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alyssa2012's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Body horror, Child death, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Grief, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Racism, Biphobia, Drug use, Vomit, Outing, and Panic attacks/disorders
sarahmreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Finch is dedicated to get into Ulalume Academy, a school that can soar her pianist talent to new heights. However, an accident that kills both her parents and Finch herself changes everything Finch knows, especially when she is brought back to life and gets admitted to Ulalume Academy. Now Finch must navigate a new school, new friends, and the mysterious force that makes up the town of Rainwater. Oh, and her forming crush on resident popular girl Selena St. Clair.
I usually read horror books, just because I get grossed out so quickly and I get scared very easily. But I decided to brave through it for the gays, and it was absolutely worth it.
Let's start with worldbuilding. Rainwater is such an interesting town with a unique history behind it, although it felt kind of infodumped at some points throughout the story. Although I did absolutely love the lore and history behind the mystery and what had occurred in the past. I do also wish that the epilogue provided a bit more clarity as to what was the aftermath for Killing Howard. I know it is basically assumed they died, but the story was built for us to think there was more.
I will say that the characters really made this story unique! I absolutely loved Selena and Finch, although Finch at times was too emotional, but given her history I don't blame her. This story does reveal a lot of flaws to people, especially when it comes to wanting to leave a toxic relationship but not being sure how to, which I relate to a LOT, as well as the hurdles people jump over to try and figure out their sexuality and the people that might get hurt along the way. These were done extremely well, especially at the end which I won't get into because of spoilers. I was half expecting one thing to be done because of how often you see it in media, but it was fresh to see it done the other way around.
Some characters I think were underutilized a little bit, some being Sumera and Simon. They were great characters, and allowed for a lot of dual perspective and characters that introduce us to the world of "My Dearest Darkest." However, sometimes they were just... there? I really thought they would serve bigger purposes besides some exposition and easy-ins to Rainwater, but they really didn't and wish they were involved more. Then there were characters that were used too much, like Kyra. She was a great antagonist with well-rooted motivations, but every single time she got in a fight with the main cast, she says a one-liner and storms out. I kid you not, every scene with her in it ends with her slamming some door. It was kind of funny after a while but it did irk me.
The romance, on the other hand, was absolutely adorable! It was a beautifully written story of rivals forced to work together to lovers and UGH! The story of Finch discovering her sexuality and Selena's experience coming to terms with being bisexual was so well done. I was swooning and screaming and rooting for them the whole way. This story goes to show that love, even queer love, prevails all.
I was absolutely on the edge of my seat. Everything was so graphic and extremely well-described to the point where the more disgusting scenes still gross me out long after I finished reading it. That being said, I don't recommend this for the faint of heart. There are some NASTY images that made me squirm and scream. But honestly, the plot kept me hooked enough to keep reading.
My Dearest Darkest is one of the best debut novels I've read in a long time, and is perfect for horror fans who want some more queer love out of scary books. I can't recommend this book enough!
I received a copy of this story as an e-ARC from both NetGalley and the publisher. Any and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I usually read horror books, just because I get grossed out so quickly and I get scared very easily. But I decided to brave through it for the gays, and it was absolutely worth it.
Let's start with worldbuilding. Rainwater is such an interesting town with a unique history behind it, although it felt kind of infodumped at some points throughout the story. Although I did absolutely love the lore and history behind the mystery and what had occurred in the past. I do also wish that the epilogue provided a bit more clarity as to what was the aftermath for Killing Howard. I know it is basically assumed they died, but the story was built for us to think there was more.
I will say that the characters really made this story unique! I absolutely loved Selena and Finch, although Finch at times was too emotional, but given her history I don't blame her. This story does reveal a lot of flaws to people, especially when it comes to wanting to leave a toxic relationship but not being sure how to, which I relate to a LOT, as well as the hurdles people jump over to try and figure out their sexuality and the people that might get hurt along the way. These were done extremely well, especially at the end which I won't get into because of spoilers. I was half expecting one thing to be done because of how often you see it in media, but it was fresh to see it done the other way around.
Some characters I think were underutilized a little bit, some being Sumera and Simon. They were great characters, and allowed for a lot of dual perspective and characters that introduce us to the world of "My Dearest Darkest." However, sometimes they were just... there? I really thought they would serve bigger purposes besides some exposition and easy-ins to Rainwater, but they really didn't and wish they were involved more. Then there were characters that were used too much, like Kyra. She was a great antagonist with well-rooted motivations, but every single time she got in a fight with the main cast, she says a one-liner and storms out. I kid you not, every scene with her in it ends with her slamming some door. It was kind of funny after a while but it did irk me.
The romance, on the other hand, was absolutely adorable! It was a beautifully written story of rivals forced to work together to lovers and UGH! The story of Finch discovering her sexuality and Selena's experience coming to terms with being bisexual was so well done. I was swooning and screaming and rooting for them the whole way. This story goes to show that love, even queer love, prevails all.
I was absolutely on the edge of my seat. Everything was so graphic and extremely well-described to the point where the more disgusting scenes still gross me out long after I finished reading it. That being said, I don't recommend this for the faint of heart. There are some NASTY images that made me squirm and scream. But honestly, the plot kept me hooked enough to keep reading.
My Dearest Darkest is one of the best debut novels I've read in a long time, and is perfect for horror fans who want some more queer love out of scary books. I can't recommend this book enough!
I received a copy of this story as an e-ARC from both NetGalley and the publisher. Any and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, Car accident, Toxic relationship, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Outing and Racism
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