A review by callme_tippy
This Cursed House by Del Sandeen

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.5

While I enjoyed the mystery of this one the overall theme is a no for me. 

The fact that the main plot point of this book is to forgive, drives me absolutely crazy!
The author wants us to root for the main character to forgive her estranged long lost family for:
 
  • killing her father because he was too Black and dark skinned.
  • Sending her away from her family/mother because she looked too Black and they would have killed her otherwise.
  • Cutting out her mothers tongue and forcing her to work for her own family as the maid
  • Lying to her, not telling her mother is alive and is in fact the maid.
  • Putting her down for being too Black.
  • Lying about who her brother is. 
  • Other micro aggressions.

The theme of forgiveness completely ruined this book. I want my horror in this specific genre to be horror. Give me revenge, give me anger, give me actual horror! Don't give "forgiveness heals all" garbage! Especially when the forgiveness is given to racist, classist, colorist, anti-Black, "white passing" (due to the time period, otherwise they'd just be white) people.

This was such a let down. It could have been so good, and the constant lies, secrets, and reveals were great, but like I said, the forgiveness theme is so enraging. Like, eff all that "forgiving my oppressor to set me free" garbage, give me revenge served hot and horrific! I hated this theme and will be very hesitant to read more from this author.  

I'd advise to skip this one, it was not it. 

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