Tag: #horror

Review: Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs

Goodreads Blurb

Wealthy cannibals who dine on the discarded limbs of peculiars. A fork-tongued princess. The origins of the first ymbryne. These are but a few of the truly brilliant stories in Tales of the Peculiar—known to hide information about the peculiar world—first introduced by Ransom Riggs in his Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series.

Riggs now invites you to share his secrets of peculiar history, with a collection of original stories, as collected and annotated by Millard Nullings, ward of Miss Peregrine and scholar of all things peculiar.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Ransom Riggs is unbelievably the best storyteller ever. Each story left the reader with a learning lesson. I was able to learn a lot from these stories even though they aren’t real. We as human tend to dislike others because they are different. At times, we are different, too, but still can’t accept others who are just as different in fear that you won’t be accepted. The first story with the cannibals was one in which money and luxuries were more important than living life like a normal human. We as humans can relate to all these stories one way or another. If our society was accepting, we could all live in a wonderful world where we all are treated the same even though we are all different. Please read this book because your horizon will broaden and will make you see that being peculiar isn’t any different in today’s world. But maybe we all can work together and make a difference.

Author Biography

Hi, I’m Ransom, and I like to tell stories. Sometimes I tell them with words, sometimes with pictures, often with both. I grew up on a farm on the Eastern shore of Maryland and also in a little house by the beach in Englewood, Florida where I got very tan and swam every day until I became half fish. I started writing stories when I was young, on an old typewriter that jammed and longhand on legal pads. When I was a little older I got a camera for Christmas and became obsessed with photography, and when I was a little older still my friends and I came into possession of a half-broken video camera and began to make our own movies, starring ourselves, using our bedrooms and backyards for sets. I have loved writing stories and taking photographs and making movies ever since, and have endeavored to do all three.

Review: A Mad Zombie Party by Gena Showalter

Goodreads Blurb

The battle rages on.

Ali Bell and Cole Holland’s crew of zombie slayers thought they’d won the war against Anima Industries, the evil company responsible for capturing and experimenting on zombies in an effort to discover the secret to immortality. In the last epic clash, the slayers lost many of their crew and closest friends. But Frosty, the ice man himself, has not recovered from one casualty in particular—the love of his life, Kat Parker.

On the path to self-annihilation, Frosty receives a message from beyond—Kat’s spirit returns, insisting he partner with rogue slayer Camilla Marks. Frosty will do anything for Kat. Except that. Camilla is the one who betrayed them all, leading to Kat’s death.

But when Anima rises from the grave to become a force the slayers may not have the strength to overcome, Frosty, Camilla and all the slayers will have to work together to survive. And one broken slayer will learn that sometimes, the line between hate and attraction is blurred…and the road to redemption isn’t through revenge, but in letting go of the past and grabbing hold of the future.

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

I was a little disappointed with the fourth book in this series. It took me some time to get through the book. I didn’t grasp the story until halfway through the book. The first three books grabbed my attention from the very beginning. When I heard this book was coming out, I was so excited, but after reading it, I’m not so sure I was as excited. I was very happy with the ending and that Anima hopefully won’t come back. Good always prevails evil.

Author Biography

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over seventy books, including the acclaimed Lords of the Underworld series, the Gods of War series, the White Rabbit Chronicles, and the Forest of Good and Evil series. She writes sizzling paranormal romance, heartwarming contemporary romance, and unputdownable young adult novels, and lives in Oklahoma City with her family and menagerie of dogs and cats.

Book Signing Event with Tim Jacobus

The Barnes & Noble in Ledgewood, NJ hosted Tim Jacobus yesterday. Tim is the illustrator of the Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine. This was the second time I got to meet Tim. A few years ago, Tim and Mr. Stine did a book signing at B&N in Paramus, NJ. That event was amazing since Tim shared different cover ideas and processes for some of the most famous book covers. This book showcases his cover process for all the books in this series.

Goodreads Blurb

Featuring tons of fun facts about the series alongside a walkthrough of all books and covers in the Goosebumps collections, this art book is a must-have for old and new fans alike!

In the summer of 1992, Scholastic tasked two terrifyingly talented artists with creating the cover paintings for the books that would premiere the Goosebumps series. At that time, four books in the line were being market-tested by the publisher to see how young readers would react to R.L. Stine’s particular brand of humor-tinged horror. One element that was sure to catch the attention of little eyes everywhere was striking cover art, and, boy, did they find it!

The imagery provided by the covers of the Goosebumps series is part and parcel to the 90s Kid zeitgeist, helping to create a visual brand for R.L. Stine’s smash-hit horror series. The covers helped set the tone for the numerous adaptations of the series, including a television series, a theatre experience, and, more recently, blockbuster films!

Review: Soul: No Saint’s Day by Michael Coast and Bill Jemas

Goodreads Blurb

The posse shoots to kill, but Ben survives. Too bad it’s all downhill from here. As the tale unwinds, Chief McClelland and the posse suspect that Ben may not be telling them the whole truth. And they might be right. Good thing Ben has a hard head. If at first you don’t succeed, die, die, die again.

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

This was a comic novel about Night of the Living Dead, the movie. The characters and scenes are the same, but Ben doesn’t seem like he dies like he does in the movie. He keeps repeating different scenarios of him dying. I liked how the authors added information about life in the sixties compared to life today. It brings some history to the reader. The illustrations were very good. This was a very thought of book.

Review: The Women in the Walls by Amy Lukavics

Goodreads Blurb

Lucy Acosta’s mother died when she was three. Growing up in a Victorian mansion in the middle of the woods with her cold, distant father, she explored the dark hallways of the estate with her cousin, Margaret. They’re inseparable—a family. 

When her aunt Penelope, the only mother she’s ever known, tragically disappears while walking in the woods surrounding their estate, Lucy finds herself devastated and alone. Margaret has been spending a lot of time in the attic. She claims she can hear her dead mother’s voice whispering from the walls. Emotionally shut out by her father, Lucy watches helplessly as her cousin’s sanity slowly unravels. But when she begins hearing voices herself, Lucy finds herself confronting an ancient and deadly legacy that has marked the women in her family for generations.

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Look no further if you are looking for a horror book with vivid, frightening scenes. This is the first time I’ve read a book by Amy, and the gore is real. You know, when you live through a terrifying nightmare and you remember everything, well, you won’t forget what you read. I cannot unsee the vomiting of teeth and everything that makes us human inside.

It was great that the story took place in a Victorian mansion; it gave off those spooky vibes that would drive this story to the frightening scenes. It begins with a death and a disappearance, which leads to the unknown. Amy isn’t afraid to kill her characters; I think she enjoys it. The gruesome deaths are those that should only be kept in nightmares and not real life. The reader’s discretion is advised as this novel also has scenes of self-harm. Two characters will end their life, and Lucy Acosta causes self-harm by making cuts on her skin. This book has many emotions that, as a reader, you will feel. The story revolves around revenge. The character, Mother, manipulates people into doing her bidding. When the evil witch is released, the others will pay. In the end, you will be shocked by the disgusting gore and the fact that the story will not end happily ever after.
If you start hearing voices through the walls and scratches, I recommend you ignore them and leave that location ASAP!!!

Author Biography

Ever since she was little, Amy was especially intrigued by horror books and movies. Raised in a small mountain town in Arizona, she sustained herself on a steady diet of Goosebumps, Fear Street, and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books before discovering Stephen King in her mother’s bookshelf.

Amy lives with her husband, their two precious squidlings, and an old gentleman cat by the name of Frodo. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys cooking, crafting, and playing games across many platforms.

