Wonderfully disturbing. Jackson delivers a coming of age tale ...
352305
Wonderfully disturbing.  Jackson delivers a coming of age tale that will seize you, shake you and refuse to let go. Not a word wasted, this short novel slams with an insightful and yet cutting punch.  Highly recommended.
2451584
Suitable for YA and adult audiences, Small Things is a paranormal tale set in the 1970s. Shawn is every bit the nave fifteen-year-old, wondering if the recently released movie Jaws will be too scary for a first date, but, just like the teenage Harry Potter, his appeal as the hero of this story is unquestionable.

Winding history, religion and the heartbreaking grief from losing those we love into this story, DeRouen has created a monster tale that sucks you in with no intention of spitting you out soon.

I'm delighted to hear there's a sequel, because I'll definitely be reading that next.
2906251
A dark, disturbing tale dealing everything from suicide, drugs, occult, bullying, love and romance, teenage motherhood and more. Graphic scenes, so be warned. Id recommend it for 16+ readers.

What happens when one woman (Aubrey) stumbles across a cursed book titled Something? She reads it and passes it along to others. Something is out there and Something is out to get you. Be careful what you read

Something (Wisteria #1) is one of those books where I hated every character. From Aubrey whos suicidal and cuts herself to Nathan whos a self-obsessed jerk to Bella who bullies Aubrey to poor Kendra whos struggling with motherhood I didn't find a redeeming quality in any of them. But then, thats the point, I think. Lambs shifted alarming societal issues to the characteristics of the four teenagers and given them life.

Extremely well-written and almost gothic in nature, Something (Wisteria #1) is horror at its best. While Lamb borrows heavily from the movie, The Ring, she puts her own spin on it. Reading could kill you? You bet! Horror doesnt get any scarier than books out to murder people.

Disclaimer: I received a copy from the author in the hopes Id review it.

My Rating:  4 stars
4789927
A powerful, engrossing, heartbreaking coming-of-age novel with a young protagonist who is both intriguingly singular and totally relatable. Hobson manages to combine tenderness and deep empathy for characters in highly precarious situations with a seamy, gritty view of Oklahoma in the 80s that credibly touches on the satanic and the supernatural. The novel also delves into deep philosophical questions about the nature of death and identity, showing how a young man without the tools to confront these questions is forced to confront them anyway. A definite highlight of 2018!
1536354
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Does it deal with serious, dark, graphic issues? Yes. So it may not be for those with delicate sensibilities or those who are easily offended. But it's an honst portrayal of what probably happens to the poor young girls who are abducted daily and held captive by rapist/murderers. The main character Inara was not super likable, but I get she is a flawed/unreliable character and who wouldn't be after what she had been through. Highly recommend this novel to people who love dark and disturbing novels.
2295824
This is a wonderfully written coming of age story. The prose is thought-provoking, humorous, and engrossing. Colson Whitehead uses humor to effectively bring important issues to the reader's consciousness. He brings the reader back to the 1980's and all the quirky happenings of that time; New Coke - need I say more. We also get a view into the issues that race and class present for teenagers just trying to learn how to fit in to such a complicated world. Also important is the realization and subsequent respect of our history and what generations before us went through and accomplished so that we may live as we do today. It is coming to terms with/recognizing that things we take for granted now were fought for and a price was paid by those who fought for them. The book starts out somewhat light-heartedly and then slowly weaves in the darkness that comes with family dysfunction and alcoholism. It is a well-rounded, funny, and sometimes heart-breaking story of growing up in a world full of choices and consequences.
1700068
Disturbingly great movie - the scenes move you through perceptions you may not expect.
2762787
Wonderfully horrible! So disturbing but I couldn't put it down. Definitely worth the read if psychological horror is your thing. And gruesome horror!!
871984
It sounds like a typical coming-of-age story, but this novel is so much more.  Suspenseful but also profound, poignant, and beautifully written.  I've been recommending it to everyone.
3376559
Yet another young adult dystopian creation, this book looks at what might happen if the US finally compromised on the abortion issue in a way that is both completely unexpected and mutually beneficial (and twisted) way. The premise, though appalling, is quite thought-provoking and it's difficult to look away. Instead of dying, those who are "unwound" live on in another's body in a "divided state," so no lives are ever "lost-" or so the proponents of the law convince themselves. It's disturbing, but somehow logical at the same time. The intriguing chapter that describes a character's unwinding is all at once heartbreaking and horrifying.

The characters are nicely developed and realistic for their ages, given the bizarre situation in which they are placed. I love the way the author chose three very different experiences upon which to focus. Risa is a ward of the state whose musical talent isn't enough to escape her fate of being unwound; a victim of a small budget in tight times. Connor is a boy who can't stay on the right side of trouble, and his parents have had enough. He's not worth the energy it takes to keep him on the straight and narrow, so it's off to be unwound. Finally, we have Lev. Lev has preparing for this his entire life. He is a tithe, chosen from birth as an offering for a higher purpose. He has trained and prepared for this sacrifice, and to him it's an honor. Each of these main characters has a different experience, and, thus, a very different viewpoint on being an unwind. There are several other primary characters who help round out the cast, and each of those characters comes to life on the pages.

Written with a voice that speaks to a young (and older) audience, this book was hard to put down and is full of thought-provoking themes. While many of the "norms" in this time are alien to us, the author does a good job of normalizing them in the context of the book while still allowing us to see the horror. The idea that a parents can retroactively choose to "abort" a child, a child who happens to be going through the emotional and angst-ridden teen years, is almost unfathomable. And yet, when you read this story, it somehow isn't.

It will be some time before I get this book out of my head.

Full review on GraceKrispy's MotherLode blog
1086410
I loved the writing style of this disturbing novel. The descriptions were so unique and painted such a detailed picture of the life of these girls. The story got inside my head and remained there for many days after I finished reading even though I didn't want it to. The suspense builds effectively to the climax, but this novel is not for the timid.
2165352
Right away I wanted Antoine DeWitt to catch a break.  I felt his desperation, his internal struggle to stick around and shoulder his responsibilities, or run and take the easy way out.  He's an easy character to root for.

If claustrophobia, fear of the dark, and gore make you uneasy, this might be a tough read, but you'll be missing out on a gruesome tale that makes it difficult to look away.  There's no doubt Jon Dangle has committed atrocious acts and Antoine is his latest victim in a long line.  But in a sickeningly twisted way, he's almost able to justify his actions and for a moment, Dangle's heinous crimes almost make sense in a 'for the good of mankind' way - which is highly persuasive writing on the author's part.

Graphic imagery abounds and I lost track of the body count in this captivating horror novella.  Bonus points for the stunning cover!  I've read several of Hicks's works and he hasn't disappointed me yet.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
4629342
A well written albeit disturbing tale, sure to haunt my dreams tonight.  Despite the inherent darkness of the story, the richness of the main character(s) portrayed as ultimately human - the best and worst of each of us.  Quite interesting.
4052988
It's very disturbing, to say the least, but well done.
131231
When I first scanned other readers' reviews to see if this new young adult title might peak my fancy, I could have sworn many of them talked about its being a fantasy. I think readers will forgive me when I suggest that for almost the first third of the novel, I could have sworn they were utterly mistaken. Surely MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN was a unique, compelling and utterly fascinating blend of contemporary psychological horror and gothic mystery.

But, sure enough, our young hero, in search of the reasons for his apparent fears and the bizarre aberrant behaviour of his much loved grandfather, ultimately walked smack dab into a well-disguised portal and found himself locked in a time loop. He shared that time with "peculiar children" equipped with very special abilities as well as voracious man-eating wights and monsters, forever doomed to repeat a day in the middle of WW II, forever waiting for a devastating Luftwaffe bombing raid that would destroy the building and kill all the children he had worked so hard to find. All things considered, I'd say that's a rather unique setting for a young man to come of age and to find himself and the first blossoming of love and responsibility.

I'm really quite jealous. Oh sure ... when I was a young teenage reader there was some good literature available but the teenagers these days are, quite frankly, completely spoiled by having access to a phenomenal range of first rate reading. And Ransom Riggs has just added one more winner to an ever growing list. Atmospheric, superbly detailed settings that come to life with vivid detail; wonderful characterization; high speed action; creepy gothic narrative that will raise the hair on the back of your neck; and much more.

Some readers will complain that the story line is not complete, that some threads are left untied and that the characters are left hanging on the edge of the cliff. I say, bring it on! Obviously a sequel is on the drawing board and I'm looking forward to its publication. Highly recommended.

Paul Weiss
856204
An exquisite look at a not so happy tale, Challenger Deep takes you deeper in the mind of an ill boy through two varied narrations, which sometimes overlap. While it is obvious it was geared toward a younger audience, the content is anything but, perplexing and drugging the reader with far too real scenarios and a fiction-like tale. I recommend this to anyone interested in the life of a mentally ill, or someone who goes through similar issues.
2043458
This book is haunting, dark, and deliciously disturbing. It is not for the faint of heart. There are elements of vigilante justice and a group of very smart, broken, but redeemable teenagers.