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Graphic: Death, Self harm, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Child death, Sexual content, Dementia, Death of parent, War
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Grief
Moderate: Confinement, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, War
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Self harm, Violence, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Mass/school shootings, War
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Death, Terminal illness
Once I got into the story, it was somewhat predictable, but in a comforting way? It’s hard to describe, but I ended this book with warm fuzzies. Maybe my brain just works differently.
The atmosphere of this novel is wonderful, and the characters are delightful. I loved this book.
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Car accident
Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, Self harm, Dementia, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
Lute is an atmospheric horror novel perfect for fans of the film Midsommar.
Nina is a Florida native who moved to the small and idyllic island of Lute about 7 years ago after marrying her husband, Lord Treadway. Since then, Nina and her husband have had two children and built a beautiful life on Lute. However, Nina has not lived through The Day yet. The Day comes every seventh summer on Lute, and throughout The Day, 7 people die. No more, no less. At first, Nina believes it's all superstitious nonsense that the natives believe about the 7 sacrifices to keep island life blessed, but everyone insists that she'll understand after she lives through The Day. When The Day finally arrives, Nina is met with tragedy and fear she never expected.
Though there is a supernatural element to this novel, it is much more focused on the people of Lute and how they both fear and respect The Day. Some of Lute's inhabitants see The Day as a purging--of the island bringing a balance to the people. Others see it as a necessary evil to keep the bountiful life they live for years before and after The Day. The way people deal with The Day and the horrors it brings was probably my favorite part of the novel. I found it so fascinating how even those who have always lived on Lute could have such differing opinions.
However, the novel was quite slow until The Day began, and I was slightly disappointed by the ending. I think I wanted there to be more of a cult-like aspect in the novel, like the movie Midsommar, and that just wasn't prevalent. I also came into Lute after just reading Diavola, which was so good that I think I expected just a little bit more from this novel.
All in all, I did enjoy this book--especially as an audiobook. It's perfect for fans of atmospheric horror novels.
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Murder
Moderate: Child death, Alcohol, War
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, Alcohol, War
Minor: Cancer, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, War
The Day built so well, but the novel never drifted as far into horror as I’d have liked. Also there are no predictions of death a la Final Destination the characters don’t “cheat death” by avoiding a particular fate. It reminded more of The Cabin in the Woods. [spoiler for movie:
Lute was a haunting story about community and resilience and love. About faith and trust and holding onto one another during dark times. And it's also a reminder that you should more fully understand someone before you marry them. Especially a man.
Does the dog die?
P.S. fuck Hugh.
Graphic: Death, Grief
Moderate: Body horror, Gun violence, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Death of parent
Graphic: Death, Blood
Moderate: Death, Self harm
Minor: Xenophobia, War
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Terminal illness, War