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henrygravesprince's review
dark
mysterious
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
3.75
The first 75% is okay, the mystery being compelling enough to keep me from DNFing, but the characters are all rather unlikable and the writing is somewhat repetitive. However, the last 25%, and the ending in particular, are REALLY strong. I also think the unlikability of the characters was intentional, but I wish they had been made a bit easier to root for, especially Lola, in the beginning. I wouldn’t mind trying out the author’s other work in the future, provided the premise was interesting, but I don’t think I’ll actively seek it out.
Overall, I think the book pulled off what it intended to do.I found the usage of three different characters suffering three distinct forms of abuse at the hands of a parent—Lorelei having experienced childhood sexual abuse, Lola being emotionally abused by Nolan her whole life, and Carter experiencing physical abuse from his mother—very effective, tying well into the themes of unreliability and of abuse taking many different forms, both layered into the potential supernatural elements as well. I do wish the interview framing element had been utilized a little more, rather than just as book-ends, maybe even just one more segment of it in the middle of the book. Ultimately, I think this is a solid horror-adjacent YA mystery/thriller novel with some dark themes and heavy unreliability.
Overall, I think the book pulled off what it intended to do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Murder, Blood, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual harassment, Suicide, Alcoholism, and Incest
Hallucinations; Unrealityruthmoog's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.25
Really gripping from the beginning, this had a quite unique setting and I was into it!
But in the end it was less of a horror spectacle than just a really sad story.
The repeated use of "optimal" was irritating, I had thought Lola's behaviours were pointing to some neuro-spiciness but by the end I thought not so much. And still some mysteries were unanswered.
Loved the descriptions of the tree and the Jitterbugs.
But in the end it was less of a horror spectacle than just a really sad story.
The repeated use of "optimal" was irritating, I had thought Lola's behaviours were pointing to some neuro-spiciness but by the end I thought not so much. And still some mysteries were unanswered.
Loved the descriptions of the tree and the Jitterbugs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Alcoholism
Moderate: Kidnapping, Murder, Death of parent, Alcohol, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Body horror, Mental illness, and Suicide
Trauma, Sexual abuse, Missing persons, Grooming, Memory suppression
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