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2.76 AVERAGE
2.76 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Ohhh queer horror! The sixth book of Eric LaRocca that I have read so far. This story has themes such as dark magic, religion, prejudice, homophobia, love and devotion. And it's a wonderfully strange mix of mystery and despair. This time around leaning not so much into the horror part, but that's just my opinion. Perhaps the bigger horror theme is what horrific things humans are capable of if they put their minds to it. And that's really scary.
The story starts with mystery as people in a small village start dissapearing without a trace. Malik, a member of the local law inforcement, has been tasked with solving this mystery. But while Malik and his husband are just trying to fit in, they are attacked with homophobia. New characters like Mister Crowley and Ghost are then introduced to the story, who both have different motives to the same cause. In the end all characters come together to the great conclusion. The last three chapters really kept me on edge as I desperately needed to know the ending.
The ending was where I have to go into the negative a bit, as it was starting to feel rushed. Tying all the character storylines together in the end is a hell of a job, so I understand that this can become a bit of a puzzle. But especially Malik's storyline felt a bit oddly ended. While I do love a good ending, it felt like the police investigation didn't really get anywhere to begin with and was much more focused on homophobia. Serving a different purpose.
In the end it was still a lovely read and I can't wait to read what Eric LaRocca will come up with next. Easy to read, interesting characters and again comepletely different themes with this story. LaRocca never fails to imagine and surprise.
The story starts with mystery as people in a small village start dissapearing without a trace. Malik, a member of the local law inforcement, has been tasked with solving this mystery. But while Malik and his husband are just trying to fit in, they are attacked with homophobia. New characters like Mister Crowley and Ghost are then introduced to the story, who both have different motives to the same cause. In the end all characters come together to the great conclusion. The last three chapters really kept me on edge as I desperately needed to know the ending.
The ending was where I have to go into the negative a bit, as it was starting to feel rushed. Tying all the character storylines together in the end is a hell of a job, so I understand that this can become a bit of a puzzle. But especially Malik's storyline felt a bit oddly ended. While I do love a good ending, it felt like the police investigation didn't really get anywhere to begin with and was much more focused on homophobia. Serving a different purpose.
In the end it was still a lovely read and I can't wait to read what Eric LaRocca will come up with next. Easy to read, interesting characters and again comepletely different themes with this story. LaRocca never fails to imagine and surprise.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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:
Complicated
dark
tense
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Kidnapping, Car accident, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism
Minimal supernatural/thriller aspects. Felt more like a small town cop drama/romance.
WTF did I just read? Made more sense than some of his other works but.....there was no real through line, no real strong tie-in with everything. And the brutality of the sexual violence was unnecessary?
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Rape