A Haunting Fusion of Hemingway and Lovecraft

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Jorah Kai's The Sun Also Rises on Cthulhu is a brilliant reimagining of Ernest Hemingway’s classic The Sun Also Rises, infused with a chilling Lovecraftian twist. Kai takes Hemingway’s disillusioned characters and places them into a surreal world where reality warps under the weight of cosmic horrors. The result is a haunting experience that blends Hemingway’s minimalist prose with Lovecraft’s psychological terror.

About the Book: The Sun Also Rises on Cthulhu

Kai mirrors Hemingway’s characters—particularly Jack and Brett—perfectly but pushes them into a nightmarish reality where time, logic, and emotion break down. The sparse, direct style evokes deep emotions with minimal words, though the repetition typical of Hemingway's dialogue works here to amplify the tension. It’s a masterful use of the author’s signature approach to convey mental and emotional unraveling.

The horror in this novel isn’t cheap; it’s existential, slow-burning, and pervasive. Figures like Cthulhu and Nyarlathotep add an incomprehensible dread that mirrors the characters’ own internal struggles. The fear is not built on gore but on the creeping realization that human frailty means nothing in the face of an uncaring, vast cosmos.

BookHookup Review: The Sun Also Rises on Cthulhu

Though I’m not deeply familiar with Lovecraft, I appreciated the way Kai integrated the cosmic elements. The epilogue is especially compelling, teasing a future mash-up with another well-known author that leaves you eager for more.

The Sun Also Rises on Cthulhu is a triumph for both Hemingway and Lovecraft fans. Kai has crafted a journey through madness that seamlessly blends literary depth with cosmic horror. If you love Hemingway’s style and enjoy psychological terror, this is an unforgettable read.

While I may not be an avid Hemingway enthusiast, Jorah Kai’s skill in weaving his own unique narrative voice with the shadow of Hemingway’s prose shines through. As a fan of Kai’s fantasy work, I found The Sun Also Rises on Cthulhu to be a fascinating exploration of existential horror. It’s a haunting, thought-provoking experience that lingers long after the final page.

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As BookHookup Reviews, I received an advance reader copy of this book and was not compensated for providing this review.

A Measure of Rhyme: Gripping supernatural conflict

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After finishing A Measure of Rhyme, the second book in Lloyd Jeffries’ Ages of Malice series, I find myself captivated by the emotional depth and the intensity of supernatural conflict that unfolds. While I missed the first book, A Portion of Malice, I plan on revisiting it after experiencing the gripping events of this sequel.

 

About the Book: A Measure of Rhyme

The story centers around Rhyme Carter, who finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle. Married to the Antichrist—Cain—she is forced into a heart-wrenching decision between her duty and her love for another man, Emery Merrick. While the notion of the Antichrist may spark interest, it's worth noting that this interpretation may not align with traditional biblical teachings. The narrative is thick with emotional turmoil, as Rhyme’s love for Emery becomes the driving force for her to reclaim her life, all while facing her powerful, and manipulative, husband.

BookHookup Review: A Measure of Rhyme

What makes this book stand out is not just the perilous stakes but the complex relationships that define it. Rhyme’s struggle is both personal and global—her choices will impact her love life, her survival, and the fate of humanity. The moral dilemmas she faces challenge the boundaries between right and wrong, all within a world where the supernatural is very real. This deep dive into human emotions and ethical complexities is masterfully done, balancing internal conflict with external pressures.

Lloyd Jeffries doesn’t disappoint with his vivid storytelling. The imagery is immersive, pulling readers into both the heavenly realms and the darkest corners of Earth. His characters, both old and new, continue to evolve in unexpected ways, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Rhyme is a standout character—one of the strongest female leads I’ve encountered in recent memory—and her journey from librarian to world-saving heroine is as thrilling as it is inspiring.

The book seamlessly chronicles the saga of a secret society’s quest for domination, building tension as the world moves closer to an apocalypse. There are so many layers to this story: love, betrayal, redemption, and the looming threat of annihilation. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, where survival isn’t just about physical battles, but about holding onto hope when everything seems lost.

Fans of supernatural thrillers and epic sagas will find themselves hooked, as the action and suspense escalate in each chapter. The stakes are high, the characters complex, and the plot never slows down.

Though I came into this story without the context of the first book, I am now eager to experience it and learn how the saga began. A Measure of Rhyme is a fantastic continuation, and I am already looking forward to what comes next in this dark, high-stakes series.

