C. J. Daley

Hustle & Heart: Foretold by Thiago Ribeiro, Cullen Bunn, Heath Amodio. Got approved for this one by NetGalley and decided to give it a go on my off day. 
This is more like the size of a combined volume of a comic, rather than a graphic novel, and it is also most definitely the first part as it ends on a cliffhanger. Some of the artwork is really cool, but some of the later panels have some weird stuff where the characters' faces just look a bit off. 
The story follows a man that has a problem. His problem is that he keeps waking up all over the country without any idea how he got there. And each time it happens, he's present for something truly terrible happening. As the story progresses, he has to struggle with learning if he is the cause, or the warning of said events. 
The story is complex with an FBI/CIA type company after him, as well as a cult-like group of worshippers looking for him to help him. He has a tense relationship with his daughter, as well as his sister-in-law, who is convinced he killed his wife. I'm not sure I quite understood everything, but I think I would read more. 
Personally a 3/5* for me. 

The Ojja-Wojja by Magdalene Visaggio and illustrated by Jenn St-Onge. Got approved for this one by NetGalley and decided to give it a go on my off day. 
This is a cool middle grade horror/mystery graphic novel with great illustrations. It stars an autistic teen and her trans best friend. They have always had trouble making friends, but together, they just click. I thought this was done pretty well and wasn't heavy handed. And their being different ends up being the crux of the story. 
They are investigating local ghosts and rumors for a class paper when they accidentally unleash the Ojja-Wojja, a spirit that eats children and grants wishes. 
The climax is filled with these super deep red panels that looked so good on my iPad. Because of the color it felt very Stranger Things and the middle grade content felt like it was mixed in with Goosebumps or something similar. This was a win for me overall. 
Personally a 4/5*

I was given an audiobook from Authors Direct in order to judge the book for Best Audio Narration for the Indie Ink Awards. It is narrated by Marian Hussay, and it's incredibly well done. 
The cast of characters is incredibly diverse, and the narration doesn't miss a beat with accents and personalities. There's everything from Irish to Middle Eastern, and they're all done well. I was super impressed and it was very enjoyable. 
The novel also features lesbian/bisexual and disability representation, which I also found to be well done and meaningfully used. One of the main characters, seen on the cover, was taken with a wasting sickness as a child and had to fight their way back to walking. It's not used just to be there, it genuinely shapes everything the character is and does. 
This is a large scale epic fantasy, with winding plot and twisting turns. It features multiple POVs that become more and more intwined over time. It is very heavy on the political intrigue, with actual action being quite spread out, but the climax was pretty damn solid. There's cool magic, relying on apparatuses that enhance or funnel power, and most people are required to charge items with magic so that they have a source to draw from in times of need. Therefore, the more powerful are dangerous, and the gods watch them. 
Interesting first entry, I would check out more! 4/5*

One of the authors sent me a review copy of this and I'm glad he did! Just released so check it out!
Four horror writers want to find out which of them is the best. They attempt to do this by using Arcranium, a developing software that allows people to unlock their full potential. It's like a super advanced, fully immersive AR/VR that lets you experience everything as if it were real. 
I loved the set up of four friends meeting at a bar to discuss their writing, careers, and reception. Over time the friendships wane with their growing jealousy and insecurities. Each of them is a different kind of horror writer, each with their own ideas of what's the best kind of scare. 
With this being a novella, it reads like one giant climax. Going in and out of their stories is the only short reprieve, but each is high intensity from the get go. Part of me absolutely loved this factor, while on the other hand, if it was lengthened to a novel, it would have been really cool for each story to have the space to fully play out as their perspective genre shifts. It didn't take away from my enjoyment at all, but for the more atmospheric styles, time to grow is important. 
Personally a 5/5*. Tons of screaming, cursing, bleeding, and horror. 

I loved the cover, so I signed right up for the ARC team and I was happy to be approved. 
Let me start with saying, WOW, that is how you write an ending! The climax is just so incredibly epic and beautiful and dark at the same time. Threads that were weaved throughout the entire story coming together to make a beautiful little sweater of gut-punching, heartbreaking action and tension. I am blown away. 
An epic debut with heavy emotion, heart, power, and gravity. Written in part as a study of colonialism, this fantasy brings a completely new world with incredible characters, magic, and histories. 
The main character, Kaylo, is a jaded loner. He has been through the ringer, and connecting with others is not his thing. When Tayen crosses his path, he's faced with a choice—let her be captured, or worse, killed. He makes his choice, and the novel has its momentum. With a story like this, for me at least, it reminded me heavily of The Last of Us. As with TLOU, both characters bounce off each other, bickering and fighting, before finding caring. It's such a good dynamic, and the author brings some new things to the plate with it. The side characters are just as important and fully imagined as well though, it's just super solid. 
The magic system is brought to the world's inhabitants through the Great Spirits, or worshipped godlike presences. The gifts bestowed to the people allow them to call upon these spirits, altering the world around them in various ways. It was refreshing that this didn't have limits attached for the users, but it was simply understood that it isn't limitless either. 
 The writing is fantastic, and I loved that the teacher told the story of his life as a way to give her lessons as opposed to the regular fantasy teaching scenes. It also gave the story two timelines which were both great. 
Personally a 5/5*. I'll be thinking about this one for a while. Bring on book two asap. 

This is a comic I got from NetGalley to review! The cover is so good, I was stoked to get a copy. 
A team of astronauts go to space in order to build a ship capable of making it to mars. The civilian population of earth, however, is super against the project and them. So, how do you fix that? A space reality show! Drama, sexiness, and uh, space???
As I requested solely off the cover, I was very surprised by what I just said above! I thought maybe a space horror, but this was more of a political statement (or two or three). It's not over the top though, and there's an actual story here. I feel like what I wrote above was enough for like a multi-volume series, but this has even more. 
Each astronaut receives a private distress call from their own country giving them private instructions during an international emergency. Then chaos ensues. Each character has a different motive and a different reaction. Honestly, with this intense of a plot line, it would have served well as a novel or two even. 
Regardless, the artwork is fantastic, some of the space scenes are truly amazing. There's some really cool stuff done with the panels in this as well. 
Personally a 4/5*

This is a comic book that I got from NetGalley to review! The bright red on the cover drew me right in. 
It's a quick, funny read, and I'm glad it's my first completed this year. I needed something light, and this was it. Don't get me wrong, it's blood and dangerous! 
A mafioso gets out of jail on good behavior, wanting nothing more than to get back to his mafia family. When a car accident leaves him stranded, the woman that takes him in does nothing but complicates things. 
The artwork is fun, somewhat exaggerated and silly. I enjoyed it, and again I was happy for a quick read. 
Personally a 3/5* for me. 

This is another Christmas read that I did that was mid-series, and my review is sadly similar because of that. This will be a short review, in the style of those funny (but terrible) goodreads reviews. 
Trust me when I say I do not know anything about this series, nor the characters. But this short story follows an adulteress, who got pregnant during her affair. She wants to get her daughter her first Christmas tree, but a bunch of things go wrong. There is also an odd missing piece of wood in the story, which comes back around to be “solved” but there is no mystery or actual detecting going on surrounding it. 
Best part of this for me was that it was short. Personally a 2/5* I read this because I was one review away from 150 on the year, and it was free. 

I found this after finishing Never Die for the Indie Ink Awards, and purchased it immediately. It's a standalone story, but as it's the story of how he got the name Century Blade—a name referenced in the novel—it at least predates it. 
The Century Blade must assemble a team of heroes to withstand the might of Orochi, the king of the dragons. In Orochi's anger, he has ordered the other dragons to destroy humanity itself. This team of heroes must stop them. 
I really love this author's ability to depict different characters. Their appearances, abilities, personalities are all unique. The only thing that hurt this one for me was the length, I feel like they didn't get a chance to shine. Not to mention I'd sure like to see more of them anyway. 
Still going to give this a 4/5*, I'm excited to move on with the Mortal Techniques novels in the new year. 

This is the sequel to last years The Legend of the  Christmas Witch. 
After centuries in the ice, where the last book left off, the Christmas Witch has finally awoken, but the world she sees is quite different from the one she knew. The Kringle company is using flying delivery methods, not a sleigh. And where is Santa? Guess what, she blames her brother again!
I thought this was a good sequel. The illustrations are simply magical, and it has some nice Christmas magic. I do like that this one had them reconciling, as I don't really like things that are anti Santa at Christmastime! I look forward to the third! 
Personally a 4/5, Aubrey Plaza, if you read reviews, hi!

