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betwixt_the_pages's review against another edition
5.0
Rating: 5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: this was a WHIRLWIND crazy read; I went in not knowing what to expect, and came out not knowing exactly what happened but knowing I LOVED every minute of it; there was this moment where I just...it's like this book took a breath, and stole it away from me; I have NO WORDS
I know the dates say I read this MONTHS AND MONTHS ago but guys. GUYYYYYYS. This. Book. THIS BOOK. I have almost no words to describe the ways this book affected me. In the midst of personal trauma and the loss of my mom, this book was an escape into something unexpected. And it WAS unexpected--I have this nasty habit of only skimming through a book's synopsis, and then forgetting everything I skimmed over. So when I opened this book? I didn't know exactly what I was getting into. On top of that, the idea that Tade Thompson plays with is just SO UNIQUE, I don't think I could have anticipated such an emotional and compelling story even if I'd tried.
The prose is poetic, powerful, and poignant. I really LOVE the ways Tade Thompson took the pages and twisted them into a lyrical, beautiful journey of self-discovery, self-loathing, and self-triumph. There was a moment, about halfway or so through, where I thought I MIGHT know where the end would lead....and I was absolutely devastated to learn just how wrong I was.
I just CANNOT say enough how much I enjoyed this read. My anticipation, going in, was MUCH lower than I think it should have been--because this book? Is AMAZING, and I urge all of you who love the paranormal and the unique to pick it up. Pick it up RIGHT NOW, THIS INSTANT! You won't regret it--the Mollys won't let you.
Quick Reasons: this was a WHIRLWIND crazy read; I went in not knowing what to expect, and came out not knowing exactly what happened but knowing I LOVED every minute of it; there was this moment where I just...it's like this book took a breath, and stole it away from me; I have NO WORDS
I know the dates say I read this MONTHS AND MONTHS ago but guys. GUYYYYYYS. This. Book. THIS BOOK. I have almost no words to describe the ways this book affected me. In the midst of personal trauma and the loss of my mom, this book was an escape into something unexpected. And it WAS unexpected--I have this nasty habit of only skimming through a book's synopsis, and then forgetting everything I skimmed over. So when I opened this book? I didn't know exactly what I was getting into. On top of that, the idea that Tade Thompson plays with is just SO UNIQUE, I don't think I could have anticipated such an emotional and compelling story even if I'd tried.
“Have you ever read Roshodan? Of course you haven’t. You haven’t read anything. Well, my mother made me read his monographs. He said, ‘With each failure, each insult, each wound to the psyche, we are created anew. This new self is who we must battle each day or face extinction of the spirit.’
The prose is poetic, powerful, and poignant. I really LOVE the ways Tade Thompson took the pages and twisted them into a lyrical, beautiful journey of self-discovery, self-loathing, and self-triumph. There was a moment, about halfway or so through, where I thought I MIGHT know where the end would lead....and I was absolutely devastated to learn just how wrong I was.
After some weeks, Leon says, “I love you, Molly.” “No, you don’t, you silly sausage. You think you’re in love because I’m emotionally unavailable. You’ll get over it.”
I just CANNOT say enough how much I enjoyed this read. My anticipation, going in, was MUCH lower than I think it should have been--because this book? Is AMAZING, and I urge all of you who love the paranormal and the unique to pick it up. Pick it up RIGHT NOW, THIS INSTANT! You won't regret it--the Mollys won't let you.
jenhurst's review against another edition
3.0
This is a super weird yet really fun read. My main issue was I felt like not enough got explained. I get it’s a novella and part of a trilogy but the why or the how was not really explored at all.
dowryofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
4/5 stars
As an Orphan Black fan, I do love me a good doppelganger/clone story and all 122 pages of this delivered. This is about a girl, Molly, who every time she bleeds it creates another Molly that will eventually turn bad and try to kill her. So she grew up being trained in all of the ways to defend and kill herself over and over again. The first scene of this book opens up from the POV of one of the clones chained in the basement by Molly who tattoos a number on her arm and precedes to tell her life story to this clone. Yeah, I was hooked from the first page.
This was weird, creepy, violent. The writing and imagery were amazing. I'm so surprised at how satisfying this was being just a novella, because I usually don't jive with short stories. The only reason this is a four star is because I felt like the last letter from Molly's mom opened a lot of questions for me (which I assume are explained in the follow up novella?). I saw a lot of reviewers say they felt the end was wrapped up nicely but the side of my brain that needs a 100% logical explanation for everything won't let it rest. I wouldn't mind reading the next novella, especially if there's more about Molly's mom I found her to be really intriguing.
Anyways if you're in the horror mood I highly highly reccommend!
"My name is Molly Southbourne."