Gripping crime thriller from start to finish

If you’re searching for a gripping crime thriller that captivates from start to finish, look no further than SZ Estavillo’s The Serpent’s Bridge. This debut novel is set against the gritty backdrop of Los Angeles and intertwines suspense with a trio of compelling female protagonists who are as flawed as they are courageous.

About the book: The Serpent's Bridge

The Serpent’s Bridge shines with its portrayal of a resilient Hispanic female protagonist at its core. LAPD Detective Anaya Nazario’s unwavering determination and complex backstory make her a standout character in a genre often dominated by male leads. She’s a flawed character haunted by the unresolved murder of her father, a trauma that continues to shape her relentless pursuit of justice. Estavillo skillfully introduces Detective Nazario in an adrenaline-fueled opening scene setting the tone for unfolding high-stake action.

Detective Anaya Nazario

Alongside Detective Nazario, readers are introduced to Millie Ann Goodwin, a pastor’s wife grappling with her own demons, and Esperanza Florez, a pivotal witness whose testimony holds the key to unraveling a string of unsolved murders. Each character is meticulously developed, with their intermingling stories adding emotional engagement and layers of depth and intrigue to the narrative.

Esperanza Florez

Book review: The Serpent's Bridge

Beyond its compelling characters and suspenseful plot twists, The Serpent’s Bridge delves into timely themes such as immigration and mental health, providing a thought-provoking backdrop against which the protagonists navigate their challenges. Estavillo seamlessly weaves these issues into the story’s fabric enriching the reader’s experience with its relevance and depth.

Having read an ARC (Advance Reader Copy), I can confidently say that The Serpent’s Bridge delivers a thrilling ride from start to finish. SZ Estavillo’s ability to blend action-packed scenes with nuanced character development makes this novel a standout in the genre. Whether you’re drawn to intricate mysteries or powerful character-driven narratives, The Serpent’s Bridge is a must-read that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment. I’m happy to give it 5 out of 5 stars.

 **Warning: The Serpent’s Bridge contains a few explicit scenes of sexual content and frequent use of profanity. Reader discretion is advised for those sensitive to such content.

 

About the author: SZ Estavillo

Biracial Thriller Author | Debut 2024-2025 The Serpent Series @HeberBooks | Literary & TV Agency Experience | MA: TV, Radio & Film | Multi-Genre Reader | Social Media & Content Ninja

Historical time travel fiction set in exotic Ancient Egypt

I’m a time travel fan and a historical fiction fan so I looked forward to reading A Time to Seek (The Time Travel Journals of Sahara Aldridge Book 1) by Tracy Higley with a double dose of expectation. For me, this Ancient Egypt time travel romance seemed to get off to a slow start as Higley lays the foundation for this captivating adventure, but it wasn't boring. It just set the scene for the past and present to collide in this captivating tale.

About the book: A Time to Seek 

The story starts in 1922 and is told in the first person by protagonist Sahara Aldridge, an Egyptologist whose parents were also Egyptologists. At the start of A Time to Seek she works in Egypt on a dig, in search of an undiscovered Pharaoh's tomb. Her parents disappeared on a trip to Venice when she was 15 and with no family ties, her life is devoted to her work. Then an attractive young reporter by the name of Jack Moretti shows up on the scene. She’s not the trusting sort, but he wins her over enough to have dinner. The story spirals with secrets uncovered from Jack’s past and her own that I won’t divulge here to spoil the read. The plot is multi-layered and I enjoyed Tracey Higley’s unique rules of time travel that offer a bit of regulation with a twist that makes things more and more intriguing as the story progresses.

Book review: A Time to Seek

A Time to Seek introduces engaging characters including a strong, daring, female protagonist. The world-building stays true to history and offers Ancient Egyptian tidbits that tie into the plot. Once I made it to chapter eight, it turned into a real page-turner filled with mystery, intrigue, and dangerous high-stakes conflicts amid skillfully drawn settings of ancient Egypt. I loved it. 

A Time to Seek is book one in a trilogy and can be read as a stand-alone, but I, for one, look forward to what happens next in the life of this young heroine. I’m happy to give it a strong 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to people who enjoy historical fiction, fiction set in exotic Ancient Egyptian locales, action and adventure, a budding romance, and elements of revenge all couched amid the ability to time travel. 

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I received a free review copy of this book from the author but was not compensated for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.