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chia_s's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
3.75
raven_morgan's review against another edition
5.0
This was actually a reread, though I can't remember when I first read it (before I started cataloguing properly on Goodreads).
Kiernan's work has gotten stronger with every book, and there's a scatteredness, as well as a kind of emotional distance, in this novel that isn't there in her later works (The Red Tree and The Drowning Girl in particular, which are both masterpieces).
But don't let that make you think that this is a weak book, because it isn't (see the five star rating). There is such a sense of atmosphere and place in this book, and all of the broken characters feel all too human. You really get the impression that Kiernan tears out her heart afresh to create her books. I am so pleased that she won the Tiptree for The Drowning Girl, and hope that it will get her body of work the attention that it deserves.
Kiernan's work has gotten stronger with every book, and there's a scatteredness, as well as a kind of emotional distance, in this novel that isn't there in her later works (The Red Tree and The Drowning Girl in particular, which are both masterpieces).
But don't let that make you think that this is a weak book, because it isn't (see the five star rating). There is such a sense of atmosphere and place in this book, and all of the broken characters feel all too human. You really get the impression that Kiernan tears out her heart afresh to create her books. I am so pleased that she won the Tiptree for The Drowning Girl, and hope that it will get her body of work the attention that it deserves.
norcani's review against another edition
2.0
2.5
I don't seem to get along too great with Kiernan's earlier works. A lot of interesting stuff in that one but it was kind of all over the place.
I don't seem to get along too great with Kiernan's earlier works. A lot of interesting stuff in that one but it was kind of all over the place.
shellyt's review against another edition
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
superdilettante's review against another edition
3.0
well-written, but after a while I lost interest in the tangledness of gothic girrrrrrls with prrrrroblems and darrrrrk histories.
lisasliteracylovers's review against another edition
4.0
It takes about 75% of the book to get going, but once it does...
acidraineburns's review against another edition
5.0
I first picked this book up about four years ago. For some reason, I was really in the mood for horror. About 30 minutes before the local Hastings was closing for the night, I drug my husband out in the snow to cruise the minimal horror aisle. Aside from the big guns like Koontz and King, Hastings is lacking on quality horror, so I was surprised when I stumbled on this gem. I didn't know anything about the author, but the jacket copy and cover drew me in.
How does one describe this book? The book follows the members of Stiff Kitten (Daria, Mort, and Keith), Theo (Mort's girlfriend), Spyder and her group of goths (Robin, Walter, and Byron), and Niki Ky. Through various reasons, they are all drawn to Spyder. And, in one way or another, she becomes their downfall and/or salvation.
In many ways, Kiernan reminds me of Lovecraft. There is a building of anxiety through this novel, and it is unknown how much is truly inside the head of each of the characters. However, one thing is known for sure, there is something lurking outside in the darkness. The skitterers can be heard in the corners, under the floorboards, and their porcupine hair scratches on the ground as they move. At times, this book feels like an acid trip, but it is amazing.
Kiernan is able to bring this book to life with her amazing prose.
"The espresso flowed from the scooper like liquid midnight, dry fluid so perfectly dark, so smooth, it seemed to steal the dim coffeehouse light, to breathe it alive and exhale velvet caffeine fumes . . . The espresso drained from the brewer's jets, twin golden streams, smooth as blood from an open vein . . . "(22)
Honestly, I find myself unable to fully review this book. Like the spiders in Daria's apartment, it gets under your skin and you're unable to shake it. When I first read it, I found myself jumping at shadows. The second time through, I look at corners twice. This book is twitchy, wonderful, scary, and dirty. Kiernan is able to make the sanest person question their mental stability.
If you're in the mood for a different kind of horror, a pseudo-Lovecraftian adventure, a mind-fuck, and something that will keep you up at night, I suggest grabbing this book.
How does one describe this book? The book follows the members of Stiff Kitten (Daria, Mort, and Keith), Theo (Mort's girlfriend), Spyder and her group of goths (Robin, Walter, and Byron), and Niki Ky. Through various reasons, they are all drawn to Spyder. And, in one way or another, she becomes their downfall and/or salvation.
In many ways, Kiernan reminds me of Lovecraft. There is a building of anxiety through this novel, and it is unknown how much is truly inside the head of each of the characters. However, one thing is known for sure, there is something lurking outside in the darkness. The skitterers can be heard in the corners, under the floorboards, and their porcupine hair scratches on the ground as they move. At times, this book feels like an acid trip, but it is amazing.
Kiernan is able to bring this book to life with her amazing prose.
"The espresso flowed from the scooper like liquid midnight, dry fluid so perfectly dark, so smooth, it seemed to steal the dim coffeehouse light, to breathe it alive and exhale velvet caffeine fumes . . . The espresso drained from the brewer's jets, twin golden streams, smooth as blood from an open vein . . . "(22)
Honestly, I find myself unable to fully review this book. Like the spiders in Daria's apartment, it gets under your skin and you're unable to shake it. When I first read it, I found myself jumping at shadows. The second time through, I look at corners twice. This book is twitchy, wonderful, scary, and dirty. Kiernan is able to make the sanest person question their mental stability.
If you're in the mood for a different kind of horror, a pseudo-Lovecraftian adventure, a mind-fuck, and something that will keep you up at night, I suggest grabbing this book.
amythea's review against another edition
4.0
Captivating & questioning without resolution; a perfect read along with a goth album or two
rainbowblight's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0