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wendalorian's review
2.0
My expectations of this book were quite high and I pictured it differently.
I don’t shy away from depressing, bleak and horror stories but this book was not for me. There’s not any horror (or at least the horror you expect). There is enough of the horrors in life throughout the stories and how horrible life can be and it explored grief, mental illness and trauma.
At first I thought all the different stories would intertwine with each other but that wasn’t the case.
I still think it was very well written and I was able to read it in one setting.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
I don’t shy away from depressing, bleak and horror stories but this book was not for me. There’s not any horror (or at least the horror you expect). There is enough of the horrors in life throughout the stories and how horrible life can be and it explored grief, mental illness and trauma.
At first I thought all the different stories would intertwine with each other but that wasn’t the case.
I still think it was very well written and I was able to read it in one setting.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
chrissypops's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you Netgalley, Jennifer Anne Gordon and Last Waltz Publishing for the eArc of The Japanese Box and Other Stories.
This is a collection of short stories and a poem touching on the horrors of mental illness, grief and the ghosts that haunt us. I felt connected and they give poetic justice to these horrible elements of our human lives. I felt they were beautifully written in a tragic way. Some may not like to be reminded or have yet to come across the depth that can be found in this book. And that's ok. For me, KI would have liked to of read more of these stories.
3.5
This is a collection of short stories and a poem touching on the horrors of mental illness, grief and the ghosts that haunt us. I felt connected and they give poetic justice to these horrible elements of our human lives. I felt they were beautifully written in a tragic way. Some may not like to be reminded or have yet to come across the depth that can be found in this book. And that's ok. For me, KI would have liked to of read more of these stories.
3.5
ivyinthepages's review
dark
sad
fast-paced
2.0
Rating: 2.05 leaves out of 5
-Characters: 2.75/5
-Cover: 1/5
-Story: 2/5
-Writing: 3.5/5
Genre: Horror
-Horror: 1/5
Type: Ebook
Worth?: Maybe?
Hated|Disliked|Meh|It Was Okay|Liked|Really Liked|Loved
Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.
This whole book was so depressing. There was not really any horror, maybe how life can be horrible but that's about it. I believe I was confused for a majority of the book because I though the stories intertwined with each other but that wasn't the case, I think 3 stories could be grouped together and the other three could be grouped separately together? Then there was one all by its lonesome? I don't know, it was all a bit messy.
-Characters: 2.75/5
-Cover: 1/5
-Story: 2/5
-Writing: 3.5/5
Genre: Horror
-Horror: 1/5
Type: Ebook
Worth?: Maybe?
Hated|Disliked|Meh|It Was Okay|Liked|Really Liked|Loved
Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.
This whole book was so depressing. There was not really any horror, maybe how life can be horrible but that's about it. I believe I was confused for a majority of the book because I though the stories intertwined with each other but that wasn't the case, I think 3 stories could be grouped together and the other three could be grouped separately together? Then there was one all by its lonesome? I don't know, it was all a bit messy.
scaredy_bear's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A haunting collection of short stories, “The Japanese Box & Other Stories” by Jennifer Anne Gordon, explores the horror of our own psyches. With unreliable narrators at the helm of most of the stories, you’ll be questioning what’s real to the very last page. Each piece feels like a master study of grief and sadness. Gordon creates such lonely worlds but writes them with such poetry.
Similar Vibes: Come Closer by Sara Gran, and Daniel Isn’t Real (2019)
Thank you, NetGalley and Last Waltz Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
rosebudthom's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
3.75
This little collection is short and sweet, consisting of 3 short stories and a poem, but hits the mark with each.
The first story consists of a single part, and features aguy stuck in a relationship that's consuming his soul and when he's finally free, finds the hold she has on him is deeper than he can escape.
The second is a several part story of trauma from which the book takes its title. It's raw and emotional and again features the theme of life trapping you in its grip, with a somewhat preternatural twist.
Lastly, is a classic werewolf story with a twist, from the viewpoint of a wife stuck in an unsupportive relationship and a history of pregnancies gone awry, and by which she's haunted.
All 4 parts to the book feature heavy themes of mental health and mental anguish, all portrayed well in my opinion. They also each shine a light on a variety of relationships that fill readers and protagonists alike with dread and moral questioning, something I enjoy a lot about the horrid genre especially when written by women, I've found.
mikathereviewer's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Dysphoria, and Self harm
Moderate: Pregnancy and Infertility
Minor: Sexual content, Violence, Rape, Vomit, Sexual violence, and Misogyny
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