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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
Apollo Kagwa's life had been wrapped up in his book selling business when he met Emma. They have a son together, and Apollo tries to be the best father he could, especially since he was abandoned by his own father.
Then Emma starts saying their child isn't the real Brian and shows behavior of postpartum depression. It comes to a head when Emma kills Brian and goes missing.
Apollo sets off on a journey after he meets a strange man that claims to have information on Emma. His journey takes him to a forgotten island on the East River, to the only forest in New York City, and straight into the mouth of his greatest fears.
I have enjoyed reading this book for a second time. It does get a bit gory toward the end, but LaValle does a fabulous job of painting the picture of Apollo's troubled journey to unify his family.
Then Emma starts saying their child isn't the real Brian and shows behavior of postpartum depression. It comes to a head when Emma kills Brian and goes missing.
Apollo sets off on a journey after he meets a strange man that claims to have information on Emma. His journey takes him to a forgotten island on the East River, to the only forest in New York City, and straight into the mouth of his greatest fears.
I have enjoyed reading this book for a second time. It does get a bit gory toward the end, but LaValle does a fabulous job of painting the picture of Apollo's troubled journey to unify his family.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, Police brutality, Death of parent, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Colonisation
Not sure if LaValle wanted to write a book about being a new parent, but felt he had to couch it in a horror story, or if he was writing a horror story and all of a sudden had a child.
This does not work as a full-length horror story, and indeed much of the book can be excised if that is the story you are telling. However, speaking as a parent, LaValle in places captured being a new parent so well that I had tears in my eyes at the memory. Those without kids, skip the book. If you have kids, and are a fan of horror, you will be able to get through it. The horror story itself is worth about 1 star as presented.
This does not work as a full-length horror story, and indeed much of the book can be excised if that is the story you are telling. However, speaking as a parent, LaValle in places captured being a new parent so well that I had tears in my eyes at the memory. Those without kids, skip the book. If you have kids, and are a fan of horror, you will be able to get through it. The horror story itself is worth about 1 star as presented.
dark
emotional
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:
Yes