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Erica Robyn Reads

a horror book review blog

Recent Posts

Black Out The Stars by Christopher Bond - book sitting on wooden flooring. Book cover of Black Out the Stars by Christopher Bond, cover illustrated by Todd Kiesling. The design showcases a dark, atmospheric pond and sky filled with swirling fog and scattered stars. The title is prominently displayed in bold, white, pink and purple lettering, contrasting against the deep purple and black hues of the background.

Black Out The Stars by Christopher Bond | Book Review

Indie Bookstore Day 2025 | Book Event

A tablet lies on dry grass and surrounded by dandelions in a natural outdoor setting. The screen displays the cover of the book Everybody Is in the Place by Emma J. Gibbon. The cover features a colorful, fantastical illustration of a female figure with glowing eyes and curved horns, holding something mysterious in her hands. Stars and swirling cosmic elements fill the background, giving the cover a magical and otherworldly feel. The title text is in bold, colorful letters across the top and middle, with the author's name at the bottom.

Everybody Is in the Place by Emma J. Gibbon | Book Review

[Book Review] Chills by Mary SanGiovanni

June 18, 2020      Erica Robyn      10 Comments

Chills by Mary SanGiovanni Book Photo

Chills by Mary SanGiovanni is an intense tale about a freak snowstorm in May where the residents of a town don’t just need to worry about the amount of snow piling up, but the dangerous things that are alive in the snow as well…  and that’s not even the worst of it.

Let’s dive in!

My Thoughts on Chills by Mary SanGiovanni

The opening line of this book was:

Jack Glazier had worked Colby Township Homicide for going on nine long New England winters, but he had never seen blood freeze quite like that.

As soon as I read that line, I knew this one was going to be a hit for me! This is yet another one of those books that you need to just jump right in to, so I’ll keep my notes below light.

I absolutely adored the characters, especially Kathy. I loved how she put up a very thick outer shell to protect herself, but that she was very vulnerable on the inside and let bits of that show through from time to time. I really enjoyed her time spent with one specific character as we got to see her let her guard down and relax a bit. I’m looking forward to seeing more about her in the next book!

The plot paired with excellent pacing made this a story that was difficult for me to step away from. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next, but I also dreaded it at the same time. 

I loved the creatures and how violent and intense all of their scenes were! My goodness… They were all so interesting as well! There’s SO much I want to gush about here but I’ll leave this discovery up to you! 

One additional thing I wanted to note, was how seamlessly the author weaves the gore in. Throughout the novel, I felt super unsettled and nervous. When the action scenes kicked in, I was totally immersed. But then, occasionally, I found that the gory details were added in a way that made me have to double back and make sure I actually just read what I thought I had read. I LOVE when that happens! 

My Favorite Passages from Chills

Jack Glazier had worked Colby Township Homicide for going on nine long New England winters, but he had never seen blood freeze quite like that.

There was nothing alive as far as she could see, except for her…and the giant creature scaling the side of the hospital’s mental health ward in the moonlight. 

The entire town was coated and shades of blue and white, silver and gray. Crystaline sheaths of ice leant a surreal, somehow hunted quality to cars, park benches, fences, telephone poles, and signs. Houses bore rows of long, sharp icicles in a snarl above people’s heads. The heavy snowbanks that ate sound, burying it beneath mini avalanches from roofs and eaves, reminded the few survivors that terrible silent things were still out there. And the wind, the low and mournful moaning and wailing, was always around the head, in the ears. 

People didn’t like to believe that they could share any traits with child-killers and molesters, cannibals, necrophiliacs, rapists, serial murderers, and the like, because it meant that, deep down, they would have to acknowledge that anyone could be that kind of monster, even a loved one. Even oneself.

My Final Thoughts on Chills

Looking for a book that will chill you this summer?

I highly recommend checking this one out if you enjoy stories centered around amazing characters that is also filled with intense violence, a very chilling atmosphere, and super terrifying creatures!

Whew, I am so glad that I read this on a hot June day! The title of this one is so perfect, as I totally had chills while reading this!


Snag a copy through Bookshop to help support local indie bookshops:

Thanks for reading!
For a book in a similar vein, check out Snowball by Gregory Bastianelli!

Here are a few more recent posts you might like:

  • Black Out The Stars by Christopher Bond | Book Review
  • Indie Bookstore Day 2025 | Book Event
  • Everybody Is in the Place by Emma J. Gibbon | Book Review

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Candyce @ the book Dutchesses says

    June 18, 2020 at 10:09 am

    What an opening line! That would definitely have me hooked!

    Reply
    • Erica Robyn says

      June 20, 2020 at 9:19 am

      Right?!

      Reply
  2. Dinh G. says

    June 19, 2020 at 12:11 pm

    Glad that you enjoyed this one.
    Perhaps a bit scary for me? LOL

    Reply
    • Erica Robyn says

      June 20, 2020 at 9:19 am

      <3

      Reply
  3. ShootingStarsMag says

    June 22, 2020 at 9:07 am

    Sounds CHILL-ing indeed. I love that opening line!

    -Lauren

    Reply
    • Erica Robyn says

      June 22, 2020 at 10:35 am

      😀

      Reply
  4. Angie says

    June 22, 2020 at 10:16 am

    This seems right up my alley. I might have to see if I can get myself a copy!

    Reply
    • Erica Robyn says

      June 22, 2020 at 10:36 am

      Enjoy!! 🙂

      Reply

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Welcome to Erica Robyn Reads!

Erica Robyn of Erica Robyn Reads
Hello! I’m Erica, a Mainer living in New Hampshire who runs on hot tea, good books, and loud music. Join me as I seek out amazing horror tales and help support the indie horror community!
 

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