Review: The Outsiders

5 stars. I was never assigned this, but I see why it's so often included in middle grade curriculum. It's just full of devastating lessons kids should kick around until they absorb them, maybe years later, maybe even when they are adults. My heart was in my throat by the end of the first chapter. Compulsively captivating, and incredibly deep, The Outsiders is the most emotional reading experience I've had in a long time. 

Ponyboy belongs to a group of guys called "Greasers," considered lower class than the affluent "Socs." These two groups are essentially rival gangs, often clashing in fights and other violent ways. The youngest of three Greaser brothers, Ponyboy, is booksmart and sensitive and well in tune with the rules - spoken and unspoken - of the streets. When he and his best friend Johnny get in trouble, they run away, escalating an inevitable confrontation between their enemies and the group they consider family.

Reading the reviews for this is actually fascinating - from the "mehs" to the queer interpretations to the political fear mongering to the outright denial of harsh truths to the glowing praise to the unhealthily obsessed. I do wish I'd been assigned - I'd love to unpack this in a classroom setting.

I'm unsure if you can respond to, or evaluate, this book without taking into account that the author was a teenager when she wrote it. Does this factor account for its brilliance, its style? Her age undoubtedly informed the book's perspective, but it's tremendously mature, and wise... it captures perfectly the way young people crash up against the loss of innocence, certainty, and hope. There are also components of it that do seem immature, or overly simple, or reminiscent of a young person's perception or imagination. No less important, though, or without merit.

This book also presents an incredibly interesting depiction of young men. I don't know if I've encountered a similar exploration of masculinity: the way men fight, seek connection and comfort, identify or relate to each other, how they dream and deal with those dreams, or the loss of those dreams. And of course - I've been thinking a lot about this lately, as I think a lot of Americans are - the class and social warfare aspect, the haves and the have-nots...

I could go on and on. Of particular interest to me was the way adults were depicted - not as a reliable and universal authority, but capable of good and bad, which was again fascinating from a young person's point of view. And the idea of honor... and the cycles of violence... as I said, I could go on and on.

Highly recommend.

The Outsiders on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: The Unquiet (Charlie Parker #6)

3 stars. Not done with this series yet! Feeling really determined to keep it going. I would consider this one of the weaker installments so far, but I'm no less interested in the world this author has created and populated so lovingly with a crowd of dark, disturbing characters. 

Our poor Mr. Parker is hired by Rebecca Clay to help her deal with a stalker... a dangerous man asking questions about her father. Daniel Clay, currently missing, was a child therapist whose patients reported eerie similarities in their testimonies of abuse: being taken by men wearing bird masks. Was Daniel trapped in a web of coincidences, or was he a perpetuator? Where is he now? And this man harassing Rebecca - what is his end game? Charlie's investigation, as always, points to … the absolute worst.

This isn't the sort of writing where the words flow by quickly and your eyes fly down the page. It's dense, and detailed, and heavy. I'm now pretty accustomed to the way Connolly leans into place (with a lot of historical and geographical background about each setting), and character (side quests, tangents, episodic introductions). I missed the stronger supernatural aspects of previous books, but the subtle undertones in this one made it that much creepier. 

I still don't love his female characters, or his representation of queer and Black individuals. Charlie's sharp wit was also very dull in this one - his smartass hat felt ill-fitting, forced, and random at times. Awkward. Not at all funny, TBH. The "cleverness" in his banter with the bad guys was actually borderline annoying, maybe a little questionable or even offensive. But, I do love that Charlie Parker isn't a superhero - he operates very much in the dark for most of these stories, just like us. He makes mistakes. He's haunted, literally and figuratively, and despite his good intentions he isn't always... effective. He's interesting.

I would also mention that the plot and central mystery seemed very... convoluted. It's not that I had trouble following it all, per say... well, maybe I did. I always feel like I need a cheat sheet reading these novels and this one was no different. I also didn't read the accompanying short story, so I was missing some context. Still, the recognizable anchors - the familiar motifs - are all present and accounted for: cults, predators, ghosts. 

I'm looking forward to more. Maybe I'll even do a ranking.

The Unquiet on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Hell House

4 stars. Oh my gosh!! LOL. I was not expecting so many nipples. But it's about time I finally read this classic - and it was absolutely perfect for spooky season. There's plenty of sexist bullshit in here, but I have to admit: I couldn't put it down. And the premise is pretty spectacular.

At the request of an aging millionaire, four investigators - a parapsychologist and his wife, a former actress turned medium, and another medium with a dark history tied to the estate - enter Hell House, a notorious mansion steeped in blood and legend. Each arrives with their own beliefs and methods, determined to uncover proof of life after death. But as their weeklong investigation unfolds, the line between science and the supernatural blurs, and soon they’re forced to question not only what haunts the house - but what haunts them.

I truly enjoyed so much about this book: the history of the house, the mystery at its center, the moments of insanity and fear. The writing is crisp and the pace is almost frantic at times. I think it will appeal to a lot of horror movie lovers; it is cinematic and vivid. It includes a trope I particularly love: a beautiful, ornate historical house that would make an incredible museum if it weren't, you know, haunted.

Perfect? Of course not. Yes, some of the ... imagery is a little pervy, and the character of Edith in particular was so fucking annoying to me. That being said, I didn't read it as homophobic. I've seen plenty of criticism about Edith's fear of "becoming" a lesbian - but to me, that isn't the author's fear; it's the character's. And that makes sense, given her background and worldview. It's not great, sure, but anyone with a lick of sense can read this without walking away scared of or hateful toward gay women.

Anyway, I genuinely had a blast with this. 

Hell House on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls

5 stars. I'll be honest: I hate it when female characters get pregnant. This bothered me before I really even had words to explain it - way before the internet discovered the word "trope." I thought it was boring, silly, and cheap. A lot of dramatic things can happen to a woman that don't involve pregnancy - why do we return to it over and over again? 

Sure, it is absolutely a dramatic thing to happen IRL. Yes, mothers absolutely deserve representation. But I can tell when pregnancy is used as a lazy plot point, like for the sake of a cliffhanger, instead of a genuine factor in a character's development. I can tell. And it drives me crazy.

Imagine how emotional it felt, then, to read this book, in which pregnancy is a major theme, and is in fact written about intentionally, powerfully, and graphically - and woven into horror, my favorite genre, by Grady Hendrix, one of my favorite authors - and how emotional it felt to feel engaged and not put off, to really lean into the narrative because it involved pregnant witches, female empowerment, and revenge...

Fifteen-year-old Neva, pregnant and due in August, is sent to the Wellwood Home in Florida: a secluded refuge for so-called wayward girls. There, stripped of her name and given a new, anonymous identity, she’s told it’s for her own good: she will deliver her baby, surrender it for adoption, and return to her old life as if nothing happened. But isolation breeds rebellion. When the girls are given a book of witchcraft, they begin to test its power. As their bodies and spirits transform, they start to redefine what it means to be “wayward.”

Grady Hendrix gets better with every book, I swear. His writing is so tight now, so full of heart - he's always been amazing at writing hopelessness, which makes it that much more amazing when the tables turn. His signature immersive slang is on full display here, as is his research into the time, place, and spaces in which the story takes place. 

I agree with others that the supernatural aspects of the plot didn't perhaps pack as big of a punch as they could have. I would also argue that they didn't need to, because the reality in which he drops us is horrific enough. The fact that he could take a situation so disturbing, so dark, so depressing, so backwards, so infuriating, so disheartening and make it even the slightest bit amusing and warm and hopeful is really incredible.

And I don't think he does it for shock value, as shocking as some of these details read on the page. I don't think he does it so we sit there in awe asking "how could we have been so ignorant as a society and enforce this ridiculous ignorance on others?" Because that is a question that has never gone away, and likely never will. Trust me, I ask it daily, about things that happen... daily. He carves another entryway into this particular issue and it is truly through the hearts and souls of these women. I felt their female resilience, and resistance, in my bones.

Captivating, gut-wrenching, and powerful. Required reading.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Victorian Psycho

4 stars. It's not like we haven't seen this before... in many shapes and sizes. But this one effectively - delightfully - evokes its granddaddy in all the ways that matter. Consider me deeply impressed. And disgusted. 

The Victorian psycho in question is Winifred Notty, newly appointed governess to the Pound children at Ensor House. Her wards, Andrew and Drusilla, are insufferable, though nothing compared to their dreadful parents. But Miss Notty is full of surprises, and secrets, and when guests arrive for the Christmas holiday, bloody chaos ensues.

Sharp and clever in so many ways, Victorian Psycho is a great time. It pulls a lot from the classic: the protagonist’s topsy turvy grasp on reality, dark and creative kills, etc., but this book is shorter, tighter, and simpler than its American predecessor. It still manages to weave a rich tapestry of disturbing characters. Nobody is spared by the murderess, or the author. And it's hilarious.

Check TWs. I can't recall having read a more graphic book.

Victorian Psycho on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: The Black Angel (Charlie Parker #5)

3 stars. Recovering from a major life interruption (an injured partner, resulting in pseudo-single parenthood, during my biggest and busiest work month of the entire year - honestly it seems trite to spell it out like that but when I tell you I am tired), which means I gave this book a big ole break at the 50% mark. Jumping back in was easier than expected, though, and that's a testament to the story.

In The Black Angel, poor, haunted Charlie Parker is pulled into an investigation to locate a relative of Louis'. He discovers that her disappearance is tangled up in a treasure hunt of sorts for an icon, an icon that supposedly reveals the location of a fallen angel. Yes, an actual fallen angel. Meanwhile, balancing the dark world of his work and his new family proves impossible.

I have to admit - I'm not tired of these books yet. I'm notorious for jumping ship... it's been a longtime goal to finish the series I start. It hasn't been easy - in fact, I might call it downright challenging considering how dense and detailed these particular books are - but it has been rewarding, and honestly interesting to consume a story this way. Charlie Parker's evolution is fascinating. Still, I could use a character guide! My memory just isn't that strong anymore.

A couple of things I reacted negatively to, in this one: 1) how quickly and deeply this turned into horror fantasy. Don't get me wrong - I love horror. It's my primary genre. And I know previous books foreshadowed this. It just felt a little strange to me, like instead of an onramp we were thrown off a cliff. Like the author had an idea for a different series in a different genre but decided to plop Charlie into it because it was easier. He does his best - there are references to how things from previous books fit into the narrative - but ... idk. It felt a little bit like retconning? Allowed but annoying. 2) The writing. Amazing, but not without faults... an overreliance on "for," for one (ex: he went to the store, for he was hungry; he pulled out his umbrella, for it was raining). 3) The fatphobic and sexist elements, leftover from a previous space and time, sure, but also forming a pattern not so easily ignored in this one. 

A couple of things I really enjoyed: 1) Brightwell. The villains in this series are UNBEATABLE. 2) The religious lore/mythology. What a fascinating idea for religious horror!! Takes the Chosen One trope to a whole new/intricate level. 3) The treasure hunt concept. It's actually quite complicated in classic Connolly style, but I was happy to stick with it. The way he unfolds things is really interesting - he zooms in and out in unique ways. This lends itself to incredibly detailed (boring) tangents and deep dives into history and organized crime, but also feels really characteristic of the universe and not a dealbreaker.

Time for a quick break, but I'm excited to jump back in.

The Black Angel on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: Race the Sands

5 stars. Aww, this was amazing. It's a fantasy book that leads with kindness and offers a warm escape. Made me feel good. Reminded me of the fantasy books I grew up with - easygoing but sophisticated and immersive at the same time. Layered and complex without seeming too academic or pretentious. Heroes to root for and villains to hate. Maybe a lesson or two. Very readable - I inhaled it. It's fun.

The inhabitants of Becar, a desert kingdom, are on edge. The Emperor has died, and his brother is poised to take the throne. He cannot until the previous Emperor's soul is found, reborn into a creature as-yet-unknown. Augers, powerful soul-readers who keep the peace, search high and low. Meanwhile, they prepare for the kingdom's major tournament, a monster race. Trainer Verlas, an ex-rider with a stubborn streak and a checkered past, is determined to find a rider motivated enough to help her win, securing stability for herself and her young daughter. She finds it in Raia, a young and brave girl seeking freedom from her toxic family. But not everything is as it seems in Becar: together they must navigate insidious plots, secret identities, dangerous threats and mortal enemies to claim the big prize.

