THE SCREAM FACTORY & THE OLD MYERS PLACE by Kelly O'Rourke

The Scream Factory by Kelly O'Rourke
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

O. M. F. G.

You know, I thought this might be a fun, easy read. I mean, I'm a Halloween fan, and I enjoy YA books from the 80s and 90s.

Yet, this one is absolutely terrible.

It's almost like the author doesn't freaking know who Michael Myers is. Like she was given the assignment and didn't bother to do any research. This awful story doesn't even connect to any of the actual movies. In fact, Michael is the only name that's even mentioned and he doesn't act like himself.

The vibes are all wrong.

I have SO many questions about this book, but the only one that matters is: WHY THE HELL DID THEY BOTHER? Maybe the publisher wanted to release a bunch of horror books for a younger audience to compete with Fear Street. If that's the case, they failed. Miserably.

To be honest, I didn't mind the first half because there was at least tension. But then the girls have a pillow fight and I thought: WTF? It went downhill from there. So much about this story annoyed me. Let's be honest, what are the chances that both girls end up with guys who have crazy, obsessed ex-girlfriends? Sexist, much? Also, I'm down for some insta-love and don't hate the trope, but the Lori and Jake instantaneous love was too much. Can you believe the main character's name is LORI? That's way too close to LAURIE.

Anyway, this wasn't very good. I doubt I'll bother with the next two. Oh, did I forget to mention this is the first book in a trilogy?! 😅

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The Old Myers Place by Kelly O'Rourke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I finished reading the first book in this trilogy earlier today and it was SO BAD that I said I wasn't going to bother reading the next two books.

Well, I lied. I mean, The Scream Factory was so cringe and awful that I couldn't resist checking out the next one. LMAO.

The funny thing is that I actually liked this installment because the characters were very interesting. I know, I'm still shocked, but it was super creepy and features a group of teens that were definitely more realistic in tone, dialogue, and behaviour. Gone is the cringey insta-love, and instead we get a variety of teen romances, as well as abusive assholes masquerading as nice guys. There are friend groups with plenty of dysfunction and the new girl in town who recreates herself after moving from LA to Haddonfield.

I think the creepiness in this story is a LOT better, too. Plenty of tense scenes. It's also definitely gorier and Michael steps up the violence. Not to mention that the new girl, Mary, actually lives in the old Myers house!!

Super creep. And you gotta love how the parents move Mary into a house with a killer reputation and are hardly home so the teenager is home alone all the time.

The worst thing about this book is that Michael is still off. He just doesn't feel like Michael Myers. Okay, he does feel like him when he's attacking or stalking, but I hate the mask descriptions. And the grunting. Michael Myers doesn't grunt. I really wish the author had done her research. Or, you know, watch the actual movies.

Anyway, I really enjoyed the second book in this trilogy. It's really good. Even the writing is better!


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Books Read in 2025

SAGA #67

Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

SAGA #68:

Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

SAGA #69:

Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

SAGA #70:

Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

SAGA #71:

Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

DEVIL DANCERS:

A A. Medina & Bo Chappell

DAUGHTERS OF THE BLUE MOON:

Millie Abecassis

WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS:

Grady Hendrix

CATS LIKE CREAM:

Renee Miller

SHOCKAHOLIC:

Carrie Fisher

BRAVE NEW WORLD:

Aldous Huxley

FIGHT CLUB:

Chuck Palahniuk

CYNDI LAUPER

A Memoir:

Cyndi Lauper & Jancee Dunn

PUNK 57:

Penelope Douglas

INK VINE:

Elizabeth Broadbent

IN THE PALM OF HER HAND:

Lauren Carter

HARD COPY:

Fien Veldman

HURRICANE SEASON:

Fernanda Melchor

MY DARK VANESSA:

Kate Elizabeth Russell

SEVERANCE

The Lexington Letter:

Anonymous

SAGA #72:

Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

SUNRISE ON THE REAPING

(The Hunger Games #0.5):

Suzanne Collins

THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES

(The Hunger Games #0):

Suzanne Collins

CICADA:

Shaun Tan

COMPULSORY

(The Murderbot Diaries #.05):

Martha Wells

ALL SYSTEMS RED

(The Murderbot Diaries #1):

Martha Wells

THE BLANKS:

Grady Hendrix

THE LOST BOYS:

Craig Shaw Gardner

RETREAT:

Krysten Ritter

NEVER FLINCH (DNF):

Stephen King

THE EYES ARE THE BEST PART:

Monika Kim

THE VILLA:

Rachel Hawkins

SLAGS:

Emma Jane Unsworth

THE NIGHT GUEST:

Hildur Knútsdóttir

SUNBURN:

Laura Lippman

CRANBERRY COVE:

Hailey Piper

FALLEN DESTINY:

Yolanda Sfetsos

ROSE MADDER (DNF):

Stephen King

THE COLD GIRL:

Rachel Caine

THE WEREWIFE:

Jay Wells

THE THREE LIVES OF LYDIA

(Blud #0.5):

Delilah S. Dawson

A DUET WITH DARKNESS

(Abby Sinclair #0.5):

Allison Pang

A CHANCE IN HELL

(He'll on Earth):

Jackie Kessler

THE INSIDE MAN

(Jane True):

Nicole Peeler

HELL'S MENAGERIE

(Charlie Madigan):

Kelly Gay

FREAK HOUSE

(Strays):

Kelly Meding

PAINTED LOVE:

Rob Thurman

PARLOR TRICKS

(Elemental Assassin):

Jennifer Estep

RECESSION OF THE DIVINE:

Hillary Jacques

DAUGHTER OF THE MIDWAY, THE MERMAID, AND THE OPEN, LONELY SEA:

Seanan McGuire

THE DEMON BARKER OF WHEAT STREET

(The Iron Druid Chronicles)

Kevin Hearne

THE SWEETER THE JUICE:

Mark Henry

A PSALM FOR THE WILD-BUILT

(Monk & Robot #1):

Becky Chambers

AN UNNATURAL LIFE:

Erin K. Wagner

CHLORINE:

Jade Song

REVIVAL, Vol. 1

You're Among Friends:

Tim Seeley & Mark Norton

DRIVE YOUR PLOW OVER THE BONES OF THE DEAD:

Olga Tokarczuk

THE LONG WALK:

Stephen King

ANNIE BOT:

Sierra Greer

MYTHOS TAROT POCKET TIN EDITION

Guidance from the Greek Gods:

Helena Elias

VICTORIAN PSYCHO:

Virginia Feito

STONE HEART

(Dark Olympus #0.5):

Katee Robert

MY HUSBAND:

Maud Ventura

WE LOVE YOU, BUNNY

(Bunny #2):

Mona Awad

THE PISCES:

Melissa Broder

BLOB

A Love Story:

Maggie Su

BIRTHDAY GIRL:

Penelope Douglas

HOUR OF THE PUMPKIN QUEEN

(Pumpkin Queen #2):

Megan Shepherd

THE CHANGE:

Kirsten Miller

NOBODY'S GIRL

A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice:

Virginia Roberts Giuffre

I DIED AT FALLOW HALL:

Bonnie Burke-Patel

LITTLE RED DEATH:

A.K. Benedict

NINE MONTH CONTRACT

(Mountain Men Matchmaker #1):

Amy Daws

THE UNMOTHERS:

Leslie J. Anderson

HOW TO BE EATEN:

Maria Adelmann

THE OTHER BROTHER

(London Hearts #1):

Tierney Page

I'LL BE WAITING:

Kelley Armstrong

HEKATE:

Nikita Gill

ROSALINA'S STORYBOOK:

Nintendo

HAUNT SWEET HOME:

Sarah Pinsker

WITHIN THE SPACE OF A SECOND

(Mark of the Time Traveler #1):

Elise Helliwell

THE MOST WONDERFUL CRIME OF THE YEAR:

Ally Carter

OUR WIVES UNDER THE SEA:

Julia Armfield

DEAREST:

Jacquie Walters

MISTER MAGIC:

Kiersten White

WE ALL ROT EVENTUALLY:

Mia Ballard

CONVENIENCE STORE WOMAN:

Sayaka Murata

ARTIFICIAL CONDITION

 (The Murderbot Diaries #2)

Martha Wells

RAPPORT

Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy

(The Murderbot Diaries, #2.5):

Martha Wells

PARADISE ROT:

Jenny Hval

THE SCREAM FACTORY

(Halloween #1):

Kelly O'Rourke

THE OLD MYERS PLACE

(Halloween #2):

Kelly O'Rourke

Books Read in 2025: 90/75

(DNF books: 2)

My 2025 Reading Goal: 52 books, later changed to 75.

________________________

Number of series/duology/trilogy books read: 27

1. SAGA #67
2. SAGA #68
3. SAGA #69
4. SAGA #70
5. SAGA #71
6. SAGA #72
7. SUNRISE ON THE REAPING (The Hunger Games #0.5)
8. THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS AND SNAKES (The Hunger Games #0)
9. COMPULSORY (The Murderbot Diaries #.05)
10. ALL SYSTEMS RED (The Murderbot Diaries #1)
11. THE THREE LIVES OF LYDIA (Blud #0.5)
12. A DUET WITH DARKNESS (Abby Sinclair #0.5)
13. THE INSIDE MAN (Jane True story)
14. PARLOR TRICKS (Elemental Assassin)
15. THE DEMON BARKER OF WHEAT STREET (The Iron Druid Chronicles)
16. A PSALM FOR THE WILD-BUILT (Monk & Robot #1)
17. REVIVAL, Volume. 1: You're Among Friends
18. STONE HEART (Dark Olympus #0.5
19. WE LOVE YOU, BUNNY (Bunny #2)
20. HOUR OF THE PUMPKIN QUEEN (Pumpkin Queen #2)
21. NINE MONTH CONTRACT (Mountain Men Matchmaker #1)
22. THE OTHER BROTHER (London Hearts #1)
23. WITHIN THE SPACE OF A SECOND (Mark of the Time Traveler #1)
24. ARTIFICIAL CONDITION (The Murderbot Diaries #2)
25. RAPPORT: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy (The Murderbot Diaries, #2.5)
26. THE SCREAM FACTORY (Halloween #1)
27. THE OLD MYERS PLACE (Halloween #2)

PARADISE ROT by Jenny Hval

Paradise Rot by Jenny Hval
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've wanted to read this book for a while and decided to read it today.

Jo is a student from Norway who is far from home. In a new country, she's determined to devote herself to Biology. That's how she ends up renting a room inside a restored brewery with a woman who's a little older. And the longer they live together, the stranger Jo's life becomes...

Yikes. This book is a fever dream wrapped inside the damp, festering shell of rotting fruit. The writing is lyrical and brilliantly captures the slip between fantasy and reality of a young woman dealing with an attraction she can't control, and the decay that drips around her as her friendship with Carral grows. Or should I say co-dependency?

The interactions between these two inspire a lot of bizarre and ugly imagery. But the words are used so well that the vivid descriptions made me feel like I was living inside the grossest version of the Garden of Eden. I like the way the religious allegory is used, then turned into reflections about gender.

Before reading this book I'd heard a lot of talk about the urine, so I was expecting the worst. Even thought it might distract/ruin the story, but it didn't. Jo's fascination with fluids and liquids isn't limited to toilet observations, it goes beyond that. What all of these descriptions amount to is a woman whose surroundings and relationships are slowly decaying.

I really enjoyed this. It's weird and has a way of getting under your skin.


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2025 Goals

Hey! How's it going?

I hope you all had an awesome festive season.

Since December is coming to an end, it's time for me to take a look at the goals I posted back in January.

Looking back at what I wanted to achieve versus what I did achieve is always interesting. And I have to admit that my 2025 writing projects really surprised me. I didn't intend to write so many stories in the same vampire world, but really enjoyed telling every character's story.

So, here's how this year turned out:

• Continue to go for long daily walks: I KEPT THIS GOING ALL YEAR BECAUSE I LOVE WALKING AROUND THE RIVER. IT'S GREAT EXERCISE, FUELS MY IMAGINATION, AND I ENJOY THE WILDLIFE.

• Try to get back into (at least one weekly) yoga workout: ALTHOUGH WE FAILED THIS GOAL FOR MOST OF THE YEAR (😧), WE DID GET BACK INTO YOGA WORKOUTS IN NOVEMBER (😃).

• Finish writing my current first draft WIP: I TOTALLY DID THIS BACK IN JANUARY (92,907w).

• Celebrate the release of my first short story collection, MELANCHOLY DELUSIONS: THE RELEASE HAPPENED BACK IN LATE JANUARY AND I'M STILL EXCITED! I'M VERY PROUD OF THIS BOOK AND HOPE MORE READERS GIVE IT A GO. 😁

• Write between 100-200k words: YES! I WROTE A TOTAL OF 188,933 WORDS. (100,227 ARE SHORT STORIES.)

• Read 52 books:: I READ 87 (DNFd 2).

• Revise/finalise the two vampire first drafts: I WORKED ON THESE REVISIONS DURING APRIL (VampNovel1: 90,075w) AND MAY (VampNovel2: 90,746w).

• Work on edits when they hit my Inbox: THE ONLY EDITS I HAD THIS YEAR WERE FOR FALLEN DESTINY AND I GOT THOSE DONE DURING JULY.

• Write a novel (or two): I SPENT MOST OF THE YEAR WORKING ON STORIES ATTACHED TO MY VAMPIRE NOVELS, SO I DIDN'T WRITE ANY OTHER NOVELS. (ASIDES FROM FINISHING VampNovel2, OF COURSE.)

• Write a novella (or two): I DIDN'T WRITE ANY NOVELLAS THIS YEAR, BUT I WROTE A NOVELETTE (12,929w).

• Write a few short stories: 2025 TURNED OUT TO BE THE YEAR WHERE I COULDN'T STOP WRITING SHORT STORIES. I STARTED THE YEAR BY WRITING A HANDFUL OF STANDALONE SHORTIES AND THEN MOVED ON TO WRITING AND REVISING A WHOLE LOT OF STORIES SET IN MY VAMPIRE WORLD. I ENDED UP WRITING 30 SHORT STORIES, WHICH IS A TOTAL WORD COUNT OF: 100,227.

• Keep playing Animal Crossing daily: STILL PLAYING ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW HORIZONS EVERY SINGLE DAY. 😁

• Get into other cozy, cute puzzle games:  I PLAYED MANY, MANY HOURS OF HELLO KITTY AND FRIENDS HAPPINESS PARADE BECAUSE IT'S SO MUCH FUN AND I LOVE THE CATCHY TUNES. I ALSO SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS PLAYING SUIKA GAME, ZOO KEEPER (ON MY PHONE), AND TETRIS® 99 (LOVE PUZZLE GAMES).

This year, I had two books published:

MELANCHOLY DELUSIONS features 17 creepy tales and is my debut short story collection published by Cemetery Gates Media on January 28. I'm very proud of every shortie.

FALLEN DESTINY is a cozy urban fantasy novel published by Brigids Gate Press on November 11. This is a story I had a lot of fun writing and I'm excited that it's out in the wild.

This year I managed to get a lot of spring cleaning/decluttering done. That included sorting through my toys/plushies, books, and loads of stationery. As a result, we donated, sold, threw away, and downsized. A lot. I feel really good about all the work I put in and the countless hours I spent sorting through stuff. I plan to do even more next year. 

Very early on, I deactivated my Threads and IG accounts because I can't stand Meta and totally disagree with every disgusting thing the owner of that shitty company is doing and supporting. 

So Bluesky is still my only social media. And I've been posting on my blog all year, of course. 😁

Guess I should put together a 2026 list soon... 

Have a great day!

ARTIFICIAL CONDITION & RAPPORT by Martha Wells

Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Today I was in the mood for the second Murderbot Diaries novella.

Now that Murderbot is alone, its decided to go back to the scene of the massacre, to find out why it killed so many humans. But to do that, Murderbot makes a new friend, gets a job, and encounters a few surprises along the way...

Murderbot is SO much FUN. The second installment is just as good as the first, and introduces more locations, new well-meaning humans getting into trouble, and some of the answers our favourite SecUnit has been searching for.

I love how Murderbot goes through several physical, mental, and even emotional changes during this story. The first one being that it makes a friend. A very helpful friend who helps Murderbot during its quest for answers.

Asshole Research Transport, aka ART, is a giant transport bot, and their connection is awesome. I love how they interact with each other, and even enjoy watching shows together. Another great thing is how ART's sensitivity to humans helps Murderbot develop an even deeper awareness.

I can't wait to read more Murderbot adventures!

-----------------------------

Rapport: Friendship, Solidarity, Communion, Empathy by Martha Wells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After reading the second novella in this fun series, I had to read this too.

The cargo ship called Perihelion and its crew arrive at a space station with an important mission on their agenda, but Peri's acting a little differently nowadays...

I really enjoyed it. A lot!

Reading stories in this world from the POV of other characters is so exciting. I liked Iris and her crew. The closeness, the bickering, how they relied on Peri and know it enough to notice the changes!

And that brings me to Peri, aka Perihelion. Or ART. Murderbot's friend! I hope we get to see more interactions between them in future novellas. 😁

You can read it free here: https://reactormag.com/rapport-martha...


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CONVENIENCE STORE WOMAN by Sayaka Murata

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After reading and enjoying Earthlings last year, I bought a copy of this book for my Kobo. And decided to get stuck into it today.

Keiko Furukura is a single woman who doesn't have too many friends, keeps to herself, and loves her job. If only other people would understand how much the convenience store means to her... 

OMG. This book! It's SO good. I couldn't put it down and read it in one afternoon/night.

Furukura is such an innocent and unfiltered character. She spends so much of her life learning how to behave and how to dress in order to fit in because she learned pretty early on that not acting normal gets you shunned by others. She's pretty good at fitting in, but even that's not enough. It's never enough because everyone expects her to get married and get a better job and have children and fit the norm instead of acting weird.

It's exhausting how many hurdles people expect others to jump over in order to be accepted. But Furukura doesn't care about all those things because all she needs is the convenience store. I love how she describes everything about her workplace like it's an organic being that keeps her on track. Not just during her shifts. Her job ensures she stays healthy and even helps her sleep. And you know what? She's really good at her job and never asks for more than she deserves. So I got really angry with her so-called friends, co-workers, and family for being so freaking judgy.

And for the record, I really disliked Shiraha. The sexist incel who takes advantage of an opportunity that Furukura offers in order to keep her working for him. Even though he doesn't like her and treats her like crap. She really is too good for him.

Anyway, I love the final scene because there was no other way to end the convenience store woman's story.

Irasshaimasé!


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WE ALL ROT EVENTUALLY by Mia Ballard

We All Rot Eventually by Ballard
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This little novella caught my eye because of the blood splashed over the cutesy pink cover. That doesn't reflect what lies within the pages, lol.

Alexa Valentine might not be her real name, but it's the one that's going to make her a star. She went to LA to become an actress, and she's willing to do whatever it takes to make sure everyone sees her...

Yikes. What an unhinged story that turned to be! It's like MaXXXine meets Dexter with a heavy dose of feminine fury.

I read this book in one sitting because it's not long. Besides, it's fast-paced, the chapters are snappy, and the narrative takes some outrageous twist and turns as Alexa barrels through every expectation the reader might expect at the beginning.

Her rise to fame is full of violence, gore, and chaos. Until you're left wondering if Alexa's evil influence comes from an internal or external force.

While I enjoyed it, I did have a few issues: I can't get past the phone scrolling in 2005, and the fact that the epilogue is actually referred to as a prologue. I think this tale could've used another round of edits/proofreading.


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MISTER MAGIC by Kiersten White

Mister Magic by Kiersten White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Here's another book I've had on my Paperwhite TBR pile for a while.

After Val's father dies, her small world is shattered when three people, she can't remember from her past, appear out of nowhere. According to Isaac, Marcus, and Javi, they were all part of a cult children's TV show. Mister Magic shut down thirty years ago, but now a podcast wants to interview them to reboot the series...

Wow. What an amazing and darkly imaginative book this turned out to be. It's creepy, mysterious, and packed with engaging characters.

Val's story is as fascinating as it is frightening. A woman living a quiet and isolated life with her father finds out about her past when it comes knocking on her door after his death. Rediscovering her childhood and the friends she left behind takes her on a very dark journey into the desert. To a bizarre house in the middle of nowhere and the townspeople who helped conceal a menacing secret.

It's an intriguing tale about loss, rediscovery, and facing human evil disguised by malicious magic. And the ending is so freaking melancholy, because while it's the best conclusion, it's very sad.

I also have to mention that you shouldn't skip the acknowledgements page. After reading the author's words, everything about Mister Magic made even more messed-up sense. The line between religion and cult is almost non-existent.

Awesome book about a cult TV show that slipped into the shadows. Let's be honest, a lot of children's programming is creepy as fuck. I enjoyed this so much!


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DEAREST by Jacquie Walters

Dearest by Jacquie Walters
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've had my eye on this book for a while because that cover is super creepy, so I got stuck into it the other night.

Flora, a new mother with a newborn, feels isolated. Her husband is deployed, she's lonely, is having trouble sleeping, and is permanently uncomfortable. Then she reaches out to her estranged mother, and is surprised when she turns up at Flora's door...

Ooooooooh. The fever dream quality of this eerie horror tale sucked me into Flora's nightmare from the very beginning. I couldn't wait to find out what was really going on.

At times, I was convinced Flora was suffering from a severe case of postpartum depression and exhaustion. Then I thought she was slipping away from reality because of being alone all the time. I even suspected that there was a monster after her. But one thing's for sure, this story is very disturbing, and perfectly captures the raw and hardest parts of being a new mother.

I enjoyed Flora's heartbreaking tale SO much. The writing style kept the narrative dark and mysterious, with dread creeping up in every scene. The revelations are shocking and sad. The family secrets are terrible. The way Flora deals with everything gave me whiplash. And the ending is: 😳!!!

Excellent, trippy book.


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OUR WIVES UNDER THE SEA by Julia Armfield

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I started reading this book the other night and was instantly absorbed by the melancholy tone.

Miri and Leah are married and live in an apartment with the permanent noise of their neighbour's TV filtering in through the walls. Leah is a marine biologist who left on a three-week submarine expedition but didn't come back until six months later. And now that she's back, she's not the same. Leaving Miri with a wife who feels and looks more like a stranger every single day...

Wow. What an eerie and intriguing book.

Miri and Leah's alternating POVs tell their separate stories so we find out about their relationship, friends, and jobs. Miri delves into the awful six months living without knowing where her wife was. Leah reveals what happened under the sea and how it changed the three-person crew. Both experiences are interesting and captivated me for different reasons.

While the story is grimy, sad, and leaves you feeling a little sick from the effects of how the sea changes Leah and destroys their relationship, it's also full of inspiring situations and connections. I particularly liked the way the events unfolded. How well the past and present are woven together, leading to a tragic, horrifying conclusion. At the same time, the ambiguity stitched into the very core of this book also offers up an even sadder conclusion, similar to what is presented in the message board Miri frequents during Leah's abscence.

Either way, this tale of love and grief is written so well that both narratives work. Fantastic!


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