I have never dropped an F-bomb in a review, so I’m asking you to indulge and forgive me, because it’s necessary here. This is one of the most fucked up books I have ever read. It’s a simple premise with meaning that grows deeper and more labyrinthine the longer you think about it and absorb what you’re reading. Don’t go into it expecting answers to every question. The narrator isn’t entirely reliable. You’re getting one side of a story involving several people. The hints of meaning are present in the book, particularly references to the Minotaur, but Tremblay doesn’t force them on you. They’re there to be picked up if you want to pick them up. It’s really a story where you get to assign how much you take away from it, how much you allow it to scare you, and depending on your life experience, you’ll meet different levels of fear here. I loved the hybrid style of writing, with some sections presented as screenplay for the titular horror movie. I thought this was brilliant. One of my favorite horror reads ever.

Character (4.5/5)
Plot & Pacing (5/5)
Setting & Surroundings (5/5)
Dialogue & Diction (5/5)
Craft & Voice (4.5/5)
Reading Experience (5/5)

Final Rating:
4.75/5