Steve Niles

John Carpenter Presents Storm Kids: Sacred Hearts was one of those books where I looked at the cover, judged it, and decided to read it. I do that a lot and it tends to work out for me (in a good way).

This book is a spooky thriller that can stand alone (but I see is also part of a series). I easily understood this book without reading any of the others.

Basically, there's this weird monster who is living in the forest who makes friends with the lead characters. There's some devil worshipping, scary stories and monster fighting that will happen that will put the reader on the edge of their seat.

My summary for my thoughts on this book:
1. The whole "scary, evil thing in the woods" arc has been doing quite well in media lately. Add in the creepy old man and you've got one spooky introduction for a book.
2. The monster isn't super scary to me, he's rather cute. I think that's the point though!
3. Crazy monster fights - yeeeesssss.
4. It's a story of brotherhood.
5. Bloody, gory, R rated galore.

I would like to read more out of this series now! I quite enjoyed this one. It's more of a thriller than a horror, but I will take it!

Four out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Diamond Book Distributors for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.… (more)

I came across this graphic novel at the library and decided to check it out just based on the cover and the fact that Steve Niles was involved.

I’m a little torn on this one. On one hand it has all the right beats of conflict and emotion, relatable characters, and cool black and white illustrations.

On the other hand, it’s pretty straightforward and simplistic. You read it, it does what you expect, and then it ends. Not a bad experience, but not what the hype online and from pull quotes would have led me to believe.

It’s one of those that people are either going to say is heartbreaking and deep…and others will say it’s kind of boring. You know those kinds of books I’m talking about? Normally I side with the critics, but on this one not so much.… (more)

30 Days of Night gives you the vicious, violent vampires you know and love, but puts them in a setting you may not have seen before. The swirling, freezing cold of winter lies heavy on every page, brilliantly illustrated by artist Ben Templesmith. I’m a huge fan of his work (something of a cross between Dave McKean and Ralph Steadman), and it’s showcased wonderfully in a backdrop of ancient evil and dripping viscera. The stakes are clearly set: a horde of vampires versus a band of small town residents who must find a way to make it through the next thirty days of darkness. Will they survive to see the light of day?

As interesting as the story is, I found it incredibly rushed and even hard to follow at times. Really wish it had taken its time with everything because the set up/story ideas are great.… (more)