A review by pumpukin
My Throat an Open Grave by Tori Bovalino

dark mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I expected a very different book from the description, it's not what it's marketed as.
It's not a horror and definitely not a folk horror. It's about overcoming religious trauma, facing your fears, and about oppression of women and women paying for men's sins. 

It's a quick and easy read with a strong YA feel. The characters are young, and they act their age. The romance is sweet but too insta-lovey. 

All in all, it kept me entertained, and it's a solid story with complex themes. However, I feel disappointed by the misleading marketing. I wanted a dark horror fest with magic, creepy woods, and terrifying Lord of the Wood, not a story about religious oppression and guilt. I don't think I would have picked it up if it had been marketed accurately, because books like this just aren't my cup of tea.

The cover is amazing though.