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ellieplaysbass's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is the first book I picked up after not really reading for a long time, I heard about it from a podcast.
This was SUCH a heavy read- the themes weren't particularly heavy or graphic on their own but Malerman does a pretty good job at making tropes we're familiar with feel much darker that were used to. This being from the perspective of an 8 year old girl was difficult for me to sink into at first but I quickly got acquainted with her mind and felt like I was seeing things the way she did- small enough that you're staring at the people around you's knees.
The lack of character development seemed intentional, of course they had vulnerable moments but having a small cast of a stagnant family made me feel as stuck as Bela seemed to.
I felt like the ladder half was rushed, in the span of a few dozen pages there were 3 multiple page long run on paragraphs and though I see the intention behind it I had trouble with the pacing.
Otherwise fantastic book, hurt my heart BAD.
Keep in mind my standards aren't as high as they could be- quick read and got me emotional.
This was SUCH a heavy read- the themes weren't particularly heavy or graphic on their own but Malerman does a pretty good job at making tropes we're familiar with feel much darker that were used to. This being from the perspective of an 8 year old girl was difficult for me to sink into at first but I quickly got acquainted with her mind and felt like I was seeing things the way she did- small enough that you're staring at the people around you's knees.
The lack of character development seemed intentional, of course they had vulnerable moments but having a small cast of a stagnant family made me feel as stuck as Bela seemed to.
I felt like the ladder half was rushed, in the span of a few dozen pages there were 3 multiple page long run on paragraphs and though I see the intention behind it I had trouble with the pacing.
Otherwise fantastic book, hurt my heart BAD.
Keep in mind my standards aren't as high as they could be- quick read and got me emotional.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Infidelity
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
aleen_elizabeth's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
dblue236's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I can't resist picking up a new book from this author every time I see one. This one took a bit of getting used to due to the format of it, but there was a helpful author's note at the beginning of the book that makes that less of a challenge. I loved watching the story unfold, though I can't say I wasn't at least a little bit let down by the ending. Overall, though, this was a great creepy read that will leave me thinking about it for some time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Infidelity
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Grief, and Alcohol