Chapter Adventure Reading Challenges (Formerly GXO) discussion

This Motif (theme) for October is ...

"Wicked Good Reads" An ode to Girlxoxo's annual WGR event. Ghosts, Witches, Vampires, Creeptastic or Magical books.⁠

Share with us! Which book did you read and what did you think of it?

I read Downward Death by Stella Bixby. A little bit mystery, a little bit paranormal, and a lot of feel good in this small town read.

Just finished Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma. A lot packed in there, overall not really sure how I feel but I think I enjoyed it.

Challenge Complete: Midnight Mass by F. Paul Wilson

I became a fan of Wilson’s after reading The Keep years ago. There are similarities to this story, but differences, too. This book takes the vampire legend back to its roots, back to the vampires of Stoker and King. There’s nothing romantic about these creatures.

I loved all three protagonists. Father Dan, who reluctantly becomes the local leader in the fight against the vampires. Sister Carolyn, whose loss is what propelled her to take on their foe. And Dan’s niece, Lacey, who has made her way to her uncle’s side. Oh, and I guess the fourth of our intrepid band would be the rabbi, Zev Wolpin, who brings Dan back to his congregation, and who is his conscience.

What made the book so readable for me is that the pace is just the right speed; no dragging out of fights, yet the reader is given time to learn about the people, both those fighting against the vampires, and those working for them.

My only quibble would be the ending. It was satisfying, but I would have loved to know what happened next.

CHALLENGE COMPLETE! Since I couldn't get access to my chosen book for this month, I tried a new author, Heather Graham. This was a good read - a bit slow in places & I could live without the romance - but the paranormal comes through in a unique way. I am interested in the next book especially since I am almost certain things get a bit better since there are 38 books in this series and she writes under two other names. Let's go, Krewe of Hunters!

• Such Sharp Teeth - Rachel Harrison
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

I loved this! It has such a great combination of horror/gore and humour. There is a romance element to the storyline as well, but if you’re looking for smut, you won’t find it here. It’s honestly the perfect quick read for spooky season.

Read the last (for me) book in the 4 book “Seasons of Horror” series by Dan Simmons, Fires of Eden. Actually had a hard time getting my hands on this one; not at the library, only available online as a used book. (So I’ll donate this one to the library.) Dan Simmons has a tendency to write very long books, but mostly has not been an issue for me. This one was a double timeline story, with some pretty wild fantasy/horror imaginings. I have to say that in a pinch I really hope I would have someone like Cordie to help me out, she was just full of surprises! Also enjoyed the mostly tongue in cheek reference to a certain famous billionaire, that was pretty timely for me. Especially since it was written in 1994.

Also read another book for our book club that I personally would qualify as horror, Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alum. While promoted as a study in race and class, the underlying story was as creepy as anything fantastical, more so at this particular time in history. (Shudder)

Like Jennifer I read Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison. Really enjoyed it,

• Shadow of the Vampire - Meagan Hatfield
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7...

I’d like to note for the record, that I didn’t actually purchase this book. It was sent to me by accident in a Book Outlet order, and they told me to just keep it. It’s been sitting on my shelf for a long while.
In any event, this was pretty terrible, so I don’t know why I finished it (other than the fact that it was an easy/quick read)😂. The circumstances in which the main characters first decide it’s a good idea to get spicy with one another are frankly ridiculous. “Oh, I’ve been beaten within an inch of my life, and have a serious gut wound…but yes, by all means, let’s make out”. Those scenes made the seriousness of the bodily damage done to both characters seem questionable at best. I don’t care what sort of supernatural being you are, if you’re that badly injured, there’s no way you’re going to be interested in gettin jiggy with it. Overall, the plot concept itself wasn’t bad, but the author tried to cram too much storyline into too few pages.

• What Feeds at Night - T. Kingfisher
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

If anything, this is even more fantastically creepy than the first book. Kingfisher’s writing style is quite witty, and her characters are infinitely likeable, but most especially the irascible ones. I can’t help but hope that she continues to think up more deliciously creepy adventures for Easton to find themself in.

All the blood we share by camilla bruce

OCT- "Wicked Good Reads" An ode to Girlxoxo's annual WGR event. Ghosts, Witches, Vampires, Creeptastic or Magical books.⁠

Here are books read in October that fit the theme:
by Geneva Lee 4 stars
by Carissa Orlando 5 stars
by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore 3 stars
by Camilla Bruce 3 stars
and by Sarah Henning 3 stars each
by Amanda Jayatissa 3 stars
by Darcy Coates 4 stars each
by Seth Grahame-Smith 4 stars each
by T. Kingfisher 4 stars
by Louisa Morgan 3 and 4 stars
by Paula Brackston 2 stars each
by Zoraida Córdova 3 stars
by Richelle Mead 3 stars
by Laurell K. Hamilton 3 stars
by R.L. Stine 4 stars
by Charlaine Harris 4 stars
by Dawn Kurtagich 4 stars

Challenge complete: The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

This creepy book was in the paranormal realm. Not my usual fare, but it was a good read.