Saturday, November 2, 2024

DARK TALES by J.D. Allen














Genre: Horror

Format: eBook

Pages: 367

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

DARK TALES is a collection of J.D. Allen’s most haunting and imaginative stories. From science fiction terrors to body horror frights, from haunted dolls to premature tombstones, these dark tales will haunt you long after you’ve read them. Included in this tomb… er… excuse me, I meant, ‘tome’… are four shocking novellas:


CONJOINED
The job offer? Spend this winter on the remote, private island of the mysterious Dr. Castor Pollux, as a companion to his surgically abused daughter, Gemini. Sounds like the start of some demented horror story? It is! Lured onto the operating table, and into madness, by the hypnotic silver eyes of a sadistically predatory nurse, you’ll donate every organ to terror as you follow young Danielle on a horrific journey into a medical nightmare where no one escapes unaltered.

SILVER SKY
Watching a loved one drift away from illness becomes a literal nightmare for the family and friends of those afflicted with Silver Sky Syndrome, as victims become immune to the laws of gravity, and ascend into the heavens, in this metaphorical horror story.

TOMBSTONES
Out at the old cemetery, in the quiet town of Luna Vista, mysterious tombstones are rising up out of the swampy ground in an unused and cursed field, and gruesome deaths are predicted for the unfortunate townsfolk whose names can be found carved into their rocky surfaces! Who will be next?

CAN SUSAN COME OUT AND PLAY?
Some ghosts won't allow the living time to properly mourn the dead.
Some hauntings begin with the very last heartbeat.
And sometimes the living can haunt us too.
This is a ghost story about the living.

Review:

"It's scary to think just how quickly a person can become all alone in the world."

 Grotesque body horror, love and loss, death and grief, the living, and the dead, all wrapped up in this compilation of four novellas of the dark and macabre. 

All four stories are so descriptive it scintillates the senses of the mind and heart. Taking us to the dark places of the imagination. 

A doctor that only wanted to complete his daughter once again, but nothing happened as he had planned it. But a sadistic nurse tries to fulfill his wishes to complete the family once again. Creepy vibes similar to The Modern Prometheus.

An analogy depicting the loss of family members and dear loved ones as they drift away. 

A witches curse exacting revenge upon the town of Luna Vista. 

When a man loses his greatest loves, his wife and daughter, his grief is impalpable, but a creepy doll takes him on a journey of an even darker discovery. 

Every one of these stories did not disappoint my horror loving heart. I found myself excited with the anticipation of being able to continue reading every chance I could! The stories brought to my mind the Outer Limits, one of my absolute favorite television series!

This is one I am going to be adding to my top reads of 2024!

Goodreads Author Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/

Amazon Author Link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.D.-Allen/


About the author

Born after midnight on the evening of Halloween, 1963, Joseph Dean Allen stalked the foggy enclaves of the San Francisco Bay Area, by moonlight, for much of his youth. Currently he haunts the rainy Pacific Northwest with his husband, Kyle, and the two gremlins, disguised as house cats, with whom they live.

Review Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/

Friday, November 1, 2024

Glass Wings by Elle Kaelee














Genre: Dark Fantasy

Format: eBook

Pages: 276

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis:

Meet the original species, Kinnari, and their demon rivals, the Vrae.

This debut novel is quoted as completely original, in its own new category, not following the rules of today's popular booktok books. It's gritty and gothic, with complex emotions and a slew of trigger warnings. This book contains five points of view and two timelines to tell the first chapter of this book series

Pain erupted from Hadley’s shoulders, blood, deep and blue streaked down her back. A metal chain groaned around her ankle, the only sound besides her screams in the dark.


Eighteen and alone in California, Hadley sells the only thing she has left to make ends herself. When strange things start happening, Hadley has nowhere to turn. She will soon learn that there are worse things than humans watching her from the shadows.

Hadley’s existence is an anomaly. She has inherited an ancient feud between immortals both good and evil. With it, powers she can’t yet control. Her path extends back centuries, tying her to five winged immortals: a gentle soul burdened with destructive abilities, twins whose connection to the moon ties them to fate, a woman whose commands shape destinies, and a boy who wanders the realm of unconsciousness.

She will soon learn what they’ve all known for even divine beings aren’t immune to family drama. When the light and the dark prepare for war, only you can decide which side you fall on—and it might not be as clear as you think.


Review: 


"All the love that flows from this world is nothing in comparison to how I feel about you."


Set in Ancient Rome, 47 B.C. This is where we are introduced to the Kinnari. Seven ancient immortals with wings of flight. Magical and mystical, they are protectors of the realm of Earth and the realm of Myrilosis where they preside. 


The Vrae are the enemy of the Kinnari. Known as Vampires/Demons, they feed on the flesh of their enemies. 

 

Set in Sacramento, California, in the early 2000s we are introduced to Hadley. Young, naive, and all alone. Struggling to make ends meet and simply survive in a world filled with so much that is unknown. As she takes on a job to earn the money she needs, she has no idea that she has now put her life at significant risk. 

 

As the plot thickens, a battle of revenge and survival has now begun. For the Kinnari, the Vrae, and for Hadley. She learns where she truly has come from and who she truly is. 

