In February I read three books and watched one movie.
Books:
The first book I read was Slayers of Old by Jim C Hines which is a fantasy novel following several former chosen ones who have retired but are being called back to save the world once again. We follow Jenny, Amet, and Temple who think they are done fighting evil and work more to heal but someone is summoning an ancient evil. I loved how everyone you met is connected to the others and come together to save the world.
Next I read The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. This is a dystopian where due to declining fertility rates the Republic of Gilead has forced both men and women but primarly women into very strict social orders. We follow Offred a Handmaid whose job and purpose is to have children for those who can’t but this has been forced upon her. I liked the concept but not how it was written. The writing at times feels disjointed and I had trouble following the timeline of events. Also how Gilead is formed and stays in power doesn’t make logical sense.
The last book I read in February was The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty. This is a historical fantasy that follows Amina who was a pirate but is trying to no longer live that life. When she is contacted by a crewmate’s mother to go after her “kidnapped” granddaughter Amina gathers her crew for one las adventure. I loved how the story unfolded and what is really going on with the granddaughter. This could be read as a standalone but I’m looking forward to the sequel.
Movies:
The only movie I watched was 28 Weeks Later. 28 Weeks Later is a zombie movie and the sequel to 28 Days Later where after 28 weeks most of those infected with the rage virus have starved and there is now a military run protected zone in London. When two kids sneak out to their old home they find their mother who while infected shows no symptoms she is brought into the protected zone, her husband get infected, and the spreading virus destroys everything. While not a bad movie in comparison to 28 Days which felt like it had something to say about society 28 Weeks is just another zombie movie.
In January I read four books/short stories, watched four movies including two documenteries, and played one video game.
Books:
The first thing I read was the short story These Deathless Bones by Cassandra Khaw. This is a horror short story about a witch bride who is the second wife of a king and the conflict between her and his son. The son is a horrible person who kills both people and animal and he gets what he deserves. I loved Cassandra Khaw’s writing and the ending.
In Mercy, Rain by Seanan McGuire is a short story set in the Wayward Children series following Jack in the Moors. Set shortly after Jack goes with the mad scientist and gives us some idea on what Jack’s life was like in the Moors. I love this series and Jack is one of my favorite characters so I always like getting more of her story.
The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amelie Wen Zhao is a Chinese inspired fantasy where demons roam the land after the war between the Kingdom of Night and the Kingdom of Rivers. We follow An Ying who decides to enter the immortality trails to heal her dying mother. I loved the premise but not the execution. I’m getting a little tired of competition stories and I didn’t find the romance believable.
The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley is the first book in a slow burn enemies to lovers Romantasy. We follow Osric a member of an order of assassins whose magic is slowly dying. He forces Aurienne a healer to help him by funding a cure for a plague. The story is primarily about their relationship and budding romance but mysteries are uncovered. I loved this book and have a full review posted as well.
Movies:
In January I watched two movie and two documentaries. I rewatched Jurassic Park which has always been a favorite and I think will continue to be. Really all I have to say is if you haven’t seen the original Jurassic Park you should.
Next I was able to go see Iron Lung in theaters. Iron Lung is the YouTuber Markiplier’s first feature film and is a horror movie that is based on the video game of the same name. After the events of the Quite Rapture where all of the planets and humanity expect those on space stations have disappeared, moons covered in oceans of blood have been found. We follow the Convict Simon who is being sent down in a submarine to explore these blood oceans. I loved this movie and have a full review posted. I need to purchase a copy because this is one of those movies that I think is better understood on rewatch.
The first documentary I watched was Markiplier From North Korea, which is a documentary where Markiplier travels to South Korea with is mom and learns more about the family history and his grandfather’s escape from North Korea. I watched this because a book of the same name is coming out and I wanted to see what the documentary is. I would recommend this for fans of Markiplier.
Finally I watched the documentary Wick is Pain which is all about the John Wick movies, how the movies where made, and how physically tasking they were. I enjoyed it and I would recommend it for fans of the John Wick movies.
Video Game:
The only video game I played this month was the puzzle game Is This Seat Taken. Which is a puzzle game where your characters who are different shape have to be placed in cars, planes, buses etc. while taking into account each characters preferences such as not hearing loud music, being next to specific characters etc. I played this on Switch and found it to be a cute but quick game.
Iron Lung is the horror movie based on the video game of the same name that was written, edited, and directed by the Youtuber Markiplier (Mark Fischbach). In the future after the events of the Quite Rapture where all plants and stars disappeared and the only people left are those on space stations and space ships however moons that are covered in oceans of blood have been found. We follow the Convict (Simon) who is sent down in a sub nicknamed the Iron Lung to explore a blood ocean and if he survives he has been promised his freedom.
Considering that this is Markiplier’s first feature length movie and he has to carry to movie as most scenes only have Simon interacting through a radio I really enjoyed this movie. Simon is sent down into the blood ocean to map it and find out what if anything is there. However, when he photographs a skeleton he is sent back down to get a sample and things start to go wrong. Even though spoilers have been post else were I don’t want to discuss spoilers as there where many things I didn’t realize until I thought about it and I feel like if you haven’t seen the movie yet you should go in a blind as possible.
The best movie I can compare Iron Lung to would be Event Horizon as they are both cosmic horrors and I at times questioned what was really happening verses what might be in the characters head. I have only watched this movie once when it was in theaters but I plan to purchase it when it becomes available as I feel parts of the story will become more apparent on repeated views. I also really want to pause the movie to get a good look at everything in the sub and what is being photographed.
In November I read six books and watched one movie.
Books:
Dracula by Bram Stoker I listen to as the podcast Re:Dracula which takes the original novel and breaks it up chronologically so you are listing to events as they unfold and has a full cast narration. This is one of my favorite ways to read Dracula. Dracula is my favorite classic but I know that trying to read the novel can be a little bit of a struggle. I would recommend anyone trying to get into the original story to try out this podcast.
Mate by Ali Hazelwood is the sequel to Bride Hazelwood’s first paranormal romance omega verse book and I have a full review also posted. We follow Serena who is the first know human were hybrid and she has become a target that is seems everyone is after. The Alpha of the Northwest pack Koen Alexander turns out to be Serena’s mate but doesn’t seem to want to have anything to do with her. This is a more slow burn romance that I would recommend anyone who liked Bride to try out.
Elantris is Brandon Sanderson’s first published novel and is part of the Cosmere. Set in a fantasy world where ten years before something happened where the city of Elantris was essentially destroyed as those who have the power of the Elantrians are not considered dead and there is no hope for them. We follow prince Raoden who has been taken by Shoad and is sent to live in the city of Elantris, Sarene a princess who was meant to marry Raoden, and Hrathen, a high priest of Shu-Dereth while all of them have different paths their stories become intertwined. Raoden wants to figure out the secrets of Elantris, help his new people, learn to survive and hopes that Arelon doesn’t fall apart. Sarene to help her own people stays in Arelon and gets involved in the politics. Meanwhile, Hrathan has been sent to convert the people of Arelon and if that doesn’t happen they will be wiped out. While Elantris is one of Sanderson’s weaker novels I loved the characters and concepts. Similarly to the Mistborn series there is a focus on religion and how one’s faith can change over time.
The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England by Brandon Sanderson is one the secret project books. This is both a fantasy and sci-fi novel where a man wakes up in a version of Medieval England with no memory. When he finds parts of the Frugal Wizard’s Handbook it turns out that he has chosen to travel here. I find the ideas in this book interesting but didn’t love the main character having memory loss for much of the story.
Dumbledore: The Life and Lies of Hogwarts Headmaster An Unoffical Exploration by Irvin Khaytman is exactly what it says it is. This is a nonfiction book that reads more like an article about Dumbledore and what he is doing through the Harry Potter books. The focus is on what he knew, when he knew it, and how his decision impacted other characters. An interesting deep dive on Dumbledore but a little boring in some areas. I would only recommend this to fans that want to research different theories and understandings of these characters as this is a book that I feel only a select few will enjoy.
The last book I read was Saiyuki Reload volume 8 by Kazuya Minekura. This once again continues the Saiyuki story and I plan to have a more thorough review of Saiyuki Reload posted at some point.
Movies:
The only movie I watched in November was Hell House LLC: Lineage. Lineage is set after all the other Hell House movies. We follow Vanessa who survived Russell Wynn’s Insomnia production at the Abaddon Hotel and who now lives in town. It turns out that she and others are connected to the Abaddon Hotel, Carmichael Manor, and Andrew Tully. Going into this movie I believed that is would be the last movie in the series but with how this movie ends there are too many loose ends and I would expect another movie at some point. I enjoy the Hell House series but this one is no longer a found footage movie and because of that I feel like it loses some of the charm of the others. I have never found these movie all that scary this one is I didn’t find scary at all just creepy.
In October I read eight books and watched one movie.
Books:
The first book I read was Food to Die For: Recipes and Stories from America’s Most Legendary Haunted Places by Amy Bruni. This is a cookbook written by paranormal investigator Amy Bruni. She takes recipes that are connected to haunted places and uses this to tell the story of these places. A cool concept and I liked the stories but some of the recipes are out there and I’m not sure many people would make them.
Next I read Queen Demon by Martha Wells and I have a full review posted as well. This is the second book in the Rising World series and we follow Kai and his companions after the event of Witch King. The story focuses on the fact that Dahin believes that he knows the location of the Hierarchs well of power and the possibility of a new Hierarch rising. I greatly enjoy this series and based on the ending I do expect that there will be at least one more book in the series.
Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston is a Star Wars canon novel following Ahsoka after the end of the Clone Wars and surviving Order 66. She is traveling to different planets and working odd jobs while hiding that she used to be a Jedi. To save the people she has grown to care about Ahsoka realizes that she never really stopped being a Jedi and starts to work with the Rebellion.
A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P. Djeli Clark is a short story set before A Master of Djinn. In an alternate Cairo where magic and supernatural entities exist, when an odd suicide happens investigator Fatima must find out the truth and stop a plot that could unravel time itself. While connected to A Master of Djinn it doesn’t require you to have read any part of the series before this short story. I enjoyed this and plan to read more of the series in the future.
Sister Wife: A Memoir of Faith, Family, and Finding Freedom by Christine Brown Woolley is Christine’s story from the show Sister Wives. This book starts with her childhood, follows into her early marriage with Cody, then starting the show to eventually leaving both the Church and Cody. It’s nice to see this story told by one of the wives. Though I do feel like this is Christine’s truth which might be different for other members of the family.
The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher follows a young woman, Mouse, who agrees to clean out her grandmothers horded house but there are things in the woods. A creepy horror story but does tell you that everything will be fine at the beginning. The ending is fairly cathartic for the characters. This was a reread for me as my book club was reading it and I still really liked it.
Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire is the seventh book in the Wayward Children series and I have a full review posted as well. After having been to the Moors Cora is having nightmares and decides to transfer to the Whitethorn Institute the “sister” school to Eleanor West’s but this school focuses on making the students forget about their door and reinter society. However, it’s clear that something not quite right is happening at the Whitethorn Institute. I didn’t like this one as much as others in the series but I think some of the information introduced will come back in future stories.
The last book I read was I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf by Grant Snider. An illustrated book/comic about books, book lovers, and writers. Cute but doesn’t have much substance though I would recommend to big book lovers.
Movies:
The only movie I watched this month was 28 Days Later. I’ve never watched 28 Days Later before but since 28 Years Later is now on Netflix I decided it was time to watch it. Overall, I enjoyed this zombie movie and can see why it was so popular.
In August I only finished one TV show and one movie so I decided to combine the August and September Wrap Ups. In September I read five books, watched two movies, and played the demo for a new video game.
Books:
The Unwanted Guest by Tamsyn Muir is a short story in the Locked Tomb series. Palamades Sextus and Ianthe Tridentarius match wits on a dreamlike battlefield. Mostly a discussion between these two characters which I don’t feel like I understood but I liked it. Honestly, most Locked Tomb things leave me confused.
The Cautious Traveler’s Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah Brooks is a historical fantasy where the Trans-Siberian Express train travels the wastelands to connect Russia and China. We follow different passengers on the train and learn how the wastelands are changing and how that impacts the passengers.
Mistress of Lies by K.M. Enright is a dark fantasy set in a world where society is divided by between those who are blood workers and those who are not. Blood workers use blood to do different magic and is vampiric in nature. We follow Shan who is trying to protect her brother and Samuel who has a terrible gift as they have been tasked to find out who has been committing murders in the city. I liked the story overall and was not expecting how it ended. I look forward to continuing this series.
Manga Classics: Dracula is a manga retelling of Dracula by Bram Stoker and I have a full review posted. While it is a retelling based on changing the medium the story is told in it is using the original text of the novel and is fairly accurate to the novel. I enjoyed this take on Dracula and would recommend this as a way to get in to the story if you didn’t enjoy the reading experience of the original novel.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Mass is the first book in this romantasy series inspired by Beauty and the Beast. We follow Feyre who kills a wolf in the woods to use the pelt for money to feed her family. However, it turns out that the wolf was a fae and now Feyre must go to the fae realm and live there for the rest of her days. This is a reread for me as I intend to continue on with the series but I didn’t remember much from the first time I read it. While I understand that not everyone will like Mass’s world and stories I enjoyed it and would recommend it as an intro to romantasy.
TV:
The only TV show I finished was season one of The Terror. The Terror is a drama/supernatural anthology series where each season is a contained and unconnected story, the first season is based on a book by the same name. Season one follows the events of the Franklin expedition to find the North West Passage through the Arctic Ocean and was supposed to be a sea lane connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The expedition gets stuck in the ice and after an encounter with some of the natives a something starts terrorizing them. This is an interesting take on a historical event and while I enjoyed it, it’s a very slow start. I do intend to watch the next season which is set during World War II at a Japanese internment camp.
Movies:
The first movie I watched was A Quite Place Day One. Which heads up the cat survives because I did look that up before watching. This is the third A Quite Place movie but is a prequel to the other two as it follows the events of what happened when everything fell apart and the aliens appear. We are in New York City following Sam, a hospice patient, and Eric, a law student, who end up helping each other.
Next I watched Annabelle Creation which is the second Annabell movie and part of the Conjuring Universe. I’m slowly making my way through the Conjuring movies and trying to watch them in release order. Annabelle Creation focuses on how the Annabelle doll became possessed and what happened before the Warrens obtain it. While I’ve enjoyed all of the Conjuring movies so far I didn’t like this one as much and didn’t really care about most of the characters.
Last I watched The Nun. This is the first Nun movie in the Conjuring Universe and tells us some of the story about the Nun demon Valak before the Warrens become involved. We follow Sister Victoria and Father Burke as they investigate the suicide of a Nun at a remote monastery in Romania. I enjoyed this Conjuring Universe movie and expect that some of the characters will return from how the movie ends.
Game:
The only game I played was the demo for Draculesti which is a romantic horror visual novel where you play a Tans Renfield who is working for Dracula and might find romance along the way. Currently a Demo on Steam and has had a successful Kickstarter to finish the game. I enjoyed the demo and can’t wait to play the full game when it’s released. While not accurate to the original Dracula story I would recommend it to fans of vampires and visual novels.
In March I read three books and watched a movie. All the books I read this month also have full reviews already posted.
Books:
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells is the second book in the Murderbot Diaries. We follow Murderbot after he has left the group from book one to try and find out why and how he was involved in a massacre at a mining facility before the start of the series. I loved seeing how Murderbot is trying to blend in and the relationship with the ship ART.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers is the first book in the Monk and Robot series. We follow Dex a tea monk that travels and helps people by listing to problems kind of like a therapist. While stuck in a rut Dex decides to travel into the wilderness and ends up meeting the robot Mosscap. Mosscap has been sent on a journey by other robots to try and find out what humans need. They end up helping and learning from each other on their travels.
The last book I read this month was Overgrowth by Mira Grant. We follow Stasia who has always said that she is an alien disguised as a human and that the alien armada is coming. When a alien signal is broadcast people start realizing that maybe she wasn’t lying and it may be too late to change anything. This is a creepy and thought provoking read.
Movies:
The only movie I watched this month was the 2022 Hellraiser movie. This horror movie I felt was okay but I don’t think it compares to the original Hellraiser movie. However, if you are looking for a movie to watch with friends I think you would have a good time.
In October I read five books, decided not to finish two, and watched somethings as well.
Books:
The first book I read was The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher. This was a reread for book club and I have a full review posted. The Hollow Places is a fantasy horror novel where a portal to another world is opened in Kara’s uncle’s house/museum. She ends up exploring this opening and finding out lays beyond. I enjoyed this on reread but definitely feel like this is for fans of horror.
The Goblin King’s Mischief by D. Lieber is a fantasy romance following Lady Melody who wants the Goblin King to fall in love with her. I received a copy from the author and also have a full review posted. This is a charming fantasy romance that I feel would be great for fans of Elise Kova.
Next I read Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. Devil in the White City is a nonfiction book about the creation of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and H.H. Holmes actions around the fair. This does focus more on the fair before going into H.H. Holmes murders but his story is throughout as well. Erik Larson make history very readable and if you have any interest in the topics he writes about I would recommend his books.
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers is a science fiction book where people are sent to space to explore but to adapt to the new environments they change how their bodies look and function. We follow the events of a four man crew but told by Ariadne as a log of events. Eventually, they find out that they haven’t received any messages from Earth and must decide if they should go back to Earth or continue on with the mission. I feel like the ending was meant to be hopeful and allows you to decide what you believe happens but I wanted more.
The last book I finished was Salvation in the Sun by Lauren Lee Merewether. This is a historical fiction novel set in Ancient Egypt during the reign of Akhenaten and Nefertiti. I do have a full review posted. The novel focuses on the Pharaoh trying to take back power from the Cult of Amun by changing the main god being worshiped to the Aten and how that change effects everything. I would recommend this to historical fiction fans and those with an interest in Ancient Egypt.
Books DNF(Did Not Finish):
The two books that I didn’t finish were Chimera by Mira Grant and The Starflower by K.A. Kenny.
Chimera by Mira Grant is the last book in the Parasitology trilogy and I generally like Mira Grant’s work. However, with this series I often felt like same things kept being retread and I found that I no longer cared about what happen.
The Starflower by K.A. Kenny is a science fiction novel following our main character Zim whose military call sign is Starflower. While fighting the Aldrakin she learns of a prophecy that she due to her call sign is supposed to be about her which will impact the universe. I received a copy from the author for review. While the writing was good and the premise interesting I found myself being confused at the beginning and not connecting with any of the character. However, If it sound interesting I would give it a try.
Movies and Shows:
This month I watched The Conjuring 2 as we are in spooky season and I wanted to continue watching the series.
The main show I watched was The Edge of Sleep on Prime TV. This show has the YouTuber Markiplier in it and that’s how I found out about it. The premise is that for some reason if you fall asleep you will die but the world was normal before. We follow a small group of characters that are trying to figure out what is going on. This is a very weird show but I enjoyed it and plan to listen to the podcast version. However, as I’m making this post very late it has since been removed from Prime TV and there doesn’t seem to be a place to watch it at this time.
In September I read five books and watched two movies.
Books:
Egypt’s Second Born by Lauren Lee Merewether is the fifth novella in the Lost Pharaoh Chronicles Prequel series. We follow young prince Amenhotep in the events before Salvation in the Sun. The main focus is on the relationship between Amenhotep and his brother and how their individual relationships with their father are so different. This also gives insight into Amenhotep’s insecurities and where he is emotionally at the start of Salvation in the Sun. This was well written and a very good character study.
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster which was a selection for the book club I’m in. This is a children’s fantasy story that follows Milo who thinks everything is boring but a mysterious tollbooth shows up in his room. He ends up traveling to the Lands Beyond and having an adventure. A cute story that would be great for kids.
Black Talon by Jaime Castle is the start of an Adult fantasy series set in a world where some of the elites have soul bonds with dragons which gives them access to power and magic. The story is told from two perspectives, Kullen who is the emperor’s assassin, and Natisse who is part of the rebellion. Interesting concepts but I don’t plan to continue with the rest of the series. I would have preferred the story to be just from Kullen’s perspective.
The Mitanni Princess by Lauren Lee Merewether is the last novella in the Lost Pharaoh Chronicles Prequel series. We follow the Mitanni Princess Tadukhipu who just wants to paint and love the servant she has fallen for. However she is forbidden to do this and is eventually married off to the Pharaoh. While I don’t understand why she is band from painting I liked Tadukhipu as a character and look forward to seeing her again the Lost Pharaoh Chronicles.
Crape Jugulum by Terry Pratchett is the last book I read this month and another book cub pick. This is one of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld book. An interesting take on vampires and I loved how they tried to acclimate themselves to their weakness. My first Discworld book but while I liked some of the ideas I don’t think Discworld is for me as I don’t read much comedy and very pick with it.
Movies:
The first movie I watched was Annabell. Being spooky season and close to Halloween I intended to watch more horror movies but didn’t get around to many. Annabell is one of the Conjuring Universe movies focusing on the haunted doll Annabell and what happen before the Warren took her. Fairly good haunted doll movie but what I don’t get is why to doll even before its supposed to be haunted is so creepy looking. I would never let that doll into my house.
The only other movie I watched this month was Bettlejuice Bettlejuice which is the sequel to the 1988 film Bettlejuice. While I like the movie, it is a weird movie, there were some plot elements that felt a little rushed to me mostly all the stuff with Bettlejuice’s ex-wife. I loved that most of the original cast was able to return and it didn’t feel like just a cash grab to me.
In August I read four books and watched two movies. I’m currently catching up on all the post that didn’t get published in 2024.
Books:
The first book I read was Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett. This is a historic fantasy following Emily Wilde as she researches fairies and folklore. She arrives at a remote village where she discovers some darker magic and unexpected friendships. When her academic rival Wendell arrives love starts to brew. Emily is a research rat who seems to care more about learning then people but she ends up connecting with the villagers.
The next book I read was Cabinet of Curiosities: A Historical Tour of the Unbelievable, the Unsettling, and the Bizarre by Aaron Mahnke. This is a collection of historical stores and anecdotes about weird things throughout history. The title is accurate as this truly is a cabinet of curiosities through stories. However, at times if felt like we were just scratching the surface of these stories.
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree is the prequel to Legends & Lattes. We follow Viv when she is working for the mercenary company Rackam’s Ravens when she gets injured and is forced to stay in the town of Murk. She ends up meeting and helping the owner of a bookstore and fighting the villain the mercenary group was after. Bookshops & Bonedust shows us who Viv was before she opened the coffee shop and how what you want and need changes over time.
Lucy Undying by Kiersten White is a young adult vampire story following Lucy from Dracula who did not dye and her connection present day with Iris, a woman who is trying to escapes her family and their evil vampire MLM. I have a full review posted and would recommend reading that for more information.
Movies:
The first movie that I watched was Urban Myths from 2022 which is a Korean horror anthology movie. There are ten different parts with each being about 20 minutes long. The focus of each one is a different myth about familiar things such as school, mannequins, social media, and unexplained noises. While I didn’t like all of them I found it an interesting watch that felt different than American horror movies.
The next movie I watched was The Conjuring. I haven’t seen all of the Conjuring movie yet but wanted to re-watch the first before continuing on. The Conjuring follows the paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren during the Perron family case where they believe that their house is haunted. While I like the Conjuring movies I would say to take the based on a true story bit with a grain of salt.
Night Owl Reviews 