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selendrea's reviews
17 reviews
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-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're considering reading this book - DO IT. Even at almost 600 pages, I flew through this book, so anxious and emotionally invested in the story. I finally was able to cry at the last page after letting out a long breath. Due expertly constructed such loveable and three-dimensional characters that I wanted so badly to hug through the book. The second I realized that Robert, the main character and 12 year old boy, was wearing too-big shoes that his father sent him, I knew this would be a heart-wrenching novel. Robert proceeds to literally try and fill his papa's shoes and courageously survive a violent situation that threatens to absolutely destroy him.
Due's writing is so straightforward and easy to digest. As someone from the South as well, I appreciated that I could almost hear the accents through the dialogue. I felt that the world of Gracetown was vibrantly fleshed out. Due put in work richly explaining the hostile environment for the Stephens family, but also the love and support they receive, even if their loved ones were far away or no longer living. The heartfelt moments were perfect to balance out the horrors of this novel.
And boy are there horrors. The Reformatory is not for the weak-willed. While it has a supernatural flair, this narrative's true horror is in the breathing flesh. I found myself continuously so angry, not only at the events of the book, but also at the fact that so much of this unfair system is still present today, 75 years later. Unjust and racist policing and judicial systems, for-profit prisons, and well meaning people looking the other way...
That is where Due's largest strength lies: crafting an enthralling fictionalized narrative that also forces the reader to face the mistreatment of mankind that is still relevant today. Reading The Reformatory not only allowed me to experience a complex and inspiring story, but also think more deeply about current society.
Due's writing is so straightforward and easy to digest. As someone from the South as well, I appreciated that I could almost hear the accents through the dialogue. I felt that the world of Gracetown was vibrantly fleshed out. Due put in work richly explaining the hostile environment for the Stephens family, but also the love and support they receive, even if their loved ones were far away or no longer living. The heartfelt moments were perfect to balance out the horrors of this novel.
And boy are there horrors. The Reformatory is not for the weak-willed. While it has a supernatural flair, this narrative's true horror is in the breathing flesh. I found myself continuously so angry, not only at the events of the book, but also at the fact that so much of this unfair system is still present today, 75 years later. Unjust and racist policing and judicial systems, for-profit prisons, and well meaning people looking the other way...
That is where Due's largest strength lies: crafting an enthralling fictionalized narrative that also forces the reader to face the mistreatment of mankind that is still relevant today. Reading The Reformatory not only allowed me to experience a complex and inspiring story, but also think more deeply about current society.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This Thing Between Us is a dizzying and at times uncomfortable exploration of grief, feeling burdened by our family history, and abstract, cosmic horror. Moreno is a master at blending conversational sentences that flow like a train of thought with dazzling descriptive prose. This novel has one of my favorite depictions of grief - so raw, infectious, and emotional. I related a lot to Thiago and Vera's relationship and found them to be incredibly realistic as a couple: flawed, yet two pieces of a puzzle that complete one another.
While this is primarily a story about grief, the horror scenes did not disappoint. Additionally, Moreno's exploration of Mexican-American culture, Thiago's difficulty with his heritage, and the underlying political commentary on how media cycles perpetuate victimization was particularly effective and gripping to read.
The first two thirds of this novel were impeccable, and I didn't mind the plot moving in an unexpected way, but I found the ending to be abrupt and confusing. I normally enjoy endings that are left for interpretation, but I feel that Moreno perhaps struggled to wrap up several grandiose ideas in a satisfying way. I was left with the thought: "Style Over Substance." This could have been a more successful ending if it were slightly less vague, in my opinion. Nonetheless, I enjoyed blitzing through This Thing Between Us and it will likely stick with me for a long time.
While this is primarily a story about grief, the horror scenes did not disappoint. Additionally, Moreno's exploration of Mexican-American culture, Thiago's difficulty with his heritage, and the underlying political commentary on how media cycles perpetuate victimization was particularly effective and gripping to read.
The first two thirds of this novel were impeccable, and I didn't mind the plot moving in an unexpected way, but I found the ending to be abrupt and confusing. I normally enjoy endings that are left for interpretation, but I feel that Moreno perhaps struggled to wrap up several grandiose ideas in a satisfying way. I was left with the thought: "Style Over Substance." This could have been a more successful ending if it were slightly less vague, in my opinion. Nonetheless, I enjoyed blitzing through This Thing Between Us and it will likely stick with me for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
The Troop by Nick Cutter
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I started off 2025 with a bang by blasting through The Troop in only a few sittings, and it had me in its grips the entire time. It is the definition of a page turner: the pacing was so perfect and I had an incredibly hard time putting it down. Don't get me wrong - this novel isn't all action and violence. Cutter puts in work crafting an ensemble of characters with rich backstories and contrasting personalities. The violence hits so much harder because you feel like you know these characters inside and out. While the gore is striking and stomach-churning, the characters' reactions to the violence hurt so much more to read.
Speaking of gore, this novel is the definition of "body horror," a genre in which the body is subject to slow, horrifying changes and decimation. With a slasher villain or even a ghost, we can separate the self from the antagonist and even fight against it. With body horror, however, we have to watch ourselves become the antagonist, which is what makes this genre so hard to stomach. Cutter, additionally, does not just stick to the realm of gore. The horror of this book is also expertly established through genuine tension, playing with the psychological complexities between characters, and leaving some things for the reader to expand upon in their imagination.
The way in which the gore is described is unflinching and raw. Cutter's imagination is on full display here, and his biggest strength is being able to communicate these disgusting images in a way that makes them feel vivid and almost tangible. Because of this, this novel will not be for everyone; it is additionally heavy on animal violence, which is a valid turn-off for many readers. I personally felt that it was not gratuitous for the sake of shock, however. These scenes function to develop character and move the plot along. For example,the controversial scene with the turtle is such an impactful moment for Newton's and Max's character development. They start out the attack with such bravado and confidence, but, as children often do, they find themselves vastly in over their heads. This scene is devastating to read, because you understand their plight and their hunger and their agony and their regret.
To me, this is nearly a perfect novel, but falls short in one aspect. While the characters felt realistic, they also simultaneously bordered on stereotypical and trope-y at times. Additionally, I noticed several instances in which one of the boys' dialogue was too advanced or flowery to justifiably be coming from a fourteen year old boy. It was hard to balance their jokes about farts on one page and then thoughtful metaphors/similes on the next page. While this was a bit distracting, I don't think it significantly hurt my enjoyment of the novel overall.
If you're a fan of hefty gore, fun and imaginative body horror, and stories of isolation and the unraveling of a psyche, you will likely love this standout addition to the horror genre.
Speaking of gore, this novel is the definition of "body horror," a genre in which the body is subject to slow, horrifying changes and decimation. With a slasher villain or even a ghost, we can separate the self from the antagonist and even fight against it. With body horror, however, we have to watch ourselves become the antagonist, which is what makes this genre so hard to stomach. Cutter, additionally, does not just stick to the realm of gore. The horror of this book is also expertly established through genuine tension, playing with the psychological complexities between characters, and leaving some things for the reader to expand upon in their imagination.
The way in which the gore is described is unflinching and raw. Cutter's imagination is on full display here, and his biggest strength is being able to communicate these disgusting images in a way that makes them feel vivid and almost tangible. Because of this, this novel will not be for everyone; it is additionally heavy on animal violence, which is a valid turn-off for many readers. I personally felt that it was not gratuitous for the sake of shock, however. These scenes function to develop character and move the plot along. For example,
To me, this is nearly a perfect novel, but falls short in one aspect. While the characters felt realistic, they also simultaneously bordered on stereotypical and trope-y at times. Additionally, I noticed several instances in which one of the boys' dialogue was too advanced or flowery to justifiably be coming from a fourteen year old boy. It was hard to balance their jokes about farts on one page and then thoughtful metaphors/similes on the next page. While this was a bit distracting, I don't think it significantly hurt my enjoyment of the novel overall.
If you're a fan of hefty gore, fun and imaginative body horror, and stories of isolation and the unraveling of a psyche, you will likely love this standout addition to the horror genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Self harm, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Homophobia
Mary: An Awakening of Terror by Nat Cassidy
What. A. Book. Mary: An Awakening of Terror was not the book I expected to be, and I'm okay with that. It turned out to be so much more. At its core, this is a novel about the horrors of womanhood, with a slew of genuine terror, humor, and emotional moments thrown in-between. I found the style of writing to be nearly impeccable - the prose flows wonderfully, the metaphors are vivid, and the gore is so deliciously described. Among many horror novels I've read recently, Cassidy's descriptions of body horror felt the most powerful.
The characters here are also standouts. Mary, the titular perimenopausal character is so incredibly unique. She will simultaneously elicit pity, disgust, anger, sadness, and laughter from you. She is easy to hate, but also easy to love, which caused an uncomfortable dissonance in me, but one that I didn't mind sitting with. She is often sweaty, sticky, and unhygienic, but underneath the grime and anger, she had something worth rooting for. I wanted so badly to know how her story ended. Her aunt, Nadine, can receive an honorable mention as well for her sheer wit that makes you love to loathe her.
While I loved the plot overall, this was not a perfect novel. At times, I felt that the book was just a tad too long, and certain parts could have been culled back to allow the pacing to flow a bit better. Additionally, I think Cassidy takes on a few too many directions at once: ghosts, reincarnation, metaphysics, cults, body horror, psychological horror, etc. This mish-mash becomes convoluted near the middle of the book. I think with a more narrow, tighter plot, many readers could focus a bit better.
Regardless, Mary's biggest triumph is in its layers, and the message it doesn't spoon-feed to its reader. So often, I took a breath, put down the book, and had to think about the complexities of my interpretations.
Here are a few of those interpretations:
1. Most obvious, Mary's body horror and her growing disdain for her physical form mirrors (no pun intended) how difficult it can be to feel comfortable in a body that changes and betrays. This is reflected in her struggle to look into mirrors, but also her reclamation of her own nudity at the end of the book. Even as a younger woman, these allegorical moments hit too close to home. I would argue that this theme is most reminiscent of this work's inspiration, Carrie.
2. To me, Damon's voice represents internalized misogyny. Even as women, we may pick up the tendency to belittle and degrade ourselves through societal messaging. That undervoice, Damon's, represents that very real voice that works against a woman's own confidence and self-interest.
3. Damon's victims being relegated to the shadows and forced to be ignored and forgotten reminded me of the idolatry of serial killers in our society. So often, it is the violent man who is pushed into the limelight, while his (often) female victims are rarely given the same consideration. This is also echoed in Eleanor's podcast, which I would argue is a commentary on the exploitative nature of true crime in general. There may also be an underpinning of commentary on worshipping false idols and religious zealotry here, as well.
4. Mary has an opportunity to be idolized herself, but only if she allows Damon to have more power. In other words, Mary's chance to gain social power in the hierarchy and "fit in" comes from her proximity to a man. Again, this reflects real-world cultural systems in which proximity to the hegemonic majority (men) is often the simplest way for women to have control. We can also see this theme in the women of the cult, who are willing to sacrifice victims of their own gender and take part in an unethical system, partially out of the desire for safety.
I had an excellent time dissecting this book overall. If you enjoy a twisting tale with a unique female protagonist, dark humor, and a healthy amount of gore, I think this one is worth giving a shot!
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
He said the thing about cats you have to understand
Is they are predator and prey
They can hunt and pounce and kill
But they're small and light and probably
Delicious
So they take some things very very seriously
I was a little girl when he said this
But when I became a woman in this world
I understood what he meant.
What. A. Book. Mary: An Awakening of Terror was not the book I expected to be, and I'm okay with that. It turned out to be so much more. At its core, this is a novel about the horrors of womanhood, with a slew of genuine terror, humor, and emotional moments thrown in-between. I found the style of writing to be nearly impeccable - the prose flows wonderfully, the metaphors are vivid, and the gore is so deliciously described. Among many horror novels I've read recently, Cassidy's descriptions of body horror felt the most powerful.
