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3.07 AVERAGE
3.07 AVERAGE
Really not what I expected this to be. Honestly, the story took a very strange turn and there were so many different points of view that were difficult to follow that I found myself feeling as if I skipped sections of the book. After looking back through I realized that I had not and we were switching narrators. I was not scared by this book, and I just wasn't into all the strange sexual elements that were brought in.
This book was just not for me, which is disappointing because I've heard so many good things about it! First let me say that I enjoyed the prose and I really liked the monster/demon worms in the book; They were gross and scary.
Here are the things that didnt work for me: I didn't connect with the characters. I was expecting a snake cult book with glossolalia. The setup for the story was a snake cult, but then it evolved into something much greater and unexpected. The book had nothing much to do with the snake cult. This is probably just an issue with how the book is sold in the synopsis and its effect on my expectations for the book. The prose were good, with the exception of one bit of repetitive imagery: blood in and on the lips/mouth. It got distracting after a while and pulled me out of the story.
Maybe these things wont bother you as they did me, so give it a try if you want to read about an apocalyptic scenario with worm demons that live beneath us.
Here are the things that didnt work for me: I didn't connect with the characters. I was expecting a snake cult book with glossolalia. The setup for the story was a snake cult, but then it evolved into something much greater and unexpected. The book had nothing much to do with the snake cult. This is probably just an issue with how the book is sold in the synopsis and its effect on my expectations for the book. The prose were good, with the exception of one bit of repetitive imagery: blood in and on the lips/mouth. It got distracting after a while and pulled me out of the story.
Maybe these things wont bother you as they did me, so give it a try if you want to read about an apocalyptic scenario with worm demons that live beneath us.
dark
tense
medium-paced
challenging
dark
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Fucking creepy. Snake-handling cult, “there’s something wrong with the children,” and ancient worm beings. TW for sexual abuse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Gore, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent
Minor: Animal death
3.5 stars.
Ancient evil meets small town. Reporter Cora travels back to her long-abandoned home town to write about the local snake-handling cult. During her time there she uncovers the real horrors of the town while battling the demons from her past.
I really liked DeMeester's writing style; she definitely has skill in setting tone and atmosphere, and a knack for writing about horrible things in a beautiful way. Unfortunately I found some of the storytelling a bit messy and the exposition a bit awkward. Also, there was part of the plot that didn't make any sense...and this is while I am totally on board with all the other weird and wonderful things going on, there was just one thing that stood out like a sore thumb. That said, the atmosphere and the visuals have stayed with me long after finishing the book so I am interested to read more of her work.
Ancient evil meets small town. Reporter Cora travels back to her long-abandoned home town to write about the local snake-handling cult. During her time there she uncovers the real horrors of the town while battling the demons from her past.
I really liked DeMeester's writing style; she definitely has skill in setting tone and atmosphere, and a knack for writing about horrible things in a beautiful way. Unfortunately I found some of the storytelling a bit messy and the exposition a bit awkward. Also, there was part of the plot that didn't make any sense...and this is while I am totally on board with all the other weird and wonderful things going on, there was just one thing that stood out like a sore thumb. That said, the atmosphere and the visuals have stayed with me long after finishing the book so I am interested to read more of her work.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The emergence of dormant but undying primal forces serves as a metaphor for brutal loss of innocence in this harrowing novel. DeMeester manages to tell a gripping, fast paced story replete with effectively chilling set pieces. Largely one-dimensional characters and (to me)a slight lack of direction keep me from giving it a higher rating.
This is an absolute fever dream of a horror novel. It reminds me a lot of Aliya Whitely’s writing. Hugely visual, deeply *deeply* unsettling.
I’m still reeling from the intensity of it so this is not much of a review. But ‘kin hell, this is so good
I’m still reeling from the intensity of it so this is not much of a review. But ‘kin hell, this is so good
I really wanted to like this book. The premise seemed so spooky & intriguing; however, it was just bizarre and hard to follow. I felt like all these weird things kept happening with no explanation or plot. I just didn't "get it."
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Gore, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Blood, Grief