The Alphabet Challenge "K" Books

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                                                             The "K" Books


Book 1: Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw

My niece and I picked up this book two years ago. I almost bought it. I'm glad I didn't. Now, don't get me wrong, the book was well written. The story had promise, but it failed. 

Described as a gorgeously creepy haunted house tale, steeped in Japanese folklore and full of devastating twists, the story is about four friends who decide to spend the night in a Heian-era abandoned mansion. Its foundations rest on the bones of a bride and its walls are packed with the remains of the girls sacrificed to keep her company. After a night of food, drinking, and games (yawn) the ghost bride appears with a hungry heart and a blackened grin.

Lucky for me it was a short book. The characters were cliche. You had your jock, your funny guy, the geeky girl and the popular one. All you were missing was Scooby and a van. Trust me, adding Scooby and a van would have made the book better. 

Some of the prose was beautifully written. The rest was cliche. 

I give it one star.

Book 2: The Last Invitation by Darby Kane

Interesting concept. It reminded me of the series "How to Get Away With Murder" staring Viola Davis. I even googled to see if they were connected. Nope. 

Synopsis: Over the past few years, several prominent people have died in a series of fluke accidents and shocking suicides. There's no apparent connections, and no signs of foul play. Behind it all is a powerful group of women "The Sophie Foundation" who meet over wine and cheese to review files of men who behave very badly and then determine who they will serve justice to.  

This is an exclusive club that Jessa Hall is invited to join. It gives her the power and leadership she desires. But, once you are in the group it is impossible to get out without losing everything. 

Very intriguing plot, well written, the characters ... I get a little tired of perfect, beautiful women whose only flaws are jealousy and being a woman. Why does every woman have to look like a model? Can't they be real? How are we supposed to relate to these perfect people with their perfect rich lives? Its kind of annoying. But...ya, know. 

It was good. It was intriguing. It kept you guessing. But I wasn't rooting for either of the main characters. I wasn't connected to them because they were both so perfect. 

I give it two and a half stars. 


What did I learn from both of these books? In relation to the first one, when writing a horror story do not have cliche characters, try to come up with an original storyline. I love the haunted house theme. I am forever in search for a great haunted house story. Each time I read one, I figure out what NOT to do. 

With the second one...I cannot relate to these ultra rich people and their huge houses, huge bank accounts, and perfect figures. People have flaws. This is one of the issues I have with several of the series on Netflix like "Pretty Little Liars" (great book, excellent twist, unrelatable spoiled rich kids) and "The Summer I Turned Pretty" (spoiled rich kids, with typical teenage angst, but great acting). 65% of Americans own one house. 4.48% own three or more homes. 

I personally think, if I am going to create a character and write a story, I want the setting to be realistic. People are not perfect. Lives are not perfect. And not everyone is a multi millionaire. 

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