Happy Halloween, guys! I hope you’ve enjoyed spooky season as much as I have. But all good things must come to an end so let’s do my October 2021 wrap up.
The Woman in Black
Synopsis:
Arthur Kipps, a young solicitor, has come north from London to attend the funeral and settle the affairs of Mrs. Alice Drablow of Eel Marsh House. The townspeople are reluctant to share any information about Mrs. Drablow but Kipps soon realizes that there is more to Alice Drablow than he originally thought. At the funeral, he sees a woman dressed in black, with a pale face and dark eyes, whom a group of children are silently watching.
While sorting through Mrs. Drablow’s papers at Eel Marsh House over the course of several days, the routine formalities Kipps anticipates give way to a tumble of events and secrets more sinister and terrifying than any nightmare: the rocking chair in the deserted nursery, the eerie sound of a pony and trap, a child’s scream in the fog, and most dreadfully and most tragically for Kipps, the woman in black herself.
My Rating: 5/5
My Full Review: https://wildwoodreads.com/2021/10/28/the-woman-in-black-review/
The Goosebumps Retro Collection
Synopsis:
Celebrate the 25th anniversary of Goosebumps with five of the all-time bestselling Goosebumps books with their original covers in an exclusive tin!Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Goosebumps with five of the all-time bestselling books including Monster Blood, Why I’m Afraid of Bees, A Night in Terror Tower,The Beast From the East, and Legend of the Lost Legend. Each with their original cover in an exclusive retro collector’s tin!Reader beware–it’s the original scare again!
My Full Review: https://wildwoodreads.com/2021/10/17/goosebumps-25th-anniversary-retro-collection/
The Haunting of Blackwood House
Synopsis:
As the daughter of spiritualists, Mara’s childhood was filled with séances and scam mediums. Now she’s ready to start over with her fiancé, Neil, far away from the superstitions she’s learned to loathe…but her past isn’t willing to let her go so easily.
And neither is Blackwood House.
When Mara and Neil purchased the derelict property, they were warned that ever since the murder of its original owner, things have changed. Strange shadows stalk the halls. Doors creak open by themselves. Voices whisper in the night. And watchful eyes follow her every move. But Mara’s convinced she can’t possibly be in danger. She doesn’t believe in ghost stories, and she didn’t buy a haunted house―it’s just not possible.
My Rating: 2/5
My Full Review: https://wildwoodreads.com/2021/10/30/the-haunting-of-blackwood-house-review/
Cackle
Synopsis:
All her life, Annie has played it nice and safe. After being unceremoniously dumped by her longtime boyfriend, Annie seeks a fresh start. She accepts a teaching position that moves her from Manhattan to a small village upstate. She’s stunned by how perfect and picturesque the town is. The people are all friendly and warm. Her new apartment is dreamy too, minus the oddly persistent spider infestation.
Then Annie meets Sophie. Beautiful, charming, magnetic Sophie, who takes a special interest in Annie, who wants to be her friend. More importantly, she wants Annie to stop apologizing and start living for herself. That’s how Sophie lives. Annie can’t help but gravitate toward the self-possessed Sophie, wanting to spend more and more time with her, despite the fact that the rest of the townsfolk seem…a little afraid of her. And like, okay. There are some things. Sophie’s appearance is uncanny and ageless, her mansion in the middle of the woods feels a little unearthly, and she does seem to wield a certain power…but she couldn’t be…could she?
My Rating: 5/5
My Full Review: https://wildwoodreads.com/2021/10/29/cackle-by-rachel-harrison-review/
Empire of the Vampire
Synopsis:
It has been twenty-seven long years since the last sunrise. For nearly three decades, vampires have waged war against humanity; building their eternal empire even as they tear down our own. Now, only a few tiny sparks of light endure in a sea of darkness.
Gabriel de León is a silversaint: a member of a holy brotherhood dedicated to defending realm and church from the creatures of the night. But even the Silver Order could not stem the tide once daylight failed us, and now, only Gabriel remains.
Imprisoned by the very monsters he vowed to destroy, the last silversaint is forced to tell his story. A story of legendary battles and forbidden love, of faith lost and friendships won, of the Wars of the Blood and the Forever King and the quest for humanity’s last remaining hope:
The Holy Grail.
My Rating: 5/5
My Full Review: https://wildwoodreads.com/2021/10/14/empire-of-the-vampire-by-jay-kristoff-review/
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Synopsis:
This spooky book is first in the series of Shwartz’s popular books on American folklore is filled with tales of eerie horror and dark revenge that will make you jump with fright. Besides sending a chill up the reader’s spine, the book provides careful documentation, lists of sources, and useful bibliographies for the retold stories.
My Rating: 4/5
My Full Review: https://wildwoodreads.com/2021/10/21/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark/
So that’s what I read this spooky season. Did you read any new favorites? I think Cackle was mine. What was on your October 2021 wrap up? Have a spooky night and stay safe out there.
