Scan barcode
muckl3t83's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Stalking, Confinement, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Murder, Addiction, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Death of parent, and Death
dcnireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Gore, Mental illness, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Child abuse, Blood, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Grief, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Stalking, and Alcohol
kavikai's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
mel_j's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
(It's very YA, but that's okay.)
Graphic: Grief, Religious bigotry, Blood, Child abuse, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Body horror
Moderate: Stalking and Confinement
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Pregnancy, Cursing, Sexism, Alcohol, Torture, Vomit, and Kidnapping
kagehime'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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Gore, Violence, Religious bigotry, Mental illness, and Body horror
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
theweatherwriter'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? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Violence, Torture, and Emotional abuse
kayceeisbookish's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Alcoholism, Animal death, Gore, Animal cruelty, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Stalking, Gaslighting, Grief, Violence, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Blood, and Religious bigotry
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
As breathtakingly beautiful as it is horrifyingly creepy, Together We Rotis now my favorite horror romance of all time.
Wil is fruitlessly searching for her missing Mother, much to the chagrin of the small town she lives in. She is convinced the local pastor is involved, but the local police would rather stuff their face with donuts then listen to her. Elwood is her ex-best friend and the pastor's son, forced to play a role he doesn't want. When Elwood realizes he isn't being groomed to take over for his Father, but instead is going to be sacrificed on his 18th birthday, he flees. Straight into Wil.
My favorite part of the story is the imagery, and just the way that Arndt writes. In just one sentence the mood shifts from light-hearted, to creepy. A few well placed words have you scratching at your skin, and making sure the light is on. Her ability to choose the most chilling words is just incredibly impressive. The tonal shifts she conveys within a page are some of the best I've ever seen in a book.
Horror romance as a genre is so difficult to nail down, books tend to favor one or other and it's rare that I see it done this well. The relationship between Wil and Elwood doesn't feel rushed, or fast-paced. It feels incredibly natural and in a way, aching. There are several characters in this but I never felt lost or confused. I know there are people who probably don't like the characters, but I think it's important to remember people don't act level headed when they are grieving. I personally love Wil's fiery personality, and her stubbornness.
If I truly had to nitpick and find something I didn't enjoy, I do wish it is a bit longer. I would have liked to have learned more about the town and the history. I will say I might have had a different opinion about the book had I not been warned by a mutual of mine about some of the content.
Be kind to yourself when you read this there are a lot of triggers. I read this as an arc so I hope the finished publication has content warnings because there are a lot of heavy topics. Some of them include: child abuse, body horror, INSECTS. (No really, all the insects!) I strongly encourage anyone who is wanting to read this to check out story graph for the full list. I didn't go into a book slump or found it on the level that books like Ever Since are trigger wise.
You know when you read a debut novel for the first time, and you're just like...woah. That is the feeling Together We Rot gives me. Skyla Arndt is a name to watch out for. I just know she is going to be big.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book, and I need Skyla Arndt to write another book IMMEDIATELY please! (Y'all she is one of my new favorite authors now!)
This is 100% my new favorite book cover for the year. I just where do I even start! The vines that are embedded under the skin like veins, the moths circling around, the SYMBOLISM! This is truly a work of art. Marcela Bolivar always kills it and I continue to be in awe of her talent. The cover not only captures the horror and creepiness of the book, but also the romance.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Vomit, Gore, Emotional abuse, Body horror, and Blood
Moderate: Animal death and Animal cruelty
natlren's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was a lovely little gem that I positively devoured. I’ve been teetering in and out of a reading slump for the past couple of weeks and I can confidently say that Together We Rot cured me.
I think the star of this book was my beloved Elwood. He’s gentle and delicate and so undoubtedly himself despite his traumatic upbringing. I loved him and his growth dearly. In simpler terms: I’m an Elwood stan first and a person second.
I think this book always tackles themes of religious guilt and trauma really well. So much of Elwood’s life has been dictated to him as an extension of what the Lord would order of his followers, and watching Elwood step away from the suffocating beliefs of his family and the cult that they’re apart of was just so incredible to me.
The one thing that didn’t quite work for me with this book was the pacing, mostly because I wanted to spend much more time with these characters and would love to see more facets of their personality explored and elaborated on (specifically Kevin? Idk I really enjoyed his character).
That said, Skyla Arndt is a master of writing an atmospheric tale, and I’m SO excited to read more of her work going forward! I’m officially a lifelong fan!
Side note: it’s a travesty that there’s no moth emoji </3
Graphic: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse