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polarbear2023's review against another edition
doesn't catch my attention at all who cares abt this building
amelienp's review against another edition
5.0
The most terribly/delightfully eerie, unsettling, "we don't belong here (in so many senses of the word)" read. Thoroughly enjoyed it, then the afterword about Cassidy's 2021, the inspiration of the book, his brief insight into grief and belonging and disability made me really love it (I was kinda tearing up listening to it).
Spoiler
Before the afterword, I felt strange about the ending, particularly Ana's, the lightness of it all. Her story didn't wrap up the way I was expecting, and I wasn't sure if I liked it considering the ~horror~ genre of the book. But the afterword had me reconsidering this, and my ideas about disability in fiction and especially in horror, and I really do love what Cassidy did with the story.thewellredhead's review against another edition
4.0
THIS BOOK IS INCREDIBLE OH MY FUCK!!!!
Thank you Ethan for suggesting this for book club
Thank you Ethan for suggesting this for book club
venneh's review against another edition
5.0
This is an absolutely exquisitely terrifying novel that focuses on the narrowing of your world, in ways metaphorical and literal, in becoming a parent, trying to keep your little world afloat, and a too good to be true opening in the housing lottery for a perfect apartment for a young family. The new mother's post partum and disability is fully seen and employed in some of the horror here, and it also absolutely shows how toxic masculinity and meaning the best can lead to some real nightmare situations. I'm definitely interested in his other books now, and will try to read them as soon as I can.
modefii's review against another edition
5.0
Definitely a top book of 2023! Loved this from beginning to end.
lon3rston3r's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I really liked this! I originally planned to save this for Halloween to get into the spooky vibes, but I couldn't wait! Ana is a lovable character and I really feel for her throughout the entire book. I didn't expect the twist and didn't quite particularly like the ending, although I enjoyed the journey. I did really like the narrative surrounding Ana and her disability. There were times in the story where you would think Ana would be more discouraged to continue because of her resentment towards her injury and how she struggles to get around sometimes, but it only gave her more strength and I loved that.
DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU WANT THE STORY SPOILED!
Ana dealing with the combination of postpartum depression or just plain depression from her disabling injury due to giving birth made her so likeable to me and I found myself really rooting for her. Her husband, Reid, seems supportive in the beginning but turns out to be just as angry and resentful as Ana. I found that really annoying how he would chastise her for her very real and understandable feelings, but have those same feelings himself. I really didn't like him.
The twist being vampires and gargoyles was NOT what I was expecting, but I stuck with it and enjoyed its uniqueness. I didn't quite like the ending because sometimes I expect the story to wrap up neatly like a pretty little bow, but I am happy that Ana is where she wants to be by the end of the story. Her husband getting what he deserves made me happy because I was crushed by his betrayal. I also I LOVED that at the climax, the villain offered Ana a chance to rid herself of her disability, and she refused. I loved that her "happy" ending didn't involve her disability going away.
DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU WANT THE STORY SPOILED!
The twist being vampires and gargoyles was NOT what I was expecting, but I stuck with it and enjoyed its uniqueness. I didn't quite like the ending because sometimes I expect the story to wrap up neatly like a pretty little bow, but I am happy that Ana is where she wants to be by the end of the story. Her husband getting what he deserves made me happy because I was crushed by his betrayal. I also I LOVED that at the climax, the villain offered Ana a chance to rid herself of her disability, and she refused. I loved that her "happy" ending didn't involve her disability going away.