Horror @ Booker T's Farm

So I sought this book after reading "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" and loving it so much. While it doesn't quite live up to that book, it is a strong read and I very much enjoyed many things about this graphic novel. The book starts with the death of Jughead's pet, Hot Dog, and Jughead begging Sabrina, the resident witch, to help. Well, without much thought, Sabrina brings Hot Dog back to life, but she should have left well enough alone. Not only do her actions lead to her year-long banishment, but Hot Dog comes back to wreck havoc and spread a zombie virus.

The artwork in this graphic novel is dark and moody, just how I like it. It totally fits the plot and provides the reader with plenty of atmosphere. All of the favorite Archie characters are present and as I turned the pages, I was on pins and needles about who would die next. 

I will end this review asking for a moment of silence for my dead Juggie. He's my favorite character and although his legacy will forever be remember in Afterlife with Archie, he just didn't last long enough!

This book covers The Dead Will Walk square on my Halloween Bingo card since there are pretty much people turning into zombies (dogs too) left and right!

So I thought an update was in order - especially since I'm behind on reviews.  Right now the haunted houses represent squares I've read and the spiders are squares that have been called - so far none overlap which is a real bummer.  However, I'm almost through with my third book so as it progresses, chances get better and better something will coincide right?  Hoping to get some reviews posted later!

So I managed to get this one started last night and left off as a pretty good part.  Just found out the narrator is sitting in jail...now to learn why?

So I finally took some time and figured out what I would be reading.  I will save the book pics and will share it on my other blog but at least wanted to put the list up here as well. I had fun and also went a little nuts while trying to figure the books out - let's see if they stick or I totally play it off the cuff!

VAMPIRES: Princesses of the Night - Teresa Fuentez

MAGICAL REALISM: Whispers of Warning - Jessica Estevao

SERIAL/SPREE KILLER: Slice of Cherry- Dia Reeves

GOTHIC: Dracula's America - Jonathan Haythornthwaite

WITCHES: The Gifts of Our Mothers - Hazel Black

COZY MYSTERY: Dial Meow for Murder - Bethany Blake

MURDER MOST FOUL: Hollywood Homicide - Kellye Garrett

CLASSIC HORROR: Rosemary's Baby - Ira Levin

80's HORROR: Dog Kill - Al Demspey

IN THE DARK, DARK WOODS: Ultimate Sacrifice - S.E. Green

DEMONS: Dawn in Damnation - Clark Casey

GHOST: Whispers Beyond the Veil - Jessica Estavao

FREE: Money Back Guarantee - Hunter Shea

TERROR IN A SMALL TOWN: Black Bird of the Gallows - Meg Kassel

DARKEST LONDON: Strange Practice - Vivian Shaw

THE DEAD WILL WALK: Archie Afterlife - Robert Aquirre-Sacasa

HAUNTED HOUSES: Forest of Shadows - Hunter Shea

SUPERNATURAL: Damned - Alexandria Weis

TERRIFYING WOMEN: A Conspiracy in Belgravia - Sherry Thomas

MONSTERS: Odd & Tru - Cat Winters

HORROR: Strange Weather - Joe Hill

CHILLING CHILDREN: House of Ash - Hope Cook

WEREWOLVES: My Favorite Thing Is Monsters - Emil Ferris

DIVERSE VOICES: When I Am Through With You - Stephanie Kuehn

COUNTY HOUSE MYSTERIES: In a Dark, Dark Wood - Ruth Ware

I doubt I will be able to black out my card because I have a few review books I couldn't fit in, but I plan on having fun trying and at least hope to get BINGO three different ways.

I almost feel like I can't gush about this book enough. In fact, I know I've already recommended it several times. This is definitely not the Sabrina the Teenage Witch I remember. This Sabrina is dark and twisted and bloody and gory and... you get the point right.

Sabrina's father was a strong and powerful warlock who defied the Witch Council and married a mortal. Together, they produced Sabrina. But when he wanted to hand his baby daughter over to the witches, his wife protested and thus she was rendered permanently insane. Something then happens to her father leaving Sabrina to be raised by her two aunts. In addition, her father's ex, now "The Mistress of Hell" returns and desires nothing more than to seek revenge on Sabrina and further ruin her life.

The story line is dark and intriguing, which really matches the artwork. This graphic novel is not for the faint of heart as there is blood and nudity throughout. One bright spot is Sabrina's familiar, Salem, who is the only voice of reason I found in the entire book. There is even a crossover story line with Betty and Veronica from Riverdale - of course they are witches though. 

Anyone who loves horror simply must grab a copy of this novel any way they can. The next compilation isn't released until mid-December which is WAY too long to wait. Counting the days...

"Optical Delusion" is the second installment in Shea's Mail Order Massacres novella trilogy and while "Just Add Water" remains my favorite so far, this one was still very enjoyable and a strong addition to the series. Martin Blackstone is a hardworking blue-collar worker who enjoys his time at home, especially if he has a good beer in his hand. His son is given a pair of cheap x-ray glasses by a friend and when he casually tosses them aside, Martin gives them a try just for fun. Before long, Martin is addicted to the glasses. He is initially shocked when he's able to use them as a voyeur on unsuspecting town women, but soon the x-ray abilities deepen and the glasses become harder and harder to remove.

This book is definitely full of blood, gore and is a lot of fun. The main problem I had is that I despised Martin. However, I'm sure Shea intended it to be that way because he is in no way some poor misunderstood character. Throughout the book, I often felt sorry for the people Martin encountered and although I think he had a decent enough relationship with both his wife and his son, I think they deserved better.

"Optical Delusion" is a book which is hard to review without giving too much away. It's a fast read and any horror lover would be missing out if they at least didn't give this series a try. There's one more novella coming up and I already have my copy and am just waiting for the perfect night to curl up and read it.