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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
The pacing of the story is just too slow for me. DNF
I had a really good time with this. It’s slow, provides a lot of details, but I was fine with that in the same way I was fine with it in Plain Bad Heroines. It lets me linger in the atmosphere.
Loved that the story involved vodou and lwas. Great creepy moments, disturbing moments, horrifying moments.
I don’t think the characters were super deep, and I’d have loved more, but then I think it’d have been a different book. The characters and their struggles are pretty standard fare.
I would love to see a movie of this. I hope that it’s on someone’s radar what with the surge of Black stories getting told in film and TV.
My love for this book has one really big caveat.
Also, thoughts on the ending:
Loved that the story involved vodou and lwas. Great creepy moments, disturbing moments, horrifying moments.
I don’t think the characters were super deep, and I’d have loved more, but then I think it’d have been a different book. The characters and their struggles are pretty standard fare.
I would love to see a movie of this. I hope that it’s on someone’s radar what with the surge of Black stories getting told in film and TV.
My love for this book has one really big caveat.
Spoiler
What on earth was going on with Myles and Angela the morning after they had sex? I could not process why I was reading about Myles thrusting into a half asleep, seemingly unaware Angela. That is not consensual. I was like, is he possessed now?? What is going on?? I kept waiting for something to be said about it, for him to have a stomachache… nothing. Did Due think that was romantic?? I am so baffled.Also, thoughts on the ending:
Spoiler
I did feel a little disappointed that all the bad stuff was taken away. It felt a little bit like, “it was all a dream!” But ultimately I decided, some stories can have happy endings like this. And in this case, it didn’t feel unearned.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this paranormal horror. Having read The Reformatory by Due recently, I was a little wary of how this would impact me. No to mention, paranormal horror is usually a tedious read for me but this panned out nicely. I enjoyed the transitions between the history of Marie Toussaint, Corey’s experience and the present unfolding. Due tells her story skillfully, somehow still managing to depict the jarring experiences of the characters coherently. There were times when it didn’t read as paranormal but there was still a vivid semblance of creepiness - it made a lot of the revelations even more unsettling. Overall, definitely a good read for spooky season.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
It was ..ok? It is really longer than it needs to be, and a couple questions get left up in the air, one of which was kind of a big deal?! It was ok though.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Fun Read
So well written! The characters feel like friends and family, flawed but perfect. Great storytelling, a lovely haunted family story.
So well written! The characters feel like friends and family, flawed but perfect. Great storytelling, a lovely haunted family story.
I really loved this book I like all the characters and learning the different sides of them. Due knows how to flesh out characters. I wish the start was trimmed down since it was full for a bit but about 20% through it speeds up and keeps going. I got to the end before I knew it. I did feel creepy vibes and suspense building while reading this. I can't wait to read more from this author.
I loved this. It was a very haunting, slow-burn story with excellent character development. The dual timelines added a lot of depth and really enhanced the plot.