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delliomellidom's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wounded is a quick to read psychological thriller/horror novella by Greta T Bates that truly thrusts you into the point of view of its first person narrator, Elia. She is a seventeen year old who has endured abuse at the hands of her mother, abuse that has been generational. The Horrifying Women haunt her in many senses, even once her mother is no longer there. She turns to the help of her friends to rid herself of the lingering unrest, to truly move on. Yet things do not always go as planned, especially when witchcraft is involved.
While the novella does not have extreme horror, it still contains moments of suspense and a few key scenes that etch themselves in your mind. It fits the genre while remaining accessible to older teens and adults alike.
Having read a short story from this author in the past, I was greatly impressed with how she crafted Elia’s voice. It bleeds onto the paper beyond the dialogue exchanged between characters. We’re shown flashbacks and current events in a chain that flows well. The scenes are easily pictured without being overly descriptive. It’s a fantastic quick read.
I appreciated how the characters were developed as well as the way witchcraft was handled. The ending was satisfying for me. I could pick up more for this story or have it remain as a standalone. The exploration of other tales, such as Cinderella and Persephone, helped bring these characters to life. I love comparisons such as those; seeing how characters view themselves and their situations.
This novella earned its four stars from me, based on the genre and my enjoyment levels while reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Child abuse
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