Lucy Undying

Lucy Undying
by Kiersten White
 
Book: Stand Alone
Publisher: Del Rey
Pub Date: September 10, 2024
Genre: Adult, Vampires, Horror
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon
 
In this epic and seductive gothic fantasy, a vampire escapes the thrall of Dracula and embarks on her own search for self-discovery and true love.

Her name was written in the pages of someone else's story: Lucy Westenra was one of Dracula's first victims.

But her death was only the beginning. Lucy rose from the grave a vampire, and has spent her immortal life trying to escape from Dracula's clutches--and trying to discover who she really is and what she truly wants.

Her undead life takes an unexpected turn when, in twenty-first-century London, she meets another woman who is also yearning to break free from her past. Iris’s family has built a health empire based on a sinister secret, and they’ll do anything to stay in power.
Lucy has long believed she would never love again. But she finds herself compelled by the charming Iris, while Iris is mesmerized by the confident and glamorous Lucy. But their intense connection and blossoming love is threatened by forces from without. Iris's mother won't let go of her without a fight, and Lucy's past still has fangs: Dracula is on the prowl again.

Lucy Westenra has been a tragically murdered teen, a lonesome adventurer, and a fearsome hunter, but happiness always eluded her. Can she find the strength to destroy Dracula once and for all, or will her heart once again be her undoing?

 
My Review: A retelling of Dracula, a cover that pulls you in and it is written by Kiersten?! Heck yes, count me in!  

I LOVED Lucy.  

Lucy was born a long time ago, just like anyone else. When she was born the second time, you could say nothing was ever the same again.  

When Lucy woke up as a vampire, which did not seem so pleasant to wake in a coffee and an unsatisfied thirst. Worst of all is that Dracula wants her and Lucy will have none of that.  

Lucy is fun, Whitty, speaks her mind and overall, a well-done character.  

Then you have Iris. She is in England and on a mission. Gather everything left to her and get rid of it.  

She is not happy about what is going on and is not shy about it. She is happy her mom is dead (relatable) and cannot wait to be rid of the legacy she left behind. Starting with one of the houses of which is basically worthless inside. No jewelry, nothing of value to sell.  

Until the one room she forced her way in and found a diary belonging to Lucy.  

Overall, I like Iris. There were moments where I was a little annoyed with her. I could relate with some of rants/antics. No Wi-Fi or bars, yikes, bad time when you’re alone in an empty old abandon mansion. No outlets or light switches either?? Sheesh, what year was this house again? Though, it would not be too bad if the house were in a more livable condition. But oh well, the plan is to sell asap anyway.  

When Lucy shows up at the house, the pace picks up more and you become so immersed in the story that it is impossible to put it down.  

Another masterpiece by Kiersten.  

 

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

House of Salt and Sorrows

House of Salt and Sorrows
by Erin Craig
 
Book: Sisters of the Salt #1
Publisher: Delecort
Pub Date: August 6, 2019 
Genre: Young Adult, Mystery, Horror
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon
 
In a manor by the sea, twelve sisters are cursed.

Annaleigh lives a sheltered life at Highmoor, a manor by the sea, with her sisters, their father, and stepmother. Once they were twelve, but loneliness fills the grand halls now that four of the girls' lives have been cut short. Each death was more tragic than the last—the plague, a plummeting fall, a drowning, a slippery plunge—and there are whispers throughout the surrounding villages that the family is cursed by the gods.

Disturbed by a series of ghostly visions, Annaleigh becomes increasingly suspicious that the deaths were no accidents. Her sisters have been sneaking out every night to attend glittering balls, dancing until dawn in silk gowns and shimmering slippers, and Annaleigh isn't sure whether to try to stop them or to join their forbidden trysts. Because who—or what—are they really dancing with?

When Annaleigh's involvement with a mysterious stranger who has secrets of his own intensifies, it's a race to unravel the darkness that has fallen over her family—before it claims her next.

 
My Review: Annaleigh just put another sister to rest. It seems something is always happening to tjem and theu constantly live in mourning clothes.  
 
Annaleigh thinks this is more than a curse. Her sister wouldnt have just fallen... she believes something else is causing this, or maybe a someone. She now takes it upon herself to figure it out. 
 
I do have to say, it took me a few tries to get through this book. I had to put it down a few times as the first 10 chapters alone were just so boring and slow paced. Annaleigh is the only character that made it somewhat bearable to get through this book. 
 
The stepmom reveals a surprise which all of a sudden mourning period isn't going to happen. Instead they plan to just skip the sadness and go right into the next stage of life. Picking out colors for new dresses and shoes and planning a ball for the triplets birthday. 
 
It took until about 80% of the book for it to finally grab my attention. Finally things are being reveald. Why people are dying, this curse isnt what it seems and so much unraveling occurs. At the very end is where it was for me and while I did like it and will read the second book, I won't exactly be jumping to it. 
 
It is simialr to Dark and Shallow Lies, so if you read that book and enjoyed it, this style is very similar and would.be right up your alley! 
 

My Rating:

✪✪✪

Mister Magic

Mister Magic 

by Kiersten White 

Book: Stand Alone

Publisher: Del Rey

Pub Date: August 8, 2023 

Genre: Adult, Thriller, Horror, Mystery

Format: eARC 

Source: NetGalley 

Book Links: Goodreads Amazon  

Who is Mister Magic? Former child stars reunite to uncover the tragedy that ended their show—and discover the secret of its enigmatic host—in this dark supernatural thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hide. 

 
Thirty years after a tragic accident shut down production of the classic children’s program Mister Magic, the five surviving cast members have done their best to move on. But just as generations of cultishly devoted fans still cling to the lessons they learned from the show, the cast, known as the Circle of Friends, have spent their lives searching for the happiness they felt while they were on it. The friendship. The feeling of belonging. And the protection of Mister Magic. 
 
But with no surviving video of the show, no evidence of who directed or produced it, and no records of who—or what—the beloved host actually was, memories are all the former Circle of Friends has. 
 
Then a twist of fate brings the castmates back together at the remote desert filming compound that feels like it’s been waiting for them all this time. Even though they haven’t seen each other for years, they understand one another better than anyone has since. 
 
After all, they’re the only ones who hold the secret of that circle, the mystery of the magic man in his infinitely black cape, and, maybe, the answers to what really happened on that deadly last day. But as the Circle of Friends reclaim parts of their past, they begin to wonder: Are they here by choice, or have they been lured into a trap? 
 
Because magic never forgets the taste of your friendship. . .. 

 
 

My Review: I'm far from a Horror reader, but I will always grab something by Kiersten. Plus, her horror books are more of a page turner and edge of your seat rather than scare, so win-win!  

 

For decades Val has lived on the Farm. She helps with the camps and has a good life. Heading back to the cabin she notices that the door is open. It shouldn't be but she'll make a note to add locks where her dad can't reach.  But there won't be a need, she finds her dad has passed.  

 

The funeral comes and Val is in Gloria's house. They talk and Gloria mentions there will be more people attending because she mentioned it online. Val is worried, but she also isn't sure why. Why they showed up here, what happened when she was younger, why her dad was the way she was. Maybe he did something bad, maybe he was in hiding, but now the answers are gone.  

 

To add to everything, three guys show up. Calling her by her full name and Val is scared. She has no idea who they are at all, how they know her name, nada. So, bossy Val takes over and demands they go out outside and explain.  

 

 A brief explanation and suddenly, Val grabs her duffle bag, some cash and off she goes with these guys. Stranger danger, who? Oh, and they are on the way to a reunion for a show she has no clue about and someone she thought dead isn't actually dead.  

 

That's all just in the first three chapters and I feel for Val. She really has a lot thrown at her quickly, but she is strong, smart and just a wonderful character. People blame her, a woman even attacks her, and she still maintains such a strong character. She could easily lash out, scream to the world she hadn't a clue what happened back then. Yet, she remains strong, keeps her cool and even offers kindness.  

 

As the book continues on, so much more is revealed, and it really becomes a page turner that is impossible to put down. I've loved Kiersten’s work since Paranormalcy came out and her books continue to show why she has been one of my top authors for so long and will continue to be.  

 

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪

The Companion

The Companion
by Katie Alender 

Book: Stand Alone
Publisher: Putnam Books
Pub Date: August 25, 2020
Genre: Young Adult
Format: Print
Source: Bought
Book Links: Goodreads  Amazon 

The other orphans say Margot is lucky. Lucky to survive the horrible accident that killed her family. Lucky to have her own room because she wakes up screaming every night.

And finally, lucky to be chosen by a prestigious family to live at their remote country estate.

But it wasn't luck that made the Suttons rescue Margot from her bleak existence at the group home. Margot was hand-picked to be a companion to their silent, mysterious daughter, Agatha. At first, helping with Agatha - and getting to know her handsome older brother - seems much better than the group home. But soon, the isolated, gothic house begins playing tricks on Margot’s mind, making her question everything she believes about the Suttons... and herself.

Margot’s bad dreams may have stopped when she came to live with Agatha – but the real nightmare has just begun. 

 

My Review:  So I'm not the biggest horror/thriller fan. But there is something about the way that Katie writes it that get me always buying her books. 

Anyway, Margot is a lucky girl. Everyone keeps saying that to her and it'll make way more sense in the end. She was the only one to survive the accidently. Her whole family was in the car when it went over and into the water. She was the only one to get out and she is alone now. 

She is now in a home. It's okay, it's a nice home and they gave her a few things and let her settle in. The other girls there, well, they are not fond of her. Margot gets nightmares and wakes the whole house up. 

Then the real nightmare begins. Margot gets taken in by a rich couple. Her dad saved this guys life in college and feels the least he can do it take Margot in. At first, she doesn't know how to feel. The people seem nice, but they had a motive for taking her in, especially Laura. Margot is now their daughters companion. She could have said no (not really) but here's the start to her new life now.

Margot meets Ags and it took time, but they eventually got along and understand each other. But things aren't as they seem here. Margot sneaks around and finds out things about this family. She digs to the point where Laura finally starts to turn on Margot and treat her like Ags. Although she isn't sick and neither is Ags.

The ending was something else and had me on the edge of my seat. It was so good and Laura finally got what she deserved. 

 

My Rating:

✪✪✪✪✪