Tag: horror

The Changeling

On By mphiferdavisIn Reviewed by MeganLeave a comment

“Apollo Kagwa has had strange dreams that have haunted him since childhood. An antiquarian book dealer with a business called Improbabilia, he is just beginning to settle into his new life as a committed and involved father, unlike his own father who abandoned him, when his wife Emma begins acting strange. Disconnected and uninterested in their new baby boy, Emma at first seems to be exhibiting all the signs of post-partum depression, but it quickly becomes clear that her troubles go far beyond that. Before Apollo can do anything to help, Emma commits a horrific act—beyond any parent’s comprehension—and vanishes, seemingly into thin air.

Thus begins Apollo’s odyssey through a world he only thought he understood to find a wife and child who are nothing like he’d imagined. His quest begins when he meets a mysterious stranger who claims to have information about Emma’s whereabouts. Apollo then begins a journey that takes him to a forgotten island in the East River of New York City, a graveyard full of secrets, a forest in Queens where immigrant legends still live, and finally back to a place he thought he had lost forever. This dizzying tale is ultimately a story about family and the unfathomable secrets of the people we love.”

The Changeling was one of those books that I felt was starting off slow. However, there is this moment in the middle where the book completely changes and every page after that is a thrill ride. I have recommended this book to a few people mentioning the twist in the middle is a huge WHAT THE HECK moment, but to not be too disturbed. I felt every turn this book took made it more exciting and as I reflect over the story, there is so much that jumps to mind about why I love this book. Victor LaValle is an amazing writer and someone that you should put on your list to read all the books.

If you are interested in this book, order it from MOBIUS when we are able to go back into the building. Or support your local bookstore with a purchase! From the St. Charles are? Check out Main Street Books.

The Institute

On By mphiferdavisIn Book Reviews, Reviewed by MeganLeave a comment

“In the middle of the night, in a house on a quiet street in suburban Minneapolis, intruders silently murder Luke Ellis’s parents and load him into a black SUV. The operation takes less than two minutes. Luke will wake up at The Institute, in a room that looks just like his own, except there’s no window. And outside his door are other doors, behind which are other kids with special talents—telekinesis and telepathy—who got to this place the same way Luke did: Kalisha, Nick, George, Iris, and ten-year-old Avery Dixon. They are all in Front Half. Others, Luke learns, graduated to Back Half, “like the roach motel,” Kalisha says. ‘You check in, but you don’t check out.’”

I am one that always tries to read the new Stephen King, no matter what it is. I typically enjoy most of them (except Revival… sorry not sorry) and this one was exciting, and highly enjoyable.

We first meet Tim who recently stepped down from his police position (he was asked to step down or he was going to be fired). He finds his way to the small town of DuPray and takes up the job of night knocker. After meeting Tim and this small town, we jump to Luke who is a genius kid living in MN. Luke Ellis has a bright future at the age of 12 having been accepted to two prestigious universities. However, he is kidnapped and put into the institute with other children like him. Children that have either TK or TP, telekinesis or telepathy.

Throughout the book, you get to meet other special children and learn what exactly is going on in the institute. What are shots for dots? Is the institute a government facility? What do they need these kids for? Why were we introduced to Tim in the beginning? Why is the cover of the book a kid on a train? These were a few questions I asked while reading and all of these questions and more can be answered if you read it!

I highly recommend this book and if you are interested and are affiliate with Lindenwood, check it out here or request it from MOBIUS. If not a current Lindenwood student, staff, or faculty, check your local library!

Haunted

On By mphiferdavisIn Reviewed by MeganLeave a comment

“Haunted is a novel made up of stories: twenty-three of the most horrifying, hilarious, mind-blowing, stomach-churning tales you’ll ever encounter. The stories are told by people who have all answered an ad headlined ‘Artists Retreat: Abandon your life for three months‘. They are led to believe that here they will leave behind all the distractions of ‘real life’ that are keeping them from creating the masterpiece that is in them.

But here turns out to be a cavernous and ornate old theater where they are utterly isolated from the outside world – and where heat and power and, most importantly, food are in increasingly short supply. And the more desperate the circumstances become, the more desperate the stories they tell – and the more devious their machinations to make themselves the hero of the inevitable play/movie/non-fiction blockbuster that will certainly be made from their plight.”

I absolutely love Chuck Palahniuk. His books usually cross a line many wouldn’t cross and this book is no different. There are stories in here that will make you feel sick and others that will make you put the book down and walk away for a bit. The first background story will have you questioning if you should keep reading; it is that gross. However, Palahniuk does a great job describing the dark side of people and how easily those dark sides come to light, which is why he is one of my favorites. I recommend this book only to put something different on your palate.

Fun fact about the paperback version: the face glows in the dark. Scared me half to death one night as I was going to bed and could see the face shining across the room. Also, I’m sure my face looked like that 75% of the time while reading .

To read this book, request it through MOBIUS.

Locke & Key

On By mphiferdavisIn Book Reviews, Reviewed by MeganLeave a comment

“Locke & Key tells of Keyhouse, an unlikely New England mansion, with fantastic doors that transform all who dare to walk through them. Home to a hate-filled and relentless creature that will not rest until it forces open the most terrible door of them all…”

Two of my favorite genres in one series, horror and graphic novel. Joe Hill, son of Stephen King, is the author of the Locke & Key series that takes you on a journey with Bode, Kinsey, and Tyler as they move in with their mother to Keyhouse and begin discovering its secrets. Throughout the series, 6 keys are found that give “powers” to the holder of the key. For example, the head key (pictured in the second image above) can “unlock” a person’s head. Memories can be taken away, emotions can be pulled out, and items can be added.

The other keys in Keyhouse are just as exciting to learn about, as well as the story that unfolds throughout the 6 issues. I flew through this series and think about picking it up again. If you are interested in horror, give this series a try!

Interested in this book? If you are a student, staff, or faculty at Lindenwood University, you can order the first of the series through MOBIUS.