schausjk's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was a very fun take on the classic (which I hadn't read before this, but have since read). The places where it deviated most strongly make sense to have adapted. Kingfisher has a knack for the creepy that I find most effective when it's given room for ambiguity. I wish we had been given a little more breathing room to allow that dread to really fester, but it's already a novella length take on what was originally a short story, so I can understand wanting to keep it rather succinct.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, and Medical content
Moderate: War, Physical abuse, Blood, Gore, Gun violence, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Vomit, Xenophobia, and Dysphoria
nixieba25f's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Animal death, Cursing, Misogyny, Terminal illness, War, and Xenophobia
bibliophage_teamage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Kingfisher sparks the Gothic genre anew here. It glows like an algae on the page, illuminating the imagination with spindly webs. I devoured this book, and my only criticism is that there isn’t more. Easton in this novella is a fully fleshed out character, and the edit to make kan (a soldier pronoun) Gender Queer. It was a wonderful surprise and brilliantly executed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Body horror
Moderate: Xenophobia, Sexism, Self harm, and Suicide
Minor: Transphobia
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