Reviews

My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna van Veen

kiramydeara's review

dark emotional mysterious sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.75

Reminds me two things: 

1) “You said I killed you—haunt me then!” from Wuthering Heights and 
2) “it’s not a ghost story, it’s a love story” “same thing really” from Haunting of Bly Manor. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Rape, and Grief

Minor: Incest

ktpiers's review

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

fluschita's review

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

bookishrona's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

merireadstuff's review

dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

holy shit this was so good !!!!
also finally a GOOD sapphic novel that creates tension while also highlighting the flaws of the love the protagonist, Roos, feels (which i didn’t mind bc UGH the overpowering and disruptive feelings fit so well).
can’t wait to read something more from this author!

alyisthecraic's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

3.75

beth_0219's review

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

indyyy22's review

2.0

Nothing against the book, I think it just wasn’t for me

atomicbbgum's review

dark emotional mysterious 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? N/A

5.0

My darling dreadful thing is a beautifully written,  sapphic,  tragic and truly immersive atmospheric gothic horror novel with a touch of romance. Narrated by the very talented Jess Nessling that does an absolute marvelous job in enthralling us in both story and atmosphere.  

We begin with Roos, a young whisper of a woman and her haunting spirit companion Ruth who both are under the car of Roos’ Mama, who employs both to hold séances. While holding one of their séance they come across Mrs. Agnes Knoop, who will change the course of their lives. 

Have you ever started reading a e-book and you just know you were going to absolutely adore it? This was this for me, after having the kindle version I went ahead and order a physical copy, and on the very same day I won the audio book giveaway by the very talented Johanna Van Veen.  This book easily one of the best novels I've read/listen to this year, it gave me a feeling of consummation that I  had to let out sigh of satisfaction. 

blackclaws_reads's review against another edition

5.0

My Darling dreadful thing is a captivating, beautiful, and eerie gothic tale. I loved this story and its characters. It’s sinister, it’s macabre, it’s romantic, it’s sapphic, and perfectly gothic. 

What I find interesting and unique in this book is the combination of first-person POV and the interview between patient and doctor. I liked this a lot. It adds to the uniqueness of the story, and another dimension to how the reader perceived everything. Blurring the already thin line between paranormal and mental illness.