Reviews tagging 'Torture'

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison

8 reviews

bookishvicky's review against another edition

5.0

I finished this in one day. Holy shit. 

I can’t even explain how much I loved this. Vesper’s voice was so distinct, so desperate and cynical and raw. The atmosphere and setting was FANTASTIC— the twist of just what god they celebrate was beautifully done, and I while I did see that One twist coming, it still felt shocking and I had to just take a moment during the reveal. 

Every character was so full of life. I truly just loved every character dynamic (especially Carl, the goofy dad in a pentagram tie. Love ya man). 

As a long time horror fan, this is a love letter to slasher films, satanic cult documentaries, Blackcraft Cult as a whole— but this is also a beautiful story of finding one’s own identity after their childhood has been stolen from them, after having to endure living a lie and conditional love. It’s just so strong. 

And the dialogue!! HOLY SHIT! It was all done so well, I was actually terrified for Vesper during her birthday party. All in all I’m gonna be screaming about this one for a while 

THE RIB!! “DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL” THIS IS THE BEST DEPICTION OF SATAN IVE EVER READ. I WAS SCARED!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Cannibalism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

eli99's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• 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

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. The only thing was some of how it was writing was giving 2010s YA novels. The multiple references to Twitter and Reddit sometimes felt like they were bringing me out of the story. 

It only had one moment that truly felt scary. Very minor horror like the type you see in YA, but with an older author. Some cliches thrown in, buy that was expected. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Blood, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Gore, Torture, Grief, Stalking, and Gaslighting

sierraclimbs's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This got a 3 star for the last 30 pgs
The rest of the book, although a quick read, was not very enjoyable. It was predictable, slow to get to the point & unnecessarily wordy. 
The whole time I was just thinking “this is meant to be an audiobook & listened to, not read” 
I know writing conversationally is a style & I’ve even enjoyed books written this way, but this one just felt too casual
It also completely misrepresents Satanism & uses it as a stand in for Fundamentalism 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, and Blood

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Vomit, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

xoxogossiplaur's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• 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

Very interesting read. Different from what I usually read but still enjoyed it even though there were some disturbing parts. The story idea felt unique (to me) and was well executed. Translated pretty well to audio book format, which is how I read it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

cytokine_storm's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

karen_lo's review against another edition

dark emotional funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

4.5 stars

Loved the story, the concept, and the protagonist who was so resilient despite all the things she goes through. 
I wish it was a bit longer cause I wanted to know more about certain characters, but overall was the perfect read for this spooky season!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood

Moderate: Animal death, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment

Minor: Sexual harassment

starrysteph's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• 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

3.75

A clever piece of comedic horror that takes complicated family dynamics to a whole new level.

Vesper left her isolated religious community at eighteen and is stumbling her way through adulthood a handful of years later, waitressing at chain restaurants and keeping everyone at a distance. But when she mysteriously receives an invitation to the wedding of her cousin & closest friend, she journeys home. Back to her callous film star mother, her crisis of faith, and the people she thought she would never see again. 

But as family secrets come to life, Vesper realizes she’ll have to face her community … and the truth of her upbringing.

I loved witnessing Vesper’s fight for independence, especially as more and more of her past memories are revealed. She’s cynical, sarcastic, and callous, but I found her likable and relatable. Her internal struggle is compelling, as she contemplates nature versus nurture and who she is outside of the bounds of family.

I do think the pacing was a bit off at times (too slow at the start - and too rushed in the second segment), and I would have loved more time exploring the family dynamics and getting to know the supporting characters. Constance (Vesper’s mom) in particular had a very choppy arc and I wanted to dig deeper there. 

It’s more dark humor than horror, though there are some supernatural elements (and a bit of gore) towards the final segments. Overall though, the tone is playfully sinister and it never takes itself too seriously. I really enjoy Rachel Harrison’s writing style - super easy to read and sarcastically delightful. 

CW: murder, animal death, blood, gaslighting, injury, gore, emotional abuse, fire, cannibalism, body horror, torture, grief, religious bigotry, abandonment, sexual harassment

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(I received a free copy of this book; this is my honest review.)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Torture, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

sunshinestark's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Torture, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail