Alley by Junji Ito

Title: Alley

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 1992

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 344

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

Every night, a young man hears children playing outside his boarding house—but the alley below his window is fenced off from the world. Then, when a young woman’s family starts acting strangely at the same time she begins having bizarre dreams, she decides to stay with her aunt, but the town she heads for has neither addresses nor roads… Also, an all-you-can-eat ice cream bus that’s more sinister than sweet!

Legendary horror author Junji Ito presents ten bloodcurdling short stories.

Alley - Such a great story! I especially loved the ending!

Descent - Loved this super weird story! Great unexplained phenomena.

The Ward - Very nice creepy locked room style horror story.

The Inn - Meh

Blessing - Meh

Smoker’s Club - Meh

Mold - Oh loved this one that included a ton of body horror

Town of No Roads - Confusing story. Not a fan.

Memory - Okay I guess

Ice Cream Bus - Always creepy when stories involve children.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Tombs by Junji Ito

Title: Tombs

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2023

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 344

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

Countless tombstones stand in rows throughout a small community, forming a bizarre tableau. What fate awaits a brother and sister after a traffic accident in this town of the dead? In another tale, a girl falls silent, her tongue transformed into a slug. Can a friend save her? Then, when a young man moves to a new town, he finds the house next door has only a single window. What does his grotesque neighbor want, calling out to him every evening from that lone window?

Tombs - I had already read this story, but I really loved it. Creepy creepy.

Clubhouse - Meh. Didn’t really deliver.

Slug Girl - Loved this body horror story.

The Window Next Door - Fun, but I wanted more.

Washed Ashore - I do love creatures from the depths.

The Strange Tale of the Tunnel - Okay story, creepy enough, but not horrifying.

Bronze Statue - Didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

Floaters - I wanted more.

The Bloody Story of Shirosauna - So much gore, but I did enjoy it!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Deserter by Junji Ito

Title: Deserter

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Medai 2011

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 392

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

A vengeful family hides an army deserter for eight years after the end of World War II, cocooning him in a false reality where the war never ended. A pair of girls look alike, but they’re not twins. And a boy’s nightmare threatens to spill out into the real world…

This hauntingly strange story collection showcases a dozen of Junji Ito’s earliest works from when he burst onto the horror scene, sowing fresh seeds of terror.

Bio House - Weird murdery story. Not my favorite.

Face Thief - Another weird story that I wasn’t a huge fan of.

Where the Sandman Lives - Okay this one was kinda interesting and fun.

The Devil’s Logic - Meh

The Long Hair in the Attic - My absolute favorite from the collection. Just the right amount of suspense in this one.

Scripted Love - Very forgettable.

The Reanimator’s Sword - Not a big fan of the religious bent to this story.

A Father’s Love - Nope. Not for me.

Unendurable Labyrinth - Decent

Village of the Siren - Very weird premise. I was definitely intrigued. Kinda wish that this one was longer.

Bullied - Not very excited about this one at all.

Deserter - I’ve somehow read this one before. I liked it, but not my absolute favorite.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Black Paradox by Junji Ito

Title: Black Paradox

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2009

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 208

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

Four people intent on killing themselves meet through the suicide website Black Paradox: Maruso, a nurse who despairs about the future; Taburo, a man who is tortured by his doppelganger; Pii-tan, an engineer with his own robot clone; and Baracchi, a woman who agonizes about the birthmark on her face.

They wander together in search of the perfect death, fatefully opening a door that leads them to a rather bizarre destiny…

Why did I love this story so much? It’s full of otherworldly scenes, unreliable characters, and terrifying visions. Right away we get four characters than find themselves in a strange situation. From there, things get weirder and weirder. I loved see an escalation of horror as we progressed through the chapters. The central idea of where the stones come from and what they actually are was just amazing! I could not come up with an idea like that. I loved seeing Junji Ito’s mind work to confront his characters with choices and consequences. So good!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Gyo by Junji Ito

Title: Gyo

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2002

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 398

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

The floating smell of death hangs over the island. What is it? A strange, legged fish appears on the scene... So begins Tadashi and Kaori's spiral into the horror and stench of the sea. Here is the creepiest masterpiece of horror manga ever from the creator of Uzumaki, Junji Ito. Hold your breath until all is revealed.

Something's rotten in Okinawa...

I had been waiting for this volume for weeks. Many Junji Ito fans put the Gyo collection among his top works. I started reading with no notion of what this one would be about. Thankfully the horror starts very quickly and does not let up throughout the entire collection. The creep-factor was turned up very high for this story. Seriously, it even got a bit gross for my tastes. But I loved the strange background story of why walking fish start to appear all over. I loved following Tadashi' and Kaori as they live in the horror. I truly could not put this one down until I reached the end!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Smashed by Junji Ito

Title: Smashed

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2019

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 416

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

Try not to be noticed when you eat the secret nectar, otherwise you’ll get smashed… What horrific events happened to create the earthbound—people tied to a certain place for the rest of their short lives? Then, a strange haunted house comes to town, but no one expects it to lead to a real hell… Welcome to Junji Ito’s world, a world with no escape from endless nightmares.

Bloodsucking Darkness - Lots of creep in this one. Loved it.

Ghosts of Prime Time - Probably my least favorite in the collection.

Roar - Fun creepy story set in the wilderness.

Earthbound - Loved this creepy story that reminded me of “The Tell-Tale Heart.”

Death Row Doorbell - More sad than scary.

The Mystery of the Haunted House
The Mystery of the Haunted House: Soichi’s Version
Two stories focused on the same family and creepy haunted house. I enjoyed the first one. The second one wasn’t a favorite.

Soichi’s Beloved Pet - Not a big fan of Soichi and his stories.

In Mirror Valley - Strange story focused more on hatred than horror.

I Don’t Want to be a Ghost - I always enjoy Ito’s ghost stories.

Library Vision - Weird, descent into madness story. Lovely nod to Lovecraft.

Splendid Shadow Song - Didn’t quite work for me.

Smashed - Loved this creepy story featuring an alien? Whatever it was, it was great.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Uzumaki by Junji Ito

Title: Uzumaki

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2020

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 653

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

Kurouzu-cho, a small fogbound town on the coast of Japan, is cursed. According to Shuichi Saito, the withdrawn boyfriend of teenager Kirie Goshima, their town is haunted not by a person or being but a pattern: UZUMAKI, the spiral—the hypnotic secret shape of the world. The bizarre masterpiece horror manga is now available all in a single volume. Fall into a whirlpool of terror!

Finally I get to read all the stories associated with Korouzucho and the mystery of the spirals. These stories get progressively weirder and weirder until we come to complete otherworldliness and desolation. I loved following a kind of descent into the madness at the spirals take over. These stories were very reminiscent of Lovecraft. I loved having Saito as a voice of reason that is suffering from his own style of madness. We get to meet some fun villagers and outsiders on our journey to uncover the mysteries of the spirals. The story focused on the row houses was my favorite. Full of terror and body horror, just how I like my terrifying stories.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 0

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 0

Author: Gege Akutami

Publisher: VIZ Media 2018

Genre: Comics

Pages: 200

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

Yuta Okkotsu is a nervous high school student who is suffering from a serious problem—his childhood friend Rika has turned into a Curse and won't leave him alone. Since Rika is no ordinary Curse, his plight is noticed by Satoru Gojo, a teacher at Jujutsu High, a school where fledgling exorcists learn how to combat Curses. Gojo convinces Yuta to enroll, but can he learn enough in time to confront the Curse that haunts him?

We finally get to see what happened between the falling out between Geto and Gojo and the current timeline. We get to meet a very interesting cursed person and his curse. I called the twist at the beginning, but it still felt like a satisfying twist when revealed. We get to see how Gojo forges his own path, not always relying on the teachers to tell me how to approach a problem. And we get to meet the twins that then appear in the Shibuya Station incident. Very excited that I finally snagged Volume 0 to get more background information for this series.

Jujutsu Kaisen

• Volume 0

• Volume 1

• Volume 2

• Volume 3

• Volume 4

• Volume 5

• Volume 6

• Volume 7

• Volume 8

• Volume 9

• Volume 10

• Volume 11

• Volume 12

• Volume 13

• Volume 14

• Volume 15

• Volume 16

• Volume 17

• Volume 18

• Volume 19

• Volume 20

• Volume 21

• Volume 22

• Volume 23

• Volume 24

• Volume 25

Next up on the TBR pile:

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 12

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 11

Author: Gege Akutami

Publisher: VIZ Media 2020

Genre: Comics

Pages: 192

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna were lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

And more action in Shibuya Station! We get to see how the good guys start to break down the barriers and infiltrate the place. We get to make some great connections between the curse workers and the sorcerers. I loved Mei Mei and her brother the most in this volume. Such secrets within that family, just like all the sorcerer families. I cannot wait to see how this giant situation gets resolved.

Jujutsu Kaisen

• Volume 1

• Volume 2

• Volume 3

• Volume 4

• Volume 5

• Volume 6

• Volume 7

• Volume 8

• Volume 9

• Volume 10

• Volume 11

• Volume 12

• Volume 13

• Volume 14

• Volume 15

• Volume 16

• Volume 17

• Volume 18

• Volume 19

• Volume 20

• Volume 21

• Volume 22

• Volume 23

• Volume 24

• Volume 25

Next up on the TBR pile:

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 11

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 11

Author: Gege Akutami

Publisher: VIZ Media 2020

Genre: Comics

Pages: 192

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

Despite the crowd of civilians and transfigured humans, Satoru Gojo is able to defeat the cursed spirits at Shibuya Station. But it’s a trap! The cursed spirits possess a special item that can even seal the all-powerful Gojo! Meanwhile, an unlikely ally suddenly contacts Yuji Itadori, who is on his way to the station!

The event at Shiuya Station is really lasting many many chapters! Normally I would not like this in my comics, but in this case, it totally works. We get to learn more and more about our cast of characters. We get to see how their pasts dictate their choices in the current timeline. We get to see more of their skills and learn more about jujutsu overall. I’m still a huge Gojo fan even when he’s at his most annoying and egotistical. There’s something about him that really draws you in as a reader.

Jujutsu Kaisen

• Volume 1

• Volume 2

• Volume 3

• Volume 4

• Volume 5

• Volume 6

• Volume 7

• Volume 8

• Volume 9

• Volume 10

• Volume 11

• Volume 12

• Volume 13

• Volume 14

• Volume 15

• Volume 16

• Volume 17

• Volume 18

• Volume 19

• Volume 20

• Volume 21

• Volume 22

• Volume 23

• Volume 24

• Volume 25

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Liminal Zone by Junji Ito

Title: The Liminal Zone

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2022

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 210

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

What destiny awaits them after the screaming?

After abruptly departing from a train in a small town, a couple encounters a “weeping woman”—a professional mourner—sobbing inconsolably at a funeral. Mako changes afterward—she can’t stop crying! In another tale, having decided to die together, a couple enters Aokigahara, the infamous suicide forest. What is the shocking otherworldly torrent that they discover there?

One of horror’s greatest talents, Junji Ito beckons readers to join him in an experience of ultimate terror with four transcendently terrifying tales.

Weeping Woman Way - Lovely and creepy! I especially loved the big twist toward the end.

Madonna - Meh. Not my cup of tea.

The Spirit Flow of Aokigahara - Loved loved loved this body horror story. A real winner here!

Slumber - It was a decent horror story. Not my favorite of his, but definitely better than some of the others.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 10

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 10

Author: Gege Akutami

Publisher: VIZ Media 2020

Genre: Comics

Pages: 192

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna were lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

This volume is mostly one big showdown at Shibuya Station starring Gojo! I loved seeing how all the different groups of sorcerers and curses interacted amongst the humans. We get some great little jump scares and reveals. And we learn a bit more about the dynamics between the Womb Paintings, Mahito, and Geto. I cannot wait to see how they resolve this battle in the next volume.

Jujutsu Kaisen

• Volume 1

• Volume 2

• Volume 3

• Volume 4

• Volume 5

• Volume 6

• Volume 7

• Volume 8

• Volume 9

• Volume 10

• Volume 11

• Volume 12

• Volume 13

• Volume 14

• Volume 15

• Volume 16

• Volume 17

• Volume 18

• Volume 19

• Volume 20

• Volume 21

• Volume 22

• Volume 23

• Volume 24

• Volume 25

Next up on the TBR pile:

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 9

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 9

Author: Gege Akutami

Publisher: VIZ Media 2020

Genre: Comics

Pages: 192

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto have been assigned a mission to escort the Star Plasma Vessel to Master Tengen. When they’re ambushed by Toji Fushiguro, a mercenary known as the Sorcerer Killer, will Gojo and Geto survive? And will this be the turning point where Gojo becomes the world's strongest exorcist while Geto embraces a life of ruin and rebellion?

This volume carried so much emotional weight. Get to see the great dynamic between Gojo and Neto and then the twist in their friendship. What is going to happen when Gojo realizes exactly who is behind the present day troubles? Plus we get to learn more about Toji Fushiguro. My favorite scene was the one between Megumi Fushiguro and Gojo. Loved seeing a young Megumi interact with his future mentor. And we get some great action sequences!

Jujutsu Kaisen

• Volume 1

• Volume 2

• Volume 3

• Volume 4

• Volume 5

• Volume 6

• Volume 7

• Volume 8

• Volume 9

• Volume 10

• Volume 11

• Volume 12

• Volume 13

• Volume 14

• Volume 15

• Volume 16

• Volume 17

• Volume 18

• Volume 19

• Volume 20

• Volume 21

• Volume 22

• Volume 23

• Volume 24

• Volume 25

Next up on the TBR pile:

Frankenstein by Junji Ito

Title: Frankenstein

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 1999

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 408

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

The master of horror manga brings the world's greatest horror novel—Frankenstein—back to life.

Junji Ito meets Mary Shelley! The master of horror manga bends all his skill into bringing the anguished and solitary monster—and the fouler beast who created him—to life with the brilliantly detailed chiaroscuro he is known for.

Also included are six tales of Oshikiri—a high school student who lives in a decaying mansion connected to a haunted parallel world. Uncanny doppelgangers, unfortunately murdered friends, and a whole lot more are in store for him.

Frankenstein - Absolutely amazing! I adore this manga version of Mary Shelley’s classic horror story. Ito highlights the horror so well in his drawing style.

Neck Specter
Bog of Living Spirits
Pen Pal
Intruder
The Strange Tale of Oshikiri
The Strange Tale of Oshikiri: The Walls
These interconnected stories started out well. Neck Specter was amazing, but then they started to feel a bit stale. Mostly I think it’s because Oshikiri is not a great character.

The Hell of the Doll Funeral - Very creepy short that I loved.

Face Firmly in Place - Strange and not that enjoyable.

Boss Non-non
Hide-and-Seek with Boss Non-non
These two stories about a cat were not of much interest to me. They were lacking in the horror that I love.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 8

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 8

Author: Gege Akutami

Publisher: VIZ Media 2020

Genre: Comics

Pages: 192

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

Yuji Itadori and his classmates are fighting two of the three reincarnated Cursed Womb: Death Paintings brothers. Meanwhile, Megumi Fushiguro loses consciousness after finally defeating a special grade curse that possessed a Sukuna finger! Whoever wins the fight between Itadori and the brothers will be the one to secure the prized finger!

Um… we get a giant flashback story within this volume of the story. We get a sorta conclusion to the curse story started in volume 7 and then everything switches. My star rating is really based on the flashback section featuring a ton of characters. I literally gasped when Gojo’s classmate showed up. I am so interested in how their partnership turns in the intervening years. I am so deeply invested in this entire story now. I cannot wait to see how this plays out.

Jujutsu Kaisen

• Volume 1

• Volume 2

• Volume 3

• Volume 4

• Volume 5

• Volume 6

• Volume 7

• Volume 8

• Volume 9

• Volume 10

• Volume 11

• Volume 12

• Volume 13

• Volume 14

• Volume 15

• Volume 16

• Volume 17

• Volume 18

• Volume 19

• Volume 20

• Volume 21

• Volume 22

• Volume 23

• Volume 24

• Volume 25

Next up on the TBR pile:

Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 7

Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Vol. 7

Author: Gege Akutami

Publisher: VIZ Media 2019

Genre: Comics

Pages: 192

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Finishing the Series

Where I Got It: Library

In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna have been lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of jujutsu sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural!

Despite the injuries and losses they suffered in an attack on the Goodwill Event, the students of Jujutsu High have little time rest as people start dying under mysterious circumstances. Could these strange deaths have anything to do with Sukuna's lost fingers?

We get a conclusion of the Goodwill Event and an interesting development in the relationship between Idatori and Todo. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around the friendship between those characters. Something is fishy… And then we get a new mystery of the unlocked doors and Fushiguro’s stepsister. I thought that we would continue with this story, but the volume ends in a strange way. We get the introduction of two new curses. Battle commences…

Jujutsu Kaisen

• Volume 1

• Volume 2

• Volume 3

• Volume 4

• Volume 5

• Volume 6

• Volume 7

• Volume 8

• Volume 9

• Volume 10

• Volume 11

• Volume 12

• Volume 13

• Volume 14

• Volume 15

• Volume 16

• Volume 17

• Volume 18

• Volume 19

• Volume 20

• Volume 21

• Volume 22

• Volume 23

• Volume 24

• Volume 25

Next up on the TBR pile:

Venus in the Blind Spot by Junji Ito

Title: Venus in the Blind Spot

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2019

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 272

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

This striking collection presents the most remarkable short works of Junji Ito’s career, featuring an adaptation of Ranpo Edogawa’s classic horror story “Human Chair” and fan favorite “The Enigma of Amigara Fault.” With a deluxe presentation—including special color pages, and showcasing illustrations from his acclaimed long-form manga No Longer Human—each chilling tale invites readers to revel in a world of terror.

Billions Alone - Creepy body horror at its finest.

The Human Chair by Edogawa Ranpo - Very unsettling story. Loved it!

An Unearthly Love by Edogawa Ranpo - Dolls, always creepy…

Venus in the Blind Spot - Such a great story about obsession.

The Licking Woman - Um. Gross. Even for me.

Master Umezz and Me - Weirdly out of place story full of real emotion.

How Love Came to Professor Kirida - Strange story, but somehow I liked it.

The Enigma of Amigara Fault - Extra extra creepy story. I especially loved the the ending image. Horrifying!

The Sad Tale of the Principal Post - Interesting story, but not creepy enough for me.

Keepsake - I always love creepy item stories.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Sensor by Junji Ito

Title: Sensor

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 2019

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 240

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

A woman walks alone at the foot of Mount Sengoku. A man appears, saying he’s been waiting for her, and invites her to a nearby village. Surprisingly, the village is covered in hairlike volcanic glass fibers, and all of it shines a bright gold. At night, when the villagers perform their custom of gazing up at the starry sky, countless unidentified flying objects come raining down on them—the opening act for the terror about to occur!

I loved the beginning of this story. The strange village and the visitor was a great setup for a creepy, otherworldly story. I loved following along as the story got stronger and stronger. But somewhere along the way, I started to lose interest. Really it was probably after the destruction of the cult, and the then the cult leader returned. It turned out that I didn’t actually care about this story or the characters. Weird turn I must say.

Next up on the TBR pile:

This Inevitable Ruin by Matt Dinniman

Title: The Eye of the Bedlam Bride (Dungeon Crawler Carl #7)

Author: Matt Dinniman

Publisher: Dandy House 2024

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 724

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Cover Lover - A title and/or scene that makes you laugh

They call it Faction Wars. The ninth floor. Nine armies, each led by rich and powerful aliens from across the galaxy. Each team has one objective: to capture and hold the castle at the very center of the battlefield. Strategy, alliances, pitched battles, and, of course, betrayal... It all makes for great fun and even greater television. After all, none of these powerful aliens really die when they’re playing war.

Except this time. This time, winner takes all. Those who fall, stay in the ground.

As the AI continues its rapid decline, Carl and company take advantage of the chaos. For the first time ever, the crawlers are fighting back. They are now one of the nine teams. And this season, there’s a tenth army on the playing field. The NPCs, who are normally used as nothing but cannon fodder, have become fully self-aware and formed a team of their own.

For Donut and Katia, the stakes are even higher. Only one of them will be allowed to leave this level. If they all want to survive, they’re going to need a little help from a veteran or two. This is it. This is what they’ve been fighting toward. This is war. This inevitable ruin.

I finally got time to listen to the newest Carl book! And my goodness, I knew it was going to be a doozy. We finally get to see Faction Wars and the outcomes of so many things set up during the previous few books. I could not wait to see how Carl, Donut, and crew screwed over the corporations and the various enemies of the Princess Posse. The book starts and we immediately dive into nonstop action. Within the action, we get a few quiet moments of serious emotional weight. Just what I was expecting from this volume. The ending wasn’t a huge surprise overall, but I did love how it played out. I cannot wait to see what happens on the 10th Floor.

Dungeon Crawler Carl

• #1 Dungeon Crawler Carl

• #2 Carl’s Doomsday Scenario

• #3 The Dungeon' Anarchist’s Cookbook

• #4 The Gate of the Feral Gods

• #5 The Butcher’s Masquerade

• #6 The Eye of the Bedlam Bride

• #7 This Inevitable Ruin

Next up on the TBR pile:

Lovesickness by Junji Ito

Title: Lovesickness

Author: Junji Ito

Publisher: VIZ Media 1998

Genre: Manga Horror

Pages: 408

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Where I Got It: Library

Ryusuke returns to the town he once lived in because rumors are swirling about girls killing themselves after encountering a bewitchingly handsome young man. Harboring his own secret from time spent in this town, Ryusuke attempts to capture the beautiful boy and close the case, but…

Starting with the strikingly bloody “Lovesickness,” this volume collects ten stories showcasing horror master Junji Ito in peak form, including “The Strange Hikizuri Siblings” and “The Rib Woman.”

This collection didn’t quite work for me completely.

The Beautiful Boy at the Crossroads
A Woman in Distress
Shadow
Screams in the Night
The Boy in White

All of these stories were connected focused on a mysterious fog filled town full of fortune seekers. The middle really dragged, but I did like the ending.

Narumi’s Boyfriend
The Seance

Two connected stories that didn’t quite work for me. I didn’t like the characters.

The Mansion of Phantom Pain - Definitely my favorite! I loved the existential horror in this story.

The Rib Woman - Another great story, this time focused on body perfection.

Memories of Real Poop - Um, what did I just read? That’s going to be a no for me.

Next up on the TBR pile: