nicandy 's review for:

The Library at Hellebore by Cassandra Khaw

3.0

challenging dark tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: N/A

Strong character development: N/A

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This book, while after reading, I did enjoy it, it was so messy. The story is jumbled and the author ignores required details in favor of gore and pretentious word play. The story had a lot of potential, and it seems the author wanted to keep it short. That could have been done with decreasing some of the gore in favor of much needed detail. The book is intentionally complicated and does wrap itself up nice. I hated the last 2 chapters, as they kind of turned the book, had it ended prior to those 2 chapters, it would have been even better. Im happy I read it, but disappointed at the same time.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail