Reviews

The Worm and His Kings by Hailey Piper

Only show reviews with written explanations

twilliamson's review

challenging dark fast-paced

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

2.0

Firstly, I wish to be totally clear: I don't think this book is bad. In fact, I think a whole lot of people would attest that they loved it and it sang to them and they understood its worm call and that is utterly lovely.

But I didn't get it. There's a lot of cosmic horror packed in here, with big, all-consuming concepts that I think are genuinely interesting. And there's a lot of human horror in here, too, representation especially of trans body horror, which is undeniably important and I think is one of the best things in this book (certainly its most unique concept).

Yet for all that I think The Worm and His Kings does well, I just could not connect with it. I am the outlier, and I think I'm okay with that.

Read Hailey Piper. I've seen enough of her work to know that she is worth reading, worth celebrating, worth supporting. This one just wasn't for me.

cemulmun's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.0

embo's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

2.75

phantasmwitch's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.0

maggiebronwen's review

Go to review page

challenging dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

spicymoss's review

Go to review page

4.0

This novella marked the beginning and end of a reading slump for me. It took me two weeks to read the first 25 pages, and about an hour in one sitting to finish the remainder.

For such a short book, it packs a hell of a punch. The prose is dream-like, yet taut and purposeful. The action kicks in quickly and doesn’t let up. Which leads to my only gripe—I wish it was just a liiittle bit longer. The cult of the Worm is so fascinating to me, and I’d have liked to know just a bit more about it and its followers.

That being said, there is a second book and a third on the way, so I may get to know more as I continue to read.