The characters here are also standouts. Mary, the titular perimenopausal character is so incredibly unique. She will simultaneously elicit pity, disgust, anger, sadness, and laughter from you. She is easy to hate, but also easy to love, which caused an uncomfortable dissonance in me, but one that I didn't mind sitting with. She is often sweaty, sticky, and unhygienic, but underneath the grime and anger, she had something worth rooting for. I wanted so badly to know how her story ended. Her aunt, Nadine, can receive an honorable mention as well for her sheer wit that makes you love to loathe her.
While I loved the plot overall, this was not a perfect novel. At times, I felt that the book was just a tad too long, and certain parts could have been culled back to allow the pacing to flow a bit better. Additionally, I think Cassidy takes on a few too many directions at once: ghosts, reincarnation, metaphysics, cults, body horror, psychological horror, etc. This mish-mash becomes convoluted near the middle of the book. I think with a more narrow, tighter plot, many readers could focus a bit better.
Regardless, Mary's biggest triumph is in its layers, and the message it doesn't spoon-feed to its reader. So often, I took a breath, put down the book, and had to think about the complexities of my interpretations.
Here are a few of those interpretations:
2. To me, Damon's voice represents internalized misogyny. Even as women, we may pick up the tendency to belittle and degrade ourselves through societal messaging. That undervoice, Damon's, represents that very real voice that works against a woman's own confidence and self-interest.
3. Damon's victims being relegated to the shadows and forced to be ignored and forgotten reminded me of the idolatry of serial killers in our society. So often, it is the violent man who is pushed into the limelight, while his (often) female victims are rarely given the same consideration. This is also echoed in Eleanor's podcast, which I would argue is a commentary on the exploitative nature of true crime in general. There may also be an underpinning of commentary on worshipping false idols and religious zealotry here, as well.
4. Mary has an opportunity to be idolized herself, but only if she allows Damon to have more power. In other words, Mary's chance to gain social power in the hierarchy and "fit in" comes from her proximity to a man. Again, this reflects real-world cultural systems in which proximity to the hegemonic majority (men) is often the simplest way for women to have control. We can also see this theme in the women of the cult, who are willing to sacrifice victims of their own gender and take part in an unethical system, partially out of the desire for safety.
I had an excellent time dissecting this book overall. If you enjoy a twisting tale with a unique female protagonist, dark humor, and a healthy amount of gore, I think this one is worth giving a shot!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual violence, Vomit, Police brutality, and Religious bigotry
Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven
Did not finish book. Stopped at 51%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 51%.
I can't begin to describe how disappointed I was reading this book. Fantasticland should be right up my alley. I love depictions of humanity losing their sanity when they're pushed to the edge. This book was not that. No one was pushed to the edge. As a psychologist, I was incredibly frustrated with the lack of sense this plot had. No, people do not devolve into killing one another brutally when the lights go out without a single other provocation. No, people do not necessarily devolve into killing one another despite there being plenty of resources to go around. The only thing I felt was reasonable was the fact that the survivors broke up into distinct groups/camps. Minimal group paradigms do demonstrate that humans can show prejudice and in-group favoritism for even arbitrary groups (e.g., what area of the park they worked in). But the jump from group membership becoming important and salient to all-out murder is still incredibly far fetched. The author does not take the time to detail how we get from point A to point B, and instead takes a huge leap for the sake of shock value.
Although I think the interview format was unique and engaging, it has a huge flaw, in my opinion. We jump from perspectives and characters so quickly that I did not have the time to develop a genuine emotional connection to any of them. Why care when they die? Vastly more successful horror novels work because you feel a deep pit in your stomach at the thought of a character dying - their deaths mean something. Without the time and prose spent building up characters, their motivations, and their relationships, their deaths feel like little more than fodder for a fast-paced plot. Many people compare this to Lord of the Flies, but do you know why that novel was far more impactful? It takes the time to world build, to delve into the motivations and relationships of the stranded boys, and therefore you feel something when violence ensues.
If I am to believe that the take away of this novel is thatKids These Days are too addicted to their phones and show virtually no humanity when those phones are no longer usable , I don't believe Bockoven made this point in an articulate or thoughtful manner. It feels shallow at best. Again, I think this could have been a vastly more successful plot if it took the time to build characters and create a realistic reason for the degradation of the survivors' psychological well-being, like lack of resources, a misunderstanding, etc.