She says this like it should mean something.
"I don't know you," I say, but it rings false, even to me. "Please let me go."
"It's alright. You will know me. You will." She nods to herself. "I'm going to tell you a story. It's long, but you must try to remember it. Your life depends on how well you remember. Will you promise to remember?"
As an Orphan Black fan, I do love me a good doppelganger/clone story and all 122 pages of this delivered. This is about a girl, Molly, who every time she bleeds it creates another Molly that will eventually turn bad and try to kill her. So she grew up being trained in all of the ways to defend and kill herself over and over again. The first scene of this book opens up from the POV of one of the clones chained in the basement by Molly who tattoos a number on her arm and precedes to tell her life story to this clone. Yeah, I was hooked from the first page.
This was weird, creepy, violent. The writing and imagery were amazing. I'm so surprised at how satisfying this was being just a novella, because I usually don't jive with short stories. The only reason this is a four star is because I felt like the last letter from Molly's mom opened a lot of questions for me (which I assume are explained in the follow up novella?). I saw a lot of reviewers say they felt the end was wrapped up nicely but the side of my brain that needs a 100% logical explanation for everything won't let it rest. I wouldn't mind reading the next novella, especially if there's more about Molly's mom I found her to be really intriguing.
Anyways if you're in the horror mood I highly highly reccommend!
pennym_'s review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
interesting premise, quick, and engaging. but also i think a little forgettable, because you dont really have time to get invested in the characters and the world. a lot of questions left open at the end as well
ravvv's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
midici's review against another edition
3.0
~Spoilers~
Solid three star book. I was really curious about the circumstances of Molly's clones. If she bleeds, and the blood isn't destroyed, a clone is created that attempts to kill her. Simple premise, but with so many questions.
Like the readers, Molly doesn't understand why it happens and starts trying to make sense of her strange biology. She learns that the clones can have different personalities, and are often docile for a period of time before they try to kill her. She learns that they are somewhat of a blank template at first, but grow more complex the longer they're alive.
Molly's parents are are also mysterious figures, who teach her survival knowledge, alongside practical knowledge of how to kill and dispose of her doubles.
I was honestly thinking this was going to take a supernatural stance - Molly's mother comes from another country, and I thought perhaps there was some sort of changeling lore or mythology behind Molly's condition, so finding out the truth was a bit of a let down. As was Molly's final decision. I wish she had decided to live after finally managing to keep one of her clones alive long enough to talk sense (sentience?) into it. Instead Molly commits suicide via clone in a frankly confusing end sequence.
It was a very interesting concept though.
Solid three star book. I was really curious about the circumstances of Molly's clones. If she bleeds, and the blood isn't destroyed, a clone is created that attempts to kill her. Simple premise, but with so many questions.
Like the readers, Molly doesn't understand why it happens and starts trying to make sense of her strange biology. She learns that the clones can have different personalities, and are often docile for a period of time before they try to kill her. She learns that they are somewhat of a blank template at first, but grow more complex the longer they're alive.
Molly's parents are are also mysterious figures, who teach her survival knowledge, alongside practical knowledge of how to kill and dispose of her doubles.
I was honestly thinking this was going to take a supernatural stance - Molly's mother comes from another country, and I thought perhaps there was some sort of changeling lore or mythology behind Molly's condition, so finding out the truth was a bit of a let down. As was Molly's final decision. I wish she had decided to live after finally managing to keep one of her clones alive long enough to talk sense (sentience?) into it. Instead Molly commits suicide via clone in a frankly confusing end sequence.
It was a very interesting concept though.
tatyanavogt's review against another edition
5.0
This is a quick read about the murders of Molly southbourne and boy is it gripping! Very violent, but it keeps you guessing, keeps you wanting more. I started reading it pretty late, figuring I’d get a quarter of the way through before going to bed but I was hooked and read the whole thing in a single sitting.
I had an annotated copy by the author that I got in one of the old page habit boxes. It was cool to read his notes along the way, adding context to random things without spoiling anything from the actual story. Quirky things like ‘this description was based off of my first trip to...’ and ‘this thing is a summer soup popular in this place’... neither of those are direct quotes but you get the idea.
The concept was interesting, and I’m interested in picking up the second book.
I had an annotated copy by the author that I got in one of the old page habit boxes. It was cool to read his notes along the way, adding context to random things without spoiling anything from the actual story. Quirky things like ‘this description was based off of my first trip to...’ and ‘this thing is a summer soup popular in this place’... neither of those are direct quotes but you get the idea.
The concept was interesting, and I’m interested in picking up the second book.
gareth_beniston's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Compelling and entertaining. Horrific. Great writing. But will I remember it in a month?