Siioow's Library of Screams: Reading Event

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ysabeau
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LIBRARY OF SCREAMS

You've been walking around the Carnivale for awhile, seeing that there are many sights and sounds. There are many things to do and you feel that you need a moment or two, just to take a breather. Wandering has gotten you to the Ominous Clown Graveyard before, but this time you find yourself staring at the entrance with new eyes. Just inside the gate is a lovely bench that looks perfect. You take a step forward and the world around you fades to a low hum, the sounds of the Carnivale becoming faint. It's the perfect temperature and you can feel your feet guiding you over to the bench. You'll sit there. Just for a few moments.

You don't know how long it was, it could have been minutes or a mere few seconds, before a happy tune reaches your ears. You look to the gate to see that Siioow is standing there watching. He gives a finger wave before dancing over.

"Why, if it isn't my friend! Have you come for more games to play?"

He watches you intently before a large jester smile crosses his face.

"No, it is is not a game you seek, is it? What about a good book? I always love a good story."

You give him an odd look, wondering just how you would get a book in a Carnivale of all places. Before you can ask, Siioow hops from foot to foot, clapping his hands. He twirls around once before stopping to a spot just beside the bench.

"Knock, Knock! I hear your whispers and your screams, may you come frighten me! Open, Open wide, and then we shall see what's inside!"

Siioow cackles and you only watch as a shimmer moves and sways, shadows curling away from the light. In it's place is a small box upon a stand. You stand up to take a better look. It's a small looking house that has teeth for pillars and a tongue-like stairs. The eyes are atop it's head and it slowly blinks at you. What catches your attention is the door is larger than normal, the door sitting crooked and on a tilt. It creaks open to reveal a stack of books.

Siioow pats the small house, "Welcome to the Library of Screams! May you find something worthwhile to read, be it something that leaves you with fright or makes you scream. Just ask for something to read and he'll present you with a choice!"

He gives it a little scratch and you swear that you hear it purr, before the Jester slinks off into the darkness of the Graveyard.



Welcome to the Library of Screams

This is a reading event for those that prefer to pick up a book rather than write one. Siioow and the Coven thought this would be a fun way for readers to share their favorite reads and their newest ones too.

How to Participate (Donate to the Library):

- Post a book that is themed around horror, carnivales, scary, myserious, and anything else you think fits the vibes of the Carnivale!
- In your post, write what you think about the book, what you loved most about it, and why you think others would like it. Essentially like a book review.
- We'll give you a format to use to make it easy!

Rewards:

- For every book that you read until the end of Carnivale that is related to the theme, post a review and tell us about it. Every review will get 2 tickets.
- Did you pick up someone else's book they just donated? Read and Donate it back with a review and you'll receive an extra ticket!

Rules:

- This is based on an honor system, don't abuse it or Siioow will make the library disappear.
- No children or Toddler Books Count, This is Middle Grade and Above. Manga or Comics also do not count for this, but you can post them for people to read.
- Nonfiction counts!
- Please make sure to use the format provided so that it's easier for everyone to read/search for anything they would be interested in.
- Anything that is 18+ (both sexual and other content) must be stated - It's in the format
- Make sure to note if there is Trigger or Content Warnings. You do not have to write the list out, just state any major ones and let us know if the author has a TW/CW page in the book. *This is a recent thing in publishing so I understand that books from like Stephen King and older times don't have such things. Just note if there is something that could be and you'll be fine, don't need elaborate.

- Readers, please be mindful of your mental health and your own triggers. Please makes sure to take care of yourself. Your mental health comes first!

Format:

Code: Select all

Title:
Author:
Genre:
Is this over 18+ material?
Any Trigger or Content Warnings? 
Review:
Feel free to copy the format above to make it easier. You can make it fancy if you want.

Siioow's Little Stack of Books


- Anything Stephen King
- The Complete Works of Edgar Allen Poe
- Never Whistle at Night (Indigenous Anthology of Horror Stories)
- The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (Psychological Thriller)
- Cute But Psycho by Beatrix Hollow* (This is a 18+ Sexual Content, Siioow waggles his eyebrows)
- Don't Let the Forest in by CG Drews (Young Adult Horror)


If you would like to start with any of these, you will get 3 tickets for posting a review.

Two roads diverged in a wood and I -- I took the one less traveled by, and that made all the difference. - Robert Frost
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ysabeau
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Ysa's Unhinged List of Carnivale, Masked, and 18+ Reads

Because I read a LOT and have read many books with this exact theme or close... there's a lot of you that like your dark romance and books on the 18+ side. So this is my organized list of books. These all come without reviews, so check your TWs cause they all have them in the book's front pages. Most of these I have read, there are some that I have not finished the series or I know of these because they are on my own TBR.

Suspense Romance or other Horror/Mystery theme:

- Be Still My heart by Emily McIntire
- Locked Inside by Faith Raven
- Grave Matter by Karina Halle (Gothic Psych Thriller)
- Hello, Listener by Lorien Ray (WATCH THIS, It's *Dark*, Serial Killer but Podcast/Radio)
- Her Soul to Take by Harley Laroux (Monster Dark Paranormal Romance)

Serial Killer Romance:

- Ruinous Trilogy by Brynne Weaver - Book 3 is literally a Cage of Death Circus Girl.(Serial Killer Romance)
- Fair's Fair Novella Series by AJ Merlin (serial killers, masks & halloween)
- Dead Woman Walking by Lilith DeLuca (Watch it, this is Revenge killer, Halloween Haunt)
- Dead of Summer by AJ Merlin (Summer Camp Horror Serial Killer)
- Beware the Rosemand Ripper by T. L. MacRae

Masked Men & Carnivale/Halloween Theme Romance

- Masked Men Novella Series (Holiday themes) by Jaye Pratt
- Don't Be Scared by AJ Merlin (serial killers in masks, halloween)
- Heathens by Alta Hensley (masked Primal chase)
- A La Folie by Nova Kane (carnivale theme. PITCH BLACK)
- Umasking Obsession by Ashley Reyes
- Order of the Unseen Series by Molly Doyle (Halloween masks & Serial Killer)
- Little Horros & Deceptions by Lashell Rain (Horror House/Revenge Killer)
- Ghost of Halloween by Layla Fae (watch this, it's dubcon and really dark, but halloween night)
- Darkest Dawn: Halloween Prequel by N. Owens
- Play the Game by Tilly Ridge (Masked/Playing "Games")
- Ours for Halloween by Violet Taylor (monster romance)
- Forbidden Harvest by Selena Winters
- Carnival Series by Selena Winters (All Carnivale/Halloween Theme)
- Carving for Cara by Dana LeeAnn

Stalker Romance

- Pose for Me by Maree Rose (it's got that suspense element to it)
- Darling Games Trilogy by Maree Rose (it's got the suspense and the mystery - serial killers)
- Petite Fluer by M.C. Luna
- Hunting Pretty Triology by Sienna Blake (watch this, book 2 & 3 are captive and darker)
- For the Love of Layla by Callie Moss (stalker psychological)


Two roads diverged in a wood and I -- I took the one less traveled by, and that made all the difference. - Robert Frost
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Lycana
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Satan's Affair by H.D. Carlton (18+)


My review:


A dark and intriguing story, this is a fast paced thrill ride in the midst of carnival of horrors of punishment is met out and the worst of humanity is dealt with by those who run it. It deals with mature themes so please mind the 18+ warning above. Dark, murderous, and sinister, this carnival pulls into town as its own little slice of "hell."
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At the Mountains of Madness
By H. P. Lovecraft

An Antarctic expedition from the Miskatonic University discovers the ruins of a city far more ancient that humanity itself. Explorations of the city reveal the long-dead (or at least thought to be) remains of several winged creatures unlike any known to science and hieroglyphics that tell of conflicts with extra-terrestrial races and warn of an unimaginable evil that lurks beyond the mountains.
The first step in working miracles is realizing that you can.
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wraithey
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Title: Carnival Nightmare
Author: Selena Winters
Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance
Is this over 18+ material?: Yes
Any Trigger or Content Warnings?: Yes. My KU version had a link to the author’s website with the full list. Includes, and is NOT limited to, primal play, knife play, non-con, and stalking. Please, please check them first before consuming.
Review: 2 ⭐

It absolutely tickles me when an MMC sets his sights on the FMC for the first time and immediately makes a promise himself that violence will occur if anyone else even thinks about touching her. This starts off no differently. In real life? Absolutely not, go straight to jail. In fiction? Giggling, kicking my feet. Please, sir, may I have some more?

This is dual POV, which starts when the MMC arrives in a new little town with the rest of the carnival. Our FMC is a town local who gets an unexpected surprise when visiting on opening night.

Since this is a novella, it doesn’t take it’s sweet time getting straight to the fun. There’s a huge dose of insta-lust on both side of the coin. Heads up if that’s not for you. Personally, I could go either way with the trope. Here, in a stalker romance, it doesn’t feel that out of place.

However, what does feel out of place are some of the errors that could have benefitted from another round of editing. There’s grammatical errors, missing punctuation, and misspellings. One of which is a name that’s used twice about a sentence apart and spelled two different ways. Some of the dialogue between the characters also blurs together in a similar voice.

Overall, it’s got the vibes. The idea was there and the beginning sucked me in. Little did I realize we’d just go down from there. Mainly because there wasn’t enough room for development and a lot of the space was taken up by repetitive everything. To be fair, I wasn’t expecting a lot of development due to the length. Also wasn’t quite expecting some of the FMC’s point of view on events ( trying to be vague and not spoil ). Could be for you if you’re down for mostly spice and no plot. Oh, and a creative use of tools.
" Remember, your words can plant gardens or burn whole forests down. " - Gemma Troy
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wraithey
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Title: Leather & Lark
Author: Brynne Weaver
Genre: Dark Romantic Comedy
Is this over 18+ material?: Yes
Any Trigger or Content Warnings?: Yes. The author has included a section / page ( but really like 2 pages ). “ I might have ruined pizza and beer. Also smoothies. Still not sorry. “ Welp. Also listed is religious trauma,choking, praise kink, and many others. Please check before consuming.
Review: 5 Stars

Short version? Absolutely no notes. Ate. This. Up.

Leather & Lark is a multi-POV continuation into the world of Ruinous Love. In order for this to make the most sense, I would definitely suggest reading Butcher & Blackbird first. These aren’t advertised as standalones but putting that out there for those interested. I do think you could understand most of L&L without reading it’s predecessor. All of the minor details will mean that much more if you have the context, though.

I loved this a lot more than I loved B&B, which I found to be a little slower and a little more dry. Lark is an absolute ray of sunshine whose personality hit a little too close to home. The talk of masks and needing to be what everyone else needs her to be? Oof, my girl. I feel that so very hard.

Lachlan is on the other end of the spectrum at “ asshat. “ Also known as the trope of Grumpy. Very grumpy. To be fair, he has reason to be. My guy is tired and I honestly can’t blame him. His contrasting personality to Rowan is very welcome. That’s more on me, I think, because he more closely aligns with what I appreciate in a book boyfriend. No offense to Rowan whatsoever. Lachlan is quiet, broody, takes care of what’s his, and does everything in his power to make sure they’re comfortable. Swoon.

The sarcasm in some of the dialogue hit home. It wasn’t laugh out loud comedy the entire time but enough that I don’t disagree with the comedy angle.

Oh. I think I lied. My one note? My one beef with this book? Brynne delivered on her promise to ruin pizza. SIGH.
" Remember, your words can plant gardens or burn whole forests down. " - Gemma Troy
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Lycana
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Title: It
Author: Stephen King
Genre: horror
Is this over 18+ material? yes
Any Trigger or Content Warnings? the heroine is sexualized as a child and has sort of a weird intimacy in some places with the boys in her group in a couple of places and there is mention of incestual relationship stuff which is blegh. Other than that child death, gore, violence, the sort of "normal" stuff you get with Stephen King
Review: The first time I read this book was when I was nine years old and it horrified me back then, a monstrous clown that intentionally and exclusively fed on children. Talk about feeding clown phobias to generations of kids! If you want a horror story for the carnival event that takes a sinister and horrific side to clowns look no further. Pennywise has been in Dary for generations, waking up to take his picking among the children to feed his appetite before slumbering for another few decades. Adults can't see him, and memory is easily distorted within his shroud. Stephen King takes you on a wild and horrifying ride shifting between time with a set of friends and the horror that they faced as children, and then again as adults. This clown means death and he has a terrible appetite.
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Title: The Shining
Author: Stephen King
Genre: horror
Is this over 18+ material? yes
Any Trigger or Content Warnings? violence, insanity, threat of harm to a child and spouse

Review: I love the Shining. The movie is excellent but the book is so much more. A haunted hotel alive with the ghosts of the dead who inhabit it and take over every winter while the resort is closed, an animal topiary that comes alive and very aggressive, a labyrinth, and a man who is driven insane by his own desires and the ghost who preys on them. Amid it all you have Danny, a psychic boy (or has "the shine" as they say in the book). the cook who likewise has the shine also has a more active part in the novel than he did in the movie. The shining is the creme de la creme of haunted house/resort stories where the dead are eager to have you join them. Althuogh set in the middle of winter this would be a great read for carnival not only for the restless dead present in the novel but the madness that is unleashed.
Incidentally the father (MMC) is a far more interesting and sympathetic character in the novel than he is in the movie. You get to see him struggle with the grip the dead have on his mind and his own love for his family that gradually gets twisted.

Read it and then follow up with Dr. Sleep which is Danny's story as an adult with the shining and those who are hunting him down.
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wraithey
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Title: Scythe & Sparrow
Author: Brynne Weaver
Genre: Dark Romantic Comedy
Is this over 18+ material?: Yes
Any Trigger or Content Warnings?: We are gifted with another two pages. These promise to ruin yet another beloved food item. This time? Cotton candy. Can’t wait!
Review: 5 Stars

My immediate thought after reading this was that this was 4 stars for me. But, then I realized I consumed it in a day, so. That’s got to be five star territory, right? ( I really need to make myself a scale system ).

Scythe & Sparrow is the third and final installment in the Ruinous Love trilogy, following the youngest of the Kane siblings as he navigates a member of the local circus crashing into his life like a wrecking ball.

The relationship presented isn’t anything like we see in the first two books, which I find refreshing. Not sure if it ventures into spoilers to define quite why, so I’ll leave it at that. I’m also not sure if this difference sets the tone for the book but I find these characters more vulnerable. Their build up is different. Fionn feels a little more emotionally intelligent.

At the same time, this felt a little more heavy than the “ comedy “ genre would imply. Not in any relation to the death or murder that multiple deleters would imply. In fact, I’m not even sure I would label it that way. I’ll have to sit with that for a little bit.

Events start towards the end Blackbird & Butcher, I think, and that’s purely a guess from what happens in a cameo. This then weaves into when we see the MCs in L&L to epilogues beyond. For that reason, I’d say S&S is more entwined with L&L than the other two books were. Reading the first two books will definitely give you a more complete picture as to what happens. No recaps are provided. Characters are treated as if you already know their history. Just as a heads up if you want to dive straight into this one without having either of the other two books under your belt.

The ending was sweet. It showed a lot of growth for Fionn in particular and I love that for him. He really earned his ending.
" Remember, your words can plant gardens or burn whole forests down. " - Gemma Troy
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wraithey
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Title: Grave Matter
Author: Karina Halle
Genre: Dark Gothic Romance Psych Thriller
Is this over 18+ material?: Yes
Any Trigger or Content Warnings?: Yes. There is a content warning page that includes gore, body horror, off-page animal death, and more. Please check your triggers before consuming.
Review: 4 stars

I learned fungal horror is a thing so that’s definitely an educational moment. The new fear that The Last of Us unlocked is brought to a whole new level here.

ANYWAY. Grave Matter is a single POV that follows our FMC after she’s chosen for an opportunity to study with a prestigious foundation for their 16 week summer program.

The writing is very haunting. It definitely delivers on the psych part of the genre. I’m not usually a thriller reader, so I had no idea what to expect in that regard. Even the spice came at me in ways I didn’t expect. Needless to say the plot twist took me by complete surprise. My mind was going in all sorts of different directions, especially with some of the paranormal elements we’re presented with.

There are a few things introduced that I wanted to know more about. I wanted to know if they played into the plot twist like I’m thinking they did? It’s not mark against the book or anything but certain things I wanted to just know more about because the concepts were interesting. AND sometimes I just want the book to tell me I connected the right dots.

Overall, I absolutely loved everything in the book. Very well written. Very good delivery on the promised elements. It succeeded in keeping me engaged and keeping me uncomfortable. If you can handle the trigger warning page then I definitely recommend!
" Remember, your words can plant gardens or burn whole forests down. " - Gemma Troy
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