Got this as a kind of gag gift for Christmas because (not that any of you would know this but) I love Shrek. All things Shrek. Shrek is life. 10/10 movies. 
This was awesome. The only self-help style book you ever need to read. It's filled with commentary from Shrek himself! It's a nice quality with color photos throughout too. Perfect for any age that really wants to get out there and ogre out. 
Personally a 5/5*. A quick, comedic read. 

I believe I got this from a newsletter and I was stoked to get a holiday read in. 
The story is that Zoya, a house squatter, accidentally picks a house that already has someone in it. The someone has been kidnapped...by her own family. Everyone else has just shown up to celebrate the holiday and though she is recently freed from the basement, she doesn't know who did it to her. 
This was an interesting take on a thriller. It features chapters with Zoya, which are third person, but also first person chapters as Viola tries to recall the night that she was taken. It mixes Catholic Christmas with Russian New Years/Christmas, which was cool to see because I never knew there was a difference. As this is one of the most dysfunctional families of all time, Zoya is at the wrong place at the wrong time. Too bad she's roped into all of this!
Enjoyable, quick, and not without holiday feels. It does get dark though! 
Personally a 4/5* for me. 

I bought this to read last year or two years ago maybe...before there was a Netflix adaptation. I still haven't watched, but now that I've finished reading, I think I will. 
A boy born on Christmas Day, a poor family, but with a love for giving, rather than receiving. Of course he would find magic and become Father Christmas!
For me this was the whimsical Christmas magic I was looking for. It's silly and fantastical, with bits of depth and sadness to balance. It has levity and is fun throughout. Blitzen peeing on people from the air was a fun touch. 
Personally 4/5* for me. 

I requested this from NetGalley for a seasonal read, and because I saw that it was an indie release. As usual, I was not disappointed. 
This novel features two characters that can't stand each other. Mason Klaus, a well dressed, but ill tempered man that overtook Lyla Smurfit's birthright. He paid for it, but that's not how she sees it. He sees her as an entitled, ill managed know it all. Until a letter draws him home—a home he hasn't been to in over ten years, a home he can't possibly go back to alone. He takes along the least likely guest ever! 
This was a cute, cheesy romance. I typically avoid romance, which is why they read as cheesy to me, but as a lover of Christmas, this is typically the time of year I let one or two slip in. This one is well done, and I rather enjoyed it. Believe it or not, this is a double troped romance! Enemies to lovers, as well as pretend dating/fiancées turned lovers. 
It delivers on the magic of Christmas and love, and it was an enchanting setting...the North Pole (or Yule)! It is written well, and I would most definitely check out more from the author as I believe they write fantasy normally which is more my flavor. If anything, the typical almost-heartbreak at the end could have gone on a bit longer to really sell it, but I enjoyed it anyway.
I got sucked in, and it hit the feels. Personally a 5/5*. 

This is part of the Agatha Raisin series, and it's number 18. It was included with audible, so I gave it a go because the title was Christmasy. The book itself, however, was not, plus this was my first for the series... 
Agatha Raisin has a detective agency and she is looking to hire someone young to handle some of the littler issues. It weirdly talks about education and smarts, teetering on basically mentioning good/bad breed, which was the first thing that threw me off about the novel's time period. It is probably just an English thing that my American-ness does not pick up on, but the fact that the mystery took place and was surrounding the happenings of an estate was another thing that had me wondering the time period. It reads like Agatha Christie, but is apparently modern. It also uses terms like “cellular phone”, “computer games”, and others that makes it not only feel dated, but as if the author doesn't understand the times either. 
The mystery unfolds when an elderly woman hires Raisin to protect her during a family party, assuming someone in her family wants her dead. Naturally, the detective does zero to protect her, and a murder mystery is started up. 
The story itself takes place in fall(ish?) with vague comments of having a Christmas dinner party. Agatha Raisin eventually does, but it has nothing to do with the novel, and I don't think the name for it makes the littlest sense honestly. 
Personally a 2/5*, could be a bad area to start the series, or maybe just not for me. 

This is a reread because I found the Tim Curry narration included with audible, so I gave an audio edition a shot this year. 
The audio is good, less noticeably Tim Curry-y than I expected, but he weirdly does a VERY ‘him' voice for all the women that was a bit jarring. 
I recently saw a production of the play at the Geva Theatre here in Rochester, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much of the actual dialogue was used and true to the original. It was also just a lovely production FYI. 
I also recently watched Scrooge: A Christmas Carol done by Netflix. Aside from being a kind of wild adaptation in general, I starting thinking about how a lot of different adaptations kind of have Scrooge not really moved by the first two ghosts, and then having a huge change at the third. It always makes me think about how unbelievable it makes it. And the source material is so different to that! 
I love the story of a bad man being shown the error of his ways and changing for the better. It's such a classic story, and the use of the spirit of Christmas to get the character there is obviously my favorite part. I love the tidbits of Scrooge wishing he had handled things different during each ghost, it shows him changing, wanting to be better, therefore the final ghost pushing him ultimately over the edge is super believable. 
Personally a constant 5/5*. 

Obviously I've been on a Stine streak this year, but this was on my list for this year before the collecting began!
Happy holidays—You're Dead! is obviously one of the best lines imaginable, so that should sell you without reading further. There's another two of these and they only get funnier. 
Honestly though, this one took me a while to get into, and to get through. I thought I'd really enjoy the young adult writing more as opposed to the middle grade, but there was something off a little bit with the pacing. 
Other than that I enjoyed this one. A rich girl with a bratty attitude angers just about everybody she meets. So when these creepy, scary pranks keep arriving, and then somebody turns up murdered, the holiday horror is turned up. 
Definitely a decent amount more going on in this than a GB book. More threads being weaved, more characters, and a heightened mystery. 
Still a 4/5* for me. 

This was an included listen on audible, so I gave it a go for a holiday mystery read. 
Eve Allerthorpe approaches and attempts to hire Sherlock to help her with a mysterious figure, the Black Thurrick, that has been haunting her. It's kind of a folklore holiday figure like Krampus, which is not the type of thing Sherlock does, but this time he agrees. Mayhem, mystery, ghosts, gambling, subterfuge, and murder follow. 
I felt like this was a pretty good Holmes entry à la Arthur Conan Doyle's style. Holmes uses deduction, as well as a manner of deception to get to the heart of the matter. Watson is elementary as usual, but I do enjoy his narration of the story as a whole. He is Holmes' Captain Hastings of course, so it makes sense that I like him. (I know Holmes was first...). 
Personally a 4/5* for me, not very Christmasy, but the mystery was fun. 

A Christmas classic available via audible for free! So I had to grab this one. I listened to it all in one go while doing inventory at work. 
An old man plans on spending Christmas with his friend and niece. They suggest to him that Christmas isn't the same without children and that they should hire some. He agrees, almost dismissively, but when they arrive he is immediately taken by the little girl, changing how he feels about everything. During their stay, the young girl falls deathly ill, and he is heartbroken, sparing no expense to get her better. What Sir John didn't realize, was that the little girl wasn't actually hired, she was the daughter of his own estranged daughter. Thus bringing her back into the fold of his life. Making him feel love again. 
This on the surface was a nice holiday read that had the feel of A Christmas Carol in the sense that it's bringing warmth back into a cold heart. The thing that wasn't that great, was because it is a classic, the daughter was estranged for literally marrying for love, regardless of the husband's lack of money. Being of poor breed, as they'd say. But it is a product of their time, and the message in positive. 
Personally a 3/5*. 

Another book that popped up on Instagram that I gave a shot for a holiday read. 
This is a novelette about a white privileged family's Christmas. One of the family members had a run in with a Mexican Santa Claus, saying something racist, prejudiced, and wrong. Mayhem ensues. 
If you've followed my reviews you should know that I always attempt to rate fairly and nicely for indie or self published work, however I always try to remain honest. And I cannot find a single nice thing to say about this work. 
Firstly, I'll say that this is a Christmas horror that is absolutely splatterpunk. I read horror often, but the sub genre is not something I've read. It is not for me. Not. For. Me. 
I don't know the author, nor could I find anything about them online, but this reads as heavily racist, gratuitous, and over the top. The Santa is seeking revenge for the comment made while the author has him speaking horrible mixed Spanish and English. All while describing some of the most heinous acts I've ever read. It was disgusting, and if it wasn't short enough to read in a single sitting, I would not have gone back. 
Personally 1/5*

I picked this up for last December's reading, but I didn't get to it. So I made a point to get to it this year, and what premium timing, as the book has just been picked up and rereleased be Velox Books! So congrats to the author, and show some support! 
I also recently received an e-ARC of Devil's Hill II, which is a great horror short story collection too, but better suited for the Halloween season. 
The author is the self-proclaimed Clark Griswold of Halloween and it shows. All of his work is horror or Halloween related, and he does a great job of it besides. 
This collection is horror based Christmas and holiday tales. The author can give us different holidays, but he sticks to his horror roots which I respect. Christmas in the Empty Cabin is the title of one of the short stories, it isn't the first or last, nor is it really longer than the others, but it's definitely solid enough to get the title card. 
Personally my favorite short was the last. It's like the author's take on Gremlins, Chucky, and any other shopping store/toy-esque horrors. It read like possessed Ferbies eating peoples faces. Terrifying and fun. 
Personally a 4/5* for me. Check it out!

Obviously I have been aggressively collecting the Goosebumps books lately, but this one was one I had actual bought to read this Christmas season long before the collecting started.  
The main character, Kate, can see ghosts. She always has been able too, not that she likes it. The kids at school make fun of her for it, like she can help it. Regardless, she has decided to try out for her school play, which will be a haunted Christmas story called ‘the 12 screams of Christmas.' The music teacher takes them on a weekend getaway so that they can get in the right mood and mindset for the play...an old creepy, haunted house. They don't realize that the house is actually haunted though! Although Kate can see them. Some ghostly mayhem ensues! 
As always with reading these as an adult, they are mostly silly and never scary, but I can see how over time Stine got a little darker. The opening of this one is pretty dark! A young girl drowns in a well while her family cries and can do nothing to help...
Personally a 4/5*. Enjoyable, quick, and all about family in a creepy Christmasy way. 

This came up as a discounted ebook on bookbub and I bought right off the cover alone as I was looking for Christmasy reads. 
This is Mystery House Book 8, and although it says they can all be read separately, it kind of cuts out the preamble. The world is what it is for the characters, and although they do reference things from other books, the author does not double down on any explanation or world building. This was the first read from the series for me...as this is a paranormal book, it was kind of odd how established everything was. 
The story is that 3 middle aged women are ghost investigators, so even though they are going to the Biltmore for one of their son's weddings, they brought all of their equipment and the place was heavily haunted. A Christmasy haunting story was definitely something I was ready to strap in for, but as a watcher of Ghost Hunter shows, it struck me as odd that the characters had immediate success...every time...with every instrument they used. In these shows, the accumulation of evidence is a grueling affair. It takes all night, and is subjective at best...because ghosts are not real. I know that in this author's world of course they ARE, it was just a bit jarring. 
Otherwise, I quite enjoyed it. It was all about family and family time, reconnecting with those you love, ghostly or otherwise. It was a good Christmas kind of corny. The descriptions of the Biltmore and how it was decorated for the wedding were wonderfully vivid and the novel itself was written well overall. 
Personally a 3/5* for me. Enjoyable and quick. 

This is a standalone novel that must be by author or publisher preference, because other than being a Christmas novel, it being a retelling is right up Goosebumps alley. It's written as a horror in typical Stine style. 
The novel features Rick Scroogeman, a kid who hates Christmas. He thinks he's friends with everyone, but he doesn't understand that the fact that no one else is laughing with him makes him the bully. The ghost of past brings him to an old school in the 1800s where he is ridiculed and tricked, the ghost of present shows him what family life would be like with a family less fortunate, and the ghost of future shows him what the future held for him, death. (And a school with dead zombie children??!?) 
The novel does some fun stuff with A Christmas Carol references and changes to old names. Although I was not convinced that the kid had changed by the end. 
Enjoyable though, a fun spooky read for the season. 

I picked this up last year but didn't get around to it. I made a point to this holiday season! 
A short story collection for the in between holiday months! This is as much a comedy as it is a horror. The stories are cheeky and silly. Some are heinous or murderous. Some are reimaginings or retellings. All of them are fun! 
A single sitting read for me as I enjoyed every bit. And such a nice little handheld size paperback too! 
Personally a 3.5/5* for me! Check this out!