Rachel Schommer Reviews: 8.25.25

I apologize for my absence. The past couple of months have been...well, something. I'm full of anger and apparently my reading has reflected that. If you're in the mood for some good ol' feminine rage, my reviews this week are for you.

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BLOOD CYPRESS by Elizabeth Broadbent

1. Holy schnikes, this has stuck with me in all the saddest ways possible, I’ll be forwarding my  therapy bills to Broadbent. In all seriousness this was my favorite read of April, and my favorite horror read of the second quarter of this year.

2. I’m not typically a Southern Gothic fan that I know of, but I am a huge fan Blood Cypress, so maybe I am?! I’m a sucker for anything that takes place in or around swamp land as I find it such a creepy setting for so many reasons, not least of those reasons are gators.

3. If you grew up in a less-than-ideal family situation, this might be up your alley. Check content warnings though, as there is some tough subject matter.

4. Lila, our FMC is a complete badass. She’s going to do all the things that the men in her life are too weak or lazy to do, and she’s going to do it with attitude. Everything is stacked against her in life: being a woman in the south, her family situation, her sexuality, but she refuses to let any of it get in her way and I admire the hell outta her for that.

5. I thought it was unique how this story was told. It’s a conversation between 2 women, but the main storyline is from Lila’s POV. There’s an ancillary story between the 2 women that doesn’t end happily, so if you’re in need of any sort of happy ending, you’re going to need to look elsewhere.

HIGHLY recommend, but be ready to be emotionally devastated.

Find it here: Amazon.com: Blood Cypress (Selected Papers from the Consortium for the Study of Anomalous Phenomena Book 7) eBook : Broadbent, Elizabeth: Kindle Store

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AN EXCELLENT HOST by Chelsea G. Summers

1. Read this in 1 sitting, but it is only 51 pages so that’s nothing to brag about unless you, like me, struggle with attention and sitting still for long periods of time. I flew through this, it was super engrossing and written in a way that was easy to devour.

2. Feminism, wine, friendship, and rage were presented in a beautifully horrific way. A way that had me wishing for a whole new friend group 😉    

3. If you’re a woman who has ever asked yourself ‘why are men?’ then this one is for you.

I recommend!

Find it here: An Excellent Host — Unnamed Press