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maybbrenna's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gay people, complex characters, complex situations, tense as heck, oh my goodness. the afterword is a MUST read - it explains the collection of seemingly extremely different stories. every time i thought i figured out what the twist would be, the twist got twisted. read the first story on my 35 min break at work, had to extend my break another ten minutes to finish it. i read through the rest of the book in one sitting. will be getting the rest of the author’s books tomorrow. wow.
edit: was reading some of the other reviews and while i definitely understand the criticisms, the stuff the author goes into can be pretty upsetting to people who may be sensitive to the topics, but i enjoyed it because 1) i’m a horror fan in all forms and i want horror that makes feel horrified and 2) reading the afterword explained the theme and relevance of the events super well, in my personal experience. the theme is definitely more central to the book than the characters and their development. i can agree with the criticisms towards the lesbian relationship in the first story - i also thought it moved pretty fast when i was reading it, but the afterword (which i don’t usually read in books but VERY glad i did) made it make a lot more sense. i’m a big theme slut and this book gave me lots to think about. if you find yourself particularly effected by certain topics i would definitely recommend taking into consideration the content warnings with the highest amounts of votes before reading the book - i don’t get super affected by things usually but i was definitely feeling a little wonky after the first story. overall, i think the book is great and i definitely recommend it to people that a) like a horror meant to horrify b) don’t have any particular sensitivity to predominantly gore and c) are open to a book that focuses on theme rather than characters. PLZ READ THE AFTERWORD in all honesty i liked the book perfectly fine before reading it but the afterword did help me appreciate the book a lot more!!
edit: was reading some of the other reviews and while i definitely understand the criticisms, the stuff the author goes into can be pretty upsetting to people who may be sensitive to the topics, but i enjoyed it because 1) i’m a horror fan in all forms and i want horror that makes feel horrified and 2) reading the afterword explained the theme and relevance of the events super well, in my personal experience. the theme is definitely more central to the book than the characters and their development. i can agree with the criticisms towards the lesbian relationship in the first story - i also thought it moved pretty fast when i was reading it, but the afterword (which i don’t usually read in books but VERY glad i did) made it make a lot more sense. i’m a big theme slut and this book gave me lots to think about. if you find yourself particularly effected by certain topics i would definitely recommend taking into consideration the content warnings with the highest amounts of votes before reading the book - i don’t get super affected by things usually but i was definitely feeling a little wonky after the first story. overall, i think the book is great and i definitely recommend it to people that a) like a horror meant to horrify b) don’t have any particular sensitivity to predominantly gore and c) are open to a book that focuses on theme rather than characters. PLZ READ THE AFTERWORD in all honesty i liked the book perfectly fine before reading it but the afterword did help me appreciate the book a lot more!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Grief
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Gore
Minor: Suicide and Xenophobia
mountainfox's review against another edition
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
What the f*** did I just read?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Gore, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
sdsmith80's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
<strong>A darkly engrossing collection!</strong>
I had a hard time putting this book down and finished it in just over a day! The stories within were dark and twisted, and I loved how the author played with the theme of connection through them all.
In the first tale, I saw a little of myself in Agnes, the young woman who is starving for affection and will do anything and become anyone to get it, although luckily I never let myself get to quite such extremes.
In The Enchantment, I grieved with the couple who had lost their son so tragically (in a way I'm constantly worried about with my own child), and I understood the longing for a belief in an afterlife. I've lost people in my life that make me wish I could be a believer again, to have that hope that we'll be reunited someday. But of course a hard reality is better than a comfortable fantasy. The twists in that story had me reeling as well, guessing at what was really happening until the very end.
The final story was strange and surreal and felt almost like a dream turning into a nightmare before my eyes. In the end, I'm left wondering just what was the history of the elderly neighbor, and why he engaged the way he did.
I recently picked up a couple of the author's other books as well, and after reading this, I'm excited to read them!
I had a hard time putting this book down and finished it in just over a day! The stories within were dark and twisted, and I loved how the author played with the theme of connection through them all.
In the first tale, I saw a little of myself in Agnes, the young woman who is starving for affection and will do anything and become anyone to get it, although luckily I never let myself get to quite such extremes.
In The Enchantment, I grieved with the couple who had lost their son so tragically (in a way I'm constantly worried about with my own child), and I understood the longing for a belief in an afterlife. I've lost people in my life that make me wish I could be a believer again, to have that hope that we'll be reunited someday. But of course a hard reality is better than a comfortable fantasy. The twists in that story had me reeling as well, guessing at what was really happening until the very end.
The final story was strange and surreal and felt almost like a dream turning into a nightmare before my eyes. In the end, I'm left wondering just what was the history of the elderly neighbor, and why he engaged the way he did.
I recently picked up a couple of the author's other books as well, and after reading this, I'm excited to read them!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Homophobia and Xenophobia