A review by bookedbymadeline
Voice Like a Hyacinth by Mallory Pearson

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Thank you NetGalley and 47North for the eARC!

This was a haunting, animalistic story that explores being queer, finding your identity/coming of age, and female friendship with some occult elements. While this is marked as fantasy, I’d say it’s more horror especially as the novel continues forward!

I loved the prose and atmospheric writing! I highlighted so many quotes and could at times relate to Jo. She often times feels insecure and anxious, overwhelmed with her love for her friends and already feeling nostalgic about their time together.

The writing brought this story to life, allowing me to perfectly visualize Rotham, the characters, and their art! The characters felt so raw and realistic, each with their own unique personalities to set them apart.  I especially loved the queer love and friendships throughout the story, the affection they had for one another added to the believability of the characters and their shared history!

The horror aspects of the book were so well executed! It was unsettling and sinister, making me a bit too scared to read the book before bed without being over the top bloody/gore (which is a type of horror I don’t like). 

Their story (taking away the horror and occult elements) felt nostalgic of my own college experience and the friendships forged 💗 And finally a 5 star read for 2025!! I would highly recommend for fans of Brutes by Dizz Tate, Ethel Cain, The Craft, and/or “Weird girl” books especially if you want a book with queer, folkloric/witchy, artist vibes ✨

Rep: lesbian MC and side characters, bisexual side character, non-binary minor character, Korean side character (saz has the last name Choi)?, Indian side character, lesbian author 
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