Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A slow but persistent journey towards feminine rage, nature horror, hauntings of memories. Not “too” strange, not “too” creepy, a little touch of each in a story of a woman in the world as it is - one that necessitates a break from the “inside”. Loved it.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As soon as I finished this book, I went to look up the author's other work, only to learn this was her debut! It was a very strong debut, and I'm a bit sad I can't just immediately dive into more of her work!
"Have you not guessed it yet? I am not a place where nature can be weeded and tamed and kept in order. I am tree roots- and dark hollows- and ancient moss- and the cry of owls. I am not a thing that you can shape, not anymore. I am no garden, but the woods, and if you ever come near me again, every bit of wilderness in me will rise up to bite you. I will tear your throat with my teeth."
Grey Dog is compromised of journal entries written by Ada Byrd in the first years of the 20th century. She's a reluctant schoolteacher, as that's the only acceptable occupation for a spinster in her late 20s who refuses to find a husband and settle down. The book begins as she arrives to a new town for a new teaching position, only to realize that the vibes are... off. As the book progresses, more and more horrible things happen, and the woods increasingly call to Ada.
The atmosphere and setting of this book were super well-done, and it felt like reading books like Anne of Green Gables, but with a creeping sense of dread that built throughout the book. A few scenes actually grossed me out, which doesn't happen often!
I could relate to Ada, who grew up in a conservative Christian environment, not knowing she was queer, but having "inexplicably" intense friendships with other girls that inevitably blow up.
The feral female rage could be fun, but I did find myself frustrated that
All in all, this was a wild, engrossing tale— at times I had to hold my hand over the page to keep myself from jumping ahead— and I'm really looking forward to reading this author's future work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Mental illness, Cannibalism, Murder
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was weird and I liked it!! Like NightBitch with some Slewfoot and another third thing I can’t think of
dark
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
we need more books about sapphic spinsters who stopped taking baths and going to church so that they could connect with nature and also scare their fathers. amongst other things.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail
Well written and intriguing story. I was so curious about the reveal for what she had done previously, if it was a lesbian romance or a sexual assault from an employer or boarder taken wrong. This novel definitely did not disappoint. Held me to the end and beyond. And it's a first novel to boot. Excited for the next ones.
The book is extremely well-written and has an interesting plot. However, I just don’t think historical fiction books are for me. While I appreciate the underlying tropes, I found the book to be dull, but this is only due to my personal preference.