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lilbookbee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Wow. What can I even say about this book?
I spent much of this book absolutely baffled by what was going on. Maeve was a fascinating character, whose actions left me with question after question. Everybody in this book is terrible in their own way, and I think that's part of the appeal.
When the book concluded, I felt myself trying to puzzle out *why* everything had happened. There was so much brutality, so much violence, and I wondered if it crossed the line into gratuitous. But, the longer I pondered the point, the more I realized *that was the point*. Early on, Maeve talks about how men don't have to have reasons for the horrible things they do, but they always question why women do horrible things. I think I fought with the urge to do the same, to try to make sense of it all. But her violence and lack of reason behind it, that was all that mattered. We didn't need any answers beyond that.
Now, Gideon. The romance reader in me desperately wanted this strange little hockey romance to turn into murder spouses. I mean, cmon, it could've been so fun. But I don't think it would've made sense for Maeve's story. Maeve's entire arc was about feeling alone and hiding who she was, which by the end she seemed more able to embrace both the loneliness and her inner "wolf". She was, arguably, finally free at the end, but at great cost.
I think that, overall, this book was worth reading. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook (shout-out to a great narrator) and I really did tear through this book wanting to hear more. Do I think it was profound? Well, no. Do I think I'll recommend it or ever read it again? Probably not. But I'm happy I did read it, and it was enough to warrant me picking up this author's other book.
I spent much of this book absolutely baffled by what was going on. Maeve was a fascinating character, whose actions left me with question after question. Everybody in this book is terrible in their own way, and I think that's part of the appeal.
When the book concluded, I felt myself trying to puzzle out *why* everything had happened. There was so much brutality, so much violence, and I wondered if it crossed the line into gratuitous. But, the longer I pondered the point, the more I realized *that was the point*. Early on, Maeve talks about how men don't have to have reasons for the horrible things they do, but they always question why women do horrible things. I think I fought with the urge to do the same, to try to make sense of it all. But her violence and lack of reason behind it, that was all that mattered. We didn't need any answers beyond that.
Now, Gideon. The romance reader in me desperately wanted this strange little hockey romance to turn into murder spouses. I mean, cmon, it could've been so fun. But I don't think it would've made sense for Maeve's story. Maeve's entire arc was about feeling alone and hiding who she was, which by the end she seemed more able to embrace both the loneliness and her inner "wolf". She was, arguably, finally free at the end, but at great cost.
I think that, overall, this book was worth reading. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook (shout-out to a great narrator) and I really did tear through this book wanting to hear more. Do I think it was profound? Well, no. Do I think I'll recommend it or ever read it again? Probably not. But I'm happy I did read it, and it was enough to warrant me picking up this author's other book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Drug use, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Terminal illness, and Torture
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Grief
avmcdonald's review
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
wends_nblw's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I'm heartbroken. I wanted to love this. I so desperately wanted to love this story. But I didn't.
Maeve as a character left me rolling my eyes. Her entitlement and edginess was underwhelming at best and annoying at worst. I understand what the author was trying to do with her, but it only reminded me of a tumblr-esque femcel whining in her trash filled nest of a bed. Maybe it's because I understand Maeve in a way, and it just frustrated me that I could somehow relate to such a whiny character. I will note that she becomes more likable as the story continues, however.
A lot of people label this as "unhinged woman", but it just seemed more like a mentally ill woman’s spiral into madness.
I didn't like the ending either. I felt Maeve's plotline with Kate was unfinished in the worst possible way. The plotline with Gideon? It was quite satisfying until the very end reveal; a reveal that I thought was really obvious until the random red herring halfway through.
I even read this In Disneyland. I read parts of the story in the exact lands she'd describe. I watched Elsa and Anna in a parade while holding this book. Yet I couldn't find any love to give to this story. It's not even a bad book. It's just not for me.
Maeve as a character left me rolling my eyes. Her entitlement and edginess was underwhelming at best and annoying at worst. I understand what the author was trying to do with her, but it only reminded me of a tumblr-esque femcel whining in her trash filled nest of a bed. Maybe it's because I understand Maeve in a way, and it just frustrated me that I could somehow relate to such a whiny character. I will note that she becomes more likable as the story continues, however.
A lot of people label this as "unhinged woman", but it just seemed more like a mentally ill woman’s spiral into madness.
I didn't like the ending either. I felt Maeve's plotline with Kate was unfinished in the worst possible way. The plotline with Gideon? It was quite satisfying until the very end reveal; a reveal that I thought was really obvious until the random red herring halfway through.
I even read this In Disneyland. I read parts of the story in the exact lands she'd describe. I watched Elsa and Anna in a parade while holding this book. Yet I couldn't find any love to give to this story. It's not even a bad book. It's just not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Minor: Abortion
bees_knees735's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you wanted to love American Psycho but needed an actual plot look no further. Maeve is messed up, gross, obsessive, and just a bit endearing and the end had me fucked up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, and Domestic abuse
shanebergman's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gore, Self harm, Sexual violence, Torture, Excrement, Cannibalism, and Murder
mushmoll's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, and Murder
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a deeply disturbing and fantastic book.
Have was such an unhinged character but I somehow rooted for her and was utterly devastated by the ending.
There was a humorous yet strange scene that was definitely an ode to Patrick Batemen watching himself having sex.
This was such a captivating story. It was like a train wreck - I just couldn't look away. Every time I put the book down, it was all I could think about.
It had me physically cringing in disgust and shouting out in disturbance and I loved every moment of it.
This is going to stick with me for a very long time.
Have was such an unhinged character but I somehow rooted for her and was utterly devastated by the ending.
There was a humorous yet strange scene that was definitely an ode to Patrick Batemen watching himself having sex.
This was such a captivating story. It was like a train wreck - I just couldn't look away. Every time I put the book down, it was all I could think about.
It had me physically cringing in disgust and shouting out in disturbance and I loved every moment of it.
This is going to stick with me for a very long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
archaicrobin's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Maeve is a Disney princess that also happens to be a psychopath on the edge. She is full of trivia about Halloween, Halloween music, sex, movies, and local LA history. She is also a serial killer trying to hide in society. But once her grandmother’s health starts to decline and a new relationship escalates she begins to lose control.
I did not like this book. Maeve was not a character I liked, could relate to, or was even interested in, nor were any of the other characters. All of them come as pretentious in the worst way with no redeeming qualities, I couldn’t relate or care about any of them.
This book was very slow in my opinion with the real killing not occurring until halfway through the novel, and since I don’t enjoy gore or torture porn the entire novel was boring and unenjoyable for me. I had heard this novel was amazing and a must read and I could see that if you’re a fan of gore or extreme horror, but if you’re not I’d pass.
Maeve is essentially a female Patrick Bateman, and the character even alludes to this in the novel in a not so subtle way that just, again came off as pretentious to me. I wouldn’t recommend this for anyone looking for a great horror read, UNLESS American Psycho was appealing to them (I also hated that book….).
I did not like this book. Maeve was not a character I liked, could relate to, or was even interested in, nor were any of the other characters. All of them come as pretentious in the worst way with no redeeming qualities, I couldn’t relate or care about any of them.
This book was very slow in my opinion with the real killing not occurring until halfway through the novel, and since I don’t enjoy gore or torture porn the entire novel was boring and unenjoyable for me. I had heard this novel was amazing and a must read and I could see that if you’re a fan of gore or extreme horror, but if you’re not I’d pass.
Maeve is essentially a female Patrick Bateman, and the character even alludes to this in the novel in a not so subtle way that just, again came off as pretentious to me. I wouldn’t recommend this for anyone looking for a great horror read, UNLESS American Psycho was appealing to them (I also hated that book….).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Murder
howlinglibraries's review
medium-paced
1.5
I am baffled by some of the praise going around for this book. "Extreme horror!" Okay, maybe for like, one chapter and half of another one? "Feminist horror icon!" You mean the woman who rapes nearly every victim she takes, finding especially creative ways to do so with the women?
I don't need to agree with a character's actions to like them, but aside from the previously mentioned issues, Maeve is so oblivious that it's impossible for me to get behind her as a narrator. There's a twist in this book that is painfully obvious from a million miles away, yet Maeve is taken entirely off-guard by it in the worst way. Oblivious.
Most of all, Maeve Fly is simply boring for the bulk of its duration. There's very little horror for most of the book, instead primarily focusing on Maeve's internal critique of everyone around her and a whole lotta sex.
The only major hype piece I've heard for this book that actually makes sense to me is comparing this to Palahniuk's writing style, which I'll agree with — Leede's style reminded me a lot of Chuck Palahniuk's style and I can definitely see the inspiration there (though it would be hard to miss it, given how much name-dropping happens throughout Maeve Fly, including many references to Chuck himself).
This was perhaps my single most disappointing read of 2023 so far. I would try this author's work again in the future, but don't recommend this one.
Buddy read with Reg! ♥
I don't need to agree with a character's actions to like them, but aside from the previously mentioned issues, Maeve is so oblivious that it's impossible for me to get behind her as a narrator. There's a twist in this book that is painfully obvious from a million miles away, yet Maeve is taken entirely off-guard by it in the worst way. Oblivious.
Most of all, Maeve Fly is simply boring for the bulk of its duration. There's very little horror for most of the book, instead primarily focusing on Maeve's internal critique of everyone around her and a whole lotta sex.
The only major hype piece I've heard for this book that actually makes sense to me is comparing this to Palahniuk's writing style, which I'll agree with — Leede's style reminded me a lot of Chuck Palahniuk's style and I can definitely see the inspiration there (though it would be hard to miss it, given how much name-dropping happens throughout Maeve Fly, including many references to Chuck himself).
This was perhaps my single most disappointing read of 2023 so far. I would try this author's work again in the future, but don't recommend this one.
Buddy read with Reg! ♥
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Gore, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
andrea7oves's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was sooo fun to read. I’m not really a gore fan so I kinda felt squeamish during some parts of the novel, but overall Maeve was interesting to observe and delve into. Her thoughts are insane and unhinged and disturbing and made me uncomfortable but I also chose not to stop reading. Ending was a little sad to me cause i’m a sucker for love stories but overall I did enjoy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Domestic abuse and Rape