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madi_grin 's review for:
Grave Matter
by Karina Halle
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In the best possible way, what the fuck. Grave Matter shocked me. I have read one other Karina Halle book before, and really wasn't impressed. Trying Grave Matter was a leap of faith, and I am so glad I took that leap.
Halle did a lot of research on fungi as well as the fauna and flora of Vancouver Island, and that needs to be acknowledged. The way she wrote ADHD had my heart and head shouting "Yes!" I had never been able to explain how my brain worked before, but Halle had the best description.
The entire book challenged me, intrigued me, scared me, thrilled me, and I could not be more impressed and in awe. There was spice, but the plot had me in such a tight grip that the spice and romance almost slipped my mind, even when they were on the page in front of me. I was so invested that I scared myself and took a long break (if that even makes sense), then came back and tore the rest of the book up. I was so desperate to solve the mystery. While I was right from early on about the main twist (Sydney having died and having her brain altered in some way, Wes knowing her from before we and current Sydney knew ), I was so happy that Halle kept ahead of me so that I didn't know how the twist was going to be revealed. Mild brag, I have the blessing/curse of mostly accurately predicted a twist or overall destination of a plot.
While during most of the book I loved and hated Wes (mostly hated, but in a good way), I absolutely melted for him and his plight by the end. I loved the unreliable narration, I loved the paranormal aspects, and the psychological thrill.
5/5, would absolutely read again, and will 100% recommend to others. Spice was spicing, also.
Halle did a lot of research on fungi as well as the fauna and flora of Vancouver Island, and that needs to be acknowledged. The way she wrote ADHD had my heart and head shouting "Yes!" I had never been able to explain how my brain worked before, but Halle had the best description.
The entire book challenged me, intrigued me, scared me, thrilled me, and I could not be more impressed and in awe. There was spice, but the plot had me in such a tight grip that the spice and romance almost slipped my mind, even when they were on the page in front of me. I was so invested that I scared myself and took a long break (if that even makes sense), then came back and tore the rest of the book up. I was so desperate to solve the mystery. While I was right from early on about the main twist (
While during most of the book I loved and hated Wes (mostly hated, but in a good way), I absolutely melted for him and his plight by the end. I loved the unreliable narration, I loved the paranormal aspects, and the psychological thrill.
5/5, would absolutely read again, and will 100% recommend to others. Spice was spicing, also.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit