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readundancies's review against another edition
DNF @ page 79. Give or take because I’ve skimmed the middle but I’m not counting that.
Is the whole Hotel California thing a trope? Because if so, this book has it in spades.
Totally not why I’ve DNF’d this though.
I just think this kind overt horror is not for me.
I don’t like that Harlow is this creepy fucked up place with creepy fucked up things going on within it and everyone just kind of goes along with it. Beth’s perspective has all of this unnerving maliciousness that feeds off of the town of Harlow and it all circles around their sinister Mayor and none of it makes sense to me, but everyone within the town’s borders seems to find it very commonplace. It’s so extreme right off the get go and I think I prefer to ease into my horror and get increasingly weirded out, instead of it just served on a silver platter right at the beginning. I need that build up. Because at this point, I’m not terrified, I’m just confused.
There’s also this mystery plot seed embedded in Curtis’ perspective which is almost completely subverted by the sadistic torture that permeates Beth’s. They connect fairly quickly and in an obvious manner (especially if one decides to partake in the back cover synopsis), and because of the pacing I’m not feeling like there’s enough time for me to settle with the characters.
So yeah, this horror is not my kind of horror, but I’m glad I picked it up so I could learn that about myself.
sierrainstitches's review against another edition
4.0
Good. In some places it really dragged on, and I ended up just skimming through, but the premise was good. Definitely had some features that I didn’t love (e.g. people eating), but that’s personal preference. Biggest complaint is the editing. Multiple typos and missed paragraph breaks. Like… did anyone look over this, or nah?
spookyoctopusreads's review against another edition
4.0
No one is allowed to leave Harlow. To leave means you will be chased down, dragged back to Harlow, and subject to cruel punishments from "the Mayor" and his disciples. The Mayor rules with a sinister, terrifying hand, and those that cross him are lucky to come away with their lives.
When Curtis Quinn, a Chicago mob affiliate, loses the woman he loves, his quest to find her leads him straight to Harlow. Once in Harlow, his path crosses with Beth Jarvis, a teenager trying to uncover the secrets of her hometown and her sister, Kate's successful escape from Harlow years ago. Curtis discovers that the woman he loves is none other than Kate, and that she is running from something far more evil than he expected.
Guys, I went into this book essentially knowing nothing and not sure what to expect...and then I TORE through this one!!! The cult-like atmosphere of Harlow enveloped me and I was rooting for Curtis and Beth to take the Mayor down and break the other townspeople of their devotion to him. The character development in TDYSR is fantastic. I hated the Mayor, but I LOVEDDD him as a character- such a perfectly fleshed out villain!!! I love a book with well placed gore, and this one certainly delivered in that aspect as well. Gross, bloody, stabby-- all the right things for a horror/thriller read. The story itself is full of darkness and twists, and the interjection of a snarky remark or something that induces a little chuckle kept it super enjoyable and unique.
Grab this one for your summer reading list, and thank me later!
**Thank you Turner Publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
When Curtis Quinn, a Chicago mob affiliate, loses the woman he loves, his quest to find her leads him straight to Harlow. Once in Harlow, his path crosses with Beth Jarvis, a teenager trying to uncover the secrets of her hometown and her sister, Kate's successful escape from Harlow years ago. Curtis discovers that the woman he loves is none other than Kate, and that she is running from something far more evil than he expected.
Guys, I went into this book essentially knowing nothing and not sure what to expect...and then I TORE through this one!!! The cult-like atmosphere of Harlow enveloped me and I was rooting for Curtis and Beth to take the Mayor down and break the other townspeople of their devotion to him. The character development in TDYSR is fantastic. I hated the Mayor, but I LOVEDDD him as a character- such a perfectly fleshed out villain!!! I love a book with well placed gore, and this one certainly delivered in that aspect as well. Gross, bloody, stabby-- all the right things for a horror/thriller read. The story itself is full of darkness and twists, and the interjection of a snarky remark or something that induces a little chuckle kept it super enjoyable and unique.
Grab this one for your summer reading list, and thank me later!
**Thank you Turner Publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
angiechureads's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for providing me with an early audiobook copy of this!
Fred Venturini's "To Dust You Shall Return" in an audiobook was engaging and a delight to listen to. The narrator, Pete Cross, does a really good job setting the tone with his voice. I kind of wished that the audiobook had more sound effects, especially for the more graphic parts of the book because I think that would have elevated the horror aspects of the narrative. That said, Cross does a really good job selling the story and engaging the listener.
Story-wise the narrative felt very uneven for me. I felt that other than the gruesome and at times, graphic, depictions of violence and horror, the novel itself didn't come across as horror or even scary to me. I love horror literature and just enjoy horror as a genre so I was quite disappointed that for the most part, the horror in this novel came from gross depictions rather than horrific events or characters. The "big bad guy" and the Harlow I think could have been scarier in my opinion but I did find the characters to be engaging and interesting to follow.
Aside from the uneven depictions of physical horror, this is a quick listen for something spooky during the summer evenings.
Fred Venturini's "To Dust You Shall Return" in an audiobook was engaging and a delight to listen to. The narrator, Pete Cross, does a really good job setting the tone with his voice. I kind of wished that the audiobook had more sound effects, especially for the more graphic parts of the book because I think that would have elevated the horror aspects of the narrative. That said, Cross does a really good job selling the story and engaging the listener.
Story-wise the narrative felt very uneven for me. I felt that other than the gruesome and at times, graphic, depictions of violence and horror, the novel itself didn't come across as horror or even scary to me. I love horror literature and just enjoy horror as a genre so I was quite disappointed that for the most part, the horror in this novel came from gross depictions rather than horrific events or characters. The "big bad guy" and the Harlow I think could have been scarier in my opinion but I did find the characters to be engaging and interesting to follow.
Aside from the uneven depictions of physical horror, this is a quick listen for something spooky during the summer evenings.
slashysatch's review against another edition
4.0
Two points of view. One town with a dark secret. Kate Jarvis and Curtis Quinn are complete strangers, but they share a common goal. They want to take down The Mayor of Harlow.
This book was a good story of a creepy cult town with more to it than meets the eye. Fred Venturini did a good job creating a dark atmosphere and horrific back story that created The Mayor.
Thanks Turner Publishing for providing me with an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
ghostie_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
2.5
To Dust You Shall Return by Fred Venturini is absorbing. The book centers around the town of Harlow and the secrets it possesses. The town is overseen by a mysterious man, only known as "The Mayor," no one is allowed to leave, if you do, you're hunted down and subjected to The Mayor's sadistic brand of torture. When Curtis Quinn (notorious Mobster) encounters Beth Jarvis (a local teen) on his hunt for his missing girlfriend, the two are sent on a path to uncover the truth. It turns out that Curtis's lover and girlfriend Kate is also Beth's sister. The two decide to figure out exactly who and what Kate is running from.
This story was, as Grey's Anatomy puts it, "dark and twisty." The characters fall in line with your typical anti-heroes, which I found extremely refreshing. Even Beth, who is the most morally upright of the bunch, still has her moments where she makes decisions that are not "good." The Mayor was such a creepy antagonist that I couldn't help but jump at every noise in my house for at least a day after I finished listening to this book. Even though his character could have used a little more explanation, what readers get is enough to creep them out. The narrator did an excellent job of conveying the story, but I wish there had been just a tad more variance in his vocals for the different characters. Overall, it was a really well-written book that will probably haunt me for years to come. This book is not for the faint of heart. I, myself, (self-proclaimed Halloween-lover and horror movie fanatic) almost was not able to finish listening.
Some trigger warnings to be aware of are gore, bodily horror, death, torture, blood, suicide, suicidal ideation, and more.
Overall rating: 3/5
To Dust You Shall Return is available for purchase now. Be sure to add it to your Goodreads shelf and see where it's available for purchase. Also, be sure to check out Fred Venturini’s website!
I was lucky enough to be able to listen to this Advanced Reader's Copy through my partnership with NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
This story was, as Grey's Anatomy puts it, "dark and twisty." The characters fall in line with your typical anti-heroes, which I found extremely refreshing. Even Beth, who is the most morally upright of the bunch, still has her moments where she makes decisions that are not "good." The Mayor was such a creepy antagonist that I couldn't help but jump at every noise in my house for at least a day after I finished listening to this book. Even though his character could have used a little more explanation, what readers get is enough to creep them out. The narrator did an excellent job of conveying the story, but I wish there had been just a tad more variance in his vocals for the different characters. Overall, it was a really well-written book that will probably haunt me for years to come. This book is not for the faint of heart. I, myself, (self-proclaimed Halloween-lover and horror movie fanatic) almost was not able to finish listening.
Some trigger warnings to be aware of are gore, bodily horror, death, torture, blood, suicide, suicidal ideation, and more.
Overall rating: 3/5
To Dust You Shall Return is available for purchase now. Be sure to add it to your Goodreads shelf and see where it's available for purchase. Also, be sure to check out Fred Venturini’s website!
I was lucky enough to be able to listen to this Advanced Reader's Copy through my partnership with NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
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