Robert Scott-Norton - Dark Corners 01: The Correction Floor

It has been a while since I've finished this book but I still remember it pretty well. Mostly because it was the kind I simply couldn't put down. It was really great to read, the text flowed beautifully and the story was really engaging. Which was, honestly, really surprising. The book falls into the supernatural genre as well as horror. I do like horror, but most of the time, the main character is a girl which I don't really like. So this book was a nice surprise in this regard - the main character was a young man named Seth. 

Most of the book takes place in a haunted asylum. I like that. I like horrors that take place in abandoned buildings. Be it a school, an asylum, a hospital, or just a normal house. Or a castle. That could be an interesting read too. Though to be honest, most of my experience with horror stories comes in the form of movies or fanfiction (or anime). And I'm very picky about my movie horrors. It has to be really good and I prefer psychological horror instead of gory ones. All the bloodbath horrors just seem too fake. It's not scary, it's just gross. I don't mind blood or death and killing, but it has to feel real. 

Lily Morton - Black and Blue #1: The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings

 

Levi's boyfriend cheated on him and his mother died. Thankfully, he inherited a house in York and can start a new life there. Not so thankfully, the house is haunted. Doors opening, windows opening, lights flickering... Think a hunting phase in Phasmophobia. 

And then he meets Blue Billings. An almost homeless man who does Ghost walks for a living. Basically touring York and the sites of killings. 
It also turns out that Blue can actually see the ghosts. And that he's not the only one in York who can. And then the two of them start to try to unravel the mystery of the house Levi inherited. And at the same time, they start to fall for one another and end up in a relationship together. Which, not really a shocker, considering this is a BL novel. 
Still, it's well written and worth a try. It seems to be the first book in a series. Which, good. At least I have some inspiration as to what to look for when I finish all the books I currently have. Oh, and I didn't actually read this book. I listened to it in an audiobook format. That way, I could listen to it at work. At least during the days, I'm alone in the office. When my colleague is there with me, she turns on the radio. And considering she doesn't speak English and does not know about my preference for reading BL, she probably wouldn't like my choice of books anyway. 

Phasmophobia

 I'm still shaking. I just survived two back to back huntings. Today was my second time playing this game. And I have yet to play together with someone. All my ghost hunts so far were done solo. And for that reason, I keep picking the same house over and over again, because it's small. And I play on amateur. And with the five-minute window, I learned something. Easiest way is to find the room, either with EMF or a thermometer. Then place the camera. Then, in the camera's view, close enough for you to see, place the other one (EMF or thermo) and then add the spirit book, also in view. Use the remaining time before you can be hunted to try and talk to the ghost or look for fingerprints. Then, cheese it out of there and use the camera view to look for other signs. This way is the best way to see if something was written in the book. 

I did my latest hunt this way and it turned out well. Even saw a ghost orb. So yeah. Completed two out of the three daily objectives, figured out the best way to survive a hunt, and wanted to play with someone, but that didn't work out... So... I guess I'll try that out some other time. 

Still, the game is great and I do recommend it. But it is scary. I think the most important thing is to keep an eye on hiding places. Closets and similar. Though I just went to steam discussions and frankly, at this point, I'm not all that sure about hiding and what works and what doesn't. Closet worked for me so far. So, I think I'm gonna trust it. The ghost walked right past me and didn't try anything. Could be because I played on amateur, but who knows. 

I love the voice chat integration. The way you can anger the ghost. Though I haven't had a ghost talk to me yet, I had one play the piano for me after I talked to it. And I'm not even sure the house had a piano. So, ghost piano anyone? 

I've also been watching the Oxbox play the game on youtube. And even watched Eurogamer play it on their channel. And I learned some things from that. And the main thing is to get to level 3 asap. Because it unlocks the strong flashlight for you. And I have the funds for it already, but I don't have the level yet. I'm almost there though. So, hopefully, when I regain enough nerve to play again, I'll reach it and will be able to finally have more light. 

I did buy the thermometer though. It makes things somewhat easier in terms of finding the ghost room. Or basement, as was the case for my latest hunt. That was why I was placing everything in view of the camera. I didn't wanna go back. But I did, in the last minute before hunting, I tried to talk to the ghost and that was when she played me the piano. And the ghost turned out to be a banshee. And I guessed it right. So yay me. 

~AnnElfwind

Written on the 28th of November, 2020