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isnerd's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Gore and Rape
bandysbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The story follows Mira as she returns to her hometown for her ex-bestfriend's wedding. There are threads of mystery and horror that get pulled into the story almost from the beginning, but as the plot picks up the horror really amps up with it. The wedding is held on a historic plantation where slaves were brutalized, tortured, and raped and Mira's discomfort and disgust with the location is immediately apparent. The majority of the guests remain oblivious to the ghosts haunting them until it becomes unavoidable.
I am finding that I really love horror built on reality. I think the idea of being haunted by trauma and horrific events is much more terrifying than zombies, ghosts, and devils. This also creates a lot of social critique within the story which makes it even better.
All in all, I found this a very relevant and scary horror story. If you like a more gothic vibe, current themes, and a compelling main character, you should definitely check this one out!
Graphic: Grief, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Racism, Genocide, Blood, Bullying, Colonisation, Death, Gaslighting, Violence, Gore, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Torture
This book is about the ghosts of slavery on a particularly brutal plantation. Torture, murder, rape, and other dehumanizing acts are described in explicit detail. If you are sensitive to violence, please consider carefully before reading.laura_crowther's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, and Violence
booknerdnative's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Torture, Child abuse, Gore, Racial slurs, and Racism
thehireader's review
4.5
RECKONING is one of the creepiest books I've ever read. I had actual chills on more than one occasion while reading, and while I'm a complete scaredy-cat when it comes to horror movies, it generally takes a lot to creep me out when it comes to horror books. I was completely gripped by this book and think it's one of the best horror books I've ever read, but I almost put this book down at several points in the beginning because it was too slow. I'm so glad I kept reading, however.
It is gut wrenching at several points and absolutely brutal; it is evidence of my privilege that I had not known the full extent of the cruelty and vileness (and those don't feel like strong enough words) of slave owners, overseers, all of the individuals complicit, both in the time of slavery and all the way to the present, that I had not had to be confronted by it.
RECKONING is phenomenal at points, but it also didn't feel like a complete story and I wish I could put my finger on why. I'm going to be vague so as to avoid any spoilers, but I wanted more explanation of certain things and I felt like certain scenes could've, and should've, been expanded on. Still, I'm so glad I didn't put it down, and I would absolutely recommend this book.
TWs: racism, slavery, torture, gore, rape and sexual violence, abuse, body horror.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
Graphic: Racism, Body horror, Blood, Child death, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
calcifire's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Gore
Moderate: Blood and Bullying
horrorbound's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Murder, Racial slurs, and Racism