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2.72 AVERAGE
2.72 AVERAGE
Originally posted on the book blog Creature From the Book Lagoon.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Netgalley!
Wow! This is a fun one!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Netgalley!
Wow! This is a fun one!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cat a mentally troubled girl accompanies her friends a party at haunted house known for burying brides in its walls for centuries.
A party turns into an impromptu wedding for Talia and Philip. This wedding sets the stage for craziness to ensue.
Each friends deepest feelings and hidden annomosity bubble to the surface as the house forces them to face the truth.
The death of one friend means the death of friendship for them all but a new beginning for one.
It was nice short and sweet horror novella.
A party turns into an impromptu wedding for Talia and Philip. This wedding sets the stage for craziness to ensue.
Each friends deepest feelings and hidden annomosity bubble to the surface as the house forces them to face the truth.
The death of one friend means the death of friendship for them all but a new beginning for one.
It was nice short and sweet horror novella.
I am kinda outraged that this book's rating is not higher.
The writing is absolutely amazing and beautiful and the story captivating.
The writing is absolutely amazing and beautiful and the story captivating.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I do not know how I feel about this book. If I could give it 3.5 I would.
Pros: At times the poetic descriptions were wonderful and really captivated me.
The 3rd paragraph from the end was the most horrific real thing I’ve ever read and will stick with me forever.
The yokai was perfect though I would have liked more.
The allegory was spot on.
It was a quick read.
It was a believable story, where the characters did what we would likely do… I know there are those that would pound their chests and proclaim they would never find themselves in this situation, but this story captures what many humans would and have done when confronted with hard situations.
Cons:
At times the poetic descriptions felt forced, took me out of the immersion and ruined the beat of the intense moments.
I did not like any of the characters except the yokai, but i acknowledge that was partially the point. The monsters in other humans can be the most familiar thing that we connect with. A reflection of our worst parts.
It was a quick read, I was left with a feeling of, “that’s it?” Which again I acknowledge that was kind of the point.
My final thoughts: I started with 3 stars but after writing this I decided it deserved 4. Update: I think it’s a strong 3 stars. Might be worth a read, it will make you think, and it is exactly what the author intended. The only thing I think would make it better is letting the intense moments carry themselves more organically without the jarring poetic descriptions.
Pros: At times the poetic descriptions were wonderful and really captivated me.
The 3rd paragraph from the end was the most horrific real thing I’ve ever read and will stick with me forever.
The yokai was perfect though I would have liked more.
The allegory was spot on.
It was a quick read.
It was a believable story, where the characters did what we would likely do… I know there are those that would pound their chests and proclaim they would never find themselves in this situation, but this story captures what many humans would and have done when confronted with hard situations.
Cons:
At times the poetic descriptions felt forced, took me out of the immersion and ruined the beat of the intense moments.
I did not like any of the characters except the yokai, but i acknowledge that was partially the point. The monsters in other humans can be the most familiar thing that we connect with. A reflection of our worst parts.
It was a quick read, I was left with a feeling of, “that’s it?” Which again I acknowledge that was kind of the point.
My final thoughts: I started with 3 stars but after writing this I decided it deserved 4. Update: I think it’s a strong 3 stars. Might be worth a read, it will make you think, and it is exactly what the author intended. The only thing I think would make it better is letting the intense moments carry themselves more organically without the jarring poetic descriptions.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not gonna lie I actually didn't hate this. I just think that it's billed incorrectly.
What's supposed to be rife with Japanese-folklore-inspired horror is more of a interpersonal thriller/horror. What I mean by that is you have a group of "friends" (I use the term VERY loosely) with complicated & fucked up pasts that have them kinda hating each other, stuck in a remote place together. The disaster is certainly motivated by the betrayed Japanese bride ghost, but she doesn't really play a large part in the story imo. She's just kinda there - I won't lie I was hoping for more of her, which I can agree is disappointing about this book.
However, I enjoy good stories about fucked up, unlikeable people doing fucked up things to each other. Coupled with me being in love with Cassandra Khaw's love of her thesaurus, we had a pretty good combo. I read The Salt Grows Heavy late last year and I'm impressed with the way Khaw can pack a gross punch in a short span of time, so I'll definitely be checking out her other works when I can!
What's supposed to be rife with Japanese-folklore-inspired horror is more of a interpersonal thriller/horror. What I mean by that is you have a group of "friends" (I use the term VERY loosely) with complicated & fucked up pasts that have them kinda hating each other, stuck in a remote place together. The disaster is certainly motivated by the betrayed Japanese bride ghost, but she doesn't really play a large part in the story imo. She's just kinda there - I won't lie I was hoping for more of her, which I can agree is disappointing about this book.
However, I enjoy good stories about fucked up, unlikeable people doing fucked up things to each other. Coupled with me being in love with Cassandra Khaw's love of her thesaurus, we had a pretty good combo. I read The Salt Grows Heavy late last year and I'm impressed with the way Khaw can pack a gross punch in a short span of time, so I'll definitely be checking out her other works when I can!
It's nice to have a horror story that gets to the point quickly and doesn't ramble. However, the plot is unorganized and almost random. The reader can't understand what actually happened or why--just that bad things happened.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark