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A review by drskspawn
Sleeping Celeste by Alana K. Drex
5.0
"Sleeping Celeste" is a brisk gothic horror tale that’s firmly focused on blind obsession. Marie is absolutely devastated after the loss of her daughter, Celeste and is convinced that the girl has simply fallen into a deep sleep. Much of Marie’s refusal to accept Celeste’s obvious condition stems from a twisted, shocking guilt that turns the entire tale on its head. Marie is driven to near madness at the thought of Celeste being buried under the ground so her dutiful husband has the girl displayed in a special sarcophagus, one that contains a little window so Marie can gaze upon and touch her daughter’s face day after day.
In time, Marie’s obsession only grows. As she did when her daughter was alive, Marie watches Celeste like a hawk, waiting for the day when she will surely awaken. It’s during her nightly vigils that the resident groundskeeper tells her about his Aunt Tress, who may hold the key to awakening Celeste through her black magic. Marie is unperturbed by horrific stories of mewling, zombie-like cats since she’s certain Celeste will retain her true personality since she’s not really dead; all Marie needs is a suitable sacrifice, a morbid incantation, and the will to try and awaken her beloved daughter.
I absolutely loved this book. It’s like "Pet Sematary" (King, 1983) meets Edgar Allan Poe! The author does a fantastic job of making you sympathise with Marie and then begin to question her sanity, before turning her into a tragic figure who’s turned to deception and murder to reunite with her daughter. Marie’s fascination with Celeste speaks to the blinkered tragedy of losing a loved one; Marie will do anything, brave any danger, for a way to awaken her but cannot entertain the thought that her daughter is dead because to admit that would be to admit her culpability, and this is all wonderfully realised in the shocking and gory ending!
In time, Marie’s obsession only grows. As she did when her daughter was alive, Marie watches Celeste like a hawk, waiting for the day when she will surely awaken. It’s during her nightly vigils that the resident groundskeeper tells her about his Aunt Tress, who may hold the key to awakening Celeste through her black magic. Marie is unperturbed by horrific stories of mewling, zombie-like cats since she’s certain Celeste will retain her true personality since she’s not really dead; all Marie needs is a suitable sacrifice, a morbid incantation, and the will to try and awaken her beloved daughter.
I absolutely loved this book. It’s like "Pet Sematary" (King, 1983) meets Edgar Allan Poe! The author does a fantastic job of making you sympathise with Marie and then begin to question her sanity, before turning her into a tragic figure who’s turned to deception and murder to reunite with her daughter. Marie’s fascination with Celeste speaks to the blinkered tragedy of losing a loved one; Marie will do anything, brave any danger, for a way to awaken her but cannot entertain the thought that her daughter is dead because to admit that would be to admit her culpability, and this is all wonderfully realised in the shocking and gory ending!