greengaybles's review against another edition
5.0
This book is absolutely phenomenal. Most of the significant characters are women, it’s tightly paced, it deals with real people doing real harm through a supernatural lens, and it’s scary as hell. It has lingered since I finished it yesterday afternoon.
chrissy_d's review
4.0
Eerie tale of three young girls making a blood pact, awakening something sinister and the consequences following them throughout their lives.
dan_onthepage's review
5.0
Caution - Don't read if you're pregnant.
What a book! I look forward to reading the novellas that follow. 5 stars from me.
What a book! I look forward to reading the novellas that follow. 5 stars from me.
evavroslin's review
4.0
an excellent read-alike to "The Rust Maidens" by Gwendolyn Kiste and "The Dead Girls Club" by Damien Angelica Walters.
lirael's review
4.0
Amazingly creepy and believable evil. Yikes. Three friends: Ethel, Marietta, Beverly. A weird oath to never have babies...but they do and it turns ugly.
thomaswjoyce's review
5.0
I loved the depiction of the relationships between the three main characters from young girls all the way through adulthood. Miskowski equally captures the trials and tribulations of pre-teen girls as well as the many obstacles of adulthood and parenthood. Of course, this has a strong supernatural theme as well, and it is threaded throughout beautifully. There is something wrong with Skillute. And it has a very strong effect on the people of the town. It sometimes felt like the inhabitants were merely puppets, being controlled by the dark forces that lie beneath. But, as well done as the supernatural element is, the book would fall flat without strong, engaging characters. Not to take anything away from the prose or the plot, but the individual characters and their relationships with each other is the cherry on the top. And Miskowski weaves everything together perfectly. While reading, I couldn't help but imagine it playing out as a movie, very much like the kind of film A24 would produce. But that maybe because I felt a "Hereditary" vibe with the story. But of course there is enough of a difference between the two stories that A24 should contact Miskowski anyway! I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the Skillute Cycle, not to mention Miskowski's other work. I HIGHLY recommend this book!
motherhorror's review
4.0
Spend enough time navigating the waters of horror fiction and you will soon discover for yourself that most coming of age horror features protagonists of the male persuasion. Coming of age is one of my favorite sub-genres; I gobble them all up!
Coming of age centered around anyone *besides* straight, white males are few and far between. So add this one to your TBR! Our story begins deliciously with 3 girls who hate the idea of pregnancy and motherhood so much, they agree to sneak off into the woods and perform a ritual to ward off getting pregnant forever.
The first act of this story is some of the most magnetic, small town drama I have ever read. I was so engrossed in the interwoven stories of each of the three girls, I forgot to wonder about where any of it might be going. S. P. Miskowski's narrative seamlessly tracks all three, main characters through childhood, teenage years and on into womanhood. Each woman is unique and identifiable. Most noticeably to me is the author's ability to explore a variety of personal issues and struggles that the women face and translate them to the readers in a way that feels authentic and intimate. I love how several times I found myself relating to the woman I was reading about. I remember on more than one occasion thinking, "I have felt that exact same way." There were some specifically poignant scenes told with such an unflinching, raw voice-that I felt really moved by the experience.
Almost suddenly, the sinister nature of the plot was revealed and it was TERRIFYING!
From that moment on, this was true, unadulterated horror. I was invested in these women's lives and it was difficult to realize that something evil was at play here and there was really nothing any of them could do about it--no matter how extreme the measures. I don't want to spoil any reader's discovery moments (and there are some good ones here!) so I'll just say that I'm recommending this to horror fans that love the following: Coming of age, occult, small town drama, paranormal/demonic activities I fluctuated between 4 and 5 stars but ultimately I had to be honest that there were a few chapters that were a little slow for me. Also I felt like it took awhile to find my footing with the third act but once I made the connection, it was easier to follow.
Also, reviewer sidenote: This is book one of a four book series called, "The Skillute Cycle Series". Skillute is a rural fictional town in the Pacific Northwest. About a month ago I read, THE WORST IS YET TO COME which also is set in Skillute. I loved it so much that when I found out the author has a whole series set in Skillute, I needed it. I will definitely buy the rest of the series and anything else this author writes.
Coming of age centered around anyone *besides* straight, white males are few and far between. So add this one to your TBR! Our story begins deliciously with 3 girls who hate the idea of pregnancy and motherhood so much, they agree to sneak off into the woods and perform a ritual to ward off getting pregnant forever.
The first act of this story is some of the most magnetic, small town drama I have ever read. I was so engrossed in the interwoven stories of each of the three girls, I forgot to wonder about where any of it might be going. S. P. Miskowski's narrative seamlessly tracks all three, main characters through childhood, teenage years and on into womanhood. Each woman is unique and identifiable. Most noticeably to me is the author's ability to explore a variety of personal issues and struggles that the women face and translate them to the readers in a way that feels authentic and intimate. I love how several times I found myself relating to the woman I was reading about. I remember on more than one occasion thinking, "I have felt that exact same way." There were some specifically poignant scenes told with such an unflinching, raw voice-that I felt really moved by the experience.
Almost suddenly, the sinister nature of the plot was revealed and it was TERRIFYING!
From that moment on, this was true, unadulterated horror. I was invested in these women's lives and it was difficult to realize that something evil was at play here and there was really nothing any of them could do about it--no matter how extreme the measures. I don't want to spoil any reader's discovery moments (and there are some good ones here!) so I'll just say that I'm recommending this to horror fans that love the following: Coming of age, occult, small town drama, paranormal/demonic activities I fluctuated between 4 and 5 stars but ultimately I had to be honest that there were a few chapters that were a little slow for me. Also I felt like it took awhile to find my footing with the third act but once I made the connection, it was easier to follow.
Also, reviewer sidenote: This is book one of a four book series called, "The Skillute Cycle Series". Skillute is a rural fictional town in the Pacific Northwest. About a month ago I read, THE WORST IS YET TO COME which also is set in Skillute. I loved it so much that when I found out the author has a whole series set in Skillute, I needed it. I will definitely buy the rest of the series and anything else this author writes.
rbandock's review
4.0
Scary! Miskowski weaves the mythology of this story together in a masterful way. I was on the edge of my seat at the last 20 pages. My husband turned off his light but I soldiered on to finish. Suspenseful and fun!