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wunkymatts's review
3.0
This book showed me why it's good being in a book club. I don't think, from the blurb, I would have picked it up in a shop. It read a bit too 'sci fi' for me.
There are moments of this book that are truly heart rendering and really made me think about my own mental health. In particular how I would describe it after seeing how Magpie described hers. It is an ambitious book, exploring some really big and complex themes and there are times when the emotional vulnerability, and the strength it must have taken to write it, sings from the page.
Perhaps this is part of the problem. The two sides of the book did not always fit well together. There are probably two books here and I'm not sure Amor has really managed to knit them together.
Some passages, especially in the beginning, were overwritten. When I was trying to really get into the book I was getting bogged down in overly descriptive passages describing things and scenes that didn't seem to help the book along at all. The ending was also quite baggy, dragging on past the point where perhaps it should have ended. The ending itself also let the book down. After being so complex having an ending where the heroine is literally rescued by the hero and they walk off into the sunset (while Bristol is consumed by the physical manifestation of her trauma) fell very flat and a bit clichéd.
There are moments of this book that are truly heart rendering and really made me think about my own mental health. In particular how I would describe it after seeing how Magpie described hers. It is an ambitious book, exploring some really big and complex themes and there are times when the emotional vulnerability, and the strength it must have taken to write it, sings from the page.
Perhaps this is part of the problem. The two sides of the book did not always fit well together. There are probably two books here and I'm not sure Amor has really managed to knit them together.
Some passages, especially in the beginning, were overwritten. When I was trying to really get into the book I was getting bogged down in overly descriptive passages describing things and scenes that didn't seem to help the book along at all. The ending was also quite baggy, dragging on past the point where perhaps it should have ended. The ending itself also let the book down. After being so complex having an ending where the heroine is literally rescued by the hero and they walk off into the sunset (while Bristol is consumed by the physical manifestation of her trauma) fell very flat and a bit clichéd.
madeline_edgar's review
3.0
I loved the concept and the message behind this book but some parts really dragged
theduchess93's review
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book just blew me away. I've been thinking about it since I finished it months ago because I've just never read anything like it. Truly a new approach to the not-uncommon horror subgenre of motherhood, and the ending was BRILLIANT.
This book just blew me away. I've been thinking about it since I finished it months ago because I've just never read anything like it. Truly a new approach to the not-uncommon horror subgenre of motherhood, and the ending was BRILLIANT.
canibefictionaltoo's review
3.0
I liked the concept of this book, the incredibly unique way to express post natal depression. I just think this was too slow paced for me and it took too long to get to the good parts
snikelfritz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-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
spellsandmonsters_'s review
5.0
This book is fantastic! It absolutely ripped my heart open, but the emotions were just so real and relatable that it was ok. I’m so grateful this book exists. Sometimes you read a book and have such a strong connection to it, Full Immersion is one of those books for me. It also is terrifying. I think I’ll steer clear of VR for a while! There are some sensitive topics in this book so it may not be for everyone, but I would definitely recommend it to anyone willing to read about them.
spellsandmonsters_'s review against another edition
5.0
Wow, this book is amazing! It will probably stick with me forever. It ripped open my heart, and made me feel so emotionally connected to Magpie. The emotions that Magpie felt throughout this story were so real and relatable. It also overall is just a great sci-fi horror story! This book heavily focuses on postpartum depression and suicide so it may not be a book for everyone. But if you can read about those things I recommend this book! Thank you NetGalley, Angry Robot Books, and Gemma Amor for this eARC.
sadee_lilith_bee's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting read and I really liked the premise. I love wild, fantastical stuff with and edge of humanity to it.
Though this book is highly about how we process trauma, I really enjoyed the science fiction aspect to it.
I will say my rating is more like 3.5 stars as it took my a bit to get into and it felt a little slow at times.
It is still a good read though!
Though this book is highly about how we process trauma, I really enjoyed the science fiction aspect to it.
I will say my rating is more like 3.5 stars as it took my a bit to get into and it felt a little slow at times.
It is still a good read though!
thestainlesssteelrat's review against another edition
4.0
Phew. Be prepared cos once you go into this, you'll find it hard to come out again. Come out unchanged that is.
Creeping unknown dread permeates all of this, not lessened as the horror becomes manifest, seriously good writing.
Creeping unknown dread permeates all of this, not lessened as the horror becomes manifest, seriously good writing.
redrumreads's review against another edition
5.0
There are few times in my life when I see mental health portrayed in a way I say “now that is a brilliant, powerful way to give this life”… this book is one of those times.
The intrusive thoughts and the self-destruction was so raw. This was far beyond a sci-fi horror book. I think this should be read by so many people.
The intrusive thoughts and the self-destruction was so raw. This was far beyond a sci-fi horror book. I think this should be read by so many people.