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marleywrites's review
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? Yes
3.5
This book was so gross. I loved it. It’s nasty parts were disgusting and I could picture the visuals so clearly. It was awesome.
I was rooting for Finch and Selena from their very first meeting. I loved the supporting characters of Sumera, Simon, Amber, and Risa.
Kyra was the perfect villain and pawn for Nerosi.
The spookiest part for me was when Simon and Selena saw the Echo of Margo. For some reason that really freaked me out. But in the best way.
Overall I liked the writing style and humor of the book. I liked the characters.
I wish Sumera could have been seen as more multi-dimensional rather than always being upset with Finch or Selena. I also wish we had slightly more build up towards the beginning of the story.
I was rooting for Finch and Selena from their very first meeting. I loved the supporting characters of Sumera, Simon, Amber, and Risa.
The spookiest part for me was when Simon and Selena saw the Echo of Margo. For some reason that really freaked me out. But in the best way.
Overall I liked the writing style and humor of the book. I liked the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Violence, Biphobia, Blood, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Animal death, Cursing, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Outing and Suicide
Mention of past suicide off page occurs twice and is brief. Outing is referred to in the past.morethanmylupus's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Car accident, and Gore
Moderate: Suicide
applejacksbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book start to finish. I love the dark academia, thriller-y vibes of the story, but I wish there was a little more suspense built into it. Finch and Selena are adorable together, and I am happy with the ending overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death of parent, Death, and Car accident
Moderate: Outing
btorsi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
first solid 5 star review of 2022. this book was marketed as wilder girls meets it and it delivered in the best way. at first i thought the writing and pacing was a little juvenile but by the end i wanted it to be 800 pages because i couldn't accept it was over. incredible opening lines. i loved it so much i can't formulate actual thoughts other than "HOLY SHIT". sapphic horror is my new jam.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror and Outing
Minor: Toxic friendship and Animal death
alli_the_bookaholic13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
Thank you Raincoast Books for an ARC copy for an honest review.
This was an excellent YA queer mystery thriller. If you’re not already intrigued by that alone, there are potential cult elements, a mysterious band disappearance from almost 20 years ago, a queer girl coming to terms with her sexuality, and a weird thing in the tunnels beneath the school that can grant wishes.
The writing style was really good. It was super easy to follow, and the author developed the creepy and unsettling atmosphere really well. I was completely sucked into this story, and I didn’t want to put it down. It did feel a little slow at times, but I enjoyed the mystery aspect and also the relationship aspect.
Finch has lived a pretty sheltered life, but after her parents death, she starts at Ulalume. She and Selena are drawn towards each other, and I enjoyed seeing Finch come to terms with her crush on Selena. Their relationship was really good, and I liked how it developed over the course of the book. Finch is also drawn down into the tunnels beneath Ulalume where she accidentally pulls something into existence in their world.
Selena was also a good character. I liked her confidence and how she owned her identity, and I really felt for her when we learned how she’d suffered before getting to this place where she could own it. Her toxic friendship/relationship with Kyra was very unsettling, and Kyra only became worse as the book progressed. Selena is drawn not only towards Finch, but she’s also pulled into the mystery of the thing in the tunnels when Kyra discovers it and gets her friends involved.
This got pretty dark at times, and the ending was really intense. I really liked the friendships that developed in the book, the romance, and the creepy mystery.
This was an excellent YA queer mystery thriller. If you’re not already intrigued by that alone, there are potential cult elements, a mysterious band disappearance from almost 20 years ago, a queer girl coming to terms with her sexuality, and a weird thing in the tunnels beneath the school that can grant wishes.
The writing style was really good. It was super easy to follow, and the author developed the creepy and unsettling atmosphere really well. I was completely sucked into this story, and I didn’t want to put it down. It did feel a little slow at times, but I enjoyed the mystery aspect and also the relationship aspect.
Finch has lived a pretty sheltered life, but after her parents death, she starts at Ulalume. She and Selena are drawn towards each other, and I enjoyed seeing Finch come to terms with her crush on Selena. Their relationship was really good, and I liked how it developed over the course of the book. Finch is also drawn down into the tunnels beneath Ulalume where she accidentally pulls something into existence in their world.
Selena was also a good character. I liked her confidence and how she owned her identity, and I really felt for her when we learned how she’d suffered before getting to this place where she could own it. Her toxic friendship/relationship with Kyra was very unsettling, and Kyra only became worse as the book progressed. Selena is drawn not only towards Finch, but she’s also pulled into the mystery of the thing in the tunnels when Kyra discovers it and gets her friends involved.
This got pretty dark at times, and the ending was really intense. I really liked the friendships that developed in the book, the romance, and the creepy mystery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Car accident, Death, Murder, Death of parent, and Animal death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Mental illness
Minor: Grief, Suicide, Alcohol, Drug use, Medical trauma, and Outing
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
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for an arc of this book.
Finch wants nothing more than to go to Ulalume Academy, a boarding school especially for artistically talented girls, to play the piano. But after a visit to the island in Maine, a tragic accident (or is it?) leaves Finch without her parents and completely changed. Meanwhile, Selena is dealing with her own problems at the Academy and wants nothing to do with Finch's weirdness.
This is dark and creepy all the way through, which I loved! The atmosphere is really good and the plot is super interesting. I really love the kind of accidental cult stuff that happens throughout the book. I also love the sapphic relationship and the discussions of identity within this book.
I didn't love the character development and felt like the pacing felt a little off. Things happened too fast to really be believable and organic for me. Other than that though, I enjoyed this dark academia!
Finch wants nothing more than to go to Ulalume Academy, a boarding school especially for artistically talented girls, to play the piano. But after a visit to the island in Maine, a tragic accident (or is it?) leaves Finch without her parents and completely changed. Meanwhile, Selena is dealing with her own problems at the Academy and wants nothing to do with Finch's weirdness.
This is dark and creepy all the way through, which I loved! The atmosphere is really good and the plot is super interesting. I really love the kind of accidental cult stuff that happens throughout the book. I also love the sapphic relationship and the discussions of identity within this book.
I didn't love the character development and felt like the pacing felt a little off. Things happened too fast to really be believable and organic for me. Other than that though, I enjoyed this dark academia!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Car accident, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Bullying, Outing, Animal death, Gore, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
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