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A review by mellamaron
Katzenjammer by Francesca Zappia
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
If you are here expecting a book like “Eliza and her Monsters”, please leave. This is a horror story; it is not a feel good book about fandom with an HEA.
What is it then, you ask?
Katzenjammer is a haunting horror that flows beautifully between two timelines. We see the “current” time where the students of the School are changing, turning into monsters. Each time we meet a new character in the current timeline, we see them in the past - a normal contemporary timeline before the students were stuck in the school. Both timelines are told in short abrupt chapters and both are so compelling, I can’t pick a favorite.
Cat is a lovely protagonist. She is a girl who is different; people make fun of her lazy eye and her weird paintings. We meet Jeffrey, her best friend, who is a kind-hearted charismatic odd boy who enjoys spending time with her.
All of the characters we meet are interesting - when reading, it’s like these names stuck. Sometimes when I read, I go “wait who was this?” But in this book, I knew. When something connected in my head I went “oh my gosh, it’s XXX”
There are many triggers in this book, the one that happens most is violence: intense violence. I would recommend you look up the triggers before reading this book. I won’t list them all here as there is a particular trigger that is a spoiler…. So please look it up before reading if you have issues with violence triggers.
I really loved Zappia’s writing in this book: it felt sinister and compelling. I truly felt like I was in a horror video game - trying to hide from the toys in Five Nights at Freddy’s or Emily Wants to Play. If you don’t like those psychological horrors, please do NOT read this book.
What is it then, you ask?
Katzenjammer is a haunting horror that flows beautifully between two timelines. We see the “current” time where the students of the School are changing, turning into monsters. Each time we meet a new character in the current timeline, we see them in the past - a normal contemporary timeline before the students were stuck in the school. Both timelines are told in short abrupt chapters and both are so compelling, I can’t pick a favorite.
Cat is a lovely protagonist. She is a girl who is different; people make fun of her lazy eye and her weird paintings. We meet Jeffrey, her best friend, who is a kind-hearted charismatic odd boy who enjoys spending time with her.
All of the characters we meet are interesting - when reading, it’s like these names stuck. Sometimes when I read, I go “wait who was this?” But in this book, I knew. When something connected in my head I went “oh my gosh, it’s XXX”
There are many triggers in this book, the one that happens most is violence: intense violence. I would recommend you look up the triggers before reading this book. I won’t list them all here as there is a particular trigger that is a spoiler…. So please look it up before reading if you have issues with violence triggers.
I really loved Zappia’s writing in this book: it felt sinister and compelling. I truly felt like I was in a horror video game - trying to hide from the toys in Five Nights at Freddy’s or Emily Wants to Play. If you don’t like those psychological horrors, please do NOT read this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence and Vomit