j_m_boyer 's review for:

We Can Never Leave This Place by Eric LaRocca

5.0

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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One of the more terrifying and disturbing things I read in 2022, this short story hurt. It’s incredibly dark and you grow to love the young main character/protagonist Mara and that kind of love ends up devastating as with most of LaRocca’s works there are no happy endings. This short story/novella offered a really stringent and nuanced look at grief, neglect, and the innate horror of being young and vulnerable to those you should be able to trust. Another instant favorite!