Horror Aficionados discussion

The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher is our Group Read #2. Please remember to use spoiler tags where necessary when discussing this book! Enjoy!

I'm going to try to fit this one in.
The books are piling up just begging to be read so one more won't matter. :)
And besides, this book has a character named Mouse and that's my nickname. How could I not read this?

Yay!!

Exciting! I had added this one to my TBR list a few weeks ago. What timing :)

That’s funny 😉

Perfect, I just read the first 5% or so of this a few nights ago and have been really wanting to jump into it!

Yay, Destiny 😉

I thought it’s a male author 🤭

Anika wrote: "I thought it’s a male author 🤭"

"T. Kingfisher is the vaguely absurd pen-name of Ursula Vernon. In another life, she writes children's books and weird comics, and has won the Hugo, Sequoyah, and Ursa Major awards, as well as a half-dozen Junior Library Guild selections.

This is the name she uses when writing things for grown-ups.

When she is not writing, she is probably out in the garden, trying to make eye contact with butterflies."

I'm going to read or listen to this one. it's been on my TBR for a few months now.

Just waiting for my book to arrive! So excited.

I pre-ordered this months ago and just received my copy.
Ursula Vernon is an incredible writer, and there were some pretty effective horror elements in her fantasy novels - I'm really excited to see how she does with a full-fledged jump into the genre.

I’m reading this one! Just started it today. It’s good so far!

I just picked up a copy of this one.

I voted for this one!!!
However, I'm poor so I'm waiting on the library's copy. I'm 4th in line. Meanwhile, the library did have the other month book so i'll start that one.

I unexpectedly had this come in at my library, so I guess I'm joining both group reads this month.

Finished my last book earlier tonight, so I got jump on this one.
Right off the bat I like the writing style and the playful narrative and the slow but steady foreshadowing and build up of dread.

I love all her sly comments about the dog.
(view spoiler)[ "Bongo is an excellent watchdog, by which I mean that he will watch very alertly as the serial killer breaks into the house and skins me." (hide spoiler)]

Yea, I voted for this one! I have it shelved at home, so I guess I will take it down tonight. I have heard good things about this one.

Got to the start of ch. 7, and began thinking, ya know, the writing is whimsical and all, but for a few chapters there's just been nothing happening. What's up with that? Then I reached the end of Ch. 7. Intriguing...Not the best time to put the book down for the night, but I'm crashing here, so mystery will have to be solved tomorrow.

I won't go into any detail yet, but I loved this. It's incredible at building and sustaining a sense of unease.

Up to chapter 17. While it's often times clever and amusing, I find it a bit ironic that the main character is an editor, and the more this book goes along, the more repetitive and completely unnecessary passages abound, which could easily be edited out without affecting the narrative. And I think it's in ch. 8, but the bane of my existance on these board actually got mentioned. -.-

Seems like I'm the only one reading it so far. Aaaaand....I'm done. I wasn't loving the last third so much as the earlier parts. All the build up and suspense of the beginning just didn't pay off so well for me. It's one of those situations where the prestige just didn't match what the pledge had promised. Still, a decent book, but too much (view spoiler)[ dark fantasy rather than horror for me. (hide spoiler)]

I felt the same way in both cases. The writing style was a little more casual than I'd like, and while I loved the eerie buildup of things in the woods and there's plenty of suspense, I expected the ending to be just... more.

It's my first Kingfisher though, and I wouldn't be opposed to reading more. I thought Mouse was a believable heroine, and I liked her relationship with her dog.

Started the audio edition last night and I'm really liking this. Connecting with Melissa "Mouse."

About 4 hours into the audio book now. I LOVE this book. It's so much fun and the suspense is building gradually. I'm so glad I have a good book to keep me company during my horror story of a commute.

I plan on starting this one next week. :)

I loved this book. I listened to the audio version, performed by Hillary Huber, who is one of my favorite audio narrators. She has a particular skill in reading humor and her interpretation focused on the ordinary aspects of the heroine's life, letting the weird creep slowly in. I happen to live only a few miles from the setting of this book and very much enjoyed the sense of place Kingfisher/Vernon imbued. The book is very atmospheric, with wonderful characters and, IMO, perfect pacing.

Started this one this morning. We just met Thomas. So far, so good.

Good one. Finished the audiobook today and have really enjoyed it. Very well written and established characters, absolutely believable. Great world building as well, I could see all the important places quite vividly. Certainly one of my favourite horror read this year. As I already said in my review: T. Kingfisher, please. More.

Omg! Speculation about what’s going on. Mouse has just had dinner with her neighbors.
(view spoiler)[ omg! Are there knockers in the woods?! They were creatures that lived down in mines. Later, I think, they became known as tommy knockers. I listened to a podcast about them (tales of 2 cities) but I can’t recall all the details. I can link to it later if anyone is interested. (hide spoiler)]

I’m really enjoying it so far.

This audiobook was just what I needed. I loved the balance of humor and gore-free horror, the fun characters, and the strange tale. Five stars, not for being life-changing or epic, but just for delivering a fun and curious tale.

Janet wrote: "I loved this book. I listened to the audio version, performed by Hillary Huber, who is one of my favorite audio narrators. She has a particular skill in reading humor and her interpretation focused..."

cool Janet! i'm about a hour & half away from Pigeon Forge. so i'm close! and all that she says about it is true. -_-

60% and i'm loving it.

Actually the book is set near Pittsboro in Central NC, but the mountain area described is probably similar to what one sees in the area of Pigeon Forge. I know I'd love to be in the mountains!

Janet wrote: "Actually the book is set near Pittsboro in Central NC, but the mountain area described is probably similar to what one sees in the area of Pigeon Forge. I know I'd love to be in the mountains!"

yes, i know it wasn't in Pigeon Forge but she passes through it to get to NC. She comments how everything there is hillbilly this & hillbilly that. yes, that's accurate. I'm sure it looks the same there as it does here. unless it's closer to the coast. and i have no idea what that looks like.
anyways, i loved the book. 5 big ol shining stars from me! i loved the characters, the story, the setting, all of it.

I've read a little over half now and I can say it's not my kind of book. I dislike the narrator who's trying way too hard to be funny and clever. Actually that behavior seems to be spreading on all other characters as well and everyone seems to have exactly the same personality. Oh, and I completely agree with Alan's editor remark. I even considered quitting this one but I guess I'm too far already (fortunately it's not that long).

I have it ready to start after my current read. I have to admit, I'm anxious to read it myself after seeing the mixed feelings on it! :)

I'm about three fourths of the way through. I'm enjoying it quite a bit so far. The suspense build-up is strong with some gruesome imagery. I'm hoping the ending doesn't disappoint. I love Mouse's connection with Bongo.

Chandler wrote: "I'm about three fourths of the way through. I'm enjoying it quite a bit so far. The suspense build-up is strong with some gruesome imagery. I'm hoping the ending doesn't disappoint. I love Mouse's ..."

Sounds like my kind of book.... :)

Just finished it! The ending got a touch silly but still a strong book! I'd rate four and a half stars if I could. Goodreads needs to allow half stars rating as well. Highly creative and creepy. I'm interested in what Kingfisher does next!

Chandler wrote: "Just finished it! The ending got a touch silly but still a strong book! I'd rate four and a half stars if I could. Goodreads needs to allow half stars rating as well. Highly creative and creepy. I'..."

I felt exactly the same way. I really like this narration type because it made Mouse so natural but the end was mildly disappointing. Overall though, I gave it pretty much the same rating wise. I enjoyed this one :)

Amanda wrote: "I felt exactly the same way. I really like this narration type because it made Mouse so natural but the end was mildly disappointing. Overall though, I gave it pretty much the same rating wise. I enjoyed this one :)."

Right there with you, would've given 4.5 as well. Easily the best horror book from 2019 that I've read so far. Hopefully, Kingfisher gets to win at the Goodreads Choice Awards - would be well deserved!

Jannik wrote: "Amanda wrote: "I felt exactly the same way. I really like this narration type because it made Mouse so natural but the end was mildly disappointing. Overall though, I gave it pretty much the same r..."

Oh I agree! It was very interesting. I know I voted for it.

Finished it yesterday. My earlier complaints still stand and in addition to them, I also didn't like the ending too much. The premise itself isn't bad but the book doesn't feel polished at all. There's also this YA feel to it (I often like the general ideas in YA books but the execution rarely works). I rated it 2/5 only.

Tomi wrote: "Finished it yesterday. My earlier complaints still stand and in addition to them, I also didn't like the ending too much. The premise itself isn't bad but the book doesn't feel polished at all. The..."

I actually understand where you’re coming from and at one point, about half way through, I got a little disconnected due to the thought maybe it was a little gimmicky, but I think I just connected with this character, being an adult but still feeling like a kid when it comes to what’s going on around you sometimes, or with your parents. I think it could go into a YA or New Adult category for the vibe it promotes which actually, I have been struggling with a lot of YA books lately, but Mouse was so relatable for me personally I really sunk into it.

I think any book with this style of narration is going to feel YA since this style of writing has been trendy. I kept being surprised when the narrator mentioned her age even though I think the author wrote her like a woman in her 30s.

I liked the idea of turning a real story into a fictional lost manuscript. I would have liked a little more world building kind of stuff. (view spoiler)[One example is that I would have really liked more exploration into why the grandfather's effigy would create one of the grandmother. I can come up with a few reasons for it, but I think it would have added to the story for them to be explored more in the plot. (hide spoiler)]

I was also really into how well the author was able to have Bongo be a real character in the story while still having him act like a normal dog.

I think that my vote is still going to be going to Bunny, but I am hoping I'll finish at least one of the ones that I'm in the middle of reading before voting ends.

Vanessa wrote: "I think any book with this style of narration is going to feel YA since this style of writing has been trendy. I kept being surprised when the narrator mentioned her age even though I think the aut..."

Ooooh I haven't gotten to Bunny but good to know it's going to be a good one! I have it on my TBR, not sure when I'll ever get to it though haha.

I see that not everyone enjoyed this book as much as I--I think that is because there is a lot of range in the "horror" genre, and this one is at the lighter side of that continuum, possibly edging into urban fantasy even though it has a rural setting. It also reminded me of the wonderful dark fantasies of another North Carolinian, Manly Wade Wellman, where dark things walk the hills and mountains of this state.

Amanda wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "I think any book with this style of narration is going to feel YA since this style of writing has been trendy. I kept being surprised when the narrator mentioned her age even though..."

Bunny seems a bit hit-or-miss, but I thought it was really unique. Wakenhyrst ended up just slightly edging it out. This has been a good year for horror, in my opinion. I haven't even read Stephen King's book yet, because he's read enough Goodreads awards so it's one I can put off until next year.

This is the book that has me actually looking at the quote section to add some. The line about West Virginia needs to be on there.