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millyyy 's review for:
The Library at Hellebore
by Cassandra Khaw
dark
fast-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The first chapter was excellent - dark, tense, gripping. And then you immediately lose any momentum it built up because the author decides to constantly interrupt the pace and flow of the story with random flashbacks that aren’t even in chronological order.
You don’t get to know the characters, you don’t get a chance at immersing yourself because there is incredibly limited world building for a story which relies so heavily on magical elements and monsters. I do not understand how anything in this world operates. I don’t even have a clear timeline of events because the chronology was so confused.
The premise was so interesting to me, and yet it Khaw completely under delivered. Horror does not always need to be fast paced, nor do the characters need to be likeable. But you do need to understand horror versus terror, and you need to understand how to utilise pacing to have the best effect on the narrative. You need to give a great enough sense of characterisation that I at least feel something when they die, whether it’s shock or revulsion or relief. But reading this book, I felt absolutely nothing at any point. I simply did not care. The characters barely seemed to react to anything that happens - and if they don’t care, why should I? Much of the ‘reasoning’ for certain plotlines is inferred - or, at least, it’s meant to be. I had no clue what was happening or why for so much of this book. Even now i have no idea what the staff were eating or why they’re intent on eating all of the students? What do they even learn at this school if everyone has different abilities and the teachers always want to tear them limb from limb? And why were they killing each other? And what the fuck was happening to Portia? It all just went completely over my head.
For something so fast paced, it feels so slow. This is because the second the narrative picks up pace or ramps up the tension, it’s completely halted by some inane and ineffectual flashback which not only uproots the plot - I cannot keep track of all these people because they aren’t even introduced until their flashback scenes 75% into the book! - but also interrupts the flow, blocks any attempt at cohesion and completely erases any and all intensity. I was being edged by a book and there wasn’t even a climax.
The actual writing style was beautiful though - super original similes, gorgeous phrasing, great rhythm. Just a shame about literally everything else.
You don’t get to know the characters, you don’t get a chance at immersing yourself because there is incredibly limited world building for a story which relies so heavily on magical elements and monsters. I do not understand how anything in this world operates. I don’t even have a clear timeline of events because the chronology was so confused.
The premise was so interesting to me, and yet it Khaw completely under delivered. Horror does not always need to be fast paced, nor do the characters need to be likeable. But you do need to understand horror versus terror, and you need to understand how to utilise pacing to have the best effect on the narrative. You need to give a great enough sense of characterisation that I at least feel something when they die, whether it’s shock or revulsion or relief. But reading this book, I felt absolutely nothing at any point. I simply did not care. The characters barely seemed to react to anything that happens - and if they don’t care, why should I? Much of the ‘reasoning’ for certain plotlines is inferred - or, at least, it’s meant to be. I had no clue what was happening or why for so much of this book.
For something so fast paced, it feels so slow. This is because the second the narrative picks up pace or ramps up the tension, it’s completely halted by some inane and ineffectual flashback which not only uproots the plot - I cannot keep track of all these people because they aren’t even introduced until their flashback scenes 75% into the book! - but also interrupts the flow, blocks any attempt at cohesion and completely erases any and all intensity. I was being edged by a book and there wasn’t even a climax.
The actual writing style was beautiful though - super original similes, gorgeous phrasing, great rhythm. Just a shame about literally everything else.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Cannibalism, Murder