We return for the next part of my book bracket for 2022! Today, we will be deciding on my favourite book from September and October. Let’s go!
In each month, I read two books, so let’s pit them all against each other and see which ended up being my favourite!
In September, I read two Darcy Coates books (I like Darcy Coates, if you didn’t know). From Below, and then Gallows Hill. I really enjoyed both, but From Below blew Gallows Hill out of the water (pun intended). In From Below, a documentary team go deep sea diving in order to enter the shipwreck of a long missing ship that was recently discovered. I loved that, even if you aren’t familiar with diving terminology and methods, it is still easy to understand (going to shout out Mr. Ballen on YouTube for teaching me a bit about diving through his videos). Watching the divers unravelling the mystery of the tragedy that caused the ship to disappear was very satisfying, and the claustrophobia of the setting and time limit the characters must adhere to to survive add a great deal. Gallows Hill, by comparison, was a little disappointing. The winery setting, winding labyrinthine house, creepy creatures, were cool, but also somewhat underutilised. And so, From Below is my winner for September!!!
In October, I read two books again. Ashthorne by April Yates, and The Wehrwolf by Alma Katsu. Ashthorne was an ARC, which I always love receiving. It is set in a manor house that has been co-opted into a convalescence hospital for WWI soldiers. But there also seems to be something unnatural happening in the house. The setting was nice, some of the creepy things were interesting, and there was a sapphic relationship which is always lovely to see. The writing style was appealing as well.
Then I read The Wehrwolf by Alma Katsu, a short story by my favourite historical horror author! I loved the setting of WWII Germany, and the traditional German fairytale aspect. Because there are werewolves! The small town setting, the Nazi propaganda that the characters have been digesting, the isolated community, all work to create a hostile, overly patriotic group of characters. I enjoyed this, though I do think there was a length issue. I feel as if it could have been longer, or shorter, to create a better overall story. Despite this, The Wehrwolf was my favourite read in October!
Pitting From Below and The Wehrwolf was easier than some of my previous book brackets, and the winner of September/October, is From Below by Darcy Coates!
Rebecka O'Malley 