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timeforgsopinion's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I debated whether to tack on an extra star just because Rainsford's writing is amazing as usual, but ultimately went with my gut and left it at 3.
I absolutely loved Rainsford's debut novel Follow Me to Ground, so I was eager to pick this one up! Unfortunately, Redder Days lacks the balance of FMTG, where the weird horror elements are weird-forward, and counter-weighted with dark magic and eerie romance. Redder Days is more of an all-one-note cult/dystopia/pandemic story in the vein of The Road (the one note is "bleak.") It was also bogged down by some pacing issues.
It definitely brings the horror, and made me feel squeamish in both weak-kneed and "God, I need a shower" ways (DO check those content warnings), but ultimately I didn't feel as compelled or invested in the characters as I wanted to be.
I absolutely loved Rainsford's debut novel Follow Me to Ground, so I was eager to pick this one up! Unfortunately, Redder Days lacks the balance of FMTG, where the weird horror elements are weird-forward, and counter-weighted with dark magic and eerie romance. Redder Days is more of an all-one-note cult/dystopia/pandemic story in the vein of The Road (the one note is "bleak.") It was also bogged down by some pacing issues.
It definitely brings the horror, and made me feel squeamish in both weak-kneed and "God, I need a shower" ways (DO check those content warnings), but ultimately I didn't feel as compelled or invested in the characters as I wanted to be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gun violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, Child abuse, Animal death, Body horror, Gore, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Incest, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Blood, Child death, Gaslighting, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Medical content, Misogyny, Rape, Murder, Suicide, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
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