 

"Then, she realized that she wasn't the victim. She was the victor who would rise from the ashes after dragon flame burned down everything. Her glass wings would scorch her path with the sun magnifying heat through them."

 

With totally unique characters and a mythical world, this is a dark fantasy like no other. 

 

Two timelines, two realms. Winged immortals, demons, and humans together as their lives are now out of balance, they will do all they can to protect their own. 

 

With book two being released soon, it will be interesting to learn more about the characters and their mythical world. What will they decide and what will Hadley decide? Will they be strong together or will they meet their demise? Will their world fall apart? Will earth survive its plight? These are questions that need answering!

 

As a debut novel, the author did a fine job at writing. Beautiful prose and a unique world. Love, heartbreak, death, and betrayal. 

 

Try it if you are a fan of dark fantasy. I am looking forward to seeing the journey unfold in book two. 


**A very kind thank you to Nicole Kincaid PA and Elle Kaelee for a complimentary copy, it is very much appreciated!



Goodreads Author Link:


https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/


Amazon Author Link:


https://www.amazon.com/stores/


Author Website Link:


https://www.ellekaelee.com/



About the author

Elle Kaelee is a first-generation American author and mother who lives in the Pacific Northwest. After graduating with her B.F.A in musical theater, she gets inspired by people, relationships, and unique settings. This gives her an excuse to travel frequently.

She also had raised an orange cat who yells like a seagull with her husband.

Review Links:

https://booksirens.com/book-review/

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/

https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/


The Forgotten (The Corner of Her Eye Book 3) by J.J. Carpenter














Genre: Horror Suspense

Format: eBook/ARC

Pages: 264

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

“One thing I learnt early…don’t meddle with anything that isn’t human…that’s never been human…trust me on that.”

The walls between Charlie White’s real life and purgatory are thinning. The realm beyond is increasingly affecting not only her, but her closest companions. The danger deepens the more her two worlds collide.

Charlie has been warned there is more to the Dream than she can comprehend in this life. She knew she was not alone in limbo, but she never dared to seek out the others. One of them, though, is about to find her. Dragging her further into the world beyond.

As she fights not just for her life, but for the lives of her friends, Charlie is forced to question her deepest fears and desires. How long can she hold onto those she loves? What does it mean to be betrayed? And when does justice become malevolence?


Review: 


"It was dark, again, like it so often was in the dream."


Charlie's journey continues as she is pulled into the spirit world. She is learning more about herself and the various spirits in the realm beyond. There are much darker spirits than her previous encounters. Much more malevolent and harmful, not only to Charlie, but also to her dearest friends. 


The "Blacks". The lost, unrested souls. Forever seeking that which was promised and the only way that will provide peace. "The stormy blasts of hell with restless fury drives them on." The souls are unbalanced, and Charlie must figure out why to be able to lead them to be balanced once again. "Grief flowed in waves, but not just sadness. Loss, anger, betrayal---despair."

 

"The Forgotten"

 

Enter Raff, a guide of spirits that live in purgatory. The "Blacks." Together, Charlie and Raff must work together to stop the vicious attacks upon Charlie's treasured friend, Tess.

 

They must restore balance, they have no choice, but will they be able to?

 

As with the first two books in this series, this one is just as fabulous. Each has its own focus on the distinct characters, spirits, and settings. Settings throughout Australia along with its rich history. 

 

This one is deeper and darker because of the malevolence of the spirits and the dark realm they preside in. The backstory that causes the spirits to be filled with grief and anger is filled with betrayal and sadness. 

 

I very much enjoyed reading the diary entries set into the story,1909, forbidden love, lost love, death, and despair. 

 

I love this series so much! The characters, the friendships, the history, and the darkness of spirit realms. Finding out why the souls are lost and how Charlie, as a keeper, must restore the balance or there will be even more dire consequences. Keeps me on edge and crossing my fingers as the books open up a whole new world!

 

As a debut author, beginning with "The Keeper: The Corner of Her Eye (Book 1)", I highly recommend reading all of these. J.J. is an author to keep an eye on, her writing is exceptional! I look forward to reading the rest of the series!


"Je t'aimerai pour toujours."


**Thank you so much, J.J. for the advanced readers copy, you are so appreciated!


Goodreads Author Link:


https://www.goodreads.com/author/show


Amazon Author Link:


https://www.amazon.com/stores/JJ-Carpenter/author/


BookBub Author Link:


https://www.bookbub.com/profile/




About the author

JJ Carpenter has been writing books since she was six years old - a collection of kooky tales she would staple together and hide in a shoebox under her bed. Penning her first novel at the age of 12, her love of all things creepy, supernatural and wild has never left her. Join JJ as she journeys through haunted places and chilling mysteries across the beautiful country, and rich history, of Australia.

JJ was born in Canberra, Australia. She spent her childhood in various locations, including the Barossa Valley, South Australia, and Hampshire, England. As an adult, she's spent much of her career living and working in the South Pacific: Solomon Islands (twice), Vanuatu, Fiji and beyond.

Review Links:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/


The Atropine Tree by Sarah Read

  Genre: Occult Horror Format: eBook Pages: 317 Rating: ★★★★★ Synopsis: Aldane Manor is an ancient home of low-beamed ceilings, cr...