Category: Genre

Grief: The Raven and The Babadook

What does Poe’s most famous poem have to do with an Australian horror film from a few years back? More than you might think. “The Raven” and The Babadook utilize similar plot lines to explore the inescapable nature of grief after the loss of a loved one. (Warning: This post contains spoilers for the movie The Babadook.)

Illustration of The Raven
Illustration by Gustave Doré

Most of you are likely familiar with “The Raven,” Poe’s 1845 poem that first skyrocketed him into literary fame. The poem is told from the perspective of an unnamed speaker who mourns for his lost love, Lenore. One night, a raven comes in through his window and answers all of the speaker’s questions with one word: “Nevermore.” At the end of the poem, the speaker acknowledges that the raven is still sitting above his door, and his soul will be under its shadow forever. If you’d like to refresh yourself on the details, you can read the full text of “The Raven” here.

The Babadook poster
Film poster for The Babadook

Somewhat more niche is The Babadook, a debut horror film written and directed by Jennifer Kent, which made waves among horror fans when it was first released in 2014. The story features a single mother named Amelia, whose husband died the same night she gave birth to her son Sam. Years later, Amelia and Sam discover a mysterious pop-up book that features a terrifying creature called the Babadook. Though Amelia initially dismisses the Babadook as fictional, it soon begins to take over her mind, showing her visions of violence and causing her to act erratically. Amelia finally confronts the Babadook, and the end of the movie shows the monster now somewhat docile, living in her basement. Amelia visits occasionally to feed it. Continue reading Grief: The Raven and The Babadook

Review of An Ember in the Ashes

An ember in the Ashes cover“The field of battle is my temple. The swordpoint is my priest. The dance of death is my prayer. The killing blow is my release.” This is the mantra of one of the elite soldiers in Sabaa Tahir’s dark YA fantasy, An Ember in the Ashes. The first in an ongoing series, this book blends political intrigue and revolution with mythological creatures and hints of magic. I picked up An Ember in the Ashes on a whim, but found myself devouring it as fast as possible and immediately downloading the sequel. Continue reading Review of An Ember in the Ashes

Review of Spinning Silver—Slavic Demons and Ice Fairies

Spinning Silver coverIt’s never wise to brag where the Staryk can hear you…. One of my favorite authors, Naomi Novik, once again brings fairy tales to life in Spinning Silver. This stand-alone novel came out last year and is a chilling tale that blends a Slavic-inspired fantasy world with a loose retelling of “Rumpelstiltskin.” If you love folklore, badass female characters, and hefty fantasy novels, this book will be right up your alley! Continue reading Review of Spinning Silver—Slavic Demons and Ice Fairies

Review of Zone One by Colson Whitehead—Literary Zombies

Zone One coverHow many Pulitzer Prize–winning authors have written zombie novels? Generally, the sort of literary prestige that gets one nominated for such awards is not given to authors who write in a genre inspired by B-grade horror films. But good writing is good writing, whether it’s in a tale of the zombie apocalypse or the next Great American Novel. And at least one American author has managed to pull off both: Colson Whitehead. You’ve most likely heard his name in the context of his 2016 novel The Underground Railroad, which won him the Pulitzer, the National Book Award, and numerous other prizes. But fewer people are talking about the zombie novel that preceded his biggest hit: Zone One. Continue reading Review of Zone One by Colson Whitehead—Literary Zombies

Review of Middlegame–Brutal and Beautiful Alchemy

Middlegame coverOne of my favorite authors is back with a book quite unlike anything I’ve read before! Middlegame by Seanan McGuire is an adult fantasy novel starring a pair of twins imbued by alchemists with special powers as part of a plot to take over the world. If you’re familiar with McGuire from her Wayward Children series, this book is very different. It is ambitious and broad in scope with an experimental style that hops around between different timelines. But it does still have the signature elements that I love about McGuire’s works: in-depth explorations of nuanced characters, clever plays on classic tropes, and a certain tendency toward the macabre. Middlegame comes out tomorrow, May 7. Continue reading Review of Middlegame–Brutal and Beautiful Alchemy

Review of The Invited—Helpful Hauntings

The Invited coverWould you intentionally invite spirits into your home? What about if you knew they had an important message for you? Jennifer McMahon explores these questions in her latest horror novel, The Invited, which comes out tomorrow, April 30. If you’re a fan of haunted houses, historic ghosts, and women who defy expectations, you won’t want to miss this one! Continue reading Review of The Invited—Helpful Hauntings

Review of Amnesty–The Aftermath of Revolution

Amnesty coverTime to finally close the case files in the Amberlough Dossier—the final book in this thrilling trilogy by Lara Elena Donnelly has arrived! Two years ago, I reviewed Amberlough, the decadent spy thriller that kicked off the series, and last year followed up with Armistice, its dark and gritty sequel. Now the series is finishing off with Amnesty, which comes out tomorrow, April 16. If you’re in the New York City area, be sure to join me at the official book launch at the Astoria Bookshop! Continue reading Review of Amnesty–The Aftermath of Revolution

Women and the Golden Age of Ghost Stories

I’ve had ghost stories on the mind lately, and in honor of Women’s History Month, I want to highlight some of the contributions that women have made to this particular genre. Ghost stories in one form or another have been a part of the literary tradition—both oral and written—going back centuries. But the period between the beginning of the Victorian era in the 1830s and the onset of World War I is considered the Golden Age of the ghost story as we know it today. Short fictional accounts of encounters with ghosts abounded in literary magazines and in the form of collected anthologies. Big name novelists and more obscure authors alike turned to writing ghost stories as a fun and reliable source of income in these years, and more than a few of those authors were women. Below are four of my favorites: Continue reading Women and the Golden Age of Ghost Stories

We Have Always Lived in the Castle Review

We Have Always Lived in the Castle coverAs much as I love reviewing recent releases, it’s just as important to go back and spend some time on the classics. This month, I finally picked up a book that I’d been meaning to read for years: We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson. Jackson is one of the most prominent authors of twentieth-century Gothic. Her novel The Haunting of Hill House is a staple of the haunted house and psychological horror genres, while her short story “The Lottery,” is one of the most terrifying things I remember reading for school. However, it is her final novel—We Have Always Lived in the Castle, published in 1962—that really explores the Gothic in depth. Continue reading We Have Always Lived in the Castle Review

Review of Miss Violet and the Great War—A Strangely Beautiful Ending

It’s the end of an era. Leanna Renee Hieber’s newest release, Miss Violet and the Great War represents both the end of the Victorian era and the conclusion to her debut gaslamp fantasy series, the Strangely Beautiful Saga. Over the years, I’ve reviewed the rereleased versions of Strangely Beautiful and Perilous Prophecy. Now, after much trial and tribulation, the never-before-published final book has arrived. Miss Violet and the Great War comes out tomorrow, February 26. If you’re in the New York City area, be sure to join us at the release party at WORD in Brooklyn on Thursday. Continue reading Review of Miss Violet and the Great War—A Strangely Beautiful Ending