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nat1577's review
3.0
3.5 stars. I really enjoyed the beginning of this. Obviously it’s very short, but I thought the author did a really good job at introducing the backstory, the main character and the plot in a way that didn’t seem too rushed. It was also really creepy, and the author did a great job at maintaining that feeling of dread and uneasiness throughout most of the story. I would have easily given this story a higher rating if it wasn’t for the ending. I thought that we would eventually reach a moment where everything would tie together, and we would finally find out the significance of the tape. Instead, not only did we not get that, but the events of the final few pages of the book were confusing, and I still can’t figure out what was supposed to be happening.
rock_n_reads's review
4.0
I'm a newbie when it comes to holiday-themed horror, and after reading this chapbook from Kristi DeMeester, I am ready for more! The dedication and the first few lines of the story immediately drew me in, and I couldn't put it down. DeMeester is a master of writing unsettling stories.I had similar feelings with this one as I did while reading her collection "Everything That's Underneath". I enjoyed this story, and thought that the illustrations by Yves Tourigny perfectly added to the creep factor. I've no doubt that this tale will linger in my mind throughout the holiday season. I look forward to reading more from this author and from Tall Hat Press in the future!
raesengele's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
lanternsjourney's review
4.0
This was my first ever chapbook and first time reading Kristi Demeester, which I have heard good things about. I loved the illustrations by Yves Tourigny and thought they really added to the creepiness of the story. The premise was good and the tone was perfect. I loved the whole religious perspective in the beginning. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars was because I thought the ending was a bit underwhelming. I wanted events to turn a little darker than what I was given.
themaddiehatter's review
5.0
"Unmemory" is my second encounter with Kristi DeMeester's writing, after her "YesNoGoodbye" story from the "Tales of a Talking Board" anthology. I had previously liked her writing, so I was very excited when I received this chapbook in the debut horror subscription box, Night Worms.
The plot follows a college girl who needs to write a paper on the way movies affect our lives. She decides to write her paper on a Christmas movie that traumatized her as a young child. As she starts looking for that movie she's led to an encounter that may be one of the most unsettling scenes I've read in a while.
I love how much of a punch this tiny book packs. The story is very atmospheric, and as I was reading I had this sense that something was looming and would pop up any minute. I feel the main character/ narrator was strongly constructed, despite the small number of pages, and I had a strong sense of who she was as I was reading. As the tension built up I was seriously unsettled.
The tone was also set by the gorgeous illustrations by Yves Tourigny. There are only a few of them, but they are beautifully drawn and are very memorable, especially the ones towards the end of the book.
I highly recommend this story for fans of psychological horror or uniquely unsettling stories. I am very pumped for more of DeMeester's books, and I know my wallet will take a hit soon when I go buy the other chapbooks illustrated by Yves Tourigny.
The plot follows a college girl who needs to write a paper on the way movies affect our lives. She decides to write her paper on a Christmas movie that traumatized her as a young child. As she starts looking for that movie she's led to an encounter that may be one of the most unsettling scenes I've read in a while.
I love how much of a punch this tiny book packs. The story is very atmospheric, and as I was reading I had this sense that something was looming and would pop up any minute. I feel the main character/ narrator was strongly constructed, despite the small number of pages, and I had a strong sense of who she was as I was reading. As the tension built up I was seriously unsettled.
The tone was also set by the gorgeous illustrations by Yves Tourigny. There are only a few of them, but they are beautifully drawn and are very memorable, especially the ones towards the end of the book.
I highly recommend this story for fans of psychological horror or uniquely unsettling stories. I am very pumped for more of DeMeester's books, and I know my wallet will take a hit soon when I go buy the other chapbooks illustrated by Yves Tourigny.
motherhorror's review
4.0
4.5!
UNMEMORY has a lot of great things going for it. First of all, it's written by one of the best voices in horror today, Kristi DeMeester. Over the last year or so, I've become quite the fan.
This short story is also packaged in a chapbook format which I think is really collectible and unique-it reminds me of buying singles on vinyl--it's just worth having it as a piece of any horror lover's collection. The design of the chapbook itself and the illustrations all by Yves Tourigny are exceptional. His company, Tall Hat Press, produces other chapbooks as well (something to keep under your hat).
Lastly, Christmas horror. It's great to have some horror that's holiday inspired. I don't know why other than it's just fun to have something seasonal to look forward to each year.
This story had a few flaws but nothing that turned me off--I read this voraciously and was engaged the entire time so I don't have any complaints. It's eerie, disturbing and compelling-one illustration towards the end gave me goosebumps. Seriously creepy.
I loved this little story and it was perfect for our debut Night Worms package.
I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did.
UNMEMORY has a lot of great things going for it. First of all, it's written by one of the best voices in horror today, Kristi DeMeester. Over the last year or so, I've become quite the fan.
This short story is also packaged in a chapbook format which I think is really collectible and unique-it reminds me of buying singles on vinyl--it's just worth having it as a piece of any horror lover's collection. The design of the chapbook itself and the illustrations all by Yves Tourigny are exceptional. His company, Tall Hat Press, produces other chapbooks as well (something to keep under your hat).
Lastly, Christmas horror. It's great to have some horror that's holiday inspired. I don't know why other than it's just fun to have something seasonal to look forward to each year.
This story had a few flaws but nothing that turned me off--I read this voraciously and was engaged the entire time so I don't have any complaints. It's eerie, disturbing and compelling-one illustration towards the end gave me goosebumps. Seriously creepy.
I loved this little story and it was perfect for our debut Night Worms package.
I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did.
readswithdogs's review
5.0
What's creepier than trying to track down the ghost of a memory that scared you badly as a child? Tracking it down and finding out that it wasn't what you thought it was---it's even weirder and more horrifying!😱 This was my first @kdemeester read and the first book I read to get in the mood for the holidays. Unmemory was short and sweet, like licking a candy cane into a spike and cutting your tongue.
[Does anyone else eat candy canes like that or am I just strange?]
This story is going to linger in my brain and work it's way into my dreams, I just know it!
I'm definitely going to be giving Santa figurines a closer look.🔎
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
[Does anyone else eat candy canes like that or am I just strange?]
This story is going to linger in my brain and work it's way into my dreams, I just know it!
I'm definitely going to be giving Santa figurines a closer look.🔎
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5