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dame_samara's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warning for Graphic Depictions of Canabilisim, Torture, Violence, and Suicide. Along with depictions of sexual assault.
(This list is by no means inclusive since I hadn't thought I'd need to make one going into this)
I made it through the first half of this book relatively fine, like a train wreck. As long as I was observing and not processing it, I was fine. But when I stopped reading and stepped back, the thought of returning to Harlow held no interest to me. If anything, the idea disgusted me.
This book is a perfect example of the Hero's Journey, meaning instead of getting the resolution that feels appropriate after roughly 6 hours. We are just finding the abyss, and the next 6 hours are more brutal than the first 6. Except their character growth doesn't happen with Quinn, and not enough time is spent with Beth to make it worth it.
And Quinn sure as hell hadn't done the work to deserve "the Goddess's Gift" at the end.
While this book is listed as a horror, it is honestly where I found it lacking the most. It is a horror in the same way that slasher movies are a horror. The horror aspect of this almost entirely sits in the grotesque use of violence.
(This list is by no means inclusive since I hadn't thought I'd need to make one going into this)
I made it through the first half of this book relatively fine, like a train wreck. As long as I was observing and not processing it, I was fine. But when I stopped reading and stepped back, the thought of returning to Harlow held no interest to me. If anything, the idea disgusted me.
This book is a perfect example of the Hero's Journey, meaning instead of getting the resolution that feels appropriate after roughly 6 hours. We are just finding the abyss, and the next 6 hours are more brutal than the first 6. Except their character growth doesn't happen with Quinn, and not enough time is spent with Beth to make it worth it.
And Quinn sure as hell hadn't done the work to deserve "the Goddess's Gift" at the end.
While this book is listed as a horror, it is honestly where I found it lacking the most. It is a horror in the same way that slasher movies are a horror. The horror aspect of this almost entirely sits in the grotesque use of violence.
michael_benavidez's review
5.0
To Dust You Shall Remain centers on a town ruled over by their past. Harlow is a town where no one is allowed to leave, where the town is ruled over by a sinister overlord known only as “the Mayor” and his dedicated followers.
This is a very interesting book. Following two leads – Curtis Quinn, a Chicago mob legend on a mission for revenge and Beth Jarvis, a teenage resident of Harlow with her own penchant for rebellion— the author manages to match his writing style to whichever character he’s currently in the shoes of.
Curtis Quinn is a man with a past who had found love and had it taken from it. As such, Venturini writes him with a pulpy action feel. He hits all the action cliches and then manages to subvert them in a way that feels natural to the character that he has created. Beth Jarvis is a teen who is in her own rebellion from the family and town, and it is with her that we see the author’s shift into something that’s a bit more thriller with a horror always lurking in the shadows. It’s through both of these characters that the town Harlow, and its many residents come to life. Each fill in the blanks for the reader, creating a steady mix of action and horror, keeping the story fun and the mystery alive.
There's not much i can say without spoiling the books and its subversions. Equal parts fun pulp and taut thriller, this books reads fast while keeping you from ever being bored.
This is a very interesting book. Following two leads – Curtis Quinn, a Chicago mob legend on a mission for revenge and Beth Jarvis, a teenage resident of Harlow with her own penchant for rebellion— the author manages to match his writing style to whichever character he’s currently in the shoes of.
Curtis Quinn is a man with a past who had found love and had it taken from it. As such, Venturini writes him with a pulpy action feel. He hits all the action cliches and then manages to subvert them in a way that feels natural to the character that he has created. Beth Jarvis is a teen who is in her own rebellion from the family and town, and it is with her that we see the author’s shift into something that’s a bit more thriller with a horror always lurking in the shadows. It’s through both of these characters that the town Harlow, and its many residents come to life. Each fill in the blanks for the reader, creating a steady mix of action and horror, keeping the story fun and the mystery alive.
There's not much i can say without spoiling the books and its subversions. Equal parts fun pulp and taut thriller, this books reads fast while keeping you from ever being bored.
gi1pierrez's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
theblairbitchproject's review
3.0
In many ways, this book reads more like fantasy than traditional horror (e.g., the idea of an isolated town ruled by an unknown and all-powerful ruler, names like The Mayor and High Servants, etc). Because of that, I found myself impatiently waiting for more world-building that never really came. I was able to continue enjoying the story by leaning in to the idea that perhaps the story was *supposed* to feel disorienting and frustratingly mysterious. I imagine this is how the people of Harlow felt throughout their lives—forever forced to live in uncertainty and surrealism.
I did find it difficult to truly connect to any of the characters or have a strong emotional investment in their fates (with the exception of Marcus, who I would have loved to spend more time with). I felt as if they were there to advance the plot, rather than the other way around. However, I appreciated that this story kept me guessing right up until the very end, as opposed to the many horror novels that feel contrived and predictable. If you’re not one to shy away from some beautifully (but heartbreakingly) executed gore, slow burns, and endings that aren’t wrapped up nicely in a bow, I’d recommend giving this book a try.
I did find it difficult to truly connect to any of the characters or have a strong emotional investment in their fates (with the exception of Marcus, who I would have loved to spend more time with). I felt as if they were there to advance the plot, rather than the other way around. However, I appreciated that this story kept me guessing right up until the very end, as opposed to the many horror novels that feel contrived and predictable. If you’re not one to shy away from some beautifully (but heartbreakingly) executed gore, slow burns, and endings that aren’t wrapped up nicely in a bow, I’d recommend giving this book a try.
booksndoggos's review
4.0
I've had to sit a bit to think about this for a review. Horror books always get me thinking of the what-ifs and this did not disappoint!
I really enjoyed our two main characters Beth and Quinn. How completely opposite they are, makes their relationship even more interesting and hopeful.
The story is really what helps tie these two characters together, and it's hard to describe anything without giving things away. So many creepy vibes! It's kind of like a cultish, demonic, mob, slasher movie?
Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend it to those who like the creepy and the weird.
I really enjoyed our two main characters Beth and Quinn. How completely opposite they are, makes their relationship even more interesting and hopeful.
The story is really what helps tie these two characters together, and it's hard to describe anything without giving things away. So many creepy vibes! It's kind of like a cultish, demonic, mob, slasher movie?
Overall, I enjoyed this and would recommend it to those who like the creepy and the weird.
maemaelu23's review against another edition
4.0
What a dark and gruesome story! A great horror read. Told from two perspectives - Beth and Curtis. Morally Gray heroes (or antiheroes) with no escape and a truly evil villain. Very macabre with satisfying storytelling with bizarre twists throughout. Though there is a supernatural element, the truly terrible is reserved for the average man and what they are willing to do (or allow to happen) in the name of self-preservation. The narrator of the audiobook was excellent with subtle adjustments to differentiate his characters.
bbennett128's review
5.0
[5 Stars]
Wow, I didn't really have any expectations for this one but it blew me away. The narrator, Pete Cross, did a great job. I really liked how he didn't make all the female voices sound whiny or too high-pitched, which is a pet peeve of mine. But he did still have good voice inflection, so I never felt lost on who was speaking.
In terms of the plot, the author did a great job. I thought this was excellently paced, the tension was palpable, I was thoroughly engrossed the entire time, loved the atmosphere, and I really believed in the stakes. Also, the level of gore in this is astronomical (please check TW for basically everything, this has a lot of terrifying stuff in it).
I also liked how no character was really 'good'. Beth was the closest we got to a morally upright character, but even she did bad things. This factor really added a lot to the tone and intrigue of the book.
The only thing I didn't particularly care for was the explanation of the Mayor's powers. His character definitely needed some more fleshing out to make everything feel a bit more plausible. As it stands, the final reveal on his powers and whatnot was flimsy enough to detract from my enjoyment. But despite that, this is still a solid, no pulled punches horror that's definitely not for the faint of heart. I'd recommend it!
TW: rape, loss of a baby, loss of a loved one, cannibalism, auto-cannibalism, talk of pedophilia, torture, murder, gore, violence, suicide, suicide ideation, and more
Wow, I didn't really have any expectations for this one but it blew me away. The narrator, Pete Cross, did a great job. I really liked how he didn't make all the female voices sound whiny or too high-pitched, which is a pet peeve of mine. But he did still have good voice inflection, so I never felt lost on who was speaking.
In terms of the plot, the author did a great job. I thought this was excellently paced, the tension was palpable, I was thoroughly engrossed the entire time, loved the atmosphere, and I really believed in the stakes. Also, the level of gore in this is astronomical (please check TW for basically everything, this has a lot of terrifying stuff in it).
I also liked how no character was really 'good'. Beth was the closest we got to a morally upright character, but even she did bad things. This factor really added a lot to the tone and intrigue of the book.
The only thing I didn't particularly care for was the explanation of the Mayor's powers. His character definitely needed some more fleshing out to make everything feel a bit more plausible. As it stands, the final reveal on his powers and whatnot was flimsy enough to detract from my enjoyment. But despite that, this is still a solid, no pulled punches horror that's definitely not for the faint of heart. I'd recommend it!
TW: rape, loss of a baby, loss of a loved one, cannibalism, auto-cannibalism, talk of pedophilia, torture, murder, gore, violence, suicide, suicide ideation, and more
punkersfictionreads's review against another edition
4.0
The Dust You Shall Return is a creepy town that will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time.
Wow wow wow, this book blew me away honestly. I was not expecting the brutality and gore that we get in this book and I loved every minute of it. I think it’s best to go into this story knowing absolutely nothing and hanging on for the wild ride.
I highly suggest checking out this one!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Wow wow wow, this book blew me away honestly. I was not expecting the brutality and gore that we get in this book and I loved every minute of it. I think it’s best to go into this story knowing absolutely nothing and hanging on for the wild ride.
I highly suggest checking out this one!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
fixatedonfiction's review
4.0
A good twisty horror, with an evil leader, a rebellion, and a hero (or a not hero). This book has cults, family betrayal, lots of gore, and lots of death.
This book was surprising, the beginning started out with what I thought was going to be a mafia horror novel, and it got me thinking about that Sopranos episode with the movie Chris makes, and I was like I'm not going to get my hopes up. But it was surprisingly good, and only a smidge to do with the mafia.
I loved all the characters, and the legends involved. The twists were great and surprising, you'd never see them coming.
This book was surprising, the beginning started out with what I thought was going to be a mafia horror novel, and it got me thinking about that Sopranos episode with the movie Chris makes, and I was like I'm not going to get my hopes up. But it was surprisingly good, and only a smidge to do with the mafia.
I loved all the characters, and the legends involved. The twists were great and surprising, you'd never see them coming.