Into Bones like Oil by Kaaron Warren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Just a small taste of an extremely talented and renowned author. The entire tale is heavy with dread and death, but its characters are very much alive. It’s tragic and creepy, so incredibly written that I didn’t want to be in that headspace but was compelled to finish. I will be reading more of her stuff in the near future.

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Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reading this book was a little bit like reading the headlines, but hopefully it wasn’t prophetic. It makes you realize that no matter the circumstances, people haven’t, and won’t, react any different. ⁣
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While the premise is familiar, the writing makes this story unique. The characters make it real. The ending brings hope. Talks of viruses and vaccines make it horribly relevant and the descriptions and detail make this a horrific read from beginning to end. Horrific is a good thing. ⁣
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“Beautiful” is word rarely used for this genre, but the sincerity and care Tremblay has for his characters is both touching and refreshing. Despite blood and gory scenes, humanity is not lost, it’s revered. ⁣
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I tore through this novel like a rabid coyote, gripping my Kindle and clicking through the pages with virulent speed. This was the perfect summertime read to put into perspective and bring to light issues that we are facing at this very moment, with a welcome light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. ⁣

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Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Equal parts thrilling, heartbreaking, and staggering, and wholly entertaining.

There are so many layers to this story; family dynamics, the daily struggles of a black man raising two sons in an openly racist society. Economic woes, sins of a father, marriage trials, dealing with an often corrupt and broken justice system, but written in a way that teaches and is simultaneously entertaining. It brought to mind Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Between the World and Me when Beauregard is talking to his oldest son.

The violence is real and raw but it’s done well enough to be palatable for the average reader but may be auto accident bit much for those that are more sensitive. I was definitely cringing while reading some parts, but it was all necessary to the story and never excessively grotesque.

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the vocabulary. I was glad I was reading on my Kindle so I could highlight unfamiliar words.

Blacktop is the breakout novel in what I am now calling the newest genre of books, “action”, recently only used by movies and television. Never before have I white-knuckled a book while reading. It has all the elements of a blockbuster hit and was a wild ride to the very end.

Thank you, Flatiron Books for the galley copy. The opinions are my own.

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Road Seven by Keith Rosson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rarely will I compare a book to another work because I want to make sure an author gets full credit for their originality, but I felt this so much that in this case I will make an exception. There is a very strong “Stranger Things” vibe going on throughout this book, but trust me, it is still wildly unique and has plenty of its own flavor to bring to the table.

From the first few pages I was laughing hysterically and this humor continued right through until the very end. Rosson’s way of writing moves along at an easy and steady pace that is so entertaining. I especially loved that much of the story was based out of the Pacific Northwest since that’s where I’m located. Barring the tiny bit of strange and prophetic mentions of specific places that have been in the news recently, such as Capitol Hill and Cal Anderson Park. Even the obscure mentions of my local grocery store gave me a little thrill.

It’s such an untraditional monster story that really gives you no clue as to how it’s going to end, but you don’t even really care, because the journey is a riot.

Thank you, Meerkat Press, for my copy for an honest review.

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Hurry Home by Roz Nay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Whoa! What happens in this novel is every mother’s worst nightmare and fear, including my own. Be warned, this book is crazy good but it will get you right in the gut.

It starts out on sure-footing, but doubt and chaos slowly creep in and before you know it, you can’t tell who is wrong or right, or what’s up or down. From the beginning, I sensed something was off, but the author has a way of assuaging those niggling thoughts and making the questionable seem justifiable. There was no way to tell where it was going and each page peels back another layer of deceit or revelation. Only until the very end can you (maybe?) be completely sure that everything has been explained and ironed it out, but you’re still left wondering.

Save this book for a lazy weekend or relaxing vacation because you won’t want to put it down.

Thank you, Crooked Lane Books, for this copy for an honest review.

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The Mountains Wild by Sarah Stewart Taylor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lately, I’ve inadvertently chosen a string of books that have all been based in Ireland. I have no real ties to Ireland and though I know it is a beautiful place, I never really had a true desire to go there in person. These books have changed my mind, and The Mountains Wild was no different. Taylor has a remarkable ability to paint beautiful word pictures with entrancing imagery. You can really smell the peat fires and feel the moisture in the air (or maybe living in the PNW myself makes these things easy to conjure).

Along with my growing interest to see Ireland is my realization that I know very little about Irish history or politics. While I still have much to learn, Mountains is a quick study in some of the strife and conflict that has plagued the country for decades. It has piqued my interest for further study into its complicated past.

Scenery and background aside, the story itself is a masterpiece. Several plots intertwine to create one cohesive novel. The characters are raw and real, relatable with multiple layers and imperfections, traumas and complexities. No one person is without flaws, which leads the tale on a twisted path that denies the reader an inability to predict the outcome. Even if you guess something right, you’re still going to be surprised.
The Mountains Wild is a gorgeous thriller and I look forward to future works from Sarah Stewart Taylor.

I received a complementary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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