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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
As someone who has spent a decent amount of time in small rural southern towns, I loved the way this book really immerses the reader in what that feels like - both suffocating and immensely lonely, especially if you're not a straight white Christian man. I loved the diversity in the cast and the way Kaur deftly addresses the intersections of classism, racism, sexism, and old money power. Add in the allusions to small town superstitions and the devil went down to Georgia? I'm sold.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really vibed with this one. Read it in about 36 hours since I was running out of time on Libby. Didn't know southern gothic horror was something I was missing. I liked the characters and I loved the basic plot. Really wanted to keep reading to see what happened next.
I am impressed to see that it is a debut novel. I am excited to see what the author does next since this was a really solid base - I think the characters all meshed relatively well with each-other but they could have been a little more fleshed out. Some of the villains were a little thin. I think the ending wrapped up slightly too neatly - there's one deal and one feathered friend that didn't really get explained to my liking. Would have loved more backstory into the central villains and also an idea of what comes next after the resolution.
4.25 stars.
I am impressed to see that it is a debut novel. I am excited to see what the author does next since this was a really solid base - I think the characters all meshed relatively well with each-other but they could have been a little more fleshed out. Some of the villains were a little thin. I think the ending wrapped up slightly too neatly - there's one deal and one feathered friend that didn't really get explained to my liking. Would have loved more backstory into the central villains and also an idea of what comes next after the resolution.
4.25 stars.
dark
lighthearted
tense
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:
Yes
Ehhhhhhhhhh. I really wanted to like this.
Likes:
-Character motivations were clear and fleshed out. The characters all stayed strong in their wants/needs throughout.
-Having queer characters where queerness isn’t the main focus.I like the tease of a relationship between Sam and Neera; the explicit mention of Sam’s same-sex relationship/queer identity; and through the tease of S/N, the implication of Neera’s queerness. I like that, seemingly for once, a story can include queer women without the focus being on the travesties of queerness or their romantic relationships.
-The story was compelling enough. Definitely had a few moments of my jaw DROPPING.
-The three devils, instead of just one. So much fun.
Dislikes:
-My BIGGEST gripe with this book was the mid-chapter perspective shifts, and the shifts from the narrative to the podcast format also happening mid-chapter. There is nothing wrong with a short chapter; the perspectives/format shouldn’t be switching in the middle of a chapter.
-The plot often felt a bit cliche, while trying hard not to be cliche.
Overall, a fun read. Not one I would ever return to.
Likes:
-Character motivations were clear and fleshed out. The characters all stayed strong in their wants/needs throughout.
-Having queer characters where queerness isn’t the main focus.
-The story was compelling enough. Definitely had a few moments of my jaw DROPPING.
-The three devils, instead of just one. So much fun.
Dislikes:
-My BIGGEST gripe with this book was the mid-chapter perspective shifts, and the shifts from the narrative to the podcast format also happening mid-chapter. There is nothing wrong with a short chapter; the perspectives/format shouldn’t be switching in the middle of a chapter.
-The plot often felt a bit cliche, while trying hard not to be cliche.
Overall, a fun read. Not one I would ever return to.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
tense
fast-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
Overall an enjoyable and immersive read with compelling and well developed characters. As someone who grew up Georgia and Virginia, I appreciate how reflective Carrion and the diversity of experiences feels to real life. The writing was beautifully descriptive.
However, the multiple POVs and pacing felt very discordant and muddy at times and it would go from feeling almost overly YA to extremely graphic. It felt more immersed in the histories of the characters than the present day at times.
However, the multiple POVs and pacing felt very discordant and muddy at times and it would go from feeling almost overly YA to extremely graphic. It felt more immersed in the histories of the characters than the present day at times.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The author describes this novel as an allegory but it is definitely not. Its meaning smacks you in the face throughout.