Cavallaro's Cavalcade of Carnage
24 books read! Lets get started.

BEST OF THE MONTH: Getaway by Zoje Stage

Stage is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors. Getaway is a vacation-gone-awry story that reminded me of Richard Laymon's books with similar setups. If you know anything about my love for Laymon, then you know this is the highest compliment I can give.

WORST OF THE MONTH: Blood Will Have its Season by Joseph Pulver

This is a horror collection with no standout stories in it. Many go for a cosmic horror vibe, but fell short of entertaining for me.

The rest:

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak. My second favorite of the month, and even better than his debut, The Impossible Fortress. Grade: A
City on Fire by Don Winslow. Probably my favorite from the consistently good Winslow. Grade: B
When These Mountains Burn by David Joy. Any of Joy's other books are better. Grade: C
Three Smile Mile by Chad Lutzke. My least favorite from Chad, which really surprises me because I always love his stuff. Grade: C
Batman/Spawn by Todd Macfarlane/Greg Capullo (graphic novel). Capullo is the MVP of this one. Spectacular art, with average story. Grade: C
Redlands by Jordie Bellaire/Vanesa Del Rey (graphic novel). Here is another graphic novel with spectacular art and middling story. Grade: C
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. I'm sure if I would be a more patient reader, I could enjoy books like this more. Grade: D
Crossed by Garth Ennis/Burrows (graphic novel). A Splatterpunk masterpiece in graphic novel form. Brilliant and disturbing. Grade: A
Wrath by Daniel Kraus/Dr Moalem. Kraus continues his winning streak with this biomedical horror story. Grade: A
Black Gum by J David Osbourne. Fun pitch black comedy novella. I need to read more from this guy. Grade: B
The Sound of His Horn by Sarban. Pseudonym from British writer John Wall. I see why he changed the name. Grade: D
Batman/Punisher by Dennis O'Neal/John Romita (graphic novel). Forgettable stuff. Makes me yearn for Ennis's Punisher. Grade: C
Wintersong by S Jae-Jones. Wonderful YA dark fantasy. Grade: B
Wolves of Darkness by Jack Williamson. Maybe it was original when it was written? I was bored with it. Grade: D
Batman/Spawn by Moench/Grant/Dixon. This is the Batman/Spawn mashup from the 90s. The new one is better. Grade: D
The Girl in the Basement by Ray Garton. Is this a forgotten gem from Garton? It may be my favorite thing from him. Grade: B
Moonbane by Al Sarrantonio. I love the werewolf origin setup in this one, but it did not hold my interest throughout. Grade: C
The Little Ochre Book of Occult Stories by Karl Edward Wagner. I'm late to the Wagner party. "Sticks" is a definite high point in this collection. Grade: C
Vacation by Matthew Costello. Fun, fast-moving cannibal story, from the guy that wrote the story for that creepy computer game from the 90's, The 7th Guest. Grade: B
Lucifer Sam by Leo Darke. I'd recommend Hendrix's We Sold Our Souls to get a better version of this type of black comedy. Grade: C
The Tracker by John Hunt. Not a bad serial killer story, but could've used a few less pages to tell it. Grade: C
That Which Grows Wild by Eric Guignard (collection). As with most collections, some good, some bad. Grade: C

Reviews by Jason Cavallaro
jcavallaro42@gmail.com
Twitter: @pinheadspawn

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