Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Piranesi was an incredible reading experience. As I was moving through this story, I was constantly feeling amazed that an actual human being could create something like this just by using their mind. It was completely phenomenal. 

Firstly, I read this book very quickly - I literally couldn't pull myself out of the world of Piranesi. The book consists of a series of journal entries composed by a nameless man who refers to himself as Piranesi. He lives in a castle-like building that has no beginning or ending. Inside of this building, an ocean, an endless amount of statues, and random skeletons can be found. Sometimes, Piranesi is visited by a man he calls "The Other." One day, The Other tells Piranesi that danger is imminent and they defeat it before it can wreak its havoc - but are they on the same team?

The only criticism I can come up with for this story is that the ending is somewhat predictable, but it really does not detract from the book whatsoever. Otherwise, this book was such a pleasure to read and experience. Piranesi is surreal, well planned, and effortlessly put together - it's honestly such an inspiration!

Thrust by Lidia Yuknavitch

 *Trigger Warnings* rape, incest, sexual themes, child sexualization

Thrust by Lidia Yuknavitch
⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was, without a doubt, the wildest ride a book has ever taken me on. The story follows Laisve, a young girl from the late twenty-first century, as she travels through time to connect the people and stories that lead to her life being created. On her journey, her actions are not only helping her to survive, but also to save lives. That sounds like a fun, little fairy tale but trust me - it's not.

Thrust was a surrealist's fever dream, except every single detail in this story serves a purpose. The way that these stories are interwoven is so incredibly impressive. Lidia Yuknavitch's talent blew me away. As readers, we are thrown into various timelines, histories, and perspectives. It can feel a little overwhelming to keep up with it at times, but it's manageable!

The ideas in this book are executed perfectly which helps emphasise just how poignant and intriguing they are. The historical fiction aspects of the story are also amazing and the characterization is very well done. This book is genuinely such a whirlwind. 

Even though Thrust was amazing, there were a few things that I didn't enjoy as much. There is almost constant sexualization of Laisve, who is a literal child. There are also a lot of incestual themes as well as two separate incidents of actual physical incest. In addition to that, Thrust is packed with erotica, although personally, I didn't find that the story benefitted much from it.

With the exception of those criticisms, this story was so unique and wild. It was politically stimulating and Lidia Yuknavitch highlighted so many important topics like misogyny, climate change, juvenile delinquency, etc. 

I would definitely recommend it, but please be aware of the content warnings first!

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

The Southern Book Club's
Guide to Slaying Vampires
by Grady Hendrix
⭐⭐

This was such a great concept and I had really high hopes of loving this book. Unfortunately, it just didn't work out that way.

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires follows the story of Patricia, a middle-aged house wife, as she discovers a ghastly monster living and feeding off of her quaint, suburban neighborhood. Out of pure desperation, she enlists the help of her book club - consisting of all the housewives that live in the neighborhood - to defeat this ghoul.

Most of this book consists of Patricia trying to convince her friends that she isn't crazy. There was so much wasted time in this book because it was like every chapter was the main character trying to prove that the monster and the threat he poses is real! It gets extremely repetitive and boring pretty quickly. I also felt like there would be more humor in this book, which is typical of Grady Hendrix, but it didn't really have much of that, either. The actual vampire wasn't very intimidating and I feel like this book could have been a bit darker and more gruesome. Patricia is also quite the White Savior in this story, which was totally unnecessary. 

There were some things that I did like, though, like the cast of women in the story and how diverse they were. I also thought that Grady Hendrix's portrayal of the relationships between these housewives and their husbands was a very nice touch. 

Overall, I would suggest skipping this one. It wasn't terrible, but it felt a little pointless upon completing it. Grady Hendrix is a great author though, and I'd absolutely recommend The Final Girl Support Group.

The Summoning by J.P. Smith

The Summoning
by J.P. Smith
⭐

Ah, The Summoning... I'll try my best with this review, but I make no promises. Generally, I always try to keep reviews positive, even if I disliked a book. This book just made me angry, though.

In the beginning of The Summoning, we meet Kit, a struggling actress who lost her husband during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. When her daughter falls into a coma, Kit becomes desperate to make money to pay for the cost of keeping her daughter alive. Having no choice, she decides to become a false medium - she can make some easy cash whilst helping others get through their grief. One day, however, Kit starts to believe that she really is having visions and hearing the voices of spirits.

I hated it. I really can't find a single good thing about it. Firstly, this is NOT a ghost story, nor is it anything that even resembles horror or suspense. The characters are all one dimensional with zero growth or development whatsoever. The twist in the story was only there for shock value, because otherwise, it made literally no sense. The ending was like a slap in the face. 

Some people enjoyed this book but I don't think we read the same thing. I would absolutely never recommend this to anyone. It was, hands down, the worst book I've read so far this year!

Curious Toys by Elizabeth Hand

Curious Toys by Elizabeth Hand
⭐⭐⭐

This was one heck of a book. Set in the early 1900s, this narrative stars Pin - a fifteen year old girl who lives in an amusement park and disguises herself as a boy. When young girls begin to go missing and start to turn up murdered, Pin enlists the help of Henry Darger, one of the earliest and most famous outsider artists, to help solve these dastardly crimes and find the killer. 

Curious Toys highlighted so many political issues in our world. Elizabeth Hand comments on capitalism, homophobia, misogony, racism, pedophilia, abusal of power, body dysmorphia, ableism, and even sexual assault - and she does it all with such grace and finesse. It was such a treat to see how the author effortlessly implemented these themes throughout the story.

I gave this book 3 stars but it's honestly one of my favorite books I've read this year. There are only two things that I can criticize, the first being the rushed ending. The whole story is perfectly paced, but as we near the ending, the climax and resolution feel as though they were thrown together quickly. Also, the final pages, which take place after the killer is revealed, are really disappointing and unsatisfying. In addition to that, the killer's identity was very predictable. It was so obvious that I mistakenly thought it was supposed to be a redherring!

The story of Curious Toys was so magical, and it's such a bummer that the ending was so frustrating. This is such a special story though and it's a great example of historical fiction done right!

Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda

Woman, Eating
by Claire Kohda
⭐⭐

I genuinely wanted to like this book - a femme-lit horror novel about a vampire trying to break the cycle of generational trauma and forge their own path? That is right up my alley!

Unfortunately, this story fell very flat for me. Firstly, I feel like this kind of premise would have been better if it was fleshed out a little bit more and given more pages. It was way too short for everything the author was trying to accomplish. This caused the story to lack depth and emotion. Characters newly coming into the main character, Lydia's, life aren't allotted enough time to build a relationship with her. 

Lydia's attempts to deal with her traumas was appreciated but overall, they were rushed and ended before we could really sink our teeth in (pun intended). As a reader, we can understand what has led Lydia to be who she is and why she feels such shame about herself, but we don't get a chance to explore these things with her and watch her break free from them

It's not that this book is a "bad" book. As a matter of fact, so many people have loved it! But for me personally - I just didn't get it. If we can't dive deep into Lydia's psyche, what's the overall goal of the story? I'm bummed out about it for sure, but don't let my review discourage you! It might be your next favorite book! Unfortunately, it just wasn't for me!

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

The Final Girl Support Group
by Grady Hendrix
⭐⭐⭐⭐

In The Final Girl Support Group, we meet Lynette - a Final Girl whose real life horror story has made her live her life in lockdown, cutting out all relationships and refusing to leave her apartment, except to attend the Final Girl Support Group (which is exactly what it sounds like). Every week, every Final Girl (women who are the sole survivors of a mass murderer) gets together to work through their past trauma in a therapy setting… until one day, one of the girls doesn’t show up, and each woman seems to be targeted by a mystery threat. 

I loved this book. Each character has a unique personality, voice, and response to trauma. It is very rare for a book to have a large cast of characters that don’t bleed into one another. Grady Hendrix did an impeccable job building these characters in a realistic and totally believable way. I also loved how funny the story was. There were no laugh out louds or punchlines, it was more of a social ineptitude that caused many snorts of mini laughter. I just loved Lynette and her inability to interact with any other human in a somewhat normal capacity. She is a pretty unreliable narrator, which also adds a fun twist to this story. Due to her trauma and PTSD, she fears and distrusts every person she comes into contact with, so you’re really as confused as Lynette is throughout this entire story. 

Generally, the story moves fast - it’s a page turner for sure. The twists are great and the effort that Grady Hendrix puts into world building and fabricating things like newspaper excerpts, movie reviews, and Final Girl interviews really adds to the story and makes it even more enjoyable. 

I would have given this book five stars but its ending was rushed and felt a bit unsatisfying. The ending wasn’t bad, it was quite good story-wise, but the climax at the end was too quickly pushed into a resolution. There was so much good about this book, so much that really stood out. I just wish the ending had been a little better. I still really enjoyed this book though and would definitely recommend it to anyone who is a fan of horror movies. This is definitely a story for you! 

Phantoms by Christian Kiefer

Phantoms by Christian Kiefer
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Phantoms by Christian Kiefer is a story that follows John Frazier, our main character, while he reluctantly chases ghosts in order to investigate the disappearance of Vietnam Veteran Ray Takahashi, whose family were neighbors and friends with John's Aunt Evelyn years prior. John becomes the bridge between truth and fallacy as well as memory and guilt as he tries to piece together the events of the past. 

Phantoms is a story that really affected me. As you experience this journey, you become aware of how every single action of the people in this story, big or small, is culpable in the disappearance of Ray. You feel the weight that each decision, lie, and mistake has and it devastated me. This book has a handful of characters and though the main character is John Frazier, Ray Takahashi is the real star of this story.

Ray's story (and fate) is not unlike so many other Japanese Americans, not only at the time of the Vietnam War, but all throughout American history. I try my best for spoiler free reviews, so all I will say is that I was definitely in tears by the time I reached the last page of this book. 

There's not much else I can say, considering the fact that this is a story that you need to just experience yourself while reading. The only reason that this isn't a 5 star rating is because I do not believe that we needed to see Ray's story through the lens of a white (savior) narrator. This is a common theme that occurs throughout historical fiction and it is so unbelievably outdated. 

Otherwise, this is such a good read. Have some tissues ready! 

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous
by Ocean Vuong
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ocean Vuong's debut novel, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, opens up as a deeply moving letter to his illiterate mother, but by the end, we realize that this is more of a letter to himself, to us, to the powers that be, to all of mankind, and to the past. In this relatively short memoir/novel, Ocean encapsulates some of the rawest wisdom I have ever encountered, all while developing his own definition of humanity by reliving (and reshaping) his past. 

I struggled writing this review at first. What else is there to say other than that it is one of the most profound pieces of writing I have had the pleasure of experiencing? What else is there to say other than that this changed my perspective on grief and trauma? 

Admittedly, it took me a while to finish this book. It sat heavy on my heart each time I picked it up. I would read, cry, process, and read again. These pages bleed with trauma, loss, love, but most of all, hope, the kind of hopeless hope that hits you in the chest, leaving you breathless because how do we carry our accumulative corpses if we can't wish for a day in the future where we can set them down? Every time I picked up On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous,  I left with something new and heavy imprinted onto my soul

Subjectively speaking, this is one of the most important novels/memoirs to exist in my opinion. Ocean's pain is substantial and his longing is a longing that I, and many others, can resonate with on an incredibly deep level. Objectively speaking, Ocean's real life experiences spark a discourse on the coexistence of negligence and care, hate and love, authenticity and insincerity - all in the name of survival. Ocean also discusses his relationship with colonialism, sexuality, queerness, drug use, and racism, all while setting a phenomenal example of what effect beautiful prose and lyricism can have on us emotionally. 

This book might be little, but she is fierce - she packs a punch. I would highly recommend any of Ocean's work for the world to read. His is a voice that belongs to an entire generation and I believe also to a future literary legend. I adore him just as I adored this book. 

Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn

Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband?
by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn
⭐⭐

Yinka is a British Nigerian, work oriented, strong, independent woman who has yet to find a man with whom she can marry, and her family of Aunties make sure to remind her of this fact pretty regularly. Yinka is successful in every single way, and yet to her family, she is a failure for not yet having married or had children. When Yinka loses her job and begins to plan her cousin's wedding, she promises herself that she will find a date by the big day - not because she wants one, but just to prove to her Aunties that she can. 

YWIYH was such a fun and enjoyable read, even though I realize rating it 2 stars says differently, but I did genuinely enjoy my time with Yinka! This story is goofy, heartwarming, and I think so many people can resonate with Yinka and her story, as well as the relationships she has with her friends and family. 

Where this story falls short for me is the character development and the ending. Firstly, there were so many wonderful and diverse female characters in this book, I just wish we could have gotten to know them on a deeper level. We become intimately familiar with only two characters in this story, outside of our main character Yinka. Secondly, about 25% into the book, I predicted the ending. And I know! It's a romance baby, not a mystery! But it really would have been nice for a twist ending, perhaps one that doesn't tie everything up in a pretty little ribbon. I don't always mind predicting the ending either, but in this case, it was so blaringly obvious that it made the ending less satisfying. 

Despite my personal critiques, this story was fun, unique, diverse, goofy, and just plain enjoyable. It is light hearted, which at the time I met Yinka, I desperately needed. I definitely recommend this for all of my Romance lovers - I have a feeling you would just adore this story! 

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

The Chain by Adrian McKinty
⭐⭐⭐

The Chain by Adrian McKinty hooked me in from the very beginning. With a premise full of potential, this was a thriller that I was really looking forward to! 

On what should be a perfectly normal weekday, Rachel Klein's daughter Kylie doesn't make it to school. As Rachel is on her way to a potentially devastating doctor's appointment with her Oncologist, she receives an anonymous phone call. Kylie has been kidnapped and unless Rachel abducts another child, both she and her daughter will be killed - Rachel has no choice but to continue The Chain. 

This story had so much potential, however, I can only give it three stars. I was totally invested in the story for the first part of the book. I resonated with Rachel's devotion to her child and her willingness to do whatever it takes to secure her safety. It felt real and like this could possibly take place in our society today, but as the second part of this story begins, the plot becomes nonsensical and unrealistic, sometimes bordering on predictable as well. It starts with a bang and maintains that intensity for the entirety of the novel though, which is definitely a plus in my opinion. 

I liked The Chain just fine, but the ending disappointed me very much. It felt like two different stories that were stapled together. If this premise interests you, I see nothing wrong with picking this book up, but don't get your hopes up - this one won't be the "Next Best Thriller," but it was enjoyable nonetheless! 

Fairy Tale by Stephen King

Fairy Tale by Stephen King
⭐⭐⭐⭐

In Fairy Tale by Stephen King, we are introduced to Charlie, a seventeen year old whose mother died tragically when he was a young boy. To cope with such a monumental loss, Charlie's dad becomes a raging alcoholic. One day, Charlie asks God for a favor - if God can help his father with his sobriety, Charlie will do whatever God asks of him when the time comes. Years go by and when duty finally calls, it is in the shape of Mr. Bowditch, the neighborhood's grouchy old hermit, and his dog Radar. Meeting Mr. Bowditch triggers a domino effect in which Charlie is thrown into the adventure of a lifetime.

So Stephen King wrote his own twisted fairytale - and I loved almost every page of it! This is a portal story - almost all of Charlie's journey takes place in the "Other World," also known as Empis. The setting of Empis was pure magic; the world is filled with humans, giant bugs, royalty, and like any good fairytale - villains and monsters. Stephen King effortlessly combined horror and fantasy in this book!

As much as I loved Fairy Tale, there were a few things that brought this rating down from five stars to four. Firstly, the ending is very rushed. There's so much buildup and backstory but the ending just kind of... happens. Also, the epilogue genuinely made me mad. I don't think it should have been included at all. It totally made the rest of the story less impactful and detracted from my enjoyment of the tale overall. The story could have been even darker and a little longer as well, in my opinion.

The characters were the heart of this book and each one, even the villains, had their own charms. The characterization was amazing as per usual with Mr. King. Radar is literally the best fictional dog ever and Charlie is such a great main character.

There's so much more I could say but this review would be way too long! I absolutely adored Fairy Tale and I loved the time I spent in Empis with Charlie. I definitely recommend this book, but only if you're NOT new to Stephen King. I don't think this would be a good introduction to his body of work. Overall, this story was awesome!

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon is, in its own right, a coming of age story. We meet Vern freshly after her escape from Cainland - an all-Black cult focused on unlearning and undoing all of the colonization and violence of White Supremacy, both in the past and present. She is 15 years old and giving birth whilst hiding in a forest from a hunter known as the Fiend, whose orders are to drag her back to Cainland, dead or alive. We follow Vern’s journey from child, to mother, to refugee, and finally - to warrior. 

Sorrowland is a story unlike any I’ve ever experienced. It is brutal, romantic, violent, warm, and full of love. There is so much to unpack about this story. Sorrowland offers up so many takeaways regarding race, sexual identity, and gender norms. 

It was incredibly refreshing to read a story with these topics interwoven and spoken about with pure honesty. Rivers Solomon didn’t sugarcoat the very serious and real struggles that POC and LGBTQIA people face on a daily basis. Sorrowland sinks its teeth into these topics and it draws blood. There are so many themes of abuse in Vern’s story. Sometimes it is approached in a subtle manner and other times it’s right in your face, but what is most compelling is the influence of the violence that our systems/people in power commit daily against Black people, both metaphorically and literally. 

Vern’s story is one that left a mark on me. There are metaphysical moments scattered through this story, but it is indeed a real story that takes place in front of blind eyes every single day. This story is one of perseverance and strength. Rivers Solomon is a genius and their talent in storytelling is one I hope will continue to bless us in the future. Don’t ignore this gem of a novel! I highly recommend it!

The House on Vesper Sands by Paraic O'Donnell

The House on Vesper Sands
by Paraic O'Donnell
⭐⭐⭐⭐

The House On Vesper Sands by Paraic O’Donnell follows the story of three incredibly different individuals who just so happen to be investigating the same mystery - but for different reasons. The story begins with a seamstress employed by the famous Lord Strythe ending her life and in doing so, she sets off a series of events that our three main characters work tirelessly to make sense of. 

Gideon, a Cambridge dropout who finds himself in a predicament where impersonating a police sergeant seems perfectly reasonable, Inspector Cutter, the lead investigator of the novel, and Octavia, a strikingly observant female journalist trying to find success in a male dominated industry, set up the cast for this wonderful mystery. I find it uncommon to read a book where every character is enjoyable for completely different reasons. The perspective often shifts between Gideon and Octavia, and each character has a very distinct voice and way of viewing the world and the situation in front of them. 

I adore historical fiction, so very early on in the story I found myself sucked in. Not only is this a page turner, but Paraic O’Donnell did a beautiful job of weaving in occult themes throughout the novel. The twists fit well within the story, were believable, and very well paced as the book progressed. This is definitely a slower burn but worth all of the setup the author sets into place. 

By far, however, the characterization as well as the character development and dialogue were my favorite parts of The House On Vesper Sands. Gideon, Cutter, and Octavia are the hearts of this story in every way. 

I gave this novel 4 stars instead of 5 for only one reason. The story was well written but the ending feels rushed in the final 50 pages or so. I am not the biggest fan of the Sherlockian habit of closing the case with lengthy dialogue that ties up all the loose ends. It’s just not a very natural ending. 

Nonetheless, The House On Vesper Sands is a great story with characters that stick with you. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys historical fiction or murder mysteries. I hope we get a sequel! 

The Stars Are Not Yet Bells by Hannah Lillith Assadi

The Stars Are Not Yet Bells
by Hannah Lillith Assadi
⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Stars Are Not Yet Bells is one of those books that is about nothing in particular - the premise existing as more of a statement about a specific place and time in the main character's life. I love books like this! 

Centered on Elle, an elderly woman diagnosed with dementia, this book takes us on a journey through her past, her regrets, her mental health struggles, her strained marriage, and the great losses of her life, as well as the delusions and empty pockets of time that can occur when one is losing their memory. 

The story of Elle's life is an unfortunately tragic one and it is truly a testament to how one decision can completely alter the trajectory of your life. This story jumps all over the place! We are essentially being led by Elle deeper and deeper into the dark, through all the twists and turns of her past and present and all the spots where they intersect. With that being said, however, it is easy enough to follow along, despite Elle's worsening confusion as the book progresses.

Hannah Lillith Assadi's skill to interweave subtle observations throughout The Stars Are Not Yet Bells is extremely impressive. Again and again we are presented with the sexism and misogyny of the early to mid 1900s as well as the ridiculously unreachable expectations placed upon the shoulders of women at the time. There are also undercurrents of additional themes, such as racism, homophobia, and the hierarchy that separates the wealthy from the working class. All of these themes are touched upon gracefully; the moments in the story that showcase these issues are strong enough to inspire thought, but subtle enough so as not to overwhelm less experienced readers. 

I'm not going to delve too deeply into the story for this review because the whole novel is centered around the experience that readers have while watching Elle's life unfold through her eyes. What I will say, however, is that this was originally going to be rated 3 stars, but the ending changed my opinion completely, and so I've given it 4 stars. This is definitely not a novel for everyone, but it is an interesting take on Historical Fiction and Elle's story will stay with me for a while. 

Falling by T.J. Newman

Falling by T.J. Newman
⭐⭐

Falling by T.J. Newman is a story about humanity, survival, terrorism, and what people are willing to do when faced with a life or death situation. In this book we meet Bill, a pilot who accepts a last minute job request, much to the chagrin of his wife, Carrie. It should be an easy job and Bill’s biggest worry is Carrie’s anger - at least until he receives an email with a photo of his wife and children, bound and gagged, attached. Sam, an immigrant from Kurdistan, has an agenda and he offers Bill an ultimatum. The veteran pilot can either crash his plane, killing everyone on board, or helplessly watch as his family is killed instead. 

I wanted so badly to like this book! Its premise was so promising and it’s the exact kind of psychological manipulation that I typically adore. Plus, so many others loved it (including my dad)! Unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me. 

Most of the characters felt very one dimensional to me. They just simply existed within this crisis. Towards the climax of the story, the author includes back stories that by that point, are completely unnecessary. It felt like an attempt to fluff the book up - delaying the resolution to the story in hopes of having a thicker book. Even characters that were not important to the story received backgrounds that eventually became more of a nuisance than an addition. Why wait until 2/3’s of the story to offer histories for each character?

I felt that the premise was strong but just not executed the best. There were definitely positives in this story though! The first of which is the pacing. This book is quick and the tension created as a result of that intensity is a nice effect. I looked forward to the parts of the story that centered on the flight attendants. Those were by far the best moments in my opinion!! Also, politically speaking, this book made many great points and offered a wonderful conversation about privilege, the United States, the murders we commit in the name of justice, and the oppression of other races and groups. 

Overall, this wasn’t my cup of tea. It felt like an action film that took itself a little too seriously. I wouldn’t really recommend picking it up, but who knows! Maybe you’ll enjoy it! So many people did! It just wasn’t for me! 

Billy Summers by Stephen King

Billy Summers
by Stephen King
⭐⭐⭐

Billy Summers left me feeling very conflicted. On one hand, I really enjoyed the story as well as the characters - I found myself genuinely caring for both Billy and Alice. On the other hand, however, I feel as though I may have read a different book than the mass majority of other readers who have thoroughly enjoyed and claimed that Billy Summers is King’s best work in years. 

Let me preface this by saying that I am a massive Stephen King fan, and I personally feel that his best book in years is The Outsider. I highly recommend that one! I have high expectations for King, and this one just fell short. 

Much of what I would like to include as examples in this review would be spoilers, so I am choosing to be incredibly vague intentionally! I feel as though this book was written as a script - like King wrote it with the sole purpose of making a television show or a film in mind. He follows the overwritten and overplayed trope of a hitman giving his last hurrah. Just one more job before he leaves it all behind. What could possibly go wrong?

The character development is well done, as usual. At this point it is well known that this is Stephen King’s most well-honed skill. The amount of research done on the Iraq war, the mafia, and small town America was by far the shining star of the story. Unfortunately, it doesn’t change the ‘badly acted cop TV show on cable television’ vibe I got from the dialogue in the book. 

The dialogue feels inauthentic and even a bit robotic. Often in the story, King utilized dialogue as a tool to replay and remind readers what was said or done previously in the story. It wasn’t horrible, but it definitely caused Billy’s story to feel unrealistic. It brought me out of the story a few times as well. 

As a fan, the little mentions of previous books was thoroughly enjoyed but King could have taken it a little further. I feel like that could’ve really enhanced the story and that it was a missed opportunity on his part. 

Overall, I gave Billy Summers 3 stars (more like 3.5), because it was an enjoyable story. The research was well done, I cared about the characters, and the story was decent enough to want to find out what happens. But this doesn’t feel like a Stephen King novel. Some people find that wonderful, but I feel different about it. It was an okay book.

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake

Three Dark Crowns
by Kendare Blake
⭐⭐⭐

Three Dark Crowns has an incredibly promising plot. In every generation, a set of triplets are born and it is their destiny to battle it out and end each other’s lives in the hope of claiming the throne. Each of the sisters is born with a power - Queen Katharine is a poisoner, Queen Arsinoe is a naturalist, and Queen Mirabella is an elemental. There’s a lot more to this story but these are the basics. 

Firstly, I’ll begin with what I loved about this story - strong female characters! Every woman in this tale knows who she is and what she wants. They are powerful and brave but still capable of love and compassion. That is a rare combination! 

This is the kind of book where we switch characters with each chapter. I found myself heavily invested in Arsinoe and Katharine’s stories. Their stories contained multitudes - love, friendship, betrayal, and magic - whereas Mirabella’s chapters, though still enjoyable, felt a little lackluster. 

Three Dark Crowns has an extremely large cast. Like… really large. Each Queen has an entire entourage behind them, not to mention suitors, priestesses, family, friends, etc. If you aren’t used to juggling so many characters at once, you may struggle in the beginning. By the middle of the story, however, you’ll probably have a good handle on them. 

I enjoyed this book and will definitely pick up the sequel, however I didn’t rate this story higher for a few reasons. There were twists in this story that I simply just didn’t like! Also, this story is all setup. There are a few moments of tension and suspense but this is entirely a story made of character development. Nothing much happens outside of the Queens’ personal relationships. I wish the last hundred pages were used differently. I would’ve enjoyed more insight into the traditions, such as the Hunt. The ending came very slowly but it also felt rushed. There weren’t many details to really emphasize the meaning of it all. 

Overall, this book was good! I am invested in the characters and the ending was strong enough to hook me in for the sequel! If you like witches and blood traditions, as well as love and friendship, then I would highly suggest picking this book up!

Clown in a Cornfield 2: Frendo Lives by Adam Cesare

Clown in a Cornfield 2:
Frendo Lives
by Adam Cesare
⭐⭐⭐

It is the one year anniversary of the Kettle Springs' Massacre and Quinn is finally adjusting to her new life as a trauma survivor. As is customary to most horror sequels, an anniversary is an invitation for all hell to break loose! Frendo lives - and a lot of people die.

This was a pretty successful sequel! I loved catching up with our cast of heroes - Quinn, Rust, Cole, and Quinn's father. Fast paced and a wild ride, I really enjoyed the changes that took place in this story compared to the first book. The new Frendos and their reasons to commit such murderous carnage was unique and creative! 

I definitely have a few criticisms however! The horror and slasher qualities of the first story didn't really exists in this sequel. I feel like the original story had more of a sense of humor about the dramatized gore - it knew exactly the kind of book it was. This time around, it seems like Adam Cesare took a more serious, realistic approach. This isn't a terrible thing, but I definitely missed that in this story. I also wasn't a fan of the character development throughout the story. I felt like some of the decisions made by certain characters didn't feel authentic to those characters. The ending was also rushed and predictable, although it was still enjoyable!

I adored the new characters we meet in Frendo Lives as well! Jerri in particular was one of the best parts of this book in my opinion! Overall, despite the few criticisms I have, I thought this sequel was fun and very politically aware. It was a page turner for sure and I had the best time reading it!

White Oleander by Janet Fitch

White Oleander by Janet Fitch
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I have had this book for well over ten years and every time I tried to pick it up, I put it back down. It has been a book that I have longed to read but it never felt like the right time. I am so grateful that I waited. If I had read White Oleander at any time prior to this year, I don't think I would have understood it as deeply as I do now as a 26 year old woman. I believe everyone could read, enjoy, and carry this book in their heart, but I think it is especially important for every woman to experience Astrid's story. 

White Oleander follows the journey of Astrid before, during, and after her Mother Ingrid is sent to prison for committing murder. Being only 12 years old at the time of her mother's incarceration, Astrid is sent into the foster care system. 

This is a story that takes place over several years and in many different settings. We also meet a plethora of characters, each coming from polar opposite worlds and experiences. There are so many aspects to this book and I really don't know where to begin with my thoughts. That's how you know it's a favorite of mine. I loved this book. From the very first page, I knew this was going to be a forever favorite.

Not only is this a difficult coming of age story centered on surviving trauma, but it is also about how each and every person we encounter in life, whether a positive or negative influence, leaves a mark on us. We are covered in the bruises and scars from all the hands that have ever touched us. This is a story of finding mothers in strangers, and sometimes, even in ourselves. 

White Oleander is pain, hope, love, friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness all combined to create a mesmerizing and heartbreaking tale of survival. This entire book reads like one long poem and there were so many tabs and annotations by the end. If I could rate this more than 5 stars, I would. This comes extremely, passionately, and highly recommended by me! Please keep in mind that White Oleander contains many triggering topics, such as abuse, pedophilia, grooming, substance abuse, etc. so be prepared beforehand if you'd like to read this one!

Booth by Karen Joy Fowler

Booth by Karen Joy Fowler
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Booth by Karen Joy Fowler tells of the origins behind one of the most infamous murderers in political history - John Wilkes Booth. Anyone that knows me can tell you that I am a history buff, but in addition to that, I am a massive fan of Abraham Lincoln (despite his flaws), and so it was only natural to eventually become interested in his assassin as well. I have become very well acquainted with Booth's life leading up to and after the assassination of Lincoln, but this was my first experience learning about his family and childhood. 

This book really surprised me and I honestly adored it. It's not that I expected NOT to like it, but the ratings on Goodreads were generally lower than I thought they'd be. Many of the reviewers had claimed that they were disappointed by the lack of John Wilkes Booth content, but the synopsis clearly states that this is about the history of the family, not just John. In addition to that, the last 1/3 of the book completely focuses on John and his erratic behavior leading up to the assassination. I was really quite shocked to see so many people not even giving this book a chance. 

Karen Joy Fowler wriite an amazing book. She did some impressively deep research and packed this book with as much nonfiction as possible, yet it read like a novel and the prose leaps from the page. You really get sucked into the story of the Booths. Another impressive aspect of this book is Fowler's ability to take what feels like too many characters and gives them each equal time, focus, and care, and for the most part, as a reader, we become incredibly intimate with most of the Booth family members.

This book is historical fiction but it was also philosophical, mystical, magical, and dark - there is such an artistry that is hidden in these pages. This rating is more of a 4.5 instead of a 5 because of the fictionalization of Rosemary's story and POV, although Fowler's decision of doing this is completely understandable. If you are a fan of historical fiction, Booth is a gorgeous gem of a read.

Survive the Night by Riley Sager

Survive the Night by Riley Sager
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Surviving the Night was a rollercoaster ride worth taking! Charlie’s best friend Maddy was murdered by the so-called “Campus Killer.” Charlie, lost in grief and guilt, chooses to leave university and return home. Feeling like she needs to flee as quickly as possible, Charlie enlists a stranger’s help to make the long drive home. However, the strange man that took Charlie’s offer so eagerly could be a dangerous psycho or a knight in shining armor. 

Thrillers these days, whether novels, film, or television, struggle to create a story that has depth, emotion, and real suspense - it’s a difficult genre to find success in. Oftentimes, we rely on cheap thrills, random twists, and frequent plot holes in order to create and maintain suspense. I was so relieved while reading Survive the Night that this book did not fall victim to this trend! 

I must be honest and say that in the beginning, as we meet Charlie, I was very skeptical. Immediately we learn about her past, which is riddled with trauma. Without spoiling anything, I will say that Charlie has a very interesting coping mechanism for when her brain is overloaded by stress. It is a coping mechanism that causes her to float in and out of reality. For the first 100 pages, I felt very neutral about the story. My feelings were that the characterization and portrayal of mental illness and trauma responses was rather dramatized. By 150 pages in, my feelings changed and I was hooked. 

Every decision, twist, and plot device in this story is intentional. The suspenseful energy is maintained until the very end and the character development gives this story the emotional depth that thrillers often lack. The ending was exactly what this story needed. It was well thought out and planned - every twist made sense and aided in enhancing the narrative as well as the experience for the reader. 

Survive the Night is a highly recommended book! It was absolutely superb! Great characters, great twists, great story, and great writing. I am definitely looking forward to further exploring the rest of Riley Sager’s catalogue!

Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare

Clown in a Cornfield
by Adam Cesare
⭐⭐⭐⭐

Quinn is the new girl in town - a city girl who, after the death of her mother, is looking for a fresh start. She unknowingly falls into the cast of reckless, rebellious teens who are “ruining” the town of Kettle Springs. Oh. And there are clowns. And they’re murderous. Things begin going downhill very quickly. 

Clown In A Cornfield is a fantastic ride from beginning to end. I hope this is a book that gets made into a film - it would definitely be a fun one to see on the big screen! A really great aspect of this story is that practically every character is unlikeable. They are obnoxious, rude, and lack all common sense, however Adam Cesare is killer (no pun intended) at offering every character a redemption moment. Thanks to character development throughout this story, by the end, you really do begin to root for these characters. One of my favorite parts of this story is the relationship between Quinn and her father Glenn. It’s a realistic portrayal of a father/daughter relationship and I genuinely enjoyed those moments shared between them. 

I could go on and on reviewing this book but it all comes back to this: this is a great slasher. It takes place in small town America. It’s about a murderous clown. There is blood and gore. There’s not much more than that to be said! It was fun, it was suspenseful, and it was bloody! It moves very fast and is a page turner. If you enjoy horror films or slashers, please do yourself a favor and pick up this book. It’s so much fun!

Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

Behind Her Eyes
by Sarah Pinborough
⭐

This is honestly a difficult review for me to write, mainly because I almost never rate a book this low or dislike a novel entirely. I always try to find something redeemable or something I enjoyed but this one was a struggle for me. There was not one thing I found positive about this novel. I know I am in the minority for this one.

From beginning to end, there was not a single character that I liked or rooted for. Every character was toxic and annoying in their own way. I found myself exhausted by the main character (Louise) making the same mistakes repeatedly. Another thing - nobody communicated. David and Louise, David and Adele, Adele and Louise, Louise and Sophie, etc. There is definitely dialogue in this book - lots of it, actually - but nobody COMMUNICATES with one another. 

The twist at the end wasn't a twist for me. I saw it coming from around the halfway point of the story. I didn't predict every detail or anything, but it was obvious enough to me that I didn't enjoy the ending at all. Overall, it felt like it was a badly made psychological thriller that took the cheapest route to a decent twist. 

I have read another novel by Sarah Pinborough in the past and I find myself just as underwhelmed with her writing style as I was back then. There is no character to her writing. Not every author has to be lyrical, poetic, or even have a distinct style to be a writer, but there should be some kind of "voice" that comes through. For me, this style of writing was like reading a newspaper. No emotion, voice, or character. This isn't a slight toward Pinborough - it's more of a personal preference. 

One star still seems rough to me because I rarely rate that low, but to give it any higher would be lying. I really wish I would have enjoyed this book more, but it just wasn't for me. 

Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert

Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert 
⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Dune series has continued to awe me with Frank Herbert’s ability to imagine and create a future world that is not altogether an unrealistic prediction whilst currently in the twenty first century. The world is demanding, dangerous, has themes of segregation, and overall is incredibly realistic considering the Science Fiction/Fantasy aspect of these novels. Most importantly, however, Herbert has excelled at writing stories about people - people in power, people who are oppressed and marginalized, people who are lost in their power, and people who are fighting for power. 

Dune: Messiah picks up years after the first story concludes. Paul Atreides is now deep into his emperorship, and we are beginning to see the long term effects of his rule on society. Paul struggles with his morality in this story; has he helped his world or has he hurt it?

Messiah was a much shorter book than the original, which caused the story to feel a bit rushed. At first, I really did not feel inspired by the story or the events taking place. I felt as though I was missing all that took place between these two books and really would have enjoyed a deeper look into that empty history. I found myself enjoying the insights into the people and the corners of this world, that previously were not shown to us, than the actual story being told. Thankfully, however, those feelings changed once we reached the second half of the novel. 

The conflict and resolution of Dune: Messiah hooked me and left me breathless when the absolutely unexpected happens. This story left me with the impression that Frank Herbert knew exactly what he was doing and where he was taking this story and its characters. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series!

Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie

Fifty Words for Rain
by Asha Lemmie  
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It is rare to find a book that haunts you - that completely envelops you in heartbreak and leaves a lasting impression. Fifty Words for Rain sucked me in from the very beginning. 

Set in Kyoto, Japan during the 1940's, this story deals a lot with the themes of misogyny, servitude, sexual assault, trauma, belonging, but most importantly - love, and how it can intertwine itself in all of your trauma and hatred. 

Nori was a special main character, a colorful girl in a bleak, gray world. When it comes down to it, one of the many reasons this novel has stuck with me is that Asha Lemmie was incredibly successful in her portraying how life is unapologetic in its choice of victims. Asha did an amazing job writing such a soft, wonderful character and then damaging her (or more like breaking her) beyond recognition. 

I will not get into spoilers, but I can say that there were a few moments throughout the story that left me wanting more. Certain moments shared between Nori and her older brother, her friends, her grandparents could have been focused on a bit more, as well as the coming and going of important supporting characters (who should've been involved for a longer amount of time in the story). And finally - what everyone can probably agree on - the ending. The ending is NOT satisfying in the least, but it IS realistic and that is something that I can appreciate.

This book is definitely on my list of recommendations, but I would avoid it if you are not prepared for the constant exposure to intense emotions, abuse, sexual assault, or grief. Fifty Words for Rain was wonderful, but genuinely in the most painful of ways.

Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour

Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour  
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Watch Over Me by Nina Lacour is a must read for everyone! It is simple, yet profound and beautiful in all of its sorrow, joy, and pain. 

In this story we meet eighteen year old Mila, who has recently aged out of the foster care system. She has no friends or family - only her dark past littered with trauma to keep her company. She finds a job at a farm run by Julia and Terry, two foster parents who have created a home for hurt, lost, and “unwanted” children who have not yet found their forever homes. Mila is hired as a teacher and a farmhand, but the farm is not all it seems at first glance. There are ghosts haunting the farm, just as the past haunts many of those who find themselves there. 

I found myself resonating with Mila a lot more than I thought I would initially. The best way I can describe this novel would be to say: it speaks volumes in whispers. It is a story of trauma, of healing, of love, of belonging, of survival. It is a lesson in healing your inner child - finding joy in pain.

Just like the farm, this story is haunting. It finds its way into you. As a trauma survivor myself, I feel that this story should become mandatory reading. I took so much away from Mila’s story. Nina Lacour is a brilliant and imaginative writer. I will definitely be picking up more of her work to enjoy!

Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe

Say Nothing
by Patrick Radden Keefe
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

As an American of Irish descent, I have often heard about the Troubles and the IRA, but admittedly, it has always been in passing and never in much detail. That being said, a lot of what happened and is chronicled in Say Nothing was a complete surprise to me! From the very first chapter, this book was a page turner! 

The sheer volume of research that Keefe must have done for this book is massively impressive. The attention to detail is what makes this historical novel so outstanding. Not only is this book teeming with information, but Keefe did an impeccable job with not overwhelming you. At no point in this book does the author simply list facts in sentence form (which is unfortunately quite common in this genre), nor does he force so much down your throat at once that you cannot follow the story easily. From beginning to end, Say Nothing is a masterpiece of historical recollection. 

The best part of this book by far was Patrick Radden Keefe's ability to humanize the terrorists belonging to the IRA. He gives a background to every individual that had a role in these awful events (that took place over the course of 30 years!). He gives you insight into how the IRA consisted of many members who had humble beginnings as Socialist Pacifists. The road to terrorism was a wild one, but it becomes clear, as you read through the chapters, just how easily groups such as the IRA are able to suck in those who are blinded by their desperation. 

I would highly recommend Say Nothing to anyone interested in the general topic of history. I personally believe that stories about homegrown terrorism have become incredibly vital as white terrorism is becoming more and more prevalent in the United States. This is definitely a must read!

The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

The Cartographers
by Peng Shepherd 
⭐⭐ 

Nell Young, at one point on track to be a specialist in cartography at the New York Public Library, is working a job that she isn't completely fond of and hasn't spoken to her father since the day he fired her and destroyed her entire career. One day, Nell's father is murdered, but not only is the killer a mystery, there was also no way in and no way out of her father's office, except for one door, where a security camera captured absolutely no visitors. Nell starts on a journey to uncover some clues that inevitably lead her down a path that rewrites her past, or at least, the one she remembers. 

I wanted to like this book so badly but it just didn't work for me. I loved the dark academia vibes and the story was moving in a really unique direction, but there just wasn't enough magic for me. Nell as a main character is fine, but her personality tended to be controlling, stubborn, condescending, and she often had tunnel vision. It became frustrating after a while, especially when the right answers are so plainly visible. The twists were also predictable and slightly underwhelming. 

Despite these criticisms, this story was unique and the research done into the art of cartography added so much depth to this book. The Cartographers was generally fine, but it just wasn't a favorite of mine. If you're interested in the synopsis, however, definitely give it a try!

The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman

The Man Who Died Twice
by Richard Osman
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Ah, Thursday Murder Club #2. I was really excited to read this one. It is very rare for me to like a sequel more than the the first in a series, but in the case of The Man Who Died Twice, this is exactly what happened. I love stories starring strong and funny women who are completely unapologetic about who they are, which is why this series will always hold a special place in my heart. 

Just like in the first book, Elizabeth is the main player here, with the parade of her fellow elderly friends at her tail. Throughout this mystery, we meet a few new characters, all of which are fun and interesting additions. The previously existing characters also go through some deeper evolution and the character development added a lot of depth to the characters, which was one of the major lacking points of the first book in my opinion. Joyce's little intermissions were also just as wonderful as before and the growth of her and Elizabeth's friendship in this story made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I'm not going to go too deeply into detail about the story because the mystery was genuinely amazing and it kept me guessing until the very end. I also found this sequel much funnier than the first installation. I definitely feel like Richard Osman found his groove with The Man Who Died Twice. It was really fantastic and I enjoyed the way the story unfolded! I can't wait for #3 in this series!!

The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

The Angel's Game
by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This story is a prelude of sorts to the first novel (The Shadow of the Wind), and follows David Martin, an aspiring author who writes penny dreadfuls for the newspaper that employs him. He has a dream of being a world-renowned novelist and when one day he gets fired from the newspaper, he devotes himself to writing the novel of his dreams. Shortly after he moves into a decrepit (and believed haunted) house, he finds himself slowly wasting away and is concurrently told of a tumor growing in his brain. David reluctantly accepts his oncoming death and gives up his dreams of authorship until one day he is approached by a supposedly famous French publisher. This publisher promises David that he will grant his wishes and give him an unimaginable sum of money if only he will complete one project over the course of one year's time - a religious text that will impact Barcelona's culture for the rest of time. There is a lot more to this synopsis, but I would spend the next three days explaining it! Set in 1920/30's Barcelona, The Angel's Game is a mixture of historical fiction, dark academia, fantasy, and love story. 

The Shadow of the Wind is one of my favorite books. It's enchanting, magical, and so beautiful in every way. The Angel's Game is just the same. From beginning to end, I was hooked to this story - I never wanted to put it down, and by the end, I was so emotionally attached to the world of David Martin that I really missed him after finishing this book. Martin's story is much darker than the story of Daniel Sempere in the first book, but still there were moments of love, warmth, and humor, although my heart was breaking all throughout this tale. Not only did I fall in love with David, but I fell in love all over again with the character of Sempere and his son Daniel. We also have an utterly amazing strong female supporting character in this novel and she is just wonderful and hilarious. 

As can be expected from Carlos Ruiz Zafon, the lyricism, prose, imagery, and atmosphere of this novel is breathtaking and unlike any other. I will always recommend this series. It is pure magic and one of my forever favorites!

The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H.P. Lovecraft

 * TRIGGER WARNINGS * major themes of racism, misogyny, and gore

The Case of Charles Dexter Ward 
by H.P. Lovecraft
⭐⭐⭐⭐

H.P. Lovecraft is a legend but there are definitely some trigger warnings that are needed with almost all of his novels and stories (as stated above). Not only is there frequent misogyny, but Lovecraft was a well known and raging racist. Both of these themes can frequently be found throughout this book. Also, this story is about vampires, so gore is often mentioned as well. Please be aware of these warnings if ever you want to read this story!

The Case of Charles Dexter Ward was a very unique reimagining of the typical vampire story. Charles Dexter Ward is intelligent and has a very bright future, until he happens upon the story of one of his ancestors. This ancestor has an air of mystery and the rumors that surround his life are extremely disturbing - so much so, that most paperwork, letters, and any kind of files related to the existence of this ancestor have been completely destroyed. Charles falls deeply into a metaphorical pit of darkness, obsession, danger, and pure horror. 

In this story, Lovecraft weaves together a frightening and unique tale that holds your attention until the very end. Honestly, the main criticisms I have of this story is the misogyny and racism. It is so frequent in these pages and to put it simply - it was very unpleasant. 

This was a great horror novel and it was completely one of a kind, like most things that came from Lovecraft's mind. The descriptions were so vivid that I could literally almost smell this book. If you're interested in vampires or the twisted brain of Lovecraft, this is a really cool book that is worth reading!

A Very Nice Girl by Imogen Crimp

A Very Nice Girl by Imogen Crimp
⭐

A Very Nice Girl by Imogen Crimp follows the story of Anna as she is trying to navigate adulthood, opera school, and a new, mysterious older man. 

I very rarely rate books 1 star. I have to really dislike it in order to be so tough on it, and unfortunately, this was the case with A Very Nice Girl. I tried really hard but I could not find even one redeemable quality of this story or its characters. 

I didn't find Anna enjoyable. She was vapid, negative, and generally unpleasant. Usually, I don't mind unlikeable main characters. especially when they are trying to navigate a difficult time of their life, but there was not one ounce of character development in this story. For like... any of the characters. The romance gave me constant anxiety and really wasn't romantic at all. Maybe that was the point the author was trying to make, but it's also possible that Anna's constant need of approval from an older, narcissistic, emotionally unavailable man reminded me a little too much of myself. 

I don't recommend this one, although different strokes for different folks, right? Some people really enjoyed this book. It just wasn't for me!

Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

 *TRIGGER WARNINGS* sexual assault, gore, death, themes of violence, child abuse, substance abuse

Her Body and Other Parties
by Carmen Maria Machado 
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Her Body and Other Parties is one of the best collections of short stories that I've ever read. Generally speaking, I'm not the biggest fan of short stories, but every so often I feel the urge to read a collection like this. To say that I enjoyed this book would be a massive understatement!

Her Body is every surrealist, horror obsessed feminist's fever dream. These stories bleed divine femme energy in the most amazing way, though there are definitely many trigger warnings that go alone with this book. 

At times cathartic, healing, powerful, disturbing, empowering, violent, subtle, loud, magical, unapologetic, and philosophical - these stories are so unique and refreshing. Not to mention the prose!! The prose in these pages was astounding and breathtaking, I annotated this book to death. 

Her Body and Other Parties is very dark and intense. It's not at all for the faint of heart. If you like fem lit, horror, or disturbing surrealism, this comes highly recommended from me! I've never read anything quite like this before and I loved every second of it!

Death In Spring by Merce Rodoreda

 *TRIGGER WARNINGS* sexual themes, ableism, gore, themes of violence, domestic abuse, child abuse, animal cruelty, death, suicide, themes of mental illness

Death In Spring by Merce Rodoreda
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Death in Spring is a story told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator as he recounts his experiences growing up and living in his village, also unnamed. The village has very disturbing traditions and rituals, though to the inhabitants, these rituals are necessary to their survival. We follow the narrator from childhood to adulthood as he tries to make sense of his life in the village and finds for himself his own meaning of life. 

Truly, this book left me speechless. Yes, this book is dark and disturbing, oftentimes a beautiful and fascinating example of surrealism - kind of like a fever dream that you don't want to wake up from. This is less of a story and more of a stream of consciousness, but Merce Rodoreda weaves this tale together with purpose and passion. There are moments of profound philosophy and the prose in these pages took my breath away. 

There are various trigger warnings that should accompany this novel, so please be aware of anything that may trigger you. The content in this book can be disturbing and a lot of times, these topics are so naturally included (because in the village, these things are normal, every day occurrences), that it can be unexpected and pretty jarring. 

Death in Spring has become a favorite of mine. It was a really intense and special experience as a reader. I am very excited to read more by Rodoreda - her writing is absolutely extraordinary. I don't think I can recommend this book to everyone because it's definitely one of a kind, but if you find yourself intrigued by the synopsis, then it is totally worth it!