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samanthainfantasyworld's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book! It was a horror book but wasn’t terrifying and just right for someone dipping her toes into the horror genre! I loved the whole concept of the monsters and the writing was so detailed. I really enjoyed the progression of the story and the characters were great and each had their own personality and role in this book! I would definitely recommend this book!
againanew's review against another edition
4.0
Exceptionally well written book. I like that the ending wasn't all feel good, that makes it more believable for me. And that the main character wasn't some shining hero, but instead a real person.
I'm unable to give this five stars though. It was such a slow burn. I think the only real action and (finally) explanation occurred in the last 40 or so pages and considering this book is 320 pages... That's a lot of slogging.
I'm unable to give this five stars though. It was such a slow burn. I think the only real action and (finally) explanation occurred in the last 40 or so pages and considering this book is 320 pages... That's a lot of slogging.
ajdoom's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
amandanomaly's review against another edition
5.0
I. LOVED. IT! The final line was just PERFECT!
As soon as I read the first line of this novel, I knew I was in for something special. I bow down in awe of Shaun Hamill's skills in his debut novel. I can't WAIT to see what cosmos/world/marvel he creates for us next.
Thank you, Mr. Hamill, for writing something so unique and wondrous! (P.S. This is the perfect October read!)
As soon as I read the first line of this novel, I knew I was in for something special. I bow down in awe of Shaun Hamill's skills in his debut novel. I can't WAIT to see what cosmos/world/marvel he creates for us next.
Thank you, Mr. Hamill, for writing something so unique and wondrous! (P.S. This is the perfect October read!)
inlandempire's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
lilymaerobson's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Death of parent, Death, and Cancer
Minor: Abortion
kivt's review against another edition
3.0
i shoulda noticed & been warned off this book by it being a goodreads award nominee. it wasn’t terrible, and some of the creepy bits were quite good. its themes and metaphors got real confused, which made it way less enjoyable than it could have been.
-hereditary mental illness like depression is like a monster that’s stalked your family for generations. no one wants to speak openly about it for fear of making it more real, which builds up years of lies that make it more powerful. everyone has to find the strength to be honest with each other in order to share information & process their trauma, which is the first step down the only path to defeat the monster for good. cool & excellent
-maybe depression is also a literal monster, tho? and your family deals with the unspoken but undeniable knowledge that you’re prey to something uncanny by obsessing over the haunted house you run as your main source of income. ok, cool
-every member of your family is obsessed with lovecraft enough to quote from his work extensively and leave his books around every setting of the story, to the point this book could serve as a library catalog. ehhhhhhh
-the depression monster is a sexy lady and you can fuck it
Spoiler
-hereditary mental illness like depression is like a monster that’s stalked your family for generations. no one wants to speak openly about it for fear of making it more real, which builds up years of lies that make it more powerful. everyone has to find the strength to be honest with each other in order to share information & process their trauma, which is the first step down the only path to defeat the monster for good. cool & excellent
-maybe depression is also a literal monster, tho? and your family deals with the unspoken but undeniable knowledge that you’re prey to something uncanny by obsessing over the haunted house you run as your main source of income. ok, cool
-every member of your family is obsessed with lovecraft enough to quote from his work extensively and leave his books around every setting of the story, to the point this book could serve as a library catalog. ehhhhhhh
-the depression monster is a sexy lady and you can fuck it
alwroteabook's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
It was okay. Could have been shorter and better. In a bizarre twist of fate, I liked the narrator more than the story. How often does that happen?