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herasrevenge88's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
paronomaniac's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Blood, Grief, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Animal death, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Murder, and Pregnancy
keenanmaree's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
oracle_of_madness's review against another edition
5.0
This is so much more than what I was expecting even though my expectations were pretty high because I loved The Last House on Needless Street by this author.
After reading the author's note at the beginning and upon finishing this unsettling gothic horror, I feel like this is somewhat the author's horror love letter to Scotland... if there can be such a thing. I say that because I felt like much of this story represented different aspects to Scottish folklore so I have a hard time imagining this taking place anywhere else and having the same effect.
The story begins with a local butcher finding the "family" at Altnaharra dead except for one survivor. The story is continued in segments between Eve and Dinah leading up to that day. The father figure, "uncle", kept the children and young women in thrall with this very chilling religion that also included the Adder, a role the "uncle" would take on. Through starvation and mind games he had control until the spell was broken.
This is so twisted, super dark and absolutely chilling. Not to mention that I simply could not stop reading!
Out October 11, 2022!
Content Warnings for Sexual assault, abuse, fanaticism, gore, violence, suicide
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
bookishbrenbren's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was an awesome ride. I have never read anything by this author before but I have heard good things and wanted to try this one even though horror/thriller is not my typical genre. And I am so glad I did! This is a strong book, well-written, with excellent scenery, leaning a little gothic although I thought she could've committed more to the house-as-a-character vibe, but what really stands out is how engrossing the story-telling is. I well and truly felt like I was being read a ghost story or watching a spooky movie, I could feel the rain falling and the stonework crumbling around me. Even though you know (from chapter 1) more or less how the characters' stories will end up, there is still a great sense of mystery, foreboding, and feels like a big 'reveal' is coming. Perfect for spooky season!
On the down side, I felt the story dragged a bit after the 50% mark. It definitely slowed down in pace and I was more likely to put the book down and pick up my phone. I also wish there had been a bit of the actual "big reveal" feeling written into the characters' narration (does that make sense?). A lot of really shocking things happen we, along with Eve, find out that the truth about
Also, this is just a personal preference, but I kind of wish we had been left with one or two questions about Eve's character/motivations at the very end. I would like a hint that perhaps things did not go exactly as she has said they went... perhaps she is hiding something, in the end? But anyway the ending was nice and neat and can't complain about that. A good book and a great story!
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Car accident, and Classism
Minor: Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Vomit, Death of parent, Colonisation, and War
trishfilet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you Net Galley for a copy in exchange for a review!
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Self harm, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Sexual assault, and Torture
amy_lynnn's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual violence
sorcha_rosa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Pedophilia, and Death of parent