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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
dark
medium-paced
not as horror filled as i would’ve liked but the story was interesting and i loved the multiple povs.
Every 13 years, the periodical cicada brood returns from underground, announcing itself with its deafening screams. Disappearances aren't uncommon in the rural Georgia town of Carrion, so when Dawson Sumter leaves a smattering of blood in a motel that is owned by Neera Singh's family, she sets out to find out what exactly happened. She teams up with 3 other teens, Isaiah, Reid, and Sam. An ancient urban legend about three devils, a terrifying source of power, and a missing Dawson. The darkness of the adjacent community Lake Clearwater may be deeper than they thought.
I enjoyed this book! It was a haunting book about the secrets of Lake Clearwater and how the rich get richer. This book kept my attention, and I didn't want to put it down as I kept reading. I love Xan Kaur's writing and the way they describe the setting, and their beautiful writing was great. This has such great horror themes, and there was gore, and I thought it was perfectly written. It made my stomach turn in on itself, but the perfect balance as well! This book is very character-driven driven and I did enjoy that aspect. I felt like we got into the mind of the characters and learn who they are and their motivations. I enjoyed the switching POVs, and I felt like it was done well.
The only complaint I have; the ending felt a bit rushed. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop, but it never did. I wish the overall plot had a better conclusion regarding the overall conflict. But I did like the ending line of the book! I thought it ended the overall story very well. Another complaint is the character interactions. Yes, this is very character-driven driven but their reason they getting together was clear. But I felt like their relationship to each other was lacking; they stood on their own very well, but their interactions with each other were okay.
Overall, this was a great debut! I did enjoy this book, and I am excited to see what else Xan Kaur writes!
Thank you, Macmillan, for sending me the final copy of this gorgeous book!
I enjoyed this book! It was a haunting book about the secrets of Lake Clearwater and how the rich get richer. This book kept my attention, and I didn't want to put it down as I kept reading. I love Xan Kaur's writing and the way they describe the setting, and their beautiful writing was great. This has such great horror themes, and there was gore, and I thought it was perfectly written. It made my stomach turn in on itself, but the perfect balance as well! This book is very character-driven driven and I did enjoy that aspect. I felt like we got into the mind of the characters and learn who they are and their motivations. I enjoyed the switching POVs, and I felt like it was done well.
The only complaint I have; the ending felt a bit rushed. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop, but it never did. I wish the overall plot had a better conclusion regarding the overall conflict. But I did like the ending line of the book! I thought it ended the overall story very well. Another complaint is the character interactions. Yes, this is very character-driven driven but their reason they getting together was clear. But I felt like their relationship to each other was lacking; they stood on their own very well, but their interactions with each other were okay.
Overall, this was a great debut! I did enjoy this book, and I am excited to see what else Xan Kaur writes!
Thank you, Macmillan, for sending me the final copy of this gorgeous book!
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So good. There is a large cast of characters and lots of POVs so if that’s not your thing, maybe skip it. However, despite there being so many POVs, I didn’t dread any one character’s chapters.
The Southern Gothic vibes were spectacular. Really interesting characters and dilemmas. Loved the lgbtq+ representation (it’s definitely not focused on romance at all, but the representation is blended and integrated very well into the story).
The Southern Gothic vibes were spectacular. Really interesting characters and dilemmas. Loved the lgbtq+ representation (it’s definitely not focused on romance at all, but the representation is blended and integrated very well into the story).
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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:
Yes
Ok. I chewed through this book and loved it. But the author didn't quite stick the landing with the ending, otherwise it would have been a solid 4 star book for me.
I would really call it a "Thriller with Supernatural Elements" rather than a horror novel. But I still recommend it 100%, the 400 pages went by in a flash and it was a fun ride.
I think this is one of this authors first novels, and I absolutely would love to read more of her work in the future.
I would really call it a "Thriller with Supernatural Elements" rather than a horror novel. But I still recommend it 100%, the 400 pages went by in a flash and it was a fun ride.
I think this is one of this authors first novels, and I absolutely would love to read more of her work in the future.