6-22-25 — Christina Critiques
- Christina Pfeiffer
- Jun 22
- 3 min read
It’s my time to shine! Actually it’s time for these authors and their works to shine. So enough yapping, let’s jump into them.
THE SICK PLACE
By: Bryan Smith
Release: 6/12/25
Page count: 41
KU: Yes Hoopla: No
Synopsis: What happens when you go to a hospital but the doctor’s have taken a different oath - to do ALL the harm?
First line: “She glimpsed lights up ahead, just visible through a space stand of trees as she guided the sputtering old Caprice around yet another bend in the curvy rural road.”
Favorite line: “[name redacted by reviewer]’s head rolled off of the dash and landed on the shotgun seat.”
Thoughts: Forty-seven pages may not seem like a lot but Smith gives us one hell of a world building and character development. While gory, it’s not the main point of the story, the fear of what’s down the next hallway, around the nurse’s stations, or hiding the patient’s rooms are the points. I REALLY hope we get more from this world. I would love to know more about the “pets” and the nurse.
Rating: 5/5
Other recommendations: DIRTY ROTTEN HIPPIES, THE LAST OF THE RAVAGERS
BOOKS OF BLOOD - Volume 3
By: Clive Barker
Release: 3/19/13
Page count: 244
KU: No Hoopla: No
Synopsis: Five stories featuring: movies, monsters, revenge, graves, and sculptures.
First line: “Barberio felt fine, despite the bullet.”
Favorite line: “She bounced down the last six steps a corpse.”
Thoughts: While my least favorite so far, it’s still a stellar read. I’m not sure why the stories were harder to keep my attention (except Scape-Goats, which I loved.)
Rating: 4/5
Other recommendations: I will be continuing the series
MIDNIGHT MONSTER MADNESS: First Cumtact/Alienated
By: Vincent V. Cava and James Sabata
Release: 4/15/25
Page count: 53
KU: Yes Hoopla: No
Synopsis: Two very different (and possibly new kinks to unlock) stories with aliens as the centered theme.
First line: “Another cave. Another stupid, goddamn cave.”
Favorite line: “I’m going to fuck it.”
Thoughts: First Cumtact - Lori may be a whiny bitch but he’s a funny one. A fun throwback to sci-fi movies of yesteryears. Think Alien but with tentacle porn.
Alienated - What goes great after your favorite Chinese food? A bullet to the skull of course! Well, not if Nova can hep it. This was oddly heartwarming, sweet, and hilarious.
Rating: 5/5
Other recommendations: Previous three installments of MIDNIGHT MONSTER MADNESS books
ASSORTED CRISIS EVENTS #3
By: Deniz Camp
Release: 5/28/25
Page count: 40
KU: No Hoopla: Yes
Synopsis: Citizens of two parallel universes must learn to live together as one, but things aren’t going to go as planned.
First line: “There once was a town called Hearth.”
Favorite line: “Some kids picked up bad habits to heal with the stress of changing universes.”
Thoughts: This was a fascinating way of showing the immigration issue - both sides of the spectrum. It may hit a bit close to home with the current unrest but it extremely important and relevant. The best of the series so far.
Rating: 5/5
Other recommendations: Issue #1
CHAPBOOK SERIES
BABY NEEDS CONTENT
By: Ira Rat
Release: Unknown
Page count: 24
KU: No Hoopla: No
Synopsis: Twenty-four poems ranging from thoughts on modern art, philosophical questioning of Kafka, to the relatability of the movie Scanners.
First line: “Get Rich Now/Through Modern Art”
Favorite line: “Fuck, there goes my sales.”
Thoughts: Ira is definitely a new obsession. I have no idea who this author is but I’m so glad they are writing so I can fangirl over someone new. Each poem is meant to be humorous in a way but also explores depth in each line. Poetry like BABY NEEDS CONTENT reminds me of visceral poetic talent what often lacks in modern poetry.
Rating: 5/5
Other recommendations: HAIRS, GODDAMN FAILURE
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