I am a huge Kelley Armstrong fan and was ecstatic when she announced she was writing a horror novel. Hemlock Island was suspenseful, scary, and addictive. Check out my review and see why this novel is perfect for the spooky season!

Hemlock Island
by Kelley Armstrong
Genres: Horror
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate

Rating:

Laney Kilpatrick has been renting her vacation home to strangers. The invasion of privacy gives her panic attacks, but it’s the only way she can keep her beloved Hemlock Island, the only thing she owns after a pandemic-fueled divorce. But broken belongings and campfires that nearly burn down the house have escalated to bloody bones, hex circles, and now, terrified renters who’ve fled after finding blood and nail marks all over the guest room closet, as though someone tried to claw their way out…and failed.

When Laney shows up to investigate with her teenaged niece in tow, she discovers that her ex, Kit, has also been informed and is there with Jayla, his sister and her former best friend. Then Sadie, another old high school friend, charters over with her brother, who’s now a cop.

There are tensions and secrets, whispers in the woods, and before long, the discovery of a hand poking up from the earth. Then the body that goes with it… But by that time, someone has taken off with their one and only means off the island, and they’re trapped with someone—or something—that doesn’t want them leaving the island alive.

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I love a horror story where the characters are cut off from the outside world. Armstrong mixed supernatural elements with suspense to provide a hair-raising thriller. This one might require a night light.

After her divorce from Kit, Laney Kilpatrick began renting out the island home the two of them built on Hemlock Island. The home is the only inhabitant of the island. When her latest guest complains of blood in the closet, she and her teenaged niece head to the island. At the campground where they keep their boat, they are met by Kit and Jayla, his sister and her former best friend meet them there. They are later joined on the island by Sadie, another old high school friend, and her brother, who’s now a cop.

Armstrong blends shared history between the characters with the supernatural to create a story that kept me on edge. When Sadie goes missing and a severed hand is discovered, the group soon learns someone trapped them.

I am convinced Armstrong could write any genre she set her mind to. From historical to fantasy. The story is well done and reads like this is her hundredth horror novel. Fans of Ruth Ware will want to grab this one.

Hemlock Island shares its secrets and we soon learn about Kit & Laney’s failed marriage. It’s evident from the start that these two still have feelings for one another. We learn about the rifts between childhood friends and the darkest secrets from Laney’s past.

I highly recommend adding this to your fall reading list.

Amazon | Audible

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Original source: https://caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/2023/09/hemlock-island-by-kelley-armstrong.html

Lyric Wax, a prodigious writer from the Imperium at age twenty, harbors a profound desire to undertake her Verdad ritual—a quest for unadulterated truth. Little does she anticipate that this fervent wish will launch her into a journey filled with unexpected perils. Along with the enigmatic Inquisitors Jalin Cortez and Esperanza Boyorquez, a seemingly straightforward supply run to a nearby shrine transforms into a harrowing encounter. The once-vibrant Paraiso Verde stands devastated, fallen to merciless ghouls, setting the ambiance for an unforgettable adventure.

Together with the wisdom of Judex Gale Stonebridge, Jalin’s esteemed mentor, this unique trio ventures into the sacred shrine, seeking understanding and solace. However, they soon confront an age-old evil lurking within, threatening to consume innumerable mining settlements.

Blood Tithe, written by the talented duo Tony Fuentes and C.S. Kading, is a mesmerizing narrative, intricately designed with elements of dark sorcery, formidable beasts, and action that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The authors’ unparalleled talent lies in their ability to vividly render their fantastical world, making it feel nearly as tangible as reality. Their extensive world-building is complemented by legends and histories that captivate the reader’s psyche. However, the characters stand as the crown jewels of this tale. Every character, brimming with emotions, motivations, and intricate details, is crafted with an authenticity that makes them compelling. The dynamic between Lyric, Jalin, and Esperanza provides a rich texture to the story, their diverse personalities harmonizing to lend depth to the overarching plot.

Blood Tithe beckons those who relish the allure of dark fantasy landscapes interwoven with the chilling excitement of mystery horror tales. The authors have masterfully constructed a story that lingers in one’s mind, even after turning the final page. This novel is not to be missed for those searching for a deeply engaging and memorable journey.

Pages: 269 | ASIN : B0CD8B8Q1F

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/11/blood-tithe/

Pall Warren awakens disoriented in an alien world, only to stumble upon a revelation that jolts his understanding of reality: he now resides in a society 500 years advanced from his own, one that conceived his original world merely as an experiment. As a unique byproduct of this experiment, Pall’s characteristics captivate this futuristic society, and he soon realizes his potential role in their ultimate quest: the pursuit of eternal life. Thrust into a war among the twelve factions of this advanced civilization, Pall, the young warrior, grapples with navigating an intricately scientific and technological landscape.

The Pilgrim is a refreshing entry into the sci-fi genre and marks the first book in Keith Carreiro’s second trilogy.

Set against the backdrop of the 26th Century, The Pilgrim gracefully melds traditional thematic undertones with avant-garde characters and concepts, crafting an irresistibly gripping narrative. The book commences with an enigmatic allure, potentially invoking curiosity or perplexity in the reader. Personally, I found it captivating.

Carreiro’s prowess in world-building is noteworthy. He meticulously crafts vivid tapestries of his universe, enhancing the mesmerizing quality of the setting. His writing style can be likened to a masterfully curated art gallery, where each descriptive element coalesces to transport readers into the depths of his imagined universe, the psyche of his characters, and the core essence of the narrative. One can’t help but resonate with the protagonist’s tumultuous emotions, oscillating between multiple realities.

The Pilgrim delves into age-old themes such as the race for dominance through technological prowess, human innovation juxtaposed with greed, and more. Yet, Carreiro’s brilliance lies in weaving these threads in a world unfamiliar to us. Despite its length, the book remains a page-turner and is hard to put down.

Pages: 298 | ASIN : B0C2JML8VF

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/11/the-pilgrim-part-1/

In the heart of a monochromatic forest, a black and white caterpillar leads a contented life, feeding on leaves from her grand tree and relishing her routine of eating, playing, and resting. But an innate sense of wonder propels her to venture beyond the familiar and discover the spectrum of shades that lie beyond her tree. This journey leads her to an unprecedented, vibrant cocoon unlike any she’s seen. Embracing this newfound discovery, she weaves a tapestry of colors, adding brilliance to her existence.

Little Curiosity is more than just a children’s tale; it’s a poignant reminder that exploration and embracing the unknown are cornerstones of human growth. Sticking to routines may offer comfort, but true beauty and learning emerge when we dare to break free from the mundane. Through this simple yet profound narrative, young and old readers are reminded of the boundless beauty that awaits beyond the known.

A delightful added bonus is the book’s bilingual nature, written seamlessly in both English and Spanish. As a budding Spanish learner, I cherished this feature, affirming the idea that immersing oneself in a language—whether through conversation or literature—can be both enriching and educational. I even learned a few new words and deepened my appreciation for the language. The accompanying illustrations, with their simplistic charm and vivid colors, beautifully augment the story, making it a truly immersive experience.

I recommend Little Curiosity to young readers and the young at heart. With its captivating storyline and enchanting visuals, it promises to be both an engaging and enlightening read.

Pages: 26 | ISBN : 1639888195

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/11/little-curiosity/

Stone Mother follows a young girl in post-WWII Germany who initially is unaware of the horrors her family and country have committed, and when she discovers the truth must find a way to heal. What was the inspiration for your story?

First, a quick clarification: Marie, my protagonist, is indeed unaware of the horrors her countrymen committed. However, the “horrors” within the family are not linked to the Nazis. They reflect private digressions, though the argument could be made that abuse in the family is a crime against a fellow human being and thus a Nazi-like behavior; the Nazis’ mechanization of killing and the vast scope of their brutality, however, remains unique.

What was the inspiration? My own complicated life experience and that of my friends and classmates. My generation was kept in the dark about Germany’s recent past. We sensed “the uncanny” but could not grasp it. And, once enlightened, we had to struggle with a terrible history we had not participated in yet had to carry as a burden from that point forward.

What was your writing process to ensure you captured the essence of the characters?

That is a challenging question. The process of “creating” and/or “re-creating” characters is very complex and not always under the control of the author. Simply put, I wanted my characters to be fully alive and assigned them certain “roles” within the overall arc of the story. And yet, some characters took on a life of their own and “wrote their own story” rather than conforming to a preconceived script. That happened with the character of Monsieur de Remarque, for example. I took the memory of my sister’s classmate’s crush on a young French teacher (with whom I had never spoken) as an inspiration and gave him the vital role of a rescuer. I guess what I am saying is characters may reflect or be inspired by real-life people but are totally transformed during the creative process—especially when the author is what I call “in the zone.”

What do you think were some of the defining moments in Marie’s development?

There are many defining moments. First and foremost, the move from—i.e., separation from—her beloved castle and the sudden “absence of her beloved father.” Both events coincide. That is a terrible blow for 7-year-old Marie. She is assured that her father should get better in the sanatorium before too long, but in reality, his ‘recovery’ will take two long years.

The next defining moment is Marie’s experience of the “children’s home,” which pushes her into the lowest and most despised stratum of society—perhaps comparable to the experience of a black child during Jim Crow, or possibly a child wearing the yellow star of David under the Nazis, though Marie’s “enslavement” lasts only from Easter to Christmas. Mama does finally rescue Marie and her sister from that societal abuse, but not with enthusiasm. The children’s home experience also becomes the seed for Marie’s distrust of “institutions” in general, such as the church.

On the more positive side. Sophie’s entry into Marie’s life after her father’s return is another defining moment, this time a heartwarming experience that provides Marie with friendship and support under the care of Sophie’s mother who becomes the family’s housekeeper following Mama’s emigration to Canada.

Another defining moment is Marie’s visit to Canada where she experiences cultural shock and is forced to endure harsh conditions on the Alaska Highway. I won’t elaborate any further; readers will discover that passage of Marie’s life on their own.

The most decisive experience for Marie and her peers happens during a seminar organized by her prep school, when they learn the full extent of Nazi brutality and killings. Marie and her friends intuitively understand that it will take a lifetime of trying to come to terms with that reality.

That horrific clash with reality is also the first chapter I wrote decades ago. If you will, it is the driving force behind the entire novel though not the only one. Marie and her friends must from that point forward struggle with their faith: how could God allow this to happen? And they must struggle with the knowledge that “their own people” committed such an outrage. Young people of other nations who learn of the holocaust (that word did not exist when Marie grew up) can point to “others,” to “the Nazis,” and to “the Germans” who perpetrated such evil. Marie’s generation cannot. How would that feel to a young American?

What is the next book that you’re working on and when can your fans expect it out?

The next book is on the drawing board and slowly coming to life in individual scenes and chapters but will need much loving care before it can see the light of readers’ eyes. It is, in many ways, a sequel to Stone Mother. This time, Marie arrives in the  United States as a twenty-year-old, a student on an Ivy league campus who settles into and tries to decipher this country with the eyes and mind of a  newcomer. Wait until you read Marie’s observation on her first football game! She might as well have come from Mars. 

Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/11/a-story-of-survival/

Third Moon Passing follows two Korean girls from different families whose lives are intertwined and thrust into the world of the gods who walk the earth. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

Inspiration for the basic narrative came from the different folktales I listened to as a child, as well as the ones I discovered in Internet searches when I became increasingly interested in my heritage. As a zainichi Korean, I spent my childhood largely disconnected from my Korean roots and heritage, and as I approached high school I became very curious as to what life must have been like for my ancestors (hence my efforts to realistically portray life in a seaside village during the Joseon dynasty, instead of remaining strictly in the realm of the deities). In addition, it was around this time that I, looking to connect with my roots, discovered an article about the 1871 American Expedition to Joseon Korea. While it took some time, this tidbit of history eventually began to dominate my imagination and nag at me to write about it. I couldn’t shut it off—the history, the setting, the plot, and the characters were all there begging for attention. This was when the story began to construct itself in my head: the historical tensions and battle would serve as the backdrop for the book, while Korean folklore and shamanism would propel the narrative forward.

As for the structural setup and the placement of each character in the story, I was against putting one main character in the midst of all the turmoil. There had to be two—that was a rule that I created for this book long before I realized it. This way, they would be able to bring out the distinct qualities in each other that would help them take on this quest. I realize now that I could have easily written Third Moon Passing from the perspective of one of these girls in the first person, or entirely in third person, or even alternated between the two throughout the narrative, but after some reflection I truly think that telling it from the POV of Chansol was best. By telling Third Moon Passing from the perspective of a god, I was able to explore this character from the first-person POV, as well as achieve the fly-on-the-wall perspective that I dabbled in throughout the narrative. It also made including scenes of the American soldiers and war planning a much easier task.

The writing in your story is very artful and creative. Was it a conscious effort to create a story in this fashion or is this style of writing reflective of your writing style in general?

I can’t recall forcing myself to take on a certain voice—my characters simply told me a story, and I listened and wrote everything down. The majority of Third Moon Passing is the writing style that I’m comfortable with, but in every writing project that I take on—be it a novel, short story, poem, etc.—I’m always open to experimenting with different voices and styles. Third Moon Passing was an experiment in the use of a first-person point-of-view but from a goddess’s point of view, which meant that I could alter between the first-person and a fly-on-the-wall perspective. This made it easier for me to create a balance between folklore and history, as well as to keep—at the very least—a version of my own writing style throughout the work.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?

With the inclusion of gods and divine intervention, the theme of fate and the power of individual choices began to emerge. The idea of fate and the fine line between what-must-happen vs. what-could-happen, whether or not fate itself exists, and how much control one can exert over a situation before it grows too big for a single individual to handle were themes that I found myself toying with. Defying social hierarchies was also something that wound up in Third Moon Passing: none of the main characters want to take on the responsibilities that are given to them by birthrights and strict social customs, and this goes back to the idea of the impact individual choices can have. Family and the relationships between generations have always been important to me, and such themes also found their way into the book.

Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out and what can your fans expect in the next story?

Third Moon Passing is the first book of the Haedong Chronicles, a planned four-book series through which I intend to explore the four invasions of Korea during this time period: first by the French, then the Americans, the Japanese, and lastly the British. I’m currently polishing my final draft of Book Two, The Water Stricken, a prequel that revolves around the murder of a nobleman’s concubine amidst the French Invasion of Ganghwa-do in 1866. In it, I try to explore the choice that many Korean Catholics were forced to make at this point in time: your country or your faith. The main characters will all be different, but I’m excited to say that there will be some cameo appearances made by the characters in Third Moon Passing! I hope to have it done by the end of 2023, and out sometime next year—I can’t wait to share it with everybody!

Author Links: GoodReads | Website

Original source: https://literarytitan.com/2023/09/11/connecting-to-my-roots/