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punkyjewster's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Genuinely scary at times, really good southern gothic horror elements. Some parts felt a little too “male author creates a self insert antihero”, and the pacing felt all over the place by the end. Was not a fan of the ending. The first half of the book was great, and it’s worth it as a quick read, especially if you like southern gothic themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Racism, Misogyny, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Torture, Blood, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Addiction, Child death, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
Moderate: War, Racial slurs, Rape, Terminal illness, and Racism
ljeffiers's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I am drawn to anything Lovecraftian and sell your soul stories; this book goes above and beyond. The way Jacobs dropped bits of the Lovecraft universe throughout the story was a great addition. There are many excellent elements to the story: the priest, the back story with Sarah's family, and the use of music, just to name a few. I enjoyed the writing style and pace of the book. I do feel that Bull started off with a lot of potential but then faultered toward the end. Sarah became my favorite by the end of the book.
I was not prepared for that ending. I had to stop and collect myself to get through the climax.
The ending is about as happy as it could have been, which like Lovecraft stories means it is bleak and slightly less depressing than the rest of the book. This is the first book of Jacobs' that I have read and I'm excited to read more.
I was not prepared for that ending. I had to stop and collect myself to get through the climax.
The ending is about as happy as it could have been, which like Lovecraft stories means it is bleak and slightly less depressing than the rest of the book. This is the first book of Jacobs' that I have read and I'm excited to read more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
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