Scan barcode
sammarcario's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
prose_before_brohs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I desperately wanted to like this collection, and if we went purely by the first story, then it would have gotten at least four stars. But unfortunately the magic that was in the titular novella did not continue in the last two short stories, which ranged from boring and confusing to downright bad.
I think LaRocca is a talented writer; I loved quite a few of his turns of phrase. But his plots (aside from the first novella) felt rushed and strange, often unexplained to the point of confusion, and I could have done without all female protagonists being obsessed with being pregnant even when they were gay. Probably won’t ever read anything else by him, but I at least appreciate the queer rep.
I think LaRocca is a talented writer; I loved quite a few of his turns of phrase. But his plots (aside from the first novella) felt rushed and strange, often unexplained to the point of confusion, and I could have done without all female protagonists being obsessed with being pregnant even when they were gay. Probably won’t ever read anything else by him, but I at least appreciate the queer rep.
joshgolden34's review against another edition
3.0
This book was kind of a miss for me. I did enjoy the title novella; however, I thought it lacked character development, and was a bit unbelievable at times (but the times that story got me, really GOT ME). I also really enjoy the style of how the story was told and was living for the LGBTQ+ representation. The second story was also good, but lacked any real explanation as to what was happening, and the last story was just okay if I’m being honest. I do think Eric LaRocca is a very talented author, but I wouldn’t recommend this collection of stories if you’re new to reading horror and want to be spooked…
svnn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3.0
This was quite the page turner and I enjoyed reading it.
LaRocca does a great job of setting the atmosphere of unease and ickiness as well as having quick, snappy dialogue which is engaging to read. I find that his endings are a bit rushed and don’t quite do justice to the rest of the story that he created.
Also a gripe I have is his fixation on women having a burning need to have a life growing inside of them to feel powerful or godly or like they have a reason to continue existing? Can we have women have wants and needs outside of pregnancy (human or otherwise). Also fetus don’t kick at 6 weeks wtf was that. Thx
LaRocca does a great job of setting the atmosphere of unease and ickiness as well as having quick, snappy dialogue which is engaging to read. I find that his endings are a bit rushed and don’t quite do justice to the rest of the story that he created.
Also a gripe I have is his fixation on women having a burning need to have a life growing inside of them to feel powerful or godly or like they have a reason to continue existing? Can we have women have wants and needs outside of pregnancy (human or otherwise). Also fetus don’t kick at 6 weeks wtf was that. Thx
zoeyoey's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
This book was surely gross and made me uncomfortable, which I can appreciate, but I don’t think I was the target audience for this. I don’t have a religion or follow any faith and so I couldn’t really relate to any aspects of that. I suppose there were parts of the book I could relate to on a very surface level, but that’s all I’ve got.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
sararoxxursoxx's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rowantk's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sproinkly's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
the first story was incredible. i enjoyed it thoroughly and was so sucked in. that story alone would get 4.5 stars from me, a deduction of .5 stars because i just wanted more of it. the second story was also great, except for the author's failure to understand that a fetus does not start kicking within a few weeks of pregnancy. disregarding that detail, i give it a 4/5 stars. the last story was just not very intruiging to me. i ended up skimming through a large portion of it because the scene wasnt written well. it didnt surprise me or scare me, it was predictable and the "plot twist" got rid of all of the possible horror. 2 stars for the last story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Suicide
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death