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mary_skl1958 's review for:
If I Stopped Haunting You
by Colby Wilkens
Penelope Skinner and Neil Storm are horror writers who write about their Native American culture. Pen has had one book published and Neil Storm seems to be the Stephen King of Native writers. When they appear on a panel together at a book conference, Pen loses her mind and accuses Neil of selling out his culture to sell books. She actually THROWS a book at him that cuts his skin and leaves a scar.
I really just did not understand this book. One of the largest bones of contention is the authenticity of Native culture between two writers, so of course this author sends them off to Scotland to experience THAT culture. What a waste of a chance to educate people about what is and what is not Native culture. The fact that they are Native Americans seems kind of a throwaway issue instead of central to the story which is ironic as that issue is central to their antipathy toward one another. I also did not care for the main character(s). Pen is violent toward Neil; on more than one occasion. That is NEVER cool and Neil just seems like a one dimensional character who just takes it. This book defines toxic relationships. Also, the characters seem very young (especially Pen), but have somehow managed to be in the industry for some time (at least 5 years in Pen's case). Then we have to believe that utter loathing on Pen's part for Neil all of a sudden is insta-love and insta-lust. The ghost story is not bad, but I just could not get past the dislikes enough to care.
*Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martins Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really just did not understand this book. One of the largest bones of contention is the authenticity of Native culture between two writers, so of course this author sends them off to Scotland to experience THAT culture. What a waste of a chance to educate people about what is and what is not Native culture. The fact that they are Native Americans seems kind of a throwaway issue instead of central to the story which is ironic as that issue is central to their antipathy toward one another. I also did not care for the main character(s). Pen is violent toward Neil; on more than one occasion. That is NEVER cool and Neil just seems like a one dimensional character who just takes it. This book defines toxic relationships. Also, the characters seem very young (especially Pen), but have somehow managed to be in the industry for some time (at least 5 years in Pen's case). Then we have to believe that utter loathing on Pen's part for Neil all of a sudden is insta-love and insta-lust. The ghost story is not bad, but I just could not get past the dislikes enough to care.
*Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martins Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.