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oliviaclaire's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
2.5
I thought Cackle would make for a great cosy spooky read to start off October but on reflection I'm glad that I read this book after Such Sharp Teeth because I enjoyed that and I think reading Cackle first would have put me off Rachel Harrison.
There are two main issues I have with this book. The first is that neither of the protagonists are particularly likeable. In fact, they're not at all likeable. Annie has moved upstate due to the abrupt and unfortunate end of a long term relationship. Her heartbreak and general depression are totally understandable, until you learn that Annie has not ever not been in a relationship since middle school and within those relationships she has compromised to the point of self-erasure to sustain them and even repeatedly ditched friendships for them. Annie is the definition of 'desperate' and 'unable to be on her own'.
Cue Sophie, Annie's new best friend and suspected (it's really blatantly obvious) witch. Sophie attempts to convince Annie that there is more to life than a boyfriend, that she can be a happily single woman content in her own power. This sounds like it could be a significant improvement to Annie's outlook, if only Sophie didn't use threats, spying, pressure and non-consensual psychedelic drugs to achieve her ends...
When Annie does make the eventual decision to leave her ex Sam behind once and for all, Harrison then gives him a horrific character flaw that robs Annie entirely of her agency again. She had just decided that she didn't need him simply because she didn't need him so for her to make that choice and then walk in on him essentially two timing her means that she no longer just made the decision to leave in a no fault split because she was strong enough to be alone but because her ex is a dirty dirty cheater.
The second issue with this book is that aside from the unhealthy friendship between Annie and Sophie, along with Annie's general mopiness, not much of note actually happens in this book. There are some interesting moments but the plot doesn't really go anywhere.
It was a shame as I did enjoy Such Sharp Teeth and I think I'll still read Black Sheep before making a final judgment on Harrison's books in general but Cackle was a miss for me.
On a positive note, plus 0.5 stars for Ralph. He was very sweet and I enjoyed him immensely. He reminded me of the YouTube spider Lucas.
There are two main issues I have with this book. The first is that neither of the protagonists are particularly likeable. In fact, they're not at all likeable. Annie has moved upstate due to the abrupt and unfortunate end of a long term relationship. Her heartbreak and general depression are totally understandable, until you learn that Annie has not ever not been in a relationship since middle school and within those relationships she has compromised to the point of self-erasure to sustain them and even repeatedly ditched friendships for them. Annie is the definition of 'desperate' and 'unable to be on her own'.
Cue Sophie, Annie's new best friend and suspected (it's really blatantly obvious) witch. Sophie attempts to convince Annie that there is more to life than a boyfriend, that she can be a happily single woman content in her own power. This sounds like it could be a significant improvement to Annie's outlook, if only Sophie didn't use threats, spying, pressure and non-consensual psychedelic drugs to achieve her ends...
The second issue with this book is that aside from the unhealthy friendship between Annie and Sophie, along with Annie's general mopiness, not much of note actually happens in this book. There are some interesting moments but the plot doesn't really go anywhere.
It was a shame as I did enjoy Such Sharp Teeth and I think I'll still read Black Sheep before making a final judgment on Harrison's books in general but Cackle was a miss for me.
On a positive note, plus 0.5 stars for Ralph. He was very sweet and I enjoyed him immensely. He reminded me of the YouTube spider Lucas.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Drug use, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Infidelity
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