Tag: fiction

Reviews

A Short Stay in Hell Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on A Short Stay in Hell Review

A Short Stay in Hell is a clever and unsettling read that turns a simple idea into something deeply thought provoking. It begins with a darkly funny twist as a Mormon man dies and discovers he chose the wrong religion. The true faith was Zoroastrianism, and now he must spend eternity in a Hell shaped like an infinite library. His only task is to find the one book that tells the story of his life. Once he does, he’s free to leave, though the odds of ever finding it are almost impossible.

The concept is fascinating and slowly becomes disturbing as the vastness of eternity sets in. The endless shelves, filled mostly with meaningless combinations of letters, capture the futility and madness of an infinite search for meaning. Peck blends humour and horror in a way that feels both strange and human, raising quiet questions about faith, purpose and the limits of understanding.

The novella shines most when exploring how people respond to hopelessness. The small society that forms inside the library feels both familiar and tragic, a reflection of how we repeat the same mistakes even in new worlds. The writing is simple and clear, but sometimes a little too restrained for such a powerful idea. I found myself wanting more… more emotion, more time with the characters and a deeper sense of closure.

Still, it’s a haunting little story that stays with you. Peck manages to capture the fear of infinity without relying on fire or suffering. Instead, he shows how eternity itself can be the most frightening punishment of all.

⭐️3/5 stars This is a book I feel like I’ll be thinking about for a while!

Reviews

Hex Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Hex Review

Hex might be short, but it really packs a punch. Set in 16th century Scotland, it follows Geillis, a young woman accused of witchcraft and locked in a cold prison cell on the night before she’s executed. With her is Iris, a woman from the present day who somehow finds herself drawn back through time to be with her. It’s a strange but powerful connection that shows how little has changed for women across the centuries… the same fear, judgement and control still exist, just in different forms.

Fagan’s writing is raw and poetic, filled with emotion and quiet fury. Through Geillis’s story you feel the weight of injustice and the cruelty of those who twisted fear into power. Iris brings a more modern voice, one that reminds us that these stories aren’t as distant as we’d like to think. The blend of history and magic works beautifully, even if it sometimes makes you question where the line between truth and myth really sits.

The phrase “as they say, as they say” repeats throughout, and it’s one that lingers long after you finish reading. It captures how easily people accept things without question, how gossip and fear can become truth when repeated often enough. There were a few slower moments that didn’t add much, but they don’t take away from the overall impact. The story still hits with force, leaving behind a mix of sadness, rage and admiration for the women who refused to stay silent.

Hex is unsettling, powerful and unforgettable. It’s the kind of book that gets under your skin and sits with you long after you’ve closed it.

⭐️3/5 stars A small book with a big impact!

Reviews

When the Wolf Comes Home Review

by amyleighreads2 Comments on When the Wolf Comes Home Review

When the Wolf Comes Home was such a wild, strange and unforgettable read. It’s the kind of horror that sneaks up on you, full of blood and chaos but with a surprisingly emotional core. What starts as a werewolf story quickly becomes something much deeper about fear, grief, loss and how the things we run from always find a way to catch up to us.

Jess, a struggling actress in L.A. barely holding it together, ends up rescuing a terrified young boy on the run from his violent father. From there, everything unravels fast. The pace barely slows down as they cross the country, hunted by monsters both human and otherwise. It’s tense and messy and full of moments that are equal parts horrifying and heartfelt. Some scenes go a bit over the top, but honestly, that’s part of what makes it so compelling. Cassidy leans into the weirdness and somehow makes it work.

The real strength of this book is how human it feels. Jess isn’t your typical horror heroine; she’s anxious, funny, flawed and feels incredibly real. Watching her stumble through impossible situations while slowly confronting her own fears was what kept me glued to the page. The boy’s story adds another layer too, showing how fear and trauma can take on a life of their own… literally, in this case.

When the Wolf Comes Home is fast-paced, unsettling and full of heart. It’s weird, gory and emotional all at once, and it proves that horror can be just as much about healing as it is about fear.

⭐️4/5 stars A wild, bloody ride that somehow still manages to hit you right in the feels.

Reviews

Harriet Tubman Live in Concert Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Harriet Tubman Live in Concert Review

In an age of miracles where our greatest heroes from history have magically, unexplainably returned to shake us out of our confusion and hate, Harriet Tubman is back, and she has a lot to say. Harriet Tubman and four of the enslaved persons she led to freedom want to tell their story in a unique way—by following in the footsteps of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. Harriet wants to put on a show about her life, and she needs a songwriter to help her.

I have been a fan of Bob the Drag Queen for ages, so when I heard he’d written a book I knew I had to pick it up straight away. I’ll admit, historical fiction generally doesn’t excite me but Harriet Tubman back from the dead making a hip hop album kind of did it for me and honestly, it worked way better than I expected.

The story follows Darnell, a queer music producer who’s trying to figure himself out, and somehow ends up working with Harriet and her crew of Freemen to help tell the story of the Underground Railroad through music. It’s set in the present day, but there’s a lot of history packed in, some of it I knew, but a lot of it I didn’t. It never feels like a history lesson though. The way it’s written makes it easy to take in without it feeling heavy.

I liked that Darnell’s character actually had some depth. You really see him grow over the course of the story, especially around how he sees himself and where he fits. There’s a lot in here about identity, race and queerness that really makes you stop and think, but it’s still a fun read too.

The audiobook was definitely something special, with Bob narrating it themself. If you’re into Black queer stories, or even just want to read something original with a solid message, this one’s worth checking out!

⭐️5/5 stars a stunning debut by Bob the Drag Queen!

Reviews

Starling House Review

by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment on Starling House Review

Eden, Kentucky, is just another dying, bad-luck town, known only for the legend of E. Starling, the reclusive nineteenth-century author and illustrator who wrote The Underland–and disappeared. Before she vanished, Starling House appeared. But everyone agrees that it’s best to let the uncanny house―and its last lonely heir, Arthur Starling―go to rot. Opal knows better than to mess with haunted houses or brooding men, but an unexpected job offer might be a chance to get her brother out of Eden. Too quickly, though, Starling House starts to feel dangerously like something she’s never had: a home.

I absolutely loved the atmosphere of this book! The small town, haunted house vibes were immaculate and I was soo invested in the lore and the family history that was attached to it too! Opal’s perspective is so raw and unyielding and the struggles she’s had to overcome since her mother’s death really shows how strong willed she is.

The house wasn’t as spooky as what I was anticipating. I thought this was a haunted house story so I was waiting for the focus to swing back to the house but the main mystery was more so surrounding Eleanor and the Underland. It was interesting to kind of piece together the story from all of the different sources Eden went to and then ultimately getting the story straight from Eleanor was gratifying!

⭐️4/5 stars I lowkey want to stay the night there… sans the monsters of course lol