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eveningjaye's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
this book was written kind of as a sapphic homage to the NBC series Hannibal and as a fan of the show, i can assure you that that shows and it reads a lot like some fanfics for the series that i've read, so this is a fun read if you also like the show. i had a lot of fun 'bingo' moments where i noticed that Dawson was referencing the series.
however, Ash is more clearly a 'bad guy' in the book than the show paints Hannibal--that doesn't have to be a negative thing but since Dawson tells us that she wanted to write a hot female serial killer to show her daughter that they don't always have to be men, i think going in a more morally grey direction with Ash and Ro's relationship would have worked better because Ash is an abusive partner and, unlike in Hannibal,Ro doesn't choose to be with her but instead gets physically trapped.
you root for both Hannibal and Will in the show, but in the book you're really only rooting for Ro because of how the relationship and Ash are framed. Ro is clearly a victim of Ash whereas the show subverts that dynamic in the following season. so if you're expecting or hoping for an ending like Hannibal or Killing Eve season 3, you will be disappointed.
---
just as a footnote, i know quite a few people in the reviews are complaining about how there are no sex scenes but just fading to black and wondering why that is and i just wanted to add that if an author is writing an adult novel and does not want to write sex scenes, they don't need to justify that. if you are writing adult fiction and aren't comfortable with writing sex, it's perfectly fine to not. you don't need sex in your story just because you're writing books for adults. there's plenty of sensuality between the two characters and you know that they're sleeping with each other. the lack of sex scenes did not bother me at all and it's not homophobic to simply cut to black.
however, Ash is more clearly a 'bad guy' in the book than the show paints Hannibal--that doesn't have to be a negative thing but since Dawson tells us that she wanted to write a hot female serial killer to show her daughter that they don't always have to be men, i think going in a more morally grey direction with Ash and Ro's relationship would have worked better because Ash is an abusive partner and, unlike in Hannibal,
you root for both Hannibal and Will in the show, but in the book you're really only rooting for Ro because of how the relationship and Ash are framed. Ro is clearly a victim of Ash whereas the show subverts that dynamic in the following season. so if you're expecting or hoping for an ending like Hannibal or Killing Eve season 3, you will be disappointed.
---
just as a footnote, i know quite a few people in the reviews are complaining about how there are no sex scenes but just fading to black and wondering why that is and i just wanted to add that if an author is writing an adult novel and does not want to write sex scenes, they don't need to justify that. if you are writing adult fiction and aren't comfortable with writing sex, it's perfectly fine to not. you don't need sex in your story just because you're writing books for adults. there's plenty of sensuality between the two characters and you know that they're sleeping with each other. the lack of sex scenes did not bother me at all and it's not homophobic to simply cut to black.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Cannibalism
Moderate: Body horror and Murder
daffodilcherry's review against another edition
dark
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
5.0
Impeccable novella that is quite literally a cottage core lesbian horror. There is an unmistakable tension throughout the entire book, masked by gorgeous writing. It perfectly captures obsessive love, how easy it is to wave away red flags (but girl there were some red flags) and the romantisation of cottagecore/how real life rural living is a bit different. Also a master class in how to gorgeously describe things without purple prose. I wasn't a huge fan of the ending, but it fitted the story.
Wheelhouses: obsessive lesbian love, beautiful descriptions of food/gardens, "something is messed up here and the main character can't see it.", horny lesbians.
Wheelhouses: obsessive lesbian love, beautiful descriptions of food/gardens, "something is messed up here and the main character can't see it.", horny lesbians.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Blood, Murder, Gore, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Torture, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse
Additional/specific trigger warnings:caileigh's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I can’t remember how I found this book, but I’m so glad I did. Actually loved it. I need Elle fanning to play ash in the movie, please.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Cannibalism
Moderate: Body horror and Animal death
amandadelbrocco's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
I went to the bookstore and bought this. Then I went home and immediately opened it up and didn't get up from the couch until after I had finished. I literally haven't done that in over 25 years but this book was just so compelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Cannibalism, Body horror, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
hexedmaiden's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Okay so this might just be my favorite book of the year.
If you are a Hannibal (TV) fan and Hannigram shipper you're gonna love this book about as much as I do. Seeing as the author is also a fan I feel a kinship.
I kinda knew what was going to happen pretty early on but I was here for the journey of how we were going to get there and god this was so fun. I hope Dawson has some horror in her backlist or more coming in the future cause I definitely want to read more by her
If you are a Hannibal (TV) fan and Hannigram shipper you're gonna love this book about as much as I do. Seeing as the author is also a fan I feel a kinship.
I kinda knew what was going to happen pretty early on but I was here for the journey of how we were going to get there and god this was so fun. I hope Dawson has some horror in her backlist or more coming in the future cause I definitely want to read more by her
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Body horror, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Animal death, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping
Minor: Child abuse
cottageivy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
obsessed. made me hungry halfway through reading it despite knowing that ash would turn out to be a cannibal but damn she knows how to cook. actually didn’t see the ending coming somehow? like i knew it would be in that vein bc of the concept of the book but damnn. was a quick read and i LOVED the writing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cannibalism
noeldiem's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Gore, Self harm, Murder, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Cannibalism, Torture, Violence, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
ghost_cat99's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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: Gore, Cannibalism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Child abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship
nika_nix's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
5.0
Exquisite. Absolutely stunning, fucked up and amazing. Just my type of horror. The writing was great, the characters were great, the plot was great and the vibes were immaculate. This one blew me away and I'm so happy I found a new favorite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Cannibalism, Body horror, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Vomit and Blood
_hauntingtales_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Torture, and Kidnapping
Minor: Animal death