Review: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
27 January 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Fantasy, fiction, Grady Hendrix, Review, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Not for the faint hearted
I’m very much enjoying this author at the moment and although, I own up that this wasn’t my favourite book by him, it was a compelling read. I will just say that this is a little bit harrowing in parts and also possibly triggering for some people.
Set during a sweltering summer in the 1970s this story takes a good long look at the treatment meted out to young girls who found themselves compromised (pregnant). This was an age where a girl that becomes pregnant is a source of deep shame, a ‘thing’ to be hidden away until the pregnancy is over and the baby adopted. Then they can return home and never speak of ‘it’ again. Fifteen year old Neva (soon to be known as Fern) is one such girl. Driven to the Wellwood Home in St. Augustine, Florida by her father she is to be secreted away until her pregnancy reaches its natural conclusion. Neva’s father is livid with his daughter to the extent he doesn’t even wish her goodbye after depositing her.
The other girls at the home are of varying ages and stages of pregnancy and Fern soon becomes firm friends with a few of the others. Life at the home is dull. The girls are expected to clean and wash the house itself, they don’t receive any education and most of their time is spent watching old films and playing cards. Their food is monitored and dietary restrictions imposed to control weight etc. Basically, they have no say or control of anything that is happening either to or around them and they’re kept in the dark about everything.
Fern is a keen reader and looks forward to the arrival of the mobile library. This is when things start to spice up a little, the girls find themselves in possession of a witch’s spellbook, a grimoire if you will, and when they achieve success with their first attempt at casting a hex they start to think of other ways that the book can help during their incarceration.
What I really liked about this is, first and foremost, the writing. Hendrix writes in such a way that you’re almost immediately hooked and although at first I began to wonder if this was going to include any ‘witching’ or fantasy aspects once our little coven eventually forms things escalated quite quickly.
I enjoyed the friendship between the girls and the way they ground each other. It’s sad in a way that they had such high hopes, little realising just how very little real control they actually had. They had their minor rebellions but at the end of the day they were children and the adults around them were capable of so much manipulation and lying to achieve their end goals.
To be fair, life at the home wasn’t abusive as such but the treatment they received at the hand’s of some of the adults was incredibly harsh and utterly judgemental.
If I had any little niggles it would probably relate to the witches and their portrayal. In some respects I think this was handled really well, their lifestyle quite grim and constantly on the move to avoid detection, but, at the same time I think I would have preferred it if their aims had been more by way of helping the girls – rather than helping themselves. Although, perhaps this is just a statement of fact in that all the adults involved were capable of manipulating these young women for their own gain and things did have a way of working out eventually.
Now, I mentioned above that some of this is harrowing – and I’m not joking. There are a couple of quite explicit ‘birthing’ scenes that might not be for everyone. Also, some of the ‘sacrifices’ that the girls were required to make to pay the price for their witching was also particularly gruesome. You have been warned.
All told, this was a quick read, I was hooked almost instantly and was keen to discover what was going on, I was even more intrigued to discover how things would pan out and in that respect the ending is both what you would expect and at the same time a little bittersweet. Some definite food for thought here though and I’ve found myself thinking of this often since completing it.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4 of 5 stars
Review: The Queen by Nick Cutter
2 January 2025
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Horror, Nick Cutter, Review, reviews, The Queen
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Intense, Insane, Brutal Insectile Horror
This is a strange review for me to write because I don’t read a lot of horror. That being said I feel I’ve read more horror books last year than I normally would do but I think The Queen is possibly the most ‘horror soaked’ book I’ve read for a while. The ick is almost immediate – so be warned, no hand holding here.
I haven’t quite made my mind up, even now, how much of the story to share so this review could meander a little (although having just taken a peek at the blurb there’s quite a lot more detail than I would probably have posted so I’m probably not going to be giving away any spoilers).
Our storyteller is Margaret who wakes up one morning to find a new iphone on her doorstep. The phone has a message from her best friend (Charity) – who has been missing for at least a month and basically is presumed dead at this point – as you can imagine Margaret’s interest is piqued and she sets off to follow the most bizarre trail of breadcrumbs ever.
So, let’s take a minute to work back a little. Firstly, we receive the backstory of one Rudyard Crate, a multi millionaire who has made it his life mission to experiment with insect and human DNA – mainly as a result of childhood trauma when he witnessed the brutal death of his sister.
From there we jump forward to Margaret. Hiding in the kitchen during a big social event to avoid the insect invasion that is taking place in the ballroom (think Carrie). Now, from this point, Margaret is going to go back and relay events from the past 24 hours at which point the two stories converge again for the grande finale.
What worked for me with The Queen.
This is a fast paced, no nonsense read that also takes a little time to explore the relationships involved, primarily between the two main females, Margaret and Charity. Theirs was a friendship that felt like it had run its course and there was definitely something of an imbalance with Charity still clinging to the last threads of what the two had shared growing up. So, we’re told they’re inseparable friends but really as the story unfolds it starts to become apparent that things were already going wrong and certain resentments were building. Margaret’s trajectory seemed to be on the rise and Charity was being slowly left behind.
In this particular instance the two are about to become aware that they truly, barely knew each other. Charity is one of Rudy’s test cases. She’s been living, unknown to herself, a false life waiting to reach an age when something would trigger irreversible changes. Basically, that trigger has now happened, you can make your own decision, if you choose to read this, about what was the catalyst that set things in motion, but for me the slow separation of the two friends seems to be the real event.
I will say that this is a disturbing read. The ick is real and might not be for everyone. Plus, if you’re a bit squeamish about insects then you’re going to be in a world of hurt what with ants and then mutated wasps running and flying amok. I mean, to be honest, I’m not a big fan of insect horror so how I managed to read some of the more insect soaked parts is still something of a mystery to me – although I put it down to the intrigue. I really wanted to know what was going on, and even when I knew what was actually going on I had to press forward to see what the outcome would be.
I think the ending felt a little abrupt, almost under explored somehow, but, at the same time it felt oddly appropriate. Like this entire horror soaked ending had become a thing of legend, almost like an urban myth with nobody seeming to get to the bottom of what really happened and how it all concluded. I’m still thinking about it to be honest.
If you fancy some ick in your reading then given this a try.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 3.5 of 5 stars (rounded to 4 for being the craziest friendship breakup ever)
Review: The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by HG Parry
23 December 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Books, Fantasy, fiction, HG Parry, reading, Review, The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door
My Five Word TL:DR Review: This Book is Utterly Delicious
What more can I say. I loved this book. This is one of those books that is simply beautiful. It’s well written, it has so many things going for it. It wants to be savoured but begs to be devoured. It’s magic, it’s fae, it’s dark academia. It has this wisp of A Secret of History, coupled with magical studies, found family and is set during a chaotic period of history where things were changing rapidly.
The story is told by Clover Hill. Clover lives on a farm in the shadow of Pendle Hill but she has ambitions and she’s bright and intelligent. All she needs is a little push and so when her brother is cursed during a battle (WW1) Clover is determined to find the cure. With this in mind, and a little help from others, she gains access to an elite school of magic, shrouded (quite literally) in mist and mystery, this is a place for Family – the upper echelons of society who send their children here to learn magic. As you might imagine, at first Clover doesn’t really blend in very easily until, quite remarkably she’s taken under the wing of the golden boy of the school and his small group of friends. What could possibly go wrong.
Let me tell you the ways in which I loved this book.
Firstly, the writing is so lovely, I found myself reading this in a leisurely way, absorbing the words and not giving a fig how long it was taking to move forward. In fact, I’m sorry it’s over, I really am.
Secondly, the characters. Clover is a great character. She’s real. She’s honest. She recognises that sometimes she does things for selfish purposes, she tries occasionally to kid herself but then she just calls it out for what it is. The secondary characters are really well drawn. They’re all different, with different motivations and they form into this really great unit – until everything goes horribly wrong.
The setting works really well. We have the period feel, WW1 has just ended, it’s a time of change and possibility. Then we have the secret magical world, hidden from most, by the upper classes who believe that magic should be kept for them alone, a belief that has led to the keeping of some very terrible secrets. And, we have the world of the fae, tantalisingly close but locked away (for the most part at least).
And, then, the story. I’m not going to go into any details. I loved it.
In case you can’t tell, I loved this and I’m only here to say good things and spread the love. My one wish – I would love to return to this world, but this feels like a novel that is complete (I hope I’m wrong though). Time to go back and check out this author’s backlist methinks.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 5 of 5 stars
Review: The Last Hour Between Worlds by Melissa Caruso
16 December 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Fantasy, Melissa Caruso, Review, The Last Hour Between Worlds
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Groundhog Day meets Dante’s Inferno
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from The Last Hour but Melissa Caruso is an author I like so I was immediately attracted to this and I’m really happy that I requested it. This is such a captivating story, I loved the writing, the characters the plot and the setting. Put simply it was quite magical.
I’m loving my mysteries at the moment and this definitely brings that element to the story by the bucket load. Caruso has taken a setting which she then uses relentlessly throughout the entire story. You’d think it would become tedious but it’s actually exactly the opposite because each time the clock tolls the hour the room is transformed. Basically, in this world there are echoes. Echoes are like the ‘real’ world but with changes, subtle at first but increasing in oddity and danger as the echoes get lower and lower. I realise I’ve probably made an absolute mess of explaining that but in my head it all makes perfect sense.
So, picture the scene. It’s New Years Eve and Kembral Thorne is going to a party. Kem is an investigator for the Hounds but currently on maternity leave with a young baby. She’s still struggling to come to grips with everything, especially as the father made a swift exit when he discovered the pregnancy. This is the first time that Kem has been out since the birth and she’s 50% elation and 60% guilt. She’s absolutely determined to enjoy this decadent party, even though some of her colleagues, also in attendance, are also determined to plague her about when she’s going to return to work.
Also at the party, Rika Nonesuch (which, can I just say I love that name for some inexplicable reason). The two have a history that ended in tears. Well, Rika is a Cat – and we all know that cats and dogs can be at each other’s throats. She’s a burglar, and one of the best.
On top of this something just feels wrong. Even though she’s exhausted, sleep deprived and ridden with guilt Kem can’t help detecting little things that seem amiss, not to mention having a sudden pull towards an old clock that seems to be a relic from the past – and also haunted by a young girl.
I don’t want to give away too much about the plot, basically, there are some seriously big players (by which I mean powerful) using this party as their own personal playground to try and score points over each other. Each level gets more and more intense until the bodycount and action are crazy.
The setting. Well, we have a few little excursions out into the wilder parts of some of the echoes and they are creepy and yet strangely exhilarating. But, the majority of the action takes place within the mansion where the party is being held. The absolutely winning element is that as the clock strikes the hour the house finds itself an echo lower with the danger cranking up each time. Also, each time the house ‘falls’, for want of a better word, it’s like a reset button has been pressed and all the players (mostly) are back on the board. I loved this idea – hence the groundhog day comparison. Each level the mansion changes. I mean, could you make it any more complicated for yourself as an author – but I loved this idea. There’s such a lot of creativity and it’s so cunningly explored.
I think the two main characters are good together. They know each other, they have a history, they start things definitely on a rocky footing but gradually have to pull together to survive and this is when all the kinks start to get worked out.
The pacing is really good. There is time to reflect, there’s plenty of action and sometimes it feels like hardly enough time to catch your breath before the next crisis, but, as I said, this is very well executed and there are always little moments for respite.
The writing is beautiful. I was quite mesmerised really. I don’t know what else I can say other than it was a lovely read. I wouldn’t say I sped through this but that’s more to do with my reading at the moment and I actually enjoyed taking my time and savouring every element.
In conclusion. A beautifully written mystery with plenty of magic, critters and characters that really grow on you. I can’t wait for the next instalment.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publishers, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
Review: The September House by Carissa Orlando
28 November 2024
Filed under Book Reviews
Tags: Book Reviews, Books, Carissa Orlando, fiction, Horror, Review, The September House
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Could It Be More Haunted?
I could literally reread this book right now. I loved it. It’s creepy and dark but also manages to inject humour and love into a story that is an absolute roller coaster, full of twists with a tense finale and, quite possibly, one of the most unique ghost stories I’ve read.
Now, firstly, if you’re thinking, ‘ohh, this might be too scary for me’, you’re possibly right, but, I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to scary stories and horror and so although this is very much a haunting, I wouldn’t say it’s terrifying. It’s one of those stories that hooks you instantly and you read it with a sense of wonder and awe, like its, well, fascinating. I couldn’t put it down to be fair but let’s backtrack a little.
This is the story of a couple who buy their dream house. The thing is, this beautiful old house, packed with distinctive features is being sold far below the expected market value – we have a saying ‘if something is too good to be true then it usually is’ (too good to be true that is). This house, it comes with an unsavoury history but Margaret and her husband Hal are so enamoured with it’s beauty and so desperate to finally have a home to call their own that they rush in to the purchase without a care in the world. Of course, when they move in they soon discover that this house will not be denied. There are ghosts aplenty and lots of strange occurences, creaky floorboards don’t even cover it – we’re talking blood dripping down the walls. I mean, frankly, that would have to be one fine house to keep my scaredy pants living there, but Margaret is nothing if not determined. No ghosts are going to drive her out of this dreamboat. Hal, well he’s made of weaker stuff and after four years he’s had enough. This is when the fun and games begin. Margaret and Hal’s daughter, Katherine, has never been to visit – they’ve always made excuses up to keep her away, but now, with her father missing and no answers forthcoming from Margaret as to his whereabouts you better believe that Katherine is coming to visit – and it’s September – the month when the strange and wacky gets cranked up to full volume.
I mean, I don’t really want to elaborate about the plot – it’s good, imo, that’s all you need to know.
What I loved about this.
The writing, first and foremost. I enjoyed reading this so much. It’s such an easy book to engage with and I liked Margaret.
There’s this totally OTT feel to it – it’s like Margaret and Hal have moved into the Adam’s Family house. Things are just odd. For example there are no shortage of ghosts, but one of them is quite helpful, makes pots of tea and helps changing the beds and cleaning – I mean, I have to admit, I wouldn’t mind an extra pair of helping hands – although it depends on whether you can cope with the very apparent injuries on display!
There is much more to the story than really meets the eye. Margaret’s behaviour for example, why she is so dogmatically determined to stay in the house. Margaret’s own story interweaves really well and you slowly begin to understand that things were maybe not always quite so cosy in her marriage. Lets just say she’s learnt to follow the rules and so she applies the same logic to surviving the house – for example, don’t go too close to the boy with the sharp teeth – he bites, definitely stay well away from the basement, etc.
Anyway, everything goes very wrong once Katherine comes to stay and the ending is dramatic to say the least.
To conclude, I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this. It was so good. I loved it.
I bought a copy. The above is my own opinion.
My rating 5 of 5 stars
Books and travelling with Lynn 