pandasbookshelf's review
5.0
After seeing this one rated many times in horror groups, I caved and bought a copy to see what all the hype was about. Phew, this one was a wild ride. Check your trigger warnings, especially for those animal lovers out there. The story just got more bleak and disturbing as it went on, yet I couldn't stop reading. The characters were well written and overall the story went to places I did not expect.
car_theauthor's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
drakaina16's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Whew! This delightfully macabre book wasn't at all what I thought it would be. I went into it semi blind, having read the synopsis when the Books of Horror Indie Author Brawl was announced. I love it when a book can surprise me, and this one absolutely did. It was like a trainwreck you can't look away from. The perfect book to finish up my Brawl reads. Strong 5 stars.
cnbennett1206's review
4.0
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I loved this book so much and easily devoured it, no pun intended *wink wink*
The author did an amazing job at building up the characters and giving you just enough of everyone so that the reader was able to appreciate everyone in their own way. You get the gist of the book about halfway through, so there’s no huge “SURPRISE” but the twists and turns make this read so enjoyable. The ending was *chef kiss*
Wanda is a woman who wants to keep her family perfect in more ways than one. She deals with mental health issues while losing herself, then finding “herself” all over again.
The author did an amazing job at building up the characters and giving you just enough of everyone so that the reader was able to appreciate everyone in their own way. You get the gist of the book about halfway through, so there’s no huge “SURPRISE” but the twists and turns make this read so enjoyable. The ending was *chef kiss*
Wanda is a woman who wants to keep her family perfect in more ways than one. She deals with mental health issues while losing herself, then finding “herself” all over again.
silenttwg's review
5.0
4.5/5 Stars
Well, this was an interesting ride. I saw where it was going but the author did such a fantastic job of laying out the pieces, I had no choice but to strap into the roller coaster and go for the trip. I feel like I've been reading a lot of Suburbia Hellscape stories lately but this one took the cake.
It was a tale of family trauma, mental illness, painful situations, trying to correct devastating wrongs, and well, hopping on the crazy train.
I could understand the drive behind most of the characters, felt they were realistically done, especially given their lives, and the reveal of the true darkness was sad. I didn't understand the actions of the husband. My reaction in his shoes would be dramatically different but the world is full of all kinds of people I suppose.
Now for a big spoiler
*
*
*
SPOILER ALERT
*
*
*
*
*
*
The MC's an unreliable narrator. Now, that is a trick that is either a hit or a miss. I think the author pulled it off beautifully here. You get glimpses of it early on if you're paying attention but there is fine line between reality and fantasy in this book. I loved how those details were slowly revealed and it was almost like you kept getting peeks behind the curtains.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would read it again to see how much more can be picked up in a second round. Sad, gut-wrenching, brutal, and recommended.
Well, this was an interesting ride. I saw where it was going but the author did such a fantastic job of laying out the pieces, I had no choice but to strap into the roller coaster and go for the trip. I feel like I've been reading a lot of Suburbia Hellscape stories lately but this one took the cake.
It was a tale of family trauma, mental illness, painful situations, trying to correct devastating wrongs, and well, hopping on the crazy train.
I could understand the drive behind most of the characters, felt they were realistically done, especially given their lives, and the reveal of the true darkness was sad. I didn't understand the actions of the husband. My reaction in his shoes would be dramatically different but the world is full of all kinds of people I suppose.
Now for a big spoiler
*
*
*
SPOILER ALERT
*
*
*
*
*
*
The MC's an unreliable narrator. Now, that is a trick that is either a hit or a miss. I think the author pulled it off beautifully here. You get glimpses of it early on if you're paying attention but there is fine line between reality and fantasy in this book. I loved how those details were slowly revealed and it was almost like you kept getting peeks behind the curtains.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I would read it again to see how much more can be picked up in a second round. Sad, gut-wrenching, brutal, and recommended.
goobersmom57's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
God damn that was a whirlwind of a book.
irenemarie's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Murder, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Body horror, Animal death, Death, Grief, Child death, Mental illness, and Blood
Moderate: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, and Self harm
Minor: Vomit
hmowen12's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What would you do to keep the perfect family? How far would you go?
This was such a unique breath of fresh air for the horror genre. I couldn’t put it down. This novel was extremely fast paced and the writing was beautiful!
I can’t wait to get my signed physical copy for my book shelf!!
This was such a unique breath of fresh air for the horror genre. I couldn’t put it down. This novel was extremely fast paced and the writing was beautiful!
I can’t wait to get my signed physical copy for my book shelf!!