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coolascucumber's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
abicaro17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Holy shit. Harrow is a magician with words and I am legit blown away every-time I read a book of hers. This is a (very) slow burn but it's worth it. Opal works in a small town trying to support her little brother but she keeps having these dreams about the local historical house. As Opal tries to work out the history of the house she meets Arthur Starling, owner of the house, who offers her a job. It's too good for Opal to pass up, but as thing's grow stranger Opal struggles to determine truth from fiction. Alix E. Harrow is one of those storytellers who surprises you with every book. This book make me laugh, cry, and love. It was twisty, fun, and beautiful. Another Harrow banger!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Classism, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Body horror, Car accident, Grief, Self harm, Confinement, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Pedophilia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Incest, Alcohol, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, and Murder
skullsz_3's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book, made me laugh and mostly feel strange at times. Enjoyed the fact the mc and mmc weren't conventionally pretty.
But also the idea of saying over and over how someone is ugly is mostly the same as someone describing a beautiful person in fiction. It gets tiring after awhile...
Loved the flowy writing, although felt purple pros-y after awhile and got tiring to read. (But was also inspiring. The writing is lovely.)
I love Arthur. He really tried and did everything he could, and he really needed to chill.
I was kind of annoyed with fmc and her trying to convince the reader that she's good at lying or keeping lies or whatever, and then finding out everyone else are better liars. If anything, she was self-absorbed, but also moved in stride...sorta, when it came to the truth. Lol.
The antagonists were annoying af, which was the point. So happy what happened, and Opal did what she did when what's-her-face wouldn't leave her alone.
Casually possessive.
Really loved the Wonderland stuff, and a few other inspirations. (I kind of wished I wrote down what made me think of other fictional stories that came to mind.)
I really did like the book~ Will read more from the author. ♡
But also the idea of saying over and over how someone is ugly is mostly the same as someone describing a beautiful person in fiction. It gets tiring after awhile...
Loved the flowy writing, although felt purple pros-y after awhile and got tiring to read. (But was also inspiring. The writing is lovely.)
I love Arthur. He really tried and did everything he could, and he really needed to chill.
I was kind of annoyed with fmc and her trying to convince the reader that she's good at lying or keeping lies or whatever, and then finding out everyone else are better liars. If anything, she was self-absorbed, but also moved in stride...sorta, when it came to the truth. Lol.
The antagonists were annoying af, which was the point. So happy what happened, and Opal did what she did when what's-her-face wouldn't leave her alone.
Casually possessive.
Really loved the Wonderland stuff, and a few other inspirations. (I kind of wished I wrote down what made me think of other fictional stories that came to mind.)
I really did like the book~ Will read more from the author. ♡
teafrog's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
wolfmouse's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars, rounded up.
This book is something special, even if it’s imperfect and doesn’t quite add up to the sum of its parts. More southern gothic, dark fairy tale than horror, more cozy romance and found family than anticipated. The romance, unfortunately—though it had all the ingredients for something great—is the weakest point of the book and is the reason I’ve rated it so low. It needed more time to develop itself and take shape. Instead, it goes from 0-60 and while I can accept Arthur’s fledgling attraction to Opal, rooted in attachment through guilt and a deep-seated loneliness, I was never fully convinced of the reverse. Again, all the ingredients were there, but it was like I could understand the result without accepting how they got there. And since this formed a central pillar for the themes explored, I think it really hurt what otherwise may have been a truly magnificent story.
That said, the author’s writing and storytelling are incredible, and I would encourage anyone on the fence after this review to give the book a try and determine what they think for themselves. This book still touched me on a personal level and had me tearing up at the end. It’s been a great book to (more or less; I started listening at the end of December and tore through the rest as things picked up) kick off 2024 with and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a cozy read.
This book is something special, even if it’s imperfect and doesn’t quite add up to the sum of its parts. More southern gothic, dark fairy tale than horror, more cozy romance and found family than anticipated. The romance, unfortunately—though it had all the ingredients for something great—is the weakest point of the book and is the reason I’ve rated it so low. It needed more time to develop itself and take shape. Instead, it goes from 0-60 and while I can accept Arthur’s fledgling attraction to Opal, rooted in attachment through guilt and a deep-seated loneliness, I was never fully convinced of the reverse. Again, all the ingredients were there, but it was like I could understand the result without accepting how they got there. And since this formed a central pillar for the themes explored, I think it really hurt what otherwise may have been a truly magnificent story.
That said, the author’s writing and storytelling are incredible, and I would encourage anyone on the fence after this review to give the book a try and determine what they think for themselves. This book still touched me on a personal level and had me tearing up at the end. It’s been a great book to (more or less; I started listening at the end of December and tore through the rest as things picked up) kick off 2024 with and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a cozy read.
honora's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
4.0
annexnation's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pearlbambi's review against another edition
4.0
Equal parts creepy and magical, this was a great read that touched on class, slavery and effects of mining in the American South.