The Friday Face-Off: Current Read #32

                        

 Welcome to The Friday Face-Off, a weekly meme at Books by Proxy. Join us every Friday as we pit cover against cover, and publisher against publisher, to find the best artwork in our literary universe.  You can find a list of upcoming topics at Lynn's Books.

This week's topic is:

Current Read #32

October is the month where I try to fit as many horror books into my reading as I can (although I tend to read horror any time of year, so I'm not sure how different things are, haha), and this week one of the books I've been reading is The Eyes are the Best Part by Monika Kim! This book is super eyeball-themed, as you will tell by all of these covers, so if you don't like eyes, then you may want to skip this week's FFO. If not, let's take a look at the three different cover variations for this one!

2024 US Hardcover

2024 UK Hardcover

2024 Exclusive Evernight Hardcover

My favorite(s):

Honestly, these are all pretty great for the topic of eyeballs, haha. I'm currently reading the Evernight exclusive edition and I love that it looks like the artist was given the direction of "eyeballs... eyeballs everywhere" and they really took that to heart (you can see the full illustrations on the edges, endpapers, and naked hardcover here if you're curious). But I also think both the original US and UK editions fit the story perfectly and you can't go wrong with either of them. Which edition (if any) do you like best? Maybe it's a weird one to have a favorite on, haha, but let me know if you have a preference for any of these!

Review: The Black Hunger by Nicholas Pullen

The Black Hunger by Nicholas Pullen

Redhook

Publication Date: October 8th, 2024

Paperback. 400 pages.

About The Black Hunger:

"A spine-tingling, queer gothic horror debut where two men are drawn into an otherworldly spiral, and a journey that will only end when they reach the darkest part of the human soul.

“The Black Hunger is a bleak, gothic masterpiece. A devastating exploration of humanity's capacity for evil."​ – Sunyi Dean, author of The Book Eaters

John Sackville will soon be dead. Shadows writhe in the corners of his cell as he mourns the death of his secret lover and the gnawing hunger inside him grows impossible to ignore.

He must write his last testament before it is too late.

It is a story steeped in history and myth - a journey from stone circles in Scotland, to the barren wilderness of Ukraine where otherworldly creatures stalk the night, ending in the icy peaks of Tibet and Mongolia, where an ancient evil stirs."

The Black Hunger is the type of horror that I love: an intricate slow burn story full of dread that demands patience from its reader, but rewards that patience in all the best ways. It’s been far too long since I’ve read something that felt like such a delightful and unsettling treat. This book transported me back to the kind of fever-dream books I loved as a kid-those ones that combine so much history into fiction that it almost feels real. It very much gave me some similar vibes to Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian with its attention to detail, historical depth, and richly imagined world. This is the type of story that pulls you in and keeps you there and makes you start to wonder where this fits into our own reality.

I couldn't hope to provide an accurate way to summarize this book, so please feel free to read the synopsis above provided by the publisher to get a better idea of what you're getting yourself into–although it, too, is also a big vague. 

The Black Hunger is told as John Sackville's overarching narrative, but it is also the story of Dr. Samuel Abravanel and Ian Stewart, and along the way we delve into these other stories where we learn more and uncover different aspects of the story with these characters. There is also use of an epistolary format that worked really well and provided an added intimacy to the characters that made it feel like we were peering into their minds and experiences as if we were a part of them. This also added to the somewhat dread-filled atmosphere and allowed readers to slowly put together the pieces of this puzzle.

One strong point of this book (among many) lies in its characters. They were all multidimensional, each with their own set of desires, fears, motivations, and reactions. The way that Pullen managed to explore their inner minds made it easy to connect with them and I found myself completely invested in their journeys. I honestly didn't expect to be so emotionally affected by their own experiences and grief, but there were moments in the story where certain events hit me hard. The horror in The Black Hunger is not just the darkness of what happens around the characters, but is also very emotional and psychological in how it affects both characters and readers.

I also have to give credit to the structure and timeline shifts between sections and characters because of how well they ended up working. The first part of the story was so compelling that when things were switched up I was initially worried that it would disrupt the flow and I wouldn't be as engaged with the next part. However, I shouldn't have worried because I ended enjoying the next parts just as much as the first, and I felt it added a much broader and more widely encompassing scope to the story.

This book pulls on so much history and many cultural aspects that were all incredibly well-researched and felt natural within the story. There's an esoteric quality to the story that borders on being a bit dense at times, but instead of bogging down the narrative, it enhances it and adds incredible depth and complexity to the world.  Pullen manages to find the perfect balance between information and intrigue, drawing you deeper without overwhelming you, and I thought he did a good job of using basic concepts of things to turn into more imaginative uses in the plot.

Pullen's prose is an incredible highlight of this book. It's lush, immersive, and easily creates an atmosphere of darkness that permeates the entire book. It's the type of writing where every sentence seems to carry weight and adds layers of meaning on top of meaning. Pullen doesn't just describe places or people, he delves deeply into them to bring them fully alive to readers. The more the story unfolds, the heavier the sense of impending doom becomes. It's the type of horror that creeps under your skin without resorting to cheap scares. I'm not sure this book will be for everyone, but I found it immensely satisfying and the tension throughout worked successfully until the very last page. 

Personally, I can't think of much of anything I didn't particularly like about this book, so my sections on my complaints is going to be relatively small. The main thing that I think may put people off from this book is that it really is quite dense at times, and it's also an incredibly slow-paced story. I found the effort completely worth the wait and I was glued to the pages so it felt like a page-turner to me, but if that's not really your preferred style, then you may have more struggles with this book.

Overall, I've given The Black Hunger five stars! For me, this is a new favorite and feels very much like a classic Gothic horror in the making. The Black Hunger is everything I look for in Gothic horror: thoughtful prose, well-developed characters, detailed settings that are characters in their own right, and a creeping sense of dread that never lets up. If you love slow-burn horror that prioritizes atmosphere and depth over quick thrills, this is a book you won’t want to miss.

*I received a copy of The Black Hunger in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Can't-Wait Wednesday: Darkly by Marisha Pessl & The Author's Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, & Karen White

     

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released! This meme is based off of Jill @ Breaking the Spine's Waiting on Wednesday meme.

Darkly by Marisha Pessl
Publication: November 26th, 2024
Delacorte Press
Hardcover. 416 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"What would you kill for?

When an ad for an internship with the Louisiana Veda Foundation poses this question, seemingly every high school student in the country rushes to apply. Arcadia “Dia” Gannon has been obsessed with Louisiana Veda, the late game designer whose obsessive creations have attained a cultlike status, ever since she and her mom played Disappearing Act—but Dia has never won anything in her life. So she’s shocked when she’s chosen as an intern, along with six other teenagers from around the world.

Little is known about Louisiana Veda. Her game-making empire, Darkly, was renowned for its ingenious, terrifying toys and games, rife with hidden symbols and secrets. But after Veda’s mysterious death, Darkly went bankrupt, and production was discontinued. The remaining games are priced like highly sought-after works of art, with the rarest and most notorious items commanding tens of millions of dollars at auction.

Now the interns are thrust into the enigmatic heart of Louisiana Veda’s operation, and Dia immediately questions everything: Who are these other kids? Why do they all seem to have something to hide? And why was she really chosen? It soon becomes clear that this summer will be the most twisted Darkly game of all."

My experience reading Marisha Pessl's past books is that she always has really neat premises and always explores them fully, so I'm really curious and excited about this one!

The Author's Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, Karen White
Publication: November 5th, 2024
William Morrow
Hardcover. 416 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"There’s been a sensational murder at historic Castle Kinloch, a gothic fantasy of grey granite on a remote island in the Highlands of Scotland. Literary superstar Brett Saffron Presley has been found dead—under bizarre circumstances—in the castle tower’s book-lined study. Years ago, Presley purchased the castle as a showpiece for his brand and to lure paying guests with a taste for writerly glamour. Now it seems, the castle has done him in…or, possibly, one of the castle’s guests has. Detective Chief Inspector Euan McIntosh, a local with no love for this literary American show-off (or Americans in general), finds himself with the unenviable task of extracting statements from three American lady novelists.

The prime suspects are Kat de Noir, a slinky, sexy erotica writer; Cassie Pringle, a Southern mom of six juggling multiple cozy mystery series; and Emma Endicott, a New England blue blood and author of critically acclaimed historical fiction. The women claim to be best friends writing a book a historical novel about the castle’s lurid past and its debauched laird, who himself ended up creatively murdered. But the authors’ stories about how they know Brett Saffron Presley don’t quite line up, and the detective is getting increasingly suspicious.

Why did the authors really come to Castle Kinloch? Is the murder of the long-ago laird somehow connected with the playboy author’s unfortunate demise? And what really happened the night of the great Kinloch ceilidh, when Brett Saffron Presley skipped the folk dancing for a rendezvous with death?

A crafty locked-room mystery, a pointed satire about the literary world, and a tale of unexpected friendship and romance—this novel has it all, as only three bestselling authors can tell it!."

This sounds like a lot of fun and this trio of authors always does a great job with their collaborations. I am always up for a good satire! 

Review: The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night by Steven Banbury

The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night by Steven Banbury

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: September 3rd, 2024

Paperback. 336 pages.

About The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night:

"A spooky yet heartwarming adventure about one girl's journey into the land of the undead, and the unexpected family she finds along the way. Perfect for fans of Nevermoor and the hit series Wednesday.

On Halloween, it is always wise to expect the unexpected, but no amount of planning could have prepared Eve for that particular night. Fleeing an unpleasant orphanage, she’s saved by someone who she never believed was real…the fabled Pumpkin King himself.

Throwing caution aside, Eve accepts the offer to become his daughter and is whisked away to the misty Hallowell Valley—home to witches and vampires, ghosts and goblins, and all that go bump in the night. But just when she believes she’s found her place among the undead, a sinister scheme unearths itself, threatening to take everything from Eve unless she can stop it.

From debut author Steven Banbury comes a cozy, magical adventure sure to delight anyone who loves the tricks of Halloween as much as the treats of autumn."

If you’re looking for the coziest and most delightful middle-grade Halloween-themed book to enjoy this season, The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night is the perfect pick. I love some spooky or Halloween-themed middle grade books and always try to fit some in every fall, and this was the perfect option for it. This would be a perfect book to read anytime in the fall season, as it has a very warm atmosphere that is perfect for the holiday season. 

The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night has a wonderful balance of whimsy and heart and transports readers on a journey to Hallowell Valley, a place full of every spooky Halloween monster and creature you can imagine, and also showcases some incredible friendships and a beautiful father-daughter relationship.

The story follows Evelyn, an orphan who is unexpectedly whisked away to Hallowell by the Pumpkin King who also decides to adopt her as his daughter. We follow’s Eve's perspective throughout the story, and I absolutely loved following her along this journey and being able to see everything in this world through her eyes as she discovers it. Eve has had a rough go of things in life and it was lovely to see what a big heart she had for everyone despite what's happened in her own life.

The Pumpkin King is a classic grumpy-but-actually-softhearted character, which is sometimes an overused cliché, but it was a very welcome one in this story. His seemingly cold exterior slowly gives way to show his genuine care for Eve and everyone else in Hallowell, and watching his father-daughter relationship with Evelyn grow is a highlight of the book. There are also a variety of other fun characters, such as the scarecrows that live and work at the manor (though I’ll admit that I was a little put off at first by how they were described by the pumpkin king as not really having names or anything and seemed to not really be viewed as individuals, but I think the story worked it out alright with them to where things end up better). We also meet Vlad, a lovely vampire who becomes fast friends with Eve, and Lila, a spunky witch. There’s also a variety of fun villain-type characters that fit perfectly in this environment and were perfectly cliche villains.

One of my favorite things about this book were the strong, overarching themes of friendship and family that were present every step of the way. This has an incredible found family situation and it was honestly so heartwarming to see the different ways the characters were able to find their own family and happiness as the plot progressed. This book really shows that you can find your family anywhere.

My only super minor nitpick about this book would be that the writing at times felt a little amateur, as if it could have been edited just a bit more in certain areas. This was most noticeable with some of the dialogue where it occasionally felt a bit awkward or inconsistent. Again, this was something very minor and not something that I'd really say should discourage anyone from reading it, but I did want to note that it was something that stuck out to me at times. I highly doubt younger audiences would have any problems with it, though!

Overall, this was an adorable fall read with plenty of spooky characters and tons of heart. This can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike, but I think this will be an especially big hit with kids who love Halloween and all the monsters that go with it. 

*I received a copy of The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Can't-Wait Wednesday: We Shall Be Monsters by Alyssa Sees & Daughters of Bronze by A.D. Rhine

     

Can't-Wait is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights exciting upcoming releases that we can't wait to be released! This meme is based off of Jill @ Breaking the Spine's Waiting on Wednesday meme.

We Shall Be Monsters by Alyssa Wees
Publication: November 12th, 2024
Del Rey
Paperback. 320 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"A dark, lyrical fantasy blending the world of the Fae with the stories mothers tell to keep their daughters safe - and the consequences of disregarding the truth, no matter how sinister.

Gemma lives with her mother in an isolated antique shop in Michigan, near a small patch of woods that conceals an enchanted gateway to fairyland. She knows she's not supposed to go into the woods - her mother Virginia has warned her multiple times about the monsters that lurk there - and yet defiantly, curiously, she goes anyway.

Virginia understands her daughter's defiance. She knows the lure of the woods all too well. Her own mother warned her about the monsters that resided there, and she also did not listen. Until a witch cursed her true love, Ash - Gemma's father - into the form of a beast in the days before Gemma's birth. And if Virginia cannot break the curse before her daughter turns fifteen, Ash will eat Virginia's heart and Gemma will belong to the witch. So Virginia will do whatever she can to protect her daughter - even if it means stealing Gemma's memories away.

But everything changes when Gemma inadvertently gets too close to the truth, and the witch steals Virginia away instead. Now it is up to Gemma to venture deep into Fae lands to try and rescue her mother and break the curse."

This sounds like such an intriguing premise between mother/daughter and I'm so curious about exploring the Fae world in this. 

Daughters of Bronze by A.D. Rhine
Publication: November 26th, 2024
Dutton
Paperback. 512 pages.
Pre-order: Amazon | Bookshop.org

From Goodreads:
"Song of great sorrow. Even greater love.

Lost between the timeless lines of Homer’s epic, the women of Troy finally stand to be counted. Their story is one you’ve never encountered, and it will change the fate of Troy forever.

Andromache has proven herself a capable leader, but can she maintain that hard-won status now that she is the mother to the city’s long-awaited heir? With enemies closing in, Andromache must bring together a divided city in time to make a final stand.

Rhea is a Trojan spy, but she never expected to find love in the enemy camp. When the final battle lines are drawn, Rhea must decide where her loyalties lie and how much she is willing to lose.

Helen is no longer the same broken woman first brought to Troy as a captive. Given a second chance at life, she must cast off her shroud of grief and use her healing gifts to save Troy’s greatest hope.

Cassandra has seen Troy’s fate. But she knows the truth is only as valuable as the person who tells it . . . and few in Troy value her. All that is about to change. One hero will rise, another will fall . . . and this time, Cassandra will have her say."

I just can't ever say not to these Greek myth-inspired stories/retellings and this is no exception! Really looking forward to this one, I've heard amazing things. 

Review: The City in Glass by Nghi Vo

The City in Glass by Nghi Vo

Tordotcom

Publication Date: October 1st, 2024

Hardcover. 224 pages.

About The City in Glass:

"The demon Vitrine—immortal, powerful, and capricious—loves the dazzling city of Azril. She has mothered, married, and maddened the city and its people for generations, and built it into a place of joy and desire, revelry and riot.

And then the angels come, and the city falls.

Vitrine is left with nothing but memories and a book containing the names of those she has lost—and an angel, now bound by her mad, grief-stricken curse to haunt the city he burned.

She mourns her dead and rages against the angel she longs to destroy. Made to be each other’s devastation, angel and demon are destined for eternal battle. Instead, they find themselves locked in a devouring fascination that will change them both forever.

Together, they unearth the past of the lost city and begin to shape its future. But when war threatens Azril and everything they have built, Vitrine and her angel must decide whether they will let the city fall again."

The City in Glass is an evocative new fantasy featuring angels, demons, and a close look at the history of a city over time as it is built up and destroyed. I was immediately captivated by this premise and similarly taken in by Vo's ability to strings words together into something that sounds truly remarkable.

What I liked: As expected, Nghi Vo's prose is absolutely stunning. There's a lyrical quality to the writing that creates a gorgeous atmosphere and completely envelopes you in the world she’s created. You know that sort of mystical way in which fantasy prologues are often written? The entire book sort of feels like that--which, depending on your preference, could make this hit or miss (my best comparison is like something by Catherynne M. Valente where the writing is beautiful, but not for everyone).  The City in Glass reminded me a lot of Vo's Singing Hills Cycle, which I previously read and loved, particularly with regard to the writing style. I also really appreciated the entire concept of this book and its exploration of angels and demons in this story and their connections to the city, all of which added to the rich, mythical tone of the narrative.

What I didn't like: I struggled to feel connected to the story itself. Despite my interest in Vitrine's journey, I always felt like I was being held at arm’s length, as if I was observing rather than truly engaging. While the writing and vibes are beautiful, the narrative lacked a certain aspect that would've helped me become more immersed in the story. It sometimes felt as if were reading for the prose rather than for the plot or characters–which isn't always a bad thing, as reading lovely writing for writing's sake can be nice, but it still took away from the experience slightly.  The characters also occasionally felt a bit underdeveloped, though this might be intentional given the sort of myth-like quality of the writing. 

Overall, The City in Glass is a gorgeously written story that explores some interesting themes and ideas and is well worth a read, though the style may not be for everyone. 

*I received a copy of The City in Glass in exchange for an honest review. This has no effect on my rating.*

Buy the book: Amazon | Bookshop.org

Month in Review: September 2024

September was apparently a bit of a lackluster blogging month for me. It turns out I only posted three reviews when I had quite a few more planned, so I apologize for that. I've already got a few drafts scheduled to be posted for October reviews, so hopefully we are already going to be doing a bit better this month, haha. 

I read some incredible books this month and some pretty lackluster books, so I had a good bit of variety in my reading last month, haha. The two standouts were Navola and Spireheart, the start of a new series and the final book in a series, respectively Navola is a stunning new fantasy that grabbed me immediately and kept me captivated until the very end–and I cannot wait for more. Spireheart was very bittersweet as I'm sorry to say goodbye to this world and characters, but it was an incredible final installment in an exceptional series. 

This month is also a bit busy, as I have a training this week that will take up a majority of my time during the week/weekend, but I'm trying to have posts scheduled and will do my best to fit in some reading time when possible! The worst part of being busy is when you don't have time to read 😭.  

How was your September?  Let me know how your month was below and what you've been reading!

   

# books read: 11

Navola by Paolo Bacigalupi ★★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC

Thoughts: This was incredible! It was one of my best reads of the month and became a new favorite fantasy book. A link to my review is below!

Spireheart (Jekua #6) by Travis M. Riddle ★★★★★

Source: Author Request | Format: Ebook

Thoughts: This was one of the other best books I read in Septemeber! This was the final book in the series and it was fantastic. A link to my review for it can also be found below. 

Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe ★★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook

Thoughts: I've been meaning to read this for so long, and I'm glad I finally did. This was incredibly informative and really showcases the opioid problems in America, as well as some of the crazy issues we have with healthcare. A worthwhile read I'd definitely recommend.

The City in Glass by Nghi Vo ★★★.5
Source: Publisher | Format: Hardcover

Thoughts: This was a really beautifully written book, though I didn't really connect with it as much as I'd hoped. My review will be up soon.

Guillotine by Delilah S. Dawson ★★★
Source: Library | Format: Hardcover

Thoughts: This was a perfectly great horror with big 'eat the rich' vibes, but unfortunately I felt like it was lacking some substance. It felt like it existed just to exist, but didn't really have much more purpose behind it. I'd still recommend it, but largely for entertainment. 

The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook (Dungeon Crawler Carl #3) by Matt Dinniman ★★★★
Source: Audible | Format: Audiobook

Thoughts: I've been having so much fun with this series, and I still wholeheartedly recommend the audiobooks. 

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King ★★★★
Source: Owned | Format: Paperback

Thoughts: People are right, this really is a great book for writers! I'm really glad I finally got around to it. 

A Rose by Any Other Name by Mary McMyne ★★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Paperback

Thoughts: This was a really entertaining historical fantasy and I had a great time in this setting and with these characters.  I had a few issues with it, but overall it was a solid read. 

Sleep Tight by J.H. Markert ★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook

Thoughts: This started out really strong, but sputtered out a bit as the story progressed. The cover doesn't really fit the story (in a disappointing way), and it just became too much of a detective/murder mystery for what I was expecting. I'm sure many will love this one, though!

House of Thorns by Isabel Strychacz ★★★
Source: Library | Format: Audiobook

Thoughts: House of Thorns was a solid ghost story with a bit of a haunted house. It was a bit slower than I expected and I had hoped for more from it, but still a very thoughtful and compelling story. 

The Scarlet Throne (False Goddess #1) by Amy Leow ★★★
Source: Publisher | Format: Physical ARC

Thoughts: This also had a really strong start, but seemed to fizzle a bit as things went along. It felt like a fairly fresh story at first, but then things started to feel a bit more familiar. An interesting fantasy with a compelling premise, but it didn't overly stand out to me. 

DNF/To-Be-Finished:

None!

 

Ruin Road by Lamar Giles
Navola by Paolo Bacigalupi

Spireheart (Jekua #6) by Travis M. Riddle

 Posts:

Month  in Review: August 2024
Blog Tour: In the Garden of Monsters by Crystal King + Excerpt
Blog Tour: The Midnight Club by Margot Harrison + Excerpt

Blog Memes:

Can't-Wait Wednesday:
9/11: The Black Hunger by Nicholas Pullen, Polostan by Neal Stephenson, & Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy
9/18: The Fury of the Gods by John Gwynne, Don't Let the Forest In by CG Drews, & The City in Glass by Nghi Vo
9/25: The Great When by Alan Moore, The Wild Huntress by Emily Lloyd-Jones, & The Treasure Hunters Club by Tom Ryan

The Friday Face-Off:
Current Read #31