Reviews

I was loving the bizarre brutality of this book right up until the end, when the reveal of the truth shocked me into a bit of a stupor. I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this book now.

Please do keep in mind the content warnings before diving into this book if you are thinking about it. Katzenjammer features a lot of gore, violence, and abusive behavior, including bullying, homophobia, self-mutilation, murders, gun violence (a school shooting), and mentions of an eating disorder.

Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.

em_harring's review against another edition

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5.0

[4.5 stars rounded up.]

This book wrecked me, which I kind of thought it would. It handles topics I'm pretty sensitive to, so going in, I thought I was prepared. I was still not as prepared as I may have wanted to be, so I would really recommend checking out content warnings for this book. These include: bullying, homophobia, and violence.

Spoiler

Big content warning, which is also a plot spoiler if you don't want to know but: school shootings.

This is a heavy, sad book. It's experimental in the way that it portrays horror, as some students are changing in horrific ways. The main character's face is a cat mask and she has no eyes. One character has a cardboard head. Another, a tentacle. It's an interesting premise, especially coupled with the fact that they're locked in the school with a group of "unchanged" students who are terrified of changing themselves and willing to do whatever it takes to not have that happen. I love body horror, so this really worked for me, even though it was quite strange.

The story is divided between two timelines: the MC (Cat) in the school now, and past reflections on the main character's life from middle school to sophomore year––particularly following her relationship with her best friend, Jeffrey. This story was so successful for me because I cared about Cat so much. I found her to be relatable, and I just really wanted her to be okay. Flashing back and forth between these two timelines happens quickly, as the chapters are fairly short, which makes this a read you can probably finish in one or two sittings.

I do think one element of the story needed, perhaps, a bit more connection to the plot. Even though I knew it was coming, once it was revealed I was like....I knew you were coming and yet you still feel maybe a little bit out of place.

Spoiler

I'm talking, here, of the actually moment when we learn Cat died in a school shooting. It felt a bit disjointed from the main plot and where it was going, which makes sense, because that reflects real life. I just wonder if there could have been even more small easter eggs thrown in before, as there were with what the killer was wearing, comments people made, etc.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I hesitantly recommend it, again, because of the content. If it's not something that will trigger you, and you're into experimental, weird books that are also touching––I would recommend checking this out.

I have to talk about, here, a moment that really affected me. It gives away the end, so only read if you've read it, or if you don't care about spoilers.

Spoiler

There's a moment at the end when Cat asks her past self if there's no second chance, no do-over, because we see that so often in media. And younger Cat has to sadly tell her no, there isn't. And Cat reflects on all the wasted potential of her life, and Jeffrey's, because of Ryan, and it's just so fucking sad. It was so well done and instantly made me reflect on the shootings we continue to have in America.

mikeyandherbooks's review against another edition

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e-arc provided by edelweiss

Very interesting concept/idea, I was confused for like the first half of this, but then I kind of got what was going on.

sidneyellwood's review against another edition

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2.0

I loved Eliza and Her Monsters, and the first page of this book caught my eye, so I was disappointed when I didn't like this book. Maybe it's just Not My Thing; it's quirky and weird and bloody, which I like, but I feel like the surrealism wasn't handled well enough -- at least in writing -- that I just couldn't get into it. I didn't really find Cat an interesting or consistent character, nor did any of the others appeal to me. As literature, I just couldn't get into this book or the backstory behind the weirdness.

I will say that while I was reading this, I kept thinking it would make a great video game along the lines of a Cuphead/Resident Evil-esque merger.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

samofthepnw's review against another edition

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3.0

Definitely not my favorite of Zappia’s books but I think I understand what she was trying to say with this one.

Definitely check out the trigger warnings if you are a sensitive reader. I wouldn’t let my kids read this until they are much older. It’s very violent.

madmads126's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny 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

4.5

craftylibrarian10's review against another edition

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