Welcome to Tell Me Something Tuesday. A weekly discussion post here on Rainy Day Ramblings where I discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.
This week's terrifying topic:
What book worlds would you never want to enter?
I think one of the reasons many of us love to read is because we are quickly transported to all different kinds of worlds. It could be a magical world, or a fantastical world, or even an apocalyptic world. The ability to visit all these realms from the safety of my own home is why I love reading. I especially appreciate that I can visit all the terrifying dystopian worlds, and when it gets to be too much, I resurface glad to be in my own safe place. What is about dystopian/apocalyptic reads that keeps drawing our attention? I think I like them because it fascinates me to see how people behave in the most dire of circumstances, and then I insert myself in that world and imagine how I would survive. As much as I like to think I would be fierce and capable of conquering all types of environments, in reality, I probably wouldn't last too long.
With that in mind, there are some terrifying worlds that I have encountered in my reading adventures that I would definitely not like to visit.
Here are a few of my top worst worlds: (click on covers for more details)
The Ashfall Series by Mike Mullin presents a terrifying world. In this series, the world as we know it is obliterated by the eruption of the Yellowstone Super Volcano. The entire world is covered in ash. Even worse, the sun is blocked by all the volcanic pollution, plunging the world into a volcanic winter. It is a world of desperation and a deadly fight for survival. I think this world is terrifying because this could actually happen. I was drawn to this series because I grew up an hour and half from Yellowstone, so this one hits close to home. If you like a realistic dystopian world, this is a series to try.
Next up is Sanctum by Sarah Fine:
This book takes us to the depths of Hell. Hell is a terrifying, dark place that constantly changes to suit the needs of its inhabitants. It is your worst nightmares come true. Ms. Fine does an exceptional job with her world building. I highly recommend this series.
Dark Inside Series by Jeyn Roberts:
Ms. Roberts presents us a world where humanity is consumed by the evil within. People become the worst versions of themselves as they resort to their most violent nature. The Baggers are a terrifying and horrible and everything you don't want to see in humanity.
The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle:
I have read plenty of vampire books, but this series by Ms. Bickle was top notch. It is set in the calm confines of an Amish community. Then horror is unleashed as a vampiric virus sweeps across the world. The vampires are in this world are the old world type, terrifying, deadly and not sparkly. I loved this series!
The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancy:
This was one of my favorite new series for 2013. In this book, humanity is nearly destroyed by aliens. How creepy is that? This one is scary because you never know, aliens could show up at anytime. I am eagerly anticipating the next installment this fall.
Razorland Series by Ann Aguirre:
This was one of my first YA dystopian series. I was terrified by the bleak and horrifying world Ms. Aguirre dreamed up. Deuce is a fifteen year old girl born in the depths of the abandoned subway tunnels. Her world is dark and horrible. They are plagued by The Freaks, which are a type of mutant humans, think zombies but worse. A must read dystopian series.
The Pure Series by Julianne Baggot:
This is a world inhabited by humans who survived an apocalyptic nuclear blast. Survivors have all kinds of debris fused right to their bodies. For instance, the heroine has a doll head for hand since she was holding her doll when the blast hit. There is in even a set of brothers fused together. This is a world of mutant humans fighting for their lives.
Shudders.... these are just a few of the terrifying worlds I have encountered. There are plenty more as I have read lots of vampire, zombie and apocalyptic books over the years, but these are a few that have stuck out in my mind for whatever reason. These books made me grateful that I could resurface in the calm confines of my safe world when they became overwhelming. What about you all, what are some of the scariest worlds you have encountered?
Next week's question:
It's the end of the world... what books do you grab to preserve for future readers?
