Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
CAWPILE score: 9.29
Wow. Wow wow wow. What a phenomenal book. I’m learning that dual timelines in books is definitely my thing, especially as it pertains to the same character. Seeing Stella grow and change between when she was younger to present-day was wonderful, even when I knew what was coming. And that ending? Goddamn, it was something. Basically the last quarter of the book was non-stop, but I loved how character-focused the rest of it was. 10/10, I want to buy a physical copy so I can annotate it.
Wow. Wow wow wow. What a phenomenal book. I’m learning that dual timelines in books is definitely my thing, especially as it pertains to the same character. Seeing Stella grow and change between when she was younger to present-day was wonderful, even when I knew what was coming. And that ending? Goddamn, it was something. Basically the last quarter of the book was non-stop, but I loved how character-focused the rest of it was. 10/10, I want to buy a physical copy so I can annotate it.
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this shortly after finding the music of Lingua Ignota, which has some overlapping themes of Christianity, abuse, self sacrifice, Appalachia, etc, and after watching the series Midnight Mass, which also uses fantasy and horror to illustrate a community's relationship to religion. Didn't disappoint. I'd be slightly more scared in a cave now than I was before.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
i could read about stella for a lifetime but that ending oh mY GOODNESS
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF’ed :-/. Not bad. Just didn’t hold my attention and my TBR is so tall now; I only have so much time in this life to read all these damn books!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really liked this book. I loved Stella. She’s an excellent main character. The plot was a little slow at times and the switching of timelines threw off the building of suspense. The ending was jarring in how abrupt it was. Despite all those things, I enjoyed this book a lot. The best of the book was definitely in the journey.
This book was beautifully written. I have a great appreciation when an author can write other genders they do not identity as well. I’m not always a fan when stories switch back and forth from past to present every chapter but this was done in a way that didn’t irritate me other than sometimes wanting to know more but the chapter had ended. The book ends with a lot of mystery still to it which is kind of something that happens often with Daryl Gregory’s books. Most of his books carry a theme of dysfunctional and messed up families and this was no exception. I really enjoyed how the book showed just how limiting and destructive religion can be, how people can warp ideas and what others say to fit their own wants and needs, and how religion has justified the subjugation of women. I recommend this book if you’re good with the weird and deep thinking.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wow. What a book. I'm a bit lost for words to be honest.
Corruption, religion, cult mentality, secrets, family history and a horrifying Lovecraftian monster.
More mysterious than scary, but if you enjoy piecing together a story then this will definitely scratch that itch.
This story was truly excellent and told in such a masterful way. I loved the jumps between the past and present and the way they each answer questions (or create more questions) about the other timeline. It really kept me guessing. I found myself pondering the plot even when I wasn't reading it, realising how things linked together and guessing what might happen next.
The characters are extremely believable and unique. It's so refreshing to read a book about genuinely powerful women without it feeling forced.
My only criticism, and it's so minor it barely even registers, is I think the word fuck was overused. I have no problem at all with swearing in books but at one point there was an extended "Fuuuuuuck!" and it just made me cringe. It always comes across a bit amateur in otherwise excellent books. But that's genuinely the only criticism I have. I loved this book so much. It really does deserve five stars.
Corruption, religion, cult mentality, secrets, family history and a horrifying Lovecraftian monster.
More mysterious than scary, but if you enjoy piecing together a story then this will definitely scratch that itch.
This story was truly excellent and told in such a masterful way. I loved the jumps between the past and present and the way they each answer questions (or create more questions) about the other timeline. It really kept me guessing. I found myself pondering the plot even when I wasn't reading it, realising how things linked together and guessing what might happen next.
The characters are extremely believable and unique. It's so refreshing to read a book about genuinely powerful women without it feeling forced.
My only criticism, and it's so minor it barely even registers, is I think the word fuck was overused. I have no problem at all with swearing in books but at one point there was an extended "Fuuuuuuck!" and it just made me cringe. It always comes across a bit amateur in otherwise excellent books. But that's genuinely the only criticism I have. I loved this book so much. It really does deserve five stars.