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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I can't stop thinking about it, it was perfection. Strange Creatures is an expansive novel of struggles with mental health, queer love (sapphic desire), and adolescent trauma. It was everything I didn't know I needed as a queer nonbinary reader, it was poetic catharsis. Be careful, you might find yourself crying on the floor.
Strange Creatures is a coming-of-age story dedicated to all those that feel forgotten. Siblings Annie and Jamie are thick as thieves, as they create a Terabithian world in the woods behind their house, named Gumlea. This world is an escape from society and the gendered expectations that come with coming of age. Gumlea is a place of witches, pirates, and sirens. It is lush and atmospheric and has that mystical magic that can only be found in a child's mind.
One day, Jamie is gone, and Annie refuses to believe he has left without her. As her family's lives move on, she knows that he has made it to Gumlea, even if her therapist says otherwise. But she has to ask herself, why would Jamie leave her behind.
With beautiful prose, and experimental writing, this upper YA novel will satisfy and delight fans of Her Body and Other Parties and The Last True Poets of the Sea.
Strange Creatures is a coming-of-age story dedicated to all those that feel forgotten. Siblings Annie and Jamie are thick as thieves, as they create a Terabithian world in the woods behind their house, named Gumlea. This world is an escape from society and the gendered expectations that come with coming of age. Gumlea is a place of witches, pirates, and sirens. It is lush and atmospheric and has that mystical magic that can only be found in a child's mind.
One day, Jamie is gone, and Annie refuses to believe he has left without her. As her family's lives move on, she knows that he has made it to Gumlea, even if her therapist says otherwise. But she has to ask herself, why would Jamie leave her behind.
With beautiful prose, and experimental writing, this upper YA novel will satisfy and delight fans of Her Body and Other Parties and The Last True Poets of the Sea.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting
Thank you to Harper Collins for sending me an Arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars
Strange Creatures is a coming-of-age story split into three perspectives. Since the minute Annie was born, she and her brother Jamie were very close with each other. In their free time, they would go into the woods behind their house and create a fantasy world together that they called Gumlea. Once they got to middle school Jamie and Annie grew apart. They barely even talked anymore. Then one day while Jamie is in 8th grade he goes missing. Annie’s world is completely shaken up as her entire family and town deal with her brothers’ disappearance.
This story was absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. I was drawn into the story at the beginning because it was unlike anything I had ever read before. Though I was engaged near the start, some parts were a bit slow and hard to get through, specifically the sections from Jamie’s point of view. The way his parts were written was very unique but I felt that it made me less interested in them. My favourite perspective would have to be Annies. I did enjoy Vidyas as well, but I felt very connected to Annie and she was the most interesting to read about. While she could be frustrating at some parts, I just really loved her as a character.
One of my favourite things about this story was the queer representation. There are so few coming-of-age stories that deal with sexuality that are done well. All three of our main characters are queer and they all have very different journeys in discovering their sexualities. It deals with religion, sex, relationships, and mental health in a very real way that wasn’t glossed over, which was very refreshing.
Overall I enjoyed my time reading it, but I just felt that it dragged on a bit too long. It was such a unique story that will definitely stick with me. I recommend this for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Trigger Warnings: rape, abuse, kidnapping, assault, violence, neglect
Overall Rating: 3.5 Stars
Strange Creatures is a coming-of-age story split into three perspectives. Since the minute Annie was born, she and her brother Jamie were very close with each other. In their free time, they would go into the woods behind their house and create a fantasy world together that they called Gumlea. Once they got to middle school Jamie and Annie grew apart. They barely even talked anymore. Then one day while Jamie is in 8th grade he goes missing. Annie’s world is completely shaken up as her entire family and town deal with her brothers’ disappearance.
This story was absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. I was drawn into the story at the beginning because it was unlike anything I had ever read before. Though I was engaged near the start, some parts were a bit slow and hard to get through, specifically the sections from Jamie’s point of view. The way his parts were written was very unique but I felt that it made me less interested in them. My favourite perspective would have to be Annies. I did enjoy Vidyas as well, but I felt very connected to Annie and she was the most interesting to read about. While she could be frustrating at some parts, I just really loved her as a character.
One of my favourite things about this story was the queer representation. There are so few coming-of-age stories that deal with sexuality that are done well. All three of our main characters are queer and they all have very different journeys in discovering their sexualities. It deals with religion, sex, relationships, and mental health in a very real way that wasn’t glossed over, which was very refreshing.
