Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy

69 reviews

sarah331's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder

whitneygood11's review against another edition

5.0

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

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This emotionally gripping and gory story delves deeply into the nature and impact of fear. A standout aspect is the inevitable bond between Jess and the child, as their connection blossoms amidst their traumatic journey. From beginning to end, the book offers an exhilarating ride. Nat Cassidy is an exceptional author who crafts high-quality horror stories rich in themes that resonate emotionally. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Gore, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment

takecoverbooks's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Fast paced, brutal, and mind-bending, a great summer horror.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail

hunni_reads's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark emotional funny fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Gore, Blood, Death of parent, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Stalking

Minor: Child abuse, Medical content

k_rose95's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Stalking, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail

vinegardrinker's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark funny tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Blood, Death of parent, Abandonment

Moderate: Addiction

moon_bee's review against another edition

4.5

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yeah just rip my heart out thats fine

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Gore, Violence, Death of parent

Moderate: Abandonment

themis_biblos's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Is that possible? To live in this world and not scare yourself to death? To feel turbulence and not imagine the plane going down? To experience hope as a grown-up with the same clarity a child feels terror? How do you not call forth the things that will devour you and give them teeth? 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

wyabook234's review against another edition

4.25

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Nat Cassidy's When The Wolf Comes Home isn't a werewolf story. The bodies of reality are far more torn up than the actual human bodies within the narrative. Nevertheless, reality-warping doesn't dissuade the amount of visceral violence within the journey of Jess and "kiddo" as they seek a place of serenity and deal with their separate daddy issues. It is a journey that suddenly erupts once the "wolf" appears at Jess's apartment complex, and it is a road trip that continues to get crazier and crazier after revealing the root of that craziness. That root turns out to be "kiddo," and as much as Jess hates to consider it, she then realizes that there could be no way of restricting his unstable superpowers.

It's a book with a plot that isn't different from any science fiction and horror stories from the 1980s, such as Firestarter. Supernatural forces and special agents intermingled in a cat-and-mouse chase across America. However, having this cliche framework doesn't make the story's heart hollow. The book's heart is apparent from the developing relationship between Jess and the "kiddo" as they bond within their predicament. Cookie and Uncle Pepsi also bring heart to the story as they fill Jess's anguished void left by her absent father. These loving relationships help balance out the horrific wake of "kiddo's" abilities.

The scope of "kiddo's" abilities is emphasized by how he brings cartoon weasels and Halloween decorations to life. Nonetheless, one of the most horrifying examples of "kiddo" powers is how he makes sure that Agent Michael Santos never exists when "kiddo" suffers a fear-induced breakdown. It starts with a vision of a thread before it spins off into a complete agony of Agent Santos having his organs and his soul removed from the fabric of reality. That pain is passed on to his wife in the next chapter or in the new reality, just Emmaline, permanently removed from the role of Santos's spouse.

While the ending can be bothersome because we don't know how Jess suddenly absorbs the excess of power from "kiddo". The ending doesn't take away from Cassidy's novel being entertaining and emotionally moving.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence

Moderate: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Death of parent

Minor: Drug use, Vomit, Medical content

vrpayne01's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, Death of parent

Moderate: Kidnapping, Grief, Murder