bookedbymadeline's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
It took me about 50 pages to get into it due to the slow start but after the 50 page mark I was completely immersed! I finished in two days, staying up late and not wanting to put it down.
It took me about 50 pages to get into it due to the slow start but after the 50 page mark I was completely immersed! I finished in two days, staying up late and not wanting to put it down.
I enjoyed the multiple timelines and switching POVs. I also loved the unreliable narrator, one of my fave tropes in horror/mystery novels! The characters were complex and well developed as well. The setting and writing was atmospheric and creepy; I always enjoy a good ghost story or local legend. I did predict one of the major plot twists very early on but one or two of the twists managed to shock me!
Overall a captivating and fantastic horror/mystery novel which I really enjoyed! The story kind of gave me the vibes of Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn so I’d recommend if you enjoy her work or you enjoy reading about ghost stories/urban legends 👻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, Murder, Child death, and Body horror
Moderate: Blood and Bullying
Minor: Kidnapping
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