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Malus Domestica #2
I Come with Knives
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meets Joe Hill in S. A. Hunt’s I Come with Knives, a horror-tinged action-adventure about a punk YouTuber on a mission to hunt witches, one vid at a time
Robin – now armed with new knowledge about mysterious demon terrorizing her around town, the support of her friends, and the assistance of her old witch-hunter mentor – plots to confront the Lazenbury coven and destroy them once and for all.
Meanwhile, a dangerous serial killer only known as The Serpent is abducting and killing Blackfield residents. An elusive order of magicians known as the Dogs of Odysseus also show up with Robin in their sights.
Robin must handle these new threats on top of the menace from the Lazenbury coven, but a secret about Robin's past may throw all of her plans into jeopardy.
The Malus Domestica series
#1: Burn the Dark
#2: I Come with Knives
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
441 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2020
13 people are currently reading
364 people want to read
About the author
S.A. Hunt
22 books296 followersSamara Abigail Hunt is the Georgia-born author of the Amazon Top 10 Horror Malus Domestica series, and the Outlaw King fantasy series, winner of Reddit.com's /r/Fantasy "Independent Novel of the Year" 2014 Stabby Award. She is also a "Mentor of Poetry, Prose, & Performance" with the National Creative Society.
In 2005 she joined the Army and after an ill-advised stint in the military police (ACAB), she went back to school to be a transportation coordinator in order to deploy to Afghanistan.
Stationed in Camp Arena, Herat, Samara was promoted to Specialist and placed in a Lieutenant position in a joint Italian-Spanish command room, where she coordinated and recorded hundreds of convoys and outreach missions into far-flung parts of RC West, the western quadrant of the Afghanistan theater. She was awarded a Joint Services Achievement Medal for her efforts.
She currently lives in Petoskey, Michigan.
In 2005 she joined the Army and after an ill-advised stint in the military police (ACAB), she went back to school to be a transportation coordinator in order to deploy to Afghanistan.
Stationed in Camp Arena, Herat, Samara was promoted to Specialist and placed in a Lieutenant position in a joint Italian-Spanish command room, where she coordinated and recorded hundreds of convoys and outreach missions into far-flung parts of RC West, the western quadrant of the Afghanistan theater. She was awarded a Joint Services Achievement Medal for her efforts.
She currently lives in Petoskey, Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
dnf
July 14, 2020DNF @ 24%
I enjoyed the first book in this series so I’m disappointed that I can’t get into this one. Other reviewers have loved it so I feel like I’m missing out on something potentially wonderful.
I think this is either a case of it’s not you, it’s me, or it’s not the right book for me at the moment. Rather than continuing to struggle I’m going to set it aside for now.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor Books for the opportunity to read this book.
I enjoyed the first book in this series so I’m disappointed that I can’t get into this one. Other reviewers have loved it so I feel like I’m missing out on something potentially wonderful.
I think this is either a case of it’s not you, it’s me, or it’s not the right book for me at the moment. Rather than continuing to struggle I’m going to set it aside for now.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor Books for the opportunity to read this book.
July 26, 2020
The followup to Burn the Dark, I Come With Knives is a mix of gritty horror, dark comedy, and moments of human warmth set in the American South. Robin (YouTube witch hunter) is back in her home town, continuing her mission to avenge the death of her mother and take down a coven of evil, long-lived witches. Assisting her are an entire cast of characters from a gay Black man, to a disabled war veteran turned artist, and several others. We get expanded mythology, lots of gruesome horror and violence, and some interesting revelations.
Overall, this was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I had some issues with the pacing and missed having the perspective of the group of kids (this gave Stranger Things vibes to book 1, but it's not the same in this installment). At times the horror, violence, and crudeness were a bit much for my taste, but then there are brilliant moments. Like having a gay Black man wield a bedazzled baseball bat against a dirty and murderous cop. That was amazing! I like the way this uses horror to get at issues like racism and homophobia, but this installment definitely seemed to lean harder on body horror and slasher horror whereas the first book had more suspense and creepy moments which I tend to prefer. Your mileage may vary. It also makes space to talk about PTSD as a result of trauma which I think it great. It's generally very positive toward both therapy and medication as a form of healing.
Following directly on the heels of book 1, this throws you right back in without doing much to re-orient you to the characters. If you read them directly back to back that might be fine, but it had been 6 months for me and it took me awhile to recall all the different characters and their relationships to each other. The pacing is also a little odd because the book doesn't end where you think it's going to and instead begins a new mini-plotline. It's a little like the third Lord of the Rings film! On a prose level, the action sequences and conversations are well-written, but sometimes the in-between bits and internal monologue don't flow as well due to an overuse of comparative language and references. This may have been true with the first book as well, but I don't recall noticing it as much as I did here.
Overall, I liked but didn't love I Come With Knives, though part of that definitely has to do with my personal taste in horror. I am planning to read book 3 and am curious to see what the author does there. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Do be aware this book has ALL the content warnings! This includes a whole lot of graphic violence, death, murder, violence toward animals particularly cats, police brutality, violence against children, gore, body horror, racist slurs, homophobic slurs, possession, rituals, crude humor and language, loss of a limb, arachnophobia, vomiting and probably more.
Overall, this was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I had some issues with the pacing and missed having the perspective of the group of kids (this gave Stranger Things vibes to book 1, but it's not the same in this installment). At times the horror, violence, and crudeness were a bit much for my taste, but then there are brilliant moments. Like having a gay Black man wield a bedazzled baseball bat against a dirty and murderous cop. That was amazing! I like the way this uses horror to get at issues like racism and homophobia, but this installment definitely seemed to lean harder on body horror and slasher horror whereas the first book had more suspense and creepy moments which I tend to prefer. Your mileage may vary. It also makes space to talk about PTSD as a result of trauma which I think it great. It's generally very positive toward both therapy and medication as a form of healing.
Following directly on the heels of book 1, this throws you right back in without doing much to re-orient you to the characters. If you read them directly back to back that might be fine, but it had been 6 months for me and it took me awhile to recall all the different characters and their relationships to each other. The pacing is also a little odd because the book doesn't end where you think it's going to and instead begins a new mini-plotline. It's a little like the third Lord of the Rings film! On a prose level, the action sequences and conversations are well-written, but sometimes the in-between bits and internal monologue don't flow as well due to an overuse of comparative language and references. This may have been true with the first book as well, but I don't recall noticing it as much as I did here.
Overall, I liked but didn't love I Come With Knives, though part of that definitely has to do with my personal taste in horror. I am planning to read book 3 and am curious to see what the author does there. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Do be aware this book has ALL the content warnings! This includes a whole lot of graphic violence, death, murder, violence toward animals particularly cats, police brutality, violence against children, gore, body horror, racist slurs, homophobic slurs, possession, rituals, crude humor and language, loss of a limb, arachnophobia, vomiting and probably more.
August 10, 2021
The further away I get from reading this book the more I think three stars is just too generous... so I'm dropping it to two stars. Honestly, unless you thought book 1 in the series was the best book you've ever read then I cannot see anyone finding this read good and it's certainly not better. Given book 1 was only okay it's really not enough to get much from me (no matter how many cute Buffy or Doctor Who references S.A. Hunt puts into her stories. I will not be lured into liking bad writing by nostalgia!)
In the Beginning...
...there was an info dump. And I don't mean like a couple pages to catch you up and remind you of the story. No, no I mean like almost 50 pages of non-stop information that is impossible to digest or remember in the end. I know many writers, especially novice ones, feel like they need to explain everything about their world (be it a: fantasy world, Earth with magic, etc.). This is not the case! Readers are smart, and in fact, better writing keeps things interesting, provides just enough information while still moving the plot and our characters development forward. Please don't set-up every detail of your world to start any novel. It's just plain boring.
Gory & Gonzo
Do these things go together? Maybe... but there needs to be a really delicate line between a lot of gore (which Hunt seems obsessed with) and weird, odd descriptions. I just have trouble imaging a gory monster when it's so oddly described. A good lesson here is refer back to H. P. Lovecraft. That is an author that excelled at descriptions that were both icky, gory, and horrific (without sounding just silly). Here is an example that made me shake my head in utter confusion. Is this scary? Does adding blood to it help the absurdity? Not for me.
"It was all head and lanky frame, an enormous black-green chimpanzee with jagged dinosaur legs and a giant mascot head."
Overall
As with S.A. Hunt's first book in the series there is a heavy reliance on shock value to keep the reader interested. Maybe that keeps the attention of 12-year-old's? But it will not keep the attention of the average 16-year-old... so to me this is a fail. If this is supposed to be a teen book, and given how gory it is I think it must be put there, then relying on shock value isn't going to work. Hunt commits a classic kid/teen literature mistake: assuming the reader is not intelligent. Even a child of 5 can handle a complex plot. So don't dumb it down for MG or YA readers.
Additionally there are a lot of references in here that I suspect the average teen isn't going to pick-up. Now maybe that's okay... but writers need to be careful not to have throwbacks to their own teens in a book written for today's teens. Let's face it, as much as I want to think that being almost 40 doesn't put me in a different realm of language and pop culture knowledge; it does. And referencing Buffy the Vampire Slayer seems cute; but if your target audience is currently 14 it's doubtful they will catch the very subtle reference. Maybe that's okay... but to me it would be better to have a more current reference that your target reader will appreciate.
I have told myself under no circumstances am I letting myself read book 3. I will not allow my "need" to finish a series waste my precious reading time on anymore of Hunt's over-the-top, absurd, and gory descriptions or ridiculous plot points.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
In the Beginning...
...there was an info dump. And I don't mean like a couple pages to catch you up and remind you of the story. No, no I mean like almost 50 pages of non-stop information that is impossible to digest or remember in the end. I know many writers, especially novice ones, feel like they need to explain everything about their world (be it a: fantasy world, Earth with magic, etc.). This is not the case! Readers are smart, and in fact, better writing keeps things interesting, provides just enough information while still moving the plot and our characters development forward. Please don't set-up every detail of your world to start any novel. It's just plain boring.
Gory & Gonzo
Do these things go together? Maybe... but there needs to be a really delicate line between a lot of gore (which Hunt seems obsessed with) and weird, odd descriptions. I just have trouble imaging a gory monster when it's so oddly described. A good lesson here is refer back to H. P. Lovecraft. That is an author that excelled at descriptions that were both icky, gory, and horrific (without sounding just silly). Here is an example that made me shake my head in utter confusion. Is this scary? Does adding blood to it help the absurdity? Not for me.
"It was all head and lanky frame, an enormous black-green chimpanzee with jagged dinosaur legs and a giant mascot head."
Overall
As with S.A. Hunt's first book in the series there is a heavy reliance on shock value to keep the reader interested. Maybe that keeps the attention of 12-year-old's? But it will not keep the attention of the average 16-year-old... so to me this is a fail. If this is supposed to be a teen book, and given how gory it is I think it must be put there, then relying on shock value isn't going to work. Hunt commits a classic kid/teen literature mistake: assuming the reader is not intelligent. Even a child of 5 can handle a complex plot. So don't dumb it down for MG or YA readers.
Additionally there are a lot of references in here that I suspect the average teen isn't going to pick-up. Now maybe that's okay... but writers need to be careful not to have throwbacks to their own teens in a book written for today's teens. Let's face it, as much as I want to think that being almost 40 doesn't put me in a different realm of language and pop culture knowledge; it does. And referencing Buffy the Vampire Slayer seems cute; but if your target audience is currently 14 it's doubtful they will catch the very subtle reference. Maybe that's okay... but to me it would be better to have a more current reference that your target reader will appreciate.
I have told myself under no circumstances am I letting myself read book 3. I will not allow my "need" to finish a series waste my precious reading time on anymore of Hunt's over-the-top, absurd, and gory descriptions or ridiculous plot points.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
October 29, 2021
Das Cover passt natürlich wieder sehr gut zu dem des ersten Teils und wirkt meiner Meinung nach sehr modern. Ich bin zwar kein Fan von Personen auf dem Cover, aber es passt durchaus zur Geschichte.
Der Schreibstil hat mir wieder ganz gut gefallen, denn er ist flüssig, lässt sich gut lesen und ist auf jeden Fall sehr düster und meistens auch sehr spannend - hin und wieder haben sich für mich manche Kapitel jedoch etwas zu sehr gezogen, wobei es auch STellen gab, an denen alles auf einmal passiert ist. Es wird in diesem Teil sogar noch mal deutlich düsterer als im ersten teil, wem das also in Teil eins schon zu viel war, der sollte hier vielleicht aufpassen. Wem es in Band eins zu wenig, war, der kann sich auf diesen Teil freuen. Die Horrorelemente haben aber meiner Meinung nach gut zu den dazugehörigen Szenen gepasst. Anfangs hatte ich ein paar Probleme, um wieder in die Geschichte reinzukommen, würde deshalb also auch empfehlen, die Bücher direkt nacheinander zu lesen, wenn das möglich ist.
Robin kann hin und wieder eine etwas anstrengende Protagonistin sein, wenn man einen etwas anderen Humor hat. Aber man lernt auch in diesem Teil noch mal etwas mehr über sie und ihre Vergangengeit und natürlich auch ihre Kräfte. Auch die anderen Charaktere fand ich ganz interessant undbin gespannt, wie es mit allen weitergehen wird.
Insgesamt also ein definitiv düsteres und passendes Buch für Halloween. Auch wenn mich ein paar Dinge gestört haben, bin ich dennoch sehr gespannt auf den nächsten Teil der Reihe und werde ihn auf jeden fall lesen. Ich kann die Bücher all denjenigen empfehlen, die gerne düstere Fantasybücher lesen oder eben etwas in Richtung Horror. Mir haben die Horrorelemente ziemlich gut gefallen. Wie schon erwähnt ist es stellenweise aber wirklich sehr düster und ich empfehle auch hier wieder einen Blick in die Leseprobe.
3,5/5 Sterne
Der Schreibstil hat mir wieder ganz gut gefallen, denn er ist flüssig, lässt sich gut lesen und ist auf jeden Fall sehr düster und meistens auch sehr spannend - hin und wieder haben sich für mich manche Kapitel jedoch etwas zu sehr gezogen, wobei es auch STellen gab, an denen alles auf einmal passiert ist. Es wird in diesem Teil sogar noch mal deutlich düsterer als im ersten teil, wem das also in Teil eins schon zu viel war, der sollte hier vielleicht aufpassen. Wem es in Band eins zu wenig, war, der kann sich auf diesen Teil freuen. Die Horrorelemente haben aber meiner Meinung nach gut zu den dazugehörigen Szenen gepasst. Anfangs hatte ich ein paar Probleme, um wieder in die Geschichte reinzukommen, würde deshalb also auch empfehlen, die Bücher direkt nacheinander zu lesen, wenn das möglich ist.
Robin kann hin und wieder eine etwas anstrengende Protagonistin sein, wenn man einen etwas anderen Humor hat. Aber man lernt auch in diesem Teil noch mal etwas mehr über sie und ihre Vergangengeit und natürlich auch ihre Kräfte. Auch die anderen Charaktere fand ich ganz interessant undbin gespannt, wie es mit allen weitergehen wird.
Insgesamt also ein definitiv düsteres und passendes Buch für Halloween. Auch wenn mich ein paar Dinge gestört haben, bin ich dennoch sehr gespannt auf den nächsten Teil der Reihe und werde ihn auf jeden fall lesen. Ich kann die Bücher all denjenigen empfehlen, die gerne düstere Fantasybücher lesen oder eben etwas in Richtung Horror. Mir haben die Horrorelemente ziemlich gut gefallen. Wie schon erwähnt ist es stellenweise aber wirklich sehr düster und ich empfehle auch hier wieder einen Blick in die Leseprobe.
3,5/5 Sterne
April 1, 2020
“Revelation yawned before her, a chasm of secrets. Afraid, the girl pushed it away.”
Fast paced, rife with terror that feels at times both brutal and decadent in its descriptiveness, and full of heart-stopping action that is sure to keep the pages turning, the second installment of the Malus Domestica series fulfills all of the promises its predecessor made.
I Come with Knives takes the reader on a 0 to 100 race through Robin’s quest to end the Lazenbury coven once and for all. Robin’s character arc shines particularly bright and poignant amidst all the chaotic events of this story. Familiar faces get a lot of satisfying page time in addition to several new and intriguing cast members introduced in this book. The worldbuilding gets its time in the spotlight in this sequel, drawing from real world mythology and religion and turning it into something unique and new.
Of particular note to me was the way trauma was addressed in I Come with Knives; open conversations are had between characters about the horrific experiences they go through and space is given to acknowledge it, ones both all too real (PTSD and other trauma as experienced by veterans of war) and fantastical (of which you’ll have to read and see to avoid spoilers). Having real and believable queer characters on page is, as always, a positive for me.
Overall, I Come with Knives is a wild ride that is over the top in the best way possible. As someone who has been increasingly interested in fantasy/horror blends over the past couple of years, it’s one of the most legitimately scary reads I’ve finished to date—which means its working as intended. As long as you can handle graphic depictions of violence, body horror, and other challenging elements that can be found the horror genre, I highly recommend giving I Come with Knives and its predecessor, Burn the Dark, a read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor/Forge for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Fast paced, rife with terror that feels at times both brutal and decadent in its descriptiveness, and full of heart-stopping action that is sure to keep the pages turning, the second installment of the Malus Domestica series fulfills all of the promises its predecessor made.
I Come with Knives takes the reader on a 0 to 100 race through Robin’s quest to end the Lazenbury coven once and for all. Robin’s character arc shines particularly bright and poignant amidst all the chaotic events of this story. Familiar faces get a lot of satisfying page time in addition to several new and intriguing cast members introduced in this book. The worldbuilding gets its time in the spotlight in this sequel, drawing from real world mythology and religion and turning it into something unique and new.
Of particular note to me was the way trauma was addressed in I Come with Knives; open conversations are had between characters about the horrific experiences they go through and space is given to acknowledge it, ones both all too real (PTSD and other trauma as experienced by veterans of war) and fantastical (of which you’ll have to read and see to avoid spoilers). Having real and believable queer characters on page is, as always, a positive for me.
Overall, I Come with Knives is a wild ride that is over the top in the best way possible. As someone who has been increasingly interested in fantasy/horror blends over the past couple of years, it’s one of the most legitimately scary reads I’ve finished to date—which means its working as intended. As long as you can handle graphic depictions of violence, body horror, and other challenging elements that can be found the horror genre, I highly recommend giving I Come with Knives and its predecessor, Burn the Dark, a read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor/Forge for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 8, 2020
A rare feat in which the sequel matches and perhaps out paces the original. Hunt presses the gas pedal down hard and takes us on a brutal bloody collision between our favorite witch hunter and the coven that killed her mother.
October 30, 2021
Bei diesem Buch handelt es sich um den 2. Teil der Trilogie rund um die Hexenjägerin Robin Martine. Die Handlung ist fortlaufend, deshalb muss man die Reihe auch in der richtigen Reihenfolge lesen. Dieser Teil ist also nicht für Quereinsteiger geeignet.
Die Geschichte geht nahtlos weiter. Wir begleiten Robin und ihre Verbündeten bei ihrem Kampf gegen die Hexen, die Robins Mutter in ihrer Gewalt haben. Am Anfang hatte ich wegen der vielen Namen ein paar Probleme, ich konnte mich tatsächlich nicht mehr an alle Charaktere erinnern. In die Handlung selbst kommt man recht gut, fand ich.
Viele fanden den 1. Teil ja eher langweilig, mir hat aber bereits dieser Teil unheimlich gut gefallen. Mit Teil 2 toppt die Autorin ihre Trilogie auf jeden Fall sehr, denn der 2. Teil deutlich brutaler und blutiger, was mir natürlich sehr gut gefallen hat. Es fließt jede Menge Blut und jetzt weiß ich auch, warum die Reihe in den Bereich Horror gehört. Die Autorin lässt ihre Charaktere ganz schon bluten, im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes, besonders Robin trifft es echt hart.
Es werden einige Geheimnisse gelüftet, die die Geschichte in eine interessante Richtung leiten. Außerdem taucht ein Magierorden auf, der auch für interessante und spannende Entwicklungen sorgt. Wie schon bei Teil 1 ist der Romantikanteil sehr gering. Die Autorin führt die angedeutete Entwicklung dieses Mal weiter, aber wirklich nur am Rande.
Mir hat der 2. Teil richtig gut gefallen und ich freue mich schon sehr auf Teil 3, der im Frühjahr 2022 erscheint. Von mir gibt es wieder die volle Punktzahl.
Die Geschichte geht nahtlos weiter. Wir begleiten Robin und ihre Verbündeten bei ihrem Kampf gegen die Hexen, die Robins Mutter in ihrer Gewalt haben. Am Anfang hatte ich wegen der vielen Namen ein paar Probleme, ich konnte mich tatsächlich nicht mehr an alle Charaktere erinnern. In die Handlung selbst kommt man recht gut, fand ich.
Viele fanden den 1. Teil ja eher langweilig, mir hat aber bereits dieser Teil unheimlich gut gefallen. Mit Teil 2 toppt die Autorin ihre Trilogie auf jeden Fall sehr, denn der 2. Teil deutlich brutaler und blutiger, was mir natürlich sehr gut gefallen hat. Es fließt jede Menge Blut und jetzt weiß ich auch, warum die Reihe in den Bereich Horror gehört. Die Autorin lässt ihre Charaktere ganz schon bluten, im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes, besonders Robin trifft es echt hart.
Es werden einige Geheimnisse gelüftet, die die Geschichte in eine interessante Richtung leiten. Außerdem taucht ein Magierorden auf, der auch für interessante und spannende Entwicklungen sorgt. Wie schon bei Teil 1 ist der Romantikanteil sehr gering. Die Autorin führt die angedeutete Entwicklung dieses Mal weiter, aber wirklich nur am Rande.
Mir hat der 2. Teil richtig gut gefallen und ich freue mich schon sehr auf Teil 3, der im Frühjahr 2022 erscheint. Von mir gibt es wieder die volle Punktzahl.
July 5, 2020
Read a NetGalley eARC from the publisher
Content and trigger warning for dismemberment, gore, violence against cats, emetophobia, fatal shootings
We return to the urban fantasy Untied States right off where Burn the Dark left off as Robin Martine reunites with her mentor, Heinrich Hammer, to take out the witches who killed her mother once and for all. Between those working with the witches and new allies, nothing is quite so simple.
Once again, the pacing in this book is impeccable. Between every intense action scene, there is enough room to breathe and really take in the other story elements. The world-building of the world of witches and demons really shines in this one. Robin undergoes some character development, but not as much as some of the other POVs like Joel, Wayne, and Kenway. It works because all her new friends and allies are being pulled into her violent, supernatural world by forces beyond their control, but also as a result of their devotion to each other. It's really compelling and makes for some good found family feels.
Compared to the first book, this one is definitely more off the rails. The battles are more intense, the enemies have far more bite to them. And as alluded to in the warnings above, if you like cats, you're going to have a really bad time because nothing feels particularly gratuitous. It is just taken to the next level as the story demands and the horror elements really work.
An action-packed sequel that leans really into the horror and the introduction of new allies and more terrifying enemies.
Content and trigger warning for dismemberment, gore, violence against cats, emetophobia, fatal shootings
We return to the urban fantasy Untied States right off where Burn the Dark left off as Robin Martine reunites with her mentor, Heinrich Hammer, to take out the witches who killed her mother once and for all. Between those working with the witches and new allies, nothing is quite so simple.
Once again, the pacing in this book is impeccable. Between every intense action scene, there is enough room to breathe and really take in the other story elements. The world-building of the world of witches and demons really shines in this one. Robin undergoes some character development, but not as much as some of the other POVs like Joel, Wayne, and Kenway. It works because all her new friends and allies are being pulled into her violent, supernatural world by forces beyond their control, but also as a result of their devotion to each other. It's really compelling and makes for some good found family feels.
Compared to the first book, this one is definitely more off the rails. The battles are more intense, the enemies have far more bite to them. And as alluded to in the warnings above, if you like cats, you're going to have a really bad time because nothing feels particularly gratuitous. It is just taken to the next level as the story demands and the horror elements really work.
An action-packed sequel that leans really into the horror and the introduction of new allies and more terrifying enemies.
June 14, 2022
Review to come!
May 19, 2020
Rep: bisexual main character; Black main character; gay Black main character; disabled major character
Warnings: use of racial and homophobic slurs, graphic violence, police brutality; gun violence; loss of limbs and other body horror; arachnophobia; mentions of human sacrifice; gruesome animal abuse and death
I Come With Knives builds on the elements constructed in Burn the Dark quite well, and from the start to finish it is a fast-paced action-filled hunt. Robin, with her mentor Heinrich now in town, plans how to eliminate the witch coven; their plans hinge on getting into the house of the witches unseen, but an awkward dinner, and a failed infiltration have them all hanging on the brink. You'd think the characters could catch a break, and you may even ask of the author "haven't they suffered enough", but they all, especially Robin and Joel, both go through a lot in this book. From bodily injury to grief, they have the odds somewhat stacked against them, since they are in a town in which the powerful witches hold sway.
Aside from the tense battles that Robin charges into with her friends and allies, defeating one witch after another, the plot also delves a bit into her relationship and her mother's relationship with those witches. Robin herself has been partly brought up by Marilyn Cutter, a woman she considered her grandmother at one point, and that close relationship also fuels her anger much more, while also making her pause a bit. Robin's relationship with her mother when the latter was alive was fraught with disagreements, and in the years since, as she realized the lengths to which her mother used her magic on her to scramble her memories, she has been stoking that fury, but now, as she comes to face the circumstances of her existence, she is able to move on from that. Still, there is plenty more things to cause her grief in this book itself.
Joel gets more of a PoV in this book, as his serial killer from the previous hasn't given up on him. In fact, said killer has powerful allies, so he isn't even safe from the authorities (not like he ever was, considering he is Black and gay). As he is chased all over, he is also brought into the fight against the witches, bringing his bedazzled baseball bat in tow (he is on the cover!); Joel and Robin also sort of come closer as a family in this book, but I also wish there was more development to that. Finally, there's also the introduction of another organization in this book, and while it didn't entirely answer my questions about how Robin has been getting away for 2 years, it sort of reassured me that this point was considered. I liked the new additions, though we didn't get to learn much about them. Maybe a sequel might have her more involved with them, though this one ended pretty definitively into a conclusion for her arc, so who knows?
Oh, and a final warning - don't take those content warnings above lightly. The book is horror, and brings all the gore, torture and grotesque elements of it - the body horror, police brutality and animal abuse alone are quite enough to cause discomfort or trigger someone.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Tor Books, via Edelweiss.
Warnings: use of racial and homophobic slurs, graphic violence, police brutality; gun violence; loss of limbs and other body horror; arachnophobia; mentions of human sacrifice; gruesome animal abuse and death
I Come With Knives builds on the elements constructed in Burn the Dark quite well, and from the start to finish it is a fast-paced action-filled hunt. Robin, with her mentor Heinrich now in town, plans how to eliminate the witch coven; their plans hinge on getting into the house of the witches unseen, but an awkward dinner, and a failed infiltration have them all hanging on the brink. You'd think the characters could catch a break, and you may even ask of the author "haven't they suffered enough", but they all, especially Robin and Joel, both go through a lot in this book. From bodily injury to grief, they have the odds somewhat stacked against them, since they are in a town in which the powerful witches hold sway.
Aside from the tense battles that Robin charges into with her friends and allies, defeating one witch after another, the plot also delves a bit into her relationship and her mother's relationship with those witches. Robin herself has been partly brought up by Marilyn Cutter, a woman she considered her grandmother at one point, and that close relationship also fuels her anger much more, while also making her pause a bit. Robin's relationship with her mother when the latter was alive was fraught with disagreements, and in the years since, as she realized the lengths to which her mother used her magic on her to scramble her memories, she has been stoking that fury, but now, as she comes to face the circumstances of her existence, she is able to move on from that. Still, there is plenty more things to cause her grief in this book itself.
Joel gets more of a PoV in this book, as his serial killer from the previous hasn't given up on him. In fact, said killer has powerful allies, so he isn't even safe from the authorities (not like he ever was, considering he is Black and gay). As he is chased all over, he is also brought into the fight against the witches, bringing his bedazzled baseball bat in tow (he is on the cover!); Joel and Robin also sort of come closer as a family in this book, but I also wish there was more development to that. Finally, there's also the introduction of another organization in this book, and while it didn't entirely answer my questions about how Robin has been getting away for 2 years, it sort of reassured me that this point was considered. I liked the new additions, though we didn't get to learn much about them. Maybe a sequel might have her more involved with them, though this one ended pretty definitively into a conclusion for her arc, so who knows?
Oh, and a final warning - don't take those content warnings above lightly. The book is horror, and brings all the gore, torture and grotesque elements of it - the body horror, police brutality and animal abuse alone are quite enough to cause discomfort or trigger someone.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Tor Books, via Edelweiss.
September 29, 2020
I loved Robins badass take no prisoner attitude. I found myself relating to her jaded personality and her attraction to multiple genders. I liked that she recorded her witch hunts for Youtube because it helped balance out all the paranormal elements and made her feel more grounded in our world. I'm glad we got to see a little bit of Robins struggle with getting off her psych meds. I felt like Robin and Kenways romance was really supportive and well matched. Kenways a war vet who had his leg amputated and seen his friends die, while Robin saw her mother die, was unwillingly given shock therapy at the psych ward for talking about witches, and then faced dozens of life threatening situations fighting witches. They're both survivors who have seen more terrible stuff than most.
I thought the different points of view were better utilized and seemed to have more of a purpose in this sequel. It also felt like we got more of Robin's point of view. I liked their little friend group and how determined they were to help Robin. Joel was one of my favorite characters because he always had the best comebacks and constantly made me laugh. We get a bit of the serial killers perspective which added a level of creepiness to the story. It was nice meeting Robin's mentor and some of the members from his old cult. The relationship between Robin and her mentor wasnt at all what I was expecting but I really enjoyed it. I also liked seeing the attachment Robin and one of the witches had from when she was a child.
In this sequel Robin confronts the witches that started it all and get revenge. We learn more about Robins family and the paranormal cult. The foreshadowing was a little too obvious for my taste, but the reveals were still exciting and there were some twists I didnt see coming. As more elements came into play the stakes got higher and that's probably why I enjoyed it more than the first book. We get an epic showdown with serial killers, a massive shapeshifting hog, and a mob of cat familiars. The pacing was consistent with suspense and action throughout, but at one point 'rasped the voice' is repeated like five times on one page and it totally took me out of the story.
This is set in a small Georgia town that has been taken over by four of the most powerful witches in america. The horror vibes and grotesque descriptions made my dark heart sing. We learn more about demons and how the red lord came to be trapped in Robins old house. I thought it was interesting how witches get their power and how they have a speciality they are good at like illusions, transformation, or divination. We also see more of the magical ring that opens doors to random places. Since so many questions were answered I'm not sure what direction the third book will go in, but I'll definitely be reading it.
*received for an honest review
I thought the different points of view were better utilized and seemed to have more of a purpose in this sequel. It also felt like we got more of Robin's point of view. I liked their little friend group and how determined they were to help Robin. Joel was one of my favorite characters because he always had the best comebacks and constantly made me laugh. We get a bit of the serial killers perspective which added a level of creepiness to the story. It was nice meeting Robin's mentor and some of the members from his old cult. The relationship between Robin and her mentor wasnt at all what I was expecting but I really enjoyed it. I also liked seeing the attachment Robin and one of the witches had from when she was a child.
In this sequel Robin confronts the witches that started it all and get revenge. We learn more about Robins family and the paranormal cult. The foreshadowing was a little too obvious for my taste, but the reveals were still exciting and there were some twists I didnt see coming. As more elements came into play the stakes got higher and that's probably why I enjoyed it more than the first book. We get an epic showdown with serial killers, a massive shapeshifting hog, and a mob of cat familiars. The pacing was consistent with suspense and action throughout, but at one point 'rasped the voice' is repeated like five times on one page and it totally took me out of the story.
This is set in a small Georgia town that has been taken over by four of the most powerful witches in america. The horror vibes and grotesque descriptions made my dark heart sing. We learn more about demons and how the red lord came to be trapped in Robins old house. I thought it was interesting how witches get their power and how they have a speciality they are good at like illusions, transformation, or divination. We also see more of the magical ring that opens doors to random places. Since so many questions were answered I'm not sure what direction the third book will go in, but I'll definitely be reading it.
*received for an honest review
July 28, 2020
This was a fantastic book! So action packed, so much happened, and whoa, that ending! Fantastic book, and I can't wait to read book 3!
May 12, 2020
No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Nope.
*walks away*
A few minutes later...I have to know what happened.
*returns to book*
Thus is "I Come With Knives." This book really scared the hell out of me. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. I will never get the image out of my head of Robin in the hospital and what comes out of her. That was the part where I walked away. I was literally screaming thinking...put it back...put it back!!! Oh gads, no. No, no, no, no, no!
For those who brave picking up this incredible book, you need to go in armed with the knowledge that 1) You cannot eat and read at the same time. May cause your stomach to turn or the need to vomit. You will lose your appetite. 2) For animal lovers, there are many cats killed in this book. BUT they come back again. Be prepared for suicidal cats and murderers. [Ugh. The visual is killing me!]. 3) Dogs are safe, but then again, they're already dead. 4) The good guys get shot in the head a few times. 5) Body parts are ripped off and eaten. 6) You will never get that visual of the shape-shifting witch out of your head. 7) You will never get the Matron's birthing of a goddess out of your brain. Imagine your worst B-movie that turns your stomach. That visual.
JUST O.M.G.
O.M.G.
Did this book scare the hell out of me! And that's why I gave it 5 stars, because I am never going to forget this book. You think you can just step away from it, but nope. It's tendrils will pop out and rope you back in until you reach the end and are left scarred and shaking.
My God, that is what makes a great horror/fantasy/thriller a damn good one.
"Burn the Dark" was just the background to the story/characters. "I Come With Knives" is the adventure. I'm telling ya...this adventure was worth every single second. The action is non-stop in "I Come With Knives." Just when you think you've got a breather...just wait a few pages, because BAM! Then, when you think, okay, this book is coming to an end. Everything is looking all rainbows and sunshine and then you notice there's still 10% left in the ebook. Oh, Hunt is not done yet.
Thank you so much to Tor/Forge for sending me an advance copy because I loved "Burn the Dark" so much. This book was EVERYTHING.
P.S. It's a day later and I'm still scared.
*walks away*
A few minutes later...I have to know what happened.
*returns to book*
Thus is "I Come With Knives." This book really scared the hell out of me. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. I will never get the image out of my head of Robin in the hospital and what comes out of her. That was the part where I walked away. I was literally screaming thinking...put it back...put it back!!! Oh gads, no. No, no, no, no, no!
For those who brave picking up this incredible book, you need to go in armed with the knowledge that 1) You cannot eat and read at the same time. May cause your stomach to turn or the need to vomit. You will lose your appetite. 2) For animal lovers, there are many cats killed in this book. BUT they come back again. Be prepared for suicidal cats and murderers. [Ugh. The visual is killing me!]. 3) Dogs are safe, but then again, they're already dead. 4) The good guys get shot in the head a few times. 5) Body parts are ripped off and eaten. 6) You will never get that visual of the shape-shifting witch out of your head. 7) You will never get the Matron's birthing of a goddess out of your brain. Imagine your worst B-movie that turns your stomach. That visual.
JUST O.M.G.
O.M.G.
Did this book scare the hell out of me! And that's why I gave it 5 stars, because I am never going to forget this book. You think you can just step away from it, but nope. It's tendrils will pop out and rope you back in until you reach the end and are left scarred and shaking.
My God, that is what makes a great horror/fantasy/thriller a damn good one.
"Burn the Dark" was just the background to the story/characters. "I Come With Knives" is the adventure. I'm telling ya...this adventure was worth every single second. The action is non-stop in "I Come With Knives." Just when you think you've got a breather...just wait a few pages, because BAM! Then, when you think, okay, this book is coming to an end. Everything is looking all rainbows and sunshine and then you notice there's still 10% left in the ebook. Oh, Hunt is not done yet.
Thank you so much to Tor/Forge for sending me an advance copy because I loved "Burn the Dark" so much. This book was EVERYTHING.
P.S. It's a day later and I'm still scared.
June 3, 2021
Happy Pride Month, and to start it off with my first June review this year, some pretty slick and scary horror from S.A. Hunt - which I didn't get to read until almost a year after it finally came out, and soooooooo many years after Hunt made a name for herself on Wattpad with Malus Domestica, aka the future Burn the Dark...and now we're finally getting to see more of the world she's built, and more of the secret history that helps inform the life and career choices of our favorite monster-hunting YouTuber. For the love of God, someone start making a movie or TV adaptation of this series already - for real, why isn't it a bloody movie yet?
Read
September 10, 2022Wenn man als Angsthase versehentlich ein Horror-Buch auf den SUB legt
Infos zum Buch
Autor: S.A. Hunt
Verlag: blanvalet
Seitenanzahl: 496
Preis: 15,00 € [Taschenbuch] 9,99 € [eBook]
ISBN: 978-3-7341-6291-6
Erschienen am 18. Oktober 2021
Erster Satz
Klopf, klopf, klopf.
Darum geht es / Klappentext
Robin Martine will ihre Mutter endlich aus der Gewalt des Lazenbury-Zirkels befreien. Zusammen mit ihren neuen Freunden und ihrem einstigen Lehrmeister Heinrich versucht sie, die Hexen auf deren Anwesen auszulöschen – doch diese entkommen mitsamt ihrem Haus, das wie weggezaubert scheint. Um den Zirkel erneut aufzustöbern, muss sich Robin dem dämonischen Roten Lord stellen, der sich in ihrem einstigen Elternhaus eingenistet hat. Als sich dann auch noch ein mysteriöser Magierorden in Robins Rachefeldzug einmischt, reicht es der Hexenjägerin: Sie entfesselt Kräfte, die so dunkel sind wie die mondlose Nacht.
Wie mir »Die Hexenjägerin. Der Zirkel des Blutes.« gefallen hat
Ich werde dieses Buch nicht großartig rezensieren, da ich es abgebrochen habe. Das Buch fällt unter das Genre Horror, was meiner Meinung nach einfach viel zu wenig kommuniziert wird. Ebenso finde ich da die Cover etwas irreführend. Die Illustrationen von Robin ist einfach viel zu sanft für ein Horror Buch. Ja, klar, es ist etwas düster und ich wusste ja, dass es in Richtung grusel geht, aber so richtig Horror (?). Ehm ja, das ist bei mir erst angekommen, als ich auf Seite 170 in Band 2 angekommen bin….
Und danach war ich zutiefst verstört.
Über die Cover Gestaltung
Wie bereits erwähnt finde ich die Cover Gestaltung viel zu sanft für dieses Horror-Buch! An sich ist das Design wirklich gelungen, aber mich hat es schlicht und ergreifend komplett in die Irre-Geführt. Denn ich hatte nicht erwartet, dass das Buch sooooo eklig und gruselig wird.
Über den Schreibstil
Der Schreibstil der Autorin hat mir in diesem Buch tatsächlich besser gefallen, als in Band 1. Es war noch immer furchtbar kompliziert und verwirrend, aber definitiv spannender geschrieben und leider auch sehr, sehr lebendig. Ich denke Horror-Fans werden gefallen an diesem Buch finden, aber auch nur, wenn sie zum lesen wirklich einen ruhigen, ruhigen Ort haben und sich lange darauf konzentrieren können. Es kam mir nämlich vor, als könnte ich dieses Buch anders nicht lesen. Nur mit höchster Konzentration.
