A review by bobbiejowoo
Wasps in the Ice Cream by Tim McGregor

dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I feel a little misled by the synopsis and categorization of this one. I would definitely not consider this one horror- at all. However, it was a gloomy, gothic feeling coming of age story. It packs a big punch covering themes including grief, loss, bullying, seclusion, isolation. 

 

I found this story to be a little too slow for my personal preference, and most of the characters to be extremely unlikable.  However, Wasps in the Ice cream was heartbreaking and haunting and mostly well written. I had issues with unnecessary and recurring “gay jokes”-  While I understand this book was written in a particular time period, but I feel like the setting and nostalgia were built wonderfully without the need to include those. 

 

All in all I feel like this was a good coming of age story with little hints of the supernatural. While it is not the type of book I usually read, I was surprised by the twist revelation near the end and I’m not disappointed I read it.  

** Thank you to Raw Dog Screaming Press and NetGalley for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. **