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deirdrizzle's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
c0rpsekat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
MORE QUEER FOCUSED HORROR PLEASE !! this book is so dark , gorgeous , and cherishable !!! the most beautifully written experience i've had the pleasure to read . i truly felt anxious and scared as i lived DEEP in this universe Kristi DeMeester created , but i also felt such sadness , love , and sympathy for the characters and their stories . Lila and Caroline are not only my favorite characters i've read , but ones that will stick with me in every day of my life . as a queer , afab trans person who came out at around Lila's age raised by a single mother who recently passed away ... wow . this book spoke to me in ways i never knew a horror novel could . an absolutely chilling , sorrowful , and astounding ride .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Grief, Lesbophobia, Body shaming, Death, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Body horror, Bullying, Sexism, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Drug use, and Drug abuse
stepriot's review against another edition
5.0
The opening is a little shaky, I often have trouble with young people in mortifying situations, but once we get the flashbacks I was all in. The horror is fantastic. It made me supremely uncomfortable but I had to know more. I think Ms. DeMeester was a little loud in her messaging about women not being taken seriously, but some people do need to be beaten over the head with it to get it. I can't get over how much I adore the monster. I love the nebulousness of the threats. Mixing the existential with the visceral isn't easy to do and I'll be happy to look into more of Ms. DeMeester's works!
babs_reviews's review against another edition
3.0
Not sure if what I just read would be considered horror or not...enough of the gore explained it counts I guess.
There were things here that I liked and things that I didn't.
For me, the dual timeline is a favorite if executed well. This dual timeline was off - there wasn't the same amount of drive or pace. It was slow horror, though I'd more classify as cross between thriller and coming of age and even supernatural.
I liked the plot idea here, a serial killer targeting young girls who act out. That part of the synopsis is what drew me in. However, there is a lot of confusion around this. It really isn't discussed as such and so most of the book leaves you wondering why they are being killed. The connection between timelines took forever to discover.
A few tweaks here and there and I would have been much more invested in the story. That's not to say that YOU won't enjoy it. So, if you are reading this review, and enjoy horror/thriller then I would suggest giving it a try, then come back and discuss with me!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Kristi DeMeester for the gifted copy!
There were things here that I liked and things that I didn't.
For me, the dual timeline is a favorite if executed well. This dual timeline was off - there wasn't the same amount of drive or pace. It was slow horror, though I'd more classify as cross between thriller and coming of age and even supernatural.
I liked the plot idea here, a serial killer targeting young girls who act out. That part of the synopsis is what drew me in. However, there is a lot of confusion around this. It really isn't discussed as such and so most of the book leaves you wondering why they are being killed. The connection between timelines took forever to discover.
A few tweaks here and there and I would have been much more invested in the story. That's not to say that YOU won't enjoy it. So, if you are reading this review, and enjoy horror/thriller then I would suggest giving it a try, then come back and discuss with me!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Kristi DeMeester for the gifted copy!