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caracabe's reviews
110 reviews
No One Will Come Back For Us by Premee Mohamed
4.0
A blend of science fiction, folk horror, and cosmic horror, this collection of stories is hard to classify but well worth reading. The story notes at the end are an entertaining touch. (Tip: read the story before the note. Spoilers.) My favorite pieces here are “Four Hours of a Revolution” and “Quietus,” but there’s not a clunker in the book.
Monster, She Wrote: The Women Who Pioneered Horror and Speculative Fiction by Lisa Kröger, Melanie R. Anderson
4.0
An interesting book in itself, and a good resource to plan your future reading. My TBR list has grown by a few dozen titles. I’m happy that this book starts with Margaret Cavendish, and that it includes Nobel laureate Toni Morrison as a horror writer.
Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung
4.0
Bora Chung is versatile in her weirdness. Some of these stories might be classed as surrealism, some as horror, some as science fiction or fantasy. Almost always, the characters are relatable no matter how bizarre their circumstances.
Lone Women by Victor LaValle
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This novel always has another surprise in store, but the surprises are organic, not gimmicky. It’s a story about racism, sexism, classism, and other isms, but also about personal regrets and second chances. It absolutely nails the landing.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
4.0
Some parts of this book I found profoundly helpful, and some parts seemed very silly; but the parts I found silly might be just what’s needed for some other reader.
The Complete Stories of Leonora Carrington by Leonora Carrington
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
As a visual artist, Carrington was unjustly overshadowed by her lover Max Ernst. Her literary works have similarly been underrated. She was one of the greats of surrealism, and these stories are disturbing, funny, confusing, horrifying, poignant, and deeply philosophical, often all at once.
Tell Me I'm Worthless by Alison Rumfitt
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Personal and political horror, in which the characters are haunted by a house, England is haunted by fascism, and the world is haunted by England. A lumpy, brutal, brilliant work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Self harm, Suicide, Transphobia, and Antisemitism
The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club: A Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery by Dorothy L. Sayers
3.5
A book of its time (or maybe of a SLIGHTLY later time), but quite entertaining.