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aardwyrm's review
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Valente's stylized approach to novels, like any experimental art, is always striking and memorable, though this isn't one of the more successful experiments. The prose is luscious, the fairy-tale horror well executed, and nothing's really missing. It just also doesn't add up to anything greater than the sum of its parts. A lot of novellas are short novels. This one is a long short story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, Death, Eating disorder, Misogyny, Sexual content, Grief, Gaslighting, Murder, Sexism, Physical abuse, and Violence
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