An Easy Death (Gunnie Rose #1) by Charlaine Harris

 

An Easy Death (Gunnie Rose #1)

by 

Charlaine Harris 

Pages: 336

5 out of 5 stars

This book is the first in a new series by Charlaine Harris, best known for the True Blood series, but her mystery series are very good as well. This tale combines several of my favorite genres, urban fantasy, thriller, paranormal and western. For those of you who go, Western? Trust me. This is an alternative history and it works well. If you saw and enjoyed the tv series, Wynonna Earp, this is definitely for you. The story is led by a strong female heroine, which Charlaine Harris is always good at writing. Can't wait for the next title in the series!

Obsidian Son (The Temple Chronicles #1). By Shayne Silvers.

Obsidian Son (The Temple Chronicles #1). By Shayne Silvers. 2012. Argento Publishing. ASIN: B009NNHPIA (Kindle).

When the owners of Temple Industry are murdered, prodigal son, Nate Temple must return to the fold in order to unravel the mystery of his parents’ deaths. But when weredragons come to town in search of an old and mysterious tome purportedly detailing a dangerous ceremony, Nate must try to intervene. Because if the weredragons are successful, St. Louis, if not the entire world, will fall to the Obsidian Son.

Fire-breathing shapeshifters, werewolf best friend, free-lancing hunters, magic in flux and the Minotaur, Nate has an exiting go of it in the first book of this fun urban fantasy/supernatural thriller series. 

 

328 pages

The Last Days of Jack Sparks by Jason Arnopp

The Last Days of Jack Sparks
by Jason Arnopp

3.5/5

336 pages

Jack Sparks died while writing this book.

It was no secret that journalist Jack Sparks had been researching the occult for his new book. No stranger to controversy, he'd already triggered a furious Twitter storm by mocking an exorcism he witnessed.

Then there was that video: forty seconds of chilling footage that Jack repeatedly claimed was not of his making, yet was posted from his own YouTube account.

Nobody knew what happened to Jack in the days that followed - until now. 

What an odd book.  Seriously.  This one is strange (in a good way).  I'm not sure where to start talking about it, honestly. 

It's a 'found footage' type of book which features demons, ghosts, other supernatural oddities, etc.  The bulk of the novel is Spark's written words about what happened to him.  Occasionally, Jack's brother interjects to prove or disprove what Jack's written.  I really liked that aspect.  It gives a unique voice to this novel and keeps the reader on their toes as neither narrator is very reliable. 

It lags in the middle, but the beginning and end are unique and engaging.  I'm not sure this is 'scary' as much as it is unsettling.  Really unsettling. 

Overall, this isn't for the faint of heart.  I'm not a huge fan of horror, but I would recommend this to those that are.  Just know you're in for a ride.

House by Frank E. Peretti and Ted Dekker

 House (Books of History Chronicles)
by Frank E. Peretti and Ted Dekker
Pages: 368
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Two writers of supernatural thrillers with a Christian viewpoint join forces for this haunting story of the darkness inside all of us.

Two couples are stranded on a back-roads highway in the middle of the woods in rural Alabama. Separately, each couple arrives at the only shelter for miles. An unassuming house in the middle of nowhere inhabited by an elderly couple and their adult son. Unfortunately, the family does not have a phone to call for help and their is no cell reception. They all sit down to supper together when they are locked inside the house a psychotic killer. He loves to play games and this one will be over at dawn.

This story had it's scary moments, a few moments of the characters personal discovery and some internal soul-searching, but I think it could have been something more. Each of the four main characters has some trauma from their past to face as well as mistakes and sins to own up too. But there just isn't enough time given for the characters to face both their psychological demons and spiritual demons as well as the physical ones that are the eminent threat in the house. The ending felt rushed to me and as a fan of both writers previous works, it was a disappointment. 

My friends who enjoy really creepy traditional horror wouldn't like the psychological and spiritual components of this book and it is not religious enough for my friends who only read Christian fiction to enjoy.