Reading Vicariously

It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted on this site with any regularity. To be transparent, I’m not the same reviewer I once was haha. What I mean by that is I’ve decided to get off all social media, and I no longer promote the “Reading Vicariously” brand online. I largely read and write for pleasure now, with the occasional review thrown in. In fact, a large part of me wonders if it’s worth paying for this domain every year since life has changed so much for me in the last couple years.

That being said, I’ve decided to try again at posting semi-regularly here and see what happens. Since it’s been so long, I’m going to begin with a roundup of books I’ve read and reviewed this year. This may end up being a “Part 1” type of post if I get around to writing more reviews of previously read books later on.

What we have here is not an extensive compilation of what I’ve read this year (I’m about 50 books in so far), but rather a shortlist of books I’ve taken the time to quickly review haha. You’ll notice a number of graphic novels, particular advanced reader copies (ARCs) sent from publishers, which reflects the fact that I spent more time picking titles on NetGalley than usual earlier in the year. I did write some longer reviews for physical ARC novels that publishers sent me, and you can click the links to find those full reviews for The Other Valley, Calling for a Blanket Dance, and The Haunting of Velkwood (I still need to write my review for Sarah Langan’s A Better World…).

So, continue on for my brief thoughts on some titles I’ve read so far in 2024. I decided to rank them from highest to lowest rating (i.e. beloved to DNF).

Shubeik Lubeik by Deena Mohamed

SUMMARY:

Shubeik Lubeik–a fairytale rhyme meaning “Your Wish is My Command” in Arabic–is the story of three characters navigating a world where wishes are literally for sale; mired in bureaucracy and the familiar prejudices of our world, the more expensive the wish, the more powerful and therefore the more likely to work as intended. The novel’s three distinct parts tell the story of three first class wishes as used by Aziza, Nour, and Shokry, each grappling with the challenge inherent in trying to make your most deeply held desire come true.

Deena’s mix of calligraphy and contemporary styles, brings to life a vibrant Cairene neighborhood, and a cast of characters whose struggles and triumphs are deeply resonant. Shubeik Lubeik heralds the arrival of a huge new talent and a brave, literary, political, and feminist new voice in comics.

REVIEW:

Wow, this graphic novel was fantastic! Such a fun use of magical realism that’s not gimmicky but rather integral to the plot. In fact, the author has gone above and beyond in creating this alternate history/reality world, complete with in-depth timelines, biographies, case studies, examples, etc of how magical wishes have affected the world since their discovery.

I love stories with multiple POVs, and the framing device here works really well. The “external” story is about a shopkeeper trying to sell three 1st class wishes (the best kind), while the “internal” stories are about who buys/uses each of the three wishes. Every story interconnects in some way, and I love how the ending really ties up the external story as well.

Every character is fully fleshed out and realized. The art is amazing. Truly I don’t have anything bad to say about this. A delightful, engrossing, through-provoking read from start to finish!

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bad Dreams in the Night by Adam Ellis

SUMMARY:

Like a graphic novel version of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark , this collection of original horror tales is packed with urban legends, terrifying twists, and delightfully haunted stories by one of the biggest stars in webcomics.

A new take on a classic format, Bad Dreams in the Night is an updated, illustrated take on the horror anthologies the author grew up with as a kid, such as Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and In a Dark, Dark Room . These self-contained stories grew rapidly in popularity among the author’s online audience, and even inspired production of a motion picture from Buzzfeed Studios and Lionsgate Films. Filled with spine-tingling, pulse-increasing tales of mystery and supernatural occurrences, this collection will be the perfect gift for people who love Black Mirror and Stranger Things.

REVIEW:

Great mix of horror stories here, from retellings of old tales and urban legends to new nightmares and mishaps. The author’s art style and writing are appropriate for the middle grade genre, and I really like the addition of “author’s notes” giving background on the seed of each story idea. Big thanks to the publisher for sending an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Guide by Peter Heller

SUMMARY:

Kingfisher Lodge, nestled in a canyon on a mile and a half of the most pristine river water on the planet, is known by locals as Billionaire’s Mile and is locked behind a heavy gate. Sandwiched between barbed wire and a meadow with a sign that reads Don’t Get Shot! the resort boasts boutique fishing at its finest. Safe from viruses that have plagued America for years, Kingfisher offers a respite for wealthy clients. Now it also promises a second chance for Jack, a return to normalcy after a young life filled with loss. When he is assigned to guide a well-known singer, his only job is to rig her line, carry her gear, and steer her to the best trout he can find. But then a human scream pierces the night, and Jack soon realizes that this idyllic fishing lodge may be merely a cover for a far more sinister operation. A novel as gripping as it is lyrical, as frightening as it is moving, The Guide is another masterpiece from Peter Heller.

REVIEW:

I’ve never been interested much in fishing, but reading this made me want to immediately grab a rod and head to the river. Wonderfully descriptive writing, full of beautiful imagery and well-rounded characters. I really liked the main character, and I definitely want to go back and read earlier books that deal with previous events in his life.

I also love books set in smaller locales to see what an author can do with those “constraints,” and Heller manages to keep things engaging, thrilling, and moving at a decent clip. Maybe it’s because I haven’t read many outdoor/wilderness mystery thrillers, but I was not expecting the plot to take the turn it did in the finally act. This was a book I did NOT want to put down. Genuine page-turner. Will be picking up more from Mr. Heller.

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Skeeters

SUMMARY:

Small town hijinks ensue as extraterrestrial mosquitos descend on a sleepy beach town.

When giant mosquito-like alien creatures invade a rural seaside community, a frustrated sheriff and two oddball exterminators end up being the town’s only hope for survival. A comedic and gruesome story for fans of Slither, Arachnophobia, and other classic creature-features!

REVIEW:

SKEETERS is pure B-movie fun and creature feature madness. In other words, it’s incredible. You’ve got your small-town-hiding-government-secrets setting, your disgruntled sheriff, your stoner conspiracy theorist, your secret government agent, and your crazy mutant monster outbreak leading up to an epic, burn it to the ground showdown.

If this sounds familiar that’s because it is. The story is by-the-numbers mashup of Slither/The Fly/Grabbers/etc, and while I have to deduct points for lack of originality and character development, I’m still rating it highly for pure excitement and Kelly William’s excellent art (which reminds me of one of my faves, Owen Gieni). The creature design is gross and there are some pretty brutal kills. If you’re a fan of gory horror comedies then this should be right up your alley.

SKEETERS may not tread any new ground, but because it follows all the right beats it’s still a blast. Thank you to Mad Cave Studio and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Cull, Vol 1

SUMMARY:

Eisner-winning writer Kelly Thompson re-teams with superstar artist Mattia De Iulis for their first creator-owned work together!

The Cull is a dark tale about five friends setting off in the middle of the night to shoot a short film on a forbidden rock near their small coastal town the summer before they all go their separate ways. But they’re not really there to shoot a film. One of them has lied. And that lie will change EVERYTHING.

REVIEW:

The Cull is an interesting mix of horror/fantasy that does a great job of revealing new twists/surprises at the end of each issue and moving the story forward. Unfortunately I didn’t fully understand enough about the story as I was reading, as character backstories and explanations for current events are both fairly vague. But I’m a sucker for these types of “hidden world” stories, so I kept going. The art is a hyper-realistic style that I don’t see often. It was gorgeous in much of the volume, but some panels just didn’t work. So overall a mixed bag, but I liked it well enough and will continue to read if more issues are put out.

Thanks to Image Comics and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dark Spaces: Dungeon

SUMMARY:

A family moves from the rustle and bustle of the Big Apple to upstate New York. However, their father’s dream of a quiet rural life are shattered when he discovers a DUNGEON underneath their land, filled with torture devices, weapons, and a threatening message on the wall that reads, “TELL NO ONE.” Paranoia sets in rapidly as the father realizes anyone in his new hometown could be the dungeon master. Who can he trust? And how will he keep this secret from his family while keeping them SAFE?

From the creative team behind the acclaimed Dark Wildfire comes another dark tale of intrigue and the bad things people do.

REVIEW:

A dark thriller about a man who tortures people for fun and those caught up in his traps. There’s not a lot of character depth here (escapee becomes FBI agent to solve the mystery, rich man wants to find stolen son, etc) but the hook and the stakes are just so intriguing that I flew through it. I can’t decide how I feel about the twist at the end, but I will say I was so engrossed that it took me by surprise (I’m a simple reader like that). The artwork is phenomenal.

Thanks to NetGalley and IDW for sending on ARC in exchange for a honest review!

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️