"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #92

This "WIR"-Wednesday I'm trying to break out of my book slump by rereading a book I'm not sure I gave enough credit to the first time I read it. I'm reading the horror debut of an author I've since come to love...

The Dead House by Dawn Kurtagich

Blurb:

Three students: dead. 

Carly Johnson: vanished without a trace. 

Two decades have passed since an inferno swept through Elmbridge High, claiming the lives of three teenagers and causing one student, Carly Johnson, to disappear. The main suspect: Kaitlyn, "the girl of nowhere." 

Kaitlyn's diary, discovered in the ruins of Elmbridge High, reveals the thoughts of a disturbed mind. Its charred pages tell a sinister version of events that took place that tragic night, and the girl of nowhere is caught in the center of it all. But many claim Kaitlyn doesn't exist, and in a way, she doesn't - because she is the alter ego of Carly Johnson. 

Carly gets the day. Kaitlyn has the night. It's during the night that a mystery surrounding the Dead House unravels and a dark, twisted magic ruins the lives of each student that dares touch it. 

Debut author Dawn Kurtagich masterfully weaves together a thrilling and terrifying story using psychiatric reports, witness testimonials, video footage, and the discovered diary - and as the mystery grows, the horrifying truth about what happened that night unfolds.

Why I Chose to Reread This Book | What I Think So Far (This Time):

The first time I read this book I didn't like it. It gave off a creepy vibe. I decided to reread this book because it's been two years since I last read it and since then I read and love Dawn Kurtagich's other book, And The Trees Crept In so I decided to give The Dead House another try. 

This time I have a completely different view of this book. I haven't encountered the parts that made my skin crawl the last time, so maybe I will still get the chills, but I'm better prepared to handle it now. This time I find myself feeling sorry for Kaitlyn. What if she isn't just an alter? Or what if she is the main personality and Carly is the alter? I don't care for Carly this time around, she's as they described her in the section I just read: clingy.

The way this book is set out also makes it an easy read. 

Book Review: And The Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich

And The Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich

Blurb:

When Silla and Nori arrive at their aunt's home, it's immediately clear that the "blood manor" is cursed. The creaking of the house and the stillness of the woods surrounding them would be enough of a sign, but there are secrets too--the questions that Silla can't ignore: Who is the beautiful boy that's appeared from the woods? Who is the man that her little sister sees, but no one else? And why does it seem that, ever since they arrived, the trees have been creeping closer?

My Review:

Fourteen-year-old Presilla "Silla" Daniels leaves her troubled London home with her four-year-old sister Eleanor "Nori" (who doesn't speak) to live with an aunt they've never met who lives far away in the country. 

Seeking refuge from their abusive father they arrive at La Baume, her mother's childhood home - a house painted the color of blood. Inside they meet their aunt, Catherine "Cath." 

From the first night they spend at La Baume, Silla thinks there's something not quite right about the house. Aunt Cath is friendly enough and she tries her best to make the girls feel welcomed and loved. Everything is going along fine... until it isn't. 

Soon the mansion becomes a nightmare; Aunt Cath goes up to the attic and doesn't come down leaving Silla and Nori to fend for themselves. Three years pass and everything withers and dies, food is scarce, and the trees around the house seem to be getting closer. Silla begins to lose hope. Is this terrible turn of events being caused by the Creeper Man who lurks in the woods Aunt Cath told them not to go into?  

Everything begins to change when an attractive young man named Gowan arrives. He claims to have been one of the orphans Aunt Cath took in when La Baume served as an orphanage but is Gowan telling the truth? Nori takes to him immediately but Silla is cautious. Why does Gowan keep trying to get her and Nori to leave the house? Will Silla accept Gowan's help? Can Silla get to the bottom of what's going on at La Baume before the Creeper Man gets her and Nori? Is any of it even real?

And The Trees Crept In is an AMAZING read! I loved it a million times more than I liked The Dead House. Where The Dead House gave me a creepy feeling,  And The Trees Crept In wove an intense mystery I wanted to unravel. Yes, there were scary scenes but it was more psychological than gory. 

Dawn Kurtagich is a wonderful horror writer. She leaves you gasping for more as you find yourself unable to put the book down, even in the wee hours of the morning when you're afraid that if you close your eyes for even a minute the trees will start closing in on you. I fell in love with the characters and the end was... I don't want to say beautiful? romantic? hopeful?... although it was in a way. My heart ached the most for Gowan, especially when you find out the whole story. 

Overall, I thought this book was perfect and I wouldn't change anything about it. 

My Rating:

5 of 5 Stars

"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #25

              After a few false starts with books I just couldn't get into this "WIR"-Wednesday I'm reading...

The Carlswick Treasure by S.L. Beaumont

Blurb:

Stephanie Cooper is back and trouble is never far behind!

Stephanie is studying history at Oxford University while her boyfriend James is on tour with his band, The Fury, in the second romantic suspense novel in The Carlswick Mysteriesseries. 

When Stephanie discovers an ancient treasure map hidden by her great-uncle, her quest to solve it sets off a chain of events that no one could have predicted. As those closest to her are caught up in the intrigue, Stephanie finds herself in a race to uncover the elusive treasure.

Old enemies, betrayal and danger 

Only this time, the stakes are higher.

Why I Chose This Book / What I Think So Far:

I loved the first book in this series, The Carlswick Affair, so I'm excited to see how the story continues. I'm just beginning The Carlswick Treasure but I can easily see myself slipping back into the characters and the story on a free afternoon.

"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #19

                 This "WIR"-Wednesday I'm rereading one of my favourite Jay Crownover books... 

Nash by Jay Crownover

Blurb
Saint Ford has worked hard to achieve her childhood dream of becoming of nurse. Focused on her work and devoted to her patients, there’s no room for love. She doesn’t need a guy making waves in her calm, serene life—especially when he’s the unforgettable hottie who nearly destroyed her in high school. Dark, brooding Nash Donovan might not remember her or the terrible pain he caused. But he turned her world upside down . . . and now he’s trying to do it again.

Saint has no idea that Nash isn’t the cocky player he once was. Uncovering a devastating family secret has rocked his world, and now he’s struggling to figure out his future. He can’t be distracted by the pretty nurse he seems to meet everywhere. Still, he can’t ignore the sparks that fly between them—or how she seems so desperate to get away from him. But the funny, sweet, and drop-dead gorgeous Saint is far too amazing to give up on—especially since she’s the only thing in his life that seems to make sense.

When Nash discovers the truth about their past, he realizes he may have lost her heart before he could even fight for it. Now, Saint has to decide: is Nash worth risking herself for all over again?

Why I Chose This Book / What I Think Of This Book:

I love this book. This was the first book I read by Jay Crownover and I fell instantly in love. Nash and Saint's story is so relatable on so many levels. I love all the Marked Men by Nash will forever be my favourite. 

A read another amazing book since last week...

Grace (The Revelations Series #1) by Leanne Rathbone

Blurb:

Good and Evil...two absolutes that every person is taught about from a young age but what if the lines between the two suddenly blurred, what if everything you believed you knew changed in the blink of an eye?

These are the dilemmas that 17-year-old Grace Ayre suddenly finds herself facing. One fateful night a brutal attack leaves her best friend dead and her life changes in an instant. She's moved away from the life she had always known and thrown into the life of a loner in a remote village in the north of England.

An unnerving trip through a darkened cemetery sparks a series of events that make Grace question everything she knows about the world and more importantly, everything she knows about herself.

With her life in imminent danger will she discover enough about herself to change her future and will the elusive and mysterious Nate help or hinder her process?

Grace is a story of love, loss, friendship and discovering how one's fate can shape existence and how the lust for power can destroy it all.

What I Thought of This Book / My Rating:

I met Leanne through a Facebook author/book promo group and I was interested in reading her debut novel ever since I read the blurb. I was lucky enough to win a free eBook copy when she did an author takeover on an event last week. 

My review:
This book was amazing. It's hard to believe it's the author's first published novel because it is beautifully written. You instantly like Grace and Mia made for a perfect friend for her. Dan brings the phrase "looks can be deceiving" to mind and Nate - Nate was perfect in every way. The story line keeps your attention and you want to know the real reason Grace and her mom left London. Then you're dying to know what the secret is that Nate is keeping from Grace.

This book vaguely reminded me of Lauren Kate's Fallen series and Wendy Higgins's Sweet Series. I can't wait to see what's to come in book two. This book was a very promising start!

My Rating: 5 of 5 Stars!

"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #8

            This WIR-Wednesday I've decided to use my free Amazon Prime trial to borrow a Kindle book..

The Carlswick Affair by SL Beaumont

Blurb:

Who do you trust when everyone around you has secrets?

Stephanie Cooper is visiting her English grandmother in the village of Carlswick before starting her university studies at Oxford in this romantic suspense novel - the first book in The Carlswick Mysteries, a young adult mystery series. 

Her fateful meeting with James Knox, guitarist for indie band The Fury, sets off a chain of events. A family feud dating back to World War II threatens to keep them apart and the return of Stephanie's erstwhile boyfriend Sam only adds fuel to the mix. 

As Stephanie delves into the mysterious circumstances surrounding her great-aunt's death, she uncovers the secrets and deceptions of a previous generation. But someone does not want her to discover the truth about either family's past and that someone may kill to stop her. 

However great the danger, Stephanie knows that she must uncover the secrets that lie beneath the ancient roof of Knox Manor.

Why I Chose This Book / What I Think So Far:

This was another book I had seen on Ripley's Booklist. The synopsis really interested me and I'm really looking forward to diving into this book. It seems like a perfect book to read while I'm stuck inside thanks to yesterday/today's continued snow storm.  I'm really liking this book so far and I can't wait to find out the origin of the feud between Stephanie and James's families. James is swoonworthy and Stephanie is a great main character. 

Update: I finished this book this afternoon; here are my thoughts: This book has it all: mystery, romance, sexy musicians, historical backstories, and a shady art dealer. This book grips you from the beginning and keeps you turning pages. The reason of the feud between James and Stephanie's families is only the tip of the iceberg and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the ending. A really great read.
My rating: 5 of 5 Stars

Here's what else I read since last week...

Cogling by Jordan Elizabeth

Blurb:

When fifteen-year-old Edna Mather tears an expensive and unfamiliar pocket watch off her little brother’s neck, he crumbles into a pile of cogs right before her eyes. Horrified, Edna flees for help, but encounters Ike, a thief who attempts to steal the watch before he realizes what it is: a device to power Coglings—clockwork changelings left in place of stolen children who have been forced to work in factories. 

Desperate to rescue her brother, Edna sets off across the kingdom to the hags’ swamp, with Ike in tow. There, they learn Coglings are also replacing nobility so the hags can stage a rebellion and rule over humanity. Edna and Ike must stop the revolt, but the populace believes hags are helpful godmothers and healers. No one wants to believe a lowly servant and a thief, especially when Ike has secrets that label them both as traitors. 

Together, Edna and Ike must make the kingdom trust them or stop the hags themselves, even if Ike is forced to embrace his dark heritage and Edna must surrender her family.

What I Thought of This Book:

I received a free copy of Cogling in exchange for an honest review.

After a hag takes fifteen-year-old Edna’s brother in the middle of the night and replaces him with a “cogling”, a sort-of clone version of the child made up of cogs and held together by a watch; Edna knows there’s something wrong with her brother the next morning. He is not acting like himself at all.

It isn’t until the butler of their employer spots a fancy watch around Harrison’s neck and Edna is forced to take Harrison home where she pulls the watch from his neck and he disintegrates into a pile of cogs that she learns the horrible truth.

But how could this happen? Nobody believes what Edna is trying to tell them, not her neighbor, nor the man at the theater where her mother works, and especially not the police. Then she encounters Ike, a thief out to rob her of the watch she holds… as the whole awful story spills out of her she finally finds not only someone to believe her, but someone who knows what is happening.

Ike tells Edna that children are being kidnapped by hags and are being forced to work in their factories. Coglings are left in these kidnapped children’s places. The police and the King seem either oblivious or unwilling to do anything. Ike agrees to take her to the hag’s factory in the swamps so Edna can save her brother… for a price.

As Edna and Ike set off on their journey they travel into the seedier side of the world. Will Edna be able to save Harrison? And is Ike someone she can really trust? Especially when Edna learns the huge secret that Ike is keeping about his true identity and his real motivation to help her?

I liked this book. Ike was my favorite character by far. The story was interesting overall and it’s not the type of book I usually read, so it was a nice change. If you’re a fan of steampunk you’ll gobble this book up!
My rating: 4 of 5 stars