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carriepond's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Body horror and Toxic relationship
Minor: Vomit
emilywemily6's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
For a light, spooky read for the season, this book had more depth than I expected. This book is about a character’s experience and growth rather than plot, and I found it really interesting with lots of insights actually. It was more gorey/graphic than I expected too (the curses were very creative). It took a while for the witchiness to really get introduced, so it had a slower start but the pacing picked up throughout the book. I appreciated how Annie’s perspective of her relationship with Sam changed over time; not a fan of him. I was disappointed that the co-dependent/slightly toxic nature of this friendship wasn’t really addressed beyond the one conflict at the end of the book, as we didn’t really get closure about how Annie chose to act morally in the long run. I appreciated the themes of empowerment though, and the vibes of this were perfect for October!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Bullying, Cursing, Grief, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Blood, and Misogyny
Moderate: Hate crime, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Eating disorder, Murder, Infidelity, and Vomit
rhiannon814r's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A cute, spooky-but-not-scary story about friendship and finding oneself. Good characters, great character development. Shoutout to Ralph for being bewitchingly adorable. 🕷️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Alcohol and Toxic relationship
Minor: Hate crime and Bullying
oliviaclaire's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-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
2.5
I thought Cackle would make for a great cosy spooky read to start off October but on reflection I'm glad that I read this book after Such Sharp Teeth because I enjoyed that and I think reading Cackle first would have put me off Rachel Harrison.
There are two main issues I have with this book. The first is that neither of the protagonists are particularly likeable. In fact, they're not at all likeable. Annie has moved upstate due to the abrupt and unfortunate end of a long term relationship. Her heartbreak and general depression are totally understandable, until you learn that Annie has not ever not been in a relationship since middle school and within those relationships she has compromised to the point of self-erasure to sustain them and even repeatedly ditched friendships for them. Annie is the definition of 'desperate' and 'unable to be on her own'.
Cue Sophie, Annie's new best friend and suspected (it's really blatantly obvious) witch. Sophie attempts to convince Annie that there is more to life than a boyfriend, that she can be a happily single woman content in her own power. This sounds like it could be a significant improvement to Annie's outlook, if only Sophie didn't use threats, spying, pressure and non-consensual psychedelic drugs to achieve her ends...
When Annie does make the eventual decision to leave her ex Sam behind once and for all, Harrison then gives him a horrific character flaw that robs Annie entirely of her agency again. She had just decided that she didn't need him simply because she didn't need him so for her to make that choice and then walk in on him essentially two timing her means that she no longer just made the decision to leave in a no fault split because she was strong enough to be alone but because her ex is a dirty dirty cheater.
The second issue with this book is that aside from the unhealthy friendship between Annie and Sophie, along with Annie's general mopiness, not much of note actually happens in this book. There are some interesting moments but the plot doesn't really go anywhere.
It was a shame as I did enjoy Such Sharp Teeth and I think I'll still read Black Sheep before making a final judgment on Harrison's books in general but Cackle was a miss for me.
On a positive note, plus 0.5 stars for Ralph. He was very sweet and I enjoyed him immensely. He reminded me of the YouTube spider Lucas.
There are two main issues I have with this book. The first is that neither of the protagonists are particularly likeable. In fact, they're not at all likeable. Annie has moved upstate due to the abrupt and unfortunate end of a long term relationship. Her heartbreak and general depression are totally understandable, until you learn that Annie has not ever not been in a relationship since middle school and within those relationships she has compromised to the point of self-erasure to sustain them and even repeatedly ditched friendships for them. Annie is the definition of 'desperate' and 'unable to be on her own'.
Cue Sophie, Annie's new best friend and suspected (it's really blatantly obvious) witch. Sophie attempts to convince Annie that there is more to life than a boyfriend, that she can be a happily single woman content in her own power. This sounds like it could be a significant improvement to Annie's outlook, if only Sophie didn't use threats, spying, pressure and non-consensual psychedelic drugs to achieve her ends...
