Scan barcode
drbswa's review against another edition
4.0
I want to start this review by providing full disclosure that this book falls outside of my normal genre preferences, as I spend most of my time reading science fiction, fantasy, and non-fiction. That being send, Face the Night succeeded in introducing me to the world of supernatural thrillers and tickling my curiosity enough to explore this area some more.
I wish to avoid spoilers of the novel for anyone else who wishes to read Mr. Lastufka's debut novel, so rest assured there will be none here. The novel itself tells a compelling story of characters in Cellar, a small town in the 80s where nothing much happens, but a darkness lurks beneath the surface. While the main character, Addie, left a bit to be desired in terms of being an interesting character, many well-developed side characters help pick up her slack. A few of them are fully formed and presented well enough that I could see them featured in their own stories down the road and would gladly read them.
The book isn't without its moments that shine a light on this being a debut novel, such as the occasional bits of over-exposition from characters or head-hopping in the narrative, but it was never enough to pull me out of the story completely.
t is clear the author poured himself heavily into this self-published book, from designing the cover art to handling all of the promotion, and I respect that a great deal. At the end of the day, I enjoyed this novel a good amount and it left me excited to see what Mr. Lastufka will write next.
I wish to avoid spoilers of the novel for anyone else who wishes to read Mr. Lastufka's debut novel, so rest assured there will be none here. The novel itself tells a compelling story of characters in Cellar, a small town in the 80s where nothing much happens, but a darkness lurks beneath the surface. While the main character, Addie, left a bit to be desired in terms of being an interesting character, many well-developed side characters help pick up her slack. A few of them are fully formed and presented well enough that I could see them featured in their own stories down the road and would gladly read them.
The book isn't without its moments that shine a light on this being a debut novel, such as the occasional bits of over-exposition from characters or head-hopping in the narrative, but it was never enough to pull me out of the story completely.
t is clear the author poured himself heavily into this self-published book, from designing the cover art to handling all of the promotion, and I respect that a great deal. At the end of the day, I enjoyed this novel a good amount and it left me excited to see what Mr. Lastufka will write next.
danielbeer's review against another edition
4.0
I want to start this review by providing full disclosure that this book falls outside of my normal genre preferences, as I spend most of my time reading science fiction, fantasy, and non-fiction. That being send, Face the Night succeeded in introducing me to the world of supernatural thrillers and tickling my curiosity enough to explore this area some more.
I wish to avoid spoilers of the novel for anyone else who wishes to read Mr. Lastufka's debut novel, so rest assured there will be none here. The novel itself tells a compelling story of characters in Cellar, a small town in the 80s where nothing much happens, but a darkness lurks beneath the surface. While the main character, Addie, left a bit to be desired in terms of being an interesting character, many well-developed side characters help pick up her slack. A few of them are fully formed and presented well enough that I could see them featured in their own stories down the road and would gladly read them.
The book isn't without its moments that shine a light on this being a debut novel, such as the occasional bits of over-exposition from characters or head-hopping in the narrative, but it was never enough to pull me out of the story completely.
t is clear the author poured himself heavily into this self-published book, from designing the cover art to handling all of the promotion, and I respect that a great deal. At the end of the day, I enjoyed this novel a good amount and it left me excited to see what Mr. Lastufka will write next.
I wish to avoid spoilers of the novel for anyone else who wishes to read Mr. Lastufka's debut novel, so rest assured there will be none here. The novel itself tells a compelling story of characters in Cellar, a small town in the 80s where nothing much happens, but a darkness lurks beneath the surface. While the main character, Addie, left a bit to be desired in terms of being an interesting character, many well-developed side characters help pick up her slack. A few of them are fully formed and presented well enough that I could see them featured in their own stories down the road and would gladly read them.
The book isn't without its moments that shine a light on this being a debut novel, such as the occasional bits of over-exposition from characters or head-hopping in the narrative, but it was never enough to pull me out of the story completely.
t is clear the author poured himself heavily into this self-published book, from designing the cover art to handling all of the promotion, and I respect that a great deal. At the end of the day, I enjoyed this novel a good amount and it left me excited to see what Mr. Lastufka will write next.
themorbidmama's review
1.0
I tried so hard to push through this book. I felt that it had so much potential but I wasn't able to push myself further :( I am one of those people that truly hates having to DNF a book. But Face the Night just wasn't the book for me. I felt that it focused far more on icky small town politics (which is pretty horrific in itself), instead of actual horror. I made it to about 40% and had to call it quits. I'm sure that others out there will truly love this book more though! I think that others should still give it a go and see how they like it for themselves :)
bookwyrm55's review against another edition
4.0
In his debut novel, Alan Lastufka introduces us to Addy, a troubled young single mother whose only current employment is doing an occasional tattoo. She's a gifted artist, but has been haunted by visions and dreams that make it difficult for her to interact with others. She and her son are surviving on charity from her estranged father, mayor of the town and not about to let anyone forget it.
The story launches from a custody battle. Addy's father is trying to to take her son from her to be raised in his home, where he continually reminds everyone he can provide a stable environment. Not helping at all, really, Addy's ex husband, her son's father, is in town to lend moral support in court. He's a construction worker with a drug and alcohol addiction.
When the court mandates that she find a solid job, or give up custody, Addy falls through a series of coincidental events into a position as a police sketch artist. Her visions crop up again, though, and things get dark.
What follows is a plot that winds through the seedy local political world, good old boy networks, cold cases and crumbling minds. With a couple of newfound allies on her side, Addy has to find the cause of her inner demons and exorcise them, while keeping one step ahead of her fathers machinations. A fast-paced, intriguing thriller.
I listened to the audiobook. The narrator was not optimal, but the story drew me along. Highly recommended.
The story launches from a custody battle. Addy's father is trying to to take her son from her to be raised in his home, where he continually reminds everyone he can provide a stable environment. Not helping at all, really, Addy's ex husband, her son's father, is in town to lend moral support in court. He's a construction worker with a drug and alcohol addiction.
When the court mandates that she find a solid job, or give up custody, Addy falls through a series of coincidental events into a position as a police sketch artist. Her visions crop up again, though, and things get dark.
What follows is a plot that winds through the seedy local political world, good old boy networks, cold cases and crumbling minds. With a couple of newfound allies on her side, Addy has to find the cause of her inner demons and exorcise them, while keeping one step ahead of her fathers machinations. A fast-paced, intriguing thriller.
I listened to the audiobook. The narrator was not optimal, but the story drew me along. Highly recommended.
zombiecupcake29's review against another edition
4.0
** Thank you to Shortwave Media, Netgalley, and Alana Lastufka for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. While I received an ARC free all opinions in this review are 100% my own and not swayed by that fact.**
I am a horror junkie and jump at the chance to find new horror authors to add to my ever-growing TBR stack. When I came across this book on Netgalley I knew immediately without even having to read much of the description that I wanted to read this book. I was not disappointed when I started it. This book has a small-town setting with a cold case and murder mystery that has you on the edge of your seat trying to figure it out. Our protagonist Adriana (Addie) is the daughter of a small-town mayor that is haunted by a gruesome sector that shows up in her dreams and her drawings.
I found this book to be a very good read and the only reason I didn't give it five stars is because I had some issues with some of the decisions that Addie made throughout the book. Yes, we could chalk it up to her being young but it still bothered me so I docked it a star. I didn't find this to be outright scary but it definitely packed a creepy thriller punch and I really enjoyed the disturbing aura that this book exuded. If you enjoy a good thriller that has horror elements and a hint of a romance I definitely suggest picking up this book.
I am a horror junkie and jump at the chance to find new horror authors to add to my ever-growing TBR stack. When I came across this book on Netgalley I knew immediately without even having to read much of the description that I wanted to read this book. I was not disappointed when I started it. This book has a small-town setting with a cold case and murder mystery that has you on the edge of your seat trying to figure it out. Our protagonist Adriana (Addie) is the daughter of a small-town mayor that is haunted by a gruesome sector that shows up in her dreams and her drawings.
I found this book to be a very good read and the only reason I didn't give it five stars is because I had some issues with some of the decisions that Addie made throughout the book. Yes, we could chalk it up to her being young but it still bothered me so I docked it a star. I didn't find this to be outright scary but it definitely packed a creepy thriller punch and I really enjoyed the disturbing aura that this book exuded. If you enjoy a good thriller that has horror elements and a hint of a romance I definitely suggest picking up this book.
sastrau1's review
5.0
I'm not a horror fan except with a few exceptions. This book hit the right notes for me, with its combination of a real world story with supernatural elements ala Stephen King. For a while, you don't know where the story is going or why it's horror-- it seems like the story of a flawed but relatable single mom struggling to survive and retain custody of her child. But there is a slow build to an underlying mystery that the MC has to solve in order to save her family. Lastufka also does a great job of portraying the exhausted, overwhelmed, down and out mom, except this one not only has the usual struggles, but it's compounded by the horrible visions that have her waking, screaming in terror or smashing up cars while sleep walking.
Although this book is self-published, it's very professional. Lastufka's writing is excellent and the novel is well edited. The art is professional. Overall, this is a really excellent first novel and I look forward to reading more from this author!
Although this book is self-published, it's very professional. Lastufka's writing is excellent and the novel is well edited. The art is professional. Overall, this is a really excellent first novel and I look forward to reading more from this author!
quastquast's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. This was fine. Also as a side note, it bothers me that Lisa basically forced Jennifer to learn lip reading and made her speak aloud. Why is Jennifer expected to adapt to the hearing community?
breezerm's review
3.0
I really wanted to like this book, but I felt a bit like it didn't know what it was and that identity struggle made for a slow, unsatisfying read, with a rushed ending.
Is it a family drama? Is it a social commentary on race and drugs in the 80s? Is it a romance? A police procedural? A paranormal haunt? That answer is, it is really none of those things, but there is a toe in each proverbial pond pulling readers in many different directions with no true course to follow.
I didn't *not* like the book, I just didn't really LIKE the book. I appreciated what it was trying to do with the mystery paired with the paranormal aspects, but it never really got there in the end for me. Also, from a disability advocate standpoint, I felt like the hearing impaired character was written from the most ableist view humanly possible, which was pretty disappointing.
Is it a family drama? Is it a social commentary on race and drugs in the 80s? Is it a romance? A police procedural? A paranormal haunt? That answer is, it is really none of those things, but there is a toe in each proverbial pond pulling readers in many different directions with no true course to follow.
I didn't *not* like the book, I just didn't really LIKE the book. I appreciated what it was trying to do with the mystery paired with the paranormal aspects, but it never really got there in the end for me. Also, from a disability advocate standpoint, I felt like the hearing impaired character was written from the most ableist view humanly possible, which was pretty disappointing.
sastrau's review
5.0
I'm not a horror fan except with a few exceptions. This book hit the right notes for me, with its combination of a real world story with supernatural elements ala Stephen King. For a while, you don't know where the story is going or why it's horror-- it seems like the story of a flawed but relatable single mom struggling to survive and retain custody of her child. But there is a slow build to an underlying mystery that the MC has to solve in order to save her family. Lastufka also does a great job of portraying the exhausted, overwhelmed, down and out mom, except this one not only has the usual struggles, but it's compounded by the horrible visions that have her waking, screaming in terror or smashing up cars while sleep walking.
Although this book is self-published, it's very professional. Lastufka's writing is excellent and the novel is well edited. The art is professional. Overall, this is a really excellent first novel and I look forward to reading more from this author!
Although this book is self-published, it's very professional. Lastufka's writing is excellent and the novel is well edited. The art is professional. Overall, this is a really excellent first novel and I look forward to reading more from this author!