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bookieangel's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
notesquotesscarletmotes's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
They Were Here Before Us collects half a dozen bizarre and beautifully gruesome stories. LaRocca's almost poetic writing makes the dark things of the world strangely captivating.
My favorite of the collection was the final story, When It's Dark Out, which follows a father and son through a dark night excursion together where they encounter something, neither of them wants to face.
The book is also brilliantly complemented inside and out by the etherral artwork of Caitlin Hackett.
My favorite of the collection was the final story, When It's Dark Out, which follows a father and son through a dark night excursion together where they encounter something, neither of them wants to face.
The book is also brilliantly complemented inside and out by the etherral artwork of Caitlin Hackett.
hhartz000's review against another edition
2.0
I usually love Eric’s work, and I did like a few of the stories in this novella, but this collection mostly fell flat for me.
kim_reads87's review against another edition
2.0
I had high hopes for this one and I really wanted to like it as so many do but I don’t know what to say. I just didn’t get it.
mangocult's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 rounded down. I had AMAZINGLY high hopes for this book and have waited a long time to read it. It started strong, with All that Remains is Yours to Keep being my absolute favorite of the six pieces and A God Made of Straw coming in a close second. To Hurt the Weakest One spoke to me a bit less but was still a very good and thought-provoking read. I suppose the piece with a live human focus - Delicacies from a First Communion, Bird and Bug are Happy, and When It's Dark Out - were my least favorites. They sort of seemed to make things fall flat for me there at the end.
1. All that Remains is Yours to Keep: a beetle waxes poetic on the topic of his unrequited love as time marches steadily onward.
2. Delicacies from a First Communion: a chimpanzee mourns love and loss, considers revenge, and ultimately finds peace.
3. A God Made of Straw: a bird prays for divine intervention to protect her babies and receives an unexpected answer.
4. To Hurt the Weakest One: a mother meerkat oversees her runt's migration to a new den as they fall behind and struggles with the expectations of her mate's new clan in the process
5. Bird and Bug are Happy: in the face of uncertainty, an aging, ailing couple come to terms with the way their lives, their art, and their relationship have changed over the years.
6. When It's Dark Out: an uncertain and unenthusiastic father finds his courage and embarks on a journey of survival to protect his adopted son (and adopted son's pet snake, who - IMO - steals the show).
I definitely don't regret reading, and LaRocca has a stunning way with written imagery that, at times, has been known to make me swoon. This was no exception. I guess I just don't like people so much. Petition for more beetles!
1. All that Remains is Yours to Keep: a beetle waxes poetic on the topic of his unrequited love as time marches steadily onward.
2. Delicacies from a First Communion: a chimpanzee mourns love and loss, considers revenge, and ultimately finds peace.
3. A God Made of Straw: a bird prays for divine intervention to protect her babies and receives an unexpected answer.
4. To Hurt the Weakest One: a mother meerkat oversees her runt's migration to a new den as they fall behind and struggles with the expectations of her mate's new clan in the process
5. Bird and Bug are Happy: in the face of uncertainty, an aging, ailing couple come to terms with the way their lives, their art, and their relationship have changed over the years.
6. When It's Dark Out: an uncertain and unenthusiastic father finds his courage and embarks on a journey of survival to protect his adopted son (and adopted son's pet snake, who - IMO - steals the show).
I definitely don't regret reading, and LaRocca has a stunning way with written imagery that, at times, has been known to make me swoon. This was no exception. I guess I just don't like people so much. Petition for more beetles!