Reviews

Brother by Ania Ahlborn

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dbmassey's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

octopie89's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

katiescho741's review against another edition

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3.0

2.5 Stars
Not really the intense, violent, gore filled book I was expecting, but a good gateway book into slightly more intense horror. Seasoned horror readers will find it a bit tame to be honest.
I saw the reveals coming a mile off. From page one, we know what the Morrows are doing, and it's very obvious what will happen with Michael's new love interest in the record shop. I was hoping the end might throw a spanner in the works and leave me reeling, but it didn't.
Don't get me wrong, there is some gore and disturbing scenes, but not as many as you would expect from a book that's promoted as being super twisted. I wish there was more of a sense of place - the Appalachian mountain setting should have been another character, but it just felt like a generic farm house. Not a huge sense of time either - I think it was set in the early 80s, but I'm not sure, to be honest.
I enjoyed the sections where we learn about Ray's life, and how the things he's seen and experienced have made him into the horrible person her is.
An alright bit of bleak family drama horror, but not as good as I expected.