Caryn LarrinagaBesprekingen

I really enjoyed this book!

I loved that Tess is a comic book lover and that she just so happens to survive a terminal illness that results in the ability for her to become her own superhero. It’s ironically, poetic and kinda perfect.

For the most part I loved everything going on in this book. Larrinaga has great plot line development in this story, and her characters have an okay amount of depth to them. What I want to see more of, though, is the details of this world; I want to feel as though my mind gets so wrapped up in this world that I completely lose sight of the real world around me. This book is right on the cusp of that. There were plenty of moments I could have completely dove in and forgot where I was and what I was doing, but it just didn’t quite happen. With a bit more depth in the scenes and characters I definitely could have toppled over into that richer world and found myself rating this a full five stars. All that being said, the story is great as it is which is why I rated it so favorably.

Generally, I prefer to be surprised when there’s a good, surprise reveal in a story. I want to be blindsided by something I didn’t see coming, and I like to challenge myself to see if I can figure out what it is before it’s officially revealed in the story. Having said that, I was a little disappointed that I was able to ascertain a few reveals before they actually occurred in the book. That’s not to say I disliked the reveals, but only that if you are an intuitive reader like me, you may also be un-surprised by the events that occur in the story. It’s still a good story, it was just slightly predictable.

The real reason for my four star rating was the ending. To me, the ending “struggle” and downhill slide into its conclusion (or epilogue, if you will) seemed really fast. Which is a shame since there was definitely room for more story before reaching the “this-book-is-getting-too-long” moment. I’m hoping that the next in the series get the opportunity to exceed expectations for this one as well as itself.

Which I for one, am looking forward to!

Full Review: wanderinglectiophile.wordpress.com/2017/12/12/review-superhero-syndrome-solstice-survivors-1-by-caryn-larrinaga/

This little tale creeps up on you and holds on, as gothic and weird as it is compulsively readable. I read it in one sitting, and while I gladly would have been swept away for far longer, this was the perfect novella to keep me occupied and on the edge of my seat during a plane ride, and I adored it. I'll absolutely be on the lookout for Larrinaga's next work.½

Mackenzie has recently lost her father, and after finding her fiancé in bed with another woman she packs up her bags and moves to Donn’s Hill, a place she and her mother used to go to on vacation.
The town is renowned for being haunted and it isn’t long before she starts getting strange things happening in her apartment. Luckily a stray cat who had befriended her and seems to be trying to protect her.
This is not the only strange thing that happens though and when she gets a job with a ghost hunting crew, more things start showing themselves to her and she is determined to solve a murder.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Donn’s Hill, it was kind of spooky at times and the mystery and twists were great. It kept me engaged from start to finish.

Mackenzie was a fantastic character and the cat! I love cats and this little lady was an amazing protector.
Caryn Larringana wrote a brilliant book and Jessica McEvoy
Was the perfect narrator, she made me fall into the Donn’s Hill and I didn’t want to leave.

I wasn’t sure if I would like this, as superheroes are not my thing but I thought I would give it ago and I am so glad I did.

What a fantastic start to the series. Tess had contracted Solstice Syndrome, there’s no cure so she was basically waiting to die. But, she didn’t die, oh no, after a freak meteor storm she is in fact cured which is weird in itself but she has something else too.

I really enjoyed the storyline, it flowed really well, and it kept my attention from start to finish. It was very different and exciting. It was a great start to the series and I will definitely be looking out for the next book in the series.

Previously, the only work I had read by Caryn Larrinaga was a short story titled For Scrying Out Loud that was included in the Wasatch Witches anthology. It was one of my favorites in that book and after reading a whole story collection by this author I feel safe in saying she is now on my must read list. There is a content warning at the beginning of this book and I am just going to mention that one story contains mental illness. The rest I'm going to condense to say this is for horror fans and all lovers of dark fiction. It is not hard core gut ripping gore, and doesn't need or aim to be. There is no over the top "extreme" horror.
These 11 tales are delightfully dark and full of unnerving surprises. I love that each one is accompanied by an illustration.
I enjoyed every minute of reading every single story and was amazed that even the shortest among them had room for the unexpected. In Dread Softly you will find stories to chill and thrill, and break your heart. There are stories of desperation, hunger, and a nightmare creature that wreaks havoc in a single parent household when a small child is threatened in his sleep. There is also a bit of humor in a tale told from the cat's point of view which now has me walking room to room holding mine up towards the ceiling to see if she can tell me where the "watchers" are. You don't have to love cats to love this story but I think it will be one of your favorites if you do.
Every story is expertly crafted and my only complaint is that I never wanted it to end. More please!!


I received a signed paperback which I will treasure forever.

I received a paperback ARC of Dread Softly, authored by Caryn Larrinaga, from Twisted Tree Press Publication, for review consideration. Cover: Rooster Republic Press. What follows below is my honest review, freely given.

I rated this debut collection 5 stars.

NO SOLICITING
Jacko was my Nannie’s African Grey parrot; he could impersonate both of my grandparents well enough to fool even them into coming downstairs at his calling, and then he would chuckle. He would get along well with Frankie I think. Like all good stories, I am left wanting to know more.

EMPIRE OF DIRT
A favorite. The title’s connection to the story is just brilliant imo, which had this audacious Resident Evil feel to it. Great for fiction, very much never want to have happen in reality. Love it.

THE FISHERMAN
A favorite. When you think about it, deep down in your darkest corners of your apocalyptic loving mind—the part that knows gasoline doesn’t last long enough for 10 seasons of your favorite zombie show to have working cars—this is what happens out there.

THE DEVIL’S WAY OUT
This one is a kick to the gut. Difficult to read, in that heart rending way you cannot really prepare for. Fair warning.

FAMILY TIME
I never seem to get stories that involve grandfather clocks, not sure why. I focus too much on the why of the clock maybe?

WATCHERS’ WARNING
Top favorite. I’ve always operated under the rule that if I hear creepy things in my living space, and my cat is still sleeping; everything’s cool, no spooky danger. I hear a noise and my cat freaks out or goes on point? Panic time! So this story made me deliriously happy.

UNTIL DEATH
A favorite. Can’t give any detail without really spoiling it, it’s flash fiction I believe. Made me think. Makes me think still, actually.

A FRIEND IN NEED
This is just a messed up story, full stop. I like it, well written, but messed up. I could see this being an episode of a show or even a movie.

THE BUMP
What I really enjoyed about this one was the feeling of a schoolyard tale, passed from one class to the next. Year after year, growing in detail and casualties.

THE THING INSIDE JACKY JENSEN’S GARAGE
A favorite. I want to believe. If you are old enough to get the reference, congrats. If not, sorry, use Google.

INGUMA WE TRUST
Night terrors have been my jam since I was a wee lass, so this story was really interesting to read. I liked the lore.

Well written and easy to read, but the characters never really engaged me.

My original Hide and Seek audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

Hide and Seek is a short, quick and creepy listen.

Agatha is an eight year old girl that has a divorced and remarried mother and step father. Her new father also has two young girls, a little older than her, but right around her age. These two step sisters are the stereotypical evil step sisters that plague Agatha's every waking moment. The story is told in the first person from Agatha's perspective. So we get to experience the torment in full force.

I had a feeling that the ending was going to end with a twist but it was not the twist I thought it was going to be. This always tells me that the author, Caryn Larrinaga, has real talent as to not give everything away in a straight forward manner. Making the paranormal aspect hit me in the face with a huge face palm.

For a horror story it was pretty tame and focused almost solely on the emotional torture that Agatha has been going through. Making it a really good psychological suspense thriller.

I really enjoyed Jessica McEvoy's voice. Female narrators, at least the ones that I have listened to, tend to have a very youthful, high pitched voice that do have their place. McEvoy does not have this, at least not in this story, she uses a soft-spoken, almost a loud whisper throughout. That was perfect for keeping the story on the creepy side.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.