4-27-25 — Christina Critiques
- Christina Pfeiffer
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
I am taking a break from Stoker nomination reviews this week to focus on some of the killer indie horror books I have read in recent months. So many amazing stories, so little time.
Let’s get into them!
FAIRY TALE HORRORSHOW
Edited by: RJ Roles
Release: 4/25/25
Page count: 290
KU: Yes Hoopla: No
Synopsis: Fourteen fairy tales from some of the most brilliant authors in indie horror.
Cinderuhlhu - Mike Ennenbach - Cinderella will be offered a choice when she is older and there will be hell to pay because of it. (6/5)
When the Sky Falls - Wiona Morris - Henrietta goes with her friends to watch a meteor shower but do drugs and stars mix? (5/5)
Bill and The Skids - Colt Skinner - Bill wants to see his favorite band/singer but meeting your idol doesn’t always turn out the way you plan. (4/5)
Then Came a Woodsman - Ronald Kelly - The Woodsman in Red Riding Hood hid a wee bit of trauma from us. (5/5)
Wicked Little Strings - M. Betterelli - A fascinating play on Pinocchio. A father’s grief, a morbid idea, and a whole lot of revenge. (6/5)
Gingerbread Man - Lance Dale - Sometimes it’s not a good idea to meet women you don’t know and it’s not pheromones driving her crazy.
Penelope - Eric Butler - Not everyone can be the handsome Prince, some have to be the ugly duckling. (6/5)
Jackie and the Bean Pock - Jae Mazer - a re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk. This story felt like the odd man out. (3/5)
Fit for Royalty - Ruthann Jagge - Living out in the middle of nowhere has its positives and negatives especially when revenge is involved. (6/5)
Shoemaker’s Salvation - Kimberly Rei - Why do people have to be so nosy and look gift horses in the mouth? (6/5)
Princess NSFU - Tony Evans - When a woman says you will be rewarded if you can make her shut up - RUN! (5/5)
Humpty Dumpty - Megan Stockton - Emotional damage and a dose of crazy moms. (5/5)
Upon the Fell Breeze - People just wheel and deal with strangers willy nilly. (5/5)
OVERALL RATING: 5/5
THE WOMEN WITHOUT EYES
By: Micah Castle
Release: 1/27/25
Page count: 193
KU: No Hoopla: No
Synopsis: A generational family tries to bridge the gap between life and death, but a cop is hot on the most recent member’s trail. When the cop becomes personally affected, gaps get much, much smaller.
First line: “The street lamp cast a faint, white glow into the car and illuminated the old man’s eyes.”
Favorite line: “Hades’ rainbow with a heartbeat.”
Thoughts: Wow. Just wow. Micah is consistent with the cleverness and emotion of his writing. This one invokes such raw and visceral feelings. Equal parts: thriller, sci-fi, police procedural, and body horror, it is a must read for anyone who enjoys gasping so loud they startle their family. *
*Know from personal experience
Rating: 5/5
Other recommendations: RECONSTRUCTING A RELATIONSHIP, A HOME IN THE DARKNESS
THE NIGHT OF THE WITCH-HUNTER
By: Patrick Barb
Release: 3/18/25
Page count: 192
KU: No Hoopla: No
Synopsis: Josie is an outcast along with her best friend, Nikki. When a class project reveals she comes from a lineage with witches - burned at the stake no less - seances happen with consequences.
First line: “When the classroom VCR quit working halfway through her presentation in US History, Josey knew she was in trouble.”
Favorite line: “Witch bitch. Witch bitch. Witch bitch.”
Thoughts: THE CRAFT meets THE CRUCIBLE in the bloodiest and most brilliant of ways. You either love the characters or hate them (looking at you Aston.) The twists were twisting and the heartbreaks heartbreaking. Another homerun from Barb.
Rating: 4.5/5
Other recommendations: JK-LOL, THE CHILDREN’S HORROR
PAY THE PIPER: A Novella of Utter Speculation
By: Sarah Connell
Release: 4/1/25
Page count: 111
KU: No Hoopla: Yes
Synopsis: Lucie and Tilo escaped town when they were younger, but Lucie was never told why - besides that there were witch hunts. Family secrets will pull Lucie to answers and her fate.
First line: “The day began with the clack of shutters thrown wide, breaking up the quiet of the night until one by one the villagers stirred.”
Favorite line: “A man who doesn’t admit he is just a man at the end of the day is somewhat less.”
Thoughts: Oooooh, this was such a fun retelling. Witches, feminine rage, concealed identities, did I mention witches? Two POVs merge into one seamlessly in this (in my opinion) all too short novella. I could have stayed in this universe for another 200 pages or more. It’s the amazing as is though. I’m just a brat and wanted more.
Rating: 4.5/5
Other recommendations: THE PROJECT AWAKENING SERIES