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readerette's review against another edition
dark
funny
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
4.0
The ending was a strange choice given the tenor of the rest of the storytelling, but this was an immersive, dark read full of complex characters and magic in a grimy, monstrous dimension just a little offset from our own. I found myself frequently worried about the odds of survival for each main character and about their abilities to overcome their enemies and the consequences of their mistakes, which lent tension and realism to the story.
It also feels like it's meant to be continued, so I guess we'll see if there's ever another.
Heed the content warnings. I have a middling tolerance for fictional gore, and this one tested my boundaries for sure.
It also feels like it's meant to be continued, so I guess we'll see if there's ever another.
Heed the content warnings. I have a middling tolerance for fictional gore, and this one tested my boundaries for sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Suicide and Cursing
thiscryptidreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
đź“– - 393 pages
Genre: occult horror
POV: Single
Read via the Libby app
This was a vivid gory acid trip. Constantine meets American Gods vibes with a dash of Angels Wolf, Ram, and Hart.
I loved the characters they all had so much depth you wanted to know more about them with each page turn, you're endeared and invested with Julie and her friends until the end and their mysterious, magical and macabre world.
The book is a bit stuffy to read at times. Using some verbiage, I felt you might need a dictionary or Google search to make sure you were following along right. There were so many layers to the story, and each chapter Ping ponged you somewhere else so quickly it was occasionally hard to follow, so much so that the ending felt rushed and a bit cliffhangery. I was left needing more. (Hopefully a book 2 happens)
The slow burn added a nice tension that really drove the characters all the way to the end despite their being no actual romance most of the time. You want to cheer for them.
Tyler can eat a bag of dicks. (No I won't explain further)
You can find more of my reviews on all social platforms under the username ThisCryptidReads.
Genre: occult horror
POV: Single
Read via the Libby app
This was a vivid gory acid trip. Constantine meets American Gods vibes with a dash of Angels Wolf, Ram, and Hart.
I loved the characters they all had so much depth you wanted to know more about them with each page turn, you're endeared and invested with Julie and her friends until the end and their mysterious, magical and macabre world.
The book is a bit stuffy to read at times. Using some verbiage, I felt you might need a dictionary or Google search to make sure you were following along right. There were so many layers to the story, and each chapter Ping ponged you somewhere else so quickly it was occasionally hard to follow, so much so that the ending felt rushed and a bit cliffhangery. I was left needing more. (Hopefully a book 2 happens)
The slow burn added a nice tension that really drove the characters all the way to the end despite their being no actual romance most of the time. You want to cheer for them.
Tyler can eat a bag of dicks. (No I won't explain further)
You can find more of my reviews on all social platforms under the username ThisCryptidReads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Body horror
Moderate: Death, Self harm, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Addiction, Torture, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Vomit
sarcomatic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
For a book featuring cosmic horror and a fair amount of gore, this was a fun light read that made me feel like I was watching an action movie, complete with the loveable cast of characters and their constant quips even amidst tense moments of exorcising demons. The pacing was great, and we had just enough rotation of perspectives where it was exciting to get different perspectives, and not confusing. And of course, I love gay yearning. I'm not a romance reader, but the amount of romance in this book was perfect for me as I was honestly wishing for a little bit more! I will be purchasing the sequel as soon as it releases.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Gore
Minor: Drug use
jessicafee86's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I heard someone describe Cassandra Khaw's writing as gorgeously, gooey horror and this book is a perfect example of that. This is the only book I've ever read that has felt weirdly hopeful even while I'm digging through endless piles of intestines and bowel for pages on end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cannibalism, Death, Murder, Gore, Physical abuse, Suicide, Blood, Torture, Cursing, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Grief
mmuutthh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is a fun, brisk read that is my introduction to both of these authors. I would be happy to pick up something by either individually to see if some of the things I didn't really latch on to were general interests of both authors or elevated more by one than the other. That tone is one of those "everybody sounds the same and says 'fuck' a lot, does drugs, and is way cooler than you," which is fine, but I kind of feel like I grew out of that after reading too much Warren Ellis. To each their own.
I loved the horror elements and some of it worked good twists on those tried and true cosmic beings from beyond tropes.
I want a book all about St. Joan!
I loved the horror elements and some of it worked good twists on those tried and true cosmic beings from beyond tropes.
I want a book all about St. Joan!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Self harm, Violence, Death, Cursing, Gore, Body horror, Suicide, Drug abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Murder, Gun violence, and Blood
soloros's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Great book. Some of the dialogue is a little ham fisted but overall a fun read. If you’re squeamish, be prepared to skip some pretty detailed and graphic descriptions of gore and violence to organs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Gore, Violence, and Drug abuse
vicious's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Body horror, Gore, Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Drug abuse, and Domestic abuse
vaguewhisperings's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So fun to read. All characters were interesting, worldbuilding was fantastic. Such good writing- had to look away few times since descriptions were graphic. Fun plot. Ending didn't feel quite right but works as lead up to second book. Great book, would read again; have recced to multiple people
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Body horror, Murder, Torture, Blood, Suicide, Violence, Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction and Alcohol
Minor: Domestic abuse and Grief
garyosu's review
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Cannibalism, Alcoholism, Blood, Drug abuse, Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Murder, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Vomit, Suicide, Violence, and Torture
agentmozell's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
This was gross and I think it’s my sign that I am not a cosmic horror fan and perhaps not a fan of Cassandra Khaw. I really liked Nothing But Blackened Teeth, it was weirdly poetic and I was neither here nor there with Salt Grows Heavy, but this one I just didn’t enjoy. I’ve not read anything by the other author, maybe I’ll give one of their books a try to see if I feel the same. But I did not enjoy this.
I did listen to it and maybe it was just too much for a listen. The scenes were graphic, which I don’t mind, but it was like, constant gruesome scenes. It was just too much and lost the effect of horror or creepy and was just disgusting.
The story otherwise was okay I guess? The POVs switched a lot and it was hard to keep up—again, probably an audio book issue—and I never got a good grasp on what the hell was going on. Too many subplots to keep track of.
I DID however love the cute little romance. Those scenes were absolutely adorable and I could have a whole book of just that and be happy.
Yeah, I don’t think I’ll continue this series, this just wasn’t for me and I feel guilty for saying that. Honestly I might’ve liked it more if it was another short novella instead of full length.
I did listen to it and maybe it was just too much for a listen. The scenes were graphic, which I don’t mind, but it was like, constant gruesome scenes. It was just too much and lost the effect of horror or creepy and was just disgusting.
The story otherwise was okay I guess? The POVs switched a lot and it was hard to keep up—again, probably an audio book issue—and I never got a good grasp on what the hell was going on. Too many subplots to keep track of.
I DID however love the cute little romance. Those scenes were absolutely adorable and I could have a whole book of just that and be happy.
Yeah, I don’t think I’ll continue this series, this just wasn’t for me and I feel guilty for saying that. Honestly I might’ve liked it more if it was another short novella instead of full length.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, and Gore