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100pagesaday's review
4.0
Seraphina spends her days as a party princess, pretending to be someone she is not. Seraphina receives a concerning set of letters from her free-spirited sister, Eff. Eff has joined a group of like minded people, who she swears are not part of a cult. When Seraphina receives word that Eff is in a coma after an accident at the retreat, she decides to go to the last place that Eff was and go undercover into the group. Seraphina becomes a Merry Dredgers and explores her spiritual energy at a broken down goblin amusement park while trying to get to the bottom of her sister's accident.
The Merry Dredgers is a wild mystery thriller with enchanting and diabolical characters. I was quickly taken with Seraphina's character and her ability to act as a Princess all day and then retreat into the opposite persona when being herself. This was a great skill for Seraphina as she became Corrina in order to infiltrate the Merry Dredgers. I was amazed as she was able to keep the personas separate, never crack as Corrina and remember that she was potentially in a very dangerous situation. The Merry Dredgers themselves are an eclectic group. Their base of operation, the half functional goblin theme park, was a trippy ride that I wasn't quite sure where it was heading. The whole time Seraphina is with the Dredgers it seems like they really might be a harmless group of people intent on living an alternative lifestyle. The writing was able to convey that things just don't seem quite right within the community however, as Seraphina desperately searches for cracks within their façade and clues to who might have hurt her sister.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
The Merry Dredgers is a wild mystery thriller with enchanting and diabolical characters. I was quickly taken with Seraphina's character and her ability to act as a Princess all day and then retreat into the opposite persona when being herself. This was a great skill for Seraphina as she became Corrina in order to infiltrate the Merry Dredgers. I was amazed as she was able to keep the personas separate, never crack as Corrina and remember that she was potentially in a very dangerous situation. The Merry Dredgers themselves are an eclectic group. Their base of operation, the half functional goblin theme park, was a trippy ride that I wasn't quite sure where it was heading. The whole time Seraphina is with the Dredgers it seems like they really might be a harmless group of people intent on living an alternative lifestyle. The writing was able to convey that things just don't seem quite right within the community however, as Seraphina desperately searches for cracks within their façade and clues to who might have hurt her sister.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
yenatsea's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? No
2.5
The biggest appreciation I had for this book was treating the queer relationship less like a plot device and more as a normal unfolding event. It was refreshing to have it feel natural and almost pass by. That may be where my appreciation ends however. The main driving point of discovering what happens to her sister, the thing that propels her on this journey, feels almost completely forgotten half way through the book. There are moments that seem repetitive, characters that don’t make much sense, and an ending that felt very rushed.
neilsb's review against another edition
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? No
2.5
breadandmushrooms's review
emotional
funny
tense
medium-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
drewdietsch's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Though deceptively slow and obfuscating, The Merry Dredgers reveals itself to be a haunting, melancholic reflection on the beautiful lies nostalgia and fantasy offer us. Don't expect a terror-filled scarefest. This is more A24 than Blumhouse.
talkbookswithnat's review
4.0
Wow, the ending of this one left me with more questions than answers but I still really enjoyed it. When Serafino has to figure out answers about her sisters accident. She learns more about this cult of misfits.
This is a quirky fantasy with some mystery vibes.
This is a quirky fantasy with some mystery vibes.
emmaeden93's review
3.0
Overall I did enjoy this book. The beginning hooked me very quickly, and the characters were developed very well.
Unfortunately for me, the middle section was far too slow and to be honest it was really bizarre. I spent a lot of time not really understanding what was going on. Once I got past the middle section, it did pick up very quickly but it also wrapped up very quickly. The ending felt a little unfinished for me, and the twist at the end not only lost a lot of impact due to spending so much time not really doing much for the story, but also because the entire point of the book ended up being a bit moot anyway. I honestly almost missed the reveal because it happened so quickly.
It was ok. But it was just ok. Others may enjoy this more than myself.
Unfortunately for me, the middle section was far too slow and to be honest it was really bizarre. I spent a lot of time not really understanding what was going on. Once I got past the middle section, it did pick up very quickly but it also wrapped up very quickly. The ending felt a little unfinished for me, and the twist at the end not only lost a lot of impact due to spending so much time not really doing much for the story, but also because the entire point of the book ended up being a bit moot anyway. I honestly almost missed the reveal because it happened so quickly.
It was ok. But it was just ok. Others may enjoy this more than myself.
mel_c_bell's review
3.0
Did I enjoy this? It was touch and go but overall I think I enjoyed it.
What did I enjoy?
The book starts off strong with great writing, smart inner monologues, and natural dialogues. We're presented with an intriguing yet still familiar premise, two sisters clearly on opposite sides of the 'productive member of society' spectrum; one working multiple jobs while the other joins a cult-not-cult; one pragmatic and the other the epitome of a free spirit. When one sister gets notified that her sister is in the hospital with serious injuries due to an alleged accident the FMC takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of her suspicions, or maybe their prejudices.
Ending was unexpected because the strange fever dream style of parts of the narration persuade you to start questioning your own beliefs.
What did I NOT enjoy?
The body of the book gets a bit monotonous and bogged down by multiple suspenseful scenes that all sort of fizzle. I'll admit that I started skim reading during some of the mundane activities happening at the retreat, so if I missed something it's because I lost faith earlier. There are a few sub plots that don't seem to get any closure, and this is a huge pet peeve of mine but if it doesn't bother you it probably won't even be noticeable.
Finally, the ending is interesting, and a bit surprising BUT it really all came together feeling rushed and anticlimactic.
Overall this is a decent read and the writing is really strong. I may just not have been in the mood for a read like this but I can still appreciate the work.
What did I enjoy?
The book starts off strong with great writing, smart inner monologues, and natural dialogues. We're presented with an intriguing yet still familiar premise, two sisters clearly on opposite sides of the 'productive member of society' spectrum; one working multiple jobs while the other joins a cult-not-cult; one pragmatic and the other the epitome of a free spirit. When one sister gets notified that her sister is in the hospital with serious injuries due to an alleged accident the FMC takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of her suspicions, or maybe their prejudices.
Ending was unexpected because the strange fever dream style of parts of the narration persuade you to start questioning your own beliefs.
What did I NOT enjoy?
The body of the book gets a bit monotonous and bogged down by multiple suspenseful scenes that all sort of fizzle. I'll admit that I started skim reading during some of the mundane activities happening at the retreat, so if I missed something it's because I lost faith earlier. There are a few sub plots that don't seem to get any closure, and this is a huge pet peeve of mine but if it doesn't bother you it probably won't even be noticeable.
Finally, the ending is interesting, and a bit surprising BUT it really all came together feeling rushed and anticlimactic.
Overall this is a decent read and the writing is really strong. I may just not have been in the mood for a read like this but I can still appreciate the work.
revafisheye's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
theaceofpages's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
"Well, picture me as a popped party balloon. Picture me as a stone made of foam, incapable of smashing a single window. That’s the sort of tired I am."
Seraphina feels the need to investigate after her sister, Eff, ends up in a coma after getting involved with what Seraphina is sure is a cult. She decides to leave her life of odd jobs (including pet sitter and princess for hire) and her rather demanding cat to try find answers, and hopefully not get sucked into the cult herself (she is less naive than her sister, afterall).
Ooh I absolutely loved the setting! An abandoned goblin amusement park is such a great idea and I'd love to explore such a place. Although I'm sure it would be very creepy (even without a probable cult that may or may not have tried to kill someone I care about). It very much gave me Night Circus vibes (although the style is very different) and was one of the strongest parts of the book. The mood shift between the earlier chapters and the main story were amazing. I mean, it went from princessy and pink and parties to rust, cults and a dark mystery. I found myself thinking about this a couple of times while reading and it was definitely well executed.
While I loved the wandering style of the story, I was a little annoyed by the ending. A lot of things happened very suddenly. It felt out of place and didn't answer a lot of questions. I would have appreciated the events building up a little more slowly with more time for answers. I also had a similar annoyance when Seraphina changed her mind what felt like too quickly about something (nothing major, but it felt odd).
I recieved a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. As always, all views are my own.
Some notes on some content warnings:
Seraphina feels the need to investigate after her sister, Eff, ends up in a coma after getting involved with what Seraphina is sure is a cult. She decides to leave her life of odd jobs (including pet sitter and princess for hire) and her rather demanding cat to try find answers, and hopefully not get sucked into the cult herself (she is less naive than her sister, afterall).
Ooh I absolutely loved the setting! An abandoned goblin amusement park is such a great idea and I'd love to explore such a place. Although I'm sure it would be very creepy (even without a probable cult that may or may not have tried to kill someone I care about). It very much gave me Night Circus vibes (although the style is very different) and was one of the strongest parts of the book. The mood shift between the earlier chapters and the main story were amazing. I mean, it went from princessy and pink and parties to rust, cults and a dark mystery. I found myself thinking about this a couple of times while reading and it was definitely well executed.
While I loved the wandering style of the story, I was a little annoyed by the ending. A lot of things happened very suddenly. It felt out of place and didn't answer a lot of questions. I would have appreciated the events building up a little more slowly with more time for answers. I also had a similar annoyance when Seraphina changed her mind what felt like too quickly about something (nothing major, but it felt odd).
I recieved a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. As always, all views are my own.
Some notes on some content warnings:
- Medical content:
Mentions of her sister's coma and father's cancer treatment - Cancer/death of parent:
Father's treatment/condition is discussed in some detail but it's only mentioned afterwards that it was cancer. Mostly just that he looked sick and tired. - Domestic abuse:
Mentions of a past relationship - Animal death/cruelty:
Live mice are fed to a snake
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Blood, Death of parent, and Violence