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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
TLDR: I really liked this book, but the ending just kind of wasn't it for me. This book is about a plague that leads into the apocalypse, and perhaps a genesis of new, horrific eldritch life on earth. There is a lot of body horror in the novel, as well as graphic cannibalism and violence, and sexual gratification from said violence. Themes of body autonomy in spite of government and religious control, were interesting to ponder, but sometimes fell flat. My biggest problems with the book were the middle POV section and the ending.
It highlights a lot of my favorite things about horror, which is the way that you can use it for social commentary, though, those felt a little heavy handed at times. The commentary on the way that sick and disabled people are treated were interesting to read. I liked the parts relating to how the government can take away citizens' right if they can be deemed a danger to the public. However, this was under cut by the progression of the plot
I think the book's strongest message was about bodily autonomy. From government surveillance to state mandated and vigilante killings of infected people, to a woman who's force to birth the next generation of horrific monsters. These discussion made this book a four, but the middle of it and its ending knocked off a star.
I felt that the pacing was good for the first 2/3 of the book, but as the story began to come to a close it lost steam and couldn't find a good place to end. It felt that there were times when the book could have ended and it would have been more poignant and made more sense.
The second POV was very interesting at first, a sex worker's POV of living in a world of legalized sex work and pandemic precautions were nice to read. But the character, Savannah, starts getting off on murder and linking it with a past trauma in her life felt a little bit gross in execution.
I'd try to steer clear of this book if you are pretty squeamish about body horror, especially anything to do with grotesque body modifications and parasites. Moreover, there is explicit cannibalism (blood and brain manner mostly), and graphic depictions of sickness, murder, and grievous bodily harm.
It highlights a lot of my favorite things about horror, which is the way that you can use it for social commentary, though, those felt a little heavy handed at times. The commentary on the way that sick and disabled people are treated were interesting to read. I liked the parts relating to how the government can take away citizens' right if they can be deemed a danger to the public. However, this was under cut by the progression of the plot
Spoiler
... showing that the groups of people that were being monitored actually started the apocolypse.I think the book's strongest message was about bodily autonomy. From government surveillance to state mandated and vigilante killings of infected people, to a woman who's force to birth the next generation of horrific monsters
Spoiler
through tumors she has growing inside her bodyI felt that the pacing was good for the first 2/3 of the book, but as the story began to come to a close it lost steam and couldn't find a good place to end. It felt that there were times when the book could have ended and it would have been more poignant and made more sense.
Spoiler
But the introduction of another powerful being that gives her basically a magically eldritch birth control and the book ending with her taking the monster she birthed with her was way to sudden, and need a bit more story to play with what came next.The second POV was very interesting at first, a sex worker's POV of living in a world of legalized sex work and pandemic precautions were nice to read. But the character, Savannah, starts getting off on murder and linking it with a past trauma in her life felt a little bit gross in execution.
Spoiler
Savannah is what I believe, the author feels is what's wrong with white, cisgendered centered feminism. Which is not the part I disliked. She is unlikable, because she is supposed to be. What I found grating was that she wondered if her father killed her family, not because of increasing abuse, which was laid out in the plot, but if he also felt the orgasmic rush she felt committing murder. And then if he committed suicide because he would never fell the high again.I'd try to steer clear of this book if you are pretty squeamish about body horror, especially anything to do with grotesque body modifications and parasites. Moreover, there is explicit cannibalism (blood and brain manner mostly), and graphic depictions of sickness, murder, and grievous bodily harm.
Really interesting premise but honestly, what did I just read
weirdest book I have ever read, unexpectedly thrust into my hands by an enthusiastic hot queer bookshop employee
This book was so weird and so gross and so visceral and I loved ever what the fuck is happening moment of it. I mean really what's not to love about a sapphic apocalyptic horror book loosely inspired by the apocryphal gospel of Mary Magdalene? 10/10 recommending to all my friends.
