#ATBR2019 Review: Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix @quirkbooks @grady_hendrix @jessmapreviews
Horrorstor
by Grady Hendrix
Publisher: Quirk Books
Publish Date: September 23, 2014
Paperback
248 Pages
Standalone
Genres: Horror, Paranormal
Something strange is happening at the Orsk furniture superstore in Cleveland, Ohio. Every morning, employees arrive to find broken Kjerring bookshelves, shattered Glans water goblets, and smashed Liripip wardrobes. Sales are down, security cameras reveal nothing, and store managers are panicking.
To unravel the mystery, three employees volunteer to work a nine-hour dusk-till-dawn shift. In the dead of the night, they’ll patrol the empty showroom floor, investigate strange sights and sounds, and encounter horrors that defy the imagination.
A traditional haunted house story in a thoroughly contemporary setting, Horrorstör comes packaged in the form of a glossy mail order catalog, complete with product illustrations, a home delivery order form, and a map of Orsk’s labyrinthine showroom.
Designed by Andie Reid, cover photography by Christine Ferrara
My Review:
I remember seeing this EONS ago when Horror sections were still prevalent in bookstores (PLEASE BRING THEM BACK) and always wondered why this Home Improvement/IKEA catalog book was among the masses. Little did I know, and it took me way longer than I'm willing to admit *cough*, that is actually a horror fiction novel by someone who is quickly becoming a favorite. (Ok, ok, I admit, I own three books by Hendrix and finally have read my first - better late than dead right?)
First, let's discuss the formatting - while deceiving (shakes fist), it's delightful and genius. I would actually hang the picture frames on the cover in my apartment - but check out the back page and eerie goodness awaits! Also, each chapter beginning being an add for a piece of furniture that gets more and more horrorific made this all the more enjoyable.
Second, let's talk the story line. I (because I'm terrible about reading synopsis/blurbs and reveal that this was a total cover buy once my brain kicked into gear) thought this was going to a "when furniture attacks" kind of read. Boy, oh boy, did I get that wrong. (It's ok - it's a place I'm used to being.) Instead we get Amy's story as she works for Orsk and decides to work an extra shift over night because she needs the cash and her boss, Basil, gives her an offer she can't really refuse. Poor thing - I feel for her poor decision making, but she really didn't know what was going to happen. No one did.
I love the parody of Ikea - I've actually never been into an Ikea store or have ever owned a piece of their furniture but if they're anything like Orsk, seems I dodged a bullet there. (PHEW) But I have worked in retail so I understand the pain these employees go through. I also love torture machines so as we progressed, my morbid fascination switch turned to on and.... Oh, I just loved this ride. **big toothy smile**
This is 248 pages of fun. I can't wait to read the rest of his books - highly recommend.
★★★★★
First, let's discuss the formatting - while deceiving (shakes fist), it's delightful and genius. I would actually hang the picture frames on the cover in my apartment - but check out the back page and eerie goodness awaits! Also, each chapter beginning being an add for a piece of furniture that gets more and more horrorific made this all the more enjoyable.
Second, let's talk the story line. I (because I'm terrible about reading synopsis/blurbs and reveal that this was a total cover buy once my brain kicked into gear) thought this was going to a "when furniture attacks" kind of read. Boy, oh boy, did I get that wrong. (It's ok - it's a place I'm used to being.) Instead we get Amy's story as she works for Orsk and decides to work an extra shift over night because she needs the cash and her boss, Basil, gives her an offer she can't really refuse. Poor thing - I feel for her poor decision making, but she really didn't know what was going to happen. No one did.
I love the parody of Ikea - I've actually never been into an Ikea store or have ever owned a piece of their furniture but if they're anything like Orsk, seems I dodged a bullet there. (PHEW) But I have worked in retail so I understand the pain these employees go through. I also love torture machines so as we progressed, my morbid fascination switch turned to on and.... Oh, I just loved this ride. **big toothy smile**
This is 248 pages of fun. I can't wait to read the rest of his books - highly recommend.
★★★★★
Jessica's Review:
Ah yes, FINALLY picking up a book from my long neglected TBR pile. I'm glad I decided to start with this one because its been looking at me from my shelves for years. HORRORSTÖR is my fourth outing with Grady Hendrix and I haven't been disappointed yet. I absolutely love how this book looks. The order form in the front, the map of the store, the store information, slogan, and mission, products and descriptions - I so appreciate all of these extra details!
So, if you've been to an IKEA then you know it can be a nightmare making your way through the store. Well, at ORSK, that takes on a whole new meaning. Amy takes on a night shift at the furniture giant and, of course, that wasn't the right choice. What ensues is a great and quick horror read. This has the same wit and dark humor I've come to love and hope for with a Hendrix novel! Plenty of creepy moments and more scares than I was anticipating, and I loved every second of it.
I know for a fact this will be flashing through my mind whenever I end up at IKEA again. At 248 pages this one flies by and I would highly recommend giving this one a read. Here's to more from Grady Hendrix!
5 stars
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