Reviews

We Ate the Dark by Mallory Pearson

jesshart8's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

katiestaysbooked's review against another edition

I’ve kind of been in a reading slump, but I also have been really struggling to get through this story. The multiple POV’s and not knowing who is telling the story. The insane amount of extra details that just aren’t necessary. It really distracts me from what is even going on. I know I’ve made it so far in the book but idk.. I would like to move onto something else.

erikaretia's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

amberpants's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

2.0

This story has potential, and it is frustrating to see it squandered. The author writes very descriptively - I would argue overly so - but spends too much time adding detail and gravitas to the wrong things. The lack of character development is disheartening. Each chapter follows a different character. Open the book to the middle of almost any chapter, and you could be following any one of the three main characters; so many of the traits, mannerisms, thought processes, etc, are interchangeable among the three. The pacing is uneven. The mood seems to ramp up at strange times, yet go nowhere. There are big reveals that don't pay off. It was overall a letdown.

lakeside_knitter's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

dani_thebookdragon's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

jenn1177's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.25

I really hated this book. 

photogenicegg's review against another edition

A lot of super long descriptive flowery language but where did we really get in the 50% that I read. The POV was sorta one person each chapter but that was confusing because it seemed to switch. And the flashbacks were odd. They would pop up randomly and I wouldn't realize until halfway through that it was meant to be a flashback.

jellievayas's review against another edition

3.0

I really wanted to like this book, and the story and world building is right up my alley but like many other reviews here...the lyrical prose got in the way of the story and it felt like it was dragging on in a way that makes it feel like another story arc starting in the very end of it without any time to fully flesh out these new pieces being brought in. I also was confused about a few big story plot points but overall I'm glad I read it, I want to check out this author's future works now after delving into this folk horror book!

wellreadintrovert's review against another edition

We Ate the Dark is the perfect example of less is more. 

The story itself is there, however the overly long sentences are just not necessary. It often felt like it was meant to be deep and mysterious wordsmithing, but just turned into what felt like a two page essay being turned into a ten page through a generator. It turns out that this style of writing is probably not for me and I feel that the plot itself was taking a backseat to the lyrical prose. 

I was left with the feeling of hoping the read was almost complete but not having a lot of story and found myself only 25% through. I knew at that point that this would be a slog. I have finished and I don't know who I would even recommend this to. 

Thank you to NetGalley, 47North & Mallory Pearson for an advanced copy for review. With how long it took me to get this one finished, it is now available.