8-10-25 — Christina Critiques

Happy Sunday! There’s too much goodness below so let’s skip the chit chat and get to them.

PTO

By: RJ Roles and Jessica Roles

Release: 7/15/25

Page count: 85

KU: Yes   Hoopla: No

Synopsis: Maria is the best PTO President… at least until the evil, calculating Bethany shows up and tries to prove that she can do everything better.

First line: “Maria was about to the call the meeting to order when the door to the auditorium swung open, drawing everyone’s attention as a woman strolled in carrying an obscenely large purse on her arm and an iced coffee so big it could have filled an Olympic swimming pool.”

Favorite line: “… law ain’t found no one out in that field yet.”

Thoughts: PTO makes me remember why I’m not a part of an organization like that. All of the peacocking and pettiness, “Who you know”, and well, other parents to be honest, are drags. Add in a horror element and that’s a double pass. Both Roles give us a creepy, ire-inducing rollercoaster of a chapbook. It’s also funny how a few names (and personality traits) can be seen in the characters. Make sure to come to the next PTO meeting, you never know when there will be a mutiny for top spot.

Rating: 5/5

Other recommendations: NECRONADO, PIECES OF ME

Find it here: https://a.co/d/be0F3eY

EARLY REVIEW

OLD HAUNTS

By: Nathan D. Ludwig and Mark Towse

Release: 8/15/25

Page count: 158

KU: TBD         Hoopla: TBD

Synopsis: Twin psychics must rid themselves of an old enemy by utilizing the “brains and brawn” of three ex-convicts turned ghost hunters. What could possibly go wrong?

First line: “The expectant, worry-filled eyes of Mr. and Mrs. Denderson affix on Sofia, sending her skin into a tizzy of goose flesh and impending doom.”

Favorite line: “Dum. Dum. Dum. That’s not for tension; that’s just my overall opinion of Brucey Boy.”

Thoughts: I haven’t laughed this much through a book in a long time. Between the hilarious ex-convict banter and the oddly wholesome characters (not the psychics…), to the side eyes you give to certain characters, OLD HAUNTS is a super fun read. The last third of the book I read so damn quick because I had to know what was about to happen. A great author team up that I hope to see more of in the future.

Rating: 5/5

Other recommendations: Nathan - LOVE POTION #666, Mark - NANA

Find it here: https://a.co/d/esy1cFD

BREEDING GROUND

By: S.C. Mendes

Release: 12/8/24

Page count: 50

KU: Yes          Hoopla: No

Synopsis: Trying to salvage their called off engagement, Lexi and Brandon have escaped into a secluded camp for the weekend. They will both find out that working through their problems will be the easiest part of their stay.

First line: “ ‘Is that…?’ Excitement filled Brandon’s voice.”

Favorite line: “Meet the condom plant.”

Thoughts: A bit of body horror mixed with a wee bit of educating the masses? How can you go wrong?! Personally, none. The characters in the novella? Really wrong. Mendes gives us a story of a couple struggling to reconnect until the bitter end. Under all of the blood and whatnot, is a sad story that will resonate with many readers in one way or another. I do wish it was a bit longer as the middle felt just a bit rushed.

Rating: 4/5

Other recommendations: THE CITY, LITTLE SEASON

Find it here: https://a.co/d/6M1ystD

ONE OF THE DEAD

By: Richard Farren Barber

Release: 3/19/24

Page count: 131

KU: Yes      Hoopla: No

Synopsis: Nick can see dead people. There is a problem though, his superpower doesn’t make him anything near a superhero. Will he be able to save the one he loves?

First line: “A security guard in a black uniform ushered a gang of teenagers away from the steps of the council house.”

Favorite line: “I’m not afraid of you.”

Thoughts: Nick is THE most infuriating character I have ever read! He made my blood boil from his first moment on the page to the last. What is the use of having a superpower if you are the world’s most useless person? Every single, solitary decision that man made increased my blood pressure. How Barber wrote one of the worst characters is astounding and a testament to his craft. I had this as a 5/5 but it’s too good for that so I changed it.

Rating: 6/5

Other recommendations: TWENTY YEARS DEAD

Find it here: https://a.co/d/4NUQURL

DEAD SCALP (BARK BITES HORROR)

By: Jasper Bark

Release: 7/29/25

Page count: 73

KU: Yes       Hoopla: No

Synopsis: James in on the run from the law and his only way to survive is in Dead Scalp. But he happens to bring some extra tomfoolery to the supernatural laws of the land.

First line: “Clem cleared his throat.”

Favorite line: “Good, now let’s get the here out of here. I got whores to fuck and whiskey to drink.”

Thoughts: While I do not have trichophobia (the fear of hair), I am extremely grossed out by loose or strays hairs.  And this damned novella is full of them. And scalping. And even a hair meat puppet - ugh! These outlaws forget the lawd of the supernatural and they pay for it. Bark gives us one hell of a Splatterwestern, one that the reader will not soon forget.

Rating: 4/5

Other recommendations: DRAWN IN, FINAL CUT

Find it here: https://a.co/d/02hUpAY