A review by coffincandy
Shy Girl by Mia Ballard

dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This novel provides an absolutely horrific and harrowing exploration of the human loss of autonomy and identity, as the main character is held in captivity! It starts out with a slow burn to lay out who Gia is and how desperately she needs financial assistance. As the novel gets deeper and deeper into the horror and her gradual transformation, I was on the edge of my seat and biting my nails. It goes from creepy and unsettling to full-on ghastly.⁣
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This is a compulsive and necessary read, as it dives fully into domestic violence and abuse metaphor, while the main character remains resilient and determined to survive.⁣
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I recommend checking out the trigger warnings. There were definitely times I scrunched my face in disgust or cringed with horror, even though I’m probably a bit desensitized to extreme horror. It’s intense, it’s gory, it’s glorious!⁣
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This is my first novel from Mia Ballard & it will not be my last! She navigates the horrors and fears of humanity with thought-provoking and provocative writing to the end.⁣
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Read this for:⁣
☑️OCD representation⁣
☑️The potential horrors of sugar dating⁣
☑️Feral feminine rage⁣
☑️Body horror⁣
☑️Unlocking that dog in you⁣
☑️Good-for-her moments⁣
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Many thanks to NetGalley and to Galaxy Press for this e-ARC!⁣
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