Although I think the interview format was unique and engaging, it has a huge flaw, in my opinion. We jump from perspectives and characters so quickly that I did not have the time to develop a genuine emotional connection to any of them. Why care when they die? Vastly more successful horror novels work because you feel a deep pit in your stomach at the thought of a character dying - their deaths mean something. Without the time and prose spent building up characters, their motivations, and their relationships, their deaths feel like little more than fodder for a fast-paced plot. Many people compare this to Lord of the Flies, but do you know why that novel was far more impactful? It takes the time to world build, to delve into the motivations and relationships of the stranded boys, and therefore you feel something when violence ensues.
If I am to believe that the take away of this novel is that
The September House by Carissa Orlando
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I went into this book with barely any knowledge of the plot, and I'm so glad I did. I thought I could predict what would happen, but this was far from the truth. The September House is more than a simplistic haunted house tale - the far scarier monsters are not the incorporeal, mutilated forms of the deceased, but the monsters that are alive. The heart of this story isn't the ghosts, the gore, the nightmares. It's family - albeit an imperfect family, but one that you end up rooting for. As a fiery daughter similar to Katherine in some ways, I loved how well fleshed out the mother-daughter relationship was.
Orlando does a brilliant job bringing the main character, Margaret, to life. She is motivated, funny, tired, and so incredibly loving. She simultaneously feels like a realistic person, but also one who is difficult to fully understand, which is purposeful. As we fall deeper and deeper into Margaret's story, her characterization and reasons behind her behavior become illuminated, and the pacing of these reveals felt perfectly spaced out.
I also want to commend Orlando on balancing horrifying elements with such refreshing use of dark humor. There were several moments in this book that made me chuckle out loud and receive a glance from my husband on the couch. I genuinely had a dream inspired by a scene in this book, that's how strongly the imagery impacted me.
The only thing that detracted from this novel for me was a lack of subtlety. I believe Orlando could have folded in the allegory betweenMargaret standing up to Master Vale versus Margaret never standing up to her abusive husband in a less obvious way. It was as if the author didn't trust the reader to catch on to the parallels, which became a bit frustrating. I absolutely adore how the book explored the psychological profile of a woman in an abusive marriage (if I just follow the rules, I can survive), but I truly think with a bit more subtlety and room to breathe, I would have felt more satisfied at the end when all the puzzle pieces came together.
Nonetheless, I think The September House is an incredibly fun and successful novel. If you enjoy traditional haunted house stories with a psychological twist, you won't regret giving this one a chance!
Orlando does a brilliant job bringing the main character, Margaret, to life. She is motivated, funny, tired, and so incredibly loving. She simultaneously feels like a realistic person, but also one who is difficult to fully understand, which is purposeful. As we fall deeper and deeper into Margaret's story, her characterization and reasons behind her behavior become illuminated, and the pacing of these reveals felt perfectly spaced out.
I also want to commend Orlando on balancing horrifying elements with such refreshing use of dark humor. There were several moments in this book that made me chuckle out loud and receive a glance from my husband on the couch. I genuinely had a dream inspired by a scene in this book, that's how strongly the imagery impacted me.
The only thing that detracted from this novel for me was a lack of subtlety. I believe Orlando could have folded in the allegory between
Nonetheless, I think The September House is an incredibly fun and successful novel. If you enjoy traditional haunted house stories with a psychological twist, you won't regret giving this one a chance!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
My relationship with The Only Good Indians is a complicated one. This novel has so much to offer, and yet, I finished the last page feeling somewhat dissatisfied. I had to take half a day for my impression to finalize because I feel so ambivalent. If I may, let me explain what I liked and disliked about this book (some spoilers marked ahead.)
This novels biggest strength is its depiction of the experiences and struggles of Native Americans, both off and on their reservation. Being pulled between two worlds, the pressure to uphold tradition, trauma passed down through generations, the punishment of abusing nature and taking too much from the land, grappling with addiction, and viewing their land as both a sacred place but also something to escape were all themes detailed so wonderfully through each character's story. I feel like I learned a lot by reading this book, and I frankly would have loved an entire drama about the lives of these four friends. I also absolutely loved the last page,when it is revealed that this entire story has been told from the perspective of an elder telling a folktale to children. The theme of the next generation breaking the cycle of trauma and violence was so impactfully interwoven right up until the last page.
While it took some getting used to, I also loved Jones's stream-of-consciousness style of writing. Additionally, dialogue felt authentic and had such character to it because of the author's purposeful use of sentence structure, filler words, and vocabulary to emphasize tone and dialect. I know not all readers enjoyed this style, but by my second reading session, I felt like the text flowed easily and I could distinctly hear characters' voices in my head.
This book is not a drama - it is a horror novel. While some of the horror aspects really landed, many did not. At its core, this is a story that I should love: an ancient, female animal spirit wreaking havoc to enact revenge. I found the first half of the book to be rather gripping - Lewis's section is by far the best fleshed out and intense. Lewis's paranoia is palpable, and I could see his psyche unraveling on each page. Sadly, I think the pacing starts to stagnate in the second half when we move to the last two men. Though I enjoyed their personalities and backstories, I think this novel would have been more successful if action was better interspersed in the latter half.
In my opinion, if Jones had taken the same care to write about the action/death sequences as he did to detail 20-page long basketball sequences, this would have been a vastly more interesting book. I completely understand why basketball is so important here. It has huge cultural significance, and for Denorah,it represents her "ticket" out of poverty, out of the reservation, her chance for fame and a better life. Elk Head Woman wants to tear this away from her, take every last possible beautiful thing from her. Additionally, the final basketball stand-off reminds me of folklore in which a demon has to be defeated through a simple human game. While I appreciate these elements, I don't think the execution hit its mark. I found myself frustrated with how long these basketball sections were. I'll admit, I am not a sports fan, so this may be a personal gripe.
I could possibly forgive this if the deaths had more weight. There were several deaths that felt skimmed over or waved away. Characters did not have enough time to really emotionally reflect on their friends/loved ones dying in gruesome ways.I particularly was shocked by Shaney's death. It happens so quickly, and Lewis seems more concerned with how he's going to cover her up than with the fact he's become a murderer. This doesn't make sense for Lewis - he held the most grief and guilt for killing the young, pregnant elk - this characterization makes me feel that he'd have a harder time grappling with killing his coworker. This is just one example of several that made me feel like the horror and death elements were an afterthought to the author, which disappointed me as an avid horror lover.
My final issue with this novel is that many things feel unanswered and unaddressed by the end. In particular, I wish that Elk Head Woman's origin was explained better.Why was she so special, so much so that she had different eyes and could come back as a corporeal manifestation years later? Why, if she is truly an elk, was she so good at basketball? Why could Lewis only view her through moving objects like the fan and the train? If it took Elk Head Woman ten years to return, why was Ricky killed so much sooner in a completely different way? I think she had so much potential as a horror novel antagonist, but I truly don't think she was fleshed out enough.
TLDR: despite my issues with The Only Good Indians, I think it had a lot of charm and a lot of potential. The plot is incredibly unique, and at times the storytelling is riveting and gut-punching, but it loses steam and intrigue a bit too fast. I am still glad to have read it, but I think because it so much potential, it just left me craving more.
This novels biggest strength is its depiction of the experiences and struggles of Native Americans, both off and on their reservation. Being pulled between two worlds, the pressure to uphold tradition, trauma passed down through generations, the punishment of abusing nature and taking too much from the land, grappling with addiction, and viewing their land as both a sacred place but also something to escape were all themes detailed so wonderfully through each character's story. I feel like I learned a lot by reading this book, and I frankly would have loved an entire drama about the lives of these four friends. I also absolutely loved the last page,
While it took some getting used to, I also loved Jones's stream-of-consciousness style of writing. Additionally, dialogue felt authentic and had such character to it because of the author's purposeful use of sentence structure, filler words, and vocabulary to emphasize tone and dialect. I know not all readers enjoyed this style, but by my second reading session, I felt like the text flowed easily and I could distinctly hear characters' voices in my head.
This book is not a drama - it is a horror novel. While some of the horror aspects really landed, many did not. At its core, this is a story that I should love: an ancient, female animal spirit wreaking havoc to enact revenge. I found the first half of the book to be rather gripping - Lewis's section is by far the best fleshed out and intense. Lewis's paranoia is palpable, and I could see his psyche unraveling on each page. Sadly, I think the pacing starts to stagnate in the second half when we move to the last two men. Though I enjoyed their personalities and backstories, I think this novel would have been more successful if action was better interspersed in the latter half.
In my opinion, if Jones had taken the same care to write about the action/death sequences as he did to detail 20-page long basketball sequences, this would have been a vastly more interesting book. I completely understand why basketball is so important here. It has huge cultural significance, and for Denorah,
I could possibly forgive this if the deaths had more weight. There were several deaths that felt skimmed over or waved away. Characters did not have enough time to really emotionally reflect on their friends/loved ones dying in gruesome ways.
My final issue with this novel is that many things feel unanswered and unaddressed by the end. In particular, I wish that Elk Head Woman's origin was explained better.
TLDR: despite my issues with The Only Good Indians, I think it had a lot of charm and a lot of potential. The plot is incredibly unique, and at times the storytelling is riveting and gut-punching, but it loses steam and intrigue a bit too fast. I am still glad to have read it, but I think because it so much potential, it just left me craving more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Miscarriage, Suicide, Abortion, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
No Exit by Taylor Adams
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
No Exit was the perfect book to read on a cold December night; the atmosphere of an isolated rest stop in a blizzard is the perfect set up for the plot that dramatically and disturbingly unfolds in this novel. I absolutely could not put it down, and at times I felt my muscles tensing in anticipation while reading.
Two things really stood out for me in this book. Firstly, Adams has a particular knack for writing characters. Whether you love or hate them, the characters in this book are fully fleshed out and dripping with personality. I absolutely adore stories with gutsy heroines. The main character herself is not just a bland, wooden cutout. She has fiery motivation, a heart wrenching backstory, and somewhat frustrating flaws. I would speak on the antagonist, but I don't wish to give anything away. I will simply say that they felt unique and truly frightening. Additionally, there were several moments of dark humor between characters that is used so expertly as a brief reprieve from the tension.
Secondly, every single little detail that Adams drops into the text mattered. You don't just waste your time learning about pointless information, needless red herrings. Mindful readers who pay close attention will feel satisfied as all loops close, all loose ends tie by the end.
The only downside of my own personal reading experience is that I sadly was unsurprised by any of the twists and turns that occurred. At one time, I even felt that the plot moved in a slightly cliché direction. However, I don't feel that this hurts the enjoyment of this book, especially since some other readers may still feel shocked by multiple reveals. I truly think that fans of fast-paced thriller novels will have a fantastic time with this one.
Two things really stood out for me in this book. Firstly, Adams has a particular knack for writing characters. Whether you love or hate them, the characters in this book are fully fleshed out and dripping with personality. I absolutely adore stories with gutsy heroines. The main character herself is not just a bland, wooden cutout. She has fiery motivation, a heart wrenching backstory, and somewhat frustrating flaws. I would speak on the antagonist, but I don't wish to give anything away. I will simply say that they felt unique and truly frightening. Additionally, there were several moments of dark humor between characters that is used so expertly as a brief reprieve from the tension.
Secondly, every single little detail that Adams drops into the text mattered. You don't just waste your time learning about pointless information, needless red herrings. Mindful readers who pay close attention will feel satisfied as all loops close, all loose ends tie by the end.
The only downside of my own personal reading experience is that I sadly was unsurprised by any of the twists and turns that occurred. At one time, I even felt that the plot moved in a slightly cliché direction. However, I don't feel that this hurts the enjoyment of this book, especially since some other readers may still feel shocked by multiple reveals. I truly think that fans of fast-paced thriller novels will have a fantastic time with this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Confinement, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, and Vomit
The Push by Ashley Audrain
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Violet cried only when she was with me; it felt like a betrayal.
We were supposed to want each other."
The Push will be a novel that sticks with me for a long time. As someone petrified at the thought of being a mother myself, the visceral way this book approaches that very fear was enthralling to me. Experiencing how Blythe painfully second-guesses her own perception alongside her was both incredibly sad yet so engaging. The themes of nature vs. nurture, generational trauma, the decay of a family, the lies we're sold about motherhood, and giving up identity to pursue the service of others were all so expertly woven into the plot. While I didn't agree with everything Blythe did, I actually appreciated that she was a flawed protagonist. I saw a bit of myself and my own mother in this novel, for better or worse.
The Push is certainly more of a slow-burn drama than an action-packed thriller/horror. I think its strengths come from its ability to fully flesh out a complicated character, as well as evoke emotion in the reader. If that sounds up your alley, I can't recommend it enough!
We were supposed to want each other."
The Push will be a novel that sticks with me for a long time. As someone petrified at the thought of being a mother myself, the visceral way this book approaches that very fear was enthralling to me. Experiencing how Blythe painfully second-guesses her own perception alongside her was both incredibly sad yet so engaging. The themes of nature vs. nurture, generational trauma, the decay of a family, the lies we're sold about motherhood, and giving up identity to pursue the service of others were all so expertly woven into the plot. While I didn't agree with everything Blythe did, I actually appreciated that she was a flawed protagonist. I saw a bit of myself and my own mother in this novel, for better or worse.
The Push is certainly more of a slow-burn drama than an action-packed thriller/horror. I think its strengths come from its ability to fully flesh out a complicated character, as well as evoke emotion in the reader. If that sounds up your alley, I can't recommend it enough!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Gaslighting
The Hike by Drew Magary
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Although this book is outside of what I normally read, I was incredibly excited to pick up The Hike on a glowing recommendation. I truly enjoy "weird' and mind-bending stories, and everyone was raving about how surreal, funny, and excellent this book was. I... sadly have to disagree.
Let me first start with the positives! Magary attempts to take a new spin on the classic Alice in Wonderland trope, in which a regular person finds themselves transported into a fantasy world. I found myself excited to learn what odd character or situation the main character, Ben, would stumble into next. I also enjoyed the inclusion of humor throughout the story. Ben first starts as quite a bland character without much personality, but I appreciated that he develops quite a bit through his journey. Some of my favorite passages included learning more about his memories and past.
The book, however, loses me at it's plot. As aforementioned, this tale was incredibly reminiscent of previous work. I've read this story before. Man falls down a hole, experiences horrors perhaps from his own subconscious (Silent Hill much?), grows to appreciate his regular life, etc. etc. etc. I was trying so hard to find the connection between Ben's experiences and his psyche. I wanted the many situations he found himself in to have greater meaning than they did, but by the end of the book, they just felt like random, disjointed sequences. I feel that if everything had more congruency and connection, this would have been a stronger novel.
The plot did involve a twist or two that I did not expect, but I'm not entirely sure that Magary stuck the landing. I found myself shrugging at the last two chapters, wishing that the end of these trials and tribulations left me feeling more satisfied. Even as a lover of all things weird and trippy, I suppose this plot just didn't quite click for me.
Let me first start with the positives! Magary attempts to take a new spin on the classic Alice in Wonderland trope, in which a regular person finds themselves transported into a fantasy world. I found myself excited to learn what odd character or situation the main character, Ben, would stumble into next. I also enjoyed the inclusion of humor throughout the story. Ben first starts as quite a bland character without much personality, but I appreciated that he develops quite a bit through his journey. Some of my favorite passages included learning more about his memories and past.
The book, however, loses me at it's plot. As aforementioned, this tale was incredibly reminiscent of previous work. I've read this story before. Man falls down a hole, experiences horrors perhaps from his own subconscious (Silent Hill much?), grows to appreciate his regular life, etc. etc. etc. I was trying so hard to find the connection between Ben's experiences and his psyche. I wanted the many situations he found himself in to have greater meaning than they did, but by the end of the book, they just felt like random, disjointed sequences. I feel that if everything had more congruency and connection, this would have been a stronger novel.
The plot did involve a twist or two that I did not expect, but I'm not entirely sure that Magary stuck the landing. I found myself shrugging at the last two chapters, wishing that the end of these trials and tribulations left me feeling more satisfied. Even as a lover of all things weird and trippy, I suppose this plot just didn't quite click for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Cannibalism, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail