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A review by kkenna7
Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna van Veen
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
*Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the e-ARC! All opinions are my own.*
This book was a RIDE. I had to sit with it for a couple days before reviewing to collect my thoughts. I definitely enjoyed my time reading this book. It was twisty and more than once, I found myself physically tensing up and having to catch my breath while reading which is always a good sign. It’s unique in its tone and I’m far-stretched to think of a read alike in my personal experience. This book is fast-paced, the characters are complex and engaging (and next to impossible to like almost the entire time - by design, of course). The descent into madness that occurs throughout this plot is a marvel to watch. There’s themes of codependency, adultery, narcissism, and some just plain gross body horror. It also gave me some freaky dreams if I read a lil too close to bedtime - another good sign of a good creepy story.
Definitely not a book I’d go recommending to just anyone, but I will absolutely be keeping it in my back pocket.
Is it perfect? Most certainly not. The writing can get a *little* repetitive if you’re paying too close attention - Johanna likes certain phrases and that shows. But the reality of reading, at least for me, is that sometimes shit like that just doesn’t matter.
SO. In conclusion, proceed with caution but my god have a funky freaky good time.
This book was a RIDE. I had to sit with it for a couple days before reviewing to collect my thoughts. I definitely enjoyed my time reading this book. It was twisty and more than once, I found myself physically tensing up and having to catch my breath while reading which is always a good sign. It’s unique in its tone and I’m far-stretched to think of a read alike in my personal experience. This book is fast-paced, the characters are complex and engaging (and next to impossible to like almost the entire time - by design, of course). The descent into madness that occurs throughout this plot is a marvel to watch. There’s themes of codependency, adultery, narcissism, and some just plain gross body horror. It also gave me some freaky dreams if I read a lil too close to bedtime - another good sign of a good creepy story.
Definitely not a book I’d go recommending to just anyone, but I will absolutely be keeping it in my back pocket.
Is it perfect? Most certainly not. The writing can get a *little* repetitive if you’re paying too close attention - Johanna likes certain phrases and that shows. But the reality of reading, at least for me, is that sometimes shit like that just doesn’t matter.
SO. In conclusion, proceed with caution but my god have a funky freaky good time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail