This uses the Kappa element perfectly and was everything that was promised in the storyline. I was engaged with what was happening and thought the concept was well done. I was invested in what was happening with the characters and thought this was wonderfully written from S.C. Mendes & Nikki Noir.

3 stars

I have no clue really what to say about this one lol
It was something for sure. I did enjoy it and it is very on brand for these authors.

I am so thankful to Blood Bound Books, S.C. Mendes and Nikki Noir, and Netgalley for granting me advanced access to this gem before it hit shelves on December 21, 2024. I really enjoyed this one and am thankful for the opportunity.

If you know Japanese lore then this book is worth reading. Japanese lore is my youngest son's favorite thing in the world. Before I read the book, I asked him what his take on Dallas and he won't on and on about Pappas for a roll 20 minutes. I took his retelling to heart and then read the book. I cannot believe how right he was about kappas. I was astonished. The book itself was right on the money as my son said. The book was great and was very fun to read. Loved it even though it sounded gross.. But great. Just wish I knew what happened after the book ended. It just seemed unfinished.

I received a free copy of the book and is voluntarily writing a review

3.5 stars

10-year-old special needs boy Dale has gone missing. His family isn’t very concerned, but his older friend Jen is very worried. When a few teenagers are killed in a very grisly manner, Jen worries if it has something to do with the Japanese Kappa legend her and Dale had been discussing. Story also involves cucumbers, anal sex and other crazy themes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Blood Bound Books for a copy of this short story.

This is the second short story that I have read from Nikki Noir's short story collection Petite Mort. It is about a mythical creature, the Kappa, who wants to take people's shirikodama which appears to be their life force. People are being killed and nobody knows who is doing the killing. Weird, erotic horror, this could be expanded into a full novel with more depth of character, stronger plot, etc. As it is, it is a quick and quirky read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this short story.

3.50/5

I have no words. Reading this was a rollercoaster of confusion and horror. With this being a novella the book starts almost immediately in the action with the FMC’s classmate being murdered and her trying to find her friend.

I liked Jennifer, Shaggy and little Dale. I wanted to see Jen and Shaggy interact as well with her other friend Desiree. I understand that due to the novella's length, it couldn't be done. I'll take whatever crumb I can get.

The writing was really good in my opinion. I was horrified and bewildered for sure, but I enjoyed their writing style and appreciated that while this was a short book, they didn’t cut corners and I was given just enough information to understand what was going on. I would be interested in reading more from this duo I think they could really pull off making a horror-comedy book.

This low-key reminds me of a shorter more unhinged version of Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare.

Wish we could’ve gotten tighter conclusion instead of an open ending, but that’s just my personal preference.
All in all this was good! Disgusting, yes, but good!

3.75 stars

**Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

Pros
+ genre: YA, magical realism, horror
+ setting: high school, party, lake town
+ plot: Jen tries to find her missing friend, a 10yo boy named Dale, as a string of gruesome murders sweeps the town
+ the friendship between Jen and Dale is so wholesome
+ perfect, dark ending
+ literal cucumbers 🥒
+ kapas (Japanese water creature-spirit)
+ "keep away from water and sex"
+ vibes: bloody, visceral, gross

Cons
- more focused on ass stuff than I ever bargained for (good lord make it stop)
- super graphic sex scenes paired with corny banter
- "hose me down with that man-batter" 🤢🤮
- listening to this on audio made the sex talk a truly cringey experiences

TW: bullying, gore, mutilation, EXTREME ass stuff, extremely explicit and vulgar, "r-word/simpleton" slurs, murder, attempted rape

This is definitely a book at least. I hated all the characters, vulgar for the sake of being vulgar and not even fun about it. At least it's a quick read and doesn't ask for much of your time.

While I enjoyed the folklore elements and learning about a new mythical creature (the kappa!), this one just wasn't for me. There was a lot to like about it, but the simplistic writing style just isn't my personal preference. I feel fairly confident that was an intentional stylistic choice of the author, so I can't fault her too much on that. Writing is subjective and sometimes tastes just don't align. I know that so many others will (and already do) love this one and will absolutely still recommend it to those who are into this style of horror. <3

All of my thanks to Netgalley & Blood Bound Books for the ARC!