A review by grace_astudentreading
My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna van Veen

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

 Advanced reader's copy review

This book was an absolutely wild ride from start to finish and had me completely and totally captivated. I don’t even know where to start with this review, especially since I don’t want to spoil anything. But I can try my best to highlight the non-spoiler things I loved the most about this book. First off, the writing. Everything about it. I loved the way it was a mix of first person linear narration and the psychologist’s transcripts and notes. It is fascinating to read the contrast between Roos’ story of what happened and how the psychologist interprets it. The transcripts also work to give a sense of foreboding, as hints are dropped by the psychologist of what happens by the end of Roos’ story. Alongside foreboding, the story has a general air of sinister and creepy energy. The gothic horror vibes were so on point and I am so glad I did not read this before bed. Between the body horror and the religious horror I had goosebumps the whole time. The spirit lore was also well developed, and I adored the rhetoric about love. As for the plot, it was full of insane twists and turns, with a phenomenal ending. Lastly, I adored the main character Roos. She is so compelling with her trauma and her deep desire to be loved and to love. I also loved Ruth and Agnes, for all their complexities and flaws, and their relationships with Roos. All this is to say this book is perfectly written in my opinion, and I cannot recommend it enough. 

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review