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aggy_fam_reads's review
5.0
Thank you to Alisha for allowing me to be an ARC reader in return for an honest review. This book was beautifully written. Take the trigger warnings seriously as it does get immensely dark, but in the best way. The character building is absolutely fantastic, and it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.
phyllica_reads's review
4.0
Oh I love a good horror book!
I haven't had the pleasure of reading this author's other book, but she said this one was darker, so I was very excited to dive into the darker one.
Based on the promotion of the book, I knew this would satisfy the dark craving that I have for horror books. Bitter Crown of Thistle was dark and captured a raw look into the eye of someone with a dangerous and obsessive view point.
What really held the book back in my opinion is the length. I understand why the author made the choices she did with the writing style, but it drastically slowed the pacing down. The intrigue and suspense from the beginning really dialed back in the middle. This book is also written in 3rd POV so it pulled back from the reader fully investing in the emotional turmoil and the internal monologue of the characters. If you're putting your characters through the absolute worst experience of their life, a narrator isn't going to fully grasp all of that.
This is 100% being nit picky and doesn't affect the rating in any way, but the way the chapters were laid out added some choppiness to the flow.
With all of that being said, I still enjoyed the story the author was trying to tell. She created a unique take on an abduction case and filled that dark horror hole in my heart. I do plan on reading future books from this author.
I haven't had the pleasure of reading this author's other book, but she said this one was darker, so I was very excited to dive into the darker one.
Based on the promotion of the book, I knew this would satisfy the dark craving that I have for horror books. Bitter Crown of Thistle was dark and captured a raw look into the eye of someone with a dangerous and obsessive view point.
What really held the book back in my opinion is the length. I understand why the author made the choices she did with the writing style, but it drastically slowed the pacing down. The intrigue and suspense from the beginning really dialed back in the middle. This book is also written in 3rd POV so it pulled back from the reader fully investing in the emotional turmoil and the internal monologue of the characters. If you're putting your characters through the absolute worst experience of their life, a narrator isn't going to fully grasp all of that.
This is 100% being nit picky and doesn't affect the rating in any way, but the way the chapters were laid out added some choppiness to the flow.
With all of that being said, I still enjoyed the story the author was trying to tell. She created a unique take on an abduction case and filled that dark horror hole in my heart. I do plan on reading future books from this author.
stephv99's review
4.0
This book definitely called to my dark soul and it did not disappoint either. I love reading horror books. It had many disturbing moments and it definitely a good read for the spooky season. It was a bit hard to understand at first but it became more understandable as I kept reading.
readwithkyladawngail's review
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Definitely check trigger/content warnings before going into this one as there is a grocery list, but if you’re looking for something dark and messed up than look no further.
This is was slow burn done in the absolute best way. I am normally not a fan of slow burn at all as I find there tends to be so much filler content, but this one was *chef’s kiss*. The slow burn really built up the story, the characters and the ending.
Also, that ending was just satisfying.
Thank you so much to the author for the arc. This review is my own.
scarecrow2013's review
5.0
Thank you, Alisha Galvan, for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also, thank you to the publishers for your hard work!
This is certainly not for the faint of heart. Definitely regard the trigger warnings at the beginning. There is a lot that goes into this book. It's written beautifully, and in such depths, you understand exactly how the main character is feeling. The despair, hatred, anger, and everything that happens, you just hope for a better outcome.
You follow Caroline, a woman of two sides: A lawyers, a wonderful wife, and very much bright. On the other side, a spider she kills those who deserve to die, rapists, murderers, just men that are horrid. Yet a man is obsessively in love with her and wants to possess everything that is her. A man who does horrid things to get what he wants from her changing who he is. What's happening to her? What is this man capable of doing? That's for you to find out.
Reading this book it certainly kept me on the edge of my seat. I was so worried about Caroline and what was going to happen to her. Was she going to die? Suffer far worse fates? Those around her also suffered. Every chapter, I was biting my nails. This truly was well worth the read.
This is certainly not for the faint of heart. Definitely regard the trigger warnings at the beginning. There is a lot that goes into this book. It's written beautifully, and in such depths, you understand exactly how the main character is feeling. The despair, hatred, anger, and everything that happens, you just hope for a better outcome.
You follow Caroline, a woman of two sides: A lawyers, a wonderful wife, and very much bright. On the other side, a spider she kills those who deserve to die, rapists, murderers, just men that are horrid. Yet a man is obsessively in love with her and wants to possess everything that is her. A man who does horrid things to get what he wants from her changing who he is. What's happening to her? What is this man capable of doing? That's for you to find out.
Reading this book it certainly kept me on the edge of my seat. I was so worried about Caroline and what was going to happen to her. Was she going to die? Suffer far worse fates? Those around her also suffered. Every chapter, I was biting my nails. This truly was well worth the read.
abigail_reading's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to Alisha Galvan for sending me this book as an ARC. This is my honest review:
This book is intense. Definitely check trigger warnings. It is truly dark and twisted. It has multiple POV’s which makes for a good pace and interesting storytelling. I really enjoyed that all of the characters had flaws. Some way more than others.
I found it interesting that one of the main POV’s was the villain of the story. While his story and character development helped me understand who he was as a character, I didn’t feel like I was being asked to relate to him or hope for an outcome in his favor. I think it takes talent to bring me into someone’s head and still let me feel nothing but revulsion.
There is a fair amount of gore and violence. All of it felt purposeful to the story, not just gore for pure shock value. There were a couple of plot points that I would have liked to have gone in a slightly different direction but overall it was a wild ride with a satisfying end. I could not put it down and I’m pretty sure I got exercise minutes on my Apple Watch because my heart rate was so high at the end.
This book is intense. Definitely check trigger warnings. It is truly dark and twisted. It has multiple POV’s which makes for a good pace and interesting storytelling. I really enjoyed that all of the characters had flaws. Some way more than others.
I found it interesting that one of the main POV’s was the villain of the story. While his story and character development helped me understand who he was as a character, I didn’t feel like I was being asked to relate to him or hope for an outcome in his favor. I think it takes talent to bring me into someone’s head and still let me feel nothing but revulsion.
There is a fair amount of gore and violence. All of it felt purposeful to the story, not just gore for pure shock value. There were a couple of plot points that I would have liked to have gone in a slightly different direction but overall it was a wild ride with a satisfying end. I could not put it down and I’m pretty sure I got exercise minutes on my Apple Watch because my heart rate was so high at the end.
meyerjent's review
5.0
I received this as an arc from Alisha for an honest review!
Please read all triggers before reading this book because it goes into detail. That being said, this was really well written. I couldn't imagine going through what these people went through!
You'll want to keep turning those pages wondering what's going to happen next! Raymond was always laughed at and ridiculed by others growing up, always wanting what they had. I felt so bad for what Caroline had to endure by a sicko who became obsessed with her. This book will take you through the horror of abduction and the scars it will leave!
Please read all triggers before reading this book because it goes into detail. That being said, this was really well written. I couldn't imagine going through what these people went through!
You'll want to keep turning those pages wondering what's going to happen next! Raymond was always laughed at and ridiculed by others growing up, always wanting what they had. I felt so bad for what Caroline had to endure by a sicko who became obsessed with her. This book will take you through the horror of abduction and the scars it will leave!
bee306's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This book was sooOoo good. It is an interesting book, but I would wait until you have the time you need to read it in big chunks. I read a little and put it down to pick up later, but reading it in a carved-out period helps the book draw you in. Alisha, you did so well with this read!
readingwithsierra's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Gore, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail