also. It's really damn hot!


I love how it's a really well written zombie story and really hot at the same time! :)


Would recommend to everyone!! (Except if you are terrified of zombies. Or hotness..)

The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells

A shipwreck in the South Seas, a palm-tree paradise where a mad doctor conducts vile experiments, animals that become human and then "beastly" in ways they never were before -- it's the stuff of high adventure. It's also a parable about Darwinian theory, a social satire in the vein of Jonathan Swift (Gulliver's Travels), and a bloody tale of horror. 

*** Rated 3 Stars ***

This is the first H.G Wells book I have ever read, though I'm not sure why. I've always wanted to, just another thing I never got around to. 

It has made me want to read more from the same author though. The story is very well written and I find it amazing, especially considering how long ago it was written. In fact its a story that could have been written recently if you don't consider some of the 'old fashioned' words used.

I read the book in one sitting, as I kept wanting to see what would happen next. It is a slightly disturbing story and makes you think about the consequences of meddling too much with nature.

A good read!

PANDORA: End of Days Volume 1 & 2 set by Peter J. Ang, Michael Mcdonough and Jin Song Kim

The most amazing archaeological discovery of our time-- a sarcophagus from an ancient civilization that predates the Egyptian Pyramids by more than fifty thousand years--is being broadcast as a live public exhibit on national TV. 

But in their haste to reveal a glimpse of what could be the origin of mankind, the scholars of the OBARI Foundation instead unleash an ancient plague upon the modern world. 

This is the age-old story of the curious--and of those who must race to close the door on what should never have been opened . . .

This is PANDORA, the End of Days...

*** Rated 4 Stars ***

Just want to start out by saying that I haven't read a lot of manga type books so I can't really compare with others...

That being said, I did enjoy the story, and its really well illustrated! The artwork is gorgeous!
It took a little getting used to the format but it has me wanting to read more of the same stuff.


I love that I could read it on my Kindle too!

The Temple by Soloman Stone

Michael's birthday present was a leather-bound journal which his parents and counselors thought would help with his anger issues. What they didn't expect was his detailed cataloging of a descent through hell.

*** Rated 4 Stars ***

I really enjoyed this book! 

The way it's written made me feel like I was with the characters, and the tension-building was great! 
I'm not going to write anything about the story itself as I don't want to ruin it for you, but I would definitely recommend this book if you like a good thrill!

Looking forward to reading more from this author! :)

Don't Read After Dark by Carolyn McCray

*** Rated 4 Stars ***

This is a collection of horror stories, and almost all of them are really good. I found the last 2 to be ok (instead of great) but the other stores were really good. Particularly the first one! Great story and great ending (won't say more as I don't want to have any spoilers that might ruin it for you if you decide to read it yourself!)

I didn't find the books as scary as the title might suggest, but definitely had me hooked! I found myself reading late into the night - always wanting to read 'just a little bit more'.

If you like the genre this is definitely worth it!

Claws by Ricky Sides

*** Rated 3.5 Stars ***

In short this story is about genetically changing cats through the cat food to make them stronger, bigger and more aggressive. This goes wrong of course, as some animal activists frees the cats from the testing facility and they start attacking humans. 

I found this book a good read. It wont be on my top 10 books of all times, but definitely worth reading. It definitely had some suspense and gets you thinking about the cleverness of messing too much with mother nature as it might come back to haunt you... 

The Cabin by Matt Shaw

*** Rated 3.5 stars ***

A lot can happen in the woods at night... ;)

I enjoyed (is that the right word?) reading this short story! It starts off nice and slow, about half way through it picks up. And it is actually quite spooky! I rarely get spooked by books, but this one managed to do it :)
The ending took me by surprise, I did not see what was coming! It wasn't a great ending (in my opinion), but the rest of the story makes up for it :)

I will definitely consider reading the second book to see what happens next!

Well worth your time if you want a short and intense read!

314 by A.R Wise

*** Rated 3 Stars ***

If you like to read horrors with a lot of gore, this is the one for you!
If you, on the other hand, aren't too fond of gore, I would stay clear! There is a lot of it in this book!

Personally I like some gore if it fits with the story, and I think it did in this case. Some of it was quite graphic though, so definitely not one for the squeamish! You have been warned ;)

This story takes place both in the past and present. It jumps a lot in between, which I found to be slightly annoying. But I get that it is to build the tension and show off what a bad creature the Skeleton Man is.

All in all I thought it was a good book, kept reading to find out how it would all turn out in the end! Turns out it's the first book in a series, which I didn't know until I reached the end...

Well worth a read, but I'm not sure I will read the rest in the series....

X by Jack Croxall

*** Rated 3.5 Stars *** 

I enjoyed this short read. I like the way it was written, in the form of a 15 year old girl writing a diary in the middle of a zombie apocalypse.

Well worth the read!

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