A review by maises
Hawk Mountain by Conner Habib

dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

“Todd writes in his notebook, everything is broken up, even when it’s supposed to be continuous. But maybe, he thinks, it’s the other way around, and everything is continuous even if it seems broken up.”

Is it denial of self? Of acceptance? Of moving on? Yes. This was a very thrilling introspective into a very specific kind of relationship. The gradual decline of Todd and the people around him was incredible to watch. Additionally, the reoccurring theme of an ouroboros-like inevitability was so strong that the last two chapters hit like a meteor, even though I should’ve expected something like it from the very first part of the book. Todd wanted to scrub Jack from his life in every aspect. Yet by the end, the realization that
only Anthony remained
still had me in complete shock.

Something about this story, although very much a horror and thriller, is simply an exploration of having someone mark you so strikingly and being unable to untangle yourselves from them. There is also tenderness, even with the hatred.

Habib’s prose really struck every chord for whatever atmosphere needed. I didn’t even actually mean to read this book yet but I skimmed the first chapter and literally could not stop reading. Finished it within a day. Definitely something that will stick in my mind for a little while longer.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings