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littlebookterror's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wow, the author does a great job at narrating her story (you can listen to it on her podcast Eldritch Girl, I recommend it if you don't an unpolished production - content warnings are included before each chapter)!
So I actually know very little about Gothic books but I keep stumbling into them to varying degrees (enjoyed [book:Heart, Haunt, Havoc|75566731] and [book:A Dowry of Blood|60521937] and [book:Carmilla|48037], less successful with other classics like [book:Dracula|17245], and mixed feelings on works like [book:What Moves the Dead|58724626]) and overall, I do think I enjoy them? At least when I find indie queer/BIPOC takes on them.
And this delivered on both a great setting, a lovely, dark atmosphere on some incredible characters. Carrie's story starts simple: she is running away from her psychologically abusive ex and buys a house everyone in town thinks/knows is haunted. But not only that, it's also - sentient? As she settles into her new in Sussex, meets her (very strange) neighbor Ricky, and starts a new job, Carrie learns more about the history and mysteries buried in the walls of her new home.
The story is an equal balance of drab, contemporary life that builds up Carrie's character and deliciously gory scenes that lean into the Gothic subgenre it's written for.
I am absolutely in love with how the book centers two non-romantic relationships of which neither is particularly healthy. Fairwood (the house) can create an avatar that Carrie can - and does - interact with. It uses her to channel its long-held grudges and resentment but it also protects and provides for her. The issue with Carrie's ex that comes up a few more times in the story is a great subplot that highlights the development between Fairwood and Carrie as it is the opposite situation of what she was in before.
With Ricky, on the other hand, we got one fucked-up cannibal with no concept of boundaries who does what he wants with no consideration for Carrie's situation. Yet, somehow, there is a platonic bond that flowers between them (not that either are really interested in that at the start. or the middle) that was just great to read about. His <spoilers>soothsayer powers and tentacle mouth (abilities, let us say) were some of my favourite parts - I just loved being in his POV. Truly the aroace rep I've been wanting in how it's a central part of his character; who cares if he eats people.
And the world itself is full of other magical beings and stories - I know alongside the two sequels there are several short stories and spin-offs set in the same universe that I cannot wait to explore.
I do find the ending a bit anticlimactic ( a little fire and a merging and that's it? ) but it doesn't take away the rest from the rest of the story.
So I actually know very little about Gothic books but I keep stumbling into them to varying degrees (enjoyed [book:Heart, Haunt, Havoc|75566731] and [book:A Dowry of Blood|60521937] and [book:Carmilla|48037], less successful with other classics like [book:Dracula|17245], and mixed feelings on works like [book:What Moves the Dead|58724626]) and overall, I do think I enjoy them? At least when I find indie queer/BIPOC takes on them.
And this delivered on both a great setting, a lovely, dark atmosphere on some incredible characters. Carrie's story starts simple: she is running away from her psychologically abusive ex and buys a house everyone in town thinks/knows is haunted. But not only that, it's also - sentient? As she settles into her new in Sussex, meets her (very strange) neighbor Ricky, and starts a new job, Carrie learns more about the history and mysteries buried in the walls of her new home.
The story is an equal balance of drab, contemporary life that builds up Carrie's character and deliciously gory scenes that lean into the Gothic subgenre it's written for.
I am absolutely in love with how the book centers two non-romantic relationships of which neither is particularly healthy. Fairwood (the house) can create an avatar that Carrie can - and does - interact with. It uses her to channel its long-held grudges and resentment but it also protects and provides for her. The issue with Carrie's ex that comes up a few more times in the story is a great subplot that highlights the development between Fairwood and Carrie as it is the opposite situation of what she was in before.
With Ricky, on the other hand, we got one fucked-up cannibal with no concept of boundaries who does what he wants with no consideration for Carrie's situation. Yet, somehow, there is a platonic bond that flowers between them (not that either are really interested in that at the start. or the middle) that was just great to read about. His <spoilers>soothsayer powers and tentacle mouth (abilities, let us say) were some of my favourite parts - I just loved being in his POV. Truly the aroace rep I've been wanting in how it's a central part of his character; who cares if he eats people.
