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mintysbookshelf 's review for:
Ruthless Devotion
by Rebecca F. Kenney
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
NetGalley Arc review!
When I say I want some darker, modern southern gothic this is what I'm talking about.
Rebecca has always had a gift in this series of wrapping up modern issues with this classic retellings and this one is no different. The small town cult vibes are immaculate, the modern version of Cathy and Heathcliff's relationship was well done, and the focus on the religious cult and lack of empowerment through those groups is well done in a modern environment.
If you're here for a standard modern retelling, you best expect the paranormal twists. Double for being a Rebecca title and triple for the Gilded Monsters series. Lines are beginning to cross and while this is overall a stand alone, having the context from the previous two are highly encouraged. As a fan of overlapping universes, this is so addicting to me and I'm always excited to see how these classics will be twisted to a modern setting.
As with the previous entry into this series, it is so nice that Rebecca touches on sensitive issues- with addiction and alcoholism, emotional and physical abuse, religious trauma and processing - in a respectful, healing way. The reality isn't strayed from but it's handled in a way that isn't patronizing or victimizing for those in the cross hairs.
All that said, I do have a nitpick:
Cathy owning herself even when the world around her says otherwise and even her very being, it's so very nice to see she has at least a bit of a spine when it comes to her body. That said, it was a little frustrating that she became so attached to Heathcliff so quickly.Next to no push back when Heathcliff just says "hey you're getting a matching tattoo with me" pardon? Things did work out but is was a little concerning personally.
That's it. That's really all there is. I am very happy to be able to get my hands on this early as it was a fantastic entry to a series I'm falling more and more in love with at every title.
When I say I want some darker, modern southern gothic this is what I'm talking about.
Rebecca has always had a gift in this series of wrapping up modern issues with this classic retellings and this one is no different. The small town cult vibes are immaculate, the modern version of Cathy and Heathcliff's relationship was well done, and the focus on the religious cult and lack of empowerment through those groups is well done in a modern environment.
If you're here for a standard modern retelling, you best expect the paranormal twists. Double for being a Rebecca title and triple for the Gilded Monsters series. Lines are beginning to cross and while this is overall a stand alone, having the context from the previous two are highly encouraged. As a fan of overlapping universes, this is so addicting to me and I'm always excited to see how these classics will be twisted to a modern setting.
As with the previous entry into this series, it is so nice that Rebecca touches on sensitive issues
All that said, I do have a nitpick:
Cathy owning herself even when the world around her says otherwise and even her very being, it's so very nice to see she has at least a bit of a spine when it comes to her body. That said, it was a little frustrating that she became so attached to Heathcliff so quickly.
That's it. That's really all there is. I am very happy to be able to get my hands on this early as it was a fantastic entry to a series I'm falling more and more in love with at every title.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Sexual content, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse