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ness_ness's review against another edition
Was not up for a story where the protagonist is abandoned by everyone around them, shamed, & gaslit, while actively knowing that something bad is occuring. Skipped through the remainder of the book, technically a happy ending but the protagonist seemingly loses her entire life as she knew it, struggles going forward, and the resolution is not very satisfying
snakem's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
2.75
Please check the content warnings before reading.
I found nearly every character at some point to be horrible. The main character doesn’t grow a spine until like80% in, her husband is so manipulative it hurts, and her children are monsters. She even lets one of them become what is essentially a neo nazi and just dramatically blames herself for it and does nothing about it. Everyone needs therapy in this book. I know the writing of these characters was intentional by the author, but I was at my wit’s end.
I found nearly every character at some point to be horrible. The main character doesn’t grow a spine until like
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Suicide attempt, and Body horror
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
mrami7's review against another edition
5.0
*DISCLAIMER/WARNING* Contains an allusion to physical assault and one sexual assault flashback. Those with a rat phobia (musophobia) and bug phobia (entomophobia) should skip 2 chapters.
Boy, this book was a roller coaster. While some have compared this to Steel Magnolias, I didn’t see much resemblance after the first one-hundred pages. The women have a good sense of humor as well as the beginning, but once the story takes off it gets rather grim and graphic.
The book relies on some tried and true horror tropes, but Grady brings a sense of freshness to them. There were some points where it felt similar to the BBC “Dracula” series (which I happened to enjoy). Not once did I get bored, and once I reached the midpoint it felt like the gas pedal hit the floor and refused to let up.
Patricia’s family life and subsequent drama is the central story here, which is wrapped around a suspenseful horror murder-mystery story. Patricia’s story is the classic “be careful what you wish for” tale, while also being an examination of how distance within a family can lead to irreparable harm.
Boy, this book was a roller coaster. While some have compared this to Steel Magnolias, I didn’t see much resemblance after the first one-hundred pages. The women have a good sense of humor as well as the beginning, but once the story takes off it gets rather grim and graphic.
The book relies on some tried and true horror tropes, but Grady brings a sense of freshness to them. There were some points where it felt similar to the BBC “Dracula” series (which I happened to enjoy). Not once did I get bored, and once I reached the midpoint it felt like the gas pedal hit the floor and refused to let up.
Patricia’s family life and subsequent drama is the central story here, which is wrapped around a suspenseful horror murder-mystery story. Patricia’s story is the classic “be careful what you wish for” tale, while also being an examination of how distance within a family can lead to irreparable harm.
eversteph's review against another edition
3.0
I really waffled between 3 and 4 stars, so think of this as 3.5 stars if you want. I had a lot of fun reading this, and I really appreciated the cheeky voice. It had good tension and gnarly gore for a horror book.
I think I just struggled with/would have appreciated more unity from the book club members. This brought me out of the immersion of the story at times. I think more generally I just struggled with characters behaving inconsistently.
Still a great vampire book, and if you like the vibe of desperate housewives meets dracula/Ted bundy, this book is good fun.
I think I just struggled with/would have appreciated more unity from the book club members. This brought me out of the immersion of the story at times. I think more generally I just struggled with characters behaving inconsistently.
Still a great vampire book, and if you like the vibe of desperate housewives meets dracula/Ted bundy, this book is good fun.
olgawritesthings's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Racism, Sexual assault, Medical content, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Gore, and Death
Minor: Suicide attempt
lexithomas's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
keyreadz's review against another edition
soft dnf, will pick it back up eventually
skz0424's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this book. Parts were quirky but it really bothered me that a man had so much power and audacity to ruin someone’s life. And I’m not talking about the vampire. Carter, the lead’s husband, was a horrible human and I hated everything about him. I don’t know if that means the author was great for stirring that response or terrible for how much I hated him. He really ruined the book for me.