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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Okay. Characters a little bland. Ridiculous denouement and implausible central conceit. Gay/MLM horror but portrays pretty much everything homosexual as evil or shameful in some form, which I don't think was the author's intention (particularly given how every explicitly gay character is ripped and well endowed?), and the supernatural element is unnecessary rather than chilling. Not terrible, but doesn't stand up to thinking about it too much.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a captivating read.
This has to be one of the most unique books I have ever read. It is equal parts supernatural horror, equal parts societal/humanity thriller. The interwoven perspective used throughout the novel gives you such a great view as a reader on what's happening. The cruelty of man is on full display, right alongside toxic American southern football culture. Fram does an amazing job at rounding out each of his characters; no one is perfect, no one is truly evil in my mind. Instead, so much of the horror of this book is the self inflicted shame, the misguidance and fear that I understand as a queer male. It's honestly heartbreaking, how much of this novel ends up being realistic. Of course, there's enough of King's "it" to keep you on your toes, but the psychological aspect of this novel is what makes it incredible. Fram has done a spectacular job- on his debut novel as well! The reason I'm not giving this five stars is simply because of the end; I won't spoil it, but there are so many loose ends, so many things unexplained, that I can't help but think that there's perhaps a sequel coming. If not, it stays at four stars, but if so then I'll make it give. Either way, eagerly awaiting whatever Fram writes next.
This has to be one of the most unique books I have ever read. It is equal parts supernatural horror, equal parts societal/humanity thriller. The interwoven perspective used throughout the novel gives you such a great view as a reader on what's happening. The cruelty of man is on full display, right alongside toxic American southern football culture. Fram does an amazing job at rounding out each of his characters; no one is perfect, no one is truly evil in my mind. Instead, so much of the horror of this book is the self inflicted shame, the misguidance and fear that I understand as a queer male. It's honestly heartbreaking, how much of this novel ends up being realistic. Of course, there's enough of King's "it" to keep you on your toes, but the psychological aspect of this novel is what makes it incredible. Fram has done a spectacular job- on his debut novel as well! The reason I'm not giving this five stars is simply because of the end; I won't spoil it, but there are so many loose ends, so many things unexplained, that I can't help but think that there's perhaps a sequel coming. If not, it stays at four stars, but if so then I'll make it give. Either way, eagerly awaiting whatever Fram writes next.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
An impressive debut aptly blurbed as a ‘spooky Southern queer thriller’, The Bright Lands ran on a scale between 3 and 6 for the first three quarters. There’s a mystery disappearance, a small southern football town that feels all-too-familiar to my own, and plenty of flawed characters. Plenty. As I read further, I was intrigued, confused, then more intrigued but still confused. And all I wanted to do was read more and find out what the hell was actually going on.
I’m happy to report that all my questions were answered. WOW. The last quarter of the book cranked all the way up to an 11 and I did not see it coming. This book wasn’t perfect. I think there could have been more of an emotional connection with fewer characters. The story had so much going on it was a little messy, but it got so much right that I loved it anyway.
Seriously; the small town, good ole boy, homophobic, football centric, masculinity on display atmosphere…this is where I grew up and still live. The author captured the feelings around that environment perfectly. The ending was over-the-top in terms of theme and violence. I thought it was fantastic. The supernatural element throughout was the cherry on top.
I’m happy to report that all my questions were answered. WOW. The last quarter of the book cranked all the way up to an 11 and I did not see it coming. This book wasn’t perfect. I think there could have been more of an emotional connection with fewer characters. The story had so much going on it was a little messy, but it got so much right that I loved it anyway.
Seriously; the small town, good ole boy, homophobic, football centric, masculinity on display atmosphere…this is where I grew up and still live. The author captured the feelings around that environment perfectly. The ending was over-the-top in terms of theme and violence. I thought it was fantastic. The supernatural element throughout was the cherry on top.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
love the classic “horror lurking beneath a tiny town,” and it’s executed v well. characters are flawed but lovable and their relationships are real. think IT mixed with a gritty teen drama. a few too many characters to keep track of for my brain. the ending was honestly very anticlimatic for me, and the main reason i didn’t give this a higher rating. as compelling as the beginning and middle is, it builds so much that when we actually get the reveal it isn’t as interesting as the fake outs and proposed theories we got earlier, which is sad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racism, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
wow, well. okay. I’m not really sure I like what it was trying to do, especially once the truth about the bright lands was revealed. it also felt like it was trying to be both 100% contemporary and “old horror lurks beneath” at the same time but not quite succeeding in either.
there’s a lot of reality to the horrors in the town and people itself, and I can appreciate that, but lord. that reveal. not a fan
there’s a lot of reality to the horrors in the town and people itself, and I can appreciate that, but lord. that reveal. not a fan