stevendedalus's review
3.0
A frustrating maze of a book that definitely feels patchworked-together post-mortem. McDowell's signature Southern Gothic mood soaks the page and is really the only saving grace.
The coming-of-age tale just simply plods along hazily with not much tension or hooks driving you along. Calley's powers and the plots around her remain hazy, less mysterious than simply blobby amd annoying.
The ingredients are there: the lovely details of going through adolescence and finding your place, senses of family obligation and belonging. But they never cohere or compel. The book becomes a slog easily enough but the beautiful gothic and small details sparkle just enough to keep you reading.
The coming-of-age tale just simply plods along hazily with not much tension or hooks driving you along. Calley's powers and the plots around her remain hazy, less mysterious than simply blobby amd annoying.
The ingredients are there: the lovely details of going through adolescence and finding your place, senses of family obligation and belonging. But they never cohere or compel. The book becomes a slog easily enough but the beautiful gothic and small details sparkle just enough to keep you reading.
biblio_beth's review against another edition
3.0
Not as bad as I was expecting considering the way it was written. Some fairly eerie parts but it felt too forced in other places.
bobareann's review against another edition
2.0
Not what I would expect from Tabitha King. The use of a child as the narrator becomes tiresome fast.
prosewhore's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
A book with an interesting premisce that turned out being too long and poorly edited. Such a shame.
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