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Wicked Tales & Wild Romances

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Step into a sanctuary of Wicked Tales & Wild Romances, where we explore the most captivating corners of dark fantasy and heart-tugging rom-coms. This is more than just a reading log; it’s a collection of Curated Chronicles for the Modern She-Wolf who isn’t afraid to get lost in the shadows or fall for the monster. ​Whether it’s a slow-burn magic system or a spicy contemporary trope, every story here is chosen to be Wildly Devoured.

  • Mountains Made of Glass

    By Scarlet St. Clair. Pub Date: 3/7/23

    5 (very smutty)*s. Best enjoyed when…you have some ‘me’ time.

    This is not your average fairy tale retelling. This is super new-adult. Lots of anatomy, lots of heat, and lots of seggsual content. Reader discretion advised.

    Publisher’s Synopsis:

    “I wanted to answer, to whisper yes into the space between us, but I was afraid.

    All Gesela’s life, her home village of Elk has been cursed. And it isn’t a single curse—it is one after another, each to be broken by a villager, each with devastating consequences. When Elk’s well goes dry, it is Gesela’s turn to save her town by killing the toad that lives at the bottom. Except…the toad is not a toad at all. He is an Elven prince under a curse of his own, and upon his death, his brothers come for Gesela, seeking retribution.

    As punishment, the princes banish Gesela to live with their seventh brother, the one they call the beast. Gesela expects to be the prisoner of a hideous monster, but the beast turns out to be exquisitely beautiful, and rather than lock her in a cell, he offers Gesela a deal. If she can guess his true name in seven days, she can go free. Gesela agrees, but there is a hidden catch—she must speak his name with love in order to free him, too.

    But can either of them learn to love in time?“

    Review:

    This is definitely an NSFW book. I have no problem with heavily erotic novels—I’ve ready Anne Rice’s Sleeping Beauty amongst others—but I wanted to preface this with that little caveat. That said, this is some hot hot heat. 

    Basic Plot ,Beauty and the Beast retelling: Elven king is cursed, the only way to break the curse is for someone to guess his name and say it out of love. Woman is trapped in a situation she doesn’t want to be in, accidentally kills another elven king (oops) while trying to break a curse, gets taken by the brothers of the dead and cursed elven kings, and they make her the prisoner of the cursed one. Presumably so she can break the curse, but also because they are assholes and want to torture their brother, possibly.

    That’s the basic plot. Obviously our heroine wants to make her way home. She has trauma. She is part fae, which isn’t great when you live amongst humans, but may be worse if you hate fae because that means you kind of hate yourself. At the same time, there’s an undeniable sexual attraction between the Thorn King and our Geselda, the heroine. Like, major heat. A million Scoville. And it doesn’t help that everyone seems super horny all the time around the palace, and those who aren’t are either tiny pixie jerks or are spreading around magic lust dust to make everyone else feel hot and heavy in all the right places. 

    Now, given the above, this could go incredibly wrong and super corny/gratuitous, or it could go very well. Luckily for us, we’re talking about St. Clair, here. Author of Adrian x Isolde (King of Battle & Blood). She knows how to handle a hot scene, and she writes the shit out of it in this book. Like, woah. I honestly dug the whole thing. Had to drop my kindle a few times to keep from getting my fingerprints burned off. Honestly, can’t wait for the next one. Really hope theirs a next one. This was well worth the super sleepless night, and my spouse would agree. 

    Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and Sourcebooks for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest (too honest?) review. I had already purchased it, but I was still grateful for the chance to review it more formally for NG 😉

    Sam Verdegaal on Deviant Art

  • Queen of Roses

    Blood of a Fae #1

    By Briar Boleyn, Pub date 4/15/23

    5*s. Best enjoyed when you need an adventure with some enemies to lovers slow burn.

    Publisher’s Synopsis:

    “A doomed love, a dangerous mission, and a kingdom on the brink of war…
    A cast-off princess…

    Born into a life of duty and sacrifice, Morgan Pendragon’s destiny has never been her own. Rumored to carry the tainted blood of the fae in her veins, her birthright is stolen from her when she is a mere child. Growing up in the shadow of her brother the king, she has been promised to the goddesses when she comes of age. So, when her brother commands that she seek out a fae weapon of legendary power, Morgan seizes the chance to break free from the chains of her fate.

    A dangerous temptation…

    As she travels, Morgan finds herself drawn into a strange group of outcasts, led by a dark and enigmatic warrior whose sharp wit and fierce beauty set her heart ablaze. But while Morgan struggles to reconcile her desires with her duty, she and her new comrades discover dangers that await them beyond anything in their wildest nightmares.

