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vildfarenraev's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and DarkLit Press for the digital advanced reader copy of this novella. This in no way influences my opinions.
While this book was far from perfect, it wormed its way into my brain in that sick and wonderful way that only horror can.
This was a difficult little book to get through, but that's not a bad thing. There is a primary focus on handling grief as well as the weight of struggling with intrusive thoughts. There is a level of paranoia and superstition, compulsions, that come with the sort of thoughts that Karina struggles with that are very real for people managing life with mental illness. Reading about that sort of thing got more than a little upsetting at times, but because I could relate.
At first I had a hard time gelling with the story. The third-person POV felt like it was meant to be written as first-person but was changed at the last second, and I wasn't sure where the story itself was going. However, I then saw someone else compare it to Final Destination and things clicked in a far more enjoyable way.
I feel the point of the story is how destructive it is to hide and bottle feelings inside as well as making the very clear statement that just because someone has intrusive thoughts, it does not mean that they are a bad person.
As I said, this book isn't perfect, but it has heart and a vulnerability that I have a great respect for.
While this book was far from perfect, it wormed its way into my brain in that sick and wonderful way that only horror can.
This was a difficult little book to get through, but that's not a bad thing. There is a primary focus on handling grief as well as the weight of struggling with intrusive thoughts. There is a level of paranoia and superstition, compulsions, that come with the sort of thoughts that Karina struggles with that are very real for people managing life with mental illness. Reading about that sort of thing got more than a little upsetting at times, but because I could relate.
At first I had a hard time gelling with the story. The third-person POV felt like it was meant to be written as first-person but was changed at the last second, and I wasn't sure where the story itself was going. However, I then saw someone else compare it to Final Destination and things clicked in a far more enjoyable way.
I feel the point of the story is how destructive it is to hide and bottle feelings inside as well as making the very clear statement that just because someone has intrusive thoughts, it does not mean that they are a bad person.
As I said, this book isn't perfect, but it has heart and a vulnerability that I have a great respect for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Murder, Emotional abuse, Child death, Death, Toxic relationship, Gore, Gaslighting, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
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