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2.76 AVERAGE
2.76 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
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:
Complicated
This book is unique that’s for sure. Since going the audiobook route, it did get confusing at first. I enjoy how it all came together in the end, because in the beginning I was so confused how each part would tie together. I feel like if I read the physical copy then my rating might have been higher. Perfect for spooky season.
super unhappy and very triggered by this book. would not recommend. it wasnt for me. the violence is so much. I love horror but this was not what I expected.
LaRocca never disappoints - always great horror.
Small town, occult, bigotry, dark and graphic. Loved the characters, the wraith, the metaphoric undertones.
TW heavy - check as needed.
Small town, occult, bigotry, dark and graphic. Loved the characters, the wraith, the metaphoric undertones.
TW heavy - check as needed.
1.5 rounded up… may be my first 1 star. As far as a horror story goes this one is fine, basically Nos4a2 but for old people. But other details line up, kidnappings, magic car, old man who can magically heal himself, trying to take his victims to a better place, largely the same plot but whatever.
The real issue with this book is the intense amount of violence the EXCLUSIVELY happens to queer characters. Literally nothing bad happens to any character that is heterosexual, and thats not an overstatement. On the other hand the queer characters are ALL repeatedly beaten, r-ped, and tortured. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve read plenty of gross, splatter punk type novels, but these feels different. I know LaRocca is queer so this may have been some sort of catharsis thing but it’s not something that needs to be put out for the world.
What’s more all of the queer characters are so.. pathetic? Like none of the only time any of them speak up for themselves is when it’s against elderly people who can’t defend themselves? Otherwise even before all the trauma happens they’re just constantly running around with their tails between their legs. They’re all one dimensional.
The prose is also incredibly overwritten, like no one talks for even thinks like that. Between the bad characters, the scapegoating queerness for violence, and the bad writing, this whole thing just felt kind of.. lazy and shock jock-y.
The real issue with this book is the intense amount of violence the EXCLUSIVELY happens to queer characters. Literally nothing bad happens to any character that is heterosexual, and thats not an overstatement. On the other hand the queer characters are ALL repeatedly beaten, r-ped, and tortured. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve read plenty of gross, splatter punk type novels, but these feels different. I know LaRocca is queer so this may have been some sort of catharsis thing but it’s not something that needs to be put out for the world.
What’s more all of the queer characters are so.. pathetic? Like none of the only time any of them speak up for themselves is when it’s against elderly people who can’t defend themselves? Otherwise even before all the trauma happens they’re just constantly running around with their tails between their legs. They’re all one dimensional.
The prose is also incredibly overwritten, like no one talks for even thinks like that. Between the bad characters, the scapegoating queerness for violence, and the bad writing, this whole thing just felt kind of.. lazy and shock jock-y.
I don’t think that the interesting premise ( controlling a god in a basement) justified the grotesque physical horror present in this book. The violence that was present in this book (the hate crimes) completely took me out of the vibes of the other half of the book around Ghost and God. That section of the book and the worshipers were eerie and interesting, whereas the gay couples assault was very graphic. It was helplessness in a different, more real way. These things are so interesting to think about, the differences in the horror, but it didn't work in the reading, it bit off a lot for such a short book and it just didn't mesh and it made it incredibly difficult to read.
