Author | Lightnews

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · 12d

Church of Frendo is. definitely an ending to a story. It wasn't my favorite, and it takes some WILD swings, but you can't deny that it is a book with a clown in a cornfield. #bookreview #horror #clowns #clowninacornfield

The cover of clown in a cornfield 3: the church of frendo in front of a rundown barn

genre: YA Horror
Strengths: Action Sequences
Version Read: Kindle

The Church of Frendo wasn't the end I wanted to this series. On one hand I love vigilante Quinn. On the other we've got a little children of the corn/the village story going down and. it just didn't hit for me.

We have a new Quinn that the book can't really decide if we should like or not. We have a love interest I guess. And listen, I love exploring religious trauma in horror. But like. I dunno. I found myself just trying to speed read through to the end to see if things start to resemble the first two novels and it never quite does. Tabitha is neat. There is a certain amount of horror watching your loved ones fall into zealotry but even that can't save the story and we're left with teases of a potential sequel over a satisfying conclusion. 2/5

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · 14d

For some reason #FrendoLives doesn't seem to be as popular as the first Clown in a Cornfield book, but I think it improves it in every area. The story is bigger, gorier, and more dangerous than ever. Do you think it suffers from middle movie syndrome? #bookreview #ClownInACornfield #horror #clowns

the cover of Clown in a Cornfield 2: frendo lives by adam cesare in front of velvet movie theater seats

Genre: YA Horror
Strengths: improved pacing, tense environment
Version read: Kindle

I love a book that takes a swing on conspiracy theorists and "truthers." In my opinion Frendo Lives improves almost every aspect of Clown in a Cornfield. The kills are better, the commentary more biting, and overall more compelling.

In a small town it feels like you're always being watched or talked about. That feeling explodes exponentially as the outside world becomes obsessed with the events of the first book and it makes every setting feel unsafe. Quinn, Rust, and Cole might not be as defenseless anymore, but when every stranger could potentially be a dangerous Frendo fanatic there are few limits to how much brutality will follow. 4/5

1

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · 15d

I think #ClownInACornfield is actually a lot of fun! It can be a little silly at times, but I think it's self aware enough to still make a couple solid points. If I had to choose between this and the movie I think I'd take the book, but clowns are popular right now so why not watch both?

The cover of Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare in front of a picture of a cornfield

Genre: YA Horror
Strengths: Familiar Tropes, camp
Version Read: Kindle

I had a surprising amount of fun with Clown in a Cornfield. It's silly, it's campy. For all intents and purposes it's the equivalent of a good popcorn movie- light, kind of predictable, and just the right amount of violent. Is it silly to have a bunch of adults form a killer mob while wearing clown masks because a couple kids are being annoying/disrespectful? Sure. Could I see this happening in a small town devastated by late stage capitalism and fear mongering targeted towards younger generations? I'm starting to think so more every day. Kids everywhere are just trying to survive in a world becoming more on fire- in Kettle Springs they just also have to deal with creepy clowns. 3/5

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · 19d

T. Kingfisher is another author whose works I have fallen in love with recently. #WhatFeastsAtNight is an excellent addition to the Sworn Soldier series and I cannot wait for the third book to come out. If you like cold, dark, and folksy fairytales this is the book for you. #bookreview #swornsolider

The cover of What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher in front of a snowy background

GENRE: FOLK HORROR
STRENGTHS: CREATURE DESIGN, BODY HORROR, PACING
VERSION READ: KINDLE

I really enjoyed the first Sworn Soldier book and had high expectations with What Feasts at Night. I'm happy to say that I like this entry just as much. Alex Easton is a really interesting character, and in many ways feels out of place no matter where they go. Easton is haunted by ghosts of lore and war alike, and if it weren't for ka's friends and adaptability might not have survived either. Folk horror is always really interesting to me, especially when it clashes/meshes into christian mythology. The Moroi is creepy, the body horror intense, and the choking fog ever present, making this a quick/intense read.
4/5

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · 19d

I saw The Vegetarian in every book store I went to last year, and it may have been one of the most uncomfortable stories I read (that's a good thing) The Vegetarian is a biting commentary on loneliness, violence, and misogyny. It's unsettling and worth a read!

The cover of the vegetarian by Han Kang in front of a city at night

Genre: Modern Horror
Strengths: Atmosphere, Multi-perspective stories and social commentary
Version Read: Kindle

Unsettling is the best way to describe this collection of stories. The Vegetarian made me uncomfortable with its unflinching approach to violence, lust, and societal expectations. The oppressive way generational trauma and misogyny affects our characters is brutal.

In general I'd say I'm not a huge fan of stories that are exercises in cynicism/suffering. And as interesting as the story is there were sections that I found myself reading multiple times so I could understand visually what had just happened- something about the format kept tripping me up. I think the Vegetarian handles its themes very well, it just wasn't necessarily the book for me. 3/5

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · 22d

How your email finds me

A small round fae looking vacantly ahead. Text reads no thoughts head empty

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · 22d

As someone who has watched every Scooby-Doo movie/special, I feel like I'm in a special position to review this. Meddling Kids sure is something. It's weird but not horror weird, more like "my mom heard this is gay so she bought it for me and she's not WRONG, but she's also not entirely right"

The cover of Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero in front of a purple, swampy background

Genre: Horror/Comedy
Strengths: creature design, 70s and 90s nostalgia.
Version Read: Kindle

It took me a couple of tries to get through Meddling Kids. the whole mental health facility chapter gave me an ick that made me put it down. using "era-appropriate" but offensive terms always gives me weird vibes. But after some convincing I gave it another try. And I don't HATE it. The creature descriptions and action sequences are fun and gruesome. It has moments that capture that monster-of-the-week nostalgia. But man.
I genuinely cannot tell who this book is written for sometimes, ESPECIALLY in regards to its more queer aspects. The villain is genderfluid kind of? There are multiple times characters ask if the butch lesbian is trans, not in a mean way but in a we always kind of expected this way. And the sapphic overtones pay tribute to Velma & Daphne but also goes out of its way to be like I'm not gay but I love you and want to make out. It's bizarre. It's giving misinformed ally.

It just made me want to rewatch Mystery Incorporated which does a better job of tying the eldritch to the Saturday morning cartoon feeling. 3/5

2

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · 24d

I think it's safe to say I didn't enjoy Stolen Tongues as much as booktok. It would make for a great short story, but with its pacing and the way it falls into the Magical Indigenous Person trope I just couldn't vibe with it. An effort was made, but there are better versions of this story out there.

The cover of Stolen Tongues by Felix Blackwell is in front of a snowy cabin

Genre: Supernatural Horror
Strengths: Strong Opening
Version Read: Audiobook

Listened to the audio version of stolen tongues during a road trip. I didn’t dislike it, but having a repetitive story play out while crossing the plains of Texas (THAT ALL LOOKS THE SAME) put me in a dissociative state that it’s taken me months to come back to review it.

Stolen Tongues starts off solid, its short story roots really showing off its strengths, but at a certain point it just kind of falls flat, managing to make a quick upturn towards the end.

I think it also goes without saying that a lot of the indigenous representation in this book is iffy at best. There’s an extensive afterword where Blackwell discusses his struggle to write this story without appropriating native culture, but again it kind of trips over itself using colonizing tropes both with its imagery and characters. 2/5

1

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · 26d

Ryan La Sala's #thedeadofsummer was one of my most anticipated books of 2025, and frankly, it rules. Give me more ocean-based body horror and survivalist drag queens please. The only downside to finishing it so quickly is now I've got to wait for the sequel. #bookreview #horror #ecohorror

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · 28d

YOOOOOO! Okay but the vinyl figures are also cute oh no

1 1

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · 28d

I love sci-fi horror and Dead Silence hits every right note for me. Equal parts Dead Space and Ghost Ship, it was something I couldn't put down. Give me more anti-capitalist space horror, it's fun, it's creepy, and I enjoyed every bit of it. #horror #bookreview

Fae's vtuber model next to the cover of Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes

i'm a slut for space horror. that's all there is to it. Dead Silence has Dead Space atmosphere, a blue collar Alien crew, and is a great time (for the reader) throughout. I couldn't put Dead Silence down. Claire is a great lead. Adding supernatural elements and actual ghosts to a sci-fi horror might feel like putting a hat on a hat to some people, but I loved it. The mystery of the Aurora is one that sent me immediately spiraling into conspiracy theory mode, and I was mostly right which was especially pleasing. Dead Silence is just good, creepy, fun. 5/5

1 3

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · Sep 23

Yesss they had two different color ones not too long ago on Mondo! Looks like they’re planning a restock soon too

A screenshot of the over the garden wall vinyl and music book

2 1

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · Sep 22

Not enough birds for me. Did you know the concept art for the creatures in the netflix adaptation depicts them as gross grey babies? how am I supposed to be afraid when that's all i can think of now? Is the sequel worth checking out I'm GENUINELY asking. I think the birdbox challenge was worse

Fae's vtuber model next to the cover of bird box by josh malerman

I didn't think I would enjoy the structure of Bird Box, but I think for the most part it works really well. I've always been a big believer that fear of the unknown is a greater tool than any visual or literary depiction. We're naturally inclined to imagine the things we feel most scared of, the things that will make us most anxious. Which makes me wish I enjoyed the overall product more than I actually did. While I think the asychronist narrative works, I found that there were some pacing issues and a bit more fluff than was necessary. You could argue that floaty, timeless, feeling is representative of how our cast feels inside their house, but I was more interested in the survival aspects. the climax is heart-wrenching, I just think it took a bit too long to get there. also the creatures were almost long babies in the movies but they were too funny looking. so. there's that if you're curious. (i will be reading the sequel) 3/5

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · Sep 22

Oh it’s such a fun series! I couldn’t help getting the vinyl when it came out

1 1

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · Sep 22

Just wanna do her proud

A selfie of fae wearing goth makeup and a shirt with a cutout on the chest

A mirror selfie of fae. They have on a long sleeve shirt with multiple cutouts, a studded belt, and black jeans

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · Sep 22

Need to know y’all’s favorite video essays pls

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · Sep 21

Gotta love a good anthology, and Never Whistle at Night hits all the right notes for me. It's hard to pick a single favorite out of the 26 options, but each one has its own flavor of horror, mythology, and lessons. The audiobook is great too. I have so many new authors and artists to check out now

Fae's Vtuber model next to the cover of Never Whistle at Night: an Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology

It's hard to concisely write down my thoughts on Never Whistle at Night. It may be one of the most in-depth anthologies I've ever read, or at least listened to. It's a collection that thrives within the multitude of horror sub-genres, and while I love a good gore-fest it was often the stories that were more overtly political, proud, and defiant that resonated with me. Rage is a key component in a lot of these stories, and it's justified.

Some of my favorites were: Kushtuka, Navajos Don't Wear Elk Teeth, Tick Talk, Snakes are Born in the Dark, The Longest Street in the World

Honestly it's just so good it's hard to pick. 4/5

1 1

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · Sep 20

I've never read a book yank the proverbial football away from me at the last second like #WeUsedToLiveHere. Did I enjoy it? Yes I thought it was unsettling and I read it in one sitting. DID I APPRECIATE THE ENDING NO I DID NOT. I'd understand if there was never a sequel published, but... please?

Fae's vtuber model next to the cover of we used to live here by Marcus Kliewer

I almost read this book in its entirety in one sitting. The mystery of the old house combined with the creepy atmosphere and odd happenings had me wanting to know more with each page. And then we got to the ending. And I wouldn't say it's "bad" necessarily it was just kind of. Underwhelming? Maybe disappointing. It teases you with the prospect of there being more to the story, but as is it kind of left a sour taste in my mouth. And while I didn't necessarily like the conclusion I don't think it goes far enough to ruin the rest of the book by any means. I felt similar to the characters in the interstitial chapters, wanting to dive into reddit theories/creepypastas to find out if there was more behind closed doors and I think that's what makes We Used to Live Here worth reading 4/5

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · Sep 18

I wasn't sure the #southernreach trilogy needed another story but I'm glad we have one! Absolution may not be everyone's cup of tea- its three stories vary in tone/horror/absurdism but I love this series with my whole heart. I also got my copy signed so I may be a bit biased. #bookreview

Fae's Vtuber Model next to the cover of Absolution by Jeff Vandermeer

If ever there were a series I would want other people to theorize or do a deep dive on it would be the Southern Reach novels. The Area X books are some of my favorite entries in cosmic/eco-horror. I didn't ever think we would ever get another addition, and it sounded like Jeff VandeerMeer didn't either but thankfully here we are.

If you're hoping this provides clear cut reason for why/how Area X became the way it is you might be disappointed. In some ways Absolution presents more questions than answers, all trapped behind the red tape at Central, but it's a facet of the world that I still enjoy. Like his other works, this story demands your attention. The Lowry section can be a bit of a slog to get through, but it also provides some of the more horrific encounters within Area X that I find particularly fun to read. I don't know if we'll ever get another entry into this series, or if we even need one, but I was glad to be a part of it. 4/5

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · Sep 17

Hehehehehehehehe

Fae is holding a copy of the dead of summer by Ryan la sala and you weren’t meant to be human by Andrew Joseph white

1

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · Sep 16

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter is SO COOL. I'm a sucker for vampire stories (ha) and the way this story blends mythology with classic vampire tropes had me immediately hooked. Gory, tragic, and so much fun, I think this might be Stephen Graham Jones' best work. #bookreview #horror #vampires

god this book is cool. I love the framing device of the Buffalo Hunter Hunter. Good Stab as a character rules. His story is tragic and righteous and he ranks among my favorite vampires in fiction. The action sequences in this book are great. The crumbs leading us to its final conclusion are compelling, and the reveals highlight the many injustices caused by unremarkable men. If you're going to read The Buffalo Hunter Hunter you're going to have to acknowledge the atrocities committed by colonization in the US and feel that anger and loss. The real horror isn't in the supernatural.

The tonal shift in the modern portion of this story towards the end was unexpected. It's a different flavor of body horror and the writing feels very similar to My Heart is a Chainsaw - manic and all over the place, which didn't quite hit for me. It's a minor gripe because I think the ending itself is satisfying, I just missed the historical setting

Do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK 5/5

1

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · Sep 15

Hope you're ready for mostly #horror reviews because it is in fact Halloween season. #ThisCursedHouse was one of the last books I read in 2024 and it was one I thought about for a long while after. There are so many turns through fear, anger, and grief that make it so compelling.

Fae's Vtuber model next to the cover of This Cursed House by Del Sandeen

More than anything I think This Cursed House is kind of heartbreaking. The number of times it gets your hope up that something good will happen it immediately comes crashing down. The idea of forgiveness being something for your own benefit rather than the reconciliation of familial bonds also hits heavy. A large part of me did not want Jemma to let go of her anger for the sake of small, petty, people. The acts of violence born from slavery, colorism and the elder Duchon's need to assimilate/separate themselves are brutal. I don't know if I could take the same steps as Jemma, and this story could've ended in so many ways- forgiveness, retribution, apathy. The moral complications are as murky as the surrounding woods. 4/5

2

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · Sep 4

#AGGGTM review pt 2

1

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · Sep 4

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder capitalizes on the trend of small town true crime content and evolves it into justifiable rage. I really liked #AGGGTM, especially once it shakes off its high school setting. It has one of the most satisfying conclusions to a story. I give it a WHAT? HELL YEAH! WHAT?

Fae's Vtuber model next to the cover of a good girl's guide to murder by Holly Jackson

It is with slight shame that I admit to being a true crime fan for a time. Serial changed the game when it comes to crime related media, and in particular launched a wave of podcasts attempting to follow in its path. I thought about it a lot while listening to a Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, which isn’t something I can say for most mystery/thriller books, even those geared towards adults. AGGGTM has its fair share of twists and turns and truly gruesome moments.

Pip is a great lead, and it’s easy to forget she’s just a kid. Truly the only parts I “dislike” come from her more childish peers/friends who can’t reach her maturity. Her relationship with her family/ravi and the town are what keep the story going (while tampering her more self destructive qualities), and once the story had a grip on me I couldn’t let go. 4/5

Fae's Vtuber model next to the cover of Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

If AGGGTM’s roots can be found in shows like Serial, Good Girl Bad Blood pulls more from morally grey noir films and stories.

I also think if Pip were a less empathetic person she might have an easier time in life. Truth and justice are great motivators, but when things start to become more grey we really see her faith in those systems start to fade, which culminates fully in book 3. Her reluctance to throw herself into another case versus her inability to not help people makes her kind of a tragic hero.

Good Girl, Bad blood is a fine mystery. It’s just as engaging as AGGGTM, propelling the reader further towards its conclusion, but it’s definitely got middle movie syndrome. Its intention is to set up a darker finale, making the final beats of this entry important but the moments just before it a bit abrupt. I think if I’d written this review immediately after finishing the book I might feel differently, but having finished the series it’s a stepping stone more than anything. 4/5

2 3

Fae! @acryptidcutie.bsky.social · Aug 30

It’s the final week of my workout plan!

It’s tricky to say how I feel. I’m a bit heavier than when I started but I’m also feeling pretty strong. I don’t focus on my own weight, just feeling good. Might try to see what my new three rep max is soon 👀
#powerlifting #fitnessprogress #lgbtqfitness