Brooke Nelson's Blog, page 2
August 2, 2023
SHOULD I READ…? The Haunting of Gillespie House by Darcy Coates
Here I am, with another Darcy Coates book, sitting down to write yet another review where I just… don’t quite know what to say.
Did I like the book? Yes. Was it objectively well written, following a spectacular storyline? Well, kind of.
I am a very subjective book rater, meaning that when I like (or dislike) a story, I figure it is for reasons all my own (how I interpret the book), and not because the book is definitively good or bad. I think that is a good way to describe why I am giving Gillespie House four out of five stars.
There wasn’t much mystery for me, as those parts were pretty quashed by the spoiler-filled synopsis on the back cover. I also just guessed key plot points a lot more quickly than they were revealed in the story. I don’t know if the reader was meant to do this, but I read it more as solely a horror story than a mystery, even though it was perhaps meant to be both.
On the other hand, I enjoy Coates’ simple but effective writing style. She isn’t overly poetic. She is straightforward, and for this genre, I think that style works to her advantage. While horror can be made scarier and more gruesome with fanciful language, it can be just as bone-chilling in plain language, when the characters and plot are effective enough (as they are here).
Another thing I particularly enjoy about Coates’ stories are that she always creates a haunting, vivid setting. That is a factor I often see overlooked in literature, but Gillespie House, along with her other stories, perfectly set up the creepy feeling I look for when starting a horror story.
Note: If you are not a fan of characters who talk out loud to themselves, this is not the book for you. It didn’t bother me, but it was quite noticeable and I know that can be a pet peeve for some.
LINK TO MY FULL PODCAST REVIEW HERE.
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July 13, 2023
Atalanta by Jennifer Saint: A Four Star Review
Atalanta is changing lives, and by lives, I mean one life. And it is mine. I am the life in question.
This book is so so special to me, but I didn’t expect any less. Jennifer Saint has quickly become one of my favorite authors. She is dropping absolute bombshells of books, and I am here for it.
This story is so special to me. The combination of beautifully penned prose and a captivating story make Atalanta the whole package for any fan of Greek myths (or good stories, in general).
This book was so special, I also decided to record a podcast for it. Just a quick little 18 minute one! Enough time to really dig into the guts of the story, but not enough for me to spoil it for you while boring you with a rant. So the perfect timing, really, if you ask me.
I’ve given myself a little free time (finally) and I am really looking forward to getting back into podcasting. I’ve so missed sharing my thoughts on my favorite stories with you and hearing your recommendations for me. So it would mean the world to me if you would go give that episode, or really any of them, a listen through the link here!
Thank you for your continued support, with my books, my podcast, and any other place you may have reached out to me. And as always, if you have any thoughts or recommendations to share with me, leave them in the comments below! I would love to hear if any of you have read Atalanta or any other retellings of Greek myths.
Don’t hesitate to reach out. I love hearing from you all. Have a wonderful day!
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May 8, 2023
The Song of Achilles: A Four Star Review
I have so many thoughts floating around my mind regarding this book, yet somehow, every time I sit down to write them out, my mind goes blank. Suffice to say, I loved this story, so let’s give it a try.
I’m not really sure anyway if I can put into words the exact feelings I got from these characters and this plot. It’s a story I know, not particularly well but I’ve heard it in bits and pieces, generalized in mythological book after book as a mere moment in time, a backdrop to a more important story.
But this book. This brings it back to the spotlight where it belongs. Not just the Trojan War, but the story of Achilles in particular. And it brings to light a story I have thus far heard very little of: the story of Patroclus.
To be perfectly honest, Patroclus makes the book worth reading. His POV is what makes this a beautiful tale and an unforgettable one. His kind spirit and honesty and his view of the world and the people within it are shining star of this book.
Achilles, on the other hand… meh, I’ll take him or leave him. I didn’t care for him so much once the story wore on, and I got to the point eventually where I was rooting for Patroclus to get out of there and live his best life on his own, with his female, non-toxic bestie, but alas, we all (or most of us) know how this story ends. And I, unfortunately, cannot always have what I want. (Cue the tears.)
That said, I think the writing of Achilles truly encompasses the spirit of Greek mythology and the typical male Greek hero. Which is not in itself a bad thing. (It was the other bad things that made me wince.)
I did, however, truly enjoy The Song of Achilles for the most part, and this is in no way meant to be me bashing it. (See the four star rating? I’m no hater. I’m a fan!) I just do not understand the love for Achilles himself. He is rather unflattering and ultimately somewhat unlikable for me. The book on the other hand: super likable, super lovely, and not quite what I expected and that makes me happy.
If you made it this far… phew! You’re a trooper! Thanks for hanging in there and reading my little rants. You’re wonderful. And if you’re looking for your next read, don’t be afraid to go give my own YA thrillers a little peek right here!
I’ll see you very, very soon for my next review!
Have you read The Song of Achilles? If so, what are your thoughts? If not, is it on your TBR? Let me know in the comments!
April 27, 2023
It by Stephen King: A Four Star Review
First of all… yeah, it’s just as scary as you’re thinking it will be.
Do not be fooled into believing it might not be all that spooky because it’s written word and not Bill Skarsgard drooling and chomping arms. It is most definitely is frightening, just in a different sense than the jumpscares from the films.
As someone who watched the movies first and then read the book (boo! what a poser thing to do, I know!), I genuinely enjoyed the book every bit as much as I liked the films. And I really, really liked the films. Stephen King, hopped up on cocaine at the time, truly did create something marvelous and unlike any story I’ve read (or listened to) before. And while it had its flaws (quite disturbing, unnecessary-in-a-book-about-minors flaws, its sheer uniqueness and character-writing charmed its way right into my heart.
So allow me to highlight exactly what worked and why it worked, and exactly what gave me the ick. (You won’t need me to explain the icks. I sure hope they’re universal.)
Thing I liked #1:
The characters. I have never read/watched a story where I love every main character. There isn’t a single one I disliked for even a moment, and that is something that makes IT so special to me.
Beyond that, I was floored how each character, both child and adult, were translated so perfectly to the screen. Every single thing I liked about each person in the movies was reflected in the original telling, and that makes my heart so full. Each character also has their own personality and flaws, and their own way of thinking that identifies them so clearly throughout the book.
Thing I liked #2:
The multiple POVs. Not only were there multiple POVs for the kids and adults, but Pennywise too! That was absolutely wild and definitely something I was not expecting. Getting to hear what was going on in everybody’s head is something that a show or movie can never really handle, and it made the story so much richer and more emotionally charged.
Thing I liked #3:
Richie and Eddie. Need I say more?
(Yes, actually. They should have kissed.)
Thing I liked #4:
The tangents and the ambience they lent to the story. IT truly felt like a book that was going in fifteen directions at once, and I ate that form of storytelling up. Did I need to know the mundane details of everyone’s lives? Not really. But I did like hearing them anyway. I feel like, however long Stephen King would have made this book, I would have been happy to read it. I actually feel a bit empty now that it’s over.
Now that I’ve gotten the goodness out of my system, here are the couple problems I had.
Thing I disliked #1:
Patrick Hockstetter. Did we have to have that detailed of a description about him killing animals? As somebody who loves animals, I’m always going to be biased against placing unnecessary animal deaths into stories. And if King did deem it necessary, then I really would have enjoyed a much longer and more satisfying (spoiler alert, but it’s a pretty duh spoiler) death scene for him too.
Thing I disliked #2:
The tunnel sex. Apparently it is one of the most “famous” scenes from the whole book, and I knew nothing about it until it started. If anything in that book unreasonably terrified me, it was that. There is no reason to be writing that way about minors, Stephen King. None.
Maybe it was the cocaine, but that’s still a pretty bad reason. Somebody should have stopped him, or at least told him it didn’t make any logical sense or improve the story in any way.
Yikes.
BUT…that being said, I overall really enjoyed the book. It would’ve been a five starrer without those two disturbing bits. But I guess that’s what horror is all about: pushing just a little too far into the realm of ungodly, disturbing scenes.
For anybody who watched the movies and liked them, I would 100% recommend this book to you. I have full confidence you will like it. (And as an added bonus, there are enough changes from page to screen that you’ll still be surprised here and there!)
It by Stephen King: A Review
First of all… yeah, it’s just as scary as you’re thinking it will be.
Do not be fooled into believing it might not be all that spooky because it’s written word and not Bill Skarsgard drooling and chomping arms. It is most definitely is frightening, just in a different sense than the jumpscares from the films.
As someone who watched the movies first and then read the book (boo! what a poser thing to do, I know!), I genuinely enjoyed the book every bit as much as I liked the films. And I really, really liked the films. Stephen King, hopped up on cocaine at the time, truly did create something marvelous and unlike any story I’ve read (or listened to) before. And while it had its flaws (quite disturbing, unnecessary-in-a-book-about-minors flaws, its sheer uniqueness and character-writing charmed its way right into my heart.
So allow me to highlight exactly what worked and why it worked, and exactly what gave me the ick. (You won’t need me to explain the icks. I sure hope they’re universal.)
Thing I liked #1:
The characters. I have never read/watched a story where I love every main character. There isn’t a single one I disliked for even a moment, and that is something that makes IT so special to me.
Beyond that, I was floored how each character, both child and adult, were translated so perfectly to the screen. Every single thing I liked about each person in the movies was reflected in the original telling, and that makes my heart so full. Each character also has their own personality and flaws, and their own way of thinking that identifies them so clearly throughout the book.
Thing I liked #2:
The multiple POVs. Not only were there multiple POVs for the kids and adults, but Pennywise too! That was absolutely wild and definitely something I was not expecting. Getting to hear what was going on in everybody’s head is something that a show or movie can never really handle, and it made the story so much richer and more emotionally charged.
Thing I liked #3:
Richie and Eddie. Need I say more?
(Yes, actually. They should have kissed.)
Thing I liked #4:
The tangents and the ambience they lent to the story. IT truly felt like a book that was going in fifteen directions at once, and I ate that form of storytelling up. Did I need to know the mundane details of everyone’s lives? Not really. But I did like hearing them anyway. I feel like, however long Stephen King would have made this book, I would have been happy to read it. I actually feel a bit empty now that it’s over.
Now that I’ve gotten the goodness out of my system, here are the couple problems I had.
Thing I disliked #1:
Patrick Hockstetter. Did we have to have that detailed of a description about him killing animals? As somebody who loves animals, I’m always going to be biased against placing unnecessary animal deaths into stories. And if King did deem it necessary, then I really would have enjoyed a much longer and more satisfying (spoiler alert, but it’s a pretty duh spoiler) death scene for him too.
Thing I disliked #2:
The tunnel sex. Apparently it is one of the most “famous” scenes from the whole book, and I knew nothing about it until it started. If anything in that book unreasonably terrified me, it was that. There is no reason to be writing that way about minors, Stephen King. None.
Maybe it was the cocaine, but that’s still a pretty bad reason. Somebody should have stopped him, or at least told him it didn’t make any logical sense or improve the story in any way.
Yikes.
BUT…that being said, I overall really enjoyed the book. It would’ve been a five starrer without those two disturbing bits. But I guess that’s what horror is all about: pushing just a little too far into the realm of ungodly, disturbing scenes.
For anybody who watched the movies and liked them, I would 100% recommend this book to you. I have full confidence you will like it. (And as an added bonus, there are enough changes from page to screen that you’ll still be surprised here and there!)
December 29, 2022
My podcast is back (with a wild new episode)
I’ve decided to bring back my book reviewing podcast. Woo!
I’m starting in with God Emperor of Dune, my personal favorite in the Dune series thus far. I touch on the series as a whole, as well as the fourth installation in particular. It’s definitely one to listen to, even if you haven’t gotten into any of the books yet.
Fear not (lol). As I mentioned in this episode, I will have more episodes coming as I start reading more again. I’ve got another brand new one coming your way in the very new future.
But for now…
Tune into my latest episode on Spotify here, or find more ways to listen through my Linktree. Just scroll through my links until you find ‘My Podcast,’ and find a platform to listen!
Thank you for listening in and continuing to follow my writing and reading journey.
As always, I hope you all have a lovely day full of storytelling and everything wonderful your favorite books have to offer.
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March 9, 2022
The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
Note: Article may contain affiliate links, from which I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
After reading this masterful thriller, it’s hard for me to believe I ever assigned a Ruth Ware book to my DNF pile. The Turn of the Key is nothing less than an exhilarating mystery wrapped up in a unique form of storytelling I don’t believe I’ve ever seen done exactly like this before.
The characters are well crafted, particularly the main character, and I enjoyed the way each of them wove together. I even found the little girls’ personalities and actions to ring true to their ages, which was a pleasant touch, though I had a difficult time connecting with any of the children.
The plot itself is, in a word, spectacular. There is nothing I love more than a truly creepy thriller, and this one had me huddled under more covers than I needed, hoping to keep the ceiling monsters at bay. One of my only real complaints is that I saw part of the conclusion coming from a mile away. I suspect this is only because I read too many of this type of thriller, so I’m bound to get smart at some point, right?
However, I have to be fair and note that I did not at all see a second part of the end coming. Meaning the end end. The final few pages threw me for a loop when I realized not what happened at Heatherbrae, but what happened to the main character by the end of the story. I had to just sit there and think for a while. I adore stories that make me sit and think after I’m done.
All in all, I’m a big fan, and it’s definitely a good one for all my ladies (and gents) out there who enjoy thrillers starring a 30-something woman as its MC. This is another superb book made for us, and let me tell you, it deserves our appreciation!
If you liked The Turn of the Key, you might like…The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen (click here for more info)The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn (click here)The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (click here)Final Girls by Riley Sager (click here)The New Neighbor by Karen Cleveland (click here)Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie (click here)I hope you’ve found yourself a great new read somewhere throughout my review! Happy reading, book friends!
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My BooksTwitterInstagramGoodreadsMarch 7, 2022
The New Neighbor by Karen Cleveland (ARC Review)
With a thrilling plot and a compelling cast of characters, The New Neighbor earns an easy five stars from me.
What is it that I love so much about it? Um, everything, I think, but let’s get a little more specific.
The writing is wonderful, not fanciful. The language isn’t showy and over the top. It is written in the exact way a thriller should be written: straightforward but with emotion, compelling but with pauses in the action to help us understand our characters. It gives me somewhat the same feel as Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen’s joint writing style, though that may just be because I adore all of their writing so fully.
Beyond strictly the writing, I enjoyed the way the characters were crafted. Suspicion fell on almost everyone without the author being too blunt and obvious about who should or shouldn’t be branded a villain until nearer the end. I also cared deeply for the main character, and found myself rooting for her throughout her every move. I really connected with her in a way that isn’t always easy for me to do.
Though there are elements of The New Neighbor that are very much CIA- and FBI-based, I wasn’t confused at all. Cleveland made it all easy to understand, without feeling as though she was talking down to me (a mere mortal who doesn’t understand governmental agency procedures).
I also have to say I was very pleasantly surprised by the pro-America theme to this story. There was much talk, and thought, regarding the importance of people in these high-level government positions being unwavering in their faith to their country, and how disastrous things can get when there are traitors among them. The main character also swore allegiance to her country, first and foremost, her friendships coming second to her most important task: keeping America and Americans safe. I absolutely love this, because it’s something I rarely see in books lately, so it adds a whole new depth to the story that most today simply do not possess. Yay for innovative ideas!
Bravo, Karen Cleveland. You’ve written a lovely novel. Please don’t ever stop writing.
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February 28, 2022
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
With a large cast of fascinating characters and an equally intriguing plot to match, Death on the Nile is the perfect mystery. I am a longtime fan of Agatha Christie, particularly her Hercule Poirot series, and she truly outdid herself with this one.
It is a rare moment as of late that I enjoy all the female characters in a book, but this book did it for me. From Jackie to Cornelia to Rosalie, I adored the women of Death on the Nile. That’s not to say the men were disappointing. In fact, they (nearly) lived up to the women, every one of them. I’m just a bit surprised sometimes to see fictional men and women written so well. It’s refreshing!
On to the story, and mystery, itself, I absolutely loved it. I had my mind entirely made up on who it was about 5 times, one of which was actually correct but I had no idea at the time. Instead, I kept guessing, sure I was wrong. But that’s the norm with me. On the rare occasion I figure out a mystery for myself, I second guess it, and then choose the wrong person. A very, very wrong person.
For fans of mysteries that are nearly impossible to put down, this is the book for you.
(Also, complete side note, but I’m pretty sure I read this when I was younger and totally forgot I had. It seemed a tad bit familiar to me at times, but I truly remember nothing else of my middle school experience, so who knows?)
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My BooksTwitterInstagramGoodreadsFebruary 22, 2022
Dark Objects by Simon Toyne (ARC Review)
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’m about to do something I really don’t like to do: give a book one star. Unfortunately, I felt really backed into a corner on this one, and I just ended up having a pretty poor reading experience. As always, with reviews of this kind, I want to note that my rating is simply the opinion of one person, and there will certainly be people out there who enjoy the story. I firmly believe that every book has an ideal audience that will love it, but as much as I wanted to be a part of that audience, I am not.
My main issue ended up being the predictability of the story, in which case every “reveal” was actually something I guessed long before. I think much of this had to do with the fact that the author clearly had a bone to pick with a certain political party. I’m not naïve. I know modern politics are included in a lot of books, no matter the genre. But I think those points can be included while also surprising the reader by not making the “bad guy” the most obvious person possible.
I was really hoping for a grand surprise at the end, and for a moment I thought I got one. Then, there was a further surprise that ended up being exactly who I had pegged as the ultimate villain from about 10 percent of the way through, simply from gleaning the author’s political leaning. (A bit of a bummer.)
I also found many of the characters unlikable. There was such a focus, by everyone, even the main characters I was probably supposed to like, on the color of people’s skin, that I found it difficult to form any kind of connection with them. When the anti-gun, anti-violence, (stereotypical “girlboss”) white female protagonist has a whole inner monologue about whether a man is Asian, Pakistani, or Bangladeshi-Irish (or something like that), while there’s a dead person out there, I find it hard to sympathize or understand her train of thought.
All in all, I can honestly say this is not the book for me, but I do hope it finds its way into the right circles.
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