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A review by persephonefoxx
Wilder Girls by Rory Power
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I did enjoy this book. I smashed through it in two sittings. But I found the pacing odd and like many others in the reviews, I needed just like 10 more pages at the end!
The concept was fascinating, the location immersive, and the characters wonderfully flawed. But about half-way(ish) through the book there is a pace change that left me wanting more. That third perspective switch, changing from Byatt to Hetty signified a hard switch in the narrative pace.
It most certainly an action packed final act, but it was almost as if too much was happening. Events were squeezing themselves in as if aware that the end of the book was fast approaching. Moment after moment seemed to pile on top of each other in quick succession, leaving little time to process what had only just happened. Which in fairness, does put the reader in the shoes of Hetty who is experiencing it in real time. But there is a fine line between a high action sequence and confusion that leaves you having to reread paragraphs to try work out what is happening.
Then the ending came. It felt abrupt. To the point where I turned the page completely expecting another chapter to find none. How I long for more pages!
But as I said. I enjoyed this book. Sapphic horror, and I mean real sapphic horror - one that isn’t an excuse to enact violence on its diverse characters, is a joy for me to read. And the section from Byatt’s perspective was the highlight for me.
The body horror made my body cringe (I do not do well with eye things!). The characters were all so deliciously flawed, which I loved. 3.5 stars!
The concept was fascinating, the location immersive, and the characters wonderfully flawed. But about half-way(ish) through the book there is a pace change that left me wanting more. That third perspective switch, changing from Byatt to Hetty signified a hard switch in the narrative pace.
It most certainly an action packed final act, but it was almost as if too much was happening. Events were squeezing themselves in as if aware that the end of the book was fast approaching. Moment after moment seemed to pile on top of each other in quick succession, leaving little time to process what had only just happened. Which in fairness, does put the reader in the shoes of Hetty who is experiencing it in real time. But there is a fine line between a high action sequence and confusion that leaves you having to reread paragraphs to try work out what is happening.
Then the ending came. It felt abrupt. To the point where I turned the page completely expecting another chapter to find none. How I long for more pages!
But as I said. I enjoyed this book. Sapphic horror, and I mean real sapphic horror - one that isn’t an excuse to enact violence on its diverse characters, is a joy for me to read. And the section from Byatt’s perspective was the highlight for me.
The body horror made my body cringe (I do not do well with eye things!). The characters were all so deliciously flawed, which I loved. 3.5 stars!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Murder, and Suicide