TRIGGER WARNING by Neil Gaiman

February 12, 2015
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SHORT FICTIONS AND DISTURBANCES

Fans of the fantastical and horrific, take note: Neil Gaiman’s latest collection is an absolute must have. Trigger Warning features twenty-four pieces from the author ranging from poetry and folklore to Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who.

A few of the pieces are new to the collection, including “Black Dog” a somewhat creepy tale featuring Shadow Moon of American Gods, but many of the tales – “The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains…,” “A Lunar Labyrinth,” and  “A Calendar of Tales” – to name a few, have appeared elsewhere and are collected here together for the first time.

A few of my personal favorites are the abovementioned “Black Dog” and “A Calendar of Tales,” which stemmed from a project/partnership with Blackberry. “Nothing O’Clock,” featuring Matt Smith’s Doctor Who, the kind of terrifying “Click-Clack the Rattlebag,” and “Adventure Story” round out my top five.

Trigger Warning is a pretty amazing collection all told, one that’s sure to please longtime fans but will also serve as a great introduction to Gaiman’s phenomenal scope and talent.

2/15 Becky LeJeune

TRIGGER WARNING: SHORT FICTIONS AND DISTURBANCES by Neil Gaiman. William Morrow (February 3, 2015). ISBN: 978-0062330260. 352p.

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Posted by Stacy Alesi

BIRD BOX by Josh Malerman

January 30, 2015

Four years ago something devastating began infecting people around the world. The outbreak was so baffling and odd that at first no one was quite aware of what was happening. People turned on one another – reports of violence in remote areas expanded and spread until those left began barricading themselves indoors. It was a viral madness, the cause of which seemed to be as simple as seeing something so horrible that it drove the viewer insane.

Malorie has lasted this long by living in perpetual blindness. It’s an awful and horrifying existence, one that her two children have only ever known. But Malorie knows they can’t continue like this and decides it’s time to try and move on. To do so means exposing them all to whatever caused this plague of insanity and hoping they can get to their final destination without laying eyes on it.

Josh Malerman’s debut is crazy fabulous. From page one I knew it was going to be unique but quite soon after that I realized it was going to be amazing.

Malorie’s world is cut off. She lived with her sister when the outbreak started, discovering that she was pregnant just as things got really bad. And then she was alone. But she was able to find others. She was able to find a safe haven. And they learned more about what was going on around them. All of this is revealed to the reader as the story progresses. Malerman begins the book with Malorie facing her coming journey with the kids, unfolding the past and present portions of the story through alternating chapters.

As the book progresses, we learn just how strong Malorie is and just how determined she’s had to be to get by this long. It’s a tense and terrifying tale. In fact, Bird Box is one of the outright creepiest horror reads I think I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.

01/15 Becky LeJeune

Read on for the BookBitch review:

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Malorie is a young mother of two children known simply as Boy and Girl, and she is a survivor living in a post-apocalyptic world, raising her children to use all their senses, especially their listening skills, as sight is not an option here.

In this world, the survivors struggle to stay alive by living indoors with all the windows boarded up; the sight of whatever is outside is causing people to become violent murderers, as well as suicidal, in the most horrific ways possible.

The book moves back and forth over a four year period when all the insanity began, exploring the personalities of the people that came together and survived, and how they managed to live after all ways of communication effectively withered and died with most of the population. It ends with Malorie rowing her children down a river while blindfolded in hopes of taking them to safety.

The characters are interesting, the story moves along very rapidly as the suspense builds, but unfortunately, the ending is a disappointment; the reason for all the bloodshed is never explored or explained. Recommended for readers who enjoy horror and post-apocalyptic fiction.

Copyright ©2014 Booklist, a division of the American Library Association.

5/14 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

BIRD BOX by Josh Malerman. Ecco (May 13, 2014). ISBN 978-0062259653. 272p.

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GAME by Barry Lyga

January 5, 2015

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The Sequel to I Hunt Killers

Things haven’t gotten any easier for Jazz Dent in the wake of his participation in the hunt for the Impressionist. While that killer is safely behind bars, Billy Dent has managed to escape and Jazz is almost certain he holds some responsibility.

But Jazz doesn’t have time to worry about Billy at this point. A new killer is on the move in New York City and the police there have approached Jazz for help. It seems his work in solving Lobo’s Nod’s recent case has gained some attention and has finally made the authorities admit that Jazz’s particular upbringing could be useful in hunting down serial killers.

This second in the Jasper Dent series is an excellent follow up to I Hunt Killers. It picks up just months after the end of its predecessor, immediately addressing all of the questions that one left in its wake. Of course by the end there’s a whole slew of new questions. (And it’s a cliffhanger of an ending if ever there was one.)

This time around Jazz is even more concerned about his potential in following in his dad’s footsteps – in spite of all of his efforts – and that’s thanks mostly to the fact that Billy is once again out on the streets. Jazz is plagued by his father’s voice both figuratively and ultimately literally.

This second installment also brings Jazz’s friends, Howie and Connie, even further into the mix. Howie is stuck in Lobo’s Nod helping with Jazz’s crazy grandmother and meeting his friend’s long lost aunt for the first time. Connie, on the other hand, tries to follow Jazz to NYC and lands in hot water with her parents. Their involvement with Jazz not only leads to their discovering some big news about their friend but also places them both in potentially big danger.

1/15 Becky LeJeune

GAME by Barry Lyga. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (June 17, 2014). ISBN: 978-0316125857. 544p.

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Posted by Stacy Alesi

I HUNT KILLERS by Barry Lyga

January 4, 2015

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Jasper “Jazz” Dent wants nothing more than to be an ordinary teen. But that’s kind of impossible when you’re the son of William Cornelius Dent, probably THE most notorious serial killer. From the very start, Billy raised Jazz to think and plan like a killer.

Fortunately for Jazz, Billy was finally caught and has since been serving so many consecutive life sentences that he’ll never see the light of day.

But that doesn’t mean Jazz is free of him. The teen spends much of his time terrified that he might actually be just like his father. So when a killer strikes in Jazz’s tiny hometown of Lobo’s Nod, he makes it his mission to help solve the crime by putting his particular skills and knowledge to work.

Barry Lyga’s Jasper Dent series is like a teen mashup of Dexter and Criminal Minds. Of course unlike Dexter, Jazz isn’t actually a sociopath. At least he hopes not.

It might seem strange to have a teen detective with so much direct access to the police and the crime scene (which is the case with this series) but I think Lyga does a great job setting the story up in a way that is almost believable. Anything that stretches the imagination too far is forgivable in my opinion because I Hunt Killers is just that much of a fun read.

I Hunt Killers should most definitely come with a warning. Anyone who thinks a book about serial killers might be less dark or graphic simply because it’s meant for a teen audience would be very mistaken in this case; I Hunt Killers is quite dark indeed.

1/15 Becky LeJeune

I HUNT KILLERS by Barry Lyga. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (April 2, 2013). ISBN: 978-0316125833. 384p.

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Posted by Stacy Alesi

THE THREE by Sarah Lotz

December 21, 2014

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Four flights – all originating from different countries and each one from a different airline – crash on the same day, stirring up a whirlwind of controversy. But it’s not just the crashes themselves that have people talking. The crashes are the sort no one walks away from, and yet three of the flights have one survivor each. These survivors – all of them young children – and an odd phone message left by one of the dying passengers have spurred movements claiming everything from aliens to Armageddon. Are these children really harbingers of some biblical apocalypse or are they to become the victims of mass hysteria?

The Three is told in a very atypical way. It’s set up as being a book written in the immediate aftermath of the crash. The writer, Elspeth Martins, interviews the family members, airline officials, religious personalities… anyone and everyone with something to say about the crashes and the surviving children. Those interviews, correspondence, recordings, and even emails and online chats are The Three.

The Three is a quite disturbing read. It begins ominously and becomes more so as the book progresses. There is a definite supernatural aspect but that takes a serious backseat for most of the book. It is horror but not in the gore and monsters sense. It’s the human kind of horror. The way people react to the magnificent. The way people turn miracles into monstrosities. The way people handle the things they simply can’t understand.

12/14 Becky LeJeune

THE THREE by Sarah Lotz. Little, Brown and Company; First Edition edition (May 20, 2014). ISBN: 978-0316242905. 480p.

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THE VAULT by Emily McKay

December 13, 2014

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In the aftermath of the events at El Corazon, Carter and Mel are faced with the possibility of losing Lily altogether. Because Mel has already been turned, they know that Lily carries the same gene. The progression of the Tick virus has been slowed temporarily thanks to the medical team at El Corazon, but Carter knows the only way to save her is to find the cure. And the only way Carter and Mel can get the cure is to work hand in hand with the very people who betrayed them.

This third installment in McKay’s series begins right where The Lair left off. And though it would seem that things are improving for the trio, what with the assassination of Roberto and all, they’re facing just as much danger as ever.

Carter, Lily, and Mel – and even Sebastian – have come so far in this trilogy. With each new book, McKay continues to grow these characters, pitting them against the reality that is their new world. They are emotional wrecks (as one would expect) – vulnerable and confused but also strong and determined. In other words, they feel real in every way!

The Vault is an excellent follow up and – though I’m sad to say goodbye – a really great end to the series.

12/14 Becky LeJeune

THE VAULT by Emily McKay. Berkley Trade (December 2, 2014). ISBN: 978-0425275887. 384p.

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THE LAIR by Emily McKay

December 12, 2014

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Ever since escaping the Farm and surviving the events that followed, Carter has been especially careful in protecting Lily. And it could be to the detriment of the rest of the survivors at Base Camp. So when Lily’s pregnant friend McKenna decides to head to Canada, Carter supports Lily’s wish to travel with her.

The plan is that McKenna, Lily, and Ely – one of Carter’s most trusted men – will head to the border in search of safety. If, as rumored, Canada somehow escaped the outbreak that plagues the United States, Ely is to leave McKenna and Lily and return to Base Camp for the rest of the survivors. But, of course, things don’t go according to plan at all.

Meanwhile, Mel has been living alongside Sebastian, learning to control her insatiable hunger and hone her skills as a new vampire. When she learns that Lily is in trouble, though, Mel is unable to resist the call to save her sister.

This follow up to The Farm is definitely not a sophomore slump read. Nope, McKay deftly weaves a second story that keeps up the momentum set by its predecessor all the while managing to move the plot along significantly and satisfyingly. There were also a few twists that I did not see coming!

12/14 Becky LeJeune

THE LAIR by Emily McKay. Berkley Trade (November 5, 2013). ISBN: 978-0425264126. 432p.

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Posted by Stacy Alesi

THE FARM by Emily McKay

December 11, 2014

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Life for Lily and her twin sister, Mel, has irrevocably changed. A viral outbreak has left much of the country’s population infected, mutated into creatures driven by bloodlust. They call them Ticks. And nothing is as tasty to a Tick as the hormonal blood of teens. The so-called solution was the creation of the Farms – facilities built to house and protect the nation’s teenage population. But Lily knows this is far from the truth. Instead of protecting the kids, the Farms collect and dole out their blood as food for the Ticks.

At least within the walls of the Farm there’s some semblance of protection, though. The biggest fear is what happens when you turn eighteen. No one is sure and Lily isn’t going to wait around to find out. Lily has a plan to get her and her sister out of the Farm, but the arrival of an acquaintance from Before throws a wrench in her plan before she can even begin.

Carter says he can help. He says he’s been on the outside. But Carter is hiding something and Lily isn’t sure that she can trust him.

The Farm is fabulous! McKay wonderfully builds a post outbreak end of the world scenario – with vampires that don’t sparkle. Seriously, these are brutal and violent beasts and McKay doesn’t shy away from making that undeniably clear.

The world building alone is quite admirable. There’s a believable explanation behind the virus and its consequences. The Farms, the Before, and the outside world are all vividly clear as is the atmosphere of fear and ruthlessness that Lily lives in. But what’s best about this book is Mel. Mel is autistic and McKay really does a phenomenal job giving voice to her character. She’s one of the most unique narrators I’ve ever read.

The Farm is the first in this dark teen series. Books two and three, The Lair and The Vault, are both out now as well.

12/14 Becky LeJeune

THE FARM by Emily McKay. Berkley Trade (December 4, 2012). ISBN: 978-0425257807. 432p.

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Posted by Stacy Alesi

THE MERCILESS by Danielle Vega

December 2, 2014

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In spite of the fact that every new town and every new school offers Sofia a new chance to fit in, the constant moving makes it hard to make – and keep – friends. When her mother moves the family to a town literally called “Friend,” though, things start looking up.

On her first day at school, Sofia meets Riley, Grace, and Alexis. The girls are fun and friendly and immediately welcome Sofia into their group as if she’s always been part of it. But Sofia soon learns that the girls – Riley in particular – are overly interested in another classmate. This girl, Brooklyn, used to be their friend. They say though that Brooklyn has changed. That Brooklyn is different. That Brooklyn is evil. With Riley at the helm, the group decides that they must save Brooklyn from her sins and Sofia is forced to make a horrible decision.

The Merciless is disturbing on so many levels. First, Sofia’s desire to fit in leaves her in quite an unfortunate position. She’s easily manipulated and follows Riley’s lead from the start. Second, the book begins by making the reader believe one thing when by the end we discover something quite different is going on: it’s all horrific, but the twist takes the book to a whole different level.

I did find that the story jumped a little too quickly into the action. I wasn’t sure I believed that Sofia would let herself fall so easily into Riley’s plans – or as quickly as she did. Further insight into her character did somewhat prove me wrong but a bit more focus on the character development earlier in the story would have been much more effective, in my opinion. All in all it left me on the fence about the book. On the one hand it reminded me a lot of the 90s horror I grew up on, so there was a definite nostalgic appeal. On the other hand the plot seemed much more focused on overall shock value than on believable and well-rounded characters.

11/14 Becky LeJeune

THE MERCILESS by Danielle Vega. Razorbill (June 12, 2014). ISBN: 978-1595147226. 336p.

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Posted by Stacy Alesi

THE UNDYING by Ethan Reid

November 2, 2014

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Best friends Jeanie and Ben have chosen the wrong time to visit the City of Lights.

They arrive in Paris on New Year’s Eve jet lagged but looking forward to experiencing everything the city has to offer. The following morning, hung over and not quite rested, Jeanie awakens to witness the building across from her window explode in a hailstorm of fire. Another American in their hotel believes they are experiencing a catastrophic world event in the making: fallout from some sort of asteroid or comet impact. He warns the two that this is only the beginning – that they should gather supplies and find a safe place to ride out what will come next.

As they make their way through the city, the friends quickly realize there’s another aspect to this disaster that their acquaintance didn’t mention. Whatever the impact was, it seems to have had an odd effect on the citizens of Paris. The survivors now find that they’re being hunted by creatures that very much resemble the walking dead.

Ethan Reid’s debut is one of the first releases from the new Simon451 imprint. It’s a nice blend of science fiction and horror that pits a heroine still reeling from the loss of her father against an army of zombies and the end of the world. In other words, it’s pretty darn fun.

The Undying does leave a lot of things in the air. What caused the actual event, what happened in South America, what’s next for Jeanie… fortunately the author’s blog does mention additional titles in the works.

Available as an ebook or audiobook only.

11/14 Becky LeJeune

THE UNDYING by Ethan Reid. Simon & Schuster/Simon451 (October 7, 2014). ASIN: B00K3NEEC4. File Size: 1870 KB.

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Posted by Stacy Alesi

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