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charles_rowland 's review for:
Black Flame
by Gretchen Felker-Martin
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received an e-ARC and am giving my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity!
This was insane. Absolutely insane. I'm still reeling (haha, get it. like movie film).
It's taken a while for me to get used to horror that includes sexual themes due to how much sex was demonized when I was a kid, and this was some true exposure therapy. Not in a bad way at all, I am glad to have been kept on my toes like this. This was visceral in ways I can't begin to explain and it was incredible. Ellen's horrific journey through this book was haunting and I found myself getting whiplash from feeling a bit fed up with her to then completely understanding her. I mean, hell, she went through a lot in this novel, even though she had some ideologies I wasn't a fan of, it was made clear they were forced onto her by her mother/upbringing.
There were some points that I absolutely loved but wished we had just a bit more of, or a more solid ending. However, I also know that I don't like loose ends, even when they make sense for the plot, so it's certainly more on me. But Ellen's dad specifically was someone I wish we had more from, and I do wish we had just a bit more leading up to what happens on the very last page. I am saying this as someone who is like Ellen, but it did feel like it could have used just a few more "hints," I guess, about it. Not to say that that last page didn't bring me to tears or not cement this book's place on my list of favorites, but beyond I think one and maybe two lines, I didn't really see it coming. Which, I'll be honest, says a lot coming from me haha.
This is truly the embodiment of queerness in horror and it's incredible. The way sexuality as well as antisemitism is used to not only embolden Ellen but also not just be used as a sad trope, but also empowering, retributive. I love a good story where the homophobes and antisemites and transphobes and racists and sexists get what they deserve.
This was insane. Absolutely insane. I'm still reeling (haha, get it. like movie film).
It's taken a while for me to get used to horror that includes sexual themes due to how much sex was demonized when I was a kid, and this was some true exposure therapy. Not in a bad way at all, I am glad to have been kept on my toes like this. This was visceral in ways I can't begin to explain and it was incredible. Ellen's horrific journey through this book was haunting and I found myself getting whiplash from feeling a bit fed up with her to then completely understanding her. I mean, hell, she went through a lot in this novel, even though she had some ideologies I wasn't a fan of, it was made clear they were forced onto her by her mother/upbringing.
There were some points that I absolutely loved but wished we had just a bit more of, or a more solid ending. However, I also know that I don't like loose ends, even when they make sense for the plot, so it's certainly more on me. But Ellen's dad specifically was someone I wish we had more from, and I do wish we had just a bit more leading up to what happens on the very last page. I am saying this as someone who is like Ellen, but it did feel like it could have used just a few more "hints," I guess, about it. Not to say that that last page didn't bring me to tears or not cement this book's place on my list of favorites, but beyond I think one and maybe two lines, I didn't really see it coming. Which, I'll be honest, says a lot coming from me haha.
This is truly the embodiment of queerness in horror and it's incredible. The way sexuality as well as antisemitism is used to not only embolden Ellen but also not just be used as a sad trope, but also empowering, retributive. I love a good story where the homophobes and antisemites and transphobes and racists and sexists get what they deserve.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide
Moderate: Transphobia, Antisemitism