Overall I enjoyed my time reading it, but I just felt that it dragged on a bit too long. It was such a unique story that will definitely stick with me. I recommend this for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Trigger Warnings: rape, abuse, kidnapping, assault, violence, neglect
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall I think this book had a nice idea, but the execution of it wasn't the best...
TW: violence, rape, abuse, kidnapping, abduction, assault, neglect(?)
Strange Creatures is a coming-of-age story dedicated to all those that feel forgotten. Siblings Annie and Jamie are thick as thieves, as they create a Terabithian world in the woods behind their house, named Gumlea. This world is an escape from society and the gendered expectations that come with coming of age. Gumlea is a place of witches, pirates, and sirens. It is lush and atmospheric and has that mystical magic that can only be found in a child's young, innocent mind.
One day, Jamie is gone, and Annie refuses to believe he has left without her. As her family's lives move on, she knows that he has made it to Gumlea, even if her therapist says otherwise. But she has to ask herself, why would Jamie leave her behind.
Strange Creatures is a contemporary novel with fantasy elements interwoven in the narrative at the beginning of each chapter, telling a whole new story, which I loved. However, it does get a little confusing as you don't learn until well into the book the significance of it.
The story was slow to begin, as it took about 100 pages for the story to really develop. I was slightly confused if Annit was a typo because the synopsis said Annie and I have an ARC but everything sorted itself out by the second chapter. The tale of Gumlea is told in short paragraphs at the starting of each chapter based in the real world and it usually relates to the emotions and revelations in the world everyone sees.
The book is told from multiple perspectives, the writing style was kind of weird, specifically for Jamie's character which had me rereading several pages because I was so confused and lost to what was going on.
The problems I had with it being contemporary when I was hoping for more fantasy elements interwoven because of the synopsis and the length. At over 500 pages, this book is a commitment, and I did have to push myself to keep reading it at times. It's a great story, told from three POVs, and discusses topics of growing up and traumatic events that are rarely seen in YA. But it was just. So. Long.
I stopped when I reached 500/544 pages and decided not to go on. It was a good enough ending for me. I laughed, cried, and cringed at some parts but to be completely honest the plot twists were a bit much for a contemporary and sadly, this wasn't very fulfilling for almost 600 pages. I’m not saying this was a bad book and it wasn’t the greatest but I recommend you pick this up and if you do, you’re in for a LONG and slightly confusing ride.
TW: violence, rape, abuse, kidnapping, abduction, assault, neglect(?)
Strange Creatures is a coming-of-age story dedicated to all those that feel forgotten. Siblings Annie and Jamie are thick as thieves, as they create a Terabithian world in the woods behind their house, named Gumlea. This world is an escape from society and the gendered expectations that come with coming of age. Gumlea is a place of witches, pirates, and sirens. It is lush and atmospheric and has that mystical magic that can only be found in a child's young, innocent mind.
One day, Jamie is gone, and Annie refuses to believe he has left without her. As her family's lives move on, she knows that he has made it to Gumlea, even if her therapist says otherwise. But she has to ask herself, why would Jamie leave her behind.
Strange Creatures is a contemporary novel with fantasy elements interwoven in the narrative at the beginning of each chapter, telling a whole new story, which I loved. However, it does get a little confusing as you don't learn until well into the book the significance of it.
The story was slow to begin, as it took about 100 pages for the story to really develop. I was slightly confused if Annit was a typo because the synopsis said Annie and I have an ARC but everything sorted itself out by the second chapter. The tale of Gumlea is told in short paragraphs at the starting of each chapter based in the real world and it usually relates to the emotions and revelations in the world everyone sees.
The book is told from multiple perspectives, the writing style was kind of weird, specifically for Jamie's character which had me rereading several pages because I was so confused and lost to what was going on.
The problems I had with it being contemporary when I was hoping for more fantasy elements interwoven because of the synopsis and the length. At over 500 pages, this book is a commitment, and I did have to push myself to keep reading it at times. It's a great story, told from three POVs, and discusses topics of growing up and traumatic events that are rarely seen in YA. But it was just. So. Long.
I stopped when I reached 500/544 pages and decided not to go on. It was a good enough ending for me. I laughed, cried, and cringed at some parts but to be completely honest the plot twists were a bit much for a contemporary and sadly, this wasn't very fulfilling for almost 600 pages. I’m not saying this was a bad book and it wasn’t the greatest but I recommend you pick this up and if you do, you’re in for a LONG and slightly confusing ride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse
Minor: Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping
1.5/5
Link to TikTok explaining the plot: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMdDJaA8M/
Strange Creatures follows a pair of siblings who have drifted apart over the years. Whilst Jamie, the older brother, seems to have moved on from the boy he was and the childhood him and his sister shared, Annie seems to still be very attached to the past and has hope that Jamie will one day return to how he used to be. However, things take a turn for the worse when one day Jamie mysteriously disappears, seeming to have run away without a word.
