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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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
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.
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.
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
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
I read a lot of horror, and there were literally pages I had to skip over because they were too scary for me.
The framing device didn’t always work for me and I think in some
ways that would have worked better as its own novel, but I found the stories and worldbuilding to be really strong. Absolutely scared the pants off me.
The framing device didn’t always work for me and I think in some
ways that would have worked better as its own novel, but I found the stories and worldbuilding to be really strong. Absolutely scared the pants off me.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was creeeeepy as hell! It felt shocking to read, but I also had fun with it? Horror is my favorite genre and I was genuinely scared several times reading this. My partner can attest that I said “oh my god” (and other more colorful language) a lot. The stories pack a freaking punch and the writing is vivid and gripping.