»[…]Diese vierte Hexe versteckte die Kräfte des Zirkels. Hexen können sich zusammenschließen und ihre Kräfte untereinander teilen – das ist im Grunde der Zweck eines Hexenzirkels.«
– Seite 54
Über die Charaktere
Die Figuren waren absolut skurril, schräg, verwirrend und einfach viel, viel zu viele. Zumindest viel zu viele Protagonisten. Es wird aus viel zu vielen Sichten geschrieben. Das hat einfach nur zu Verwirrung geführt und ich wusste nur selten, wer grade was erzählt.
Über die Handlung
Zu Beginn spannend und leicht gruselig, interessante Fakten zu den Hexen. Allerdings bin ich durch den Schreibstil doch immer wieder durcheinander gekommen. Außerdem fand ich einige Szenen einfach unheimlich seltsam und unlogisch.
Und dann wurde es blutig. Absolut blutig und eklig. Und ich habe das Buch zur Seite gelegt. Damit war bei mir Schluss.
Danach habe ich im Buch nach Warnungen gesucht, dass es eben so blutig wird und habe nichts gefunden… bis mir dann auf Thalia bzw. auf der Verlagsseite angezeigt wurde, dass es sich bei dieser Reihe um eine Horror-Serie handelt.
Danke dafür. Ich könnte schwören, das stand damals nirgends, als ich das Buch angefragt hatte. Und auch Band 1 fand ich gar nicht mal gruselig. Daher hat es mich einfach überrascht, wie gruselig Band 2 von jetzt auf Gleich wurde. Ich kann und werde das Buch nicht richtig bewerten, da ich es abgebrochen habe. Das Buch ist Schluss endlich einfach absolut gar nicht meins. Ich bin einfach die Falsche Zielgruppe dafür.
Ich kann und werde das Buch nicht richtig bewerten, da ich es abgebrochen habe. Das Buch ist Schluss endlich einfach absolut gar nicht meins. Ich bin einfach die Falsche Zielgruppe dafür.
Infos zum Buch
Autor: S.A. Hunt
Verlag: blanvalet
Seitenanzahl: 496
Preis: 15,00 € [Taschenbuch] 9,99 € [eBook]
ISBN: 978-3-7341-6291-6
Erschienen am 18. Oktober 2021
Erster Satz
Klopf, klopf, klopf.
Darum geht es / Klappentext
Robin Martine will ihre Mutter endlich aus der Gewalt des Lazenbury-Zirkels befreien. Zusammen mit ihren neuen Freunden und ihrem einstigen Lehrmeister Heinrich versucht sie, die Hexen auf deren Anwesen auszulöschen – doch diese entkommen mitsamt ihrem Haus, das wie weggezaubert scheint. Um den Zirkel erneut aufzustöbern, muss sich Robin dem dämonischen Roten Lord stellen, der sich in ihrem einstigen Elternhaus eingenistet hat. Als sich dann auch noch ein mysteriöser Magierorden in Robins Rachefeldzug einmischt, reicht es der Hexenjägerin: Sie entfesselt Kräfte, die so dunkel sind wie die mondlose Nacht.
Wie mir »Die Hexenjägerin. Der Zirkel des Blutes.« gefallen hat
Ich werde dieses Buch nicht großartig rezensieren, da ich es abgebrochen habe. Das Buch fällt unter das Genre Horror, was meiner Meinung nach einfach viel zu wenig kommuniziert wird. Ebenso finde ich da die Cover etwas irreführend. Die Illustrationen von Robin ist einfach viel zu sanft für ein Horror Buch. Ja, klar, es ist etwas düster und ich wusste ja, dass es in Richtung grusel geht, aber so richtig Horror (?). Ehm ja, das ist bei mir erst angekommen, als ich auf Seite 170 in Band 2 angekommen bin….
Und danach war ich zutiefst verstört.
Über die Cover Gestaltung
Wie bereits erwähnt finde ich die Cover Gestaltung viel zu sanft für dieses Horror-Buch! An sich ist das Design wirklich gelungen, aber mich hat es schlicht und ergreifend komplett in die Irre-Geführt. Denn ich hatte nicht erwartet, dass das Buch sooooo eklig und gruselig wird.
Über den Schreibstil
Der Schreibstil der Autorin hat mir in diesem Buch tatsächlich besser gefallen, als in Band 1. Es war noch immer furchtbar kompliziert und verwirrend, aber definitiv spannender geschrieben und leider auch sehr, sehr lebendig. Ich denke Horror-Fans werden gefallen an diesem Buch finden, aber auch nur, wenn sie zum lesen wirklich einen ruhigen, ruhigen Ort haben und sich lange darauf konzentrieren können. Es kam mir nämlich vor, als könnte ich dieses Buch anders nicht lesen. Nur mit höchster Konzentration.
»[…]Diese vierte Hexe versteckte die Kräfte des Zirkels. Hexen können sich zusammenschließen und ihre Kräfte untereinander teilen – das ist im Grunde der Zweck eines Hexenzirkels.«
– Seite 54
Über die Charaktere
Die Figuren waren absolut skurril, schräg, verwirrend und einfach viel, viel zu viele. Zumindest viel zu viele Protagonisten. Es wird aus viel zu vielen Sichten geschrieben. Das hat einfach nur zu Verwirrung geführt und ich wusste nur selten, wer grade was erzählt.
Über die Handlung
Zu Beginn spannend und leicht gruselig, interessante Fakten zu den Hexen. Allerdings bin ich durch den Schreibstil doch immer wieder durcheinander gekommen. Außerdem fand ich einige Szenen einfach unheimlich seltsam und unlogisch.
Und dann wurde es blutig. Absolut blutig und eklig. Und ich habe das Buch zur Seite gelegt. Damit war bei mir Schluss.
Danach habe ich im Buch nach Warnungen gesucht, dass es eben so blutig wird und habe nichts gefunden… bis mir dann auf Thalia bzw. auf der Verlagsseite angezeigt wurde, dass es sich bei dieser Reihe um eine Horror-Serie handelt.
Danke dafür. Ich könnte schwören, das stand damals nirgends, als ich das Buch angefragt hatte. Und auch Band 1 fand ich gar nicht mal gruselig. Daher hat es mich einfach überrascht, wie gruselig Band 2 von jetzt auf Gleich wurde. Ich kann und werde das Buch nicht richtig bewerten, da ich es abgebrochen habe. Das Buch ist Schluss endlich einfach absolut gar nicht meins. Ich bin einfach die Falsche Zielgruppe dafür.
Ich kann und werde das Buch nicht richtig bewerten, da ich es abgebrochen habe. Das Buch ist Schluss endlich einfach absolut gar nicht meins. Ich bin einfach die Falsche Zielgruppe dafür.
May 22, 2020
This is a direct conclusion to the installment before it and probably wouldn't make much sense if you haven't read the first book. If you have read the first book, though, you'll want to get your hands on this as soon as you can. Its publication is currently slated as July 21st, 2020. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy.
In my review of Burn the Dark I mentioned that it felt more paranormal than horror. Whelp, that is not at all true of Book 2. This book ups the gore, the violence, and the evil, making it generally more disturbing than the first half of the tale.
The full cast of the first book is back, although Wayne's friends see much less page time in this episode. I was glad that I really got to know these folks earlier, because they don't get built on much before everything goes pear-shaped and they're fighting not just for their lives but for an entire town of possessed people.
The returning cast shows a lot of growth from the gauntlet of trauma they must power their way through. Joel in particular made me feel like he was someone I knew and was proud of, but they all go up against massive obstacles that really test their grit, determination, and bravery.
The witches are less sympathetic than I found them in Book One and more outright evil. They're done with playing nice and being civil; they're ready to burn the town to the ground and destroy every living soul in it if it means defeating Robin.
There are some new characters in this book. At the end of Book One, Robin's mentor, Heinrich, arrived. I'm not sure if he's not as fleshed out as the earlier characters or if I just didn't like him as much. He makes a lot of bad choices, choices abysmal enough that I'm not sure how he stayed alive to be in this book, let alone taught Robin much of anything. He does a good job of showing the importance of not succumbing to hubris though and I think that his fate serves as a very valuable lesson to Robin.
We also meet the Dogs of Odysseus, a group of magic users who appear to be on the side of good, although I get the feeling that's mostly because it's convenient right now. They are interesting. Although I feel I didn't get to know the representatives of the group very well, I was certainly intrigued by them. There's some promise that they'll be relevant again in later books and this makes me very happy.
The action here is fast paced and seldom receding. If I were to make one complaint against this book, it would actually be that there is too much action. It begins dialed up to eleven, so where is there to go? The book starts out with a punch and never stops hitting, which means I never really got to process what was happening. It also had the odd effect of meaning I could put the book down, walk away, and not be drawn back because it was just too intense the whole way through and it kind of exhausted me. I'm pretty sure this is a personal problem for me as a reader and am absolutely certain that for a lot of readers, the nonstop adrenaline will be a major draw.
The ending is very solid. There's an indication of the direction Robin is heading in next, but it's not a cliffhanger that way Burn the Dark was. If this were the end of a duology and I didn't know there was going to be a continued series, I would have found it a satisfying place to stop. That said, I am looking forward to seeing what happens next.
This is hands down a good book. It is also definitely not the type of book I usually read. What they did to those poor cats will haunt me for a long time. But I am glad that I read it and will be buying the next one when it's published.
In my review of Burn the Dark I mentioned that it felt more paranormal than horror. Whelp, that is not at all true of Book 2. This book ups the gore, the violence, and the evil, making it generally more disturbing than the first half of the tale.
The full cast of the first book is back, although Wayne's friends see much less page time in this episode. I was glad that I really got to know these folks earlier, because they don't get built on much before everything goes pear-shaped and they're fighting not just for their lives but for an entire town of possessed people.
The returning cast shows a lot of growth from the gauntlet of trauma they must power their way through. Joel in particular made me feel like he was someone I knew and was proud of, but they all go up against massive obstacles that really test their grit, determination, and bravery.
The witches are less sympathetic than I found them in Book One and more outright evil. They're done with playing nice and being civil; they're ready to burn the town to the ground and destroy every living soul in it if it means defeating Robin.
There are some new characters in this book. At the end of Book One, Robin's mentor, Heinrich, arrived. I'm not sure if he's not as fleshed out as the earlier characters or if I just didn't like him as much. He makes a lot of bad choices, choices abysmal enough that I'm not sure how he stayed alive to be in this book, let alone taught Robin much of anything. He does a good job of showing the importance of not succumbing to hubris though and I think that his fate serves as a very valuable lesson to Robin.
We also meet the Dogs of Odysseus, a group of magic users who appear to be on the side of good, although I get the feeling that's mostly because it's convenient right now. They are interesting. Although I feel I didn't get to know the representatives of the group very well, I was certainly intrigued by them. There's some promise that they'll be relevant again in later books and this makes me very happy.
The action here is fast paced and seldom receding. If I were to make one complaint against this book, it would actually be that there is too much action. It begins dialed up to eleven, so where is there to go? The book starts out with a punch and never stops hitting, which means I never really got to process what was happening. It also had the odd effect of meaning I could put the book down, walk away, and not be drawn back because it was just too intense the whole way through and it kind of exhausted me. I'm pretty sure this is a personal problem for me as a reader and am absolutely certain that for a lot of readers, the nonstop adrenaline will be a major draw.
The ending is very solid. There's an indication of the direction Robin is heading in next, but it's not a cliffhanger that way Burn the Dark was. If this were the end of a duology and I didn't know there was going to be a continued series, I would have found it a satisfying place to stop. That said, I am looking forward to seeing what happens next.
This is hands down a good book. It is also definitely not the type of book I usually read. What they did to those poor cats will haunt me for a long time. But I am glad that I read it and will be buying the next one when it's published.
March 17, 2020
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
First of all, I want to thank Macmillan-Tor/Forge- Tor Books for the chance to read the sequel of the amazing Burn the dark.
I come with knives picks up where Burn the dark ended, with the arrival of Robin's witch- mentor, Heinrich and the new knowledge about the demon that was tormenting her. Now Robin, armed with these informations, with the help of her friends and her mentor, is ready to destroy the Lazenbury Coven and try to free her mother. Moreover Robin's already complicated life becomes more mysterious with the arrival of the Dogs of Odysseus, a group of peculiar magicians, with their own goal and old connections with her mentor.
Told by multiple POVs, I come with knives follows Robin and her revenge's quest, her friend Joel and his brother Fisher, involved with the serial killer the Serpent, Kenway, Robin's boyfriend and ally and Wayne and Leon Parkins, and all of them find themselves dragged in this dangerous adventure full of witches, possessions, cats, murders and deaths.
The sequel of Burn the dark is fast- paced, full of action and there's never a moment of calm in these characters' life. The reader is always on the edge, wondering what will happen next, what will they discover. Robin found herself burdened by the knowledge about the demon and what he represents for her and her mother and her life is complicated by the Dogs of Odysseus. Their arrival brings magic, artifacts, help and questions. It was amazing and interesting meeting these new characters, above all Anders Gendreau, with his peculiar cane and clothes.
Like in the first book, I come with knives is a rollercoaster, full of plot twists, deaths, cats, rivelations, crooked cops, attempted murders, possessions and surprises.
The characters are really well written. Robin is trying to get used to have other people around her, people who care about her and her relationship with Kenway is beautiful and intense. The loyalty and love between them and between Robin and Joel is amazing and captivating.
Robin is stubborn and resilient, Kenway is loyal and strong, Joel brilliant and determined, Leon is skeptic and obstinate, Wayne is brave and decisive, but, at the same time, all of them have fears, they are scared.
They are realistic, real, raw and really authentic, with their doubts, anger, fears and indecisions.
I loved these characters. I was angry with Robin, I laughed with Joel (That poor man can't catch his breath since Robin's back in town), I was worried for Wayne and his dad. The author has the wonderful gift of grabbing the reader's attention, through the plot and writing style and letting it go only at the end of the book.
I come with knives is beautiful, intense, a fast paced and packed with action read, with unforgettable characters, demons, witches and magicians.
4.5
First of all, I want to thank Macmillan-Tor/Forge- Tor Books for the chance to read the sequel of the amazing Burn the dark.
I come with knives picks up where Burn the dark ended, with the arrival of Robin's witch- mentor, Heinrich and the new knowledge about the demon that was tormenting her. Now Robin, armed with these informations, with the help of her friends and her mentor, is ready to destroy the Lazenbury Coven and try to free her mother. Moreover Robin's already complicated life becomes more mysterious with the arrival of the Dogs of Odysseus, a group of peculiar magicians, with their own goal and old connections with her mentor.
Told by multiple POVs, I come with knives follows Robin and her revenge's quest, her friend Joel and his brother Fisher, involved with the serial killer the Serpent, Kenway, Robin's boyfriend and ally and Wayne and Leon Parkins, and all of them find themselves dragged in this dangerous adventure full of witches, possessions, cats, murders and deaths.
The sequel of Burn the dark is fast- paced, full of action and there's never a moment of calm in these characters' life. The reader is always on the edge, wondering what will happen next, what will they discover. Robin found herself burdened by the knowledge about the demon and what he represents for her and her mother and her life is complicated by the Dogs of Odysseus. Their arrival brings magic, artifacts, help and questions. It was amazing and interesting meeting these new characters, above all Anders Gendreau, with his peculiar cane and clothes.
Like in the first book, I come with knives is a rollercoaster, full of plot twists, deaths, cats, rivelations, crooked cops, attempted murders, possessions and surprises.
The characters are really well written. Robin is trying to get used to have other people around her, people who care about her and her relationship with Kenway is beautiful and intense. The loyalty and love between them and between Robin and Joel is amazing and captivating.
Robin is stubborn and resilient, Kenway is loyal and strong, Joel brilliant and determined, Leon is skeptic and obstinate, Wayne is brave and decisive, but, at the same time, all of them have fears, they are scared.
They are realistic, real, raw and really authentic, with their doubts, anger, fears and indecisions.
I loved these characters. I was angry with Robin, I laughed with Joel (That poor man can't catch his breath since Robin's back in town), I was worried for Wayne and his dad. The author has the wonderful gift of grabbing the reader's attention, through the plot and writing style and letting it go only at the end of the book.
I come with knives is beautiful, intense, a fast paced and packed with action read, with unforgettable characters, demons, witches and magicians.
4.5
October 8, 2020
It's that time of year. The wind bites a little colder, the skies sink into gray, the leaves begin to change color, and on occasion you may feel a shiver up your neck... In other words, the perfect time for the next book in S.A. Hunt's Malus Domestica series.
I already mentioned it in my review for the first book, but this is basically a rewrite. Hunt was contacted by Tor with an offer to split her Malus Domestica book into a trilogy, and I was very excited not only for the excellent opportunity for her, but the excellent opportunity for me to revisit the story as a more fleshed out and revamped endeavor. What's even more exciting, here at the end of the second book, is that I believe this is where the story concluded in the original version. Which means that Hellion, the third book, will be an entirely new adventure for me. I'm looking forward to that.
I Come With Knives hits the ground running right where Burn the Dark leaves off, and it does not let up. This is something like 400 pages of furious pace, and brings some immediate reminders of Hunt's strengths. She has a knack for description, and writes characters that accurately inhabit the time and space in which they reside. The result is a group of endearing, believable, and often very funny characters. She blends the Fantasy and Horror genres very neatly, which, as a reader of Fantasy, I have always appreciated. I think fans of either genre will have fun with this series. Hunt is definitely "my type of nerd". It just comes across so clear in the writing. Above all, these books are fun. Witch-hunting Youtube stars, ancient covens, psychedelic demons occupying dark versions of reality, women turned into trees as siphons of power, magic cults residing in Petoskey, Michigan, half-demons--all occupying the podunk town of Blackfield, Georgia. If it sounds ridiculous, it is. In the best way.
Now, Hunt is not without her faults. On occasion the writing feels stilted or forced, with moments of strange or seemingly-out-of-place characterization. Part of me does wonder though how much of that is me knowing this is a re-write and likely in some places a stitch-job. Whatever the reason, it's there. Beyond that, and I remember feeling this way about the first book, the info-dumps can feel a little heavy-handed. I was also disappointed how little POV-time Wayne got in the sequel, considering how much he gets in book one. I have a feeling that will be remedied in the third book though.
Now, all that being said, I really enjoyed the book and will certainly be reading the conclusion to the trilogy.
I already mentioned it in my review for the first book, but this is basically a rewrite. Hunt was contacted by Tor with an offer to split her Malus Domestica book into a trilogy, and I was very excited not only for the excellent opportunity for her, but the excellent opportunity for me to revisit the story as a more fleshed out and revamped endeavor. What's even more exciting, here at the end of the second book, is that I believe this is where the story concluded in the original version. Which means that Hellion, the third book, will be an entirely new adventure for me. I'm looking forward to that.
I Come With Knives hits the ground running right where Burn the Dark leaves off, and it does not let up. This is something like 400 pages of furious pace, and brings some immediate reminders of Hunt's strengths. She has a knack for description, and writes characters that accurately inhabit the time and space in which they reside. The result is a group of endearing, believable, and often very funny characters. She blends the Fantasy and Horror genres very neatly, which, as a reader of Fantasy, I have always appreciated. I think fans of either genre will have fun with this series. Hunt is definitely "my type of nerd". It just comes across so clear in the writing. Above all, these books are fun. Witch-hunting Youtube stars, ancient covens, psychedelic demons occupying dark versions of reality, women turned into trees as siphons of power, magic cults residing in Petoskey, Michigan, half-demons--all occupying the podunk town of Blackfield, Georgia. If it sounds ridiculous, it is. In the best way.
