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thehighshelf 's review for:
The Cut
by C. J. Dotson
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I went into The Cut hoping to be scared senseless. What I got instead was a lukewarm thriller that felt like it had ambitions of horror but politely declined to actually horrify anyone. It’s like being invited to a haunted house, only to find it’s just a mildly overgrown backyard with a fog machine and one guy in a mask who's clearly just Greg from accounting.
The plot moves along well enough—I'll give it that. The pacing is decent, the characters aren't offensively written, and there’s a consistent tone. But it all feels a little too neat, a little too safe. I kept waiting for the moment that would chill me to the bone or at least raise a goosebump. Instead, I found myself thinking, “This would make a decent movie if they punched up the scares and cast someone broody and hot.” It’s got that cinematic vibe—quick scenes, visual tension, and just enough dialogue to carry a screenplay. But as a novel? It’s kind of like ordering a spicy dish and only tasting paprika.
Dotson’s writing style is clean and competent, but not particularly memorable. There were a few clever lines, and I did appreciate the atmospheric attempts, even if they never quite landed. It's not bad, just... there. Like a middle seat on a short flight. You’ll survive, but you won’t recommend it.
Overall, The Cut didn’t leave a scar. It left more of a faint paper scratch—annoying enough to notice, but not deep enough to remember. Two stars for effort—and for being the literary equivalent of a horror movie you put on while folding laundry.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital copy for review!
The plot moves along well enough—I'll give it that. The pacing is decent, the characters aren't offensively written, and there’s a consistent tone. But it all feels a little too neat, a little too safe. I kept waiting for the moment that would chill me to the bone or at least raise a goosebump. Instead, I found myself thinking, “This would make a decent movie if they punched up the scares and cast someone broody and hot.” It’s got that cinematic vibe—quick scenes, visual tension, and just enough dialogue to carry a screenplay. But as a novel? It’s kind of like ordering a spicy dish and only tasting paprika.
Dotson’s writing style is clean and competent, but not particularly memorable. There were a few clever lines, and I did appreciate the atmospheric attempts, even if they never quite landed. It's not bad, just... there. Like a middle seat on a short flight. You’ll survive, but you won’t recommend it.
Overall, The Cut didn’t leave a scar. It left more of a faint paper scratch—annoying enough to notice, but not deep enough to remember. Two stars for effort—and for being the literary equivalent of a horror movie you put on while folding laundry.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital copy for review!