A review by kelsbookzone1
Guillotine by Delilah S. Dawson

dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No

4.0

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for access to an early release copy

Described as ready or not and The Menu, Guillotine gives us our protagonist, Dez. Dez is after one thing- opportunity. So she meets Patrick Ruskin, a boring privileged billionaire who risks her away to the family island; where she can finally meet his mother Marie and get the coveted design mentorship someone in her status usually has no chance at. As I’m launched into this book, it’s giving me Saltburn vibes in the way of old money and a manor in the outskirts. Also, what is it with rich people stories taking away all technology, I.e. cellphones? I’m starting to feel a bit overdone in that concept.

The first half of the book doesn’t give you much but  try to show Dez is polite to the staff and how the Ruskins really are not. The back half of the story is just a good ole revenge story, especially if you’re looking for rich people comeuppance. Be prepared for some detailed, gory, and interesting deaths. A line in the book calls it “Saw for rich people” and it’s kind of fitting. Overall, the story was fun but I wish there had been more intensity built up before the reveal. Even though I wanted more from the first half of the story, the back half grabbed me and I finished it in one fell swoop. Pick this novella up if you want a gory fun horror story that plays out more like a horror movie with no backstory.
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