Horror Archives - Page 3 of 4 - A Literary Escape

ARC Review: The Kingdom of Sweets by Erika Johansen

Published on December 4, 2023December 3, 2023 by Celeste3 Comments

Today’s review is about THE KINGDOM OF SWEETS by Erika Johansen. It’s a dark retelling of The Nutcracker, a Western Christmas-time classic. This fresh spin offers fantasy horror elements amidst a backdrop of social unrest in pre-revolutionary Russia.

Author: Erika Johansen
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Dutton
Publish Date: November 28, 2023
Print Length: 368

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of The Kingdom of Sweets on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

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SFINCS Review: We’re All Monsters Here by Amy Marsden

Published on November 16, 2023November 12, 2023 by Celeste4 Comments

Today’s review is about WE’RE ALL MONSTERS HERE by Amy Marsden. It’s a novella about a vampire who bides her time to take down the Board of an oil company. This quick read is perfect for those who want a heavy helping of vigilantism and a dash of sapphic romance.

This review is brought to you by my participation in the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”, is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the indie community. It’s a sister competition to both SPFBO and SPSFC, and it highlights greatness in the novella format in all areas of speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror, etc.). I am part of Team Behind the Musings. You can find out more about us here.

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ARC Review: A Season of Monstrous Conceptions by Lina Rather

Published on October 19, 2023October 19, 2023 by Celeste6 Comments

Today’s review is about A SEASON OF MONSTROUS CONCEPTIONS by Lina Rather. Described as an eldritch historical fantasy, this novella features uncanny births and the potential end of the world. It’s also a story about what it’s like to live in between worlds or the rules of society.

Author: Lina Rather
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Tordotcom
Publish Date: October 31, 2023
Print Length: 160

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of A Season of Monstrous Conceptions on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

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ARC Review: Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros

Published on October 9, 2023October 1, 2023 by Celeste4 Comments

Today’s review is about WRATH BECOMES HER by Aden Polydoros. It’s a Jewish historical horror novel set in 1943 Lithuania during Nazi occupation. The main character Vera is a golem, an artificial human made from clay and magic, created in the image of someone’s daughter. Her creator instilled in her a main purpose: kill his daughter’s murderers.

Author: Aden Polydoros
Series: None
Age Category: Young Adult
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Publish Date: October 10, 2023
Print Length: 336

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of Wrath Becomes Her on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

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Summer of the Cicadas by Chlesea Catherine

Book Review: Summer of the Cicadas by Chelsea Catherine

Published on June 12, 2023June 11, 2023 by Celeste1 Comment

Today’s review is about SUMMER OF THE CICADAS by Chelsea Catherine. It’s a novella-length soft horror story about a cicada “invasion,” confronting loss, and becoming a leader.

Author: Chelsea Catherine
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Red Hen Press
Publish Date: August 18, 2020
Print Length: 160

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of Summer of the Cicadas on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

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