biblioleah's review against another edition
4.0
WOW was this a fantastic debut. I want to begin with the things I loved about this book, because although I have criticisms- I have not had this much fun reading in a long while. This book just felt like it was written for me and me alone, and for that it is just so special to me. Witches, queer obsessive friendships, dark and twisted monsters, lush prose? Sign me up. The writing of this book was everything I have ever needed, and I absolutely adored so many lines and scenes and sections. The personification of EVERYTHING was so beautiful, and I found myself rereading passages just because they were so well written. I cannot wait to pick up more from this author in the future, and I cannot wait to get a physical copy of this book when it comes out so I can do a reread and annotate every single page. The characters were real, they were messy, they were INFURIATING and still they were loveable. I could have done without some of the secret keeping tropes (ie. constantly being interrupted before you can say crucial information to another character) and some of the secrets festered for way too long, creating conflict I couldn't help but roll my eyes at (granted I'm a very 'nip it in the bud' kind of personality). The dynamics between the characters (living and dead) were phenomenal and brought up so much emotion in me because I understood these friendships so deeply. As an aromantic asexual person, I also loved the way friendship was prized and valued just as much (if not more) than romantic and sexual relationships. That's something I don't see very much, especially not in mainstream queer fiction. It was so nice seeing myself in characters who don't even have all that much in common with me except that love for those close to them. The characters were distinct and although it took me a minute to get grounded in all the points of view, I blame that mostly on the ebook format. If I had been able to physically flip back and forth to remember who was who in the beginning it would have been much easier. Now, as for one of the places I feel this book unfortunately fell flat for me; the ending third. The pacing was slow and melodic up to a very particular point where, without hinting towards spoilers, all hell breaks loose. I found that the storyline got extremely messy and difficult to follow in the final chapters, and the magic system started jumping the shark in a way. As much as not all magic needs to be explained, having NO explanation for the things that started to happening felt frustrating, because there was rather little build up and groundwork laid in the beginning to make the twists make sense and feel satisfying. There were all these fantastical things that began to happen that just felt like "okay these are cool and very creepy vibes happening but I don't actually know what this is, why this is, etc" and it resulted in, for me, a loss of tension. I felt like because magic was just popping up everywhere and a very SPECIFIC magic trope happened, I no longer felt grounded in the rules of the world. I didn't know if I should be worried about a character facing a near death experience because in several scenes prior, there was an absolutely new magic thing introduced that saved them super easily and out of the blue. I just felt the ending was incredibly rushed, and it was only clear because of how wonderful the pacing in the first two thirds was. I will also say, I am both excited and a little disappointed that this had an open ending and will (hopefully) be continued in a series. I felt like this would have been crafted so well if it was a standalone with say, 150 or so more pages to properly take the time to craft an ending that had a breadcrumb trail properly laid out. I wanted to understand the magic, the witchery, the curses! I wanted to know more characters and their history! When the "villain" character was sorta revealed, I felt a bit cheated, like I should have had more of an opportunity to respect and fear certain individuals. But then again, perhaps continuing this story in a series will make for the most marvelous second book of all time- one that answers all my questions, fills in some plot holes, and gives me more of the characters and writing I'm already so obsessed with. In the end, I am so grateful to have been given an early copy of this from the author and NetGalley, and I will be waiting anxiously for more stories from Mallory Pearson.
alexandryareads's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
blackthornfaery's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
savvylit's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
We Ate the Dark is an impressive debut from a new author to watch! The characters in this novel are written incredibly well. Each protagonist is palpable, nuanced, and impossible not to love. We Ate the Dark is a delightful blend of horror, fantasy, and mystery with so much heart. But this book is also much, much more. It's a celebration of witchiness. It's an ode to enduring friendships. It's an exploration of queer identity and romance in a rural setting. And most of all, We Ate The Dark is about the love between members of a chosen family.
To read We Ate the Dark is to gradually fall in love with Frankie, Poppy, Cass, Marya, and Finder. Pearson has created a world that I genuinely couldn't look away from. I can't wait to read whatever she writes next!
Thank you so much @lesbrarycard and @netgalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
To read We Ate the Dark is to gradually fall in love with Frankie, Poppy, Cass, Marya, and Finder. Pearson has created a world that I genuinely couldn't look away from. I can't wait to read whatever she writes next!
Thank you so much @lesbrarycard and @netgalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Grief, Death, Gaslighting, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Suicidal thoughts
katcxfe's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“Pink for the bond we share, everlasting. White for a blank and purifying slate. Out with the old, in with the new.”
Four women come together to investigate the haunting murder of their friend, (Sofia). They are trying to find whoever or whatever killed her. Frankie, (Sofia’s twin), Cass, Poppy, and Marya are all connected through the need to find justice for their murdered friend. While they are investigating something is haunting them, a shadow presence that goes beyond anything they could ever imagine. Sofia’s secrets come to light, as well as something that goes thump in the night.
Mallory Pearson stunning debut novel is something any horror fan should pick up. The gorgeous detailing right down to the amazing characters. This book has it all. The ominous scenes like the roots of a tree, leading back to one source. As the book goes on you feel yourself grieving alongside the character in the lost of their friend, as well as their need to understand what truly happened to Sofia.
This book was my introduction to horror and it was one of the best introductions I could have gotten. The stunning words that flow through these pages, the way the characters come to life off the page. The ending of this book leaves you wanting more. This book is added to the list of books I’m going to recommend to everyone.
Four women come together to investigate the haunting murder of their friend, (Sofia). They are trying to find whoever or whatever killed her. Frankie, (Sofia’s twin), Cass, Poppy, and Marya are all connected through the need to find justice for their murdered friend. While they are investigating something is haunting them, a shadow presence that goes beyond anything they could ever imagine. Sofia’s secrets come to light, as well as something that goes thump in the night.
Mallory Pearson stunning debut novel is something any horror fan should pick up. The gorgeous detailing right down to the amazing characters. This book has it all. The ominous scenes like the roots of a tree, leading back to one source. As the book goes on you feel yourself grieving alongside the character in the lost of their friend, as well as their need to understand what truly happened to Sofia.
This book was my introduction to horror and it was one of the best introductions I could have gotten. The stunning words that flow through these pages, the way the characters come to life off the page. The ending of this book leaves you wanting more. This book is added to the list of books I’m going to recommend to everyone.
ellamints's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
words cannot express how in love i am with this book!!
listen, i know i am technically biased, but if i had picked this book up randomly in a bookstore, it would’ve changed my life (it did).
this book is a love letter to friendship and family, found and made. the reason it took me so long to read it is because i didn’t want to see anything bad happen to any of them. i cried and laughed and annotated!!!! thank u to my sister mallory for writing of sisterhood and friendship and stories alike
listen, i know i am technically biased, but if i had picked this book up randomly in a bookstore, it would’ve changed my life (it did).
this book is a love letter to friendship and family, found and made. the reason it took me so long to read it is because i didn’t want to see anything bad happen to any of them. i cried and laughed and annotated!!!! thank u to my sister mallory for writing of sisterhood and friendship and stories alike
celineks's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ladyinverse's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I was able to read this eARC thanks to the author directly and i immensely thank her for the opportunity to read it early and thusly my opinion is freely given.
sapphic? Southern Gothic?? folklore horror????
sign me the f up.
I absolutely loved this book. I got a bit confused sometimes trying to keep up with the multiple narratives and who was who but really, it wasn't that bad. I enjoyed the big bad of the book and the way it tapers off at the end I can definitely see a second book on the horizon and I will definitely be there first in line for that book as well.
the characters are believable and charming, but also aggravating in their flaws which just makes them more loveable imo.
sapphic? Southern Gothic?? folklore horror????
sign me the f up.
I absolutely loved this book. I got a bit confused sometimes trying to keep up with the multiple narratives and who was who but really, it wasn't that bad. I enjoyed the big bad of the book and the way it tapers off at the end I can definitely see a second book on the horizon and I will definitely be there first in line for that book as well.
the characters are believable and charming, but also aggravating in their flaws which just makes them more loveable imo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Alcohol, Blood, and Gore
carolined56's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
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