Siioow's Library of Screams: Reading Event

[wraithey]

Title: Satan’s Affair
Author: HD Carlton
Genre: Dark Thriller? Horror? Definitely not a Romance
Is this over 18+ material?: Yes
Any Trigger or Content Warnings?: Yes. There is a warning page but I don’t think it really conveys how dark this novella is. Included are mentions of child abuse, rape, and others. Please please check your triggers before reading.
Review: 2 Stars

I don’t mean to be nitpicky over the novellas but here we are.

I contemplated DNF’ing several times. Not because of the content but purely because of the narrator’s voice. We see everything from the FMC’s point of view and it’s very immature. It also feels very very young, if that makes sense. She mentions she thinks she’s over twenty but her tone of voice feels younger than that. Now, we could argue that’s because of all the trauma she’s been through, which is very understandable. From a reading perspective, however, it made me very uncomfortable.

Everytime I read the word “henchmen” I was also very annoyed. Can’t currently think of a better word. It sets up the power dynamic pretty accurately but it just felt so out of place? And made me think of a Batman comic everytime it popped up on the page.

This is listed as a prequel for the Cat & Mouse duet. I haven’t read either of those yet but I also don’t understand why? We see Zade for all of 2 seconds. Maybe if I read the included first chapter preview of Haunting Adeline I’d understand. Honestly, after reading this I have no desire dipping back into the world quite yet. I’m sure they’re written differently since they have a different narrator but, still.

[wraithey]

Title: Marrow
Author: Brynne Weaver & Trisha Wolfe
Genre: Dark Romance Psych Thriller
Is this over 18+ material?: Yes
Any Trigger or Content Warnings?: Yes. Plenty of violence due to the main characters, an instance of somnophilia, and others. Please check your trigger warnings.
Review: 5 Stars

Gods. I loved this book so much. I knew I’d love it because Brynne Weaver and Trisha Wolfe are two of my favorites but nothing I’ve ever read by either author could prepare me for how much I’d love this. They are an absolute force together and I hope they co-author again. It’s like the best parts of both their writing were smooshed together in one masterpiece.

The language was hauntingly beautiful. The descriptions were immaculate. Kyrie is extremely playful and determined. Jack is engaging and intelligent. They both fit together so well. Very complimentary in a lot of ways.

Reading how their lives weaved together to get to the plot of the novel was an absolute joy. Don’t get me wrong. Please keep in mind this is a story about two serial killers falling in love ( just in case you made it here before reading the book’s description ). There is dark content that will not be for everyone. But for those of you who are into this kind of thing I think this is definitely worth a try.

[wraithey]

Title: Phantom
Author: Greer Rivers
Genre: Dark Romance
Is this over 18+ material?: Yes
Any Trigger or Content Warnings?: Yes but they are not listed in the book or epub. A QR code is provided to take you to the author’s website
Review: 4.5 Stars

Phantom is a Dual POV reimagining of the Phantom of the Opera but I don’t think you need to know the original story to appreciate the story being told. Although, for anyone who does know the original novel or play, there is a lot of details to pick up on. I would even say the overall haunting feel of the writing itself lends to the atmosphere.

Our FMC is a student at a conservatory specializing in opera. Our MMC is an enforcer for one of the families that rules New Orleans. Fate brings them together and obsession keeps them entangled.

The language is beautiful and the atmosphere the author evokes is incredible. It kept taking me back to all the times I’ve seen POTO on stage. Yet, the modern twists and reimagined elements kept me on the edge of my seat. The only reason this is four stars instead of five is I feel like the conflict wasn’t so much a plot twist as it was a long build up. I saw parts of it from a mile away. Some of the finer details were, indeed, a surprise. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Reading, for me, is about the journey and not the destination. But, I do feel like it was hammered a little hard? Not sure if that makes sense.

Whether you’re a fan of Phantom of the Opera or just looking for a vibe, I highly recommend giving this a shot.