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A review by charmandi
The Undertaker's Daughter: A Novel of Supernatural Horror by John James Minster
3.0
I mostly enjoyed this book. Not for the weak or faint of heart, that's for sure. Usually, I don't put these on my reviews on Goodreads but, I think it's needed for this one: TW/Content Warning: rape, gore, bullying (I think that is one?), and high religious talk.
This book seems like it would make a fantastic teen horror movie, one of those ones that's super intense but also has those 'teenagers are dumb' vibes. I enjoyed this book for the most part, bordering on YA if not for the gore and some of the content. It was fascinating to see horror tropes played out in an angle of religious need and want as opposed to the highly cynical and atheistic views typically found in horror literature. This was also my undoing. The highly religious aspect of it was at times a bit preachy for me. The characters staying true to their religion until the end is fine, but it feels like it didn't waver or wasn't questioned once, which doesn't speak to the reality of such a high abstract concept under circumstances presented in the story.
Overall, it was a fun read. Super unique concept, easy to read and fast flow all while keeping you on the edge of your seat. (Seriously, some of those passages were brutal.)
This book seems like it would make a fantastic teen horror movie, one of those ones that's super intense but also has those 'teenagers are dumb' vibes. I enjoyed this book for the most part, bordering on YA if not for the gore and some of the content. It was fascinating to see horror tropes played out in an angle of religious need and want as opposed to the highly cynical and atheistic views typically found in horror literature. This was also my undoing. The highly religious aspect of it was at times a bit preachy for me. The characters staying true to their religion until the end is fine, but it feels like it didn't waver or wasn't questioned once, which doesn't speak to the reality of such a high abstract concept under circumstances presented in the story.
Overall, it was a fun read. Super unique concept, easy to read and fast flow all while keeping you on the edge of your seat. (Seriously, some of those passages were brutal.)