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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
This was strangely fantastic. It begins like an 80s pulp hortor story, but soon becomes something else, something greater.
And the way it's written, wow, I could get lost in its poetry.
And the way it's written, wow, I could get lost in its poetry.
A Light Most Hateful is like a gorgeous dream wrapped in razor wire, slicing you through with its beauty and horrors. It is one of those rare novels where the prose cuts just as deep as the terrifying events unfold.
To try and describe what this book is about without spoilers is a fool's errand. Because it's not just about a particular thing but many, all interwoven and joined together like a grotesque nightmarish beast. And it's absolutely beautiful as well.
Some books have scenes that terrify and creep you out and other scenes that might make you feel emotional. This book made me feel creeped out and emotional simultaneously because those two things are so grandly intertwined.
I was so engrossed that, at the end, I thought this was a novella. To my utter surprise, it's a full length novel that clocks in at around 288 pages or so. It didn't feel like it because time seemed to stand still as I read, page after glorious page, until the jaw dropping conclusion.
Themes of Identity, love, dreams, and cosmic horror all have their rightful place in here. And it's definitely one of my favorite horror books of 2023. A must read in every sense. I can't recommend it enough!
I received an ARC of this book with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
To try and describe what this book is about without spoilers is a fool's errand. Because it's not just about a particular thing but many, all interwoven and joined together like a grotesque nightmarish beast. And it's absolutely beautiful as well.
Some books have scenes that terrify and creep you out and other scenes that might make you feel emotional. This book made me feel creeped out and emotional simultaneously because those two things are so grandly intertwined.
I was so engrossed that, at the end, I thought this was a novella. To my utter surprise, it's a full length novel that clocks in at around 288 pages or so. It didn't feel like it because time seemed to stand still as I read, page after glorious page, until the jaw dropping conclusion.
Themes of Identity, love, dreams, and cosmic horror all have their rightful place in here. And it's definitely one of my favorite horror books of 2023. A must read in every sense. I can't recommend it enough!
I received an ARC of this book with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Spoiler Review:
This books follows Olivia on a night of terror where Chapel Hill has been taken over by monsters. She’s trying to survive while looking for her best friend Sunflower, who she is in love with. Meets Christmas, who is an unlikely friend, that helps Olivia through this nightmare where they both almost die by the creatures made by her best friend, Sunflower. Finding the eldritch creature dreaming under the city and barely escaping as it consumes the town and everyone in it.
I had mixed feeling while reading this, but I’m glad I read it till the end. It started very stiff, had a few scenes that peaked interest, slowed down, climaxed in the middle, and then ended strong and kind of open where you don’t know exactly what will happen to the characters. But a giant dreaming creature with godlike powers searching for its sister roaming the planet is pretty terrifying.
This books follows Olivia on a night of terror where Chapel Hill has been taken over by monsters. She’s trying to survive while looking for her best friend Sunflower, who she is in love with. Meets Christmas, who is an unlikely friend, that helps Olivia through this nightmare where they both almost die by the creatures made by her best friend, Sunflower. Finding the eldritch creature dreaming under the city and barely escaping as it consumes the town and everyone in it.
I had mixed feeling while reading this, but I’m glad I read it till the end. It started very stiff, had a few scenes that peaked interest, slowed down, climaxed in the middle, and then ended strong and kind of open where you don’t know exactly what will happen to the characters. But a giant dreaming creature with godlike powers searching for its sister roaming the planet is pretty terrifying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
dark
slow-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
Fine, I guess? Didn't hold my attention, super repetitive. A good idea, just couldn't pull it off
dark
mysterious
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
dark
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was really unsettling and kept me wondering what was around the next (sometimes literal) corner. I couldn't tell where we were going, which was a great way to keep me invested. Christmas is hands down the best character.
This is one of those books that leaves a lot to the imagination for better or worse, and what you get from it is entirely based on your own perception.
This is one of those books that leaves a lot to the imagination for better or worse, and what you get from it is entirely based on your own perception.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes