Posts Tagged ‘Freakin Fridays’

Welcome to Freakin Fridays, where I share my reviews of books that scare you, thrill you, and get those endorphins pumping.

Today’s book is scary good. Can’t wait to share!

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Horrorstor

by Grady hendrix

13129925

Genre: Horror

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My Review

As I work in a huge retail store and work lots of night shifts, it was a no brainer that I would read this book. I also knew I had to have a physical copy and it sure added to the fun and creepiness. A glossy cover with chilling images captured in the frames promised scary fun. I loved how the book was designed like a catalog, the start of each chapter offering an advertisement for goods sold in the store. As the story plays out the ads get more and more ominous.

Some people may not enjoy the slow start as it’s all about the store, how it works, and the employees who work at Orsk. I’ve always liked that. I like to envision the location and picture the characters. One or two in this story were very similar to people I work with. At my job, I’m often staying past closing and it gets really creepy without people around and noises seem to come from nowhere. I felt that when Amy and her coworkers stayed after closing to try to catch whoever had been damaging and moving products around after hours. Gave me the heebie jeebies. Once things started happening, it got more and more creepy and I ate it up.

4 STARS

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Synopsis

Something strange is happening at the Orsk furniture superstore in Cleveland, Ohio. Every morning, employees arrive to find broken Kjerring bookshelves, shattered Glans water goblets, and smashed Liripip wardrobes. Sales are down, security cameras reveal nothing, and store managers are panicking.

To unravel the mystery, three employees volunteer to work a nine-hour dusk-till-dawn shift. In the dead of the night, they’ll patrol the empty showroom floor, investigate strange sights and sounds, and encounter horrors that defy the imagination.

A traditional haunted house story in a thoroughly contemporary setting, Horrorstör comes packaged in the form of a glossy mail order catalog, complete with product illustrations, a home delivery order form, and a map of Orsk’s labyrinthine showroom.

Designed by Andie Reid, cover photography by Christine Ferrara

Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Welcome to Freakin Fridays, where I share my reviews of books that scare you, thrill you, and get those endorphins pumping.

Today’s book is scary good. Can’t wait to share!

~~~~~

White Anvil

Sasquatch Onslaught

by Matt Betts

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Genre: Horror

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My Review

I’m a huge fan of horror books that have creatures running amok. Especially the big hairy ones. What could be more thrilling then some genetically altered Sasquatch, a military train full of prisoner’s and a snow storm that derails them with no hope for rescue. I was rubbing my hands with fiendish glee.

Yep, this was action packed. Once the train derails, it’s every man or woman for themselves. They get separated into small groups and the altered Sasquatch’s hunt them down, ripping and tearing their way through the poor victims. Well, some I felt sorry for. Other’s I would have pushed in front of me while I ran away.

If I had a check list, every box would have been marked. It was a fast read. The characters were believable. The creatures were horrific. The setting was a character in itself. And the plot was strong and suspenseful. I really didn’t know if anyone would make it out alive. I held my breath with each new attack. And there were plenty.

And the cover. How cool is that! It’s perfect for the story and gives me the heebie jeebies.

Never a dull moment with this one.

5 STARS

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Synopsis

As if the cold wasn’t enough…

Fleeing an approaching blizzard, a military train carrying prisoners and a handful of citizens derails in the mountains. The survivors fight to stay alive and regroup as the terrible storm buries them in snow. Only then do they discover the train also carried another cargo—two cars loaded with biological experiments—genetically-altered sasquatches conditioned to annihilate anything they find.

Can the few remaining soldiers team with a pair of sisters and a police constable to fight the relentless beasts, icy temperatures, and escaped prisoners long enough for help to arrive?

Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Welcome to Freakin Fridays, where I share my reviews of books that scare you, thrill you, and get those endorphins pumping.

Today’s book is scary good. Can’t wait to share!

~~~~~

Adrift

Adrift #1

by K R Griffiths

23637114

Genre:  Horror / Paranormal

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My Review

Newlywed’s Dan and Elaine are on a honeymoon cruise. They’re starting a new life together and hoping that Dan can make more headway dealing with his agoraphobia. It sounds romantic and hopeful. Now, this is the author’s cue to toss in the monkey wrench. Dan sees what appears to be a body being tossed overboard. That mystery soon takes a back seat when a mysterious container is dropped on board and out pours things more fiendish than his phobia could dream up.

Putting a bunch of people in a life threatening situation with nowhere to run is a favorite scenario for me. I enjoy trying to guess who steps up to the plate, who tucks tail and runs and who becomes part of the menu.  There’s plenty of character’s to choose from and with only a few I actually was pulling for, that left a bunch as appetizers.

Adrift would be a killer movie.  A whole lot of runnin and screamin and good old horror on the high seas. I ate it up.

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Synopsis

For artist Dan Bellamy and his new bride Elaine, a trip on the world’s biggest, newest cruise ship represents more than just the honeymoon of a lifetime: it is also a celebration of the progress Dan has made toward beating the agoraphobia that has plagued him since he suffered a horrific knife attack two years earlier.

The ship is a perfect floating paradise, but when Dan spots what he thinks is a body being thrown overboard, he begins to suspect that not everybody aboard the Oceanus is there for a vacation.

Soon, Dan will discover that there are some things worse than murder, and the body he saw is just the beginning. Because something is coming for the passengers on the Oceanus.

Something that isn’t supposed to exist…

Amazon / B&N

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Welcome to Freakin Fridays, where I share my reviews of books that scare you, thrill you, and get those endorphins pumping.

Today’s book has so much going on. Can’t wait to share!

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Predatory Animals

by Gabriel Beyers

15787140

Genre:  Horror / Paranormal

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My Review

After reading the synopsis, I knew I had to read this book. A near death experience and psychic connection to three mysterious dogs. A haunted forest where strange things stir. Disappearing people. And something evil in the mix. Right up my alley.

The mystery and magic behind the three dogs was probably my favorite part. When Casper Brown nearly drowns, he suddenly has a psychic connection to three dogs that mysteriously happen to follow each of his three children home on the same day. How strange! And these dogs are smart. They can do all kinds of things a dog shouldn’t be able to.

It’s simple for Casper to be curious about the recent disappearances. His life is already strange and he’s formed a bond with the two men who rescued him, one being a police officer. Not wanting to go into a lot of details, I’ll just say the two guys made this story even more entertaining.

And what’s a good horror story without some villains. This has some character’s you’ll love to hate. The Pummel family is the town’s staunchest benefactors and their large cat sanctuary is very popular, but they have some secrets. When Casper and his two friends threaten their nefarious endeavors,they show their true colors.

I want to talk about the cover art for this story too. The vibrant colors and shadowy figures are spectacular. Once you read this book, you”ll see how much the picture tells the story.

I could go on and on. What’s with the weird stand of pine trees and the strange noises heard there? And just who or what is Uriah? So many questions and so much nerve wracking suspense and action. There are so many things I wish I could share. You are in for some scary and amazing surprises in the town of Shadeland.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

IN THE TOWN OF SHADELAND, PEOPLE ARE VANISHING.

After suffering a near-death accident, Casper Brown awakens with a strange new connection to three stray dogs recently adopted by his family. Casper’s nights are filled with dreams of the dogs’ activities; at times he can even see through their eyes. And what he witnesses has him worried for his family’s safety.

AN ENIGMATIC EVIL IS HIDING, WAITING TO STRIKE.

The Pummels are the most beloved family in town. Though their wealth, philanthropy, and charisma form a cloud of mystery about them, their work with the town’s exotic cat rescue center has captured the heart of the people. But the Pummels are guarding a secret. One they will kill to keep quiet.

ITS HUNGER IS INSATIABLE.

Shadeland is a town of shadows, where hunters hide in plain sight and prey scurry about unaware. But a new predator has been unleashed. One unlike any this world has seen.

ITS SURVIVAL IS OUR DOOM.

Amazon / B&N

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This counts towards my They Call It Puppy Love Challenge.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

Welcome to my Saturday Screams where I share books that, well, make you scream!

Today’s offering is a mermaid story. Not for the squeamish!

Take a close look at the cover. Doesn’t it give you the chills?

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The Mermaid’s Revenge

by Amy Cross

37655334

Genre:  Horror

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My Review

This was a wicked little mermaid tale. Ever wanted to see a real one? You might want to rethink that.

Sylvia lives in a penthouse apartment with her mother. The only other people she interacts with are her mother’s two employees. She’s rarely allowed outside, home schooled and is never to go to the lower level.

But one night that changes. Her mother takes her to the forbidden room and reveals her find. It’s a real live mermaid. Terrified of the strange looking creature, Sylvia is also drawn to it.

The mermaid’s fate is sealed. But what about Sylvia’s?

This was a page turner from the first chapter. I was curious about why Sylvia was kept cut off from the world. And once the author introduced her alluring yet horrific mermaid and revealed the mother’s motives, the story took that anticipated turn towards the dark side.

I watched a movie called She where a mermaid was captured to be put on display. It was incredible. As was the mermaid in this book. It appeared to be beautiful and helpless. But that proved to be deceiving. It was deadly and motivated. Drawing from that movie, I could see so much that occurred. It really was horrific. I felt so bad for Sylvia. She’s just a little girl and there’s a murderous mermaid about to wreck her world.

The author gave me a lean, mean read. No wasted words while still fleshing out the characters enough to allow me to connect and like or dislike them. And the mystery behind what the mother wanted from the mermaid gave the story a little something extra.

I love a dark mermaid tale and this one had it all. Villainous characters, an innocent protagonist, and a mermaid straight out of a horror film. The copious bloody scenes and warped motivations all left me wondering whether discovering real mermaids would be such a good thing.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

Terrified of the world, Sylvia lives with her mother in a luxury penthouse apartment. For Sylvia, everything is a cause for fear and panic. Isolated and friendless, she has no interest in the outside world at all. And then, one day, her mother unveils her latest purchase.

A mermaid.

A real, live mermaid, captured and placed in a water tank.

For Sylvia, the mermaid is both terrifying and fascinating. Repulsive and beautiful. Soon, however, Sylvia discovers that the mermaid hasn’t just been brought to London so it can be put on display. And as the mermaid makes plans to escape its terrible fate, Sylvia is thrown into a horrific battle for survival.

The Mermaid’s Revenge is the story of a scared little girl who comes face to face with the true horrors of the natural world.

Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

Welcome to Freakin Fridays, where I share my reviews of books that scare you, thrill you, and get those endorphins pumping.

Today’s book gave me the creeps!

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Eight

by W W Mortensen

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Genre: Horror

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My Review

What do a man trying to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps, an entomologist, the US Military and some drug runners have in common? Even they can’t imagine what it is. But its out there. Waiting to introduce itself.

What started out to be a race to discover a new source of energy turns into a death trap no one could have seen coming. The author really built on this, fleshing out his character’s so you form connections, dribbling in why each one would even be on this expedition, then dropping you into a tropical hell of mega proportions.

I can’t imagine too many things more terrifying than being in a tropical jungle, far from any chance of rescue, being attacked by huge…things. You get a front row seat. I live in a tropical state and can get the gist of what the stifling humidity must have been like. The swarms of mosquitoes too. But the bugs that burrow under your skin and make themselves at home? Nope. And who knows what’s out there watching you from the dark. So close and unable to be seen. Not to mention some nasty humans with their own agendas.

While the beginning of the book is all about getting there and the who’s who of the characters, just you wait. The last half of the book steamrolls with suspense and horror. Good thing I don’t get nightmares easily. Some of the scenes would have me peeking through my fingers if this were a movie..

The blurb does nothing to give away what lurks in these pages so I won’t either. Suspense, thrills and horror are the order of the day here. If that sounds like your cuppa tea, give this a go.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

TERROR HAS A NEW SPECIES

Deep in the Amazon, the solution to the global energy crisis has been found; a mysterious source of power set to end our dependency on oil.

When she receives stunning photographs related to the discovery – courtesy of expedition leader and former partner, Ed Reardon – entomologist Rebecca Riley finds herself on the next flight to Brazil, heading down to join the team of scientists assembling there. She hasn’t seen Ed for more than a year, and their relationship hadn’t ended well.

But his revelation is impossible to ignore.

What she and Ed uncover is beyond imagination: strange statues in the jungle… a ruined city built by the refugees of a lost Pacific continent… and a terrifying new species of animal.

Forced to confront a crippling childhood phobia she’d thought long dead and buried, Rebecca realizes this new species is no ordinary enemy.

It is an ancient enemy, one whose very existence has implications for all of humankind… and the planet itself.

Amazon / B&N

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

Welcome to Freakin Fridays, where I share my reviews of books that scare you, thrill you, and get those endorphins pumping.

Today I’m sharing a couple of scary good ones about freaks of nature.

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Fury Of The Orcas

by Hunter Shea

36992341

Genre: Thriller

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My Review

Being a huge fan of Hunter’s books and having a fascination for the creatures of the sea, I was quite excited to get my hands on this book.

It starts quickly. Something is wrong with the Orcas. Incidents of the mammals attacking and killing humans isn’t just confined to the theme parks. They’re also focusing on ships at sea and oil rigs. The author spares no one and this is a favorite trade mark of mine. Hunter isn’t above killing off his main character’s and that keeps suspense at a maximum.

There’s plenty of gory bits to keep horror fans happy. For the first time, I was more on the whale’s side than the humans. I didn’t warm up to the characters and some scenes of Orca’s being massacred tugged at my love for the magnificent creatures. I felt they were more victims than monsters.

And there was a lot of sex. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against it, but most of the time it just felt like it interrupted the story and was unnecessary. And when I found out why the Orcas were going crazy, I was a bit confused. I was hoping for something more natural. Also, at times this didn’t feel like a Hunter Shea book. Perhaps because it was more of a thriller than straight up horror.

I enjoyed this book, but it’s not a favorite. That said, Hunter Shea is still one of my go to authors for horror. In fact, I’ve already pre-ordered his next release.

3 Stars

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Synopsis

They call them the wolves of the sea.

From marine parks to the deepest oceans, the world’s killer whale population has turned against man and beast alike. Orca show trainers are ripped to pieces before stunned audiences. Ships are capsized. Oil rigs are bashed without mercy. What has driven the apex predators stark raving mad?

Chet Clarke has dedicated his life to preserving the health and dignity of orcas in captivity. Along with orca trainer Rosario Benitez, he embarks on a whirlwind journey across the globe to witness unconscionable carnage and uncover the mystery for the sudden outbreak of mania. Is this the start of a catastrophic pandemic? Or do the clues lead to an enigmatic experiment in the wilds of Alaska and shadow operations in a Russian ghost town? Time is running out faster than the lives of those in the path of the orcas.

Amazon / B&N

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Zero Day

 The Hatching #3

by Ezekiel Boone

36044812

Genre: Horror

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My Review

To say that the world went to Hell in a handbasket is putting it mildly. America isn’t doing so well. The first spider outbreak was fast and furious, killing millions before the spiders mysteriously just died off. The second wave was worse, with the spiders coming at humans in new and sneakier ways. And now, with roads destroyed, communication iffy, the spiders still coming, and everyone pointing the blame at someone else, it’s not looking too good.

I really enjoyed the first two books and my imagination ran wild as to how the author would wrap up his series. There’s lots of characters and many I’d grown fond of. But, being a horror novel, I wouldn’t have been surprised to see some of them meet bloody, sticky ends. While I felt the author played it safe in the beginning, I never let my guard down.

My spidey sense was tingling as the book raced to its conclusion. I couldn’t see the ending and was happy with how the author wrapped it up. And while I wouldn’t have minded a bit more spider action, this was still a creeping, crawling thrill.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

In the finale of Ezekiel Boone’s Hatching series, the United States goes to war against the queen spiders that threaten to overtake the human race forever.

The world is on the brink of apocalypse. Zero Day has come.

The only thing more terrifying than millions of spiders is the realization that those spiders work as one. But among the government, there is dissent: do we try to kill all of the spiders, or do we gamble on Professor Guyer’s theory that we need to kill only the queens?

For President Stephanie Pilgrim, it’s an easy answer. She’s gone as far as she can—more than two dozen American cities hit with tactical nukes, the country torn asunder—and the only answer is to believe in Professor Guyer. Unfortunately, Ben Broussard and the military men who follow him don’t agree, and Pilgrim, Guyer, and the loyal members of the government have to flee, leaving the question: what’s more dangerous, the spiders or ourselves?

Pre – Order Links

Amazon / B&N

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

Welcome to Freakin Fridays, where I share my reviews of books that scare you, thrill you, and get those endorphins pumping.

I’ve got some oh so good ones to share today.

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Mass Hysteria

by Michael Patrick Hicks

35496858

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Genre:  Horror

My Review

I loved the idea of this book. A meteor shower crosses paths with Earth, unleashing an alien virus that turns all animals against us. What’s not to love for this horror fan.

Came into this prepared for some bloody chaos and got it and got it and got it. Once the animals attack, and it happens fairly quickly, it’s relentless.

I feel I should stress that this is very graphic and gory. The scenes ain’t pretty. Not supposed to be. When I read about a herd of deer working together to ambush and kill people, I ate it up. So many kinds of animals and ways to die, I couldn’t wait to see what the author threw at me next. And got a huge shock at what he did.

A must read for all fans of horror.

   4  Stars

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Synopsis

It came from space…

Something virulent. Something evil. Something new. And it is infecting the town of Falls Breath.

Carried to Earth in a freak meteor shower, an alien virus has infected the animals. Pets and wildlife have turned rabid, attacking without warning. Dogs and cats terrorize their owners, while deer and wolves from the neighboring woods hunt in packs, stalking and killing their human prey without mercy.

As the town comes under siege, Lauren searches for her boyfriend, while her policeman father fights to restore some semblance of order against a threat unlike anything he has seen before. The Natural Order has been upended completely, and nowhere is safe.

…and it is spreading.

Soon, the city will find itself in the grips of mass hysteria.

To survive, humanity will have to fight tooth and nail.

Amazon

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The Great Zoo Of China

  by Matthew Reilly

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Genre: Thriller

My Review

I’ve enjoyed many of this author’s books so it was an easy choice to read this one. The title had me kind of curious and then I read the synopsis and was hooked.

This is a zoo like no other and China plans to capitalize on that. They see big money and power with their expensive enterprise. And that means covering up anything that does or will go wrong, by any means necessary. This adds to the danger for those invited to a private unveiling. When it does go wrong, it’s not just the creatures in the zoo they have to fear.

As for those creatures. I’m not going to tell you what they are. I do suggest you take a closer look at the cover. All of it. You’ll see for yourself.

What I really liked, besides the creatures getting loose, plotting their escape, and eating people, was their diversity. You have those that fly, slither, and swim. Some see us a food opportunity and some see us as being in their way.

It’s one heart pumping scene after another as the characters struggle to survive. Only a few of them were on my hope to survive list. The rest, I read on to see if and how they met their end.

For fans of Jurassic Park, this is a good one for ya. If they build it……well, you know what happens next.

  4  Stars

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Synopsis

GET READY FOR ACTION ON A GIGANTIC SCALE

A high-concept, action-packed thriller from the bestselling author of SCARECROW AND THE ARMY OF THIEVES.

It is a secret the Chinese government has been keeping for 40 years. They have found a species of animal no one believed even existed. It will amaze the world.

Now the Chinese are ready to unveil their astonishing discovery within the greatest zoo ever constructed. A small group of VIPs and journalists has been brought to the zoo deep within China to see its fabulous creatures for the first time. Among them is Dr Cassandra Jane ‘CJ’ Cameron, a writer for NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC and an expert on reptiles.

The visitors are assured by their Chinese hosts that they will be struck with wonder at these beasts, that they are perfectly safe, and that nothing can go wrong…

Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

Welcome to Freakin Fridays, where I share my reviews of books that scare you, thrill you, and get those endorphins pumping.

I’ve got some thrillers to share today. Final Girls and ZOO.

Both of these were more like 3 1/2 stars but, since I don’t do half stars, I bumped them up.

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Final Girls

by Riley Sager

32796253

 

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Genre: Mystery / Thriller

My Review

I’m always on the lookout for a new thriller and this has been making the rounds. I won a copy and dove right in.

I was pulled in by the beginning. Not so much by any action, as by the idea of this book. There’s three girls who’ve all lived through different homicidal massacres, each years apart. They are all lone survivors. All three are Final Girls.

From here, it’s predictable but still interesting. The first Final Girl dies a suspicious death and the other two girls band together for safety in numbers. Seems like a good idea. Or maybe not. One girl can’t remember her experience and the other seems to know more about it than she does. Okay, that sets up the suspense.

I’ve read a lot of thrillers. Seen a bunch of movies in the genre. So I kind of knew the formula. Even with some gruesome scenes and a twsit or two, I just wasn’t all that thrilled. Maybe it was my mood. Or perhaps I’ve been reading too many books in this genre.

I did like this book. Just never found that extra oomph to make me love it. I’d still recommend it.

   4  Stars

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Synopsis

Ten years ago, college student Quincy Carpenter went on vacation with five friends and came back alone, the only survivor of a horror movie–scale massacre. In an instant, she became a member of a club no one wants to belong to—a group of similar survivors known in the press as the Final Girls. Lisa, who lost nine sorority sisters to a college dropout’s knife; Sam, who went up against the Sack Man during her shift at the Nightlight Inn; and now Quincy, who ran bleeding through the woods to escape Pine Cottage and the man she refers to only as Him. The three girls are all attempting to put their nightmares behind them, and, with that, one another. Despite the media’s attempts, they never meet.

Now, Quincy is doing well—maybe even great, thanks to her Xanax prescription. She has a caring almost-fiancé, Jeff; a popular baking blog; a beautiful apartment; and a therapeutic presence in Coop, the police officer who saved her life all those years ago. Her memory won’t even allow her to recall the events of that night; the past is in the past.

That is, until Lisa, the first Final Girl, is found dead in her bathtub, wrists slit, and Sam, the second, appears on Quincy’s doorstep. Blowing through Quincy’s life like a whirlwind, Sam seems intent on making Quincy relive the past, with increasingly dire consequences, all of which makes Quincy question why Sam is really seeking her out. And when new details about Lisa’s death come to light, Quincy’s life becomes a race against time as she tries to unravel Sam’s truths from her lies, evade the police and hungry reporters, and, most crucially, remember what really happened at Pine Cottage, before what was started ten years ago is finished.

Amazon

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ZOO

by James Patterson

with Michael Ledwidge

15790934

 

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Genre: Thriller

My Review

I read this back when it was first released. Actually, I won an ARC copy with three alternative covers. Pretty cool.

After reading so many books by this author I was really psyched to read Zoo. Something is affecting the animals. All of them. They rise up and turn their deadly attention on mankind. Sounds like fun to me.

And it was. I devoured it in a couple of hours.The only thing that slowed me down was pausing to savor each attack as it occurred. The character’s were okay. Liked some more than others.

I have to admit, the main reason I wanted to read this was for the horror aspect. My imagination ran wild. How and why would it happen? How many ways could humans die and from what kinds of critters. I got my answers and had some fun. What kept it from being a killer story, I’m not sure. Perhaps it bogged down in some areas. Too much character information in others.  Still well worth the read.

  4  Stars

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Synopsis

Once in a lifetime, a writer puts it all together. This is James Patterson’s best book ever.

Total

For 36 years, James Patterson has written unputdownable, pulse-racing novels. Now, he has written a book that surpasses all of them. ZOO is the thriller he was born to write.

World

All over the world, brutal attacks are crippling entire cities. Jackson Oz, a young biologist, watches the escalating events with an increasing sense of dread. When he witnesses a coordinated lion ambush in Africa, the enormity of the violence to come becomes terrifyingly clear.

Destruction

With the help of ecologist Chloe Tousignant, Oz races to warn world leaders before it’s too late. The attacks are growing in ferocity, cunning, and planning, and soon there will be no place left for humans to hide. With wildly inventive imagination and white-knuckle suspense that rivals Stephen King at his very best, James Patterson’s ZOO is an epic, non-stop thrill-ride from “One of the best of the best.” (TIME)

Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

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Welcome to Freakin Fridays, where I share my reviews of books that scare you, thrill you, and get those endorphins pumping.

I’ve got a few good ones to share today.

~~~~~

After The Ending

The Ending #1

by Lindsey Fairleigh and Lindsey Pogue

18669609

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Genre: Post Apocalyptic

My Review

I enjoyed the dual points of view from best friend’s Dani and Zoe. They are far apart when the flu virus starts, killing off most of humanity. They struggle to stay in touch, traveling in two different groups, hoping to meet up later.

It was fun to follow Dani and Zoe as they try to survive and reconnect. And the groups they travel with add much to the turmoil and danger. They all need each other to survive but that doesn’t mean they don’t have their own agendas. This is my favorite part of this genre. The group dynamics. Who shines. Who falls short. And who goes homicidal. I like to pick one person I loathe and wait to see what happens to them. Sure adds to the suspense.

And while I expected to be left hanging in the end, with this being an ongoing series, I felt like it just stopped. Like it went to commercial and didn’t come back, right in the middle of the action. A good beginning and I’ll probably continue with the series as it’ll haunt me until I know what happens to who.

 3  Stars

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Synopsis

THE FIRST BOOK IN THE EMOTIONALLY CHARGED POST-APOCALYPTIC ROMANCE SERIES, The Ending.

The Virus spread. Billions died. The Ending began. We may have survived the apocalypse, but the Virus changed us.

When people started getting sick, “they” thought it was just the flu. My roommate, my boyfriend, my family…they’re all gone now. I got sick too. I should have died with them—with the rest of the world—but I didn’t. I thought witnessing the human population almost disappear off the face of the earth was the craziest thing I’d ever experience. I was so wrong. My name is Dani O’Connor, and I survived The Ending.

The Virus changed everything. The world I knew is gone, and life is backwards. We’ve all had to start over. I’ve been stripped of my home, my dreams…all that is me. I’m someone else now—broken and changed. Other survivors’ memories and emotions haunt me. They invade my mind until I can no longer separate them from my own. I won’t let them consume me. I can’t. My name is Zoe Cartwright, and I survived The Ending.

We’ve been inseparable for most of our lives, and now our friendship is all we have left. The aftermath of the Virus has stranded us on opposite sides of the United States. Trusting strangers, making sacrifices, killing—we’ll do anything to reach one another. Fear and pain may be unavoidable, but we’re strong…we’re survivors. But to continue surviving in this unfamiliar world plagued by Crazies and strange new abilities, we have to adapt. We have to evolve.

And more than anything, we have to find each other.

THIS BOOK CONTAINS ADULT CONTENT AND LANGUAGE.

Amazon

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Paranormal Painless

by Shannon Reiger

34528793

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Genre: YA Paranormal Thriller

My Review

You know those stories that creep up on you? Where the author takes their time, slipping in subtle clues that you don’t always catch right away, and the atmosphere becomes darker and darker? I do, and I very much enjoy the slow build up as the author introduces the characters, fleshes them out so you connect with them, and then starts adding in some odd occurrences that keep you on edge. Like in a movie where the music builds and you know any second now something horrific is going to happen, you brace yourself for that moment. But it doesn’t come. Then it builds again, gets a little creepier, but doesn’t happen. You start to think it never will, and then you’re caught off guard and jump when the author yells boo. This is one of those stories. It’s edgy, suspenseful and so very creepy.

Christian Moore is a mild mannered English teacher and a self proclaimed loner. He’s got his routine and he’s content.  As such, he’s ill equipped when a strange package is left in his driveway. He opens it to find an enormous black cat with huge paws.  He brings it in out of the rain and the cat is so traumatized it won’t leave his side.  It’s odd behavior rubs off on him and he starts jumping at little noises and things moving in the corner of his vision. Soon he wonders what the cat dragged home as he becomes haunted in his own home.

So much to like in this one. Especially how Christian uses the students in his writing class. The students really like Christian and find it fun when he gives them a new assignment about ghosts and hauntings, hoping they don’t catch on that it’s really happening to him.

The cat, Pacman, is such an important part of the story. He’s one of my favorites. When reading this book, see if you pick up on something special about him.

As Christian is pushed into solving a serial killer cold case, his life changes quickly. The hauntings become the least of his worries when an act of kindness puts him in the local newspaper. Now he’s a target and those around him will suffer for it.

Such a great story. At times I smiled and laughed. Other times I felt so sad. And when things took the dark turn, I cringed, worried about these characters, and for good reason.

A slow burner but never boring, Paranormal Painless will haunt you.

5  Stars

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Synopsis

Bewildered by an unexpected, peculiar package and disturbed by its accompanying antagonistic spirits, English teacher Christian Moore is shaken from his carefully crafted, cocooned existence and catapulted into the shocking reality of an unpredictable, haunted and sometimes evil world. With his own safety and sanity at stake, he must learn to embrace the paranormal when he is confronted by the serial killer of innocent children. To survive, Christian forms unlikely alliances with once feared intruders from the supernatural realm, as well as, a mysterious man with unique insight and abilities.

Just when he thinks he has solved the mystery of his chilling visions, he is propelled into a tomb of water where he is forced to unravel the heartbreaking history buried for years within the confines of those same walls.

While helping the unfortunate, trapped souls, he is compelled to examine his own traumatic past and to risk everything he knows for a life truly worth living.

Amazon

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Ash

Wheels and Zombies #1

by M. Van

28510140

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Genre: Horror

My Review

This could be a refreshing twist for zombie fans. Our main heroine is a thirteen-year-old girl in a wheelchair. Ash is in the hospital fighting a losing battle with cancer when the world goes mad. A virus is killing people, but they rise again, rabid for human flesh. As the virus spreads through the hospital, Ash doesn’t have to worry about cancer killing her anymore. The zombies are the big worry now.

Ash is a resilient young girl, brave in the face of death, and refusing to be looked at as a weak victim. She has plenty of ideas on how to get out, to survive. And shes’ adept at reading people, which comes in handy when she discovers why the military want all of the patients on the cancer ward.

There’s lots of action, relentless zombies, and some intrigue for conspiracy fans. Not everyone is brave or good. And I was caught by surprise by a few of the characters. A clever way for the author to offer up more fodder for the zombies

I knew going in this was a novella for a continuing series, but I wasn’t too thrilled when I looked at my kindle and noticed I was 99% through the book and there was no end in sight. It ended on a zinger of a cliffhanger, but, since I enjoyed the characters, I’m encouraged to keep going.

  4 Stars

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Synopsis

Facing the zombie apocalypse in a wheelchair might prove a challenge to others. For thirteen-year-old Ash it’s just another fight for her life.

When feeling deserted and alone with the knowledge that your days are pretty much numbered, you might decide not to be pushed around anymore. But stuck in a wheelchair with the risen dead on your tail—this might prove a challenge.

Ash’s stay at a hospital that for all intents might be her last, turns into a different nightmare when a killer virus overcomes the staff and her fellow patients.

With the walking dead roaming the hospital halls, Ash has to depend on the help of an old man, and a soldier who could turn out to be the enemy to survive. She not only has to use her head, avoiding zombies, but also to stay out of the hands of a shady government agency that wants to dissect her.

Amazon

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