Best of the Month
Our American King by David Lozell Martin
What is this? A political thriller? A satire of American culture? A family drama with a dystopian backdrop? Crazy Love is still his best book, but this a solid #2.
Worst of the Month
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Considering the popularity of this book, I guess this is one of those "hot takes." I'm more surprised than anyone, as I love these Japanese fable books. One of my favorite books of all time is Arikawa's The Traveling Cat Chronicles. Now that I think about it, this is the first one I didn't like. Oh, also (spoiler alert), this isn't a cat book. The cat on the cover is a mean trick.
The rest:
Joe Ledger and Violin: Hearts and Minds by Maberry/Cantada (graphic novel). Only of interest to the Joe Ledger fans. Grade: C
They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran. Unique concept, and I see why it's been successful, but I grew tired of the plot around halfway. Grade: D
Maniac of New York by Kalan/Mutti (graphic novel). Great slasher comic. Grade: B
Deathbringer by Bryan Smith. A recommendation from JF Gonzalez's non-fiction book. Smith has better stuff. Grade: C
The Final Score by Don Winslow. A collection of novelletes. If this is the last thing we get from Winslow, I'm ok with it. Grade: B
One of Us by Dan Chaon. Solid entry into my fave carnival-themed books, with Lansdale's Freezer Burn and Dunn's Geek Love. Grade: B
Ramsey's Rambles by Ramsey Campbell (non-fiction). Essays/reviews on a mix of pop culture and obscure horror films. Grade: C
Homewreckers by Aron Beauregard. Sufficiently disturbing, and kept my interest. Just missing...something. Grade: C
Avonwood Exodus by Chad Lutzke. Another solid one from Lutzke. Trailer park noir. Grade: B
Family Tradition by Lee/Pelan. Been meaning to get to this one for a long time. Very gross and funny. Grade: B
The Beast Within by Edward Levy. A significant scientific inaccuracy around halfway through ruined it for me. No bad if you can get past it. Grade: C
Reviews by Jason Cavallaro
Jcavallaro42@gmail.com
Twitter: @pinheadspawn
Instagram: @jcavallaro42
BlueSky: @jasoncavallaro
Our American King by David Lozell Martin
What is this? A political thriller? A satire of American culture? A family drama with a dystopian backdrop? Crazy Love is still his best book, but this a solid #2.
Worst of the Month
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Considering the popularity of this book, I guess this is one of those "hot takes." I'm more surprised than anyone, as I love these Japanese fable books. One of my favorite books of all time is Arikawa's The Traveling Cat Chronicles. Now that I think about it, this is the first one I didn't like. Oh, also (spoiler alert), this isn't a cat book. The cat on the cover is a mean trick.
The rest:
Joe Ledger and Violin: Hearts and Minds by Maberry/Cantada (graphic novel). Only of interest to the Joe Ledger fans. Grade: C
They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran. Unique concept, and I see why it's been successful, but I grew tired of the plot around halfway. Grade: D
Maniac of New York by Kalan/Mutti (graphic novel). Great slasher comic. Grade: B
Deathbringer by Bryan Smith. A recommendation from JF Gonzalez's non-fiction book. Smith has better stuff. Grade: C
The Final Score by Don Winslow. A collection of novelletes. If this is the last thing we get from Winslow, I'm ok with it. Grade: B
One of Us by Dan Chaon. Solid entry into my fave carnival-themed books, with Lansdale's Freezer Burn and Dunn's Geek Love. Grade: B
Ramsey's Rambles by Ramsey Campbell (non-fiction). Essays/reviews on a mix of pop culture and obscure horror films. Grade: C
Homewreckers by Aron Beauregard. Sufficiently disturbing, and kept my interest. Just missing...something. Grade: C
Avonwood Exodus by Chad Lutzke. Another solid one from Lutzke. Trailer park noir. Grade: B
Family Tradition by Lee/Pelan. Been meaning to get to this one for a long time. Very gross and funny. Grade: B
The Beast Within by Edward Levy. A significant scientific inaccuracy around halfway through ruined it for me. No bad if you can get past it. Grade: C
Reviews by Jason Cavallaro
Jcavallaro42@gmail.com
Twitter: @pinheadspawn
Instagram: @jcavallaro42
BlueSky: @jasoncavallaro
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