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alysorrow 's review for:
Breathe In, Bleed Out
by Brian McAuley
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Breathe In, Bleed Out is a laugh-out-loud funny slasher set at an exclusive spiritual retreat in Joshua Tree. This is the perfect summer slasher with a fantastic mix of humor, gore, and obvious love of the genre. I went into this thinking it would be a good time but I had no idea just how much fun I was going to have!
Our FMC, Hannah, is suffering from the traumatic loss of her fiance. In hopes of healing, she joins her friends for a weekend retreat in Joshua Tree and, admist yoga sessions, sound baths, and hallucinogenic trips, emotions run high, reality blurs, and not everyone is going to make it out alive.
Like most slasher stories, the cast of characters run the gambit of lovable and insufferable (often the same character, at the same time). Experiencing most of the book from Hannah's perspective, the reader is along for the ride and equally uncertain what is real and what is a trauma response. I normally don't like first person point of view, but it really worked for me here- but what made the narrative even better was the shift to third person for the kill chapters!
The kills were quick and visceral and so easy to imagine! They were simultaneously gory and funny just like a good kill scene in a slasher movie (and this book could so easily be adapted into a film). They were honestly my favorite parts to read, but ESPECIALLY the first kill. Almost the entire chapter is highlighted on my kindle because it was just so hysterical.
I also felt like the book honestly handles both the PTSD/mental illness aspect and the spiritual practices/cultural appropriation aspects really respectfully and while they're obviously aspects of the plot, it never feels derisive.
This is a great read and I highly recommend everyone picks it up when it comes out- it will be the perfect transition from summer into spooky season!
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC- all thoughts my own!
Our FMC, Hannah, is suffering from the traumatic loss of her fiance. In hopes of healing, she joins her friends for a weekend retreat in Joshua Tree and, admist yoga sessions, sound baths, and hallucinogenic trips, emotions run high, reality blurs, and not everyone is going to make it out alive.
Like most slasher stories, the cast of characters run the gambit of lovable and insufferable (often the same character, at the same time). Experiencing most of the book from Hannah's perspective, the reader is along for the ride and equally uncertain what is real and what is a trauma response. I normally don't like first person point of view, but it really worked for me here- but what made the narrative even better was the shift to third person for the kill chapters!
The kills were quick and visceral and so easy to imagine! They were simultaneously gory and funny just like a good kill scene in a slasher movie (and this book could so easily be adapted into a film). They were honestly my favorite parts to read, but ESPECIALLY the first kill. Almost the entire chapter is highlighted on my kindle because it was just so hysterical.
I also felt like the book honestly handles both the PTSD/mental illness aspect and the spiritual practices/cultural appropriation aspects really respectfully and while they're obviously aspects of the plot, it never feels derisive.
This is a great read and I highly recommend everyone picks it up when it comes out- it will be the perfect transition from summer into spooky season!
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC- all thoughts my own!