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ksofi's review against another edition
3.0
The story ramped up by the end after a very slow first half. The concept is so interesting, but so much was spent spinning wheels with the plot and set-up in the beginning.
It was also unnecessarily confusing. I kept feeling like I didn’t have a firm grasp of what the author was getting at and couldn’t see the advantage to writing it this way; seemed more like it was just a lack of clarity in storytelling.
It was also unnecessarily confusing. I kept feeling like I didn’t have a firm grasp of what the author was getting at and couldn’t see the advantage to writing it this way; seemed more like it was just a lack of clarity in storytelling.
wattatam's review against another edition
2.0
The ending was not satisfying- it felt more like the book stopped rather than ended
aleighdavis's review against another edition
3.0
This book fulfilled my reading checklist of "read a book solely based on the cover art". I did enjoy the story line once I dug deeper into the book, but I have to say this wasn't my favorite. It was lacking too many details and seemed to just graze over what was actually happening. This style/theme of writing isn't what I usually gravitate towards, but I'm glad to have read it.
guybrush_creepwood's review against another edition
4.0
It was pretty good and a quick read. We sometimes call my dog Ernie "Ernst" so whenever I read about Father Ernst I was imagining a pug head on an old man body, and that made me laugh.
whittybooks's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism
Moderate: Rape, Suicide, and Incest
elna17a9a's review
4.0
I'm a sucker for stories about cults and oppressive religions and women in these situations, AND retelling of the Lilith story.
Tarry This Night hit all of those buttons, and did so in a terrifyingly bleak, realistic and unblinking way. The truth is, living in a bunker for years with no specified end date and expecting to replenish your population from the same dwindling, starving supply of women is unfeasible and yet people try it or want to try it all the time.
The sense of hopelessness and inevitability is suffused throughout, hitting the women and children differently (but of course not Father Ernst) but equally severely. The fact that they had to resort to cannibalism and fasting is presented and an inevitability and a horrifying one.
Ruth, Paul, and Susan were great characters, flawed and strong. Cults prey on the vulnerable and lonely, and Susan fell into that trap, seeking safety and family and belonging. She had it for a short while, but when the matriarchs died, it was too late for her to escape. Ruth and Paul were born into the cult, and while Paul has had a chance to grow with Father Ernst's influence, Ruth has not and struggles with being a good "Christian" and reconciling her desires for freedom and love.
Father Ernst was definitely a villain, but a three-dimensional one, who clearly believed in what he was preaching and his vision for the future. Silas was... interesting, and I wish we knew more about him.
Tarry This Night hit all of those buttons, and did so in a terrifyingly bleak, realistic and unblinking way. The truth is, living in a bunker for years with no specified end date and expecting to replenish your population from the same dwindling, starving supply of women is unfeasible and yet people try it or want to try it all the time.
The sense of hopelessness and inevitability is suffused throughout, hitting the women and children differently (but of course not Father Ernst) but equally severely. The fact that they had to resort to cannibalism and fasting is presented and an inevitability and a horrifying one.
Ruth, Paul, and Susan were great characters, flawed and strong. Cults prey on the vulnerable and lonely, and Susan fell into that trap, seeking safety and family and belonging. She had it for a short while, but when the matriarchs died, it was too late for her to escape. Ruth and Paul were born into the cult, and while Paul has had a chance to grow with Father Ernst's influence, Ruth has not and struggles with being a good "Christian" and reconciling her desires for freedom and love.
Father Ernst was definitely a villain, but a three-dimensional one, who clearly believed in what he was preaching and his vision for the future. Silas was... interesting, and I wish we knew more about him.
wcsheffer's review
4.0
Haunting story of a cult living in an underground bunker. Dunnion reels the reader in by developing her characters through real time narrating but also flashbacks to life before the bunker. Dunnion deals heavily in the patriarchal archetype of extremist religious groups--centering the terrifying Father Ernst. But all is not right in the bunker and beliefs begin to waver. Once I got into it, I could not put it down. Dunnion take the reader on an intense rollercoaster, I was on the edge of my seat up until the very last sentence.
veereading's review
3.0
I thought this was a very interesting cult fiction with dystopian elements thrown into it. The summary is quite apt: there is a cult with its leader living in an underground bunker waiting out the civil unrest happening above ground, but tensions are high and they are on the brink of starvation. It's the perfect setting for desperation to settle in and for something climactic to happen. I really liked that the story was told from multiple perspectives; it allowed us to understand the main characters better, while also showing us the situation they were in and how being a part of this cult had changed them. There are characters across all ages, each with their own unique experience and viewpoints. This is a gritty story that explores many different themes: the divide between blind faith and the ability to make one's own choice, the loss of innocence, the desperation to survive, and the meaning of happiness and freedom. I really enjoyed the story but I just wish it had been longer! A longer story would have given more tension, and would have made me feel more satisfied about the ending. Overall, a really good story that I wish had been longer so that I could have enjoyed it more! 3/5 star rating from me!
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For more reviews, visit: www.veereading.wordpress.com
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