Scan barcode
joykeya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I didn't like the writing style and everything just felt a bit icky?
Also this book is not a horror or thriller at all, I genuinely don't know why it's marketed like that. It's quite misleading
I only kept reading cus I hated the main characters and wanted them to not get their happy ending.
This book is not what I expected and maybe just wasn't for me but the last 20 pages added an extra star to my rating
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Drug use, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
ramreadsagain's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Goodreads has this book categorised as Horror which feels wrong? but the description of this being an 'erotic thriller' is technically correct, though still feels not quite right. There is a lot of sex in this book but it's not there for reader-enjoyment purposes.
The writing is simplistic but easy to read, and I devoured this book in just over a day. The plot is super original and I also loved the exploration of the shady underground world of rich book collectors. The characters are compelling and I was completely blindsided by Lily's backstory and motivation which quickly had me nearly in tears.
I also found the ending really satisfying!
Unfortunately the book falls down for me a bit when it comes to the meat of the story, which gets very repetitive with endless descriptions of fancy rich people living in fancy houses and how fancy the hotels and restaurants are. Lily and Lucas are walked from one step of the plot to the next in a way that provides no tension and conflict, as it's implied that this magic book is simply leading them to it. By the time I finished the 330 page book it felt like not a lot of plot had actually happened, and I think this could have been shortened to a novella, or short story in a collection of "weird short stories".
Overall a fantastic concept with a slightly disappointing execution.
I was gifted a copy of this book by the publisher. This is my honest review.
Graphic: Sexual content and Dementia
cosypuck's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, Dementia, Murder, and Alcohol
amberghinii's review against another edition
Graphic: Dementia
bookzombiee19's review against another edition
1.0
Graphic: Dementia
daithra'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
4.5
Moderate: Chronic illness, Drug use, Violence, Excrement, and Dementia
Minor: Incest and Sexual violence
archaicrobin's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Despite her hardships Lily is devoted to her husband and finding a way to help him. So when she’s offered over a million dollars for a rare occult book on sex magic, she teams up with a colleague and friend, Lucas, to find the book. What unfolds is a journey across the country to locate the book and find herself.
This book is very slow paced so if you start it, know it’s a crawl and it’s also very disturbing at times. As Lily continues searching for the book her and Lucas begin attempting it’s magic as well, which leads them to many dark and weird places. Hedonist mansions, sec magic, disgustingly rich men, it’s all pretty out there and unsettling but I loved it.
This book is not for everyone, it’s not fast paced or super exciting, it’s an atmospheric and tragic love story with elements of horror that weave together themes of loss, grief, devotion, and finding a reason to live once yours is gone. If you’re up for that, I highly recommend!
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, and Classism
Minor: Rape
davidamarion's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Dementia, and Murder
Moderate: Grief
cattheteawitchfairy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
There were aspects I would have liked to have seen developed more and things I didn’t see coming because they were out of character etc.
Interesting read, not sure if I would re read it though.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Dementia, Kidnapping, Murder, and Alcohol
doctor_reader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Dementia
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts