C. J. Daley

I believe I got this on an Audible 2 for 1 sale and I definitely grabbed it solely off the cover. The narration was pretty good, very Australian with no ridiculous female voices thankfully (done by Shaun Grindell). 
This book starts off with literally no set up. It continues that way through the entire book. There isn't a single ‘unnecessary' word in this book, the author didn't fluff at all. There's no thoughts or emotion added in, it's just directly what actions are happening. I can usually respect that decisive style for writing when an author does it, it usually means there's nothing repetitive, but I have to say it doesn't really work in this for me. A cavern opens up and groups of divers are willing to pay a lot of money for the chance to dive it before it's been mapped or attracted tourists, but there's something down there...they aren't alone. 
The big bad of the story is supernatural and oozing lore that the author simply didn't write? I asked myself why so many times that I actually would rewind scenes. Without that giant piece to connect, the interconnected twists and drama fell pretty flat. 
Still, a good monster horror. The beast itself is described but left for your imagination for the most part which I appreciated. It's creepy and dangerous, and the novel has some good gory beats. 
Personally a 3/5* for me. 

This is a Sevenfold Sword (and Shield Knight) prequel novella. It is also another Podium Audio that is currently included on Audible...are you seeing the trend here? 

This one kind of broke the mold, I feel. It used a novella to do its world building and lore. Every bit of information you receive is interesting and makes you think, “wait, what is that?!“ I actually rewinded the audio multiple times to make sure I was hearing it correctly because it was a creature, or place, or person with an uncommon name. I feel like this is short fiction done right. 

Necromancy? UNDEAD skeletal orcs? Ghost orcs that are pale and can turn invisible? Dark, evil elven magic? A sword with the power to burn out the darkness? Need I say more????

So, this is a series of 12, with just about as many accompanying novellas. Not sure when I'll continue, but I'm really really intrigued. 

I received an arc in exchange for a review! I cannot really remember how I got it, but I did and I read it lol. 
This is a multi time period fantasy. It opens in a kind of scifi future with a new post-apocalyptic race known as memories. They have what is called a core, and they wear the bones of those that came before them. So, in theory, they are the actual memories of those dead and gone. Otherwise though, I was a little confused by what they were and their significance. As of the end of book one, they didn't really add to the storyline for me. One of them is watching a tape of the past, but it isn't really explained how the past—what is the actual fantasy world—was being recorded? 
The fantasy world of the past is pretty cool with what appears to be a mostly elemental based magic system. A scholar, or as most people would call him, a wizard, has the ability to move the air currents around him. He also has the burning desire to right the wrongs of the past, a bring aid to the current plague in the empire. The story's main protagonist is named Duvont, an outdoorsy type that is a fisherman by trade that lives by a swamp. Honestly the name hit me as almost French and that mixed with the rest had me picturing almost a creole type vibe thing. Duvont wants to find himself, and that starts with making his own decision to help the scholar out even though the townsfolk disagree. 
The story also features another race called the Minuun that I really wish had further description or even art for. They had me thinking of elvish type woodland creatures. These Minuun are the true landowners of the swamp, and they want it back. 
Overall, without getting more spoilery, this was interesting but not necessarily for me. I didn't dislike it by any means, but I found chunks to be confusing. Personally a 3/5* for me. 

This is one that I have had on my radar for a long time, but simply never picked up. Recently I saw it was included with Audible, so I gave it a go. 
If you've read any of my reviews, I'm not much for classic ‘horror'. And this is a classic that mostly suffers from being written when it was. The horseman was not featured in 70% of the story itself, and even then it doesn't really add much for me. I will say this one did at least have a one-scene climax! I feel like some of the ones I've read before are just kind of literally nothing the entire time. That was not this one! Ichabod has his own run in with the headless horseman!
Terrible time period descriptors of people's color did not add an ounce to the enjoyment. 

I've kind of been on a roll because this is another that I actually got through a free e-book from joining a newsletter. Even better that I keep enjoying them. 

Quickies, while innuendo, also means...you guessed it, the stories are all quick! I really enjoyed the range and style of this short story collection. Most of the stories start with a small description as they are all first person POV as they recount the incidents that befell them. It is not outwardly disgusting or violent, and a great deal of the stories end in a paranormal did-it-really-happen way. And I also enjoyed that a lot of them were cliffhangers! Like you decide if it's true or not. 

My personal favorites were the House Sitting stories, I could tell where they were going, but I enjoyed the journey nevertheless. Spooky, creepy, crawly. 

Perfect for Halloween season. 

I saw this on audible marked under horror and saw that it was free so I added it to my library. When I read the blurb it seemed like a post apocalyptic, scifi horror, which was checking quite a few boxes for me. Then I saw it was only free till 11/30 and made a break for it. 
This novel features multiple perspectives, but for the most part the main is Xavier ‘X' Rodriguez, a Hell Diver team commander. In the novel's post apocalyptic world, humanity is surviving by living in the sky in giant airships. Hell Divers are an elite group of people who dive to the surface for supplies that help keep the airship in the air. After a near world ending WWIII, the earth's surface is plagued with radiation and electrical storms. Hell Divers aren't expected to live past 15 dives. 
“They dive so humanity survives.” 
Really enjoyed this one. Realistic science without diving too far into the specifics on the more out there stuff. A great mix of horror and scifi as well with some creepy, horrific creatures and a vivid PA earth. Absolutely action packed to the gills with back to back blood pounding close calls. 
Personally a 5/5* for me. I had a lot of fun. I would like to continue on with the series, but I didn't realize how many there were when I started (10). 

I got this from a free indie scifi BookFunnel link and signed up for the author's newsletter! I love the concept of this as they are labeled as a mini-trilogy, while all together they're around a novellas length. I would love to continue, but they only show as being on kindle unlimited, with no purchasing option. 
Dario is an archeology student that has a leaning towards ancient architecture...ancient alien architecture. Since seeing a flying saucer as a child, he's thought of little else, but he wants to put actual facts and study towards proving it. 
The author writes an enticing opening in only 33 pages. The character has depth and personality, and even a nemesis. The facts, although not deeply gone into, read as researched and real, and I enjoyed the idea of a scifi story that simply reads as real life. 
If you know a way to get the others, let me know!

Book 1 in The Sabre's Noctem series. I won an audible code in a giveaway, and it was great luck that I did! 
This novella is a lot of fun. It's quick with wit, humor, and a handful a really great characters. At first I went into this blind, so I was surprised by the blurb because the most notorious prison break is actually just the opening sequel, and quite short. The blurb itself makes it seem like the plot would hinge upon that, like maybe even as the climax. 
This is a fantasy world, but it only gives hints of magic at first, so to me it felt kind of grounded with the characters at a tavern drinking beers, gambling, and smoking cigarettes. So the appearance of monsters was another surprise to me for sure, but again with the blurb that makes sense. 
A whole lot to like and I'm certainly left wanting more, I just wish this had been a little chunkier to give us more of the building I felt was necessary. Felt very monster of the week a la Sapkowski's The Last Wish, with the characters willing to take coin for contract. Personally a 3.5/5 for me. 

This is the prequel novelette to The Price of Power, which was a banger of a debut. You should check my review out, as well as the novel itself. And then buy both of these... 
This has followed in the formulae that has recently taken over in the fantasy community where the first novel is now followed by a prequel. This is in no way a complaint, or shade, it just means that the novel should still be read first, as the detail and attention to world building is far greater in the larger work, as opposed to the short single-story driven tale told in the prequels. 
This tells the story of Danath Ironlight before he had earned the name. When he was a slave confined to a life of toil, destined for an early grave. This is the story of hope. The story of unity, of bonding and freedom. This is the first glimpse of the rebellion that ended the reign of the Scoth. It features great characters and depth in such a short story, and it's a fantastic precursor to the novel. Namarr!
Personally a 5/5* for me. 

Also referred to as Evren's Story. This is a prequel novella to the Heirs of Destiny and the latest I've finished from the included Podium Audio prequels on Audible. 
This prequel novella focuses on the darker side of the world. Well, a fantasy world. It mainly focuses on the darker side of humans and human nature. Evren, an apprentice priest wants to escape the confines of his cell. The priests are nothing more than aggressive rapists and abusers, that call their nightly visits “prayers” (to me this is unfortunately mentioned so often it's literally beaten into the ground). The older apprentice boys manage a fight club, so that they can bet on others' suffering. When an opportunity to escape surfaces, Evren will soon find out that the streets are no safer or kinder. 
The rest that ensues, to me, doesn't really do anything in the way of setup for a series that I can see, other than perhaps giving backstory on the character of Evren. We also only get the world building through the eyes of exactly what the characters see. So a seedy church compound and seedy poor city streets. There's not much in the way of lore or anything else. I didn't mind or dislike listening to this one, but I find now that I can't really think of good things to say. 
I will say that the narrator didn't do a bad job, but he is American and doing an accent. Because it is not his actual accent, it comes off as sounding Spanish and Italian and Russian depending on what he's saying. Which I guess in a fantasy world isn't necessarily a bad thing at all, but it did pull me out of it more than once. 
Just didn't really work for me. 

This is part of the Amazon Original ‘Forward Collection' curated by Blake Crouch. This is my first experience with the author, and I enjoyed it. These are available through prime for free on kindle or audible! 

Two weeks before an asteroid destroys all of earth, a group of scientists are still dealing with the small stuff. And by that I mean seeds and plants. Most of earth is already evacuated, but this group is taxed with cataloguing samples for humanity's long journey to somewhere new. Somewhere in the growing panic, Samantha finds a new species, and with that, a new lease on hope. 

This was a well done short about what it means to be human, and what ties us to our humanity. In the event that we'd need to leave earth, would you be able to willingly give up your home? 

Personally a 4/5*. Narration from Evan Rachel Wood was great! 

I knew I wanted to give a free sample from my upcoming work and that I wanted it to be a cohesive start to finish piece. 

I hope you enjoy. 

This is book one of The Voice of No Quarter, and a book that was on my radar for a while. The author very kindly sent me a copy for my reading enjoyment, and therefore I bumped it up the TBR stack!

The author sets up a world where humans and elves haven't really ever been able to get along. The humans would much rather eradicate them instead. The elves, who are the more peaceful of the two, are still brutal warriors. I've kind of really been waiting for a story with elves that are kind of scary powerful, and I feel like this novel did teeter on that line (there are several TRIPLE headshots in this book). 

The world the author created is nicely fleshed out. Cellagor is interesting and filled with places that were described in very easily pictured ways. I will admit I'd really like a map for book two though, not because I felt lost while reading, but because I'm actually interested in the world and land he created. 

The characters are especially good in my opinion. They read as real and well thought out. Their conversations feel like people talking to me, and that's not always how a book reads. The elves have some really awesome (very Tolkien-esque) names and are frankly all badass. 

I will say that although I did enjoy William and Baldric giving the reader that authentic old school fantasy feel of a traveling journey, their chapters at times seemed to trouble the pacing for me. As a small criticism I would say that I think they should have ended toward the middle, with the other bits following as the climax. It kind of read as two full climaxes in a row the way. 

This is a short story written by an eleven year old!! The daughter of Michael R Goodwin, who also writes horror, so that tracks perfectly! When I saw a bookstagram friend post this I immediately grabbed a copy myself. I'm glad I did! 

The author brings the creepiness in just 9 pages. This is a horror that mixes haunted house feels, folklore, and campfire stories. It's perfect for anyone looking for a quick read, especially if you're short on time toward the Halloween season. Would definitely work well for young readers too!

Personally a 5/5* for me, love to see a young person pursuing something. Worth checking out! 

This is another ocean horror, and my second in a row from the author. 
This novel uses a bigeye thresher specifically, and I was really interested as to what the author was going to do, as they are not considered a threat to humans like whatsoever. They do however, get their name from their thresher (or scythe) like caudal fin, which they use to literally whack and stun prey, so I figured there was definitely room to make it scary. Oh and as the synopsis boasts...the author also decided to make it 40ft long which is about double its full size!
The author did a good job with tackling the issue I posed above. There is not only a reason why it's so large, but there is also a reason why it's attacking and being so territorial. I won't say more to avoid spoilers, but this horror is definitely dipping its toes in the realm of science fiction. 
This one is also kind of heavy on the cop stuff like Megalodon: Bloodbath (and others like it, like Jaws), but it takes a bit of a different approach this time. A renowned cop takes the job at a coastal precinct after some unfortunate downturns at his previous employer. His new partner, and the person he's training, takes on this kind of found family/friendship trope but it's done well. 
Personally a 4/5* for me. 

This was offered to me in exchange for a review from some program (not directly from the author) but I since have not been able to figure out from where! It was pitched to me as crime fiction, which it is not. It is however, about two friends that commit crime together. Goodreads has it just tagged under just ‘crime,' which is right though! 
So, this was not my typical kind of read, especially with me going into it expecting some kind of mystery/investigation to be taking place. However, it was still good, and I'm glad to read in a perspective I do not personally have. 
Two friends in Chicago spend their time stealing parts off cars, selling them to junkyards, and taking from various victims which they call stains. When one of their grabs goes a little too far, against someone they shouldn't have, things take a turn for the worst. They'll have to decide whether or not to run or fight. 
The novel was written well, but the ending did leave a bit to be desired for me. Was there remorse? Did they feel nothing? Did they go back to their old ways? Or did they actually get out? Sometimes ambiguity can be good, but I just wanted a tad more. Personally a 3/5* for me, I'd recommend. 

This is Hybrid Helix book 1, and I was sent a download code for the audiobook, and I'm now pissed I didn't get to it sooner! 
This. Story. Is. So. Much. Fun.  
Ever wonder what you'd get if you added science fiction with superheroes? Ever wonder what a story would be like if you took out the kind of corny undertones of caped crusaders? Rohan is half human and half il'Drach. The combination gives him superhuman abilities, and responsibilities. After years of fighting, he just wants to retire from it all. Nothing, the universe included, seems to be accepting that. 
Sentient space stations and ships, alien races and wormholes, wars being fought by superhuman armies, this novel has some pretty awesome plot points. I really enjoyed the hard science beats in the book, as well as some of the more mysterious things spread throughout. It's funny that a book about superheroes off of earth could make me want a prequel about them on earth so badly. 
I enjoyed that the superhuman power was being pulled from somewhere and it wasn't entirely bottomless. The main character can be hurt, even killed, and he does have to dig deep each time he faces a fight. Rohan's home of the space station Wistful feels like a full and fast world, the author has written in multiple alien cultures to give it depth. I've never been so immersed while in the dead of space. 
For fans of Guardians of the Galaxy with some real grit like Watchmen or The Boys. These ‘superheroes' will save the galaxy, but they will also snap your neck for looking at them wrong. 
Personally a 5/5* for me. I have the ‘prequel' Zero Twist, but I can't wait to get into book two as well. Wish the audio was out for it! Wayne Farrell did an amazing job with narration. 

The author, Victor Vahl, very kindly sent me a copy to read! So here's a bit of a review! 

The story starts out as what I thought would be a kind of monster jump-scare, discovery kind of novel. However it quickly turns into something different, worse. 

To me, one of the scariest kinds of horror is good psychological horror. Something that can get inside your head, something that can get to you. It's funny that the blurb mentions the Lighthouse because while I was reading I was thinking to myself that I was finding it really frustrating to continue. Kind of exactly how I felt sitting through the Lighthouse in the theater. Finally I realized that it wasn't the writing that was frustrating me in a negative way, but the story itself pulling me along for the journey. It was making me feel what the characters had to be feeling. Although I have yet to watch the 2002 movie Cabin Fever, I feel like this is probably right on par with what people will think and feel (although please note both plots are vastly different!). Both because of setting, and the actual term of ‘cabin fever.' 

What if you were not only stuck, but you were actually transported to another place, time, world, or reality? Trapped has a whole new meaning when there's no where else to go, when there is no home. To me this was incredibly cool (I mean horrific) and original. It's unlike anything else I've read so far honestly. 

Definitely worth a read for any horror or psychological horror fans. Or maybe even not for horror fans because honestly it's written with an easy, but we'll done style to it. The book can be bought in multiple formats right off Amazon! 

The author surprise attacked us with this novella's release, but I ain't mad at it. 
This is a prequel novella that takes place 20 years before the events of The Look of a King. It follows a much younger Roscoe, and his journey to being the pirate/semi-King's man that we know him as. 
This novella is witty, well written, and filled with wise cracks. I will say that I do wish that we got a bit more of the gritty side, as they are pirates, but the story is just as enjoyable without it. 
I would like to be reading side stories from this world for years to come. Let's go to new places, see new faces, and find new favorites. Personally a 5/5* for me, I'm still longing for more. 

This is such a beautiful and poignant piece. I actually read this at work on a slow day and it really just truly entirely enveloped me. I got interrupted once and I was really shocked to still be at work, I was so fully absorbed. 

The author has such a way of making a small amount of pages hit home on every one of them. I really feel like this short had a way of mixing genres that felt like an in-between to The House Plant and Petrified Women (also by this author and 100% worth reading), in the sense that from Jordie's perspective the experience of the hospital is both a lesson in grief and also terrifying. Many points in this felt like a drama, or a lesson in love and family. While others, those that are the ways he feels in the hospital itself, feel like reading horror in the way they are described and felt through his experience with it. Not to mention that suicide in general, as well as a death of a parent, or grief in general, are horrifying, destroying things to live through. 

Absolutely worth your time. 

This is a prequel novella to Nightmare Tenant, and although you could totally read it separately, I believe it's best enjoyed together. Also, you can support and read for free by signing up for the author's newsletter (which is how I got it)!
I originally read Nightmare Tenant last November. The story was enticing and exciting, so when I saw that there was a prequel novella, I was immediately interested. As this one of course takes place some years earlier, we get a group of new characters (someone familiar too). And with new characters we receive new personalities, quirks, and behaviors. The author does a good job of making the people feel real and grounded in such a short story.  It's written well, and the backstory to the novel is great!
In Nightmare Tenant, the story follows the supernatural events in Chivron Tower. In this prequel, we get to see some of the supernatural things surrounding the tower and how it originally came to be. I think the author picks an interesting enough plot to keep readers engaged and satisfied on this 70 page journey.

If I had to give a small gripe, I would say that although it's only 70 pages long, it does have a lot of breaks. Personally, as the reader, I think this would have been best served if there were still chapters to separate it/events. That would have felt more like a fully fledged novella to me, as this is not just a short story. 

This is part of Amazon's Trespass Collection. Similar in styling to the Forward Collection I just finished. I wanted to give this one a go because of the author. I haven't read him before, but I own the Southern Reach series and wanted a starting point with him. This is available through Prime Reading on Kindle or Audible for free. 
Recently cleared of murder, Sam moves into her father's old house after her marriage ends. A falling tree sparks a feud between neighbors. Who's watching who, and who's doing what? I had a little trouble connecting point A to point B here honestly. A little dry, a little confusing, and overall lacking something for me to connect to. 
Maybe just not for me. Personally a 2/5*. Not sure if I'll continue with this collection. 

The author very kindly sent me a copy for my reading enjoyment! This is my second short story collection in a row, and I'm about to start a third. Have I turned a new leaf?
en·an·ti·o·dro·mi·a: the tendency of things to change into their opposites, especially as a supposed governing principle of natural cycles and of psychological development. 
This short story collection is certainly one of the more diverse ones I've ever read. The author takes you from post-WWII Madagascar all the way to ancient Babylon and back. I'm impressed with the author's ability to write about perspectives I can only imagine he has never experienced.
My favorite for sure was ‘You Might Get It'. An alcoholic widower wishes for nothing more than for his wife to come home...but he doesn't specify how. Definitely some dark humor and a bit morbid, but it was also a cool take on a sometimes overused horror story. 
The writing is great, I found that all of the diverse places read as well done and researched, and I enjoyed every page. 
Personally a 5/5*. Absolutely worth your time, effort, or money to read! 

A poetic, vibrant, and bite-sized story about loss and grief. Beautifully woven and a fantastic piece to see Martin's writing style before jumping into his full length works. 

Which I implore you to also check out.

The author sent me a nice hardcover for review, which I did. Then he offered me an audible code to check out the audiobook, which I did again! 
This is a medium paced, stream-of-consciousness horror novel that focuses on a highly diverse set of Canadian characters in a folklore filled landscape. Each character is touched by what is going on in a different way, and yet they are all pulled together towards a similar end. 
The audio, done by Kristin Hamilton, was succinct, and added body and life to each individual character. If you recall my original review, SoC writing is not really for me, so I found the audiobook to be a far more digestible version of the story. I certainly enjoyed this second read through. 
Personally a 4/5* for me.