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cavefly'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
4.0
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
egarlock's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Death of parent, Bullying, Misogyny, and Gaslighting
bluelillybooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Annie is a 30 year-old teacher who suffers from depression after her boyfriend broke up with her. She moves through life trying to be as inconspicious as possible, while her mind is haunted by anxiety. Now that she has to move cities and live on her own, she is confronted with her bad drinking habits and loneliness. Then she meets Sophie, who carries herself with a grace and confidence that inspires awe in Annie. They quickly become friends, but if Sophie is that wonderful, then why are the other villagers always nervous around her? And why are there so many spiders in Annie's appartment?
I have never before seen myself in a character as much as I saw myself in Annie. "Cackle" describes anxiety attacks, self-doubt and depressive symptoms in such an accurate way that I highlighted some of the passages to show to my therapist. Not even joking. I've seen some reviews calling Annie gullible and annoying, but girlies that's literally how anxiety works *shrugs*.
Without spoiling anything, because I think everyone should read this book, "Cackle" is about finding the courage to live life for yourself and all the magic in yourself that is just waiting to come out. Also spooky vibes!
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Bullying
Moderate: Body shaming, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Cursing, Eating disorder, and Grief
Spidersjessiejonesbentley's review against another edition
Graphic: Gaslighting
thegoblinempress's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Hmm. I have very mixed feelings about this one.
Up to the halfway mark I was preparing for this to be a new 5 star favourite. I don't agree with the reviews that claim this book isn't horror because horror, like any genre, has many subgenres, and in my opinion cosy horror is still horror. But whether or not this book is horror isn't what demoted Cackle from a 5 star to a 3 star read for me.
I love the concept of a 30-year-old woman fresh out of a long relationship befriending an older woman who introduces her to literal empowerment through witchcraft. I would also like to move to a new a town and befriend a witch. Initially Annie is someone you can't help but feel for; she was convinced she and her ex, Sam, would get married, and instead she finds herself single and having to leave New York City to start a new job in a small town where she can afford rent.
Then Annie meets the glamorous Sophie who takes her under her wing. Annie is enamoured by her, even though the rest of the townspeople seem to be almost... scared of Sophie.
There's a lot about this novel I enjoyed. It's such an easy read and there are several air-punching moments where Annie finds gumption.
But I think Cackle could have done more with the ideas it had. There are brief mentions of some of the things Sophie's done to protect herself and the friends like her she's lost because, throughout the ages, townspeople have been threatened by her being a woman who's quite happy and comfortable in her own company, but I don't think Sophie got as much attention as she should have. This isn't Sophie's book, but because we didn't see more of her it ultimately felt like Annie went from doing everything her ex-boyfriend suggested to everything Sophie suggested. She does stand up for herself eventually, but it feels a bit too little too late.
For a book about friendship, I actually thought what was missing the most was kindness. I love that Annie learns to stop pleasing everyone around her to the detriment of her own happiness, but she's very quick to doubt Sophie despite the various ways she helps her, and
Ultimately I still had a lot of fun with Cackle and I'm still keen to read more from Rachel Harrison, but I wish I'd loved it more.
Minor: Gaslighting, Vomit, and Toxic relationship
rivercat0338's review against another edition
- 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
2.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Toxic friendship, and Infidelity
Moderate: Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Bullying
cinthiaurora's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Body horror, Bullying, and Cursing
Minor: Animal death, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
larareads's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Vomit
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Gaslighting, Gore, and Sexism
aimzthereader'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death, Vomit, Violence, Torture, Panic attacks/disorders, and Gaslighting
Minor: Infidelity