Book Review: The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

The Exorcist

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The Exorcist 〰️

This book claims to be the most terrifying novel ever written. (At least the edition I was reading has it so on the cover). It perhaps was back when it was first published. Not to say it wasn't bad. It just wasn't as "scary" as I was hoping. Not even remotely. Still a good read.

This book messes with the mind in a way I didn't expect. We know Regan is passed, most likely by the demon Pazuzu. But the way the book is written, we can almost begin to question whether she is indeed possessed or has some mental disorder. (I'm impressed with all the medical knowledge that Blatty seems to possess. He did his research for writing this book. And not just with medical knowledge but with Catholicism and Satanism as well).

Now fear can be subjective, so while I didn't feel any sense of horror in this book, it doesn't mean it isn't terrifying in its own right. I'm sure even people to this day may find it frightening. However, I will say that for its lack of horror elements, Blatty certainly knew how to make me uncomfortable. When Regan begins to masturbate with a cross (among other things), I felt highly uncomfortable, and those scenes didn't sit well for me. It worked to show she was passed by a demon, but yeah. Felt borderline child p**n, and I did not like that. I haven't seen the movie, but I'm sure they cut that out. At least, I hope they did, and if so, thank God.

I will note that I hated the dialogue. Every character sounded the same or very close to each other. The prose was wonderfully written, and it's in the prose where I got a sense of how each character is and acts. But when they opened their mouths to speak, not going to lie; I was not too fond of most of it. It did get more bearable near the end, but I wouldn't say I liked the dialogue in this book.

That being said, this is still a classic story that has earned its right to be called one of the best.

Book Review: Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister

Wrong Place Wrong Time

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Wrong Place Wrong Time 〰️

Where do I begin? This book sold me from the blurb and delivered on its promise of one helluva story. The plot of solving why the MC's son stabbed someone is a good story. But that's not what made this book outstanding. It was the fact that it was all done in reverse! It was such a cool concept.

Imagine witnessing something so terrible as a murder, and done by your own son no less, only to go back in time to find out it hasn't happened yet. And then not only are you not going forward in time every time you sleep, or even repeating the same day, but you just keep going back and back. Like imagine you had to relieve your whole life again, but going backwards. It's insane! I'd worry that even if I solved the crime and uncovered all the answers I needed to know that I would still just keep going back until I was a baby, and then poof, I'm not born. That thankfully doesn't happen to Jen, our MC, but she does go back 20 years, and that's still insane.

What's cool about this concept is that Jen keeps learning things that will help her understand the future, but with each new day, she's like a new person. She's got all this information that she will technically have only learnt in the future, but the people in Jen's life haven't yet revealed it to her. It's just mind-boggling how things are solved in reverse and how far back the mysteries go.

I cannot recommend this book enough. I'll be thinking about it for days. The plot is so fascinating; the characters somehow get well developed, even though we see them as a before rather than a later self (if that makes sense). And somehow, Jen even changed the present while still being able to live the life she had before. This book is for you if you want a fantastic read filled with unique twists and excellent writing. I'd rate it higher if I could.

Book Review: The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

The Final Girl Support Group

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The Final Girl Support Group 〰️

I have been waiting a long time to read this book. I bought it last year in October and was waiting until this October to read it as it's now "spooky month." I had great expectations for this book based on the title alone and was super pumped to read it. Did it meet said expectations? Was it worth the wait? Mostly.

I loved the premise of this book, and I loved that I recognized all the movies that each final girl was based on. I thought this book had an excellent story, having all the final girls going to a support group and then they picked off one by one.

Sadly, while the first few chapters were interesting, I did find it to drag a bit in the middle, and the MC was going from destination to destination of shoddy guesswork at best. But don't get me wrong. I still enjoyed it. And it did pick up in the later half of the book to deliver the slasher stuff we were expecting. I didn't like how the MC kept guessing who the killer was, then proven wrong, then immediately suspecting someone else. Sure she is right in the end, and she figures out the true motives behind the killings. But for a while, it felt like she was bouncing around while things happened to her.

But besides that middle bit, I still thoroughly enjoyed my read. And I loved the showdown at the end. I felt like I was inside the mind of someone who had survived unspeakable horrors. It was nice to read the aftermath of a slasher movie (or book, in this case) many years later from the survivors.

If the middle of this book were a tad different, I would have rated it higher. But still, I recommend this to anyone who loves a good slasher movie and wants to hear more of the final girl's story.

Book Review: White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson

White Smoke

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White Smoke 〰️

I pre-ordered this book during Halloween, and now that it's October once again, I finally got a chance to dig into it. Was it worth the wait? Absolutely.

This book is everything I love in horror movies and more. I was legit on the edge of my seat reading this. The buildup to everything and pacing was spot on. Jackson knows how to deliver a killer story. I do hope this does become a movie or something someday. I would watch the hell out of it.

And in a twist, this book wasn't even supernatural at all! But it was still written like it was, and when the truth was found out, it was still all believable.

I loved the random bed bug facts throughout the book, and it was interesting to see them come into play at the end. Mari had some significant character growth (and not just with the bugs). She learns she is deserving of love and how to be a better sister/daughter. I loved reading about her growth.

I will say, however, that the last chapter felt rushed and a bit unfinished. Although a lot of horror movies I've watched are also kind of like that, so I guess it's normal. I still wanted more resolve, though. But besides that, it was my only negative about the book, and that's a small one at that.

I'm glad I finally got the chance to read this; it was well worth the wait. I highly recommend this to anyone who loves horror and spooky things in general. Great characters, world-building and engaging writing. This book has it all. Could you give it a go and pick up a copy today?

Book Review: The Ivies by Alexa Donne

The Ivies

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The Ivies 〰️

This book held a lot of promise when I read the premise, and for the most part, it held true. I recently read a series where the plot was similar (keyword 'almost'). Where a murder happens, and a journalism student tries to solve it. Many plot points were the same, but make no mistake, the series and this book are still vastly different.

As much as I loved Oliva and her drive to solve the case, the more that I read, the more I wondered why she was in the Ivies in the first place. Sure, she admitted to some of the Ivies traits, but she was basically nothing like them. (As she clearly states herself multiple times). Though, in the end, she does admit a bit more about why she was an Ivie, it felt like she only became one just out of necessity and not because she admired them or wanted to be their friends. But this is the only negative. Well, there is one more, but I'll touch on that in a bit.

As mentioned, I loved Olivia's detective work. Her random uses of 'big words' plus her crime-solving helped us as a reader see how she got into Harvard.

As a Canadian, I found it fascinating to read what the pressure of getting into an Ivy League school in America was like. I've heard stories about the SATs, and I'm thankful I never had to take anything like that to get into school.

The last thing I will say, however, is that Tyler had real motivation for killing Emma but, in the end, did it because he wanted to write a better admissions essay? That felt a little off.

All in all, this was a delightful read with twists all over the place. I kept trying to guess who the killer was, but I never saw Tyler coming. Donne really nailed it there. A short read, but a great one nonetheless.

Book Review: As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson

As Good As Dead

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As Good As Dead 〰️

What a thrilling end to this fantastic trilogy. I was slightly on the fence about book two, but this third one, there is no doubt. This one had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

I love how Pip's PTSD is handled. I love how we watch her slowly fall apart as she gets involved with a new case. I was floored when she was abducted, and if it wasn't for the fact that there was half a book left, I was sure she was done for. Her abduction to escape had me gripping the book so tight it left an impression. Then when Pip does the unthinkable, wow. We all wanted it to happen, but could we do the same? And cover it up so perfectly as she had done? I've always wondered if people who research a lot into true crime could actually get away with murder. Well, theoretically, at least in this book, they can.

I'm not usually into mystery/thriller books. But this series was so well written, so well thought out, that I couldn't put it down. Jackson truly knows her craft, and she delivers it with a punch to the gut. (Also, that ending!)

If you are looking for a new read, may I suggest this Good Girl series? (Though your definition of "good" may be warped in the end). Jackson is sure to be an author to look out for. I'll be keeping an eye on her future publications.

May Pip and Ravi find a wonderful life together.

Book Review: Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

Good Girl, Bad Blood

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Good Girl, Bad Blood 〰️

Actual rating 4.5 stars.

I'm not sure how I feel about this book. I for sure enjoyed reading it. But it almost felt like it was written because the first one was successful. Was it a story that needed to be continued? I'm unsure. But I will say I did love it. I also love that we got an explanation for the title of the first book in the form of the podcast. It felt odd having it be explained in book 2, but it was a friendly call back to the first book.

Good Girl, Bad Blood cover

I won't lie. The book was a little slow for me at the start. But when it picked up, it picked up hard. For me, anyway. I love the detail of every mystery and how Pip (and co.) solve the crimes that the police don't.

I will say, however, that Pip is highly knowledgeable about how the justice system and police work are done, which is fine. People have their hobbies, and she must have done a lot of research, most of which we saw in the first book. But it feels as though Pip should be more than just an eighteen-year-old girl solving crimes far beyond her years.

Is this book a worthy sequel? I think it is. I'm curious to see how the third book will play out. Something tells me it will be a continuation of the "Child Brunswick" storyline. The first book works as a standalone, and while this one has a fresh story, albiet similar to the first novel, it can also stand alone. But the ending also leaves a bit of ambiguity to continue. (Which is confirmed as it's a trilogy). I'm interested to see how it all plays out.

I don't think it's as strong as the first book until midway through the story, but this is still a worthy read.

Book Review: A Good Girl's Guide To Murder by Holly Jackson

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

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A Good Girl's Guide to Murder 〰️

I'm not usually one for mystery case-solving type books, but I bought this anyway because of the catchy title. I am happy to say that it exceeded any expectations I had of it, and it was actually a hella dope read.

I love how the story is technically told in the third and first person (when Pip writes up her project logs). It doesn't feel like a tonal shift between Pip's log entries and the actual story. It flows very well together, and each part complements each other.

Jackson had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Her writing style is captivating. I'm impressed with the amount of world-building that was done to make this story so believable. I didn't know who to suspect in the murder, and when it was revealed who was the real killer(s), I was shocked. But I was also not surprised as the foundation was properly laid out. I usually find mystery books hard to follow for some reason, but Jackson made it easy to read while not compromising the plot.

I am pleased to know that there are two more books in this series and happy that I bought the box set. Though I must admit, everything tied up so nicely in this book that I have no idea what to expect next. I tend not to read the synopsis of the next book in a series to keep the suspense, so I can't wait to dive into that.

If you like mystery, case solving that is good old investigative reporter style and not a cop, with a little bit of romance and murder, this is the book for you.