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rodent_scribbles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Despite the marketing, it is clear the author does not understand what a cult is as the beliefs of the "cult" in question are never explored.
The book relies heavily on the shock value of amputation, treating the act and its results as a freak show to be gawked at.
The book assumes the reader shares in the protagonist's shock and horror towards amputation but never explores why someone might feel that way.
The scene in which a stripper takes off her prosthetics to the protagonist's horror is both gratuitous and horribly ableist. The scene is never brought up again so its point in the story is beyond me.
The only redeeming quality of the story is Brian Evenson's writing style. It's an easy and evocative reading experience, I just wish his skills had been put to use in a better story.
Graphic: Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Body horror, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Medical content, Self harm, Stalking, and Alcohol
Amputationcursivewolf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Self harm, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Gore, Gun violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Stalking, Gaslighting, Blood, Death, and Medical content
readthesparrow's review
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Body horror, Gaslighting, Gore, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Ableism, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Violence, Medical content, Murder, Self harm, and Stalking
Moderate: Torture, Confinement, Stalking, Alcohol, and Suicidal thoughts
madarauchiha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
▪ How do you know the moment when you cease to be human? Is it the moment when you decide to carry a head before you by its hair, extended before you like a lantern, as if you are Diogenes in search of one just man? Or is it the moment where reality, previously a smooth surface one slides one’s way along, begins to come in waves, for a moment altogether too much and then utterly absent?Or is it the moment when you begin opening doors, showing each man behind each door the head of his spiritual leader before killing him with the cleaver tucked into your belt? Or is it the moment when all these dead begin to talk to you in a dull, rumbling murmur? Or is it the moment when these same voices suddenly fade away and stop talking altogether, leaving you utterly alone?
There's a conversation to be had about using disabled bodies in horror specifically because oh no, they're not '''normal''' human body peoples?!?! what hte?!?!??eleven!!?! This book has a lot of that. I don't think I have the experience or tact to really delve into it.
It's not a horror novel, per se, despite the marketing. It's a noir mystery with religious cult horror. Don't expect cosmic horror, paranormal or supernatural horror.
The noir is present and quite clinical at times. Almost dry, but I'll chalk that up to me not liking noir [or gothic] genre at all.
Was this scary? I guess? It's scary in a gorey way. The disabled bodies were presented as horrifying and I don't think that's kind or respectful of people who are disabled or disfigured. Whether or not the author intended it, there's inescapable ableism present in the book. It was competently written and coherent, in the least.
minor vomit,
major alcohol, amputation, arson, demolition, injuries, fire, gore, gun violence, kidnapping, medical abuse, murder, police brutality, self harm, sexual content, stalking?, torture, violence
Graphic: Ableism, Alcohol, Medical trauma, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Death, Police brutality, Torture, Self harm, and Stalking
Minor: Vomit