czoltak's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Never has a book made such little sense, or given me an actual headache trying to read/understand
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Animal death, Sexism, Animal cruelty, and Domestic abuse
renyoi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Fans of The VVitch will love this book. It manages to be a dark fairy tale without falling into the trappings of the traditional “fairy tale but make it EDGY” genre, mostly because it is not based off of an existing fairy tale and is therefore allowed more creativity and horror because of it. Striking scenes of genuine horror intersperse the first 75% of this book, which is otherwise primarily atmosphere and conversation that comes into its own through the reveal at the end. I’d say that reveal is really what makes this book—it adds complexity, helplessness, and hints toward the horror of repetition and cycle in an innovative, creative way. Absolutely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Murder, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Body horror, Blood, Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Gore, Grief, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Colonisation, Animal death, and Child abuse
Minor: Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, and Sexism
niccisbooked's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
For the first 20 chapters or so, I was prepared to give this a 1 star rating, but decided I may as well finish it since I'd read that far. I'm glad I did! The way things wrap up actually made me ok with having spent the whole day reading this, even though I can't personally rate it any higher than 2.75 stars. Still, being frustrated for over half of the book, only finding the last few chapters interesting, is ... well, frustrating. I can't recommend this book, but if you already have it, I'd give it a go for the twist & concept (though I wish more had been done with it!)
I read a lot of reviews before I started, so maybe that helped set my expectations: Most of this book is like trying to interpret someone else's fever dream. The late chapters are where the "fairytale" starts to come together a bit It flows well but windingly, has somewhat recognizable symbols, and you can read into it with some thought ... but, no solid answers.
Now, some very spoiler thoughts:
The most solid answer we get for the plot is, of course, the game of Change About, where players change roles when told and can never go back to what they once were. The changing roles of this story being: Goody, Eliza, Captain Jane, and Granny Someone. Hope is always the same, and what her name implies. Red Boy, though the "same," is born anew from the hearts of each Eliza ... I think Red Boy is Rage because rage in your heart is mentioned towards the end, by Faith. Each woman had a lot of rage in her, and it can be used for good/evil/everything in between ... I'm fairly satisfied with my interpretation here. As for the neverending cycle, I saw some reviews suggest it's the cycle of abuse ... but, though abuse features heavily, I'm not sure that it fits for the woods/the cycle. Then again, I'm not sure what I would call it! Maybe madness, or suffering, or ... traps of our own making? Idk! Thats just my thoughts :'D
I read a lot of reviews before I started, so maybe that helped set my expectations: Most of this book is like trying to interpret someone else's fever dream. The late chapters are where the "fairytale" starts to come together a bit
Spoiler
(though not conclude, as it's a circular narrative)Now, some very spoiler thoughts:
Spoiler
I'll throw in my two cents on what I thought was going on.The most solid answer we get for the plot is, of course, the game of Change About, where players change roles when told and can never go back to what they once were. The changing roles of this story being: Goody, Eliza, Captain Jane, and Granny Someone. Hope is always the same, and what her name implies. Red Boy, though the "same," is born anew from the hearts of each Eliza ... I think Red Boy is Rage because rage in your heart is mentioned towards the end, by Faith. Each woman had a lot of rage in her, and it can be used for good/evil/everything in between ... I'm fairly satisfied with my interpretation here. As for the neverending cycle, I saw some reviews suggest it's the cycle of abuse ... but, though abuse features heavily, I'm not sure that it fits for the woods/the cycle. Then again, I'm not sure what I would call it! Maybe madness, or suffering, or ... traps of our own making? Idk! Thats just my thoughts :'D
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Animal death, Death, and Violence
laurajones's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Colonisation, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, and Torture
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