Tag Archives: Paranormal

Authority by Jeff VanderMeer (The Southern Reach Trilogy)

American Literature May 21, 2014 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: An operative is assigned to investigate an anomaly in the latest investigation into dangerous, mysterious, paradoxical Area X, but the truth seems to lie on the other side of insanity. Review: Authority is the second in the trilogy that began with Annihilation, a story that promises the kind of enigmatic secrets that make your skin crawl. We’re talking Blair Witch stuff. House of Leaves. I’m such a sucker for this genre and when it’s as well written as these books are, I do a…

Starter House by Sonja Condit

American Literature February 18, 2014 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: When pregnant Lacey and her husband Eric move into their dream home, a little boy named Drew starts bothering Lacey–and she realizes that only she can see him. Review: I loved the depth of characterization in Starter House. I really felt like the author put a lot of work into fleshing out their back stories, like making Lacey’s mom more than just an aging hippie. She’s also a vegan dog psychic and you really get the sense that she has a life outside the…

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer (The Southern Reach Trilogy, Book 1)

American Literature February 4, 2014 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: A biologist signs up for an expedition to discover the secrets of Area X, a mysterious place that has driven the members of 11 previous to madness, suicide, and murder. Review: I am really glad that all three installments of this trilogy will be released this year, because after finishing Annihilation I am itching for more and certain that Jeff VanderMeer can deliver. The mood here is sublimely creepy, with outstanding descriptive passages that bring to life Area X in all its fecund, biologically…

The Space Between by Alexandra Sokoloff

American Literature August 8, 2011 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: A girl fears that her dreams of a brutal school shooting may come true, and an outcast dwarf and the most popular boy in school seem to hold the key. Review: Alexandra Sokoloff is the Lois Duncan of the new milennium. I love her brand of paranormal thrillers, which feel fresh and familiar at the same time. Her heroines are intriguing, with many hidden depths, and Anna in The Space Between is no exception. I tore through this novella, which reminded me of both…

Big Machine by Victor LaValle

American Literature March 29, 2011 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: A brokedown junkie, ex-cultist and mass murder survivor gets a mysterious invitation to become an Unlikely Scholar investigating odd phenomena across America. Review: Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. Big Machine rocked my world. Stylistically, it’s a mash-up of Haruki Murakami and Stephen King, with a bit of Ralph Ellison for good measure. When junkie Ricky Rice becomes an Unlikely Scholar under way mysterious circumstances, he finds himself scouring newspapers for stories that give evidence to The Voice. His journey grows ever more wild, and…

Spirit Gate by Kate Elliott (Crossroads, Book 1)

American Literature December 20, 2010 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: A democracy known for peaceful governance by reeves riding giant eagles falls into chaos and possible civil war when the reeves of the north stop responding and a military captain fleeing his murderous brother lands right in the middle of it; meanwhile, a slave sells an eerie, ghost-like girl into prostitution in order to free his sister, who, as a temple prostitute called a Devouring girl, has a few tricks up her sleeve as well as a personal stake in the larger story. Review:…

Everwild by Neal Shusterman (Skinjacker Trilogy)

American Literature July 24, 2010 Superfast Reader 2 Comments

Synopsis: Allie the Outcast, the Chocolate Ogre, the McGill, and Mary Queen of Snots meet up with Jackin’ Jill and Zach the Ripper and discover that there’s a lot more to Everlost than just limbo after death. Review: In Everwild, Neal Shusterman deepens the mythology he created in Everlost, adding new characters and concepts with tremendous panache. Allie the Outcast has discovered the power to leap into the bodies of the still living, and when she joins forces with a small group of fellow skinjackers,…

Everlost by Neal Shusterman (The Skinjacker Trilogy)

American Literature July 20, 2010 Superfast Reader 7 Comments

Synopsis: Two teens find themselves in a limbo world between life and death. Review: I first read about Everlost on It’s All About Books and was totally intrigued by Suey’s rave review. Nick and Allie were victims of a fatal car accident, but instead of making it to the bright white light they were bumped into Everlost. They learn quickly that they have to keep moving or else they will sink through the ground all the way to the center of the earth. There are…

My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

American Literature January 28, 2010 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: Kaylee is a bean sidhe, a soul screamer who thinks she can save lives–until she discovers that some souls–like a talented pop star–are beyond saving because they’ve made a deal with the Netherworld. Review: My Soul To Save is a quirky read with an interesting concept, albeit one that never quite came together for me. I had difficulty grasping the worldview behind the notion of soul screamers and grim reapers (all attractive teens, of course), and so it was hard for me to connect…

Inamorata by Joseph Gangemi

American Literature September 22, 2009 Superfast Reader

Synopsis: While investigating paranormal reports for Scientific American in the 1920s, a grad student falls in love with a woman claiming to be a spirit medium. Review: I picked up Inamorata at a recent swap meet I hosted for my babysitting coop. How could I pass it up? Set in the 1920s, featuring spirit mediums that may be faking, and the dust jacket alluded to a shady gynecologist and a passionate love affair. And it’s based on true events! The book more than delivered, and…

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