    A slumbering kingdom awoken by blood…

    Believed to have vanished generations ago, a fae kingdom dreaded by mortals is ascending once more, bound to reclaim what was lost by violence and bloodshed. As the fae world, with its intricate web of lies and mysteries, is slowly revealed to Morgan, she is led to the terrible realization that the secrets she carries in her blood make her a greater threat than she could ever have imagined.”

    Review:

    I need to preface this review by revealing that this is a darker take on Arthurian legends, and I am NOT usually a fan of the tales that spring from the mythical Camelot. I usually find them excessively boring and unoriginal. I really struggle with them. However, Queen of Roses was an absolute DELIGHT. There are quite a few trigger warnings for it and some dark material here, so you need to be prepared for that, but it really sets the tone of this darker version of Arthur and his kingdom.

    Often, Morgan (Morganna in some instances), Arthur’s half sister, is painted in a negative light by authors or put in a position where she is the villain. This story flips that on its head.

    Morgan watched her father kill her fae-blooded mother. And then had to live with that fact. Now, Morgan lives in a very human kingdom where anyone with fae blood is heavily persecuted and sometimes killed. The only thing that really saves Morgan is that she is King Arthur’s sister. As a child and because she is part fae, she was passed up for the throne. She is to be sent to the temple when she turns 21 to study under the High Priestess Merlin, a fate she’s not exactly thrilled with, but one she must accept. After all, it would get her away from Lord Florian, the son of Arthur’s most trusted advisor, who terrorizes her at every turn.

    However, it also becomes a matter of survival. Any resistance on her part could mean trouble for those she cares about most like her friends Galahad and Lancelet, and Kaye, her youngest brother, who means everything to her and is the one person in her life that loves her for exactly who she is.

    What she’s not expecting is for Arthur to come to her with an important task, one that could save the kingdom. She is threatened with dire consequences should she resist or fail, and is sent with the bare minimum in the way of supplies and protection. One of her protectors is the handsome but infuriating and always grumpy new head of the Royal Guard, Kairos Draven, whose rumored past is one of terror and violence.

    As their journey progresses, Draven and Morgan find themselves relying on one another more and more, and Morgan begins to suspect that there is more to Draven then what she was told. But before she can find her way into the cracks she finds in his armor and into the spaces that reveal a far kinder heart, the two are joined by a third party, one that makes Morgan question if her heart and body really belong locked away in a temple, and one that Draven is suspect of, not because he’s competition, but because his motives are suspect, and he may be posing more of a danger to Morgan than just heartbreak.

    The major vibes throughout this one were: enemies to lovers, a little love triangle, duty bound, deep secrets revealed, betrayal, interesting magic, and surviving/escaping abuse. 

    I truly loved this story and I’ve already preordered the next installment!

    Thank you to Netgalley and Starwater Press for an advanced copy in exchange for this honest review. Opinions herein are my own.

  • Not Your Ex’s Hexes

    by April Asher. Pub date 2/7/23

    Supernatural Singles, Book #1

    4*s. Best enjoyed when you need a little magic and romance in your life.

    For my review of Violet’s story:

    Publisher’s Synopsis:

    “For her entire life, Rose Maxwell trained to become the next Prima on the Supernatural Council. Now that she’s stepped down, it’s time for this witch to focus on herself. And not think about her impulsive one-night stand with Damian Adams, a half-Demon Veterinarian who she can’t get out of her head. Neither of them is looking for a relationship. But when Rose is sentenced to community service at Damian’s animal sanctuary it becomes impossible for them to ignore their sparking attraction. A friends-with-benefits, no feelings, no strings arrangement works perfectly for them both.

    After a sequence of dead-end jobs, it’s not until Rose tangos with two snarly demons that she thinks she’s finally found her path. However, this puts Damian back on the periphery of a world he thought he left behind. He doesn’t approve of Rose becoming a Hunter, but if there’s one thing he’s learned about the stubborn witch, it was telling her not to do something was one sure-fire way to make sure she did.

    Working―and sleeping―together awakens feelings Damian never knew he had…and shouldn’t have. Because thanks to his ex’s hex, if he falls in love, he’ll not only lose his heart―but his humanity.”

    Review:

    I was very excited to be approved for the next installment in the Supernatural Singles series. In Not Your Ex’s Hexes, we get the chance to see the next Maxwell sister, Rose, find her happiness. If you haven’t read the first installment, you can see my review here: https://alwayslostinwords.blog/2023/04/30/not-the-witch-you-wed/.

    Asher has a talent for writing MCs with troubled or stressful pasts that are working to turn over a new leaf. The story of Rose and Damien is not an exception.

    After losing what was essentially Rose’s predetermined path in life when her older (by a few minutes) sister Violet comes into her powers, she’s a bit thrown off. She’s been training for the Prima position her whole life, and though she’s not upset that her sister is now in that position, it leaves Rose with a freedom of movement she’s never before had. Plus, not being forced into a bonding with a truly awful tiger shifter also frees her to dive into the dating pool if she so desires, or just a one night stand, and one thing she finds she desires is a certain half demon that catches her eye at Potions Up who helps her forget for one night. 

    However, after Rose and her friends try to save two malnourished horses from a farm that turns out to be Damien’s animal rescue (and yes, those were horses he had JUST rescued), she ends up seeing a lot more of Damien than she ever thought she would. Unfortunately, Damien has his own problems that have put his heart firmly on the shelf for his own self-preservation and it’s a major problem when Rose seems to be the one person with a ladder tall enough to reach it. Falling in love is a literally threat to his very humanity. But when his brother gets involved, he realizes he may already be in the fire. 

    I really enjoyed this installment in the series. From the previous installment, it felt like Rose always had to the be responsible one, whose life was driven by the structured traditions of the Supernatural world. It was really great to see her come tumbling out of that and into a fresh world where those expectations were no longer trying to stuff her into a box. I also loved the super broody Damien and the love of animals that brought their hearts together. This one felt slightly grittier than the first, but also cozier? Not sure if that makes sense. They seem to be getting better now that the world building is done. Bring on the heat!

    Thank you to Netgalley, April Asher, and St. Martin’s press for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for this book! 

  • Not the Witch You Wed

    By April Asher, 3.5*s

    Publisher’s Synopsis:

    “Magic-less witch Violet Maxwell wants nothing to do with alpha wolf shifter Lincoln Thorne—the man who broke her fragile, teenage heart. But when the two of them are forced by arcane Supernatural Laws to find mates, Violet and Lincoln agree to fake-date their way to a fake-mating in order to conjure themselves some time.

    The joke’s on them. When old feelings make a reappearance—along with Violet’s magic—they both realize there’s nothing fake about their feelings. But there are old secrets and looming threats that could snatch away their happily ever after, again. One thing’s for sure: magic doesn’t make dating and love any easier.”

    Review:

    Not the Witch You Wed was a spectacular novel that took me very little time to read, but stuck with me after! I couldn’t wait for the next installment. 

    The MCs are definitely the kind you want to root for. They’re both fighting against an outdated system in the Supernatural world, laws that have no place in the modern age. Seeing Violet come into the powers that she never thought she had (while trying to hide them because of forced sup marriage laws-blah!) and finding someone she can trust with her secrets and her heart was absolutely empowering and heartwarming. On top of that, I’m always ready for a plus sized heroine who is strong willed and kickass. Plus, Lincoln fighting to get out from under the shadow of his overbearing father and fight for peace in his community against centuries of bloody tradition while reuniting with the one woman he has never been able to forget was…kind of hot, to be honest!

    Such a cute romantic supernatural comedy! Packed with shifters, witches, magic and heat, and so many amazing characters that you can’t help but want future stories about. I loved the dynamic between Violet and Linc. Stories of enemies to lovers with history almost always have the delicious tension, especially when there’s a fake engagement involved. No matter how hard Violet tried to fight her attraction to Linc and remember how much he hurt her, she also was in a position to remember all the ways that they fit perfectly, and Link wanted to tell her what really happened, but was literally unable to. The truth was, they both never lost their feelings for one another, nor would they have been able to, but you’ll have to read it to see what I mean with that. 

    Overall, it’s a great story with good people finding happiness, and that alone is well worth the read!

  • Greymist Fair

    by Francesca Zappia. Pub Date 3/28/23

    4.5*. Best enjoyed when you need a dark fairy tale.

    Publisher’s Synopsis

    “Two roads lead into a dark forest. They meet at Greymist Fair, the village hidden in the trees, a place kept alive by the families that never leave. The people of Greymist Fair know the woods are a dangerous and magical place, and to set foot off the road is to invite trouble.

    When Heike, the village’s young tailor, discovers a body on the road, she goes looking for who is responsible. But her quest only leads to more strange happenings around Greymist Fair.“

    Review:

    Zappia was inspired by the original, much bloodier version of Grimm’s fairy tales while writing Greymist Fair. With witches, Death, blood thirstly wargs, deadly woods, cannibalism, and many more darker themes, this story told in parts has them all. 

    I honestly had started this book awhile back and when I picked it back up after the first story I suddenly could not put it down. I was absolutely transfixed. Not only did this feed my inner child, but it also fed my horror-loving adult side. The stories were both dark and emotional, somewhat humorous at times but so very human. Like most of Grimm’s fairy tales, not all of them had a happy ending but every single one played on the others, building an absolutely enchanting overall story with well-rounded characters and a delicious atmosphere.

    If I can find a special edition copy of this I would be remiss not to add it to my library in much the same way you would be remiss not to add this to your TBR if you have at all found the above intriguing. And perhaps it was because of the many smaller stories that made this world feel so rich. We got to know the backgrounds in a deep way; the lore was laid out for us in a detailed way and the history of Greymist Fair had such gravity it almost felt real (which is a part of the story that cannot be ignored).

    I highly recommend this book to you. Thank you so much to Netgalley, Francesca Zappia, and Harper Collins for the advanced copy in exchange for this review. 

  • Damsel

    by Evelyn Skye, pub date 4/18/23

    4*s, Best enjoyed when you need a moment with a kick ass heroine experiencing extreme survival.

    Publisher’s Synopsis

    “A price must be paid.

    Elodie never dreamed of a lavish palace or a handsome prince. Growing up in the famine-stricken realm of Inophe, her deepest wish was to help her people survive each winter. So when a representative from a rich, reclusive kingdom offers her family enough wealth to save Inophe in exchange for Elodie’s hand in marriage, she accepts without hesitation. Swept away to the glistening kingdom of Aurea, Elodie is quickly taken in by the beauty of the realm—and of her betrothed, Prince Henry.

    But as Elodie undertakes the rituals to become an Aurean princess, doubts prick at her mind as cracks in the kingdom’s perfect veneer begin to show: A young woman who appears and vanishes from the castle tower. A parade of torches weaving through the mountains. Markings left behind in a mysterious “V.” Too late, she discovers that Aurea’s prosperity has been purchased at a heavy cost—each harvest season, the kingdom sacrifices its princesses to a hungry dragon. And Elodie is the next sacrifice.

    This ancient arrangement has persisted for centuries, leading hundreds of women to their deaths. But the women who came before Elodie did not go quietly. Their blood pulses with power and memory, and their experiences hold the key to Elodie’s survival. Forced to fight for her life, this damsel must use her wits to defeat a dragon, uncover Aurea’s past, and save not only herself, but the future of her new kingdom as well.”

    Naskeag Dragon by Randy Gallegos

    Review

    Damsel is a novelization of the upcoming movie by Netflix of the same name starring Millie Bobby Brown. I was excited to get an e-copy of this ARC given the premise, which takes the “Save Yourself” heroine trope and pumps it up super high octane. And it delivered! 

    I didn’t expect Elodie to be as well prepared as she was, nor for this to be what is a fantasy survival thriller—two of my favorite genres smashed together into one awesome story. This may seem cliché, but this is NOT your typical fairy tale love story. It’s gritty, bold, and ultimately powering. Tradition is the true villain of this story. 

    Elodie is the eldest daughter in a remote Dukedom, Inophe, where famine and drought reign supreme. She has grown up in harsh conditions caring for their people. When the chance comes for her to be married to the prince of Aurea in exchange for the goods and services needed to support the population she has helped protect her entire life, she is eager to be able to provide something more than just solace. However, what she doesn’t know until it’s too late is that she’s not meant to be a true princess of her newly adopted land, but a sacrifice to the dragon who provides the true power that provides the abundance to the people of the land. 

    Elodie finds that she has not been the first—there have been 2400 princesses that have been sacrificed in the proceeding eight centuries, and not all of them have gone quietly. She finds maps, resources, and magic that have helped those before her that she is able to take advantage of. But will she be able to escape the lair of the dragon, or will she become just another pile of moldering bones deep in the heart of Aurea? 

    Thanks so much to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced copy in exchange for this review. 

  • There are Too Many Milks

    By Anne Marie Wonder & Tara Lawall

    Pub date 3/7/23

    4.5*s, Best enjoyed when you need a good laugh at yourself.

    PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

    “A laugh-out-loud collection of illustrated scenarios that perfectly captures the tribulations of being an adult human in the twenty-first century. 

    Whether pondering the overwhelming plethora of nondairy milk options that drag out your coffee shop experience or grocery trip by a solid half-hour, trying to figure out why you always have a fork that never matches all of your other forks, or wondering why a salad costs $30 (the lettuce costs extra!), this exploration of modern life and its toll on our collective sanity invites readers to revel in the hilarity of these shared experiences. Poking fun at the things we all do to make life more bearable, like crystal healing, picking the perfect email sign-off, eating fancy cheeses, or Botox, this is the perfect sassy gift for birthdays, holidays, graduations, or any other day that needs some comic relief.”

    REVIEW

    There were a lot of mixed advanced reviews for There are Too Many Milks, but I found it hilarious. The pictures really drive home the anxiety of current life. However, you really need to be able to laugh at yourself and the world around you to truly enjoy and understand the point of this book. It’s a picture book of true commiseration for modern adult humans that exploits the maddening volume of choices we face daily and the expense that comes with making good choices and creates a literal and figurative portrait detailing why what should be a simple process of grocery shopping/getting lunch/etc  often turns into an epic journey. It also emphasizes why we’re all so tired these days from decision fatigue and why we consistently make poor choices for ourselves in the current generation. It’s a daily multiple choice question with 25 answers. There are just too many freaking milks.

    Thank you to Netgalley and Chronicle Books for access to this advanced copy.

  • Of Mist and Shadow

    by Jenna Wolfhart, pub date 8/1/22

    3*s. Best enjoyed when you need a quick and dark fae story.

    Publisher’s Synopsis

    “When the vicious fae king catches Tessa stealing powerful gemstones from his mines, he demands a cruel punishment. She must leave her family and friends behind and become his future human bride.

    Tessa has never stepped foot inside the glittering fae city until now—no mortal is allowed. There, things are far more monstrous than she ever dreamed. King Oberon humiliates her, terrorizes her, and threatens those she loves.

    But when she escapes, someone far worse finds her. The lethal Mist King, the enemy fae who trapped her people beneath the reign of King Oberon in the first place. The one who destroyed human cities and watched them burn.

    He takes her captive and then offers her a deal.

    Become the first mortal to kill a fae king, and he will free her people.

    But the mists beyond the kingdom walls are dangerous, ruthless, and mesmerizing…and so is he. As Tessa fights her growing desire, she must make a choice.

    Her dagger can kill only one fae. Which king will it be?”

    Review:

    Of Mist and Shadows is a pretty decent overall story. It has some very dark themes involving forced marriage, torture, and murder. 

    King Oberon’s reign has been long and horrible in the land without night. It’s the only place that the people of his lands can be safe, however. Were they to cross the bridge into the misty woods, they would be plunged into night and most likely the jaws of one of the many shadow monsters that hide amongst the trees. King Oberon is obviously a horrid overlord, but is the Mist King the villain that Tessa and the other members of Oberon’s kingdom have been lead to believe?

    Although I enjoyed this story, I had a rough time with Tessa’s character. She was pretty immovable in her thoughts and was far more stubborn than someone who had her experiences should be to the proof that was right in front of her. Granted, she’s grown up in an oppressive village under the threat of constant violence, but you would think she could see through the gaslighting of King Oberon, especially with how he killed her father and tortured her. 

    However, despite my issues with the main character, I loved many of the supporting personalities, and I can’t wait to get to know them better in the next installment. I also was left with so many unanswered questions. What ARE the gods? What happens to King Oberon’s previous mortal wives and children? Are the human kingdoms across the sea intact? Will Tessa ever find her family who escaped into the Mist after the wedding? You’ll be asking these, too. Luckily for you, the next installment, Of Ash and Embers, is available now!

    Thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing for the advanced copy in exchange for this review. 

  • The Island

    by Natasha Preston Pub Date 2/28/22

    4*s, Natasha Preston’s endings always leave us hanging.

    PUBLISHER’S SYNOPSIS

    “Jagged Island: a private amusement park for the very rich—or the very influential. Liam, James, Will, Ava, Harper, and Paisley—social media influencers with millions of followers—have been invited for an exclusive weekend before the park opens. They’ll make posts and videos for their channels and report every second of their VIP treatment. 

    When the teens arrive, they’re stunned: the resort is even better than they’d imagined. Their hotel rooms are unreal, the park’s themed rides are incredible, and the island is hauntingly beautiful. They’re given a jam-packed itinerary for the weekend.  

