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the_vegan_bookworm's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A really solid horror story about gender, patriarchal roles and gender-based violence in intimate relationships. The ending felt a little bit underwhelming at parts, but I think the overall story felt well developed and emotionally compelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Stalking, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse and Infidelity
danuta_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Medical trauma
alexisgarcia's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
the more i think about this book, the more mad i get. the only good character in this was ingrid (except for what she did to the young kid (i forgot his name and already returned this to the library)).
the large amount of detailed descriptions of rape were completely unnecessary imo. same thing with the random animal cruelty which was never explained so many crazy things happened with exactly 0 explanations who killed all of the artists, who killed the animals and why, how the nails play into this, how the glass appeared in the clay, etc. i could go on and on . it left me wondering what the point of including it even was.
also don’t get me started on the ending. it was so out of left field and unsatisfying. it felt like she couldn’t figure out a way to wrap up all of the different plot points so she decided to go with something that had nothing to do with the entire book.
i really really liked bloom so this felt like such a letdown.
the large amount of detailed descriptions of
also don’t get me started on the ending. it was so out of left field and unsatisfying. it felt like she couldn’t figure out a way to wrap up all of the different plot points so she decided to go with something that had nothing to do with the entire book.
i really really liked bloom so this felt like such a letdown.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
charliemoo's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Sexual assault
anabookadventures's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.0
I was really loving this at the beginning; the atmosphere and setting are top notch! But the S.A. content was a bit much for me, and that ending was absolutely trash for all this story was leading up to, so much more / better could have been done to wrap this up. I appreciate the themes, just think the execution could have been better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Cursing, and Gore
minimicropup's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I liked most of this, even when I was angry at certain characters. It was engaging, thought-provoking, weird, and atmospheric. But the end felt incomplete or tacked on.
Energy: Hostile. Evasive. Cautious.
🐕 Howls Sudden switch from slow-burn weird horror to popcorn thriller (convenient rush of villains, chaotic bursts of violence). The story introduced a lot of mysterious sub-plots and angles, then lost or cut them off abruptly at the end (I have so many unanswered questions). Reiterating the commentary on misogyny and narcissism instead of progressing the story.
🐩 Tail Wags The art installation descriptions and insights into the art-making process. The slow, steady pace allowed for gradual character development.Showing how women have historically been labeled irrational, spoiled, or mentally unstable for expressing simple boundaries. How it didn’t shy away from exposing how some women are complicit in perpetuating those injustices. Balanced view of abuse and sociopathy transcending gender. Unsettling ending. The justice moments (the plot made me mad, but not in a frustrating way).
Scene: 🇺🇸 Set in Tranquil Falls Artists’ Retreat in Georgia, USA.
Perspective: A potter who hasn’t made art in the last five years while in a toxic relationship finally gets out and is accepted to an artist’s retreat. While there strange things start happening, including dreams where they are a guest at the abandoned resort on site.
Timeline: Current (2020s). 🍂 Beginning of fall.
🔥 Fuel: Cliffhangers. Group dynamics. Atmosphere. Why are the artists suddenly acting strangely? What really happened between the retreat leaders and an especially misogynist artist? What’s with the second floor of the cabin our MC is staying in? Why was the resort hotel suddenly abandoned?
📖 Cred: Suspended disbelief with a touch of paranormal
Mood Reading Match-Up:
Oak must. Yeast cinnamon and apple. Distant roar of a waterfall. Lavender potpourri. Stained glass windchimes. Mildew. Rot. Cold stone. Antiseptic.
- Glimpse of 1800s pseudoscience health resort
- Books to read in the forest, fall vibes
- Escaping a toxic relationship, starting anew romantic energy
- Cast of eccentric artists
- Exploring secret areas off-limits
- How did they die? Mysteries
- Visions, nightmares, out of body experiences
- Third person whispering context to us as we watch scenes unfold, getting to know everyone alongside the main character
- Chaos and strangeness
- Irony and ghostly revenge
Content Heads-Up: Alcohol abuse, alcoholic parent. Narcissistic parent, no contact. Animal death (brief on page; possum, snake, rabbits). Vomit. Corpse/skeleton (discovery of). Toxic, narcissistic colleagues. Bullying (vandalism, theft, threats). Confinement (implied, evidence of and on page). Misogyny. Ageism (towards younger gen). Sexual assault, rape (within relationship; descriptive recall on page). Medical (injuries, heart attack, bleeding). Drugging. Forced institutionalization (medical asylum). Personality disorders, psychopathy.
Rep: American. Cis. Hetero. Dark brown, pale, and ambiguous skin tones.
📚 Format: Library Hardcover
My musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Animal death and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcoholism, Vomit, Medical content, and Alcohol
lv_'s review
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book kept me turning the page but I was ultimately pretty disappointed with the ending. No follow through on what became of other characters and I think Kyle appearing right at the end was just…unnecessary . I think the premise was good and I still enjoyed it but it came up lacking.
Another thing, there were a lot of words in the book used that felt like the author just pulled them out of a thesaurus. Took me out of the story every time.
Another thing, there were a lot of words in the book used that felt like the author just pulled them out of a thesaurus. Took me out of the story every time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Drug use, Rape, Self harm, and Stalking
nicekweenreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
While I can certainly see how this can be a decisive book, I absolutely loved it.
Pros:
I really liked and related to Sarah, the main character. She is a women who just cut off ties with her manipulative mother and just left an emotionally abusive relationship. Accepted to an artist colony, Sarah is excited to find who is without her ex. However, strange events start occurring the moment she accidentally digs up a woman when trying to dig an area for a kiln. From there she is mysteriously connected to the dead woman, receiving flashbacks to her life, and the horrors that await at the property.
Most of the characters felt real and multidimensional. I could relate to a lot of them in many ways (except the artistic talent).
I also really liked the feminist perspective this book was written from. It's very refreshing in the horror genre and sadly relatable.
Another relatable relationship was the "romantic interest". A lot of books have some hunky, magical man to come in and save the heroine's heart, this isn't it. I love they didn't get together. Right person, wrong time.
Though I'm not normally a fan of historical horror, I thought it was done well. The historical truth of how easily women were given to asylums added an extra layer of eeriness. The ties between Emily and Sarah served as a great, yet heart breaking parallel. I do wish Emily has a better redemption though.
Cons:
I felt the pacing was a little slow in beginning. We spend a long time with characters that don't really matter much.
I am positive the nails were supposed to have some bigger conenction but I didn't get it. It was really clear what those who held them besides being randonly possessed.
I also felt the ending was also little rushed and odd, especially when compared to how long the beginning of the book was.The ex boyfriend showing up at the end in the hotel was so odd. Especially since there was no expalnation if he and Gale were working together.
Pros:
I really liked and related to Sarah, the main character. She is a women who just cut off ties with her manipulative mother and just left an emotionally abusive relationship. Accepted to an artist colony, Sarah is excited to find who is without her ex. However, strange events start occurring the moment she accidentally digs up a woman when trying to dig an area for a kiln. From there she is mysteriously connected to the dead woman, receiving flashbacks to her life, and the horrors that await at the property.
Most of the characters felt real and multidimensional. I could relate to a lot of them in many ways (except the artistic talent).
I also really liked the feminist perspective this book was written from. It's very refreshing in the horror genre and sadly relatable.
Another relatable relationship was the "romantic interest".
Though I'm not normally a fan of historical horror, I thought it was done well.
Cons:
I felt the pacing was a little slow in beginning. We spend a long time with characters that don't really matter much.
I also felt the ending was also little rushed and odd, especially when compared to how long the beginning of the book was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Vomit
mafaichney's review
challenging
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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, and Fire/Fire injury
beesbookhaunts's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
We follow Sarah as she joins a remote artists’ retreat after leaving an abusive relationship. She discovers that the old mansion everyone is forbidden from entering has secrets of its own.
This book is A Lot. Each character has an extreme personality, verging into caricature territory. There’s a misogynistic man who expects Sarah to clean up after him, a goth girl who wears only black and takes morbid pictures, a costume designer who doesn’t wear modern clothing-and more. The descriptions of these characters provides levity as Sarah discovers the extremely dark past of the resort, and unpacks her own abusive relationship. These details are much darker and upsetting than the rest of the book, which made me appreciate the light-hearted sections.The contrast was sometimes quite jarring, and the first detailed description of sexual assault caught me off guard.
Overall I enjoyed it, but it felt long and sometimes repetitive. I’ve attached trigger warnings so please check them before picking this up!
Thanks to the publisher, I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book is A Lot. Each character has an extreme personality, verging into caricature territory. There’s a misogynistic man who expects Sarah to clean up after him, a goth girl who wears only black and takes morbid pictures, a costume designer who doesn’t wear modern clothing-and more. The descriptions of these characters provides levity as Sarah discovers the extremely dark past of the resort, and unpacks her own abusive relationship. These details are much darker and upsetting than the rest of the book, which made me appreciate the light-hearted sections.
Overall I enjoyed it, but it felt long and sometimes repetitive. I’ve attached trigger warnings so please check them before picking this up!
Thanks to the publisher, I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Misogyny, Medical content, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Minor: Gore