Now, Hunt is not without her faults. On occasion the writing feels stilted or forced, with moments of strange or seemingly-out-of-place characterization. Part of me does wonder though how much of that is me knowing this is a re-write and likely in some places a stitch-job. Whatever the reason, it's there. Beyond that, and I remember feeling this way about the first book, the info-dumps can feel a little heavy-handed. I was also disappointed how little POV-time Wayne got in the sequel, considering how much he gets in book one. I have a feeling that will be remedied in the third book though.
Now, all that being said, I really enjoyed the book and will certainly be reading the conclusion to the trilogy.
June 28, 2021
I Come with Knives is the second novel in S.A. Hunt's Malus Comestica series, and it is seriously not one to miss out on, especially for fans of paranormal horror.
Robin has spent her whole life riding that fine line between reality and illusion. She's a monster hunter that hides out in the open, making use of YouTube videos to keep her life on the road moving forward. Not that anyone believes her hunting as anything other than fake, thank goodness.
However, that was before Robin was thrown into a dark and complex plot. Now she understands the demon that is hunting her, and she's finally got a chance to do something about it, especially with the help of her new friends.
“Revelation yawned before her, a chasm of secrets. Afraid, the girl pushed it away.”
I Come with Knives is a fast-paced, thrilling, and intense read. It has the perfect balance of fantasy (paranormal) and horror to keep me fully invested all the way through. Frankly, I enjoyed every moment of this intense read.
To be fair, this is probably not the best series for the faint of heart. Robin's hunts are far from peaceful jaunts – they are, in fact, quite brutal and bloody as any monster hunt would realistically be if you think about it.
While I adored the first novel in this series, I think I Come with Knives has quickly become my new favorite. I learned so much more about Robin in this story, and it really went a long way in explaining the why and how of it all.
More importantly, she really grew and changed over the course of this story, as she is forced to face such horrible threats and the trauma they bring with them. It's a lot to take in, to be honest. But it also made the story feel so much more real and human because of it.
Thanks to Tor Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Robin has spent her whole life riding that fine line between reality and illusion. She's a monster hunter that hides out in the open, making use of YouTube videos to keep her life on the road moving forward. Not that anyone believes her hunting as anything other than fake, thank goodness.
However, that was before Robin was thrown into a dark and complex plot. Now she understands the demon that is hunting her, and she's finally got a chance to do something about it, especially with the help of her new friends.
“Revelation yawned before her, a chasm of secrets. Afraid, the girl pushed it away.”
I Come with Knives is a fast-paced, thrilling, and intense read. It has the perfect balance of fantasy (paranormal) and horror to keep me fully invested all the way through. Frankly, I enjoyed every moment of this intense read.
To be fair, this is probably not the best series for the faint of heart. Robin's hunts are far from peaceful jaunts – they are, in fact, quite brutal and bloody as any monster hunt would realistically be if you think about it.
While I adored the first novel in this series, I think I Come with Knives has quickly become my new favorite. I learned so much more about Robin in this story, and it really went a long way in explaining the why and how of it all.
More importantly, she really grew and changed over the course of this story, as she is forced to face such horrible threats and the trauma they bring with them. It's a lot to take in, to be honest. But it also made the story feel so much more real and human because of it.
Thanks to Tor Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Read more reviews at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
August 2, 2020
I want to start by saying that I absolutely love these characters and this world full of witches and other creatures. It’s like a hard-edged even darker Buffy which is all kinds of nostalgic for me. I’ve become completely invested in these characters and I really want to know how it all ends for Robin and her motley gang. I loved the first book and this one was even more gruesome, violent, and unsettling. It’s like the author turned the dial to maximum for book one then decided “f-it” for this one and broke the dial completely. It’s super fast paced and action packed while still having some tender moments and a lot of heart.
The one thing that dampens my enjoyment of this series is the copious and graphic cat death. In the first book of the series I felt like it was bearable as the cats seemed more like spirits or phantoms than actual real-life cats. I didn’t like it but I could overlook it. This book took it to a whole other level that I was not at all comfortable with. The cat suffering and death was so incredibly prolific and horrifying that at two different points in the story it was bad enough to make me want to stop reading. I really wanted to continue with Robin’s journey but these incidents made me feel sick and have left me very sad. I did push through in both cases because I agreed to review this book but I had an actual nightmare about it so it obviously greatly distressed me. I would say to read this at your own discretion if you love cats or animals in general. It’s a really compelling story but this taints it for me and I just couldn’t shake the bad taste it left me with.
Takeaway: Great story but a shame about the prolific, graphic cat deaths.
Thank you to Macmillan-Tor/Forge for providing an Electronic Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley for review.
The one thing that dampens my enjoyment of this series is the copious and graphic cat death. In the first book of the series I felt like it was bearable as the cats seemed more like spirits or phantoms than actual real-life cats. I didn’t like it but I could overlook it. This book took it to a whole other level that I was not at all comfortable with. The cat suffering and death was so incredibly prolific and horrifying that at two different points in the story it was bad enough to make me want to stop reading. I really wanted to continue with Robin’s journey but these incidents made me feel sick and have left me very sad. I did push through in both cases because I agreed to review this book but I had an actual nightmare about it so it obviously greatly distressed me. I would say to read this at your own discretion if you love cats or animals in general. It’s a really compelling story but this taints it for me and I just couldn’t shake the bad taste it left me with.
Takeaway: Great story but a shame about the prolific, graphic cat deaths.
Thank you to Macmillan-Tor/Forge for providing an Electronic Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley for review.
January 4, 2022
Robin aka Malus Domestica nimmt den Kampf gegen den uhralten und mächtigen Lazenbury Hexenzirkel auf und macht Ernst. Zusammen mit ihrer wild zusammengewürfelten Truppe und neuen Freunden, ihrem Mentor und neuen Verbündeten stellt sie sich jedoch nicht nur dem Zirkel sondern einer ganzen Stadt. Noch dazu muss sie dem Zirkel, die Seele ihrer Mutter entreißen und einen Dämon in ihrem alten Haus besänftigen.
Also Ich fand’s Geil 😅. Robin ist ein klasse, abgefuckter und interessanter Charakter der auch mal mit ordentlichen Blessuren und Psychischen Problem zu kämpfen hat. Ihr Leben ist und war schon immer ein einziger dämonischer Scherbenhaufen und würde jedem Horror Film Konkurrenz machen. Dabei verliert sie jedoch nie ihr Herz, ihre Mission oder ihren angeborenen Witz aus den Augen. Sie selbst, aber auch ihre Verbündeten sind vielfältig aufgestellt und bieten uns ordentlich Unterhaltung.
Von einem Schüler mit einem Ring der Türen in die Hölle oder zu jedem anderen Ort öffnen kann, über einen Veteran like Thor mit nur einem Bein bis hin zu einem Pizzalieferanten der einem Serienkiller entkommen ist. Von dem Geisterhund, dem "Man in Black" und der Frau mit der Einhorn Perücke fang ich mal noch gar nicht an. Hab ich den Zauberer schon erwähnt ? Ach und vergessen wir mal nicht die Katzenbesessenen Bewohner der Stadt oder den beiden Handlangern der Hexen. Dämonen, Monster die ich mir selbst beim lesen nicht gänzlich vorstellen konnte … es war alles einfach absolut unterhaltsam und überraschend. Abgedreht, verdreht und schaurig. Spannend und aufregend. Gruselig, Blutig und trotzdem immer mal wieder witzig. Es gab Momente ich denen ein WTF nicht ausgereicht hätte und es gab Lacher meinerseits über Robins Sprüche und Humor. Eine Horror Geschichte die einer Folge von Supernatural entsprungen sein könnte.
ICH hab mich super Unterhalten gefühlt. Man muss es mögen. Man muss das düstere und anders artige mögen. Das abgedrehte. Außerhalb meiner Komfortzone habe ich mich bei S. A. HUNT erneut super aufgehoben gefühlt und freue mich auf den finalen dritten Teil.
Also Ich fand’s Geil 😅. Robin ist ein klasse, abgefuckter und interessanter Charakter der auch mal mit ordentlichen Blessuren und Psychischen Problem zu kämpfen hat. Ihr Leben ist und war schon immer ein einziger dämonischer Scherbenhaufen und würde jedem Horror Film Konkurrenz machen. Dabei verliert sie jedoch nie ihr Herz, ihre Mission oder ihren angeborenen Witz aus den Augen. Sie selbst, aber auch ihre Verbündeten sind vielfältig aufgestellt und bieten uns ordentlich Unterhaltung.
Von einem Schüler mit einem Ring der Türen in die Hölle oder zu jedem anderen Ort öffnen kann, über einen Veteran like Thor mit nur einem Bein bis hin zu einem Pizzalieferanten der einem Serienkiller entkommen ist. Von dem Geisterhund, dem "Man in Black" und der Frau mit der Einhorn Perücke fang ich mal noch gar nicht an. Hab ich den Zauberer schon erwähnt ? Ach und vergessen wir mal nicht die Katzenbesessenen Bewohner der Stadt oder den beiden Handlangern der Hexen. Dämonen, Monster die ich mir selbst beim lesen nicht gänzlich vorstellen konnte … es war alles einfach absolut unterhaltsam und überraschend. Abgedreht, verdreht und schaurig. Spannend und aufregend. Gruselig, Blutig und trotzdem immer mal wieder witzig. Es gab Momente ich denen ein WTF nicht ausgereicht hätte und es gab Lacher meinerseits über Robins Sprüche und Humor. Eine Horror Geschichte die einer Folge von Supernatural entsprungen sein könnte.
ICH hab mich super Unterhalten gefühlt. Man muss es mögen. Man muss das düstere und anders artige mögen. Das abgedrehte. Außerhalb meiner Komfortzone habe ich mich bei S. A. HUNT erneut super aufgehoben gefühlt und freue mich auf den finalen dritten Teil.
February 17, 2022
Die Jagd nach dem Hexenzirkel geht im zweiten Teil der Trilogie direkt rasant weiter. Lies auf keinen Fall den Klappentext, der fast das letzte Drittel des Buchs einfach zusammen, riesen Spoiler!
Wir steigen hier direkt bei den Geschehnissen aus dem ersten Teil wieder ein. Also es geht zur Dinnerparty bei den Hexen. Das gesamte Buch umfasst nur wenige Tage die allesamt ausführlich und actionreich geschildert werden. Die Spannungskurve bleibt konstant hoch, denn die Ereignisse überschlagen sich.
Meine Empfehlung ist die Bücher kuerz hintereinander zu lesen. Die Handlung, die Charaktere und die Hintergrundgeschichte sind äußerst komplex und machen die Geschichte besonders reizvoll und interessant. Um das voll genießen zu können, sollte man die Ereignisse aus dem ersten Teil aber noch präsent haben. Auch im zweiten Teil stechen die einzigartigen Charaktere hervor. Jeder hat seine eigenen Eigenschaften und Hintergrundgeschichten. Dadurch wirken die Figuren plastisch und greifbar. Im zweiten Teil wird das Magiesystem deutlich komplexer und vielschichtiger, dabei waren die einfach bösen Hexen aus dem ersten Teil ja schon interessant.
Lediglich die Teenagerclique, welche mich im ersten Teil positiv überrascht hat, spielt nun keine Rolle mehr. Ansonsten übertrifft dieser Teil den ersten deutlich, durch seine Komplexität, Spannung und überraschenden Offenbarungen.
Ich bin sehr gespannt auf den Abschluss der Reihe und kann es eigentlich kaum erwarten.
Wir steigen hier direkt bei den Geschehnissen aus dem ersten Teil wieder ein. Also es geht zur Dinnerparty bei den Hexen. Das gesamte Buch umfasst nur wenige Tage die allesamt ausführlich und actionreich geschildert werden. Die Spannungskurve bleibt konstant hoch, denn die Ereignisse überschlagen sich.
Meine Empfehlung ist die Bücher kuerz hintereinander zu lesen. Die Handlung, die Charaktere und die Hintergrundgeschichte sind äußerst komplex und machen die Geschichte besonders reizvoll und interessant. Um das voll genießen zu können, sollte man die Ereignisse aus dem ersten Teil aber noch präsent haben. Auch im zweiten Teil stechen die einzigartigen Charaktere hervor. Jeder hat seine eigenen Eigenschaften und Hintergrundgeschichten. Dadurch wirken die Figuren plastisch und greifbar. Im zweiten Teil wird das Magiesystem deutlich komplexer und vielschichtiger, dabei waren die einfach bösen Hexen aus dem ersten Teil ja schon interessant.
Lediglich die Teenagerclique, welche mich im ersten Teil positiv überrascht hat, spielt nun keine Rolle mehr. Ansonsten übertrifft dieser Teil den ersten deutlich, durch seine Komplexität, Spannung und überraschenden Offenbarungen.
Ich bin sehr gespannt auf den Abschluss der Reihe und kann es eigentlich kaum erwarten.
November 29, 2020
I'm still frustrated that I Come With Knives and its predecessor, Burn The Dark, were separated into two novels. They deserve to be read in a single volume, back to back, without pause for breath. As a pair, these books are pure grip-you-by-the-throat urban horror that I devoured over the course of a few days.
In short: Robin Martine hunts witches and shares her kills on Youtube for ad revenue. By the time we reach Malus 2, Robin has aggravated three of the worst witches in the USA, survived horrors and hallucinations, and built an unlikely team of locals into a band of ragtag witch-killers.
Which means it's time for everything to go wrong.
I Come With Knives begins gradually, taking its time to set the scene before all of Robin's plans collapse and the book accelerates into a non-stop fight for survival. Demons, ghosts, gross-out body-horror, serial killers and dirty cops in the employ of hideous witches - this book is packed with antagonists. It doesn't slow down. And it's such a fun ride, too. Samara Hunt always writes with tongue firmly pressed into cheek, every unspeakable atrocity followed by a great one-liner to break the tension.
Put simply, this series is just a bloody good read. Book #3, here I come!
In short: Robin Martine hunts witches and shares her kills on Youtube for ad revenue. By the time we reach Malus 2, Robin has aggravated three of the worst witches in the USA, survived horrors and hallucinations, and built an unlikely team of locals into a band of ragtag witch-killers.
Which means it's time for everything to go wrong.
I Come With Knives begins gradually, taking its time to set the scene before all of Robin's plans collapse and the book accelerates into a non-stop fight for survival. Demons, ghosts, gross-out body-horror, serial killers and dirty cops in the employ of hideous witches - this book is packed with antagonists. It doesn't slow down. And it's such a fun ride, too. Samara Hunt always writes with tongue firmly pressed into cheek, every unspeakable atrocity followed by a great one-liner to break the tension.
Put simply, this series is just a bloody good read. Book #3, here I come!
March 21, 2020
ARC provided by NetGalley for review
While I Burn the Dark was a great novel, it ended on less than satisfying cliffhanger. With nothing really resolved, it was up to I Come With Knives to satisfy, and this follow-up does that by cranking it all up to eleven.
It's far more action packed, plenty more gruesome, and hand wringingly tense. There's also a lot of new world building here. A new group of witch hunters arrived, connected to Robin through her mentor, which leads to not only a new group of accomplices, but the possibility of an ongoing series that could explore their world.
Things at least end solidly here, giving readers the conclusion they may have been looking for previously, and I would recommend reading both books together.
There are some really outrageous revelations here that may come across as a little silly at first, but it tends to fall in line with the over the top nature of the story. Nothing is held back here, so strap in for a gory, emotional roller coaster ride of fantasy and horror.
While I Burn the Dark was a great novel, it ended on less than satisfying cliffhanger. With nothing really resolved, it was up to I Come With Knives to satisfy, and this follow-up does that by cranking it all up to eleven.
It's far more action packed, plenty more gruesome, and hand wringingly tense. There's also a lot of new world building here. A new group of witch hunters arrived, connected to Robin through her mentor, which leads to not only a new group of accomplices, but the possibility of an ongoing series that could explore their world.
Things at least end solidly here, giving readers the conclusion they may have been looking for previously, and I would recommend reading both books together.
There are some really outrageous revelations here that may come across as a little silly at first, but it tends to fall in line with the over the top nature of the story. Nothing is held back here, so strap in for a gory, emotional roller coaster ride of fantasy and horror.
May 11, 2020
Is there such a thing as a perfect sequel? Yes. And I come with Knives is it. I was so excited to get my hands on a ARC of this novel, and it picks up right where Burn the Dark leaves off. Can I just say I LOVE Robin? She is a badass. Do yourself a favour and pick up this series, I loved this book so much I had to order my hardcover to go beside Burn the Dark. If you love horror blended masterfully with fantasy pick up this series, which has become my favourite of 2020.
S.A Hunt writes masterfully, as a reader you will not be able to put this novel down, with characters you will root for and scenes that will make your skin crawl. I enjoy this series and is comparable to a King novel. THANK YOU to Tor and S.A hunt for the ARC, all my opinions are my own.
S.A Hunt writes masterfully, as a reader you will not be able to put this novel down, with characters you will root for and scenes that will make your skin crawl. I enjoy this series and is comparable to a King novel. THANK YOU to Tor and S.A hunt for the ARC, all my opinions are my own.
August 26, 2020
This was enjoyable, but I didn't like it quite as much as the first book. I think in general, it was well paced, though there were some side plots that didn't seem to flow as well. There were some interesting reveals that I didn't predict! It felt like the tone of this wasn't quite as creepy as the first book, but it's much more heavy on the gore/body horror. I still enjoy the characters. Robin is still pretty badass, and I loved seeing more of Joel! We don't get to see as much of Wayne and the other kids though, and I kinda missed them.
Overall, I enjoyed this! I'm excited to see what happens next.
Lots of content warnings here for things like gore, body horror, animal sacrifice, police brutality, and PTSD
Overall, I enjoyed this! I'm excited to see what happens next.
Lots of content warnings here for things like gore, body horror, animal sacrifice, police brutality, and PTSD
October 13, 2021
This took me longer to get through than the first installment did, even though there was more action in it. It was fine, but I have no desire to read the third book and it feels like the story is tied up enough here that I won't be missing out on anything.
The romantic subplot here is incredibly pointless and annoying, and you would think that Hunt would be woke enough to know that not every story with a strong female lead needs a man (one who feels very much like a self-insert) in it to make the story complete. Why can't a woman ever have a story that's just hers??
Disappointed in this but worth reading anyway.
The romantic subplot here is incredibly pointless and annoying, and you would think that Hunt would be woke enough to know that not every story with a strong female lead needs a man (one who feels very much like a self-insert) in it to make the story complete. Why can't a woman ever have a story that's just hers??
Disappointed in this but worth reading anyway.
July 15, 2020
I really can't get into this book.
I liked the one creepy scene at the beginning well enough, but I'm currently slogging. It feels like I'm being given too much info at once.
I also didn't like the slut-shaming and body shaming that was in this book either. It left a bad taste in my mouth.
I've also seen warnings for violence against cats and animal abuse, and I wish I had known that before I received the arc.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the one creepy scene at the beginning well enough, but I'm currently slogging. It feels like I'm being given too much info at once.
I also didn't like the slut-shaming and body shaming that was in this book either. It left a bad taste in my mouth.
I've also seen warnings for violence against cats and animal abuse, and I wish I had known that before I received the arc.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 23, 2022
This second book starts off literally the paragraph after the second book ends. I've never read something like that before, it's almost as if book one and book two were written as one but the publishers thought 750 pages was too long? Don't know. Either way this is super action packed; so much happens and keeps on happening. So many chapters had me going 'what!, did that really just happen, wait hold up, no way!'. This was a wild ride and I'm so glad things ended the way they did. It was satisfying to say the least.
July 31, 2020
It was an excellent story that I loved. It's gritty, dark, fast paced and well written.
I loved the world building, the character development, and how the author deals with issues like racism.
I was hooked since the first pages and couldn't put it down.
An excellent read, can't wait to read other books by this author.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I loved the world building, the character development, and how the author deals with issues like racism.
I was hooked since the first pages and couldn't put it down.
An excellent read, can't wait to read other books by this author.
Strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
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