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magenta_menace's review against another edition
4.0
first of all, very excited to final get my hands on a copy of this one. second of all, jesus christ what a wild ride. absolutely gross in the best way. very cool to see easter eggs for larocca's more recent works (i see you, henley's edge!!) and the seedlings for some of the grotesquerie to come. a fun, quick, gory read to start off the new year.
reads_vicariously's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, what a story! Beautifully written with disturbing imagery and a protagonist I really sympathized with. It has tropes of body horror, guilt, and trauma but they are presented in a very interesting and unique way. Like I can’t stop thinking about this girl whose sentient slivers of skin are constantly trying to escape off her body. It’s horrifying yet captivating at the same time.
Our protagonist Teddy is dealing with a lot. Her father is dead, her mother is neurotic, and she has a guilty secret that is literally causing her body to unravel. Oh and she has a parasitic condition where she feeds off the emotions of others (also literally).
It’s such an engaging premise, but beyond that it’s also interesting story of identity, secrecy, and human connection with twists and turns I did not expect. My only real complaint is that I wanted more! More about these characters, more insight into Teddy’s condition, and more about what’s going on with her mother. But at 86 pages it’s a debut that is certainly worth your time, and I’m very excited to see what comes next from this author!
Thank you to author @ejlarocca for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
Our protagonist Teddy is dealing with a lot. Her father is dead, her mother is neurotic, and she has a guilty secret that is literally causing her body to unravel. Oh and she has a parasitic condition where she feeds off the emotions of others (also literally).
It’s such an engaging premise, but beyond that it’s also interesting story of identity, secrecy, and human connection with twists and turns I did not expect. My only real complaint is that I wanted more! More about these characters, more insight into Teddy’s condition, and more about what’s going on with her mother. But at 86 pages it’s a debut that is certainly worth your time, and I’m very excited to see what comes next from this author!
Thank you to author @ejlarocca for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I have a problem. I really do not know how to articulate into words this review! I know, I know it sounds super dramatic, BUT Starving Ghosts in Every Thread is a compact work of art! The opening chapter had my mind running wild. The beautiful narrative, in its almost poetic monologue had me captured like a fish on a hook! Eric LaRocca has pushed the limits between horror and symbolism. I had the distinct feeling that I was reading one thing but LaRocca was inviting you to look further, to peel each disturbing layer back until you had the full story.
Our protagonist, Teddy is a girl that is dealing with so much. Her father, who seemed to be her rock has died, her mother is all kind of levels neurotic. A lot to deal with, right? That’s before we even examine her special gifts. Teddy feeds off the emotions of other people, be that anger, happiness, or depression…if she doesn’t her skin will unravel…Starving Ghosts in Every Thread teases an epic and quite intense plot. The title is starting to make a lot of sense, and LaRocca is going to leave nothing to chance.
With tropes of body horror, guilt and remorse and trauma. The characterisation is deep and dark, and it sets the tone perfectly for the tale ahead.
Eric LaRocca’s writing although dark feels so undeniably right and you know that no matter the trajectory of the plot, the author has your back. I think it’s a special thing to trust a new author so implicitly, especially within a few chapters. Let’s face it – we are flooded with so many amazing horror novels that it is extremely hard to stand out, but Starving Ghosts in Every Thread has done it, tenfold.
Starving Ghosts in Every Thread took me to my happy place. The characterisation is sharp, the plot is tighter than two coats of paint. This book was everything and more. Not only do we have an intriguing premise but the meaning behind it all (or at least what I perceived it to mean). The loosening threads reminded me of that disconnected feeling we get when we are depressed or sad. That darkness that we drown in, leading us to a place where we feel numb and would do anything to just feel, something. Teddy clings to human emotion to keep herself whole, to feel like she once did. It was clever and ingenious.
I just wanted more. More about her condition, more about the why behind her mothers’ state. The violence was perfect for the length of this novella, but I expect amazing things from Mr LaRocca in the future.
Our protagonist, Teddy is a girl that is dealing with so much. Her father, who seemed to be her rock has died, her mother is all kind of levels neurotic. A lot to deal with, right? That’s before we even examine her special gifts. Teddy feeds off the emotions of other people, be that anger, happiness, or depression…if she doesn’t her skin will unravel…Starving Ghosts in Every Thread teases an epic and quite intense plot. The title is starting to make a lot of sense, and LaRocca is going to leave nothing to chance.
With tropes of body horror, guilt and remorse and trauma. The characterisation is deep and dark, and it sets the tone perfectly for the tale ahead.
Eric LaRocca’s writing although dark feels so undeniably right and you know that no matter the trajectory of the plot, the author has your back. I think it’s a special thing to trust a new author so implicitly, especially within a few chapters. Let’s face it – we are flooded with so many amazing horror novels that it is extremely hard to stand out, but Starving Ghosts in Every Thread has done it, tenfold.
Starving Ghosts in Every Thread took me to my happy place. The characterisation is sharp, the plot is tighter than two coats of paint. This book was everything and more. Not only do we have an intriguing premise but the meaning behind it all (or at least what I perceived it to mean). The loosening threads reminded me of that disconnected feeling we get when we are depressed or sad. That darkness that we drown in, leading us to a place where we feel numb and would do anything to just feel, something. Teddy clings to human emotion to keep herself whole, to feel like she once did. It was clever and ingenious.
I just wanted more. More about her condition, more about the why behind her mothers’ state. The violence was perfect for the length of this novella, but I expect amazing things from Mr LaRocca in the future.
readingvicariously's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, what a story! Beautifully written with disturbing imagery and a protagonist I really sympathized with. It has tropes of body horror, guilt, and trauma but they are presented in a very interesting and unique way. Like I can’t stop thinking about this girl whose sentient slivers of skin are constantly trying to escape off her body. It’s horrifying yet captivating at the same time.
Our protagonist Teddy is dealing with a lot. Her father is dead, her mother is neurotic, and she has a guilty secret that is literally causing her body to unravel. Oh and she has a parasitic condition where she feeds off the emotions of others (also literally).
It’s such an engaging premise, but beyond that it’s also interesting story of identity, secrecy, and human connection with twists and turns I did not expect. My only real complaint is that I wanted more! More about these characters, more insight into Teddy’s condition, and more about what’s going on with her mother. But at 86 pages it’s a debut that is certainly worth your time, and I’m very excited to see what comes next from this author!
Thank you to author @ejlarocca for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
Our protagonist Teddy is dealing with a lot. Her father is dead, her mother is neurotic, and she has a guilty secret that is literally causing her body to unravel. Oh and she has a parasitic condition where she feeds off the emotions of others (also literally).
It’s such an engaging premise, but beyond that it’s also interesting story of identity, secrecy, and human connection with twists and turns I did not expect. My only real complaint is that I wanted more! More about these characters, more insight into Teddy’s condition, and more about what’s going on with her mother. But at 86 pages it’s a debut that is certainly worth your time, and I’m very excited to see what comes next from this author!
Thank you to author @ejlarocca for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
trinforeman's review against another edition
4.0
What a beautiful, dark story about grief and how it can change a person. I loved the darkly written story of regret and how it poisons us to what is really there. I adore stories like this, where the underlying horror is much worse than the monster itself.
Truly captivating. Highly recommend.
Truly captivating. Highly recommend.
curiosityboughtthebook's review against another edition
5.0
If I ever had to compare a book to a hauntingly abstract painting, it would be Starving Ghosts in Every Thread. Even though it was a very short read, at just 89 pages, Eric LaRocca built a solid story that felt like a mix between horror and the downright absurd.
His protagonist’s condition was written about in an eloquent way, even though it was a bit gross at points. You will know what I’m talking about when you read it. I felt drawn to Teddy from the beginning. Her grief and emotions were easy to understand, and I was really rooting for her happy ending.
Hard to believe this is the author’s debut novella. He surely has a knack for writing intriguing and odd (in a good way) stories.
Thank you Eric for the opportunity to read this beautiful novella.
His protagonist’s condition was written about in an eloquent way, even though it was a bit gross at points. You will know what I’m talking about when you read it. I felt drawn to Teddy from the beginning. Her grief and emotions were easy to understand, and I was really rooting for her happy ending.
Hard to believe this is the author’s debut novella. He surely has a knack for writing intriguing and odd (in a good way) stories.
Thank you Eric for the opportunity to read this beautiful novella.
karlakayjenniges's review against another edition
4.0
"Often times I find myself retreating inside the deepest, most unspoiled corners of myself--places where not even my sadness can follow."
Our main character, Teddy, is so filled with grief by the loss of her father and guilt because of a life altering mistake. She feels herself literally unraveling. She loves her mother so much, she will do anything to protect her.
I finished this book approximately a week ago. It has taken me this long to finally write a review. I have had to think and think on what to say, as I felt at a loss for words. I'm still not sure I can find the right words.
In the story, Teddy is "literally" unraveling. By threads. And that is what made this difficult to grasp and not feel some confusion.
It's so unique and original. I've certainly not read anything that is comparable. The way that so much is described produces so much feeling and emotions. I often found myself having to go back and read a sentence or paragraph again, just because of the beauty that the words created. The last chapter was so sad, and yet, filled with love!
It is beautifully written, with wonderful emotional language. It's filled with allegory , in the sense that, in real life we all can feel like we are so consumed by sadness, guilt, or grief, we feel as if we are completely coming apart.
This is the kind of writing that is memorable!
Our main character, Teddy, is so filled with grief by the loss of her father and guilt because of a life altering mistake. She feels herself literally unraveling. She loves her mother so much, she will do anything to protect her.
I finished this book approximately a week ago. It has taken me this long to finally write a review. I have had to think and think on what to say, as I felt at a loss for words. I'm still not sure I can find the right words.
In the story, Teddy is "literally" unraveling. By threads. And that is what made this difficult to grasp and not feel some confusion.
It's so unique and original. I've certainly not read anything that is comparable. The way that so much is described produces so much feeling and emotions. I often found myself having to go back and read a sentence or paragraph again, just because of the beauty that the words created. The last chapter was so sad, and yet, filled with love!
It is beautifully written, with wonderful emotional language. It's filled with allegory , in the sense that, in real life we all can feel like we are so consumed by sadness, guilt, or grief, we feel as if we are completely coming apart.
This is the kind of writing that is memorable!
readbydusk's review against another edition
4.0
This is body horror story with a unique premise! I was immediately intrigued by Teddy. Her condition looks just as horrifying as it sounds, and it made for some arresting images. Teddy is someone special and I wanted for her to find her own place in a world that makes her feel like an outsider. The writing is intricate and woven with hidden meanings. I liked how grief, shame and guilt just shimmer under the surface of every interaction. I also liked all the descriptions of the animals and insects Teddy meets.
My only issue is that I wanted more of the story! I would love to know more about Teddy's condition and if the world is filled with people like her. I also wish there's a clearer conclusion. But I enjoyed this novella. It's a great little gem of a debut.
Thank you to the author for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
My only issue is that I wanted more of the story! I would love to know more about Teddy's condition and if the world is filled with people like her. I also wish there's a clearer conclusion. But I enjoyed this novella. It's a great little gem of a debut.
Thank you to the author for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
enchantressreads's review against another edition
4.0
Starving Ghosts in Every Thread follows Teddy, a once promising vocalist, with a very peculiar skin condition: it unravels.
Following the death of her father, Teddy feeds from others’ emotions. Once she feeds from them, they are able to see her skin unraveling. For the longest time, she only fed from her mother to keep her secret. One day, she feeds from the guilt of a boy in the supermarket she works for, which starts the journey of this novella.
We meet Teddy’s mother, who is in her own sphere of grief, using scorpion venom to deal with her own skin condition, caused by Teddy. Eventually we meet Kiiara, who promises Teddy a life outside of her small town, and her grief.
I loved the premise of this. Absolutely loved it. It’s one of the most original stories I’ve ever read. Unfortunately, as with most novellas, I just wanted MORE! It wraps up perfectly, but there’s a lot of extra background I would love to have had. But otherwise, I find no fault. I can’t wait to see what else Eric has in store for us!
Thank you Eric for the review copy for my honest review!
Following the death of her father, Teddy feeds from others’ emotions. Once she feeds from them, they are able to see her skin unraveling. For the longest time, she only fed from her mother to keep her secret. One day, she feeds from the guilt of a boy in the supermarket she works for, which starts the journey of this novella.
We meet Teddy’s mother, who is in her own sphere of grief, using scorpion venom to deal with her own skin condition, caused by Teddy. Eventually we meet Kiiara, who promises Teddy a life outside of her small town, and her grief.
I loved the premise of this. Absolutely loved it. It’s one of the most original stories I’ve ever read. Unfortunately, as with most novellas, I just wanted MORE! It wraps up perfectly, but there’s a lot of extra background I would love to have had. But otherwise, I find no fault. I can’t wait to see what else Eric has in store for us!
Thank you Eric for the review copy for my honest review!
howlinglibraries's review against another edition
4.0
Oooh, this was so delightfully weird and unique and, at times, a little gross (in a good way). Full review coming soon!