Take a photo of a barcode or cover
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
"He'd followed me all my life. He had seen for himself all the most terrible parts of me. And yet here he was, looking at me like I was something precious -- like there was some worth in me despite it. Or maybe because of it." (pg 57)
New adult sci-fi fantasy, horror w/touch of romance, supernatural/paranormal.
Alma was an outcast. She had her mother but always felt alone. She harbored within her dark, violent feelings and thoughts that she struggled to suppress. When her mother takes ill, she contacts her estranged father for help. He is an aloof stranger who gives her no choice. He would take care of her mother and Alma would be initiated into House Avera - House of the Beast as his illegitimate daughter. It would come with a violent sacrifice... her arm.
Then she finds that her mother has passed away. Now Alma is further isolated, her new family despises her, and her father just wants to use her in his quest for power. Through her dispair and the ghosts lurking in the shadows, an old friend resurfaces. The ethereal imaginary friend from her childhood -- a steadfast companion and incorrigible trickster, but he's more than that now. Aster has manifested into something real and tangible... at least to her, as no one else can see him.
They go on to grow and train together, their connection and awareness of each other deepening. Until it's time to exact revenge. But there are things unseen, and her world is about to explode and be filled with nightmarish otherworldly monsters, political agendas, vengeful deities, diabolical and malicious plots and twists. Will Alma have strength enough to survive? Can her world withstand it?
This is a macabre fantasy world deftly filled with terrifying beasts and monsters, boundless cruelties, and chilling horrors. Written masterfully with deep, well-crafted characters. I wanted to both love and hate Aster. In reading this, felt just as trapped and incapacitated as Alma, but there is a level of understanding and a silent outcry for all the injustices. I did not end the book without feeling a little shattered.
4.5๐ NetGalley eARCreview.
New adult sci-fi fantasy, horror w/touch of romance, supernatural/paranormal.
Alma was an outcast. She had her mother but always felt alone. She harbored within her dark, violent feelings and thoughts that she struggled to suppress. When her mother takes ill, she contacts her estranged father for help. He is an aloof stranger who gives her no choice. He would take care of her mother and Alma would be initiated into House Avera - House of the Beast as his illegitimate daughter. It would come with a violent sacrifice... her arm.
Then she finds that her mother has passed away. Now Alma is further isolated, her new family despises her, and her father just wants to use her in his quest for power. Through her dispair and the ghosts lurking in the shadows, an old friend resurfaces. The ethereal imaginary friend from her childhood -- a steadfast companion and incorrigible trickster, but he's more than that now. Aster has manifested into something real and tangible... at least to her, as no one else can see him.
They go on to grow and train together, their connection and awareness of each other deepening. Until it's time to exact revenge. But there are things unseen, and her world is about to explode and be filled with nightmarish otherworldly monsters, political agendas, vengeful deities, diabolical and malicious plots and twists. Will Alma have strength enough to survive? Can her world withstand it?
This is a macabre fantasy world deftly filled with terrifying beasts and monsters, boundless cruelties, and chilling horrors. Written masterfully with deep, well-crafted characters. I wanted to both love and hate Aster. In reading this, felt just as trapped and incapacitated as Alma, but there is a level of understanding and a silent outcry for all the injustices. I did not end the book without feeling a little shattered.
4.5๐ NetGalley eARCreview.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall an enjoyable read. For much of the book I felt as though not much happened; personally I think itโs a bit too long and needed to have been cut down significantly. The pacing was strange to me but I enjoyed the worldbuilding. Extra points for the illustrations throughout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Grief, Death of parent
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship