A review by charm_city_sinner
The Potted Plant: An Eco-Horror, Revenge Tale by Thomas Gloom

adventurous dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Potted Plant is my third and favorite read of the year from @thomasgloom. 

I find myself liking novellas more and more because when done correctly, it lets authors flex a bit and gives them license to pull all sorts of WTF moments that don't necessarily work on longer pieces. 

Gloom nails this completely here. The Potted Plant is about pain, revenge, and the opportunity for personal growth after a personal tragedy. 

The protagonist (who we never learn the name of and I love that) falls under the influence of a witch after having his heart broken. Out for revenge, she offers a solution. 

What follows is a blend of real life and the bizarre. The way Gloom ends the story is chef's kiss fuck yeah and would have been perfect for the Twilight Zone. 

It's hard to put my finger on, but this feels like the signal for some evolution beyond his other two works (which I really liked). It almost feels like he's having more fun? I don't know, but I loved this tale and can't wait to see what he does next 🤘