Horrorstor
By Grady Hendrix
Quirk Books September 2014
243 pages
Sent from the publisher for review
Bizarre things have been happening at night at the Cleveland Orsk. The superstore can supply everything you need to furnish your home with Nordic charm. But when the employees come in for the morning shift, pieces have been moved and broken. Security cameras reveal nothing. The manager, Basil, is desperate and enlists two employees to join him in an overnight shift so they can discover what is going on. Ruth Anne seems happy to help because she loves her job. Amy, on the other hand, is not thrilled about working another shift. Her need to make rent forces her to join in. The Orsk employees could not possibly imagine what is about to happen during their overnight shift, but their lives (and the infrastructure of that store) will never be the same again...
The first thing that must be mentioned about Horrorstor is the attention paid to the book's design. The book looks like an Ikea catalog, complete with coupons, pictures and descriptions of items for purchase, and an order form to have your purchases delivered to your home. Each chapter features a dining set, sofa, or cabinet that will play a part in that section of the story.
The story itself moves at a breakneck pace. You know things can only go badly when the employees lock themselves in for the night and decide that the best course of action is to have a seance. Rest assured that this book does scary just right. There are things that go bump in the night and lots of running and escaping. On the other hand, I haven't been suffering from nightmares every night since reading it.
At the beginning, the characters seem a bit like broadly written types. Amy is belligerent and unhappy to be working a job she sees as beneath her. Basil is an uptight manager, worried about looking good to his superiors above all else. Ruth Anne is the oh-so-sweet and committed older woman. But as the night goes on, their defenses start to fall away and we see just who these people are and what lengths they will go to in order to save themselves and each other.
I read this one during daylight hours, actually before noon, because I am a big scaredy cat. If you are a braver soul than I am, you might even think about reading it after dinner! This one will definitely bring on some creepy crawly feelings. Since today is Halloween, it seems that this is the perfect night to read Horrorstor if you already have a copy. If not, pick one up and wait for a cold evening when the wind is blowing things around outside. You might want to make sure that you're not reading on a couch from Ikea though....
The first thing that must be mentioned about Horrorstor is the attention paid to the book's design. The book looks like an Ikea catalog, complete with coupons, pictures and descriptions of items for purchase, and an order form to have your purchases delivered to your home. Each chapter features a dining set, sofa, or cabinet that will play a part in that section of the story.
The story itself moves at a breakneck pace. You know things can only go badly when the employees lock themselves in for the night and decide that the best course of action is to have a seance. Rest assured that this book does scary just right. There are things that go bump in the night and lots of running and escaping. On the other hand, I haven't been suffering from nightmares every night since reading it.
At the beginning, the characters seem a bit like broadly written types. Amy is belligerent and unhappy to be working a job she sees as beneath her. Basil is an uptight manager, worried about looking good to his superiors above all else. Ruth Anne is the oh-so-sweet and committed older woman. But as the night goes on, their defenses start to fall away and we see just who these people are and what lengths they will go to in order to save themselves and each other.
I read this one during daylight hours, actually before noon, because I am a big scaredy cat. If you are a braver soul than I am, you might even think about reading it after dinner! This one will definitely bring on some creepy crawly feelings. Since today is Halloween, it seems that this is the perfect night to read Horrorstor if you already have a copy. If not, pick one up and wait for a cold evening when the wind is blowing things around outside. You might want to make sure that you're not reading on a couch from Ikea though....
Happy Halloween, readers!
I read Horrorstor as a part of Readers in Peril. You can see all of the spooky books here!
I posted my review this week too, and I completely enjoyed this book. I read it during daylight on Readathon, it was perfect. I did offer to loan it to a friend, but I'm so happy I have my own copy of this book. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI did the same thing! I read it first thing during the readathon, which meant it didn't freak me out quite so much and I finished a book early on in the day. I'm coming your way to read your thoughts! :)
DeleteGreat review! What a cute concept for a scary book, kudos to the author for being completely original. I would like to read this after reading your review and Anita's, so thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteWonderful! It was a very original story and I can't wait to hear what you think.
DeleteLooks like there are lots of bloggers talking about this book this month! It looks like an interesting take, and perhaps I could read this one by daylight just like you did.
ReplyDeleteI thought it would make a bigger splash in terms of sales at my bookstore. I bought a stack to keep on the counter and haven't sold the first copy. Boo!
Hmm...that's so strange! If I had happened up on this book, I would definitely pick it up to take a look.
DeleteI'm glad you are a daytime scary reader like me. :)
This wasn't my favorite ever, but it was pretty funny. Amy's observations on adulthood were spot on!
ReplyDeleteIt was definitely fun. I appreciate some levity when being terrified! :)
DeleteI enjoyed your review of this book... I've heard a fair bit about it, all positive, so I think I should bite the bullet and purchase it. The story sounds great, but I love the detail in the design - I'm such a sucker for those kinds of things.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Lindsey!
:-)
Bits & Bobs
Me too! Attention to the book's design will always win you points from this reader! :)
DeleteI have this book on hold at the library...hopefully it comes in soon so I can read it, too. :) Great post.
ReplyDeleteThose library waits always feel like they take forever. I hope you love it!
DeleteI've read mixed reviews of this one but the picture you shared is pushing me towards picking it up. It seems like the formatting could be a lot fun!
ReplyDelete