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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
Maybe 2.5 stars. It was definitely scary in certain parts, but definitely too much "let's pray and get to out of this mess" and "trust god" talk for my taste. Also, the ending was wrapped up way too nicely.
This is just so fucking long. And I feel like some of the POVs were not necessary and could have been removed to make this shorter. Horror books do not need to be 600 pages
10/15/23 Update
I tried to reread this but I couldn't get over the same problems I had in my first attempt to read this. All of the unnecessary sexual content put me off enjoying this book at any level. I got much further into the book but stopped at 55%. Little events were happening in the book but I like to pick up a horror book because it was scary, which this wasn't. I know this book had cursed voodoo elements in it but it just wasn't scary. If, however, you enjoy a book with a creeping sense of dread in it, a la [b:Needful Things|107291|Needful Things|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1315767817l/107291._SY75_.jpg|1812101] , you might enjoy it. I, however, will not be picking up any more books by this author.
***
This book should have come with a reading advisory! Some readers like to know about trigger warnings or just general themes so that they can decide whether to pass on a book or invest their time on it. There is so much sexual content that I'm tired of skipping over it all. From the main character getting schooled at sex at 12 or 13 years old, to her skeevy ex-husband having a sexual encounter with a 13 year old and offering his nephew and friends to take turns with her, to a horny teenage son's graphic poems and sexual encounters, it was too much for me. I think this is so unfortunate because the underlying story had a lot of promise. If I had the ability to fast forward through all of the distasteful bits without having to read them, I would consider continuing on with this book but having to skip entire sections of a book defeats the purpose in reading for pleasure.
I tried to reread this but I couldn't get over the same problems I had in my first attempt to read this. All of the unnecessary sexual content put me off enjoying this book at any level. I got much further into the book but stopped at 55%. Little events were happening in the book but I like to pick up a horror book because it was scary, which this wasn't. I know this book had cursed voodoo elements in it but it just wasn't scary. If, however, you enjoy a book with a creeping sense of dread in it, a la [b:Needful Things|107291|Needful Things|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1315767817l/107291._SY75_.jpg|1812101] , you might enjoy it. I, however, will not be picking up any more books by this author.
***
This book should have come with a reading advisory! Some readers like to know about trigger warnings or just general themes so that they can decide whether to pass on a book or invest their time on it. There is so much sexual content that I'm tired of skipping over it all. From the main character getting schooled at sex at 12 or 13 years old, to her skeevy ex-husband having a sexual encounter with a 13 year old and offering his nephew and friends to take turns with her, to a horny teenage son's graphic poems and sexual encounters, it was too much for me. I think this is so unfortunate because the underlying story had a lot of promise. If I had the ability to fast forward through all of the distasteful bits without having to read them, I would consider continuing on with this book but having to skip entire sections of a book defeats the purpose in reading for pleasure.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Really enjoyed sinking into the story. A bit repetitive in some places and can’t decide if the ending was a cop out or not. Overall loved it
This was my first Due Novel, and I must say it's the best fiction I've read in a while. I love the way she deals with spirits, ancestors, Vodou, family, and love. I love the way the story unfolded, and all the twists and turns.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed this quite a bit! The writing feels like those horror books from the 80s and 90s in the best possible way. I felt sucked into the atmosphere and mystery of what was going on with this house. The horrific moments really landed. They made me uncomfortable and scared throughout and because Tananarive Due is so great at building compelling characters, I was scared for them. This is a pretty lengthy book but I was never bored or wanting it to be over. I wanted to stay with Angela throughout her journey to figure out what's going on with this house.
I do think something about the narrative structure didn't quite land for me. There is a specific flashback scene where information is withheld from the reader and Due revisits it a few times. Some of the delayed reveals were are worth it but some aren't. We could have had that information sooner and not really lost anything. I also didn't care so much about that very last scene after the major conclusion of the main plot.
I do think something about the narrative structure didn't quite land for me. There is a specific flashback scene where information is withheld from the reader and Due revisits it a few times. Some of the delayed reveals were are worth it but some aren't. We could have had that information sooner and not really lost anything. I also didn't care so much about that very last scene after the major conclusion of the main plot.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
DNF 2.5 stars i was so bored even though her writing is GOOD it’s just so long and detailed it isn’t my style.
I’m so glad I read The Reformatory before I read this. Reformatory was perfection. This? Not so much.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated