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crystalgem's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
1.5
I couldn’t get over how poorly written this was. The main character is probably the most bland, unlikeable character I’ve ever read about, and the absolute clusterfuck of a plot is honestly terrible. What was the point of any of it? So many twists and turns, none of them surprising or meaningful.
The whole book is quite serious and then we have a character saying things like “queef” as a joke. She kills her aunt by stuffing porcelain statues down her throat and somehow when she becomes a ghost, she’s cracking jokes and hovering around like this is a Disney movie.
Why are we referencing demons and religion, but then none of that is even relevant, however reincarnation - oh, that part is real. Seeing ghosts? Real. Oh wait, and the ghosts are actually furies, not ghosts. You know, from Greek mythology. Throw that in there. And they can touch people (only if someone encourages them, though.) And it’s a book about middle age - actually, no, it’s a book about misogyny. Wait, no, it’s a book about accepting death. Except, okay, it’s actually about - ope, I just realized I don’t care.
After reading the mention of Azazel, I was hoping we’d see some cool theological horror a la Hereditary, but alas, that was just me getting my hopes up.
Would not recommend.
Why are we referencing demons and religion, but then none of that is even relevant, however reincarnation - oh, that part is real. Seeing ghosts? Real. Oh wait, and the ghosts are actually furies, not ghosts. You know, from Greek mythology. Throw that in there. And they can touch people (only if someone encourages them, though.) And it’s a book about middle age - actually, no, it’s a book about misogyny. Wait, no, it’s a book about accepting death. Except, okay, it’s actually about - ope, I just realized I don’t care.
After reading the mention of Azazel, I was hoping we’d see some cool theological horror a la Hereditary, but alas, that was just me getting my hopes up.
Would not recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
bookish_ann's review
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Torture, Sexual violence, Murder, Sexual assault, Blood, Gore, and Misogyny
grimdark_dad's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, and Gore
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Blood, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Murder, Torture, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
mpurdy's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Wow I was definitely creeped out. The writing gives you the creeps forsure and the story was unique and was invested in what would happen. There were funny moments and some extremely disturbing ones that will live in my brain rent free. That being said there are some things that prevent me from giving it a higher rating. First I think it was a little long winded the pace is kinda irratic it goes slow and then fast and than medium and then fast. The next things are spoilers
first the harvest scene I feel like the cactus being inserted into the victims vagina was not needed to show the fanaticism of this cult. I feel like it was too much. I felt it was more for shock value and unnecessary violence towards women when there was already enough. Next the fact that the only person that's not white becomes the framed person for the crime. I understand the convience for it because it was her Easter event but why is literally no one else's race mentioned but hers?
Now on the topic of a Cis man writing about Menopausal women I think he did a pretty decent job but I am nowhere near Menopause so I may not be the audience to comment. I live in Arizona and found it fun to be reading about something like this happening as I have scene small towns here that can provide a good setting for this. Lastly I was raised in Montana and when he says as dark as a Montana Midnight I felt that. Lol
All in all it was a wild time and I think alot of people can enjoy this but please read the authors note and do research on the trigger warnings for this book has many.
Now on the topic of a Cis man writing about Menopausal women I think he did a pretty decent job but I am nowhere near Menopause so I may not be the audience to comment. I live in Arizona and found it fun to be reading about something like this happening as I have scene small towns here that can provide a good setting for this. Lastly I was raised in Montana and when he says as dark as a Montana Midnight I felt that. Lol
All in all it was a wild time and I think alot of people can enjoy this but please read the authors note and do research on the trigger warnings for this book has many.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Animal death, Violence, Torture, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Sexual violence, Medical content, Gore, and Body horror
Moderate: Death, Bullying, and Body shaming
Minor: Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting
This is a dark read be prepared for it.danaslitlist's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I want to preface my review by stating upfront how much I admired and respect the author and how he wrote this book. He put a lot of care into it and I can feel the respect he has towards the audience from the start to the end.
Mary is a slow burn, ‘is it in her head’ paranormal suspense/horror. I don’t tend to enjoy slow burn thrillers/horrors but I devoured 60% of this book in one day and then the rest the next day. And it help my attention until the 80% marker. From here I began to find my mind wandering while listening to the audiobook. Then I was gripped again until the last 10% where I felt as if the ending was just handed over to the reader. Especially in regards to any justice being served or real closure.
<I’m also not a fan of the only person of color in the book being framed for the massacre and there’s absolutely no sense of the justice. Or if she was truly involved in the massacre at all.</
Overall this was an an interesting read, I had a good time and found myself shocked at some of the events which is why I’m giving it a solid 3 stars
Mary is a slow burn, ‘is it in her head’ paranormal suspense/horror. I don’t tend to enjoy slow burn thrillers/horrors but I devoured 60% of this book in one day and then the rest the next day. And it help my attention until the 80% marker. From here I began to find my mind wandering while listening to the audiobook. Then I was gripped again until the last 10% where I felt as if the ending was just handed over to the reader. Especially in regards to any justice being served or real closure.
<I’m also not a fan of the only person of color in the book being framed for the massacre and there’s absolutely no sense of the justice. Or if she was truly involved in the massacre at all.</
Overall this was an an interesting read, I had a good time and found myself shocked at some of the events which is why I’m giving it a solid 3 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Violence, Gore, Mental illness, and Sexism
Moderate: Animal death
thehutonfowlslegs's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.25
[Read as an ARC through Edelweiss]
I’m constantly searching for books and movies in the horror genre in an attempt to adequately scare myself (which has proven difficult), and this book surprisingly accomplished that. There were scenes that had my hand forcefully pressed to my mouth, and some of the twists had me audibly gasping.
Though a bit long, I felt like the slow burn horror was done really well. It perfectly built up to a tense, climatic ending. The writing was mildly experimental at times, and I really enjoyed the fictional quotes, articles, and book excerpts; however, I wished they had been a bit more spread throughout the novel rather than stuck at the end, as it felt a tad awkward to suddenly jump to that.
Another thing that I didn’t totally enjoy was the main character’s voice. While I loved her characterization and absolutely revel at unreliable narrators, Mary’s particular voice was just a bit too forced and cringe-worthy at times. Occasionally, there were some things directly spelled out that could’ve benefited from being implied, allowing the reader to figure things out and assess the themes on their own.
I’d also highly recommend reading the afterword, as the author discusses some important topics. Plus, I actually went 😮 when the writer revealed he’s a cisgender man. The female characterization was great, and he explained how in-depth his research was in order to accurately portray such a real yet neglected topic in fiction.
Overall, an excellent exploration of serious themes while properly giving me the creeps.
I’m constantly searching for books and movies in the horror genre in an attempt to adequately scare myself (which has proven difficult), and this book surprisingly accomplished that. There were scenes that had my hand forcefully pressed to my mouth, and some of the twists had me audibly gasping.
Though a bit long, I felt like the slow burn horror was done really well. It perfectly built up to a tense, climatic ending. The writing was mildly experimental at times, and I really enjoyed the fictional quotes, articles, and book excerpts; however, I wished they had been a bit more spread throughout the novel rather than stuck at the end, as it felt a tad awkward to suddenly jump to that.
Another thing that I didn’t totally enjoy was the main character’s voice. While I loved her characterization and absolutely revel at unreliable narrators, Mary’s particular voice was just a bit too forced and cringe-worthy at times. Occasionally, there were some things directly spelled out that could’ve benefited from being implied, allowing the reader to figure things out and assess the themes on their own.
I’d also highly recommend reading the afterword, as the author discusses some important topics. Plus, I actually went 😮 when the writer revealed he’s a cisgender man. The female characterization was great, and he explained how in-depth his research was in order to accurately portray such a real yet neglected topic in fiction.
Overall, an excellent exploration of serious themes while properly giving me the creeps.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Murder, Blood, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Body horror, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Sexual violence, Medical trauma, Religious bigotry, Torture, and Body shaming
Minor: Vomit
brucethegirl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Mary is reaching middle age. Turning 50 in a few short weeks, she is dismissed as peri-menapausal when she goes to a doctor for help. So begins this very feminist, very familiar story. Mary is called home by her ailing aunt, and what she thinks is a quick trip soon turns into a life altering experience. Cults, ghosts, serial killers, This book really had a little of everything.
I loved the themes of feminism and the inherent misogyny in society, how women are only ever valued in their usefulness to the men around them. The way it permeates from the youngest ages. To always be more pretty, and then when pretty is no longer an option to be more quiet and invisible. The healthcare scenes in particular hit such a strong chord with me, someone who suffer from chronic illness and pain. The way concerns are dismissed and ignored. When we say we know our bodies and know when something's wrong and its dismissed as hormones or in our head. It was so prominent throughout the book, and I felt honestly so seen.
I will admit while I loved so much of the book, at the end of the day it was a bit overly long. At one point I thought I had to be coming upon the climax because there's no way anything else could happen. Only to find I was only around 20% into the book. And sure enough, the majority of new information from that point on was unnecessary. Then there was the mythology aspect that was.... I don't want to say pointless because it plays such a vital role in the end of the book. But it was not handled well and was poorly introduced/explained. A lot of this book had many points where the scenes served no purpose or could have been executed better and as a result fell flat and felt like a waste of time. Which is sad considering how great so many of the pieces were. They just fit together like a poorly made puzzle. Yea you can see the picture it was going for, and you might have even had fun putting it together, but at the end of the day it just doesn't quite work together.
That said, I do want to read this again. There were so many amazing lines through the book, and the constant references to Kate Chopin's The Awakening (a favorite book and such a perfect book t0 be referenced here) make me really want to go through again to better appreciate the prose. I almost feel like I could write a thesis on the feminism and place of women in society just using this book. The fact that I feel so seen in a book written by a cis white man really says something to his ability. I just think it could have been better executed/edited.
I'll end with my favorite line from the book:
"The real curse of womanhood is that we never get to forget we have a body"
I loved the themes of feminism and the inherent misogyny in society, how women are only ever valued in their usefulness to the men around them. The way it permeates from the youngest ages. To always be more pretty, and then when pretty is no longer an option to be more quiet and invisible. The healthcare scenes in particular hit such a strong chord with me, someone who suffer from chronic illness and pain. The way concerns are dismissed and ignored. When we say we know our bodies and know when something's wrong and its dismissed as hormones or in our head. It was so prominent throughout the book, and I felt honestly so seen.
I will admit while I loved so much of the book, at the end of the day it was a bit overly long. At one point I thought I had to be coming upon the climax because there's no way anything else could happen. Only to find I was only around 20% into the book. And sure enough, the majority of new information from that point on was unnecessary. Then there was the mythology aspect that was.... I don't want to say pointless because it plays such a vital role in the end of the book. But it was not handled well and was poorly introduced/explained. A lot of this book had many points where the scenes served no purpose or could have been executed better and as a result fell flat and felt like a waste of time. Which is sad considering how great so many of the pieces were. They just fit together like a poorly made puzzle. Yea you can see the picture it was going for, and you might have even had fun putting it together, but at the end of the day it just doesn't quite work together.
That said, I do want to read this again. There were so many amazing lines through the book, and the constant references to Kate Chopin's The Awakening (a favorite book and such a perfect book t0 be referenced here) make me really want to go through again to better appreciate the prose. I almost feel like I could write a thesis on the feminism and place of women in society just using this book. The fact that I feel so seen in a book written by a cis white man really says something to his ability. I just think it could have been better executed/edited.
I'll end with my favorite line from the book:
"The real curse of womanhood is that we never get to forget we have a body"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Torture, Murder, and Misogyny
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