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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
fast-paced
I don't even know where to begin with this novella. It was weird right out of the gate and got weirder with every single page, but I couldn't put this book down. I really tried to. I kept telling myself I'll get a snack once I finish this chapter. Only, when I finally got to the chapter I was like I mean there's only forty pages left, I can wait. Nex thing I devoured the whole novella and was thankful the second book had come in first so I already had it. Because I mean... Why would you end it there?!
The reason I picked up this is that the concept for this book had my attention. Every time that Molly Southbourne bleeds a doppelganger appears and tries to kill her. It's sounded like a real cook take on the lore, I was all in.
Not only was this a great take on the lore, but I love that Thompson used Molly as the storyteller throughout the entire story. It makes her a little unreliable at times, but it definitely adds to the scare factor at times seeing this happen to a little girl. Then of course finding out the whole truth as Molly gets older to explain some of the spooky stuff away. I felt like hearing the story through Molly's eyes was what made this hard to put down, especially the further into the story you get and the background of Molly's parents is being told.
I felt like Thompson did a great job of building this story in just over a hundred pages. The facts build on top of the gore and the horror, and all three components keep you going. The reader is learning along with Molly about what is happening to her, and how she ended where she was at the beginning of the novella. I love that ending makes you another book, but at the same time, I felt satisfied that the story in this book was finished.
My favorite thing bout novella authors is when they are able to give you so much information in so few pages, but never make it feel like an information dump. I was never overwhelmed with what I was learning about Molly and her condition. There were enough breaks from facts and real-life moments to information was never overloaded.
Also, the thing about what happened to her boyfriends was pretty cool. I read that section maybe three times to make sure I read, what I thought to read it. So it's not just Molly's blood that calls forth the doppelgangers. Just saying, I should have questioned that the section about her flu.
But, I digress.
This was a weird read, but I enjoyed every second of it. I thought the story came together in a believable way, even a little tinfoil hat-like but I'm down for that. I thought the ending set us up nicely for the second book, which I'm excited to jump into.
The reason I picked up this is that the concept for this book had my attention. Every time that Molly Southbourne bleeds a doppelganger appears and tries to kill her. It's sounded like a real cook take on the lore, I was all in.
Not only was this a great take on the lore, but I love that Thompson used Molly as the storyteller throughout the entire story. It makes her a little unreliable at times, but it definitely adds to the scare factor at times seeing this happen to a little girl. Then of course finding out the whole truth as Molly gets older to explain some of the spooky stuff away. I felt like hearing the story through Molly's eyes was what made this hard to put down, especially the further into the story you get and the background of Molly's parents is being told.
I felt like Thompson did a great job of building this story in just over a hundred pages. The facts build on top of the gore and the horror, and all three components keep you going. The reader is learning along with Molly about what is happening to her, and how she ended where she was at the beginning of the novella. I love that ending makes you another book, but at the same time, I felt satisfied that the story in this book was finished.
My favorite thing bout novella authors is when they are able to give you so much information in so few pages, but never make it feel like an information dump. I was never overwhelmed with what I was learning about Molly and her condition. There were enough breaks from facts and real-life moments to information was never overloaded.
Also, the thing about what happened to her boyfriends was pretty cool. I read that section maybe three times to make sure I read, what I thought to read it. So it's not just Molly's blood that calls forth the doppelgangers. Just saying, I should have questioned that the section about her flu.
But, I digress.
This was a weird read, but I enjoyed every second of it. I thought the story came together in a believable way, even a little tinfoil hat-like but I'm down for that. I thought the ending set us up nicely for the second book, which I'm excited to jump into.
Just phenomenal. I defy anyone to read this and not become an instant fan-for-life of Tade Thompson's incredible writing.
Brilliant, brief, bonkers. There are not enough praises for me to heap upon this stunning little novella. It grabbed me from the beginning and then just kept digging its claws deeper, finding purchase unrivaled by anything I've read in a long while. It seems to wear its analogy proudly on its sleeve (or on Molly's bare, bloody arm), but while it thrills with violence and horror and creep it also challenges the superficiality of any assumed analogy.
Layers peel back one at a time while Molly hurtles through her life, leaping from page to page with breathless fear and resolve. One is never quite certain if the exercise is meant to be one of horror, of metaphor, of deconstruction. This paradoxically obvious ambiguity is what makes it work. It smacks you upside the head, beating you with its obviousness, then watches with a wry grin as the nuance filters into your violently dazed mind.
Layers peel back one at a time while Molly hurtles through her life, leaping from page to page with breathless fear and resolve. One is never quite certain if the exercise is meant to be one of horror, of metaphor, of deconstruction. This paradoxically obvious ambiguity is what makes it work. It smacks you upside the head, beating you with its obviousness, then watches with a wry grin as the nuance filters into your violently dazed mind.
*3.5*
That was interesting. The fact that this was written by a male author is also wild to me. I just didn't like some of the stereotypical stuff like Molly's hormonal teen phase, and her mother's backstory was a bit of a letdown for me.
That was interesting. The fact that this was written by a male author is also wild to me. I just didn't like some of the stereotypical stuff like Molly's hormonal teen phase, and her mother's backstory was a bit of a letdown for me.
Fun read with a unique premise. Only complaint is it was shorter than I expected (more of novella). However, there is a sequel, which I will read next.
Wildly imaginative, this was a fast read that I didn't want to put down. Sadly everyone I trust says to read this as a standalone because the sequel wasn't nearly as good.
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
forgot about this until I saw I didn’t write a comment. winner of a plot tbh I wasn’t expecting it to hit great it couldn’t have been done better. was constantly wanting to pick the book up to read what would happen next. last third was a little predictable and like okay cool let’s get to the point but solid 3.5-4