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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this one. It had a really unique vibe and premise. I would guess that Silent Hill was an inspiration, which is a definite plus for me. Just the idea of a world warping to fit the psyche of one of the characters is totally Silent Hill-esque. I mean, the name of the town is Chapel Hill! But yeah, I'm getting off topic.
The imagery was evocative, the antagonist was compelling, and the twists were fun, if slightly predictable. It's a fairly fast read that starts quickly doesn't slow down. It's not the most memorable book but, damn, it was a fun ride.
The imagery was evocative, the antagonist was compelling, and the twists were fun, if slightly predictable. It's a fairly fast read that starts quickly doesn't slow down. It's not the most memorable book but, damn, it was a fun ride.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story itself was pretty good. Kept me entertained through every page and an easy read from front to back. But the descriptives of Olivia, Sunflower, and Christmas were like nothing I’ve read before. Hailey Piper has a unique and astounding way of describing a character in a scene that it makes me eager to read more books from Piper. Highly suggest it if you’re looking for something weird, creepy, and fun to read.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've read a lot of Piper's stuff and I can say that she definitely has a favorite plotline to follow. It's not bad, just predictable and, just once, would a non-ambiguous ending be the end of the world ?
I prefer her shortform to her longform stories, especially Benny Rose: The Cannibal King and The Possession of Natalie Glasgow; Piper knows how to use time, tension, and space for a good narrative. Conversely, this is the problem she has with her longform stories: Start > Inciting Incident > Escalation > Climax > Wrap-up > Conclusion, then she has 100+ more pages to go when the story already feels done. She needs to work on her pacing in general. Queen of Teeth doesn't have this problem to a distracting degree and this is her award-winning novel.
Piper has the same problem every author has and that is with either not having an editor, not having a good editor, or not listening to their editor who believes in the author and their work so much they are willing to absolutely eviscerate the text for a greater writer and book.
Unlike other horror writers, Piper does not shy from the details of the dénouement. The reader's POV isn't stuck in a locked room or trapped under a soda machine while the villain and/or paranormal whatsit have their final hurrah before their ultimate defeat.I have nothing against Simone St. James or Elizabeth Hand. I'm not irritated or anything and don't think they punked out when it mattered most. Ahem. Excuse me.
Overall, I like Hailey Piper and her novellas and short stories, but her novels need the attentions of a good editor to make them what they could be, because there is so much potential for greatness.
I may or may not have fallen asleep listening to the audiobook edition of A Light Most Hateful as read by Jeremy Carlisle Parker, who should do asmr honestly.
Moral of the story for writers: Don't be like Anne Rice. Don't ignore your editor and don't take your editor for granted.
I prefer her shortform to her longform stories, especially Benny Rose: The Cannibal King and The Possession of Natalie Glasgow; Piper knows how to use time, tension, and space for a good narrative. Conversely, this is the problem she has with her longform stories: Start > Inciting Incident > Escalation > Climax > Wrap-up > Conclusion, then she has 100+ more pages to go when the story already feels done. She needs to work on her pacing in general. Queen of Teeth doesn't have this problem to a distracting degree and this is her award-winning novel.
Piper has the same problem every author has and that is with either not having an editor, not having a good editor, or not listening to their editor who believes in the author and their work so much they are willing to absolutely eviscerate the text for a greater writer and book.
Unlike other horror writers, Piper does not shy from the details of the dénouement. The reader's POV isn't stuck in a locked room or trapped under a soda machine while the villain and/or paranormal whatsit have their final hurrah before their ultimate defeat.
Overall, I like Hailey Piper and her novellas and short stories, but her novels need the attentions of a good editor to make them what they could be, because there is so much potential for greatness.
I may or may not have fallen asleep listening to the audiobook edition of A Light Most Hateful as read by Jeremy Carlisle Parker, who should do asmr honestly.
Moral of the story for writers: Don't be like Anne Rice. Don't ignore your editor and don't take your editor for granted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, Blood, Toxic friendship
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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
dark
medium-paced
tbh I slept thru some of this. I listened to it on a road trip and got bored. some parts were intriguing and the premise was cool but it didn't land for me. an extra star simply for being gay. 🌈
if you like Bunny by Mona Awad or the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire, you'll probably like this.
if you like Bunny by Mona Awad or the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire, you'll probably like this.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
DNF. I read over half of the book but could not make it to the end.