What I'm Reading Flashbacks to Stephen Graham Jones and Tim McGregor

Today, 2 books are out in the world, both which I gave STARS to in Booklist. One I bet you already have on order, the other, you may not know about for good reason. Today I would like to feature them both. And please note, both reviews included a YA statement as they are excellent for teens.

The first is Don't Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones. This is Empire Strikes back level of 2nd in a trilogy stories. From my original post when the review dropped:

STAR Review
Don’t Fear the Reaper
By Stephen Graham Jones
Feb. 2023. 464p. Saga, $27.99 (9781982186593); e-book, $14.99 (9781982186616). 
REVIEW. First published December 1, 2022 (Booklist).

December 12, 2019, four years after the Independence Day Massacre at Indian Lake, Jade Daniels returns in the midst of an epic blizzard, just as notorious serial killer, Dark Mills South, has murdered his entire armed transport team, and escapes at the Proofrock, ID exit ramp. For the next 36 hours, the citizens of town will be forced to relive their trauma, some from four years ago, others from further in the past, as killers, out for revenge, go on a bloody rampage. Once again, Jade is at the center of it all. Armed with not much more than her slasher knowledge, indefatigable spirit, and strong moral compass,  Jade will need to make another final girl stand if there is any hope of making it to Friday the 13th. Unlike the first book, there is no need to set the scene, the unease builds to terror and bursts with gory action sequences immediately, a pacing that only lets up for brief gulps of air. Readers are given access to a multitude of voices, characters who get a chance to be heard, fleshed out, and ultimately set the stage for Jade’s return. More than the slasher it presents itself as, this is a contemplation on the allure of the genre itself, a novel that acknowledges the well trod ground upon which it stands while simultaneously and ingeniously burrowing new tunnels straight into readers’ nightmares. A superior example of 21st Century horror, an awesome reading experience, a blood soaked thrill ride, with a strong emotionally heartfelt core, where every detail matters, delivered by an author at the top of his game.

YA Statement: Jade made be a full fledged adult now, but the action, carnage, and many of the points of view, are centered around the town's high school seniors. The strong ties and references to well-known slasher films will also be a huge draw.

Further Appeal: While the first book was a survey of the slasher genre the key shift here is that it is a contemplation of the genre– its allure, its grip on humans, and its trauma. And yet, it is non stop action– bloody gorey action– with surprising moments of thoughtful contemplation

Also unlike the first book– which must set the scene and build the backstory– meaning it takes until the last third for it to burst open, here we have a second book in a trilogy and the 2nd book is always all about action. For context-- I normally hate 2nd books in a trilogy-- but, here SGJ does not write a typical 2nd book in a trilogy. I don't want to give anything away because this book unfolds so differently from the first, and yet, so much of the appeal is the same. And, to be honest, I might like this novel even better than the first [and I loved that one].

Like a good second in a slasher series– revenge is the theme– but on a few different fronts. It cannot all be explained with 1 killer or even one motive. Revenge is too complex.

One big difference here is that Jade is not the only voice speaking to the reader. There are so many chances for the reader to see into the thoughts and motivations of others-- both as things are happening, but also how they processed [or didn't process] the past 4 years. Every character, even those destined to be part of the body count, even those on the periphery of the story [from last time as well] get a moment to shine and be further developed.

Next book– when Jade will return again… not going to share when or how, but you get the set up clearly at the end.

There is a new history teacher and a new student turning in an idenpendent study-- this time it is a history of the July 4th Massacre.

Speaking of the next book and the student, this book is set in December 2019, and the student writing the independent study is clearly doing it virtually due to Covid. The next book will be after Covid [due to ending]. But the anxiety that we all know Covid is coming also adds to the atmosphere here.

Here are a few more random reading note:

• Again with the touching ending. An expected gift from every SGJ novel at this point.
• The “lake witch” is still there and still part of the action, her trauma still driving much of the killing. Perfect mix of slasher and lake witch
• Still a focus on trauma – Native American trauma, individual trauma, trauma of surviving a massacre.
•  Uses genre knowledge– well trod– but also masterfully created something new.

A note on my word choice in this review: many of my word choices in this review, and others, are spoilers, but only after you have read the book will you see them as such. With only 175- 200 words I pride myself on making those words work.

Finally, and this came as no surprised because I see it as one of SGJ's trademark now: Every. Detail. Matters. Even when they are coming at you fast. They come back and they matter. It makes for an awesome reading experience, one that many authors cannot deliver on. 

Three Words That Describe This Book: multiple povs, fast paced, ingenious 

Readalikes: I also had to sacrifice a readalike statement in the review itself to word count; however, those of you who look at the review online will see these that I directed my editor to pick titles by Paul Tremblay, Grady Hendrix, and Silvia Moreno Garcia as readalikes. 

Here is a photo from the Book Tour Kick-off Event Stephen and I did with Barnes & Noble. They posted it here, so all of you can watch it now!

Click here to view the B&N live event

Now on to another book I absolutely loved when it was first SCHEDULED to come out. "Scheduled" because the publisher folded before it could come out.

Thankfully, it was picked up by one of my favorite small presses-- Raw Dog Screaming Press-- who have release it so all of you can read it. My original Booklist Star review is below, but understand, I am not exaggerating about this one. It is one of the best coming of age Horror novels you will read...EVER! And Raw Dog Screaming Press titles are easily available from Ingram. From my original post back in March of 2022 but I have changed the publication information to match this current edition:

STAR REVIEW
Wasps in the Ice Cream

by Tim McGregor

Feb.. 2022. Raw Dog Screaming Press, 

$29.95 Hardcover ISBN: 9781947879522; $17.95 Paperback ISBN: 9781947879539. First published March 15, 2022 (Booklist).

In the summer of 1987, Mark worked at the local ice cream stand, where the product was subpar and a wasp nest ominously hung outside the window. It is the summer he fell in love with the middle Farrow sister, a Horror reading witch, a complex and beguiling girl whose family are the town pariahs. And, it is also the summer when a very real ghost began haunting him for the rest of his life. Looking back as an adult, Mark is able to own his mistakes, as he spins a vivid tale of the shattered innocence that defines him as an adult. Filled with evocative and captivating scenes, strong female characters, and an engaging narration, readers will become engrossed immediately, while the threat and fear at the heart of this story, satisfyingly, sneaks up on them. The provocative title, paired with the equally intriguing chapter titles, allows the tension and pacing to steadily increase until that titular nest and all of the consequences from a lifetime of choices come violently crashing down upon Mark and the reader. This spectacular example of coming of age Horror, the best since Janz's Children of the Dark and Kiste’s The Rust Maidens, and reminiscent of McCammon’s Boy’s Life, will delight and chill this subgenre’s numerous fans.

YA Statement: With its 1980s nostalgia, vivid cast of realistically depicted teenaged characters, touchingly awkward descriptions of first love, and a chillingly realistic haunting, this novel will attract a swarm of teen readers.

Further Appeal: McGregor is a name to watch. I gave his historical Horror novel from 2021-- Hearts Strange and Dreadful-- a star in Library Journal.

Here are some more of my notes from when I read this novel which go into more detail about the appeal:

• This is a novel of expertly described individual scenes that capture bring a teen in 1987, the places and people, the tedium and excitement, first love etc….. And they all flow smoothly. You don’t appreciate how great and descriptive these scenes are because you are engaged in the story, and yet, after, many have come back to me vividly! 
• The overall tone is in equal measures innocent and threatening-- at the same time. 
• Strong female characters overall. I especially appreciated the step-mom. She is a whole person. As a secondary character of some importance, this is key. Even the popular girl character has depth.
• The TWIST!!!! With only 30ish pages to go. Jarring in a good way. You are feeling it all build up and know it is all going somewhere not great, but you are enjoying the ride so much that when the TWIST comes—- WHAM. And looking back, author tries to prepare you, but he still gets you and it is gut wrenching.

Three Words That Describe This Book: engaging narration, compelling, innocent and threatening at the same time

Readalikes: Regular readers of the Horror blog know I feel very strongly about the Janz and Kiste titles in the review above. They are both in my Top 20 of the 2010s list. And Boy's Life is a classic. 

The Kiste recommendation is important here because the way she writes young women as strong, powerful, and independent actors, McGregor captures that as well, but without sacrificing his teenage boy pov.

This novel also reminded me of Hannah Tinti's novels as well. She is a favorite author for me, and while she does not write Horror, her novels are very uneasy and creepy, with a perspective that is slightly askew from reality. Click here and here for reviews of her two novels.