tabman678's review
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bandsophiesmom's review
2.0
TW-animal death-and the synopsis surrounding a possessed “Alexa” has nothing to do with 90% of the story.
vee_54's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
Started alright but I feel like it got lost. Definitely not what I expected based on the blurb. Ended the book confused but really not interested enough to try to make sense of it.
simplydaisy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
dneville's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
stupidpiscesguy's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-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
4.5
andreacaro's review
1.0
maybe would have been a one star but there's so much gratuitous dog violence/death. it's unnecessary. and frankly, the rest of this was just nonsense.
abbybailey's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I wasn’t quite feeling this one at first, but I’m so glad that I didn’t put it down. Because wow. What an original mind-fuck of a story.
It started a little slow but as you go, you start to realize that you didn’t get on the starter coaster that your friend told you you were in line for, and are actually about to take a steep climb. And when you get to the top, the drop not only goes straight down, but you realize your lab bar just ain’t gonna cut it.
Moreno so artfully created a story that not only gave me chills and left me awake and questioning my existence, but also addresses very complex feelings surrounding grief. So not only was I left with more than one existential spiral, but also a lot of healing reflection in my own season of grief. A truly mind-fucking experience that I’m not mad about.
The aspect of magical realism was so wonderfully intertwined and added such an intense layer to the “haunting.” With the reflection on cultural dissonance, complex emotional layer, and twist on traditional haunting storylines, I am deeply satisfied with the read. I hope to see more from Moreno!
It started a little slow but as you go, you start to realize that you didn’t get on the starter coaster that your friend told you you were in line for, and are actually about to take a steep climb. And when you get to the top, the drop not only goes straight down, but you realize your lab bar just ain’t gonna cut it.
Moreno so artfully created a story that not only gave me chills and left me awake and questioning my existence, but also addresses very complex feelings surrounding grief. So not only was I left with more than one existential spiral, but also a lot of healing reflection in my own season of grief. A truly mind-fucking experience that I’m not mad about.
The aspect of magical realism was so wonderfully intertwined and added such an intense layer to the “haunting.” With the reflection on cultural dissonance, complex emotional layer, and twist on traditional haunting storylines, I am deeply satisfied with the read. I hope to see more from Moreno!
apalubeskie's review against another edition
4.0
The first part of the book was hard for me to get into. It took about 100 pages before I was really into the book. I am glad I continued on because the ending was amazing! So many times reading this book I though WTF! This book is not going to be for everyone and can be both heavy with grief and creepy! I did enjoy it!
bobbyclark's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Wow.
Fuck.
I love this book.
I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with This Thing Between Us, and after reading I’m not exactly sure what dark void I have fallen into. This novel uses grief, cultural dissonance, technology and the books perspective as vehicles to explore existentialism. What it means to exist…and what comes after. The feeling by the end is extremely Cosmic, but after reading a book analysis by Oscar von Hauske, I think he properly nails this down as Gnostic Horror. Is reality “real,” and what entities actually control it. The book is also filled with wonderful homages to other authors. It’s clear what stories inspired this one, but Moreno still weaves a very original tale.
The pacing of this story is like a tall fuck-all rollercoaster. The cars slowly ticking upwards; a sad grief-stricken creepy haunting? An inescapable demonic curse? Finally, the car teeters at the top and around 2/3rds through the book you are suddenly dropped straight down, fucking with your perception and making you wonder if you did in fact glimpse that the track ahead is broken about to fling you off. I was truly creeped out. And not just like the “oh ,nice” smile and shiver kind of creeps. I mean late night, still awake, eyes staring at the light seeping through my door with goosebumps rising kind of creeps. This was subjectively my kind of scary. The ending is purposefully ambiguous and will leaving you guessing for the rest of eternity. Embrace it.
Fuck.
I love this book.
I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with This Thing Between Us, and after reading I’m not exactly sure what dark void I have fallen into. This novel uses grief, cultural dissonance, technology and the books perspective as vehicles to explore existentialism. What it means to exist…and what comes after. The feeling by the end is extremely Cosmic, but after reading a book analysis by Oscar von Hauske, I think he properly nails this down as Gnostic Horror. Is reality “real,” and what entities actually control it. The book is also filled with wonderful homages to other authors. It’s clear what stories inspired this one, but Moreno still weaves a very original tale.
The pacing of this story is like a tall fuck-all rollercoaster. The cars slowly ticking upwards; a sad grief-stricken creepy haunting? An inescapable demonic curse? Finally, the car teeters at the top and around 2/3rds through the book you are suddenly dropped straight down, fucking with your perception and making you wonder if you did in fact glimpse that the track ahead is broken about to fling you off. I was truly creeped out. And not just like the “oh ,nice” smile and shiver kind of creeps. I mean late night, still awake, eyes staring at the light seeping through my door with goosebumps rising kind of creeps. This was subjectively my kind of scary. The ending is purposefully ambiguous and will leaving you guessing for the rest of eternity. Embrace it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death