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Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'
This Skin Was Once Mine and Other Disturbances by Eric LaRocca
29 reviews
If you've read Eric LaRocca before, I think you probably already know what you're getting yourself into. Though I will say, this one felt more reserved than some of the other ones I've read but it's still a gory, disturbing read. I think I was most interested in the first of the three stories, but this was overall a pretty good read. Entertaining, intriguing, and dark.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Gore, Incest, Pedophilia, Torture, Violence, Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror, Self harm, Torture, Violence
Minor: Death, Death of parent
— psychological horror. interesting twist on an old concept. however, this had way too many plotholes and the author never gives even a hint of an explanation for the main characters behavior. i do have to admit though that the ending was quite scary bc i imagined myself in the mc's situation and... yeah, no thank you.
— tw:
Seedling. ✩ ½
— body horror. i get that it is supposed to be a metaphor for grief, but the overall execution was kinda meh.
— tw:
All the Parts of You That Won't Easily Burn. ✩✩
— body horror. again, interesting idea but the execution fell pretty flat. sometimes it works to not give too much background information but in this case i would have loved some kind of explanation to why these people were doing what they were doing. i think the more realistic horror is, the more horrifying it feels. and this was so unrealistic that it wasnt. also, what was that ending? its like the author mixed two different stories.
— tw:
Prickle. ✩✩✩
— see, this one was actually quite good. the idea behind it was interesting enough that it could have been made into a novella or even a full-length novel if it would have been done well. reminded me a bit of stephen king. the ending was
— tw:
the cover is amazing. most of the premises were interesting. executions fell pretty flat. however, i think if you enjoy larocca's other work, you will likely appreciate this as well.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Self harm
Moderate: Pedophilia, Blood, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Gore, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Blood, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
The first story which the book is named for has Gillian Flynn vibes but much darkner.
My favorite story was the 3rd, All the Parts of You That Won't Easily Burn but I can't share why without risking spoilers.
The 2nd book, Seedling, reminds me of Kathe Koja's The Cipher and I do think that fans of that novel will enjoy this collection.
Prickle was my least favorite of the stories but it was also a good read.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Self harm, Slavery, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Self harm, Death of parent
Moderate: Pedophilia, Grief, Fire/Fire injury
This Skin Was Once Mine narrated by Natalie Naudus – A lurid examination of a woman’s possessive obsession and how cyclical abuse can be perpetuated when people never learn what healthy love looks like. Natalie Naudus did an incredible job of embodying Jillian and bringing life into the various characters she interacts with.
Seedling narrated by André Santana – This one hit the hardest for me because of the unflinching look at grief following the death of a loved one to cancer. The small reflections the main character has as he tries to process his mother’s death are painfully realistic. A desperation to connect with his father leads down an unsettling path as the emptiness felt inside by the two manifests in mysterious physical wounds with nothing inside. André Santana’s narration expertly conveyed the emotional state of the character throughout the piece.
All the Parts of You That Won’t Easily Burn narrated by Michael Crouch – The third story delivers on body horror as Enoch meets a group that shares his masochistic tendencies and is tasked to recruit a new member that will embrace their ways. Michael Crouch’s narration shines with sinister tones bleeding into the normalcy of Enoch’s life as he falls further into his obsession.
Prickle narrated by Steven Crossley – In the final tale, a slow burn story unfolds as two old men engage in more dangerous acts in their game of cruelty. Steven Crossley demonstrates excellent distinction between the characters, with each having their own unique personality. The story ramps up to a shocking conclusion that drives home how far cruelty can go.
Thank you Dreamscape Media for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Abandonment
Minor: Toxic relationship, Vomit