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dcgu's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
henrygravesprince's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.0
As always, I appreciate the way Erica Waters writes characters who are genuinely flawed and imperfect, which feel very human as a result. I also have to reiterate again that she’s adept at writing them into situations and confrontations that stress me out and keep me interested, even when I know (or think I know) what’s coming. In this case, I think it was pretty clear that something was up with Maggie. In my opinion, using only one POV instead of two would have helped avoid tipping readers off that obviously something is up with Maggie. In particular, I think making it Carolina’s perspective instead of Lucy would have amplified the unreliable narrator element and bolstered the moody and uncertain atmosphere of the book a bit more. I also really would have liked if the podcast itself were a more recurring part of the book to give us missing exposition about Kincaid’s other victims and crimes, and give us more of a perspective on how this particular podcast is exploitative and/or in poor taste .
It feels like an underused narrative tool, and I think more of it would have done the book a lot of good; even just showing us the full episode at the end rather than just a snippet of the transcript would have at least made it feel more present . The usage of a quirky, unserious title, paired with the disingenuous co-hosts who banter featuring a less than qualified “expert” and someone who postures as being concerned for the people affected, all while sporting a tongue-in-cheek attitude about horrific violence, are all very familiar to me. It’s an unfortunate fact that the true crime podcast industry is oversaturated with that particular kind of podcast (particularly because just about anyone can make them), in contrast to the more “standard” highly produced, serious in tone but often unempathetic, copaganda-leaning podcasts, and the difficult to find but worthwhile podcasts that are more ethical, usually victim-centered or social commentary-based.
To clarify my perspective on true crime when approaching the portrayal of the genre in this novel, here’s an excerpt of my review of the docuseries Ted Bundy: Falling for a Killer (2020) from a couple years ago: “As someone who grew up too acquainted with true crime media, I have a lot of criticisms [regarding] the way murderers, rapists, violent abusers, and the systems & deeply-entrenched sociocultural ideas that enable them to do egregious harm are [frequently] presented in the genre. […] The lack of attention and humanity afforded to the victims & survivors in media and in the way people at large talk about their brutalization is not unique to [any particular] case, but is an incredibly glaring fault in [the popular] framings [of many.]” Ultimately, I do still have an interest in true crime, but I try to be intentional in what I choose to consume and to prioritize works focused on people directly impacted, as well as broader commentary around true crime as a whole or particular cases.
I don’t think this book’s portrayal of it is perfect or all-encompassing, but it does have a reasonable critique and an understanding of breadth of reasons why people may be drawn to it, both sympathetic and unsympathetic ones. Personally, I find that the story itself has a degree of compassion towards (some of) the reasons people may seek out true crime media, even while some of the characters don’t—in particular, I think a major facet of the plot that points to that is the fact that Maggie is vehemently against true crime and calls it voyeurism, while her entire project and motivation for being there in the first place is voyeuristic . To me, her character emphasizes the fact that many people who judge others for having macabre interests, specifically without even considering why someone may have those interests, are often just as guilty of being dehumanizing and unempathetic as the worse corners of the “true crime community” .
If this book had surprised me in the way that The River Has Teeth did, I think I would have rated it a little higher, but as it stands, I did ultimately like the book. Ultimately, I wish the book had put more concentration on its broader themes of nature vs nurture and the complicated issue of violence/justification of violence. The more supernatural element is fine, but I would have liked if it was more subtle and up to interpretation; it feels like putting more of a focus on the Killer Quest event as a structural and thematic guideline for the plot rather than exposition could have made the book that much stronger. I think Waters’s work is always doing something interesting, but if it could just be more concentrated, I would be able to elevate the rating from the lower 4 star range towards a 4.75-5 star rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Religious bigotry, Mental illness, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, and Violence
Minor: Emotional abuse, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Blood
Religious trauma; Christian fundamentalismelifinch's review against another edition
3.0
A little predictable, but entertaining read. Ending was a little flat, but not dissatisfying. Characters a little irritating at times, supernatural aspects felt underdeveloped and shoehorned into ending.
kourtlee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
whatyoutolkienabout's review against another edition
5.0
I am a tad later with this review. Unfortunately the wonderful ARC from Harper360YA arrived while I was on holiday in the US but despite starting it towards the end of October this was a perfect mix of suspense with a sprinkle of supernatural. My review is honest and left voluntarily and avoids spoilers. #HarperYA360 #EricaWaters #TheRestlessDark #BookReview
The Restless Dark centres around the infamous Cloudkiss Killer who died after jumping into Cloudkiss Canyon. Now a true-crime podcast is hosting a contest to try and find his bones. Enter three central characters; Lucy who was almost the serial killer’s final victim, Carolina a true-crime fan who fears her own rage and Maggie a psychology student with a little too much to hide. All of them are hoping to find answers, for a place to bury secrets or to make a new identity. It isn’t just bones hiding in the mist and fog of the canyon, sometimes it can lead to discovering the darkness inside.
I have to say I was excited to read this one and was so thankful to get an ARC. It ticks a lot of my boxes with the perfect amount of creepiness. It is atmospheric and perfect for a fall or winter read. Waters writing style is beautiful yet simple and easily engaging. I adored the different points of view of the protagonists and found it easy to become connected to their stories. I actually surprisingly came to like Carolina the most but all characters were memorable and their motivations and personalities shine through.
The story is tightly woven together and blends psychological horror with supernatural and suspense to create a brilliantly dark and atmospheric read. I loved how certain elements played out and read like a slasher-esque film without the gore. So it is perfect for those who want the chills but maybe not the violence that sometimes comes with the horror and darker genre. I know I avoid spoilers but I am a little sad that some people walked away unharmed, namely the podcast presenters but I do understand why it happens.
All in all this lived up and exceeding my expectations. I love Waters writing style and their ability to combine creepiness with memorable characters and a wonderful writing style. A perfect read for fall or winter while snuggled under a blanket with a warm drink (pumpkin spice for me!) of choice. I will definitely be recommending it to my friends who love this genre and also has a great entry to the more supernatural and darker fiction genre as well.
The Restless Dark centres around the infamous Cloudkiss Killer who died after jumping into Cloudkiss Canyon. Now a true-crime podcast is hosting a contest to try and find his bones. Enter three central characters; Lucy who was almost the serial killer’s final victim, Carolina a true-crime fan who fears her own rage and Maggie a psychology student with a little too much to hide. All of them are hoping to find answers, for a place to bury secrets or to make a new identity. It isn’t just bones hiding in the mist and fog of the canyon, sometimes it can lead to discovering the darkness inside.
I have to say I was excited to read this one and was so thankful to get an ARC. It ticks a lot of my boxes with the perfect amount of creepiness. It is atmospheric and perfect for a fall or winter read. Waters writing style is beautiful yet simple and easily engaging. I adored the different points of view of the protagonists and found it easy to become connected to their stories. I actually surprisingly came to like Carolina the most but all characters were memorable and their motivations and personalities shine through.
The story is tightly woven together and blends psychological horror with supernatural and suspense to create a brilliantly dark and atmospheric read. I loved how certain elements played out and read like a slasher-esque film without the gore. So it is perfect for those who want the chills but maybe not the violence that sometimes comes with the horror and darker genre. I know I avoid spoilers but I am a little sad that some people walked away unharmed, namely the podcast presenters but I do understand why it happens.
All in all this lived up and exceeding my expectations. I love Waters writing style and their ability to combine creepiness with memorable characters and a wonderful writing style. A perfect read for fall or winter while snuggled under a blanket with a warm drink (pumpkin spice for me!) of choice. I will definitely be recommending it to my friends who love this genre and also has a great entry to the more supernatural and darker fiction genre as well.
anaveragedork's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
caseythecanadianlesbrarian's review against another edition
This is perfectly fine, but not quite for me. I bet it'd be a winner for the intended teen audience though!
jewelj's review against another edition
2.0
I ended up being pretty disappointed by this one considering I read another book by this author earlier in the year and really enjoyed it.
This had a really interesting premise but the story was repetitive and the characters annoyed me. I really wish the author had leaned more into the creepy, mystical aspect of the setting. I felt that the commentary on the consumption of true crime was interesting, however the message was really hammered into you.
Also, the twist was predictable and it annoyed me that Lucy was so easily manipulated. I feel like this was an area where if the otherworldly element of the setting was better fleshed out it could have made the characters actions more believable.
1.5 stars
This had a really interesting premise but the story was repetitive and the characters annoyed me. I really wish the author had leaned more into the creepy, mystical aspect of the setting. I felt that the commentary on the consumption of true crime was interesting, however the message was really hammered into you.
Also, the twist was predictable and it annoyed me that Lucy was so easily manipulated. I feel like this was an area where if the otherworldly element of the setting was better fleshed out it could have made the characters actions more believable.
1.5 stars
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
Ok I was unsure how to feel going into this book. Coming out of it I felt shocked and a little bit scared. In a way it is a great horror book to read that also has mystery to keep the reader on their toes throughout the whole book.
Ok I was unsure how to feel going into this book. Coming out of it I felt shocked and a little bit scared. In a way it is a great horror book to read that also has mystery to keep the reader on their toes throughout the whole book.
littlebookishfairy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0