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exhaustedtech's review against another edition
5.0
What I thought I was reading:
A psychological thriller type story about a couple who have a kid that turns out evil.
What I though after reading the first few chapters:
The above but the couple originally did not WANT a kid, only had one because all their friends are doing it, and some serious postpartum depression comes into play.
What I got at the end?
Holy crap, I did not expect that ending. I thought it would be a “it’s all in her head” until the last 70% of the book.
I can now say I have a better appreciation that this takes place in the same world as Cob Man with all the references. And I did notice all the Sleepy Hollow refs as well.
A psychological thriller type story about a couple who have a kid that turns out evil.
What I though after reading the first few chapters:
The above but the couple originally did not WANT a kid, only had one because all their friends are doing it, and some serious postpartum depression comes into play.
What I got at the end?
Holy crap, I did not expect that ending. I thought it would be a “it’s all in her head” until the last 70% of the book.
I can now say I have a better appreciation that this takes place in the same world as Cob Man with all the references. And I did notice all the Sleepy Hollow refs as well.
mostlyreadinghorror's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars for this bad boy!
What an amazing reading experience. This story has all the elements I appreciate in a horror story; relatable characters, family drama, occult and supernatural elements. All encompassing and very entertaining.
Ian and Lola, are a young happily married pair (with great taste in music and band tees). The story sort of kicks off when Lola, a baker with our own catering business delivers an order of sweets to a children's party. With Ian and tow they find their former friends are all in attendance and they immediately feel a bit left out. They are not parents and don't necessarily feel any urgency to start a family, but feelings of nostalgia and overall FOMO push the couple towards parenthood and thats when this story really gets interesting. The pregnancy is rough and the first few years of their sons early years are littered with strange, supernatural events, seemingly a result of the theirs sons ominous personality and strange behavior. Over time Ian and Lola question their decision to become parents and are forced to make tough decisions after a fatal tragedy.
This was a very cinematic read, I absolutely could see this as a film. It was so suspenseful and never a dull moment. I especially adored Lola and Ian, these characters were written so well. They definitely had flaws but they were the sort of quirks that I think most readers would find relatable. This was a book that overall takes a look at the horrors of parenthood, an extreme look, but the story manages to capture the overall essence of the ups and downs of parenthood.
As previously mentioned there were occult supernatural elements that gave Rosemary's Baby vibes. There was also some very creepy imagery in this story that freaked me out. Though a slow burn the story was very well paced and engaging. I would have given it a full 5 star, but I really wanted a lot more in the way of the horror. I also was expecting the story to incorporate more interactions with other parents and their kids. A majority of the story is very contained and not much interaction with other parents, which for me personally is part of the horrors of parenthood-LOL. Overall I highly recommend this book, one of the blurbs on the book calls this "suburban folk horror" and I would definitely agree-if you like modern folk stories set in the suburbs this book is for you.
What an amazing reading experience. This story has all the elements I appreciate in a horror story; relatable characters, family drama, occult and supernatural elements. All encompassing and very entertaining.
Ian and Lola, are a young happily married pair (with great taste in music and band tees). The story sort of kicks off when Lola, a baker with our own catering business delivers an order of sweets to a children's party. With Ian and tow they find their former friends are all in attendance and they immediately feel a bit left out. They are not parents and don't necessarily feel any urgency to start a family, but feelings of nostalgia and overall FOMO push the couple towards parenthood and thats when this story really gets interesting. The pregnancy is rough and the first few years of their sons early years are littered with strange, supernatural events, seemingly a result of the theirs sons ominous personality and strange behavior. Over time Ian and Lola question their decision to become parents and are forced to make tough decisions after a fatal tragedy.
This was a very cinematic read, I absolutely could see this as a film. It was so suspenseful and never a dull moment. I especially adored Lola and Ian, these characters were written so well. They definitely had flaws but they were the sort of quirks that I think most readers would find relatable. This was a book that overall takes a look at the horrors of parenthood, an extreme look, but the story manages to capture the overall essence of the ups and downs of parenthood.
As previously mentioned there were occult supernatural elements that gave Rosemary's Baby vibes. There was also some very creepy imagery in this story that freaked me out. Though a slow burn the story was very well paced and engaging. I would have given it a full 5 star, but I really wanted a lot more in the way of the horror. I also was expecting the story to incorporate more interactions with other parents and their kids. A majority of the story is very contained and not much interaction with other parents, which for me personally is part of the horrors of parenthood-LOL. Overall I highly recommend this book, one of the blurbs on the book calls this "suburban folk horror" and I would definitely agree-if you like modern folk stories set in the suburbs this book is for you.
bookpartyvic's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Car accident, Child abuse, Drug use, Cursing, Abortion, Death, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child death, Gore, Grief, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
phaedraismyusername's review
I spent the 80ish pages I read feeling kind of... unconvinced (?) by the characters and I couldn't really put my finger on why but it sort of felt like the author noticeably wasn't writing from a place of experience with a lot of the smaller parts of this couples life (smoking bongs, baking, cash based businesses, quiet discrimination etc) that just kept nagging at me and when I googled the author it made a lot of sense that its a white author whose writing about a black couple feels kind of inauthentic, you know? It was just lacking some foundational depth that I just don't think can be pulled off now at this point in the novel.
The horror could be promising but I'm just not invested or immersed enough to continue at this point and while I'm not sure I'd recommend it I wouldn't try to dissuade someone from trying it for themselves
The horror could be promising but I'm just not invested or immersed enough to continue at this point and while I'm not sure I'd recommend it I wouldn't try to dissuade someone from trying it for themselves
birdieandthebooks7's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-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
5.0
I interviewed the author about the vile thing we created
The interview contains spoilers
https://www.youtube.com/live/Z87oE6thPi4?si=vbCONHTt5xVRAkBJ
The interview contains spoilers
https://www.youtube.com/live/Z87oE6thPi4?si=vbCONHTt5xVRAkBJ
oliaxe's review
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
iremaltun's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review
5.0
The Vile Thing We Created is a book that doesn’t take any prisoners, leave hope all who enter here type vibes. Writing of the charts, Ottone makes think, feel and despair.
The Vile Thing We Created. Wow, just what can I say? It’s like an orgy between The Omen, Orphan and Insidious. I’m so glad I didn’t overlook this novel because it made me feel so many emotions. Hard hitting themes like postpartum depression, nearly ruined me, a topic close to my heart but handled with the utmost care and tact. The title was totally out there but it made so much sense, it gave me goosebumps.
Did I enjoy this book?
Do bears shit in the woods?
I know I batter on and on about indie horror, but this right here is the reason why I’m so passionate about it. The storytelling, the emotion, the fear. It’s a heady and propulsive mix that has me aching for more every time. Robert P. Ottone has a special skill. If you haven’t read any of his work, do it now. He finds the horror in everyday life, puts pressure on your fears and creates a hole in your psyche. Your fears become bigger, paranoia taking root within all your nerve endings and by the end of This Vile Thing We Created, I was sweating and aching from how hard I was clutching the book. I felt like I’d ran a marathon.
Now onto the actual book…I’ll admit I didn’t exactly know what I was going into with this one. I went in relatively blind. And I’m so very glad I did. I think it helped digest the story – I didn’t put any pressure on it. I just let it unfold in its own glorious time. I was rewarded with an exhilarating and terrifying read. There is horror and then there is horror. This was the latter. It has it all – fear, a compulsion to continue reading and questions, so many questions.
The prologue sealed the deal for me. My eyes nearly fell out of my head. You are plunged into the darkness and left there – there might be a way out, but you have to find it, the author refuses to make it easy for you.
Lola and Ian are made for each other. They have everything to feel fulfilled. Ian’s a teacher aiming for tenure and Lola is a self-employed baker. God, just reading about her culinary skills had me drooling. They go on vacation when they like, drink when they like and most importantly have sex when they like. But when their friendship circle dwindles due to them having babies, Lola and Ian decide that maybe they’re ready for that next step. They have their reservations, but they decide to bite the bullet anyway.
The descriptions of pregnancy and the darkness that can be felt by some mothers after a traumatic birth was expertly done. I found myself having to wipe a tear away after the depictions brought my own experiences back with a vengeance. Bravo, Mr. Ottone, my heart skipped a beat, not many novels can get those feelings so accurate. It isn’t always a picnic for mothers, some don’t have that insta love moment, and I’d love to see more authors bring light to the plight.
The Vile Thing We Created. Wow, just what can I say? It’s like an orgy between The Omen, Orphan and Insidious. I’m so glad I didn’t overlook this novel because it made me feel so many emotions. Hard hitting themes like postpartum depression, nearly ruined me, a topic close to my heart but handled with the utmost care and tact. The title was totally out there but it made so much sense, it gave me goosebumps.
Did I enjoy this book?
Do bears shit in the woods?
I know I batter on and on about indie horror, but this right here is the reason why I’m so passionate about it. The storytelling, the emotion, the fear. It’s a heady and propulsive mix that has me aching for more every time. Robert P. Ottone has a special skill. If you haven’t read any of his work, do it now. He finds the horror in everyday life, puts pressure on your fears and creates a hole in your psyche. Your fears become bigger, paranoia taking root within all your nerve endings and by the end of This Vile Thing We Created, I was sweating and aching from how hard I was clutching the book. I felt like I’d ran a marathon.
Now onto the actual book…I’ll admit I didn’t exactly know what I was going into with this one. I went in relatively blind. And I’m so very glad I did. I think it helped digest the story – I didn’t put any pressure on it. I just let it unfold in its own glorious time. I was rewarded with an exhilarating and terrifying read. There is horror and then there is horror. This was the latter. It has it all – fear, a compulsion to continue reading and questions, so many questions.
The prologue sealed the deal for me. My eyes nearly fell out of my head. You are plunged into the darkness and left there – there might be a way out, but you have to find it, the author refuses to make it easy for you.
Lola and Ian are made for each other. They have everything to feel fulfilled. Ian’s a teacher aiming for tenure and Lola is a self-employed baker. God, just reading about her culinary skills had me drooling. They go on vacation when they like, drink when they like and most importantly have sex when they like. But when their friendship circle dwindles due to them having babies, Lola and Ian decide that maybe they’re ready for that next step. They have their reservations, but they decide to bite the bullet anyway.
The descriptions of pregnancy and the darkness that can be felt by some mothers after a traumatic birth was expertly done. I found myself having to wipe a tear away after the depictions brought my own experiences back with a vengeance. Bravo, Mr. Ottone, my heart skipped a beat, not many novels can get those feelings so accurate. It isn’t always a picnic for mothers, some don’t have that insta love moment, and I’d love to see more authors bring light to the plight.