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annarella's review against another edition
5.0
It's a dark and well written story about growing up with a sprinkle of paranormal.
The story is well written, the characters are fleshed out and the plot flows making you feel a lot of emotions.
I loved it and it's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The story is well written, the characters are fleshed out and the plot flows making you feel a lot of emotions.
I loved it and it's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
kattheblackbelt's review
3.0
Book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3
This was just sad and I wanted more ghosty things happening. Overall it was written well and it was a quick read, just not very memorable. It was an okay novella though.
Rating: 3
This was just sad and I wanted more ghosty things happening. Overall it was written well and it was a quick read, just not very memorable. It was an okay novella though.
kkjduke's review
3.0
Book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3
This was just sad and I wanted more ghosty things happening. Overall it was written well and it was a quick read, just not very memorable. It was an okay novella though.
Rating: 3
This was just sad and I wanted more ghosty things happening. Overall it was written well and it was a quick read, just not very memorable. It was an okay novella though.
asiantomato's review against another edition
4.0
In the beginning, The Attic Tragedy seemed like if would be about ghosts and the supernatural, but as the story progressed, I realized the it was more about George’s depressions and unrequited love for Sylvie. This was definitely not a feel-good type of story. It was dark and poignant, but also deep and beautifully written.
I felt like there was a lot more that could’ve been done with a story. This could’ve honestly been more of a full-fledged novel if there was more of an explanation on what the supernatural events were and why some of the things happened the way they happened. There was a lot of loose ties and unanswered questions, especially near the end. I think this definitely could’ve used a longer plot line.
That being said, I really enjoyed it. I think George’s persistence in trying to get better through martial arts training and then near the end, running, was admirable. While she obviously wasn’t going to be 100% okay all the time, I definitely saw a development and some relapses (but that’s okay because that’s just how life works and it’s normal). I wanted to reach into the book and give her a hug :(
Tw: depression and self-harm
I received a copy from Meerkat Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I felt like there was a lot more that could’ve been done with a story. This could’ve honestly been more of a full-fledged novel if there was more of an explanation on what the supernatural events were and why some of the things happened the way they happened. There was a lot of loose ties and unanswered questions, especially near the end. I think this definitely could’ve used a longer plot line.
That being said, I really enjoyed it. I think George’s persistence in trying to get better through martial arts training and then near the end, running, was admirable. While she obviously wasn’t going to be 100% okay all the time, I definitely saw a development and some relapses (but that’s okay because that’s just how life works and it’s normal). I wanted to reach into the book and give her a hug :(
Tw: depression and self-harm
I received a copy from Meerkat Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
callmekt's review
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Read this in one sitting during my lunch. Featuring a narrator that doesn't get over a childhood crush on another girl. There is a sexual violence arc featuring some school bullies at the beginning. Like every instance of sexual violence in a story written by a straight white man, my biggest question is "Was this really necessary?" The usual answer applies here too: no.
Some people like these sorts of explorations of character. I am not some people.
Some people like these sorts of explorations of character. I am not some people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Grief
blakeybuttons's review
4.0
A novella of gorgeous prose and heartbreaking sadness.
I only intended reading a single chapter but found myself unable to stop reading until I reached the end. After, I lay in bed, sleepless, aching with the beauty and sorrow of [b:The Attic Tragedy|53472783|The Attic Tragedy|J. Ashley-Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1590344165l/53472783._SY75_.jpg|78987714].
This wasn’t an easy book to read and it may stir up some dark feelings. It includes self harm, suicide and mental illness.
A short novella, yet so dense with emotion, with the longings of the main character George and the wraith-like figure of Sylvie.
Definitely an author to watch.
I only intended reading a single chapter but found myself unable to stop reading until I reached the end. After, I lay in bed, sleepless, aching with the beauty and sorrow of [b:The Attic Tragedy|53472783|The Attic Tragedy|J. Ashley-Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1590344165l/53472783._SY75_.jpg|78987714].
This wasn’t an easy book to read and it may stir up some dark feelings. It includes self harm, suicide and mental illness.
A short novella, yet so dense with emotion, with the longings of the main character George and the wraith-like figure of Sylvie.
Definitely an author to watch.
lilbooktopus's review
3.0
If there's one thing that lived up to the expectations I had of this book, it's the tragedy bit that's in the title. The promised ghosts ghosted me like pros and barely had any bearing to the story. Which is, I must say, a bit disappointing. Okay, I lied, veeeery disappointing.
The tale is of George's sad - no, depressing - teenage years and the unrequited love she bore for Sylvie, the new kid in town. George is an outcast, teased for her weight and for her sexuality. Sylvie is eccentric but kind to George when few of their cohorts are. Perhaps that is why when Sylvie sets off to college, George is left in gut-wrenching pain pining for the girl she's unhealthily obsessing over. George decides to work at the antique shop owned by Sylvie's father, the two silently sharing their grief of being away from Sylvie.
Which is where I stop pitying George. While her situation does evoke sympathy, her motives and emotions are often selfish and juvenile, hating everything Sylvie became just because she started to grow outside of George's expectations and despising the guy Sylvie chose over her, throwing seemingly in-depth analysis of his character without even trying to get to know him. George clung to Sylvie - or his memories and fantasies of her - and wallowed in despair when Sylvie wouldn't do the same, refusing to accept what she became and hating Sylvie for it.
Overall, the writing is lyrical and is an easy and quick read, overlooking some repetitive poetic descriptions such as scars singing and cages of meat and bone (those got real old quickly). It's enjoyable in the sense that it keeps you hooked enough to want to know what's going to happen, thus, making you flip through the pages on and on. It does a good job of making you feel sad. If you're looking for books on how-not-to-move-on, and how-not-to-handle-abuse, how-not-to-love-someone, why, this is the book for you.
The tale is of George's sad - no, depressing - teenage years and the unrequited love she bore for Sylvie, the new kid in town. George is an outcast, teased for her weight and for her sexuality. Sylvie is eccentric but kind to George when few of their cohorts are. Perhaps that is why when Sylvie sets off to college, George is left in gut-wrenching pain pining for the girl she's unhealthily obsessing over. George decides to work at the antique shop owned by Sylvie's father, the two silently sharing their grief of being away from Sylvie.
Which is where I stop pitying George. While her situation does evoke sympathy, her motives and emotions are often selfish and juvenile, hating everything Sylvie became just because she started to grow outside of George's expectations and despising the guy Sylvie chose over her, throwing seemingly in-depth analysis of his character without even trying to get to know him. George clung to Sylvie - or his memories and fantasies of her - and wallowed in despair when Sylvie wouldn't do the same, refusing to accept what she became and hating Sylvie for it.
Overall, the writing is lyrical and is an easy and quick read, overlooking some repetitive poetic descriptions such as scars singing and cages of meat and bone (those got real old quickly). It's enjoyable in the sense that it keeps you hooked enough to want to know what's going to happen, thus, making you flip through the pages on and on. It does a good job of making you feel sad. If you're looking for books on how-not-to-move-on, and how-not-to-handle-abuse, how-not-to-love-someone, why, this is the book for you.
nwreader's review
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley and Meerkat Press, LLC - Meerkat Shorts for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This short story was definitely not what I was expecting and there are quite a few graphic trigger warnings (suicide, self-mutilation, depression, rape, grief). I'm not sure if I missed the overall meaning of this short but there's a lot of heartbreak and depression in it. I was expecting more horror and I guess, ghost moments but I think it's mostly metaphors than actual "monsters".
I felt bad for the main character, George, and everything they went through. It was a tough read but it was good to see her character grow a little.
3/5
This short story was definitely not what I was expecting and there are quite a few graphic trigger warnings (suicide, self-mutilation, depression, rape, grief). I'm not sure if I missed the overall meaning of this short but there's a lot of heartbreak and depression in it. I was expecting more horror and I guess, ghost moments but I think it's mostly metaphors than actual "monsters".
I felt bad for the main character, George, and everything they went through. It was a tough read but it was good to see her character grow a little.
3/5
charshorrorcorner's review against another edition
4.0
Beautifully written, this novella was a short and dark visit inside the mind of a young woman.
Georgina, (George), became friends with Sylvie in a rather dark antique shop. There, Sylvie shares a secret; she can tell where an object has been just by touching it. George though? George never shares her secret with Sylvie or anyone else, (at least not verbally). Why not? You'll have to read this to find out!
Right from the get-go, right from the opening line:"Sylvie never called them ghosts, but that's what they were." THE ATTIC TRAGEDY had me in its grip. This is a poignant tale about unrequited love, about feeling that you're different, that you're never a part of things, never at home, even in your own body. During your teen years, (which is where this book began), one is always feeling awkward and out of place to start with. Add in a few of the issues these teens were experiencing and it adds up to an almost unbearable state. Did I mention there's a supernatural aspect to this story as well? At least, I think there was...
I'm surprised at how much feeling the author was able to pack into this novella, (perhaps novelette, technically speaking). Please believe me when I say, Mr. Ashley-Smith can write. In one scene where George wants to reach out to Sylvie, there's this description:
"My fingers stretched and recoiled, daring then afraid, expanding and contracting like some skittish undersea creature; the kind of thing that dwells in shadow on the ocean floor, its hideous misshapen body an insult to nature."
So vivid, so beautiful, so easy to picture. My heart went out to both of these young women, but especially to George. I have to wonder what would have happened had things worked out differently. I do know I'll be thinking about both of them for a while.
This was my first experience with this author and I hope to read more of his work in the future!
Highly recommended!
Available today, here: https://amzn.to/30tiaRB
*Thanks to Meerkat Press for the digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*
Georgina, (George), became friends with Sylvie in a rather dark antique shop. There, Sylvie shares a secret; she can tell where an object has been just by touching it. George though? George never shares her secret with Sylvie or anyone else, (at least not verbally). Why not? You'll have to read this to find out!
Right from the get-go, right from the opening line:"Sylvie never called them ghosts, but that's what they were." THE ATTIC TRAGEDY had me in its grip. This is a poignant tale about unrequited love, about feeling that you're different, that you're never a part of things, never at home, even in your own body. During your teen years, (which is where this book began), one is always feeling awkward and out of place to start with. Add in a few of the issues these teens were experiencing and it adds up to an almost unbearable state. Did I mention there's a supernatural aspect to this story as well? At least, I think there was...
I'm surprised at how much feeling the author was able to pack into this novella, (perhaps novelette, technically speaking). Please believe me when I say, Mr. Ashley-Smith can write. In one scene where George wants to reach out to Sylvie, there's this description:
"My fingers stretched and recoiled, daring then afraid, expanding and contracting like some skittish undersea creature; the kind of thing that dwells in shadow on the ocean floor, its hideous misshapen body an insult to nature."
So vivid, so beautiful, so easy to picture. My heart went out to both of these young women, but especially to George. I have to wonder what would have happened had things worked out differently. I do know I'll be thinking about both of them for a while.
This was my first experience with this author and I hope to read more of his work in the future!
Highly recommended!
Available today, here: https://amzn.to/30tiaRB
*Thanks to Meerkat Press for the digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*
annarella's review
5.0
It's a dark and well written story about growing up with a sprinkle of paranormal.
The story is well written, the characters are fleshed out and the plot flows making you feel a lot of emotions.
I loved it and it's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
The story is well written, the characters are fleshed out and the plot flows making you feel a lot of emotions.
I loved it and it's strongly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.