Reviews

My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna van Veen

emaurreads's review

4.0

thank you netgalley and the publisher for giving me access to this arc!

that book was a wild ride. from the constant back and forth of the story and the doctors notes, it really kept me engaged and interested!

now i wouldn’t really label it as horror because to me the book wasn’t scary at all, but it was 100% gothic!

a good read but not something i’d read again.

hauntedyam's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

graceg's review

5.0

Possibly my favorite book I’ve read this year! Sapphic gothic horror done well. The characters all felt realistic and fleshed-out, even the unlikable ones. I loved the bound spirit premise, especially the history involved with Ruth’s story as a bog body. The ending was bittersweet but ambiguous enough that I was happy (as someone who enjoys unhappy endings but doesn’t want to be completely devastated). The setting was neat and the descriptive wording (mainly with the spirits) conjured the senses to make an immersive book. Dark horror with a love story woven throughout. 

maripuu's review against another edition

fast-paced

3.5

aparker89's review

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Wow! I just could not put this one down! I spent an entire day devouring this book and I imagine many others will too! I liked it so much- I plan on purchasing a hard copy in addition to the ebook! 
Absolutely fantastic writing! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Murder, Abandonment, Bullying, Gaslighting, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Blood, Gore, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Stalking, Terminal illness, Violence, Chronic illness, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Torture, and Toxic relationship

hotstove's review

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

birdsandbooks1975's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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

4.0

klaram's review against another edition

3.75

a tiny bit Crimson Peak-esque

bozzeak's review

dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

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

5.0

meni88's review

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

5.0