Review: Final Girls

Final Girls by Riley Sager
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Final Girls by Riley Sager is more thriller than horror but still an exciting time.  I say more thriller because with a name like "Final Girls" you think this must be horror.  There are definitely horror tropes and aspects, but this isn't your typical slasher.  The chapters alternate between the present and a past experience, filling in the blanks of the main character's memory of her final girl experience.  The thing is she doesn't know if she was the final girl or the one who killed her friends.  She certainly has the temper to have done it.  It can be scary figuring out who you really are.  It is finally time to find the answer!

If you like horror films but don't want something too slashery, this is a good mix.

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Review: Women's Hotel

Women's Hotel by Daniel M. Lavery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full Disclosure: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy of Women's Hotel by Daniel M. Lavery from HarperVia via NetGalley.  The book is available now.

I was really intrigued by the premise of Women's Hotel by Daniel M. Lavery.  I have read about women's hotels in New York before.  Having grown up in a small town in the Midwest, I often wondered what it would be like to pick up and move to the big city on my own.  I would do that in my own way later, but these women were truly courageous to take such a chance.  Even the concept of women's hotels is so fascinating with their rules to keep women's virtue intact.  Although this is a fictional account about the different women living in one of the hotels, I'm sure it rings true for some who lived it.  You get an interesting array of characters, all drawn to the city for different reasons, and with varying problems and life circumstances.  I would be the woman who secretly has a cat in her room and also a hidden hot plate.  It also made me excited for my next trip to New York!  So much interesting history there to explore!  If you like history, herstory, or New York, you should check this book out. 

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Review: FantasticLand

FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

FantasticLand by Mike Bockoven is a horror/thriller set in a theme park during a hurricane.  It has a Lord of the Flies vibe.  I enjoyed that the story is told through interviews with the people who were either in the park or involved with the park during the time of the disaster.  I know some people might think the premise is too fantastical to suspend disbelief.  However, if you have ever been in a major disaster event, you know things can go south very fast even if resources are plentiful. People can split off into factions.  Not everyone cares about the greater good.  I found the story very engaging and loved the multiple perspectives that help fill in blanks of the overall story.  Even a villain believes they are the hero of their own story....  At the same time, I think it would be kind of cool to be locked in a theme park for a few days (under better circumstances!).  I should be careful what I wish for.

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