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fkshg8465's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
I enjoyed this book enough, but it was too superficial. It would’ve been better if it had leaned into the grandmother’s backstory instead of explaining her personality in a couple of sentences. It would’ve given the book more depth and rationale as to her internal motives. Instead, the focus was on the mother, who was a plot device at best. Also, the conflict and denouement were anticlimactic in comparison to the buildup to the story climax. Felt like a good first effort, except the author is prolific and has been published since 2009.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
vixenreader's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
An unsettling yet enjoyable read, this Southern Gothic story reflects on how nasty traditions and rotten ideologies can be lurking beneath the sweet-smelling rosebushes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Racism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Minor: Vomit and Abandonment
Be warned that this book addresses generational trauma, C-PTSD due to abuse from a parental figure, abuses with the occult, parental neglect, swarms of insects, and one mention of semen in the occult ritual.
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