Reviews

I liked this and was sufficiently freaked out (I didn't really realize it was a horror novel until about half way in), but I was hoping for a bit more supernatural and a bit less psychoanalysis. Which it wasn't even really that, more Sarah getting stuck in her head too much (and lord knows I know enough about that myself). I actually identified quite a bit with Sarah - mostly the overthinking things to death, hating her own writing, seeing metaphors in everything. I like to think I've moved past that, so in the end it was in part a good cautionary tale for how bitter I could have become.

troyennhorse's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

The imagery of this book was one of my favorite parts. The descriptions were evocative and the images were unconventional which allowed for some of the more familiar beats to feel new and exciting. Sarah was a person that I probably wouldn't like in real life, but I loved reading about her. I think it's very difficult to write an unlikeable character and still have the reader root for them throughout but I approached the end of the book with dread because the editor's note tells you what happens to her and I wasn't ready for it. The style of found diary worked very well and allowed for a lot of exposition that never came off as too navel gazey. The supporting characters were interesting. The novel set up a lot of mysteries to unravel and most of them had a compelling ending. This book does feature a graphic description of pony play, which is not my thing, but I understand why it was included in the book and it did fit in with the surreal world that was built. I continued to think about the themes of this book after I stopped reading it and I expect that I will read it again soon to keep unpacking some of the ideas it explored. Kiernan is a truly talented writer.

noetherian's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

An excellent October read. It pulled me in slowly, then about halfway through I suddenly realized I'd better stop reading it at night.

nahobinoenjoyer's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

avagracie's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

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

1.0

More...