Horror Aficionados discussion

Our secondary read this month is Broken Monsters! Please be courteous and use spoiler tags, preceded by page #, chapter name or number, so everyone knows where you are before clicking. Thanks and enjoy!

For our group readers, we have a poll for you take! Please come and be heard. :)
https://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/1...

I want to read this but I'm just not sure about paying that price for a book I don't know if I will like. I checked my local libraries and they did not have it. oh well. maybe next time. I voted on the poll. I think that would be fun!

Thank you for voting, Latasha.

I know what you mean about these book prices. Sometimes, I have to sit out certain reads, but it's all good. It's not like we don't have anything else to read, right?

Lol, right!

I usually vote for ones that are free on Kindle Unlimited, but this is one I thought was interesting so I used my gift card (that I keep stocked for books/movies) :)
So I will be joining this read YAY!

♣Stephanie♣ wrote: "I usually vote for ones that are free on Kindle Unlimited, but this is one I thought was interesting so I used my gift card (that I keep stocked for books/movies) :)
So I will be joining this read ..."

Whoohoo, then, Stephanie! we're glad to have you!

I've gotten started on the book but haven't had much time to read so I'm only on pg 40. Seems like something weird might be about to happen.

I'm just starting this. I used my audible credit and got it on narration. It's a great audio version if anyone wants to take that route.

I have a bunch of books by this author that I keep meaning to read. So I was hoping this would win just to give me that push.

I was lucky to get a copy of this one from my library. Hoping to start in a week or two...

On pg 74, and so far this is pretty good.

I'm liking this so far. I'm only on page 20, but it's definitely reeling me in.

H.M wrote: "I'm just starting this. I used my audible credit and got it on narration. It's a great audio version if anyone wants to take that route."

My library had the audio. I'm at 10% but so far it is very well done.

11811 (Eleven) wrote: "H.M wrote: "I'm just starting this. I used my audible credit and got it on narration. It's a great audio version if anyone wants to take that route."

My library had the audio. I'm at 10% but so fa..."

I forgot to pick my copy of this and KOKO up today...have to wait until Monday now.

Kimberly wrote: " forgot to pick my copy of this and KOKO up today...have to wait until Monday now. ..."

My library copy of Koko looks like it was published centuries ago and since read by millions. It's one of those paperback size hardcovers, I don't know if there's a word for those, and the pages are borderline brittle. The Dead Sea Scrolls are in better shape than this thing.

Random and off topic but I felt like sharing.

11811 (Eleven) wrote: "Kimberly wrote: " forgot to pick my copy of this and KOKO up today...have to wait until Monday now. ..."

My library copy of Koko looks like it was published centuries ago and since read by million..."

LOL! That's exactly what my copy of GHOST STORY looked like--I even had to duct tape the binding for them. ;)

Kimberly wrote: "11811 (Eleven) wrote: "Kimberly wrote: " forgot to pick my copy of this and KOKO up today...have to wait until Monday now. ..."

My library copy of Koko looks like it was published centuries ago an..."

There should be a warning label: "God knows how many people touched this so, if you get Smallpox or the Black Plague, don't say we didn't warn you."

The daughter Cayla (not sure how it's spelt as I'm listening to the audio) is a bit annoying, but I guess she's just a teenager!

Just started it this morning. Not sure how I feel about it yet, but it certainly is interesting.

H.M wrote: "The daughter Cayla (not sure how it's spelt as I'm listening to the audio) is a bit annoying, but I guess she's just a teenager!"

The daughter's name is Layla. And I think she's a bit annoying too but as you said, she's a teenager.

WendyB wrote: "H.M wrote: "The daughter Cayla (not sure how it's spelt as I'm listening to the audio) is a bit annoying, but I guess she's just a teenager!"

The daughter's name is Layla. And I think she's a bit..."

Oh yeah, sorry.

I gave this more of a read while I was out because I went and got the ebook too. I'm up to page 66. I really like it, but there's quite a few characters to keep track of. I'm not great at remembering names lol!

Almost forgot to start this today! LOL. Had read a couple chapters in 2014--it's one of the 4 or so from 2014 I really want to read..

H.M wrote: "WendyB wrote: "H.M wrote: "The daughter Cayla (not sure how it's spelt as I'm listening to the audio) is a bit annoying, but I guess she's just a teenager!"

The daughter's name is Layla. And I th..."

My library surprisingly had this in three formats so I got the ebook too. The clap clap stomp part was annoying in the audio.

oh heck, the clap clap stomp was annoying in print. Does anyone actually do that in school?

My library actually had this book, so I get to join in on a group read for the first time! Just picked it up yesterday and haven't yet started, but it looks interesting from the synopsis.

Good for you, Kelly!:)

18% (view spoiler)[I can't believe someone investigating a crime would ask "how hard is it to get a nail gun?" It's like asking how hard it is to get a power drill or how hard is it to shop at Wal-Mart. (hide spoiler)]

WendyB wrote: "oh heck, the clap clap stomp was annoying in print. Does anyone actually do that in school?"

I really hope not lol!

11811 (Eleven) wrote: "18% [spoilers removed]"


I had exactly that same thought

I'm about 7% in and liking it so far, although some of the dialogue and cutesy chapter titles like "Last night a DJ saved my life" make me wonder if this book is targeted toward a younger demographic. Very intrigued by the bizarre murder mystery that pops up in the first chapter. I think the recovering addict (the repo guy in the foreclosed house) is my favorite character so far. And I like the economically-depressed Detroit backdrop. This seems like one of those books where the setting is a major element of the story and almost a main character in itself.

Andy wrote: "I'm about 7% in and liking it so far, although some of the dialogue and cutesy chapter titles like "Last night a DJ saved my life" make me wonder if this book is targeted toward a younger demograph..."

I'm at 30% and still keep thinking YA but no one shelved it as that. Yet.

Was I that annoying as a teenager? If so, someone should have kicked my ass. These teen chapters are giving me a migraine.

I'm at 55% and definitely would not characterize this as YA. It seems to me to be related thematically (animal/human hybridization) to Beukes's Zoo City; has anybody else read that? I liked Zoo City, and am enjoying Broken Monsters, much more than Shining Girls, which got all the critical love.

Im finishing Bird Box and will then start on this. I'll be playing catch up a little later in the month.

WendyB wrote: "oh heck, the clap clap stomp was annoying in print. Does anyone actually do that in school?"

I thought the same thing! Acting exercises can be weird sometimes, but this one just seems dumb and pointless.

I just started - thank Amazon for the Cloud Reader! Now I can read at work while it's slow and not look like I'm staring at my phone all day. LOL.

Already - so many characters... wow... my brain might melt LOL.


WendyB wrote: "oh heck, the clap clap stomp was annoying in print. Does anyone actually do that in school?"


I think it's just b/c they are in a theater "school"....

Andy wrote: "I'm about 7% in and liking it so far, although some of the dialogue and cutesy chapter titles like "Last night a DJ saved my life" make me wonder if this book is targeted toward a younger demograph..."

Wait until you get to some of the social media parts such as texts between the two teenage girls, etc. I think it works but if you dislike social media, it could definitely be off putting.

I loved Shining Gurls--on the second try at it, couldn't set it down. Not read Zoo City--

11811 (Eleven) wrote: "18% [spoilers removed]"

OMG I just got to this part. Facepalm. LOL

A really enjoyable read, I thought I could predict the ending but I was not even close. I agree there are parts where the writer had to deal with some real issues (such as representing text messages) and I thought she did a great job. After all what contemporary novel can really totally ignore technological communications?

On page 177 and I'm itching to know what (view spoiler)[ these chalk doors are all about (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

I got my copy--probably start next week :)

On pg 131, and there is a feeling of slow, creeping dread. Just get this sense the two girls messing around in online chat rooms is not going to end well, or for that matter, nothing here may end well for any the characters.

H.M wrote: "On page 177 and I'm itching to know what [spoilers removed]"

The first time one is mentioned it was drawn (view spoiler)[at the site of the body of the boy and deer. It was the attempt of the being living in Clayton Broom to find a doorway back to wherever he comes from... (hide spoiler)] I assume all of them have the same meaning but I'm just a few pages behind you so maybe more is said about them that I haven't read yet.

Just finished Bird Box ( 4 stars) so will start this one next. Are you findig it an easy read so far?

Rob wrote: "Just finished Bird Box ( 4 stars) so will start this one next. Are you findig it an easy read so far?"

If you mean that it goes by fast and keeps you interested then yes, absolutely. I didn't want to put it down last night.
Started it yesterday and I'm half way through right now.

Long book, but I like the characters (yes the teens can get annoying, and sometimes they say things I don't really see kids saying - but they also have moments where I see me and my bestie a little (like when they harass each other)) and while the multiple story lines were a little confusing at first, I can see how they are all slowly intertwining as it progresses.

I struggled a bit at the beginning keeping some of the characters straight, especially Layla and Cas and a couple of the men. Not sure if that was on the writer or more because I was so busy... Eventually everyone came clear for me though.

I'm curious if readers are finding the teenagers annoying because they're teenagers or because of the way they're written. To me, they don't seem authentic in their characterizations or dialogue. I'm currently working on an ongoing film project following teens and preteens learning stunts for films. They come from various backgrounds, etc. and none of them act or talk like the girls in Broken Monsters.

But, a lot of the characters in the book seem inauthentic to me. Like when (view spoiler)[Gabi offers to give Layla details of the crime. What cop-or mother even-would do that? Especially with a murder as gruesome as the one in this book. Two of my uncles were police officers and they never talked about cases.

Still, I'm enjoying the book. Reading it every chance I get. (hide spoiler)]

David wrote: "I'm curious if readers are finding the teenagers annoying because they're teenagers or because of the way they're written. To me, they don't seem authentic in their characterizations or dialogue. I..."

Funnily, I started out finding these parts arduous, where Layla narrates. But because of the way the author has handled it, for example blending Layla's thoughts into the rest of the narrative, e.g not continually using, 'she thought', it's starting to feel more intimate and involving.

I haven't actually found any character's inauthentic. I know what you mean about Gabi discussing details with Layla. It doesn't really seem authentic given their strained relationship. Obviously, it's also slightly unprofessional. Which other dialogue are you referring to?

I'd go with annoying because they are teenagers, mostly Cas though. Layla seems like a pretty good kid in a bad situation. As for the dialogue, no teen girls in my life, so can't comment on that!