Tag: Reviews

Review | Jackknife by Joe Hill

DeAnneLeave a comment

Ruined by scandal, Dennis Lange is hoping for a comeback. Selling the story of a cursed tree could make his future—if it doesn’t kill him—in this monstrous short story from New York Times bestselling author Joe Hill.

Dennis awakens something evil when he removes a decades-old jackknife from the trunk of a gnarled old sycamore. Once pinned in place—now thoughtlessly freed—the tree returns to its roots. An act of vigilante justice took place under its boughs long ago. But its taste for blood has only grown stronger…

Joe Hill’s Jackknife is part of The Shivers, a collection of haunting stories that reveal the otherworldly terrors all around us. Once you know, there’s no going back. Read or listen to each story in one unsettling sitting.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

The premise of this story intrigued me and I was hoping to check out Joe Hill’s writing to see if it was something I would like. I would say that I enjoyed the story, but it just fell a little short for me. Sadly that can be the case with short stories, it’s sometimes hard to encapsulate the whole story that wants to be told within the small length. The main character, Dennis, is super unlikeable and with how much alcohol he consumes probably a bit unreliable in some aspects – but I don’t think we’re meant to like him. Some of the events were a little too predictable, you could definitely see where things were going. Overall it was a quick read and the writing style did keep my attention, so I still may check out other works by Hill in the future.

Happy reading!

Review | The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman

DeAnneLeave a comment

In a hilarious short story from New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman, the absurdities of modern life cause one man’s solitary world to spin suddenly, and comically, out of control.

Lucas knows the perfect night entails just three things: video games, wine, and pad thai. Peanuts are a must! Other people? Not so much. Why complicate things when he’s happy alone?

Then one day the apartment board, a vexing trio of authority, rings his doorbell. And Lucas’s solitude takes a startling hike. They demand to see his frying pan. Someone left one next to the recycling room overnight, and instead of removing the errant object, as Lucas suggests, they insist on finding the guilty party. But their plan backfires. Colossally.

Told in Fredrik Backman’s singular witty style with sharply drawn characters and relatable antics, The Answer Is No is a laugh-out-loud portrait of a man struggling to keep to himself in a world that won’t leave him alone.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

I’ve enjoyed Backman’s short stories before, so thought I would definitely pick this one up. I don’t know if it was too surreal for me or what, but this one didn’t hit for me. I enjoyed it overall, but there were definitely elements that made it a little hard to get through. Not all of the characters are likeable, including the main character, Lucas, at times. I found the “board” hilarious, but some of the other elements were too over the top in their actions. I know it wasn’t a story meant to be believable, but it just was a bit much for me.

Happy reading!

Review | The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang

DeAnne1 Comment

If you could swap your life for a better one, which would you choose?

On the outskirts of Rainbow Town, there is an old, abandoned house. They say that if you send a letter detailing your misfortunes there, you could receive a ticket. If you bring this ticket to the house on the first day of the rainy season, you’ll be granted entrance into the mysterious Rainfall Market—where you can choose to completely change your life.

No one is more surprised than Serin when she receives a ticket. Lonely and with no real prospects for a future, Serin ventures to the market, determined to create a better life for herself.

There, she meets a magical cat companion named Issha and they search through bookstores, perfumeries, and fantastical realms while Serin tries to determine what her perfect life will look like.

The catch? Serin only has one week to find her happiness or be doomed to vanish into the market forever.

And all the while, a shadow follows quietly behind them…

Rating: 5 out of 5.

This was by far my favorite read of 2025, so even though I read it a few months ago, I had to review it. I have found that a lot of the healing fiction/cozy fiction coming out of Japan and Korea are right up my alley.

I loved the goblin market feel of the book and how Serin, who felt her life was full of misfortune, even though she didn’t really believe in the market, took a chance and wrote in anyway. Once she gets her ticket things start moving pretty quickly. I loved the rich descriptions of the market and it’s occupants, often filled with whimsy and enough of the touch of magic to spark wonder in both the younger and older visitors to the market.

The cast of characters is robust, with some definitely tugging at the heartstrings or being endearing. Along the way Serin learns a lot of lessons about life itself, but also about herself. She learns not only what she thinks she wants in life, but what is actually important.

The ‘bad guy’ was pretty predictable from the onset, but getting to the grand reveal was still quite a journey. I loved not only the adventure of it, but the growth we see in Serin and how she comes into her own.

Happy reading!

Review | The Amberglow Candy Store by Hiyoko Kurisu

DeAnneLeave a comment

In this charming, fable-like book from Japan, a fox spirit sells magical confections to troubled humans, only for them to get a little more than they bargained for…

Welcome. We don’t get many humans here.

In a cozy night-alley lies a very special store. It’s only open between the full moon and the new moon, and it’s full of wagashi, Japanese sweets. Each candy claims to cure some ailment of the heart or the head. But who is the mysterious proprietor, and why does he study his customers so closely?

