Reviews with content warning for Body horror - Cackle

Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

Cackle by Rachel Harrison

37 reviews

shaunashares's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective 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

5.0

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erinreadsbooks's review against another edition

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dark inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This reflective story of a woman who has lost herself in the pursuit of pleasing a man was interesting, if a bit slow-moving. Annie feels very relatable and she, like the rest of the characters in the story, feels flawed and not completely sympathetic. I liked that neither she nor Sophie were perfect, but I would have liked some more details about Sophie’s past, especially toward the end. I think it would have been nice to get some more interaction between the two of them to flesh both of their characters out some more—it might have made the ending feel a bit more earned. All in all, it was an interesting story that I would have liked to see more of.

Read if you like character-focused stories with slight horror elements.

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thissuitbyrnesbetter's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I also root for the shark when I watch Jaws

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egarlock's review against another edition

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dark hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This is not a good book. 2.5 stars because good and enjoyable aren’t the same thing. It’s fine as a piece of fluff, I guess, but it’s trying to make a big feminist statement and largely fails. When I say trying, I really mean bludgeoning. Don’t get me wrong, I love witchcraft as feminist allegory. I think everyone should read Once and Future Witches. This author probably could benefit from therapy though. The protagonist starts off as a sad sack serial monogamist wallowing after agreeing to a mutual breakup she doesn’t want. Annie moves upstate where she meets the mysterious and empowered Sophie who supposedly shows her the path to self actualization and independence. Here be spoilers [The problem here is that Sophie is secretive and emotionally manipulative AF. Sophie is just as bad as the mediocre white dude Annie is sulking about, possibly worse. There is a thread of distrust and unease through the entire novel and had the author followed that to show Sophie as a toxic friend before eventually having Annie find her own power in some ending reminiscent of The Craft, this could have been a good book. Instead, we are told that Annie realizes she doesn’t need Sophie anymore, but she decides she still wants her in her life. I 100% do not believe that Annie can function without her fucked up codependence with Sophie. Also, the lesson is that being a single independent woman is the only path to self actualization and it creates a power that men and society will fear. I don’t think any woman needs to be romantically paired, but this is incredibly trite and reductive. It’s really a shame because this book had so much potential.]

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owlieali's review against another edition

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dark funny lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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mim72's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

3.0

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nika_nix's review against another edition

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dark relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book was fine. Extremely readable and easy to follow, I'd categorize it as a cozy horror since the "horror" aspects were very mild and not that big of a part of the book. This was mosty a "coming of age" of the main character who felt like I read from a 17-year-old, and not a 30-year-old. The plot had a lot of potential, but I feel like it didn't meet that potential and I was underwhelmed by the time I finished it. I still had a fun time and I'm glad I've read it, I'd probably read more from the author, but I don't think I'll remember this one for long.

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killmoore_'s review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious 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

Cackle was so fun!

A warm, cozy, at times spooky read that is perfect for fall.

Despite wanting to punch Annie in the face occasionally, I was really pleased with how well flushed out the characters were, and was dying to learn more about Sophie the entire time, and Ralph. Oh Ralph. I felt that we were going to have a transformation reveal at some point, but I'm not disappointed we didn't.

Powerful women helping powerful women. I dig it.

Tw: spiders. A lot of em.

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skysbooknook's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

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carriepond's review against another edition

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dark funny 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? It's complicated

4.5

Rachel Harrison's Cackle was just delightful. It was feminist, cozy, a little creepy, and funny. I can definitely see this becoming a fall comfort read for me. Also, Ralph. Sweet little Ralph.

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