Today’s review is about IMMORTAL PLEASURES by V. Castro. It’s a standalone novel about an ancient Aztec vampire searching for vengeance and love. After centuries of reckoning with her traumatic past during the Spanish conquest of America, Malinalli is finally ready to search for emotional intimacy. Author: V. Castro Series: None Age Category: Adult Publisher: Del Rey Books Publish Date: April 16, 2024 Print Length: 304 Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of Immortal Pleasures on Bookshop.org!* *These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purcha ..read more

Today’s review is about AN EDUCATION IN MALICE by S.T. Gibson. It’s a retelling of CARMILLA set in 1960s Massachusetts at a historical women’s college. This dual point of view novel portrays a dark academia environment, vampires, and uneven power dynamics. Author: S.T. GibsonSeries: NoneAge Category: AdultPublisher: RedhookPublish Date: February 13, 2024Print Length: 368 Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of An Education In Malice on Bookshop.org!* *These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any… More The post ARC Review: An Education In Malice b ..read more

Today’s review is about SHATTERED SPIRITS by Cal Black. It’s a standalone novella about a woman thrust into the role of stopping the proliferation of soul-stealing spirits. This review is brought to you by my participation in the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”, is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the indie community. It’s a sister competition to both SPFBO and SPSFC, and it highlights greatness in the novella format… More The post SFINCS Review: Shattered Spirits by Cal B ..read more

Today’s review is about DARK HEART OF ILMOURE by Cara Delaney. It’s a standalone novella in which a young woman returns home to pay respects to her recently-passed nephew. However, something isn’t quite right and when she starts to dig deeper, the townsfolk begin to notice. This review is brought to you by my participation in the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”, is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the… More The post SFINCS Review: Dark Heart of Ilmoure by Cara Delaney appe ..read more

Today’s review is about THE KINGDOM OF SWEETS by Erika Johansen. It’s a dark retelling of The Nutcracker, a Western Christmas-time classic. This fresh spin offers fantasy horror elements amidst a backdrop of social unrest in pre-revolutionary Russia. Author: Erika JohansenSeries: NoneAge Category: AdultPublisher: DuttonPublish Date: November 28, 2023Print Length: 368 Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of The Kingdom of Sweets on Bookshop.org!* *These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using… More The post ARC Review: The Kingd ..read more

Today’s review is about WE’RE ALL MONSTERS HERE by Amy Marsden. It’s a novella about a vampire who bides her time to take down the Board of an oil company. This quick read is perfect for those who want a heavy helping of vigilantism and a dash of sapphic romance. This review is brought to you by my participation in the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”, is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and… More The post SFINCS Review: We’re All Monsters Here by Amy Marsden appeared first on A Literary Escape ..read more

Today’s review is about A SEASON OF MONSTROUS CONCEPTIONS by Lina Rather. Described as an eldritch historical fantasy, this novella features uncanny births and the potential end of the world. It’s also a story about what it’s like to live in between worlds or the rules of society. Author: Lina RatherSeries: NoneAge Category: AdultPublisher: TordotcomPublish Date: October 31, 2023Print Length: 160 Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of A Season of Monstrous Conceptions on Bookshop.org!* *These are not affiliate links and… More The post ARC Review: A Season of Monstrous C ..read more

Today’s review is about WRATH BECOMES HER by Aden Polydoros. It’s a Jewish historical horror novel set in 1943 Lithuania during Nazi occupation. The main character Vera is a golem, an artificial human made from clay and magic, created in the image of someone’s daughter. Her creator instilled in her a main purpose: kill his daughter’s murderers. Author: Aden PolydorosSeries: NoneAge Category: Young AdultPublisher: Inkyard PressPublish Date: October 10, 2023Print Length: 336 Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy… More The post ARC Review: Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros appeared first ..read more

And just like that January 2022 is over. Done. Finished. On to the next month of the year. Sometimes it feels like time passes by so quickly. Which reminds me of a recent episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation I recently watched. In it Data times how long it takes for a kettle of water to boil in an effort to understand why his human crew mates feel that time moves slowly or fast. But I digress…on to the… More The post Monthly Book Blog Wrap-Up: January 2022 appeared first on A Literary Escape ..read more

Today’s review is about SUMMER OF THE CICADAS by Chelsea Catherine. It’s a novella-length soft horror story about a cicada “invasion,” confronting loss, and becoming a leader. Author: Chelsea CatherineSeries: NoneAge Category: AdultPublisher: Red Hen PressPublish Date: August 18, 2020Print Length: 160 Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of Summer of the Cicadas on Bookshop.org!* *These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links. Official Synopsis Summer of the Cicadas is… More The post Book Review: Summer of the Cicad ..read more