    But soon they’ll discover that something’s missing from their schedule: getting off the island alive.”

    REVIEW

    When Paisley, a true-crime influencer, gets invited to the opening of Jagged Island, a private amusement part for the wealthy started by a billionaire, she is so excited. The pictures don’t do the gothic-themed park justice. The hotel is magnificent, the food is amazing, and the park itself is an experience to die for. Unfortunately for some of her fellow influencers, that turns into something quite literal. As people begin disappearing, their bodies showing up in unexpected places, Paisley’s true crime background thrusts her into the center of the investigation. They need to figure out who is killing the members of their group and stop them before this weekend in a gothic paradise becomes their last on this earth. 

    I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was packed full of gothic imagery and influencer nonsense, but also had so much character-driven drama. Preston has a real talent for horror and the character building that is necessary to create the kind of realistic scenarios that drive the knife of fear into the heart of a reader. Her endings also always leave the reader wondering if the main character really survived their ordeal or are primed and pressed into a more horrific one. You feel the emotions, practically smell the gore, and come out the other side craving more. 

    If you’re looking for other works by Preston, The Fear is also a great tale of horror. If you’re looking for more influencer-based horror drama, I recommend Never Coming Home by Kate Williams (review on my blog). Lord of the Fly Fest by Goldy Moldavsky is also one I have my eye on. 

    Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the advanced e-copy in exchange for this review. It was a wild rollercoaster ride. Pun intended.

  • How to Sell a Haunted House

    By Grady Hendrix. 5*s.

    Publisher’s Synopsis

    “When Louise finds out her parents have died, she dreads going home. She doesn’t want to leave her daughter with her ex and fly to Charleston. She doesn’t want to deal with her family home, stuffed to the rafters with the remnants of her father’s academic career and her mother’s lifelong obsession with puppets and dolls. She doesn’t want to learn how to live without the two people who knew and loved her best in the world.

    Most of all, she doesn’t want to deal with her brother, Mark, who never left their hometown, gets fired from one job after another, and resents her success. Unfortunately, she’ll need his help to get the house ready for sale because it’ll take more than some new paint on the walls and clearing out a lifetime of memories to get this place on the market. 

    But some houses don’t want to be sold, and their home has other plans for both of them…“

    Review:

    In all honestly, Grady Hendrix is one of the greatest horror authors. I absolutely LOVE his books. He writes some of the creepiest fiction, but with the most well-built characters and semi happy endings. That may be what I love the most. These stories can be truly scary, and How to Sell a Haunted House has been one of my absolute favorites so far. But they always leave me feeling more of a ‘yay—scarred but alive!’ feeling.

    The relationship between Louise and Mark and Louise and everyone, really, was interesting to explore. Mother/Daughter relationships are super complex and this explores that in a very first-hand way. It really makes me wonder where Hendrix got the material.

    There’s also that toxic relationship situation between siblings that only a horrific series of events can seem to upend. Mark was a selfish prick and Louise was cold for a good reason from my perspective, but it’s crazy how much they both went through, and it makes you wonder if they had only talked, would they have gone through everything they did to the level and extent they did? Probably not. But they were also pitted against each other a lot. Thankfully, they got a second chance. Unfortunately, it didn’t leave them entirely intact.

    To be honest, I had zero clue it was going the direction it was, and it’s so hard to talk about the most incredibly creepy parts without giving all of it away, but I will try to discuss a few moments that just really got to me.

    Pupkin as a whole. Honestly Hendrix, why? We all have seen this Punch knockoff puppet with its incredibly scary grin, but to make it into something that drags itself across the floor or runs around on its tiny legs and bites/brainwashes people? WOW. Nightmare fuel. I won’t be able to hear a skittering noise without shitting my pants in the future without thinking a vengeful puppet is coming for me.

    Pupkin starts a cult: the Mark in College stories. It got so dark, so quick. Puppet collective seemed like such a bad idea—and who would do that kind of show in an elementary school? Glory.

    Marionette/Puppet Horde: this was actually kind of funny in the way only Hendrix can make it…or maybe I’m a little more twisted than I thought I was.

    Dolls in general—really hit a note with me. Chucky can take a back seat to these.

    Hendrix’s My Best Friend’s Exorcism was made into a movie. That was also an excellent book. But making this one into a movie? I’m not sure I could watch it and still sleep. IT by Stephen King was one of my favorite books in high school, but How to Sell a Haunted House has taken up its own corner in the secret little goth section of my soul.