From the girl who craves more time with her boyfriend to the friends with some buried resentments, each customer learns a valuable lesson from these sugary treats. The candies can give you what you most desire, but not always in the way you expect…

Back to the shop owner—did that shadow just make it look like he has a pair of ears? Surely, not a tail? If he is a half-fox spirit, so be it. But why is he so keen to study human emotions, and why does he say each candy has a “dosage”? Patience. Like the center of a gooey caramel, the best things take time to reveal themselves.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Connected stories about a unique candy store run by a fox spirit found on a seemingly abandoned road that most people can’t see? Sign me up. I absolutely adored this book, the different characters featured in the vignette were varied, all with their own individual struggles in life. The constant in each story of course is the candy store and its proprietor, Kogetsu. Not only are the individual stories heartwarming and touching, seeing them move through the difficulties they are facing with the help of the candies they buy at the store, but seeing Kogetsu through each story as he tries to better understand humans is charming. I especially loved that the last story was about Kogetsu himself in a way. By the end I was in love with the author’s writing and tone, but found I was greedy and wanted more of Kogetsu himself and his evolution and growth. The writing and settings that the author described were at times very whimsical, but then also very practical depending on where the characters were – be it on the road to the candy store, or in the ‘real world’. Overall I really loved the stories and characters, Kogetsu especially.

Happy reading!

Review | Ghosted in L.A. Complete Collection by Sina Grace

DeAnneLeave a comment

Daphne Walters’ Los Angeles story seems pretty common—she followed her high school boyfriend to college only to be immediately and unceremoniously dumped a thousand miles away from home. Her roommate doesn’t want her around either, but fortunately one heart-broken night brings her to Rycroft Manor, an apartment complex with more roommates and drama than she had ever bargained for—and they’re all ghosts!

While helping out the long-lingering and new residents of Rycroft, Daphne has to deal with everything from angry spirits, the mystery ghost behind the basement door, and her college roommate Michelle trying to exorcise her new friends out of their own home! All while dealing with a complicated love life, a more complicated best friend-ship, and learning her place in LA!

Rating: 3 out of 5.

I had previously read the first volume of this, so was eager to pick up the complete collection. Unfortunately some of the inconsistencies in the story overall dragged down my enjoyment a little bit. I loved the art style and the colors. A lot of the ghost characters were interesting and individual, but often it was Daphne and the other living characters that detracted from the story – saying that though I suppose you could explain a lot of their behavior as being young adults. I felt like the concept was so creative and interesting, but it just fell a little short. I still enjoyed it overall and am glad to have read the whole story.

Happy reading!

Review | The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki

DeAnneLeave a comment

Translated from the Japanese bestseller, this charming and magical novel, inspired by the myth of cats returning favors to those who care for them, reminds us that it’s never too late to follow our stars.

In Japan cats are a symbol of good luck. As the myth goes, if you are kind to them, they’ll one day return the favor. And if you are kind to the right cat, you might just find yourself invited to a mysterious coffee shop under a glittering Kyoto moon. This particular coffee shop is like no other. It has no fixed location, no fixed hours, and seemingly appears at random to adrift young people at crucial junctions in their lives.

It’s also run by talking cats.

While customers at the Full Moon Coffee Shop partake in cakes, coffees, and teas, the cats also consult them on their star charts, offer cryptic wisdom, and let them know where their lives have veered off course—because every person who visits the shop has been feeling more than a little lost. And for a down-on-her-luck screenwriter, a romantically stuck movie director, a hopeful hairstylist, and a technologically challenged website designer, the feline guides will set them back on their fated paths. After all, there is a reason the shop appeared to each of them…

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I am loving all of the ‘healing fiction’ books that are getting translated and this was another one near the top of my list. I absolutely adored this one. It definitely was more on the mystical and whimsical side, featuring a coffee shop that would spontaneously appear to people who were in need of some guidance or assistance, who may be at a fork in the road and need to know what way might work best for them. I loved the different cats and the way their identities kind of became apparent throughout the book. As with a lot of these books all of the stories were connected and as you go through the different characters it starts to become apparent just how they are connected. I absolutely loved the way everything was finally revealed as to just how deeply these people were connected and what had kicked off their experiences with the coffee shop/the reasons behind it. I can’t wait to pick the second one up off my stack and read it as well.

Happy reading!

Review | The Ghost Hunter Next Door by Danielle Garrett

DeAnneLeave a comment

The first rule of being a ghost whisperer: Don’t tell anyone.

Seriously. Don’t.

Sure, it might sound harmless. A fun party trick, even. I assure you, it’s not.

How do I know? Well, let’s just say that I’ve had a lot of experience with this sort of thing, and nine times out of ten, it turns into an all-consuming disaster.

Being plagued by needy ghosts twenty-four/seven is one thing; being harassed by a horde of curious — or worse, grieving — flesh-and-blood people is an entirely different circus. I mean really, who wants to hold an impromptu séance in the middle of the cereal aisle? Not me, and the manager of the grocery store probably isn’t too crazy about the idea, either.