Currently Reading: The Women in the Walls by Amy Lukavics

Goodreads Blurb

Lucy Acosta’s mother died when she was three. Growing up in a Victorian mansion in the middle of the woods with her cold, distant father, she explored the dark hallways of the estate with her cousin, Margaret. They’re inseparable—a family. 

When her aunt Penelope, the only mother she’s ever known, tragically disappears while walking in the woods surrounding their estate, Lucy finds herself devastated and alone. Margaret has been spending a lot of time in the attic. She claims she can hear her dead mother’s voice whispering from the walls. Emotionally shut out by her father, Lucy watches helplessly as her cousin’s sanity slowly unravels. But when she begins hearing voices herself, Lucy finds herself confronting an ancient and deadly legacy that has marked the women in her family for generations.

Author Biography

Ever since she was little, Amy was especially intrigued by horror books and movies. Raised in a small mountain town in Arizona, she sustained herself on a steady diet of Goosebumps, Fear Street, and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books before discovering Stephen King in her mother’s bookshelf.

Amy lives with her husband, their two precious squidlings, and an old gentleman cat by the name of Frodo. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys cooking, crafting, and playing games across many platforms.

Review: Slappy Birthday to You by R.L. Stine

Goodreads Blurb

Goosebumps available soon on Disney+! The evil dummy comes to life to tell his own twisted tales and scary stories!It’s bad enough Ian Barker has to spend his twelfth birthday with his sister and their two annoying cousins. The four of them can’t ever hang out without getting into trouble. Vinnie and Jonny always want to play with Ian’s stuff. They take extra turns and break everything they touch. Even Ian’s new birthday presents are up for grabs. But when Ian gets a Slappy dummy from his dad, things go from bad to worse. When Slappy’s in charge, you don’t fight over him, he fights over you!

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Mr. Stine knows how to spook even an adult. I just don’t like the idea of a talking dummy coming to life, let alone a whole bunch of dolls. Another perfectly written story that will scare anyone. Becareful of your next birthday present because it might come to life.

Author Biography

Robert Lawrence Stine known as R. L. Stine and Jovial Bob Stine, is an American novelist and writer, well known for targeting younger audiences. Stine, who is often called the Stephen King of children’s literature, is the author of dozens of popular horror fiction novellas, including the books in the Goosebumps, Rotten School, Mostly Ghostly, The Nightmare Room and Fear Street series.

R. L. Stine began his writing career when he was nine years old, and today he has achieved the position of the bestselling children’s author in history. In the early 1990s, Stine was catapulted to fame when he wrote the unprecedented, bestselling Goosebumps® series, which sold more than 250 million copies and became a worldwide multimedia phenomenon. His other major series, Fear Street, has over 80 million copies sold.

Stine has received numerous awards of recognition, including several Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards and Disney Adventures Kids’ Choice Awards, and he has been selected by kids as one of their favorite authors in the NEA’s Read Across America program. He lives in New York, NY.

Cover Reveal:  The House on Devil’s Lane by Sandra Ireland

THE HOUSE ON DEVIL’S LANE by Sandra Ireland

Genre: Thriller / Mystery / Occult Horror Cover Reveal 14th AugustPublication day: 25th September

Blurb THE HOUSE ON DEVIL’S LANE is a chilling tale of psychological terror and things that go bump in the night…

What if the home of your dreams turns into your worst nightmare?

Young mum Kat Riley has reasons for wanting to escape her family. When taxi driver Steve Burns comes into her life in the most unusual of circumstances, she sees a way out. With her baby Matthew, she leaves behind a chaotic existence and all that is familiar to make a new life in the Durham countryside.

When Kat first sets eyes on 11 Derville’s Lane, she falls in love with its quaint charm. The interior, however, tells a different story. Recently vacated by Steve’s father, Tommy, there remains a lingering presence and the sense of secrets waiting to be revealed. Soon Kat is struggling to cope with the house’s troubled past and her own dark secrets, while her fledgling career as a blogger soon plunges her into a world of paranormal podcasts, wild conspiracy theories and internet trolls who threaten her safety and her sanity.

Is the house on Devil’s Lane really haunted, or are the ghouls closer to home?

Instagram @slireland22@lovebookstours#LBTCrew #LoveBooksTours 

#Coverreveal #SandraIreland #NewBook #Thriller #OccultHorror #Bookstagram #Bookbloggers #Bookinfluencers #Readers #Devil #SpookyReads

Review: Young Scrooge: A Very Scary Christmas Story by R.L. Stine

Goodreads Blurb

Rick Scroogeman hates Christmas. He can’t stand the carols and the pageants. He can’t stand the lights and the mistletoe. But what he hates the most is having to watch the old movie A Christmas Carol every year at school. Since his name is Scroogeman, all of his classmates start calling him Scrooge. And he hates being called Scrooge.

But everything starts to change when three ghosts visit him. At first, he thinks it’s a dream. But then he realizes that it might be a nightmare. A nightmare that could become real.

Young Scrooge: A Very Scary Christmas Story is a funny, scary middle-grade send up of A Christmas Carol, about a boy who hates Christmas, from bestselling Goosebumps author R. L. Stine.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

This is one of the best books that R.L. Stine has written. He really put a lot of work into creating a story with a boy named Rick, who was a bully to everyone. He just couldn’t see how bad his actions were towards his friends and family. The three ghosts, Christmas past, present, and future, take him out for a ride to show him the consequences for his actions. This is a great book for children to learn that bullying is a terrible thing to do. It’s a lesson to learn to change or deal with the horrible consequences. Stine brought Birthday and Christmas in one scenario. Kids whose birthdays fall on Christmas always run into the problem of getting presents for Christmas and not their birthday. I loved that we, as the readers, were able to know how Rick felt and what his thought process was. This book had some funny and creepy moments. This was the scary Christmas Carol that all children will fear. Remember, Santa Clause knows if you are naughty or nice.

Author Biography

Robert Lawrence Stine known as R. L. Stine and Jovial Bob Stine, is an American novelist and writer, well known for targeting younger audiences. Stine, who is often called the Stephen King of children’s literature, is the author of dozens of popular horror fiction novellas, including the books in the Goosebumps, Rotten School, Mostly Ghostly, The Nightmare Room and Fear Street series.

R. L. Stine began his writing career when he was nine years old, and today he has achieved the position of the bestselling children’s author in history. In the early 1990s, Stine was catapulted to fame when he wrote the unprecedented, bestselling Goosebumps® series, which sold more than 250 million copies and became a worldwide multimedia phenomenon. His other major series, Fear Street, has over 80 million copies sold.

Stine has received numerous awards of recognition, including several Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards and Disney Adventures Kids’ Choice Awards, and he has been selected by kids as one of their favorite authors in the NEA’s Read Across America program. He lives in New York, NY.

Review: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Goodreads Blurb

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs. It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow-impossible though it seems-they may still be alive. A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

It is a very interesting and weird story all in one. Some of the images were weird but were happy to know that most are original. I really enjoyed this book and loved the plot. It was something new to read and kept me wanting to read more. I was at the edge of my chair at the end of the book. I loved the book because the author added the pictures throughout the book and gave you a chance to make each character come to life. Can’t wait to read the continuation of this series.

Author Biography

Hi, I’m Ransom, and I like to tell stories. Sometimes I tell them with words, sometimes with pictures, often with both. I grew up on a farm on the Eastern shore of Maryland and also in a little house by the beach in Englewood, Florida where I got very tan and swam every day until I became half fish. I started writing stories when I was young, on an old typewriter that jammed and longhand on legal pads. When I was a little older I got a camera for Christmas and became obsessed with photography, and when I was a little older still my friends and I came into possession of a half-broken video camera and began to make our own movies, starring ourselves, using our bedrooms and backyards for sets. I have loved writing stories and taking photographs and making movies ever since, and have endeavored to do all three.