Really, really appreciated the multiple POVs in this one. Not only was the perspective of the coach refreshing (her age - a maternal heroine! - motives, and driving forces struck me as atypical compared to what's popular these days - and, very, very importantly, they didn't seem OTT intentional or token-y), but each character had a truly distinct voice, plus a reason to be there! It just flowed. Nothing out of place. Nothing obvious or forced. 

I hesitate to express this, but I've been thinking a lot recently about the ~ state of things ~ in the book world, and about how with technology and social media we have gained so much: self-published authors! a sense of community and pride! book sales! rediscovered classics! random viral moments! lightweight ereaders! instant recommendations! terms to describe the tropes we know and love but couldn't identify or articulate before! 

And also lost so much: a sense of quiet, or privacy, around reading, even writing; full autonomy and ownership over content; a reliable, accepted concept of artistic trust and license; perhaps an author's freedom to play around and incorporate things and publish something without needing to do a trope reveal, a cover reveal, a blurb reveal; without needing to post the teasers or seek the viral moment so desperately - and yes, authors, it does come across as desperate. I don't blame you. These are desperate times. 

That was a very long, roundabout way of saying simply this: I really loved reading about a found family without feeling like it was being shoved down my throat.

If I had one teeny, tiny, itsy bitsy complaint, it would be that it ran on a teeny, tiny, itsy, bitsy bit too long. Maybe one episode could've been cut? Maybe one minor character's POV chapter? IDK - it's irrelevant. This was absolutely a five star read. Consider this an extremely enthusiastic recommendation. 

Race the Sands on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: The White Road (Charlie Parker #4)

5 stars. Oh man. So dark. So good. Feeling a little worn out by some of the similar themes and plot devices - oh no, is Rachel in danger again? - but I still absolutely devoured this, and delighted in the way things went so super disgusting, disturbing, and dare I say - demonic. 

The White Road actually opens with a familiar trope: Charlie Parker is called down to South Carolina to help an old friend, a lawyer, defend a young man accused of murdering his lover. The victim: a member of a wealthy and influential white family in Charleston. The accused: a poor Black kid from a rival family whose mother and aunt disappeared without a trace decades ago. 

Parker's investigation reveals way more than expected, including an evil that goes back farther than the crime. Meanwhile, the villain of the last book, Reverend Faulkner, puts in motion a plan to exact his revenge and avoid rotting in jail like he deserves.

Who is guilty, who is innocent; justice versus vengeance; monsters old and new and unlikely; shame; madness; human nature. If I had read this 15 years ago I probably would not have thought of it as political as I do now. It does not shy away from aspects of America that require uncomfortable but necessary examination. It feels especially harrowing today, as America slides backwards under our feet. On the other hand, it almost makes the ending that much more satisfying.

This series often comes recommended for fans of True Detective, but I have to say - I didn't really sense those vibes in the first 3. In The White Road, though: not only does Connolly immerse you in the deep South (impressively, for an Irishman), he makes you sit there for a while, mosquito-bitten, sweaty, suffocated by the hate and blood that poisons the land down there. It did remind me of TD, seasons 1 and 3 specifically, and I look forward to chewing on the themes that crisscross both works.

I've been so curious to see how Connolly makes the supernatural/paranormal elements more apparent as the series goes on. It could've so easily gone cheesy, or lame, or out-of-place. I was pleasantly surprised, and creeped out - in a good way. I also adored the connections to one of my favorite themes in "The Wasteland," Dante's Inferno, etc. This is literary horror first, everything else second. 

This book really does stand out as fairly spectacular on all levels, from the sentence structure/word choice to the intricate (I needed a visual character web) plotting and pacing to the vibrancy and vibes and to the overall storytelling. More than once I was reminded of a certain prolific horror author who does it better than anyone; who goes deep and wide, and dark. 

Yep, as I mentioned: super dark, super disturbing - on almost self-indulgent levels. Check TWs. You've been warned. I need a palette cleanser. 

The White Road on: Amazon | Bookshelf.org | Goodreads

Review: Pilgrim

3 stars. Pilgrim is hailed as an obvious successor to the medieval horror giant Between Two Fires, and I can't disagree. It initially follows a German knight and a diverse group of companions as they embark on a dangerous journey to transport a sacred relic. And then their caravan is hit with a major sandstorm, from which they emerge under different stars. This new land, to say the least, is dark and full of terrors, and complicates their quest, which quickly becomes to return home. In a time rich with spiritual belief, superstition, and religious conflict, the knight and his crew face profound revelations amid threats from demons both physical and internal.

On paper, I should not have slogged through this - and yes, the action sequences / monster episodes got and kept my attention. But something about the writing had me chipping away at an uncharacteristically slow speed. The first eight chapters or so, especially. I really wanted to get the details straight, and learn the characters head to toe. I wanted to get their names and heritages and motives down so I could enjoy the wild ride. So I read and re-read those chapters many times, waiting for things to click into place. 

It didn't quite work. The story picked up, but even at the halfway point, I was SMH like how can cosmic religious horror be so... boring? I wasn't not enjoying it, it was just... sloggy. Heavy, dense, bogged down. As creative and cosmic as the imagery was, it was also excessively descriptive, and repetitive. Sometimes it felt like reading a textbook.

But yeah: in addition to the fact that he knows his way around a thesaurus, the author is obviously very talented. One review mentions giving this book 5 stars despite not enjoying it, because it's such a layered, detailed, researched accomplishment. It is incredibly impressive: a historical tapestry of interesting characters, vivid worlds, and grotesque monsters. (He has his favorite words - "slavering" - and his favorite phrases - "gaping maw" - but I digress.) There's a lot of philosophical dialogue - some of it really dripping with angst. The author clearly had a very specific vision for this story and I'd say he likely achieved it for himself. The horror elements are stunning - and stunningly disgusting. 

There's a good chance that if you enjoyed BTF, you'll enjoy this. But go in knowing it's not the same book. If I was more knowledgeable about the big religions, their deities, their origin stories, their myths and legends, and their theistic dynasties, I probably would’ve connected with it more. And I genuinely wish that I did. Religious clash and overlap is something I'm interested in and fascinated by. But this, over and over again, even on the final page, felt like something for the experts. 

Pilgrim on: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Goodreads

Review: The Killing Kind (Charlie Parker #3)

3 stars. Can I get a round of applause for this villain?! Wow - arachnophobes be warned: stay far, far away - this book is not for you. Charlie's back and (surprise, surprise) gets pulled into a particularly twisted case involving a cult leader, the disappearance of his followers, and the death of a young woman investigating his potential reemergence. 

Charlie is still quite literally haunted, and beginning to come to terms with what seems to be a new calling, or drive, to fight for the dead. I'm really enjoying his journey, and the way the supernatural elements continue to unfold. I've always appreciated that Charlie is not a superhero; he experiences fear and trauma and makes mistakes. He gets worn down, he trembles, he has nightmares... but he isn't ashamed of any of this. 

This book zipped right along, but I found it to be a bit weaker than the first two structure-wise. Connolly has pulled the "he's still alive" rug before, so it packed less of a punch in this one, a hit only weakened further by his lack of screen time. Any other twists are kind of telegraphed as well. And the victim? Didn't really feel an emotional connection. No, the plot of this book is merely a vehicle to showcase the creative and cartoonish Mr. Pudd, who is absolutely ridiculous. I loved every inch of him all the same.

Rachel is not my favorite, nor is the trope utilized (a bit cheaply IMO) in the final chapter. I've mentioned this in my reviews for the first two - she's just too obviously written by a man. Angel and Louis, though, man - those two are the best found family ever. I continue to be pleasantly surprised by the sheer American-ness of the writing. America's huge, and Connolly manages to really capture some of its darkest, and lightest, pockets.

I’m starting to get a hang on what to expect from this series: dark, grim, moody mysteries with a lot of detail and focus on the investigator rather than the crime, or the criminals. Can't wait to keep reading.