So, that’s it. If you’re a ghost whisperer, just keep your mouth shut and act normal. Ghosts? What ghosts?

Now, if only I would start listening to my own advice …

Rating: 4 out of 5.

When I picked this up I was looking for something light, paranormal and that would make me laugh. I had seen a few of Danielle Garrett’s titles pop up in recommendations, so I thought I would check one out. It definitely fit the bill and I had a thoroughly fun time with it. It was a good take on a bit of a cozy mystery, only it didn’t feature a current murder they were trying to solve…but the details of how a certain ghost died in order to help the living with their ‘ghost dilemma’ and keep the ghost from wreaking havoc. This was made a little more complicated by the fact that most don’t know about Scarlet’s abilities. The characters (especially the ghosts) are charming – after all, who wouldn’t want to hear the opinions of their childhood cat in ghost form? Scarlet has depth and her struggles with balancing her up and coming business, relationships and keeping her secret while helping the local ghosts was a great read.

Happy reading!

Review | The Butterfly Disjunct and Other Stories by Stewart C. Baker

DeAnneLeave a comment

A scientist haunted by an impossible ghost. A cocky poet attempting to outrun peace. A grieving mother looking for life beneath Europa’s icy surface. A ship AI desperate to rescue its beloved crew. An ongoing fight against the end of existence. Equal parts earnest and strange, Stewart C Baker’s stories span the breadth of human emotion, space, and time. In this debut collection, gender and genre collide to celebrate relationships and empathy in all their forms.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I don’t read a ton of sci-fi so I thought a short story collection was a great way to go when I do reach for it. I found so many of the stories in here interesting, with many different aspects of sci-fi to them some were time travel, some were more end of the world/dystopian, some were straight up space humor (and there were some real gems that had me laughing out loud). There definitely was a lot of technical terms and language that some might find a little overwhelming at times, but I thoroughly enjoyed the whole collection and would happily read more from this author.

Happy reading!

Review | Something is Killing the Children Omnibus Vol 1

DeAnneLeave a comment

WHAT IS ABDUCTING THE CHILDREN OF ARCHER’S PEAK?

When the children in a sleepy Wisconsin town begin to go missing, all hope seems lost. Most children never return, and those that do have terrible stories of terrifying creatures that live in the shadows. But even monsters fear the mysterious stranger that arrives shortly after. She believes the children and claims to be the only who sees what they can see…

Her name is Erica Slaughter. She kills monsters. This is all she does, and she bears the cost because it must be done.

The definitive collection of the entire “Archer’s Peak” saga by GLAAD Award-winning writer James Tynion IV (Department of Truth, Batman) and artist Werther Dell’Edera (Razorblades) is assembled here in a single volume.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I’ve heard about this series but never picked it up, so was glad to see an omnibus available. I went into it essentially blind other than the title. I did really enjoy the atmosphere and setting. The graphics suited the dark and grit of the story. I did like that we eventually got some background information on who Erica works with and some of the lore there, but I would have liked to get more of that earlier in the story. It does appear there are some spin offs that might have more information and lore, so I would be interested in checking those out to further build on what was established in this first omnibus.

Happy reading!

Review | The Graveyard Club by R.L. Stine

DeAnneLeave a comment

Definitive horror master R.L. Stine introduces a new cast of devilish teens in a brand new graphic novella!

Parker West is a senior at Grave’s End High, in the sleepy town of Grave’s End, a town surrounded by cemeteries. A place where swarms of bats fill the sky every night, and kids play hide-and-seek amongst tombstones. But none of that feels odd to the locals– Grave’s End is as sleepy and dead as they come. A lonely hill on the edge of the town in the graveyard becomes the local hangout spot for Parker and his group of friends. They goof off, plan schemes, and form a secret club… the Graveyard Club. Members have to be daring and unafraid to wreak a relatively harmless amount of havoc in the name of fun. But one night, after getting into an argument with a local cop, the kids find themselves in a prank war. But what starts off as mostly harmless practical jokes and tricks escalates into attacks that might put these kids in real, life-threatening danger if they won’t back down first… and Parker’s never been one to give up without a fight. Beloved author R.L. Stine (Goosebumps, Fear Street, Stuff of Nightmares), who put a nostalgic sense of dread in our hearts as children, returns with a brand new original graphic novella–a coming of age horror story for generations new and old.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Anything R.L. Stine is a point of nostalgia for me, so I was excited to get to give this title a read. The art style was good, with lots of emphasis on color and shadows, which fit the vibe of the town of Grave’s End quite well. The main characters weren’t exactly likeable, and some of the negative attention on them seemed warranted (not all of it, but still). I found myself actually disliking Parker by the end, which I didn’t want to do, but as some teenagers do, he had a lot of attitude and was making not wonderful choices. I would definitely say that it portrayed a rebellious teenager really well though. It was a fun read and had some paranormal and not so paranormal elements that are quintessential Stine.

Happy reading!