The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton

 

 

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: Mystery, Historical Mystery
Content: Strong language, Not sure what else since I didn't finish it.

 

It's 1634 and Samuel Pipps, the world's greatest detective, is being transported to Amsterdam to be executed for a crime he may, or may not, have committed. Travelling with him is his loyal bodyguard, Arent Hayes, who is determined to prove his friend innocent.

But no sooner are they out to sea than devilry begins to blight the voyage. A twice-dead leper stalks the decks. Strange symbols appear on the sails. Livestock is slaughtered.

And then three passengers are marked for death, including Samuel.

Could a demon be responsible for their misfortunes?

With Pipps imprisoned, only Arent can solve a mystery that connects every passenger onboard. A mystery that stretches back into their past and now threatens to sink the ship, killing everybody on board. 

 

I've tried twice to get into this book, and having loved The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle I really, really wanted to love this one too. Unfortunately I just am not enjoying it, and it's nothing at all like The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. I wasn't really expecting it to be much like it, but this one just has a completely different feel that I don't care for, so it's going on the abandoned book pile.

Also I need to mention that I've read other reviews of this book and--apart from the little bit I noticed myself--apparently there are some glaring historical inaccuracies in it, and yes it's fiction and a mystery, but it's set in the real world so I feel like that matters. 

 

 

 

 

The Hallowed Ones and The Outside

Since I posted my review of the latest book by Laura Bickle I thought I would post my reviews of the YA duology that introduced me to her writing. This duology remains a favorite of mine in the supernatural horror genre.




The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Young Adult
Genre: Supernatural Horror
Content: Non-descriptive sex between two teens, Strong Language


Katie is on the verge of her Rumspringa, the time in Amish life when teenagers can get a taste of the real world. But the real world comes to her. Rumors of massive unrest on the “Outside” abound. Something murderous is out there. Amish elders make a rule: No one goes outside, and no outsiders come in. But when Katie finds a gravely injured young man, she can’t leave him to die...

When I added The Hallowed Ones to my to-read list I thought it was more along the lines of a serial killer type thriller. Maybe something more along the lines of Witness, but was surprised that this was not the case. The killers were vampires instead, and not the seductive pretty kind either. For some reason they sort of reminded me of the creatures in I am Legend a little. It being set in an Amish community made it even creepier to me. There is that sense of quiet unassuming peace, of naivety, and of being separated from the rest of the world and what's happening in it that makes the story all the more unsettling.

Although this is a YA book, it is not for the faint of heart. There are quite a few descriptions in it that would be very unsettling for some people. I personally enjoyed it very much, despite the creepy horrific parts. I also thought it was interesting to read about the conflicts within the main character Katie, regarding her desires for certain things and her religious beliefs. I can't say I was always pleased with her choices, but they made sense being that she was coming from a very sheltered background. I am looking forward to reading the next book.

The Outside by Laura Bickle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Young Adult
Genre: Supernatural Horror
Content: Non-descriptive sex between two teens, Strong Language


One girl. One road. One chance to save what remains…

After a plague of vampires is unleashed in the world, Katie is kicked out of her Amish community for her refusal to adhere to the new rules of survival. Now in exile, she enters an outside world of unspeakable violence with only her two “English” friends and a horse by her side. Together they seek answers and other survivors—but each sunset brings the threat of vampire attack, and each sunrise the threat of starvation.

The Outside was a very good conclusion to the story that began in The Hallowed Ones. I found the mix of science and religion interesting and this book was just as creepy as The Hallowed Ones. There was not quite as much description when it came to the gore in this book, so it would be a little easier for the squeamish to read. This concludes pretty well, but there is room for another book if the author ever wants to add to the story.

If you're looking for a good creepy YA supernatural horror story, try this duology. I would love to read more YA from this author.

Witch Creek by Laura Bickle

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Category: Adult
Genre: Supernatural Horror, Urban Fantasy
Content: Strong Language


As the daughter of an alchemist, Petra Dee has battled supernatural horrors and experienced astonishing wonders. But there’s no magic on earth that can defeat her recent cancer diagnosis, or help find her missing husband, Gabriel. Still, she would bet all her remaining days that the answer to his disappearance lies in the dark subterranean world beneath the Rutherford Ranch on the outskirts of Temperance, Wyoming.

This is the fourth book in the Wildlands series (previously the Dark Alchemy trilogy). With the exception of book two I've felt like this series has gotten better and better. The story was very engrossing and I had a hard time putting this book down. However, this book was not perfect. There were some things that seemed a little contrived and too convenient, but I think the fact that I'm enjoying this series so much made those things more tolerable.

All the characters that I liked from previous books are back; Petra, Maria, Gabe, Nine, and Sig. Petra is fighting cancer in this book and her friend Maria is acting the mother hen. I have to admit that annoyed me a little. I could understand Petra's feelings about the Chemo and the hospital and Maria's feelings about wanting her friend to take better care of herself, but they both still annoyed me a little bit.

Gabe is dealing with his own circumstances perpetuated by Owen and Petra sets out to find him. Besides the cancer, there are several obstacles along the way, one being the mermaid-like creature that has been living in the underground lake beneath the Rutherford ranch. Then there is the bar owner Lev, who gets more page time in this installment and his character gets expanded upon. I did enjoy finding out more about him, but I almost thought there was a little too much going on. In the end it ended up all being tied together. I won't say how so as not to spoil anything.

As I said before, it felt a little contrived and too convenient, but it was still very enjoyable. I was left with a few big questions at the end of the book, and a theory that I kind of hope is wrong. I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series to find out the answers.