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A review by chefinheels
The Groomer by Jon Athan
dark
emotional
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read The Groomer, Into the Wolves Den, and The Abuse of Ashley Collins over the last two days. I've seen quite a few posts about Jon Athan in varying thriller groups, and wanted to give any help I could to those still on the fence.
Are these books gory, and graphic? Yes. If you have a TW, just don't read them. Whatever your particular trigger, it's probably in here somewhere. I can give details if you need them, as some people's triggers are über specific, but otherwise, just assume it's rough.
Do you know what else they are? Crushingly, unapologetically, brutally emotional. An intense study of the naïveté of a child. The unending will to survive of a child. The unfathomable love of a parent. The abyss that is the hatred of a parent.
If you can handle splatterpunk, and if you can handle the severe reality of child abuse, in multiple forms, these books are ones that will stick with you.
Are these books gory, and graphic? Yes. If you have a TW, just don't read them. Whatever your particular trigger, it's probably in here somewhere. I can give details if you need them, as some people's triggers are über specific, but otherwise, just assume it's rough.
Do you know what else they are? Crushingly, unapologetically, brutally emotional. An intense study of the naïveté of a child. The unending will to survive of a child. The unfathomable love of a parent. The abyss that is the hatred of a parent.
If you can handle splatterpunk, and if you can handle the severe reality of child abuse, in multiple forms, these books are ones that will stick with you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail