by Josh Malerman
A Horror, 2024 by Del Rey, 367 Pages
Note: The formatting on this one is intentionally awkward, as explained by the author before the story. Because of that note from the author, I found it incredibly easy to adapt to the new “rules” he was using but I could see some readers who are sensitive to changes in grammar being bothered by it. For those readers, I’d suggest the audiobook.
What I Didn’t Like:
- The middle part of this one feels like it drags a little at times. You are waiting for the next thing to happen and they are spaced out pretty far. I kept wanting more.
- The child narrator reads a bit younger than she really is. I kept thinking she was 4 or 5 so I was a bit shocked that she was supposed to be older. Still, she reads as a kid and I guess that’s the whole point.
- I love this ending. That being said, we know I like endings that are not typical. Be warned that you may not like this ending, viscerally so.
What I Did Like:
- An intense journey right from the start. I kept thinking I knew what was coming next or where we were going with this story and then it would go in a different direction.
- The Other Mommy character is exactly as twisted and terrifying as you need/want her to be. Nightmare fuel for real.
- I loved this ending. I like endings that feel realistic to the story we were telling yet catch me off guard. I like endings that give you answers but leave you with some thinking to do. That’s a hard list of requirements but this book manages to check them all.
Who Should Read This One:
- Horror fans, this one introduces a familiar concept from an interesting viewpoint. Worth the time.
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