Wow. I was not expecting this book to be so powerful. It's message is relatable for so many people in the world. It's such an important message conveyWow. I was not expecting this book to be so powerful. It's message is relatable for so many people in the world. It's such an important message conveyed through the moving, beautiful art found on each page. The color choices are an additionally brilliant choice as well. The message in this book is one we all need to listen to, but adults for sure. It's often adults that perpetuate the cruelty that children then latch onto once. They are taught to harm, which leaves a lasting mark on the world in how it shapes those they harm into the adults they become, and that has got to change. The world needs to change so that children never have to feel this way. I am so glad that I was recommended this book - by a librarian! support your libraries & librarians! - and definitely plan to recommend it to many others....more
As GR ate my original review, this is my attempt to fill one in for the time being. Perhaps in October I'll do a re-read and update accordingly:
I receAs GR ate my original review, this is my attempt to fill one in for the time being. Perhaps in October I'll do a re-read and update accordingly:
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
On a whim, I decided to request a horror book. Me, requesting a horror book? It was surprising. At most I read R.L. Stine when I was a kid and even that scared me. And when it comes to movies I am a baby. So, for me to request one was hilarious, but I didn't think I'd actually get it and then I did. . . and here we are: loving. it.
This was my first time reading T. Kingfisher, and I can't wait to explore more of their works. The way they write is captivating especially when building the tension in regards to the atmosphere of the setting our character, Kara, finds herself in. Kara is just expecting a bit of a relaxed stay at her Uncle Earl's home, a place she enjoyed as a child and hopes will be less stressful to stay at as she starts her life anew than her Mother's place. However, Uncle Earl's home is also his business, the Glory to God Museum of Natural Wonders, Curiosities, and Taxidermy, which comes with its own issues as she takes over running the place while her Uncle Earl is away for a little. Of course, some of these issues are definitely highly unexpected when she finds the hole in the wall. . . Kara is a great character, and her friend Simon from the coffee shop is as well. I love their dynamic throughout the book. While the story is a setting of horror, it doesn't forget that these two characters are people and that is delightful. The sense of humor, and the common sense the characters have at times, balances well with the unease that's introduced with each unnatural description especially in the other world. T. Kingfisher plays with all the senses in a way that can be uncanny. Even as the book left me feeling unsettled at times, I couldn't put it down for long. I just needed to know what would happen. And yes, unsettled is definitely a feeling encountered often as I read. There's a scene with a bus that will forever live rent free in my thoughts and visited my nightmares on more than one occasion. . .
But that won't keep me from reading more from this author or recommending it to everyone....more
I've never really read any Agatha Christie, though I always wanted to and I have to say that this was a nice little read to use as a way to test the wI've never really read any Agatha Christie, though I always wanted to and I have to say that this was a nice little read to use as a way to test the waters. It's impressive how such a fascinating, twisty mystery with interesting characters can be told in such a short time. I guess my favorite thing was how intrigued I was by the background established about this location especially as it was brought into the current tale. I've always been impressed by the skill it takes to tell such a captivating story in a short time. I really enjoyed the narration as well. I'm definitely going to have to try out more by the author later....more
*Note: This was received as an arc through Netgalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my *Note: This was received as an arc through Netgalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own
Honestly, I DNFed this book at like 14% and that was a bummer as I really wanted to enjoy it. The alternative-historical setting is fascinating and fun, there's already a number of interesting characters I wanted to know better, and the story did start flowing pretty decently at a certain point. It's just that the copy I received was an unedited arc, and I was struggling a lot with the writing early on and wasn't sure if it was just the way the author wrote or related to it being unedited. I powered through a bit though as the story started to just flow for me which was promising so I thought maybe we were over the hurdle. Until we come to a time jump and learn that the main character has a made a choice that left me feeling deeply, deeeply uncomfortable. And I just felt like it's not a decision the main character would make especially as another character that was important to her would not have approved. And that was where I decided to DNF. Perhaps, in future I'll give this book another shot, but for the time being I just. . . I'm not interested in finishing it....more
While I didn't enjoy all the stories equally - finding some more morbid than others - they all met the titlDefinitely not your typical bedtime tales!
While I didn't enjoy all the stories equally - finding some more morbid than others - they all met the title at fullspeed. The cast also did a wonderful job with all the stories and the interludes with Nick Offerman giving his thoughts, or a personal tale, were really awesome. The reason I got this book was due to watching him on Parks and Recreation, but the rest of the cast were equally as impressive in this read....more
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