The second issue with this book is that aside from the unhealthy friendship between Annie and Sophie, along with Annie's general mopiness, not much of note actually happens in this book. There are some interesting moments but the plot doesn't really go anywhere.
It was a shame as I did enjoy Such Sharp Teeth and I think I'll still read Black Sheep before making a final judgment on Harrison's books in general but Cackle was a miss for me.
On a positive note, plus 0.5 stars for Ralph. He was very sweet and I enjoyed him immensely. He reminded me of the YouTube spider Lucas.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Drug use, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Infidelity
itsalina's review against another edition
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Body horror, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Blood, Body shaming, Murder, and Emotional abuse
rhiannonafternoon's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Delightfully maniacal. Ralph is the most endearing spider I’ve ever read about. Perfect to dip your toe into if you don’t read horror.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Body horror, Body shaming, and Gore
vanillanightmare's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this fun little novel might be a new fav of mine!
picked up on a whim because i was in the mood for a light but witchy read and this was exactly what i needed.
part chick lit, part supernatural horror (with a lil sprinkling of body horror), Cackle tells the story of a woman who gets dumped unceremoniously by her long-term boyfriend, moves to a small New England town, and finds a new bestie.
but as their friendship develops, she realises her new friend is a little witchy - and finds her own power.
I’ll definitely be picking up more books from Rachel Harrison, and this one will definitely get a re-read around Halloween!
picked up on a whim because i was in the mood for a light but witchy read and this was exactly what i needed.
part chick lit, part supernatural horror (with a lil sprinkling of body horror), Cackle tells the story of a woman who gets dumped unceremoniously by her long-term boyfriend, moves to a small New England town, and finds a new bestie.
but as their friendship develops, she realises her new friend is a little witchy - and finds her own power.
I’ll definitely be picking up more books from Rachel Harrison, and this one will definitely get a re-read around Halloween!
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Toxic relationship, Gore, and Misogyny
homebodywitch's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, and Body horror
bluelillybooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
Menacing, magnanimous, magic.
Annie is a 30 year-old teacher who suffers from depression after her boyfriend broke up with her. She moves through life trying to be as inconspicious as possible, while her mind is haunted by anxiety. Now that she has to move cities and live on her own, she is confronted with her bad drinking habits and loneliness. Then she meets Sophie, who carries herself with a grace and confidence that inspires awe in Annie. They quickly become friends, but if Sophie is that wonderful, then why are the other villagers always nervous around her? And why are there so many spiders in Annie's appartment?
I have never before seen myself in a character as much as I saw myself in Annie. "Cackle" describes anxiety attacks, self-doubt and depressive symptoms in such an accurate way that I highlighted some of the passages to show to my therapist. Not even joking. I've seen some reviews calling Annie gullible and annoying, but girlies that's literally how anxiety works *shrugs*.
Without spoiling anything, because I think everyone should read this book, "Cackle" is about finding the courage to live life for yourself and all the magic in yourself that is just waiting to come out. Also spooky vibes!
Annie is a 30 year-old teacher who suffers from depression after her boyfriend broke up with her. She moves through life trying to be as inconspicious as possible, while her mind is haunted by anxiety. Now that she has to move cities and live on her own, she is confronted with her bad drinking habits and loneliness. Then she meets Sophie, who carries herself with a grace and confidence that inspires awe in Annie. They quickly become friends, but if Sophie is that wonderful, then why are the other villagers always nervous around her? And why are there so many spiders in Annie's appartment?
I have never before seen myself in a character as much as I saw myself in Annie. "Cackle" describes anxiety attacks, self-doubt and depressive symptoms in such an accurate way that I highlighted some of the passages to show to my therapist. Not even joking. I've seen some reviews calling Annie gullible and annoying, but girlies that's literally how anxiety works *shrugs*.
Without spoiling anything, because I think everyone should read this book, "Cackle" is about finding the courage to live life for yourself and all the magic in yourself that is just waiting to come out. Also spooky vibes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Bullying
Moderate: Body shaming, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Cursing, Eating disorder, and Grief
Spidersblacksphinx's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Vomit, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying and Sexism
Minor: Blood and Infidelity