Matt

Tell me I'm Worthless by Allison Rumfitt is a dark haunted house story about a country plagued by transphobia and fear. Through a combination of allusion to horror classics, realistic narrative, and relentless prose Rumfitt weaves the story of Alice and Ila and a house haunted by hate. It's very dark and sometimes lacks subtly, but perhaps Rumfitt's point is that this is also reality. 

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K Dick is a great dystopian sci-fi book with bizarre mystical overtones exploring life, empathy, and morality. Rick Deckard is a bounty hunter who “retires” escaped androids that have fled to Earth from human colonies on Mars. This book, like Dick's other works, gets pretty weird, but it's also thrilling and thought provoking. Ideas about who, and what, merits empathy resonate throughout this strange book. Overall I found it an enjoyable listen, even if I didn't completely understand everything. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I read Subcutanean by Aaron A. Reed with the HOWL Society book club, and I'm so glad I did. This is, perhaps, the ultimate book club book. This book is many things: queer, sci-fi, horror, and above all it is unique. You see, every version of Subcutanean is unique. Throughout the book there are numerous places where the text can read one of many ways, and every seed (version) of the book is different than every other seed. Variations ranged from very minor differences in syntax or word choice, to significant differences impacting character development, backstory and world building, and plot. So it was an amazing incredible delight to read this book with a large group of people online and compare notes. I listened to the seed on Spotify (Seed 01893) while following along in my print edition (Seed 42707). I noticed a lot of differences, many minor but some a bit more significant, between the two, but when discussing the book with others the variants really multiplied. It was a lot of fun to see how this story about love, college, and a weird house could differ from seed to seed. In every version the overall story was basically the same, but that didn't make comparing notes any less exciting. I've vaguely hinted at some of the details of the plot, and I don't want to spoil the book (in as much as that's possible) but I'll just say that the many unique versions of the book that exist reflect one of the key ideas of the plot. Beyond that I think readers who have enjoyed 14 and The Fold by Peter Clines, The Between by Ryan Leslie, and/or The Hike by Drew Magary will enjoy this book. Although I really loved the concept of the book and how it's uniquely created for each reader, I will say that there were some elements of the plot and characters that seemed a bit muddy to me. I don't know if that's because I was trying to follow two different seeds, or if it's because there are so many possible variants in the text that some details just didn't get too clearly nailed down. Narratively I might rate this book 3.5-4 stars, but factoring in the amazing uniqueness of this work, it's an easy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 stars).There are some static seeds available. So if you listen to the version on Spotify or order from Amazon, for example, that will be the same seed as everyone else who gets it from that source. If you want your own unique seed you can order it from the publisher/author directly as an ebook or in print.

#subcutanean #bookstagram #bookreview #aaronareed #queerhorror #scifihorror

Storm Front is the first book of the Dresden Files, an urban fantasy series following the adventures of Harry Dresden, wizard for hire. The book is good, combining an interesting plot with appropriate introductions to the world of the series. I will say that I sometimes found Dresden to be a tad bit unlikable, but overall this was a decent read. To me, it doesn't live up to the hype, and falls short of some other urban fantasy books I've enjoyed, but I'm willing to give this series another chance with the sequel. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I initially read an eARC of this, and loved it! I love the audiobook read by Wil Wheaton even more! 

I received a complimentary digital ARC of Slewfoot by Brom from Tor Nightfire via NetGalley. Slewfoot is the first book by Brom I've read, but I certainly don't think it will be the last. Slewfoot is set in seventeenth century America among the Puritans, where the widow Abitha is embroiled in conflict with her crafty brother in law over her land. Everything changes when Abitha meets a strange creature called Samson. Is he a forest god or the very devil, or perhaps both? Slewfoot is a story about oppression, injustice, hypocrisy, revenge, and redemption. It is brimming with magic, faith, and a wildness that I found utterly delightful. Some reviewers have complained that the majority of the book was slow, wishing that more pages had been as fiercely exciting as the novel's conclusion. I appreciate this, as it was a bit of a slow burn, but I think Brom has done a marvelous job of tracking Abitha and Samson's respective journeys. In order to create the fulfilling ending the reader may enjoy at the story's conclusion, we must experience the simmering boil from friction to inferno, perhaps even to the point of sympathizing with the devil...or even seeing that if the devil is present in these characters, it may not only be in the forest beast. I believe Brom's character development does just this. I am not a historian, and I cannot comment on the accuracy of Brom's portrayal of New England life, but it certainly felt grounded and fleshed out. I would highly recommend Slewfoot to fans of Eggers' The Witch, Miller's The Crucible, and of course Brom's previous works. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We is about early dystopian book that served as inspiration for later works in the genre including Orwell's famed 1984. Like these other works, it is both compelling and dated. We tells the story of a person (or in the parlance of the book, a number) who is assigned the task of building a space ship which will carry the culture and values of their society (OneState) to the stars. OneState is a totalitarian regime that values logic and reason, and views freedom and imagination as disease. As I read the book I was struck by how much of the book I have seen reflected in later dystopian works, but also on both sides of the American political spectrum. Particularly now during the COVID pandemic questions of freedom vs responsibility to the collective have been at the forefront of public thought. I must admit that some of the ideologies of OneState were similar to thoughts I have had over the last 18 months. Of course the limitation of personal freedom during the extraordinary circumstances of a pandemic is different than the reigning in of freedom and intellectual uniformity in general, but We offers a chilling look of what could happen if these ideas were taken to their extreme. Although I liked the book overall I was put off by some outdated aspects such as euro-centric/racist language. Overall this is a decent book, and some of its ideas are timeless, but the actual prose is not. Also, the foreword contains spoilers, so I'd recommend saving it until after you've finished the book.

I received a digital ARC of The Between by Tananarive Due from the publisher through NetGalley. I also purchased audio and print editions. The Between is a chilling and esoteric novel from Tananarive Due exploring concept of outliving one's fate. Imagine evading death and awakening in a different reality, perhaps one where you did not die. Hilton walks between the worlds of life and death, one reality and another, and is haunted by dreams. Overall I found the concept of this novel to be really compelling. This new edition of the book begins with a fascinating introduction by Due explaining the origins and history of the novel, and then launches into the narrative. I found many sections of this book to be highly compelling, but overall the pacing felt a bit slow despite the relatively short length of this text. Overall, I didn't like this book as well as The Good House and Ghost Summer Stories. With that said, I still think the concept of the novel is really great and it's definitely worth checking out. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ruthless Vows is the second half of Rebecca Ross' duology beginning with Divine Rivals. A romantasy set in a fictional world reminiscent of the early twentieth century. In this book Iris and Roman must overcome incredible adversity to seek reunion. Fans of the first book will no doubt enjoy the second. 

Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots and read by Alex McKenna is a great book about super villainy, what it means to be a hero, and the mix of darkness and light within us all. Anna is a hench, temping for villain after villain, but after a run in with a hero changes the course of her life, will she rise to something more? This book takes the traditional super hero narrative and subverts it, looking at the dark side of super heroics from the prospective of someone actively opposing them. It's an interesting concept, and a well written book. I really liked Anna and enjoyed watching her journey through the novel. At times it was a bit difficult for me to completely follow her logic and understanding, but her development from beginning to end was so great that I was able to get past her worldview and simply root for her as a person. Additionally I longed for more closure in Anna's relationship with a couple other characters who exited the narrative before the end. Maybe we don't always get that closure, but I still found myself longing for it. My only other complaint is that I didn't love the ending. Somehow I wanted more. I also had the sense that Walschots may have been leaving the door open for a sequel. I'd certainly be interested in reading it if a follow-up is released. More than anything this book left me thinking about the complex web in which we're all entangled and connected to one another. Overall it's a great book and the audiobook features wonderful narration. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Outland by Dennis E Taylor and read by Ray Porter is another excellent sci-fi adventure from Taylor. Exploring concepts of geology, the multiverse, and portals, this book does a great job creating a compelling narrative and love-able characters. Many of Taylor's books contain similar themes and premises, younger people out if their element with advanced technology trying to work out how to save the world, and this book is no different. If you enjoyed Bobiverse, Roadkill, etc. you'll probably like this one too. This was a re-listen for me before starting the sequel. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Network Effect by Martha Wells is another excellent installment in the Murderbot Diaries. This novel is the longest volume in the series and may also have some of the highest stakes so far. I loved seeing Murderbot team up with old and new characters and throughly enjoyed this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5/12/23
Still love this book! I will say that there was a definite place in the story where I thought “oh, this would be the end of this were a novella,” but I'm glad there was more! 

Mr. Cables by Ronald Malfi is a chilling quick novella, perfect for horror fans. An author is presented with a book he wrote at a signing...except he didn't write it. Things become spookier and more mysterious from there. I will say that I think elements of this book have been done before, but it was still a great book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Ancestor is a surprising gothic novel, that though interesting, is marred by plot holes and strains believability. The book begins one way, and then goes in a somewhat surprising direction. I enjoyed reading the book (and listening to the audiobook), but it was hard to really buy in to some of the choices these characters made, and other elements of the world never seemed fully fleshed out or otherwise didn't make sense. This was disappointing because I usually enjoy these kinds of stories. And indeed, I did enjoy this book- I just wish I could have enjoyed it even more. I was somewhat surprised to learn this was not the author's debut novel, as the plot read like a writer's first completed attempt of writing fiction of this length (this is not a compliment). I also found the prose lacking a sense of beauty and complexity. The word choice and syntax were fairly pedestrian. Overall this book was good, albeit flawed. I would recommend it, but not highly. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Content warnings: rape, kidnapping, killing, gun violence, stillbirth and miscarriage, death in childbirth, divorce.

Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas is a mesmerizing work of dark academia that is sure haunt the reader long after turning the final page. Ines is admitted to prestigious and secretive Catherine House, a enigmatic post-secondary institution, and hopes to escape her troubled past and begin a new life. Yet what will she discover in the house, and will it ever let her go? With notes of gothic horror, art history, and strange science this new adult coming-of-age dark academia novel presents a story that will likely appeal to fans of Bardugo's Ninth House and Morgan and Paige's The Ravens. Yet Catherine House is uniquely crafted with an esoteric sense of mystery, relationship to time, and observation of the seemingly mundane that creates an almost dream-like quality throughout the book. The atmosphere of the story and way in which the prose and narrative are composed takes primacy over plot at times, yet there is no denying the haunting quality which permeates the book. In critique, I will say that a few aspects of the story strained my suspension of disbelief at times, the plot did meander a bit, and I was left with some unanswered questions. However, upon my second read through of this book I found these complaints bothered me less than on my initial listen to the audiobook. I was struck by how effectively Thomas captures the moment to moment experience of going to college, of how the parts that stand out in memory might not always be the “big moments” but sometimes the parts in-between. This is a book that hints at a lot of big ideas, but perhaps never exactly fully explains them. Initially I was put off by this, thinking that the book just didn't exactly gel, but now...I'm wondering if that might not be the point? The contrast between the world of the ivory tower and the world without, the creative ideal and the object reality of art, the dream of a better life and the grit and emotion that comes with living. The mysteries of Catherine House are, perhaps, just that. My initial rating for this book was ⭐️⭐️⭐️, but I'm am now revising that rating to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mickey is an expendable, a clone designed to complete dangerous tasks in service to the colony, but when a mission goes wrong he'll discover a whole lot more than he bargained for. Ashton has written a fun and interesting sci-fi novel, which I generally enjoyed. Unfortunately the plot sometimes got bogged down by an alternating timeline of info dumps and redundancy, but overall I liked the characters, setting, and plot. 

Another great ExForce book! There were a couple of continuity/character knowledge issues...or maybe I wasn't paying close enough attention and I'm just as absent-minded as Skippy...I don't know, but overall I really enjoyed it, and the ending was amazing!

Man, Fuck This House by Brian Asman is a fun horror comedy book inverting typical haunted house tropes in an examination of both the genre and family dynamics. It would be easy enough to describe this fun romp as a “popcorn read” about a family that moves into a haunted house, but blended with humor are genuine moments of shock and horror that invite the reader to confront the violence and warped nature of our world. Asman has composed a book that is delightfully conversationally easy to read, while still capable of surprising the reader. The story relies a bit on “fairytale logic” but is nevertheless a compelling story. And what a title! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

THE ORACLE YEAR is a captivating debut novel from comic author and attorney Charles Soule. The premise is fascinating: Will Dando awakes from a dream in which voices of unknown origin have revealed 108 things yet to be...and he soon discovers that each of these predictions will come true. In many ways The Oracle Year explores significant themes such as faith, choice, and the ways in which we are all connected. Although the book seemed, at times, to be a bit critical of organized religion, Soule nevertheless poses deep questions of spiritual and philosophical import for the reader to ponder about free will, destiny, belief, and the influence of forces beyond our understanding...perhaps revealing this book to have greater depth than expected from a freshman effort in the soft SFF category. Of course, it is only truly a debut in the sense that it is Soule's first time writing in this format, as he is an established comic book author. Soule's plotting and prose were generally very strong throughout, though I did like the first half better than the second. There were occasional moments and scenes that lacked the ring of truth or shine of polish, and some characters that seemed a bit under or unevenly developed...but none of this significantly diminished my interest in the narrative or overall enjoyment. Simply put, the blurb on the cover is correct: this book is a page turner, and I don't think anyone would regret reading it. I especially recommend The Oracle Year to fans of Chuck Wendig, Scott Meyer, etc.

Made Things written and read by Adrian Tchaikovsky is a fun fantasy story exploring class and power dynamics through the lens of magic and puppets. Right from the start Tchaikovsky drops the audience into a complex world with richly developed lore, giving a sense of wholeness to this fairly short book. I think this is my first book by this author so maybe this is part of a series or a shared universe or something, but nevertheless I was impressed by how elaborate the world building was in such a short volume. I will admit that I did get a bit lost though, trying to track the various characters. Perhaps this is simply an audiobook that demands my full undivided attention? Tchaikovsky did an excellent job narrating his own words. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Paul Tremblay's Survivor Song is a timely novel exploring the horror of infectious disease, but did not live up to the author's past works. Tremblay's story follows two friends, Natalie and Ramola, as they attempt to get the pregnant Nats to a hospital to have a C-section in the midst of a novel rabies epidemic. The virus rapidly transforms infected people and non-human mammals into not-zombie zombies that spread the infection through, you guessed it, a bite. The book is interesting because at the time of publication the world was in varying states of lockdown due to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic. Survivor Song was either influenced by, or predicts with eerie accuracy, attitudes of the public toward the virus. The reader gets a good sense of who Nats and Rams are and becomes invested in them. Unfortunately every other character introduced felt flat and unimportant, like an NPC, having too little page time to really make the reader care. Additionally Tremblay made some bold creative choices in this book such as leaving large portions of pages blank to represent breaks in time or story. The effect resembled film editing, and was effective even if jarring. Somewhat more confusing were Tremblay's inclusion of a prelude, interlude, and postlude in darker colored pages with different fonts. Overall the book felt somewhat experimental, and achieved inconsistent success. For me, this one didn't live up to Head Full of Ghosts, but I'm still glad I read it.

The Cabin at the End of the World is the third book I've read by Paul Tremblay. One of the things I admire about Tremblay is his ability to write books in very different sub-genres (and even different genres) and still allow his voice and his unique style and prospective to shine through. Cabin is the most esoteric of the three of his books I've read (the other two being A Head Full of Ghosts and Survivor Song). Wen, the adopted daughter of a gay couple, is playing outside the family's rented cabin when a stranger approaches. Things quickly become very bizarre as the novel combines elements of cult and locked door horror to tell a story about the (maybe) end of the world. Like A Head Full of Ghosts this book is filled with nuance and possibility, as well as heavy allusions to Christianity. I do think Tremblay may leave more up to reader interpretation in this one, which some readers will love and others will hate. For me, I often crave resolution and clarity, but I was also able to appreciate the power of denying the fulfillment that desire, especially in the context of this particular story. I found myself thinking, this book would make a really interesting play. I don't know if Tremblay has any interest in writing a stage adaptation, but I think this would be a tense, weird, thought provoking THRILL RIDE in a 90-minutes-without-an-intermission format for live theatre. Could also be an interesting movie. At any rate, back to the novel, I rate this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Ultimately I wanted a little bit more explanation or resolution, but I still enjoyed it overall.

Yes!!! I loved this sequel. A perfect follow up to Fourth Wing full of action, plot twists, magic, and spice.

Infidel is a great limited series combining compelling art with excellent writing to tell a different kind of haunted house story: a harrowing story about racism and discrimination today. The book is filled with complex characters, no two-dimensional villains or stereotypes, and utilizes multiple styles of art to tell a compelling narrative. I will say that a few parts of the plot seemed a bit vague and the last two chapters felt rushed, this story might have benefitted from a longer run, but overall I found it to be enjoyable, even while thought-provoking. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Impact Winter by Travis Beacham and read by a full cast is an excellent post-apocalyptic vampire story. Reminiscent of Matheson's I Am Legend, while also being freshly compelling. Despite this being an Audible Original, it feels a bit strange to think of Impact Winter as an audiobook, and in fact Audible describes it as a “performance.” It's an audio drama told primarily through dialogue: with a full cast, foley effects, and musical score. It is very well performed and produced! The place where it seemed a bit more mixed was in the plot. It seemed like the first season of a TV show or the first arc of comic. It left some major world building elements unexplored and set up potential future plot events, which I suppose might be the content of a possible sequel? Despite this I did like the ending, I just wanted more. I really enjoyed this narrative. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️