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imaginary_memories's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
3.75
calliegraphy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
snowiceblackfruit77's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Sexual content, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Gore, Grief, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Vomit, and Medical content
precioussantiago's review against another edition
5.0
ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴡᴇɪʀᴅ, ᴜɴꜱᴇᴛᴛʟɪɴɢ, ᴅᴀʀᴋ, ʙɪᴢᴀʀʀᴇ, ᴀᴛᴍᴏꜱᴘʜᴇʀɪᴄ.
I don’t hear much talk about this book which is sort of surprising to me. Especially with the current popularity of books featuring “weird and unhinged girlies”. This was published in 2019 so it is possible that there was more talk around the time of its release.
This story follows our main character Nif, a teenage girl vacationing with her family for the summer at a cottage in the Welsh countryside. We quickly learn that the family has recently experienced a tragedy that has dismantled them. The mother is almost in a catatonic state, chain smoking and is no longer capable of caring for her children. Nif’s younger brother Lorrie barely communicates anymore, and the father is hardly keeping it together trying to maintain this facade of normalcy to keep the family in good spirits.
There is apparent dysfunction and readers are in Nif’s head the entire time, which is absolute mind torture for the reader. She has turned to performing weird rituals involving birds and incantations.
There’s a lot more going on in the story that is best left for readers to experience all on their own. This is a definite slow burn, but the tension is built on each page. It was so compulsive, despite its slow pace I did not want to stop reading I just had to know what was going to happen.
The atmosphere in this book was on point. The heat felt like a character in, lending this stagnant, stifling, “boiling over” kind of vibe that is happening. After reading this and searching for more of this authors work, I’ve seen comparisons to Shirley Jackson, and I would have to agree. Mind you I’ve only ever read “We Have Always Lived in the Castle”, but this book definitely has similar vibes. There is also a folky horror kind of thing going on. I can’t categorize it as folk horror exactly , but it’s definitely got the vibe.
I would highly recommend to readers who enjoy weird books that explore themes of grief, teen angst, depression, isolation, religion, and feelings of loneliness.
I don’t hear much talk about this book which is sort of surprising to me. Especially with the current popularity of books featuring “weird and unhinged girlies”. This was published in 2019 so it is possible that there was more talk around the time of its release.
This story follows our main character Nif, a teenage girl vacationing with her family for the summer at a cottage in the Welsh countryside. We quickly learn that the family has recently experienced a tragedy that has dismantled them. The mother is almost in a catatonic state, chain smoking and is no longer capable of caring for her children. Nif’s younger brother Lorrie barely communicates anymore, and the father is hardly keeping it together trying to maintain this facade of normalcy to keep the family in good spirits.
There is apparent dysfunction and readers are in Nif’s head the entire time, which is absolute mind torture for the reader. She has turned to performing weird rituals involving birds and incantations.
There’s a lot more going on in the story that is best left for readers to experience all on their own. This is a definite slow burn, but the tension is built on each page. It was so compulsive, despite its slow pace I did not want to stop reading I just had to know what was going to happen.
The atmosphere in this book was on point. The heat felt like a character in, lending this stagnant, stifling, “boiling over” kind of vibe that is happening. After reading this and searching for more of this authors work, I’ve seen comparisons to Shirley Jackson, and I would have to agree. Mind you I’ve only ever read “We Have Always Lived in the Castle”, but this book definitely has similar vibes. There is also a folky horror kind of thing going on. I can’t categorize it as folk horror exactly , but it’s definitely got the vibe.
I would highly recommend to readers who enjoy weird books that explore themes of grief, teen angst, depression, isolation, religion, and feelings of loneliness.
ali_w15's review against another edition
5.0
Hauntingly beautiful, dark and tragic. All the elements of the macabre and something below the surface you can’t quite put your finger on. Engaging characters and a plot that makes you eager to read on. Great twist at the end. Thoroughly enjoyed it. A worthwhile read.
floomp375's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
3.0
rene_lytle's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
vizira's review against another edition
3.0
this was ... fine? but decidedly not a horror novel. i think if i was expecting a moody atmospheric literary novel instead i would of enjoyed it a bit more