Reviews with content warning for Cannibalism - The Reddening

The first part of this book, the build-up, was probably the best part. It was tense, mysterious and creepy. However, that faded fast. I found the writing too descriptive and almost condescending.
I loved The Ritual but the other Nevill books I’ve read just haven’t hit the same.
The characters weren’t distinct enough and I was confused who was who in the climactic last few chapters. The mystery remained a mystery and I just finished the book feeling overall unsatisfied.

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brokenlyrium's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

There was too much detail to landscapes and interior layouts of people's homes, and not near enough cannibalistic cult for my liking.

They only ate one dude!!

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wulnerable's review against another edition

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5.0

plot twist is WILD

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rojo25's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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isabellemay14's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

This book mixed ancient history with modern vices to deliver an eerie narrative that leaves you feeling uneasy. Slowly discover the horrors of the Red Folk alongside the main characters.

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donnyeatsbooks's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced

Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

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leveledmouse's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The purple prose is insane, really next level over-descriptive for no reason. The pacing is great despite that somehow? But unfortunately I really don't like the way men write women usually and this wasn't an exception.

There was one part in particular, regarding the descriptions, there's a point where mulitiple pages are spent just talking about photos on a wall, while one or two paragraphs describing the general atmosphere or vibe of a couple photos would do. Multiple pages going on and on and on about a 1960s/70s folk singer who is a background character.
The author has a really awful habit of saying the same thing 20 different ways back to back for no reason, and it honestly started to ruin an otherwise eerie and *good* book.

Content Warnings

mlvanlancker's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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