Month: May 2022

Book Review: The Witches of Harbour by Sian B. Claven

The Witches of Harbour
Series: Hex Duology #1 (Prequel to Hex)
Author: Sian B. Claven

Published: March 15, 2020
198 Pages

Reviewed By: Kim
Kim’s Rating: 4.5 stars

Book Description:

Harbour is a quiet small town with a big bad secret.

Sara doesn’t understand why she is running away in the cover of darkness from her hometown, or who the baby is that her mother is giving her to care for, but she trusts her mother enough to leave and not look back.

Christine knows that there may be a time that Sara is convinced to come back so she pens a letter to her explaining Harbour’s well kept secret, so her daughter can understand why she and the baby are in danger.

It all started years ago…

A prequel to Hex.

Kim’s Review:

Another great one by Claven! This is the prequel to Hex so of course I had to read it first. And now I can’t wait to read Hex! This was a very unique story that I felt I hadn’t read before. But let’s start with that half star: the character names got a little confusing. I felt like Christine would randomly mention a name and I had no idea who she was talking about. However, I think a chart would fix this … I’m all about charts! This also became a little bit of a problem once the resolution hit, but I also can’t really talk much about that cuz I don’t wanna give it away! Thankfully, everything made sense and I didn’t notice any loose ends. The plot was quick and engaging and I spent the book trying to work it out in my head before everything worked out. I didn’t, but that’s the sign of a good mystery! The characters were interesting and dynamic and I liked watching them grow and change throughout the story. The fact that I’m so excited to read the next book in the series shows how great this one is!!

Excellent book and I recommend it to any horror/thriller fan!

Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

Audiobook Review: Sylvana by Sian. B Claven

Sylvana
Series: The Butcher #3
Author: Sian B. Claven

Narrator: Jacq Ainsworth
Audiobook

Reviewed By: Jessica
Date Read: May 13, 2022
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars

Book Description:

Diana and Robbie are tired of moving their family of five around. When Robbie is offered a great job, and permanent position, they must find somewhere to stay temporarily while they house hunt. Aware of the gruesome murders that happened in the Metz family house, they move in regardless and instantly regret it. With nowhere to go and no one to turn to, Diana and Robbie must face their greatest horror. A copycat killer starts to strike around their neighbourhood, just like the Butcher once did, and Diana’s family seems to be right in the centre of it.

Where is Sylvana when her tenants need answers?

The Butcher might just strike them where it hurts most before they get the answers they seek.

Jessica’s Review:

Sylvana is the third novel in the Butcher series as the story continues.  If you thought the Butcher was gone after the end of Kallista, you were wrong! The Butcher is back!

Many people have tried to move into the Metz house and failed, and now we have a new family who is temporarily moving in until they can get settled in the area. Uh oh- there were murders in the house: But there is nothing to worry about because the killer is also dead…Or is he?  Diana and Robbie along with their three children are the focus of Sylvana while Sylvana herself is a minor character. No one living or otherwise rests easily in the Metz house. Please keep in mind that there is a paranormal take in this series, it’s not just a serial killer series! 

As with the other novellas in the series, the violence is present and parts are surprising!  It is a quick read/listen and there is seemingly a conclusion as it seemed that Claven was winding down the Butcher series. But surprise: There is one more novel out called The Lady Butcher, so it seems like our killer’s story continues yet again! This last one is not currently available on audio, but I already have it on my kindle. I will be reading this one very soon.

I also have Sylvana on kindle, but Claven was kind enough to send me the audible copy to listen to, which I started right after finishing Kallista.  As with the previous novellas Jacq Ainsworth narrated. While she has done a good job previously, her voice of Charlie rubbed my ears the wrong way.  Yes, Charlie is a small child, but her narration of this character didn’t work for me as Charlie’s voice was irritating for me.  It could be because I do have a hearing issue and the higher octave sounds can hurt my hearing. Otherwise the narration was fine!

I have enjoyed this series and look forward to The Lady Butcher and the final conclusion to the Butcher series. (Or will it be the conclusion???)

Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

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Book Review: Kallista by Sian B. Claven

Kallista
Series: The Butcher #2
Author: Sian B. Claven     

Published: February 15, 2018
Audiobook

Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: May 10-12, 2022
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars

Book Description:

All her life Kalli thought that her sister had lost her mind, seeing a ghost everywhere and associating it with death. Kalli wants her own answers though, and spends her life working towards being granted access to the Butcher files and solving the deaths that rocked their community all those years ago.

Things take a turn for the worst when the haunting figure from her sisters’ twisted mind starts appearing to Kalli and she is left questioning her sanity and whether the Butcher is back.
Kalli must find the answers before it’s too late.

Before she sees the skeleton girl one more time.

Before she meets her own demise.

Jessica’s Review:

I have the whole Butcher series on kindle, but Claven was wonderful enough to send me Kallista on audio as I can get to audiobooks much quicker than kindle or physical books due to my daily commute. My review for the first in the series, Tatum, is here.

Kallista is the second in the Butcher series and takes place 10 years after the events of Tatum. Kallista (Kalli) is determined to find the Butcher and is working to become a profiler and we go on this journey with her!  We have two pov: Kalli and The Butcher himself!  I was invested in the whole story, and cannot decide which pov I preferred! I was rooting for Kalli but loved getting into the disturbing and depraved mind of The Butcher. And I was dying of curiosity the whole novel: Just WHO is The Butcher?!!??!!?

Besides the mystery of The Butcher, we have a horror and thriller novel with paranormal take on it that will keep you reading. I also enjoyed this as we see that the skeleton girl is back! Just an FYI:  This series deals with an extremely disturbing serial killer and Claven doesn’t hold back with the violence and goriness as she tells us her tale, so reader prepare yourself.  But I can’t help that I enjoy the dark and disturbing!  

I really enjoyed everything about this continuing story. Kallista kept building to a very intense climax and just when you think the story is over, Claven comes back with one more “gotcha” moment! I can’t wait to see where the series goes next, and thankfully Claven also sent me the audio of the third novel: Sylvana, so I can start it right away!

Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK

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