Tag Archive for: Horror

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Dread Nation

Dread NationTitle: Dread Nation
Author: Justina Ireland
Series: Dread Nation #1
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Horror, Young Adult
Format: Kindle
Pages: 418
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating:

My Thoughts

DREAD NATION is the first zombie novel I’ve ever read and I loved it. I loved how the “Shamblers” worked and how they changed the outcome of the Civil War and society in general. The Shamblers were so much fun to read about. I especially loved reading the fight scenes with all the different weaponry used against the dead.

I liked the time period and how Ireland used the setting to discuss the oppression of black people not only during Civil War era United States, but in general the most. Even though the themes are blunt, they’re not preachy. Ireland skillfully addresses issues of racism and inequality while delivering a complex, enthralling story. Reading this book was very eye-opening. I know I’ve lived a very sheltered and safe life (and I’m not talking about a life free of Shamblers). I felt like the story wonderfully illustrates the perseverance and strength black people have while enduring horrific abuse at the hands of those who see them as lesser.

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The Southern Book Club’s Guide To Slaying Vampires

The Southern Book Club’s Guide To Slaying VampiresTitle: The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires
Author: Grady Hendrix
Genre: Fantasy, Horror
Format: Kindle
Pages: 424
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

I’m a sucker for vampires so THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB’S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES appealed to me, but you don’t even meet the vampire (if you can even call him that) until nearly a fourth of the way into the story. Fortunately, the ladies’ book club was entertaining and I really liked them so I didn’t mind. I thought the book had a lot going for it, besides the horror aspect. It was an interesting look at sexism, class, and race in the South during the 90s.

I liked how most of the story played out. (Why were none of the husbands killed off?! They were the worst humans ever. I would even go as far to say they were as bad as the “vampire.”) I wish the women were strong or cared enough to defy their husbands to help the black children instead of waiting until their own children were in danger. I’m disappointed in the ending. It felt anticlimactic. I’m disappointed the “vampire” didn’t die and that whatever he implanted / impregnated Slick with just fizzled and never came to life. Also, the attic is the worst scene I have ever read in my life! Way too many bugs! Talk about giving me the heebie-jeebies!

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The Hollow City

The Hollow CityTitle: The Hollow City
Author: Dan Wells
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Science Fiction
Format: Kindle
Pages: 336
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating:

My Thoughts

I liked the first two thirds of THE HOLLOW CITY a lot. I couldn’t put the book down. It was such an interesting premise and, just like Michael, I wasn’t sure what was real and what wasn’t. But I’m not sure I liked where the book went in the last third. It got a little too sci-fi-y for my taste. I like sci-fi normally but this seemed like it came out of nowhere.