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alexbestwick's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a perfect novella. It's everything I think horror can be.
It's full of these uncanny, familiar observations about life and loss, told with so much tension and so much palpable unsaid that it really is like this figure, hovering just to the side of every scene, so close you can feel the horror in your throat. Repressed sexuality, womanhood, what ancient and modern society thinks it is owed from the female body, what it means to be in a body are all explored in a really short book without any of it feeling out of time. It's handling of grief is vulnerable, honest, appropriately messy and perfectly paced. And the writing is the final blow that makes it all so devastatingly good.
I was reminded a bit of Ghost Wall and It Follows, but it's also it's entirely own thing.
It's full of these uncanny, familiar observations about life and loss, told with so much tension and so much palpable unsaid that it really is like this figure, hovering just to the side of every scene, so close you can feel the horror in your throat. Repressed sexuality, womanhood, what ancient and modern society thinks it is owed from the female body, what it means to be in a body are all explored in a really short book without any of it feeling out of time. It's handling of grief is vulnerable, honest, appropriately messy and perfectly paced. And the writing is the final blow that makes it all so devastatingly good.
I was reminded a bit of Ghost Wall and It Follows, but it's also it's entirely own thing.
lewis_muir's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
poisoned_icecream's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This novella is a heartfelt and haunting tale of a young woman who's grieving her dead friend. It explores how religion has been used as a way to justify acts of cruelty throughout centuries. I've adored everything I've read that's published by Ghost Orchid Press, and this is no exception.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Transphobia and Murder
connorgirvan's review
4.0
3.5 / 5 stars
This book was very enjoyable and such an easy read - I done it in one day!
When it first started out, I was a bit unsure because the writing was a bit casual but the more I read, the more I got into it. Interesting take on grief and love.
Enjoyable book, short, and could recommend.
This book was very enjoyable and such an easy read - I done it in one day!
When it first started out, I was a bit unsure because the writing was a bit casual but the more I read, the more I got into it. Interesting take on grief and love.
Enjoyable book, short, and could recommend.
hb2249's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
meris's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
myhomextheroad's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
motaki's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A beautiful novella about death and grief, a great reflection on the pressure society puts on women, the hard work they have to endure in order to survive every day.
Its powerful words will stay with me like the gravel in Ali's palm, a painful and worthy reminder.
Its powerful words will stay with me like the gravel in Ali's palm, a painful and worthy reminder.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Dysphoria
jenniferroach's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Miscarriage
boqthebox's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5