I'm not really sure what I expected going into this novel but it wasn't this. Strange Creatures is a contemporary novel with fantasy elements interwoven in the narrative at the beginning of each chapter, telling a whole new story, which I loved. However it does get a little confusing as you don't learn until well into the book the significance of it.
On the whole, I felt that this was a very slow book, though particularly at the beginning so it took a while to get into. I also couldn't connect to any of the characters because they - especially Annie - were generally so annoying and unlikeable. I could never understand her reasonings and found myself getting very frustrated, to the point where I had to close the book and walk away.
Also as the book is told from multiple perspectives, the writing style was kind of weird, specifically for Jamie's character which had me rereading several pages because I was so confused.
What the characters experienced is definitely heartbreaking and shocking, but I really didn't feel anything whilst reading about it, mostly because of the lack of connection between me and the characters (or maye I'm just very coldhearted lol).
Overall I think this book had a nice idea, but the execution of it fell a little flat for me.
TW: violence, rape, abuse, kidnapping, abduction, assault, neglect(?)
Link to TikTok explaining the plot: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMdDJaA8M/
Strange Creatures follows a pair of siblings who have drifted apart over the years. Whilst Jamie, the older brother, seems to have moved on from the boy he was and the childhood him and his sister shared, Annie seems to still be very attached to the past and has hope that Jamie will one day return to how he used to be. However, things take a turn for the worse when one day Jamie mysteriously disappears, seeming to have run away without a word.
I'm not really sure what I expected going into this novel but it wasn't this. Strange Creatures is a contemporary novel with fantasy elements interwoven in the narrative at the beginning of each chapter, telling a whole new story, which I loved. However it does get a little confusing as you don't learn until well into the book the significance of it.
On the whole, I felt that this was a very slow book, though particularly at the beginning so it took a while to get into. I also couldn't connect to any of the characters because they - especially Annie - were generally so annoying and unlikeable. I could never understand her reasonings and found myself getting very frustrated, to the point where I had to close the book and walk away.
Also as the book is told from multiple perspectives, the writing style was kind of weird, specifically for Jamie's character which had me rereading several pages because I was so confused.
What the characters experienced is definitely heartbreaking and shocking, but I really didn't feel anything whilst reading about it, mostly because of the lack of connection between me and the characters (or maye I'm just very coldhearted lol).
Overall I think this book had a nice idea, but the execution of it fell a little flat for me.
TW: violence, rape, abuse, kidnapping, abduction, assault, neglect(?)
Even though this isn't my normal style of book I really ended up enjoying it in the end
i was so shocked to find that i really enjoyed this. it's not something i would ever pick out myself because me and fantasy are far from friends, but i received it in a book subscription box and figured it was worth a go. i'm very glad i did.
the fantasy elements were relatively minor in contrast to the main narrative, which is what made it so accessible to me. granted, there were parts that i skim-read, but that was literally all my fault because i was reading a fantasy-based book with no interest in fantasy. the plot as a whole though was amazing - it felt unique and handled hard-hitting issues in what felt like a delicate yet realistic way. at points i genuinely couldn't put the book down because i was so invested in the characters and the way the story was going.
i suppose it did feel a bit long as it's really easy to lose interest once the "dilemma"(?) has been resolved (and you've struggled through jamie's pov chapters - fucking hell). i didn't mind too much because by this point i felt quite attached to the characters, but if you aren't particularly a fan of them then the last third or so may be a bit boring.
overall vv impressed with this book. lots of great representation and nothing like anything i've read before.
the fantasy elements were relatively minor in contrast to the main narrative, which is what made it so accessible to me. granted, there were parts that i skim-read, but that was literally all my fault because i was reading a fantasy-based book with no interest in fantasy. the plot as a whole though was amazing - it felt unique and handled hard-hitting issues in what felt like a delicate yet realistic way. at points i genuinely couldn't put the book down because i was so invested in the characters and the way the story was going.
i suppose it did feel a bit long as it's really easy to lose interest once the "dilemma"(?) has been resolved (and you've struggled through jamie's pov chapters - fucking hell). i didn't mind too much because by this point i felt quite attached to the characters, but if you aren't particularly a fan of them then the last third or so may be a bit boring.
overall vv impressed with this book. lots of great representation and nothing like anything i've read before.
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes