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libraryofavirgo's Reviews (147)
The Crucible meets The Virgin Suicides, and dare I say, a hint of Little Women; all favorites of mine that come together in a concoction that could be considered witchcraft itself because it is so good. Purvis’s writing style is beyond elegant; the reader is taken on a languid journey alongside the villagers as they attempt to discern the sisters. This is entirely written through the eyes of different men in the village and one barmaid, which breaks way for time-accurate commentary on how women were treated and viewed. Full transparency, I was only 19% into the book when I decided it was going to be 5 stars; it is genuinely that good. There are so many things I wish to say, but it all boils down to this: GO BUY THE BOOK. Get the book, read the book, love the book. I will be recommending this to everyone for the foreseeable future, and no one can stop me.
Xenobe Purvis has now been added to my favorite authors of all time, and I will desperately await what brilliance comes from them next.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is definitely one of the stranger books I have ever read in my lifetime, but I mean that in the best way possible. What begins as a dystopian-like commentary on the country’s housing crisis turns into a fairy tale-esque magical realism. I just—this is truly the most unique book I have had the pleasure of reading in a long time. The commentary is striking and hits so close to home, especially in a time when the majority of the population is struggling with the affordability of housing. Kivel also lends commentary to the bleak view that much of the younger generations have grown to have; they no longer have strong hopes for the future due to the state of the world and its continuing decline. How hard it becomes to find ourselves and believe in the good of the world when we are fighting to survive.
This is a book I can confidently recommend to anyone and everyone. This story holds so much between the commentary and astounding fairy tale elements, I truly believe there is something in this for everyone.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
This is true gothic horror: the swampy everglades, the unease, the dreamlike state, the moody atmosphere; it was like watching a movie play out. As with most gothic horror, this does move at a slow pace, Gonzalez builds the tension and truly gives the reader that creepy feeling that something is just not right. Every page is like slipping into a quiet fever dream to go visit the hat man.
The vibe I got while reading this is the same one I had when reading House of Leaves, which is an all time favorite of mine, so that is a high I have been chasing.
This is an amazing debut novel from Gonzalez and I cannot wait to see more of his work on my shelves.
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
This one is a bit different, written from the pov of our slasher rather than from one of the victims or the classic final girl. Jone’s writing is off the charts, mainly because he was also 17 in the year of 1989, and grew up in rural Texas. The story has such a heavy impact, I can tell Jones put his entire soul into this work and it is beautiful. It felt almost intimate while reading. This is written like a love letter to the horror genre and all of its intricacies and tropes. Jones examines and shows us what the genre truly represents at its core.
This is a book I would very much rather people experience for themselves rather than me going on my winded explanations. Pick this up for a classic slasher with a bit of twist
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I did something a little different for this book; I did my first immersive read. Since this book has a podcast element, it only felt like I had to give it a shot, and it was amazing! The audiobook narrators did a phenomenal job; it genuinely felt like I was sitting down with my favorite podcast.
The premise of this book is insane in the best of ways, and Tintera’s execution is on point. I really like the way in which the book switches from Lucy’s pov to the podcast episodes; it truly added such an immersive feel that is unforgettable. All of the characters felt so incredibly detailed, even minor side characters. And the small town drama? I can attest to the accuracy. There are no perfect people, and investigations have a way of dredging up everyone’s deep, dark secrets.
This book had me on the edge of my seat at every moment; every time I thought I had it figured out, Tintera threw me for a complete loop with new information. And the ending?! I am so happy this was a book club read for me because I NEED to talk about that.
For anyone who loves mystery, thrillers, or true crime, this is a must-read.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I'll admit I'm a sucker for Love Island, so naturally, when I saw this being described as Love Island meets Lord of the Flies, I dropped everything to read it. And it was a spectacular decision! This is Rawle's debut novel, and she knocked it out of the park! While the main theme of this remains similar to Love Island, it gives reminiscences of Black Mirror, Survivor, Big Brother, and a bit of The Hunger Games. This novel takes a magnifying glass to our society and forces us to reconcile with the construct of reality TV, the need for fame, societal performance, consumerism, capitalism, gender roles, our need for connection, and so much more. This book truly felt like I was watching a show play out, rather than reading it. I want to say so many things about it, but this is one of the novels where the less you know going in, the better.
This is truly a one-of-a-kind experience, and I highly recommend it to everyone. This is peak summer reading, and it just might be my favorite book of the summer.