A review by carlysgrowingtbr
Moonflow by Bitter Karella

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

A biting botanical splatterpunk horror that leaves you wondering if they were hallucinating or if you were. 

Audiobook Stats:
⏰: 10 hours 30 minutes  
🎤: Venus Rose Fisher    
Publisher: Hachette Audio 
Format: Single POV/Timeline   
I found the narrator to be clear and concise in their narration. I never had to adjust my speed and was able to listen within my typical range. I enjoyed the tone and tempo of this narrator. 

Themes:
🍄: The horrors of sisterhood 
🍄: The dangers of cults
🍄: Feminism and how it fails Trans women 

Representation:
🌲: Trans MC
🌲: Queer characters 

🥵: Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Gore: 🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️🧟‍♂️
Potential Triggers: violence, body horror, transphobia, infanticide, animal cruelty **check authors page/socials for full list. 

General Thoughts:
This book was definitely a psychedelic trip through a very culty and bizarre world. It's 70's love child meets Manson level feminist cult. 

Splatterpunk with a comical bite is the only way to describe this novel. I volleyed between laughing hysterically to being utterly uncomfortable and disgusted mere pages later. While I fully accept that this book is not for everyone, I was definitely able to enjoy the finer thematic aspects of the novel as well as the biting satire. 

This novel tackles themes that have deep depths in a unique and often unsettling way. Calling attention to feminism and the way it frequently fails Trans women I thought was done really well. It was hard to hear the blatant Transphobia throughout the book, but it definitely drove the point home. 

The metaphor of the mushroom being the pinnacle of everything was a little on the nose. But it was so well done and integrated that it really didn't feel that way. 

This is a splatter horror and the subject matter and triggers reflect that. Though on the spectrum I would consider it on the lighter side since it's not overly descriptive. The triggers should be checked fully before reading for mental health reasons. 

The erotic nature of this novel is definitely a main component. The overtly sexual content isn't always my favorite in splatterpunk, but it was definitely utilized in a way that made sense to the content and furthered the point of story. 

The ending dragged on a little too long for me and I feel it really could have ended at the 87-89% mark. Other than that I was really satisfied with the ending. 

Disclaimer: I read this audiobook via free ALC/Ebook through NetGalley, publisher Run For It and Hachette Audio. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.