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3.24 AVERAGE
3.24 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Like some other new(er), more 'mainstream', horror I went into this expecting to like it more.
I actually think the first, longest story is perhaps the worst. Its epistolary, and told through a series of emails and transcripts of instant messenger chains. The basic premise, moving from an initial contact to do an online sale into a master/slave relationship that eventually goes too far, is strong and interesting. Perhaps it needed more space, more length, to evolve out in a more believable way. Because, based on the timestamps involved, we're supposed to expect that this transition takes a literal matter of days and a handful of exchanges (we're not led to believe there are additional exchanges left out). I realize there are folks, unbalanced folks, for whom this might be the trajectory, but it feels really contrived. I also think, based on the nature of these exchanges, as it evolves into a romantic relationship, the tone and voice the two characters are using in their emails feels very stilted, impersonal, and formal.
The second story is essentially a haunted house/shining hybrid. I enjoyed, even if I did not necessarily like, the characters. I enjoyed the exploration of flawed religious characters and their beliefs. But there is a very flawed premise that sets up the rest of the events that I had a hard time getting past. The main characters' son commits suicide by crucifying himself. Which is interesting and startling...except that its explicitly said that *both* his hands have been nailed to the cross. Something which just isn't possible without a third party involved (there wasn't one). I didn't understand why the parents weren't suspects once the police got involved, and I couldn't get past that initial flaw the whole time. We're also told literally the entire story that humans have finally found scientific evidence that the afterlife isn't real. Only to be shown that it is in fact real. And no time or space given to discussing this.
The third and shortest story was my favorite. It reads a little like a twilight zone episode, a little like a deal with the devil story (its not), and was kind of fun?
There's also some ideas repeated through multiple stories which was a little strange (bleach in ears, rat poison, etc.) which felt like an unhappy accident rather than some intentional connecting thread.
I'm definitely still willing to give LaRocca another shot, and hopefully I enjoy another collection more.
I actually think the first, longest story is perhaps the worst. Its epistolary, and told through a series of emails and transcripts of instant messenger chains. The basic premise, moving from an initial contact to do an online sale into a master/slave relationship that eventually goes too far, is strong and interesting. Perhaps it needed more space, more length, to evolve out in a more believable way. Because, based on the timestamps involved, we're supposed to expect that this transition takes a literal matter of days and a handful of exchanges (we're not led to believe there are additional exchanges left out). I realize there are folks, unbalanced folks, for whom this might be the trajectory, but it feels really contrived. I also think, based on the nature of these exchanges, as it evolves into a romantic relationship, the tone and voice the two characters are using in their emails feels very stilted, impersonal, and formal.
The second story is essentially a haunted house/shining hybrid. I enjoyed, even if I did not necessarily like, the characters. I enjoyed the exploration of flawed religious characters and their beliefs. But there is a very flawed premise that sets up the rest of the events that I had a hard time getting past. The main characters' son commits suicide by crucifying himself. Which is interesting and startling...except that its explicitly said that *both* his hands have been nailed to the cross. Something which just isn't possible without a third party involved (there wasn't one). I didn't understand why the parents weren't suspects once the police got involved, and I couldn't get past that initial flaw the whole time. We're also told literally the entire story that humans have finally found scientific evidence that the afterlife isn't real. Only to be shown that it is in fact real. And no time or space given to discussing this.
The third and shortest story was my favorite. It reads a little like a twilight zone episode, a little like a deal with the devil story (its not), and was kind of fun?
There's also some ideas repeated through multiple stories which was a little strange (bleach in ears, rat poison, etc.) which felt like an unhappy accident rather than some intentional connecting thread.
I'm definitely still willing to give LaRocca another shot, and hopefully I enjoy another collection more.
dark
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Overall: 3⭐
Things have gotten worse: best of the bunch but could have been longer. hardly any buildup to the relationship between the two main characters which made the fervent feelings depicted between them seem more silly than earnest. 3.75 ⭐
The Enchantment: Meh. Forgettable. The parents were such stupidasses. 1.5 ⭐
You'll find it's like that all over: my kinda creepy. enjoyed. 3.5 ⭐
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke: disturbing, disgusting, and unsettling, this story left me ecstatic. It was so compelling and so repellent at the same time. I loved the format; it made everything more mysterious. Some of the emails were too well written to be from a normal person, honestly. But the language is so rich and descriptive, and it pulls you in so much that I didn't feel skeptical while reading. I don't know what it is about a parasite, but I find it so appealing ¿? Like, as a writing prompt, not as a baby I have to care for, mind you. Both protagonists were disturbed and perverse, and well-characterized. So deep and flawed that you almost sympathise with their suffering.
The Enchantment: really meh after the first one. It had absolutely no tension, no build-up, and definitely no relief. I like magical realism, and I liked the plot, but the writing was choppy and awkward, and that really put me out.
You'll Find It's Like That All Over: very lackluster, to be honest. The writing was much more appealing than with the last story, but the story itself didn't really lend itself to much thought.
The Enchantment: really meh after the first one. It had absolutely no tension, no build-up, and definitely no relief. I like magical realism, and I liked the plot, but the writing was choppy and awkward, and that really put me out.
You'll Find It's Like That All Over: very lackluster, to be honest. The writing was much more appealing than with the last story, but the story itself didn't really lend itself to much thought.
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book has VERY gruesome imagery, especially in the first story. I was so morbidly horrified by the end of the first story. Definitely don’t read if you’re easily nauseated. The second story was a less gruesome fever dream, and the third was boring af. Altogether it was a mediocre read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail