Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

The Poorly Made and Other Things: A Story Collection by Sam Rebelein

3 reviews

embot77's review

3.0

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

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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.

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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

directorpurry's review

3.25

challenging 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

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I received a digital ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way impacted my final rating. 

Did I read an ARC of this collection even though it was published well over a month ago?
Yes. Because, as we have seen, I am always late to the party. 

The Poorly Made and Other Things is an unsettling, weird, and genuinely creative series of interconnected stories. Although these relate to the author's previous publication, Edenville, it isn't necessary to read it first. (I haven't, but I am definitely interested in it now!)
I find it difficult at times to rate short stories, especially in a collection like this where they all share a universe. I do believe it is far more than the sum of its parts, though. There were many excellent stories, although a couple that I thought dragged on for a bit too long, but my favorite element was definitely the interstitial chapters from Rachel to her brother. These chapters shared the real horror behind the setting. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Eating disorder, Suicide

storysteph's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

Loveable characters: Complicated

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This is a collection of short stories, loosely tied together through a series of texts and emails between Rachel and her brother, Tom. I requested this ARC because horror shorts are my jam, but soon came to realize that these stories are a bit more graphic than my usual tastes. Don't misunderstand: this book was great! The characters in the short stories are fleeting but still very well fleshed out (or defleshed, in some instances). Rachel's anxiety (and faults) hit a little too close to home sometimes. In the end, the separate stories and Rachel's narrative all come together in such a satisfying way, I requested the novel this book was based on, Edenville, from my library. 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of the eARC!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Self harm, Torture, Blood, Murder

Minor: Suicide