And the world itself is full of other magical beings and stories - I know alongside the two sequels there are several short stories and spin-offs set in the same universe that I cannot wait to explore.
I do find the ending a bit anticlimactic (
shimaira's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Update October 17, 2023:
I've listened to this book more times than I can count. It's my comfort read ♥ Def. one of my all-time favs 🙌
Original review November 15, 2021:
I've listened to this book twice now & bought a paperback because I'll be reading this many more times in the future for sure ♥
TL;DR review:
A haunted house like you've never seen before combined with cannibalistic eldritch horrors as neighbours, this book is amazing in so many ways.
Longer, more in-depth review:
On trauma:
One thing I loved about this book is how it features various forms of trauma and how people deal with it. From the MC having gotten out of an abusive relationship, to her eldritch neighbour and his abusive family. It's so well done and feels so natural (coming from someone who has PTSD). Like at the very beginning of the book, how the MC can't even walk by hair dye products without getting a visceral reaction. But the best part? How the MC grows and becomes more confident (thanks to the house) and stands up to her ex. Seriously, this book has some truly delicious moments when it comes to that 😏
On LGBTQ+:
One of the things my ace heart loved about this book was the MCs neighbour and his ace-ness. Again, this was so well written. The dynamic between him and the MC is so wholesome--which is rather odd considering he murders and eats people. There's no romance, yet a sort of QPR develops (and there's some polyam vibes 👀) and omg I love it so much ♥
On The Crows:
Fairwood house, or The Crows, is not your ordinary house--or even ordinary haunted house. For starters, the house itself is sentient, and the ghost comes later. I don't want to give away spoilers but trust me when I say it gets so good 😏
On Pagham-on-Sea and the eldritch horrors:
The town where this story takes place--and other novels too!--is so rich in lore and history. C.M. Rosens truly put in a lot of effort to breathe life into it all and make it feel like a real place. (I actually had to do a google just to double check if I'm saying the truth here lol 🙈)
The eldritch horrors are both terrifying and normal--normal as in, having issues normal humans have too. I personally loved how a lot of the weird things happening around the MC are seen as perfectly normal to her friends/neighbours, while she is the new one in town and still having to process her worldview being shattered. It's certainly refreshing reading a story where the scary and strange is just a regular Tuesday because, yeah, for the people of Pagham-on-Sea, it is!
On style:
The book starts with telling the reader that the MC has 33 days left to live. It's written in third person and mainly follows the MC but sometimes also switches to the neighbour. Rosens has a very engaging writing style that feels natural and pulls you into the world of Pagham on Sea and truly brings the characters to life.
ALSO: The book has gorgeous illustrations! 😍
Final notes:
If you enjoy a contemporary gothic horror story with eldritch horrors, be sure to pick up a copy! Just be warned: you'll keep wanting answers as this book will keep changing directions and doesn't allow for much breathing room (after all, 33 days left to live pass by quite fast...). So be prepared to finish reading this in one go or at least lose some sleep because you won't want to put it down.
I've listened to this book more times than I can count. It's my comfort read ♥ Def. one of my all-time favs 🙌
Original review November 15, 2021:
I've listened to this book twice now & bought a paperback because I'll be reading this many more times in the future for sure ♥
TL;DR review:
A haunted house like you've never seen before combined with cannibalistic eldritch horrors as neighbours, this book is amazing in so many ways.
Longer, more in-depth review:
On trauma:
One thing I loved about this book is how it features various forms of trauma and how people deal with it. From the MC having gotten out of an abusive relationship, to her eldritch neighbour and his abusive family. It's so well done and feels so natural (coming from someone who has PTSD). Like at the very beginning of the book, how the MC can't even walk by hair dye products without getting a visceral reaction. But the best part? How the MC grows and becomes more confident (thanks to the house) and stands up to her ex. Seriously, this book has some truly delicious moments when it comes to that 😏
On LGBTQ+:
One of the things my ace heart loved about this book was the MCs neighbour and his ace-ness. Again, this was so well written. The dynamic between him and the MC is so wholesome--which is rather odd considering he murders and eats people. There's no romance, yet a sort of QPR develops (and there's some polyam vibes 👀) and omg I love it so much ♥
On The Crows:
Fairwood house, or The Crows, is not your ordinary house--or even ordinary haunted house. For starters, the house itself is sentient, and the ghost comes later. I don't want to give away spoilers but trust me when I say it gets so good 😏
On Pagham-on-Sea and the eldritch horrors:
The town where this story takes place--and other novels too!--is so rich in lore and history. C.M. Rosens truly put in a lot of effort to breathe life into it all and make it feel like a real place. (I actually had to do a google just to double check if I'm saying the truth here lol 🙈)
The eldritch horrors are both terrifying and normal--normal as in, having issues normal humans have too. I personally loved how a lot of the weird things happening around the MC are seen as perfectly normal to her friends/neighbours, while she is the new one in town and still having to process her worldview being shattered. It's certainly refreshing reading a story where the scary and strange is just a regular Tuesday because, yeah, for the people of Pagham-on-Sea, it is!
On style:
The book starts with telling the reader that the MC has 33 days left to live. It's written in third person and mainly follows the MC but sometimes also switches to the neighbour. Rosens has a very engaging writing style that feels natural and pulls you into the world of Pagham on Sea and truly brings the characters to life.
ALSO: The book has gorgeous illustrations! 😍
Final notes:
If you enjoy a contemporary gothic horror story with eldritch horrors, be sure to pick up a copy! Just be warned: you'll keep wanting answers as this book will keep changing directions and doesn't allow for much breathing room (after all, 33 days left to live pass by quite fast...). So be prepared to finish reading this in one go or at least lose some sleep because you won't want to put it down.
scrow1022's review
4.0
Delightfully weird and creepy. I think this is my first real exposure to body horror. There's a lot in this book + I don't think I tracked everything, but I enjoyed it - the characters, the town, the story. Am curious to read more.
rosiemc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
drakaina16's review
dark
mysterious
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? No
5.0
I don't even know where to start with this book. First of all, it was excellent. What starts as a typical Gothic murder mystery quickly goes off the rails in the best way possible. I've never read anything quite like The Crows. It genre-bends effortlessly and left me hungry for more. CM Rosens has created a world that I've just got to learn all about. I'll be picking up the other Pagham-On-Sea novels as soon as I can.
idelfiedel's review against another edition
4.0
This book is so cursed.
I love it.
I was so invested after I read the chapter with Janet and at the same time, I started to have no bloody idea on what the hell was going on for the rest of the book. And I absolutely appreciate that.
Except for the epilogue, which I think didn't really fit (the ending scene was perfect though) I actually liked all of the book. I guess mostly because I couldn't tell what was going on and what could follow.
Ricky's character I enjoyed the most, because till the end, I couldn't really tell what he wanted, who he was. He was a big mystery for me and that made the book really thrilling. I suppose the whole book is a big mystery after all.
And let me just say that the story is weird.
No, I feel like weird does not capture the vibe I got.
This story, this book, is cursed.
"I'm going mad, my love. Ain't that fucking perfect."
4,5 ⭐
I love it.
I was so invested after I read the chapter with Janet and at the same time, I started to have no bloody idea on what the hell was going on for the rest of the book. And I absolutely appreciate that.
Except for the epilogue, which I think didn't really fit (the ending scene was perfect though) I actually liked all of the book. I guess mostly because I couldn't tell what was going on and what could follow.
Ricky's character I enjoyed the most, because till the end, I couldn't really tell what he wanted, who he was. He was a big mystery for me and that made the book really thrilling. I suppose the whole book is a big mystery after all.
And let me just say that the story is weird.
No, I feel like weird does not capture the vibe I got.
This story, this book, is cursed.
"I'm going mad, my love. Ain't that fucking perfect."
4,5 ⭐
dave_holwill's review
5.0
A beautifully eldritch setting accompanies a cast of believably other characters. I really enjoyed the world-building that has gone into this story.
nodoze's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
elleye's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
starslang's review
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0