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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse
Moderate: Child death, Murder
I don’t read much horror books but this was well written and crafted. The description of animal abuse rattled me more than anything else. It’s a creepy book but putting aside the fantasy aspect, it says more about the state of people’s minds and the horrors inflicted upon the innocent that break them.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Gore, Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Vomit
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Before starting Black Mouth, I had heard so many compare it to Stephen King's IT. While I enjoyed IT, it wasn't one of my favorites. Now with Black Mouth, I fully get the comparison. This is a great coming of age story where we get a back and forth from our main characters as children and Present day. Jamie has a slew of struggles with alcohol addiction, and as you get into the story it starts to make sense from his childhood and that summer when Jamie, Clay, and Mia come across a strange Magic Man in the woods.
I really enjoyed Black Mouth and am already looking forward to reading it again. I cannot wait to read more Ronald Malfi.
I really enjoyed Black Mouth and am already looking forward to reading it again. I cannot wait to read more Ronald Malfi.
I have stopped at 54% on page 246. The graphic animal abuse on top of the violence was enough for me to close this book. Not for me.
dark
mysterious
medium-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
slow-paced
I really like Malfi. I've read Come with Me, December park, and his short story collections and I have a few more of his books. This one was good. It combined the wonderful horror topics of childhood trauma, seeking redemptions, the adult manifestation or these traumas, and the paranormal. Interesting stuff. Messed up stuff. But in Malfi style the story moves slowly, you get immersed into the character's lives. In this case, Jaimie's, filled with regret, self-hate, and guilt, especially surrounding his brother Dennis. Then, the introgue pulls in little by little, it nudges at the edges of the story until eventually you're just in it. I do so very much love Malfi's writing.
Unfortunately, the as compelling as the characters and the build up of the plot were, the end result didn't really do it for me. Out of all the Malfi works I've read this one would probably be at the bottom of my list. It's still good! I still enjoyed the ride, I just might be less inclined to reread this one in the future or recommend it to anyone. Unless someone is looking for a story like this.
Unfortunately, the as compelling as the characters and the build up of the plot were, the end result didn't really do it for me. Out of all the Malfi works I've read this one would probably be at the bottom of my list. It's still good! I still enjoyed the ride, I just might be less inclined to reread this one in the future or recommend it to anyone. Unless someone is looking for a story like this.
I read 60% and then had my buddy-reading buddy fill me in on the rest, so I feel well informed enough to say this was a really stupid book.
I didn’t enjoy my first Malfi (Come With Me) but wanted to try again and, you know, at least Come With Me told a cohesive story, even if it did nothing else. Black Mouth was all over the place and not remotely in a good way.
Little to no character work to speak of and the first actual events don’t happen until past the halfway mark and even then they’re stupid as hell.
I think I’m done trying this guy (even if I do already own 3 or 4 more of his books).
I didn’t enjoy my first Malfi (Come With Me) but wanted to try again and, you know, at least Come With Me told a cohesive story, even if it did nothing else. Black Mouth was all over the place and not remotely in a good way.
Little to no character work to speak of and the first actual events don’t happen until past the halfway mark and even then they’re stupid as hell.
I think I’m done trying this guy (even if I do already own 3 or 4 more of his books).