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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
A new to me author and I was not disappointed. I've also started Edenville. I don't think it you need to read is 1st. These stories were great and perfect for spooky season. I tried to pace myself so that I would finish on Halloween, but that didn't work. Snuggled in a warm blanket with my favorite beverage, I couldn't put it down. Just one more email, one more story, - I was finished with the book.
Found out it was an expansion of a previous established books universe which is why i dont get some of the references
I don't even know where to start.
This read was a trip. A cavalcade of the uncanny. A rollercoaster of humankind's worst fears about death and loneliness, and the unknown.
Though this is a collection, there is a common thread of emails from sister to brother, and connections between the stories...when I caught one I screamed aloud, "No!".
There are so many different aspects of horror throughout this novel: creatures, body horror, aliens, ax murders, possession...the list goes on.
I highly recommend you pick this one up. It's out February 11, 2025 under William Morrow books. Thanks to #NetGalley for my early review copy.
#ThePoorlyMadeandOtherThings #NetGalley
#bookreviews #booktok #grief #author #horrorauthors #authors #reviews #books #arcs #fantasy #library #libraries #librarians #advancereaderproof #fyp #foryoupage #authorsofinstagram #bodyhorror #horror #horrornovel #horrorbook #uncannyvalley #fear #creatures #eldritchhorror #eldritch
This read was a trip. A cavalcade of the uncanny. A rollercoaster of humankind's worst fears about death and loneliness, and the unknown.
Though this is a collection, there is a common thread of emails from sister to brother, and connections between the stories...when I caught one I screamed aloud, "No!".
There are so many different aspects of horror throughout this novel: creatures, body horror, aliens, ax murders, possession...the list goes on.
I highly recommend you pick this one up. It's out February 11, 2025 under William Morrow books. Thanks to #NetGalley for my early review copy.
#ThePoorlyMadeandOtherThings #NetGalley
#bookreviews #booktok #grief #author #horrorauthors #authors #reviews #books #arcs #fantasy #library #libraries #librarians #advancereaderproof #fyp #foryoupage #authorsofinstagram #bodyhorror #horror #horrornovel #horrorbook #uncannyvalley #fear #creatures #eldritchhorror #eldritch
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In terms of horror, the stories are more "spooky" than "scary," but nonetheless entertaining. I didn't care for "Hector Brim" that much. I didn't see how it fit in with the interweaving plot aside from that "the places we live can hold the dead." "Red X" was also a little boring to me because of the use of sci-fi/paranormal and obsession. It also repeats a bit later in a different story, the idea of physically digging in oneself to find an answer.
I appreciate the lore that's established, as well as the delivery and execution of "So My Cousin Knew This Guy." That may have been my favorite story. The execution and voice of "My Name is Ellie" was good, too, due to its distinction and construct. I also appreciated the addition of "Glitch," but only to know what was going on with Tom.
I'd read it again for a few of the stories for fun, maybe analysis if I got bored, but not much else.
I appreciate the lore that's established, as well as the delivery and execution of "So My Cousin Knew This Guy." That may have been my favorite story. The execution and voice of "My Name is Ellie" was good, too, due to its distinction and construct. I also appreciated the addition of "Glitch," but only to know what was going on with Tom.
I'd read it again for a few of the stories for fun, maybe analysis if I got bored, but not much else.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Gore, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Drug use, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Classism
dark
Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley for access to an early release copy.
In a collection of short stories with a cover I really didn’t like, and like with most short stories, there are some I like and some not as much. I did love the authors inclusion with reference to Edenville, one of his previous novels Between each theme, are interconnected emails between siblings, the only repeat characters, and their discussions of the Renfield family. This was creepy.
In a collection of short stories with a cover I really didn’t like, and like with most short stories, there are some I like and some not as much. I did love the authors inclusion with reference to Edenville, one of his previous novels Between each theme, are interconnected emails between siblings, the only repeat characters, and their discussions of the Renfield family. This was creepy.
The written imagery is overall fantastic but not for the light of heart. And some of the horror could leave a reader squeamish. So many of the sections started with the most outlandish sentences and it left me almost in a good disbelief. For the most part, the individual stories had small hints at being interconnect or really little goose eggs to feel part of the same world. The story in the point of view of the 10 year old felt the most random, the writing was almost excruciating to get through. Did it really need every sentence starting with which?
As a horror anthology, this was fine. A few will stick with me, like Allison’s face and Old Wag. Probably more blatant body horror than I’ve read in awhile.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Lovecraftian and imaginative. Great folk horror.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No