Title: Come Tumbling Down (Wayward Children #5)

Author: Seanan McGuire

Release date: January 7th, 2020

The 5th book in McGuire’s PHENOMENAL Wayward Children jumps straight into the action and at this point, if you’re reading this review, I’m going to assume you’ve read up until this book. If not – please note, some spoilers are within, but unfortunately that’s necessary when you’re this far into a series.

What I liked: After book four (and 4.5) took a diversion over to discovering Lundy’s back story, book five focuses squarely on Jack and Jill and what happened at the Moors. A door blasts open in the basement of The School for Wayward Children and we find Alexis and Jill, but that body now playing host to Jack. Things have unraveled, Bleak is feared dead and Jack wants to return and seek vengeance on what her sister has done.

The story is told through the narrative of an adventure, we get the group banding together, returning to the Moors and ultimately confronting Jill. McGuire does an amazing job of treating this entry as both a piece of the bigger story, but also an individual dark fairy tale. We get to meet Gideon and Cora discovers the Drowned Gods and ultimately we get a fantastic climax where Jack confronts Jill and the Master is put in his place. Seanan has really crafted some really amazing characters and we even get an emotional moment with Kade and a bridge.

It was great to once again visit the Moors and even though it’s alluded that we’ll never visit there again, I wouldn’t be surprised if we do return at some point in the future.

What I didn’t like: Each character plays a specific role and it was great to see Christopher have his moment connecting with one of the horses that Jack had created. But in this entry, Sumi was incredibly annoying and I didn’t think the character added anything except being a distraction.

Why you should buy this: If you’ve read the first four, you’ll definitely be checking this one out. With a sixth already out and a seventh entry arriving in a month, you have more than enough time to catch up.

If you’ve not read any of these and have stumbled upon this review – go back to the start, be sure, open the first door and welcome to these amazing worlds you’re about to discover.

5/5

Title: Tapping the West: How Alberta’s Craft Beer Industry Bubbled Out of an Economy Gone Flat

Author: Scott Messenger

Release date: May 5th, 2020

I know, I know, this isn’t a horror book or a sci-fi book or something deep and dark with gore and evisceration, but I read throughout a lot of genres and this book came to me in a special kind of way.

You see, way back in August of this year (2021), I was invited to my very first author event. I know! Exciting. It was at the best bookstore here in Edmonton, Daisy Chain Bookstore on 124th Street, and I was over the moon to be asked to participate. There were four of us there, introducing ourselves and reading from our work, and one of those authors just happened to Scott Messenger. I can’t say why, maybe it was us being the two males on the panel, or the telepathic connection that we both shared the same sense of humor, but we clicked and we chatted for most of the night and have stayed connected through Instagram.

This book, typically, would never in a million years interest me based on topic. You see, I don’t drink alcohol. Where I grew up, alcohol took the lives of a number of residents, grabbed others by the throat and had them spiral into addiction and helplessness or simply seemed to act as a force to keep many of my classmates in the small town. Now, don’t get me wrong – I have nothing wrong with drinking for social aspects and enjoyment of taste (I do take great issue with alcohol abuse and drunk driving) but I’m someone who can have a great time without getting drunk.

But, it was Scott’s description and reading of this book that really had it grab a hold of me. It was an interesting idea. He started a blog, One Year of Alberta Beer, and it took off. And from that the history of Craft Beer in the province unfolded and soon Scott had a book on his hands.

What I liked: Funny enough, this book ended up having two things I typically don’t find myself drawn to in books I read or want to read – a lot of information on beer and humor! But, I have to tell you, Scott’s writing is a joy and it worked really well.

The book follows him as he not only visits almost four dozen breweries of Craft Beer around the province, but dives into the history of the brewing. How it came to rise as an alternative to the major brewers and how they used different ingredients to turn their liquid into a chef’s menu, allowing those who enjoy this type of alcohol to have so many varieties to sample.

Throughout, Scott really does a great job of showcasing the struggle that it took to get the industry up and going, and how it took time for them to gain any respect. To push past a “local” tag and grow into a renowned industry. I really enjoyed seeing the major players and how they pushed against the big brewers while also tentatively respecting the other micro breweries that were also entering the scene.

What I didn’t like: In this case, instead of discussing a plot point or character I didn’t care for, as someone who doesn’t drink, I was lost when Scott was discussing flavors and ways of producing the product. I got it and know the basics, but those parts were not for me! Ha!

Why you should buy this: This is a really great look at a significant historical rise in not only the Albertan Craft Beer Industry, but Craft Beer in general. As well, the thoroughness Scott has included, while making it not only readable, but enjoyable and having perfect laugh points, showcases his talent as a writer. This one would make for a perfect read for someone who enjoys underdogs vs major player books, historical fans, beer fans, or even fans of Canadian non-fiction. I will say, it was a very insightful look at how entrepreneurs persevered when everybody around them thought they’d fail.

Outstanding book.

5/5

Title: Coprophilia

Author: Tim Friesenhahn

Release date: November 13, 2021

**Trigger Warnings a Plenty Here!**

Coprophilia – noun – abnormal interest and pleasure in feces and defecation.

**Normally, I’d share the cover as both the featured photo as well as the main cover up top there, but due to the extreme content, I’ve held off and will have it lower.**

Big thanks to Tim for sending a digital copy over to me. From what I understand, Amazon has banned the book, so you can get digital copies on Godless (link at the end as always with my reviews here) and I’m not too sure about physical copies.

Whenever I get a book to review, I approach it with as much fairness as I can. I want to love every single book, but the reality is you can’t. Just last night I DNF’d a book that will undoubtedly be on many people’s year end ‘Best Of’ Lists. That’s ok.

With EXTREME horror (and yes I put this in all-caps. Every horror book has extremity in it, hence the idea of the subgenre’s within) I typically approach it by looking for the ‘why’ and the symbolism.

Case in point – I’ve read Matthew Stokoe’s ‘Cows,’ and was blown away by the symbolism, the despair and the metaphoric look at how the main character was searching for acceptance, hope, love and ultimately control.

All too often in EXTREME horror, the books are written purely to disgust and repulse and fair enough. If that’s the author’s prerogative, more power to them. What it can often do, for me at least, is have the book fall flat. I can’t root for anyone, can’t hope for someone’s survival and can’t understand the ‘why’ when certain things are done or happen. No connection for this reader means no enjoyment, typically.

So it was, that I approached ‘Coprophilia’ by Tim Friesenhahn in the same manor. I personally, have zero trigger issues. I can read whatever and have no reaction, but I understand why other’s do.

The story is repulsive and disgusting, but, much like ‘Cows,’ that aspect is used to cover the reality that this is a story about two people who’ve been abused horrifically. If I had to relate this to any movies, I’d say it had elements of ‘Hostel’ and ‘The Human Centipede’ as well as dipping its toes into the same waters as ‘A Serbian Tale.’

What I liked: The story follows Paige, a man who was abused as a child by one of his father’s girlfriends and has a number of issues that he hasn’t sought professional help over. After falling for a woman and getting quickly married, those issues rear up and he flees, only to be seduced, drugged and captured by Deleyza. You see, Deleyza, this young, gorgeous woman, is out being her own ‘Dexter.’ Seeking out pedophiles and rapists, seducing them and then torturing them, until she decides to kill them. She too has been abused, and it’s through this shared connection that Paige finds himself falling for her, even as he witnesses and is involved in some horrible, horrible acts.

I really enjoyed watching how Paige internally struggled with his outward revulsion to what was happening and just how depraved Deleyza was, with his inward understanding that she was broken, just like him and that maybe together they could make things work.

As the story unfolds, Friesenhahn gives us many twists and turns, and they ultimately push Paige to the absolute limit of what he believes, but also what he can accept. The ending showcases that inner turmoil and with an epilogue added on, I’d say half of that epilogue added to their relationship and showed how they’d connected.

What I didn’t like: There were a number of issues I had and I’ll try my best to remain spoiler free but also constructive. First up – there is a very jarring POV shift shortly after the book starts. The book begins following Deleyza and showcasing her ‘why’ of her depravity. Suddenly, the book switches to 1st person POV from Paige’s perspective (where it remains for the rest of the book until the epilogue), which really threw me off. I’d believed at first it was going to be following Deleyza, so the switch to Paige didn’t feel natural.

Secondly, the coprophilia aspect also just sort of arrives. We never do get much of a back story as to why  Deleyza has this urge. We learn about the first time it happened and the underlying threat she felt by who was doing this act, but there wasn’t a connection between that act and why she fell so hard for this addiction. Unlike in ‘Cows,’ which really showcased the reason, this act didn’t have the depth of symbolism I was hoping it could have. The character being broken down and made to debase themselves with an act lesser than low, of being made to love something that we’re told from a very young age is wrong and disgusting. I think if that could’ve been sorted a bit or expanded upon, we really could’ve seen it used as a device to elevate these two characters from scum to lovers.

Lastly, I felt half of the epilogue was good to close the story off but the other half felt a bit forced. There’s this other element introduced, that hadn’t been discussed once before, it was just there near the house and it almost felt like it was added purely as a potential sequel/follow up piece, which really dampened a lot of the growth we’d seen in these characters.

Why you should buy this: If you’re an EXTREME horror fan and you frequent the Godless sight, you’ll most likely have come across this. If you’re looking for the grossest of the gross, the depravity and sickness of a story that is unhinged and an escape, you’ll most likely really enjoy this.

If you’re a horror fan who likes to dabble in the EXTREME extreme side, I think this one’ll be a miss for you.

It’s a fast read, filled with tension and a number of questions that will make you wanting to find out more. Tim’s done a great job of giving these characters depth when some of the story works to limit how much connection we have with them.

3/5

**** Here is the Godless buy link;

Coprophilia by Timothy Friesenhahn

**** Here is the full cover art uncensored ****

Title: 30 Minutes or Less Part 3

Author: Matthew Vaughn

Release date: November 29th, 2021

Over the last few years, one author I’ve really connected with is Matthew Vaughn. He’s a bit of a social media nomad, sometimes posting, sometimes not, but whenever I see him popping up, we’re always interacting and frequently DMing. It’s grown from a connection to a friendship and I’m always excited to see what he has in store.

As a reader, I’m not one who typically sets my reading direction on EXTREME horror. Don’t get me wrong, there’s a ton of folks who love the gore and violence and the detachment from reality that can come with it, but I’ve never been an overly huge fan of it. Saying that, Vaughn may well be one of my personal favorite extreme horror authors because each of his works always has character depth and emotional aspects. It’s not just gore for gore’s sake or violence without recourse.

One thing I’ve always been vocal about for my own reviews, is that I always will be honest and truthful as to how a book read for me. So, with that in mind – I want to be upfront by stating – this one does not work as a stand alone. You need to read books one and two prior to get the emotional aspects and the depth of Bella’s survival. Because of this, I’m reviewing this book as to how it fits into the series, and rating on Goodreads accordingly.

What I liked: The book picks up directly after the events in book two and we see Bella taken to a new location by the 30 Minutes or Less Killer. Vaughn does a great job of having the police arrive and finding what’s occurred back at Bella’s place, but once Bella is tossed to the basement at the new location and finds another family has been kidnapped and bound, she knows she’s running out of time.

Vaughn goes for broke on this one, with buckets and buckets of blood, tons of slashing, stabbing and carnage. If it wasn’t for the build up of books 1 and 2, this wouldn’t really be all that interesting, but there’s little hints and subtle clues that tie the three together and ultimately give us some foreshadowing about how this one’s going to end.

The finale is fantastic and Vaughn makes sure we get to see everything wrapped up and how those who do survive will never be the same.

What I didn’t like: I alluded to it earlier, but if this was a singular novella released, it wouldn’t have any depth, any character development or any connection between reader and character. Part of it is the reality of it being part 3, but in some aspects it felt a bit rushed through.

Why you should buy this: If you’ve read the first two, you’ll want to see how it finishes. I think, ideally, you’d read books 1-2-3 back to back to back and get the entire story in one sitting and seeing just how much emotion Vaughn can truly stack into an extreme horror book. An ideal ending to a fun, heart-pounding trilogy.

4/5

30 Minutes or Less Part 3 by Matthew Vaughn