karen_lo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
4.5 stars
Loved the story, the concept, and the protagonist who was so resilient despite all the things she goes through.
I wish it was a bit longer cause I wanted to know more about certain characters, but overall was the perfect read for this spooky season!
Loved the story, the concept, and the protagonist who was so resilient despite all the things she goes through.
I wish it was a bit longer cause I wanted to know more about certain characters, but overall was the perfect read for this spooky season!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Blood, Animal death, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Murder
Minor: Sexual harassment
katiemack's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I like my horror with a comedic twist, so Rachel Harrison's quickly becoming my go-to author during Spooky Season. This is the second book of hers that I've read, and I've grown to love her dark, twisted, sarcastic sense of humor; she reminds me of Grady Hendrix in that way. She also creates jaded, snarky, smart heroines that are easy to root for as they get themselves into increasingly weird, terrifying situations.
I'm also a big fan of how Harrison makes a familiar trope feel original and fresh; this is the case with this trope of going back home to one's estranged, extremely religious family only to have something creepy happen. (Don't read any synopses before you start this book--I've had issues with marketing blurbs before, but the publisher did a solid job being informative yet cryptic with this one.) Also, don't be put off by the slower pacing in the beginning--it REALLY picks up later, especially in the last quarter of the novel.
I like my horror with a comedic twist, so Rachel Harrison's quickly becoming my go-to author during Spooky Season. This is the second book of hers that I've read, and I've grown to love her dark, twisted, sarcastic sense of humor; she reminds me of Grady Hendrix in that way. She also creates jaded, snarky, smart heroines that are easy to root for as they get themselves into increasingly weird, terrifying situations.
I'm also a big fan of how Harrison makes a familiar trope feel original and fresh; this is the case with this trope of going back home to one's estranged, extremely religious family only to have something creepy happen. (Don't read any synopses before you start this book--I've had issues with marketing blurbs before, but the publisher did a solid job being informative yet cryptic with this one.) Also, don't be put off by the slower pacing in the beginning--it REALLY picks up later, especially in the last quarter of the novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Blood
Moderate: Abandonment, Body horror, Cursing, and Gaslighting
nonfictionfeminist's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
While the book takes its time to build to the climax, it still managed to be bingeable. Another solid bite of storytelling from Harrison. While YouI could see the twist coming with my eyes closed, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Cannibalism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Murder, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, and Animal death
runlaurarun's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Animal death and Cursing
clairebonney's review
dark
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Animal death, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Animal death is a slaughtered lamb. The dog does not die
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